Area History: A Centennial History - Mahanoy City CHAPTER VIII - CHAPTER VIII - COAL AND THE COMMUNITY PAGES 57-64 This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Shirley Ryan sryan@enter.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. __________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER VIII - COAL AND THE COMMUNITY PAGES 57 - 64 A CENNENTIAL HISTORY: THIS MATERIAL IS TRANSCRIBED FROM THE 1963 CENTENNIAL BOOKLET ENTITLED “MAHANOY CITY, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 1863-1963, A HISTORY”. THE HISTORIANS WHO COMPILED THIS HISTORY WERE: JOSEPH H. DAVIES, CHAIRMAN CHARLES H. ENGLE ELWOOD M. YOUNG Transcribed by: Shirley E. Thomas Ryan June 22, 2002 CHAPTER VIII COAL AND THE COMMUNITY Page 57 - Black diamonds to be mined from the bosom of Mother Earth lured the earliest settlers to Mahanoy City. Within the boundaries of Mahanoy Township, early historians tell us, twelve collieries were operated successfully between the years 1860 and 1865. This number was more than doubled in the succeeding six years. The late Thomas L. Thomas compiled the following information on early mining operations here. He credited a number of early residents with assistance in preparing a paper on the subject, which is presented in brief. “THE HARTFORD COLLIERY”, he wrote, operated by capitalists from Hartford, Conn., was located south of the 600 block on East Mahanoy Street. The coal was mined in two drifts located between Main and Catawissa Streets. The coal was hauled in mine cars, drawn by four mules, along the side of the mountain, to a trestle leading to the breaker. The original company that operated the breaker was composed of Edward Forman and friends from Port Carbon. They sold the breaker to New England capitalists. The Gormans then opened and operated what was known as the “New Gorman’s” colliery on the same railroad tracks near the tunnel. “What was known as “Hartford Drift” previously had been named “Baldwin’s Drift”. It was located above the southern end of Main Street. John Holland, Sr., opened the Hartford Drift but soon after it was operated by Philip Conrad and William Cowley. George King, William Tyler and John Bryant were the operators at a later date. The prepared coal was hauled over Catawissa Street to the Reading tracks and loaded into railroad cars. “The long-remembered riot of June 3, 1875, occurred at this operation. Sheriff Werner read the Riot Act. That afternoon, two companies of the Pennsylvania National Guard arrived from Pottsville. They were stationed here for several days when they were relieved by the Harrisburg Grays and the Wrightsville Zouaves. Page 58 - “In the early 1880’s, Layton Baldwin owned this operation which was then called “Baldwin’s Drift”. He constructed chutes at Fourth Street, on the present site of the Mahanoy Area Junior High School, to load coal into railroad cars for shipment. “Whip-Poor-Will Colliery was located behind the 500 block on East Mahanoy Street. It was owned by David Reynolds, Richard Phillips, Walter Lewis and John Griffiths. “Cole’s Colliery (later Tunnel Ridge), was the operation of George Cole who built a breaker and commenced shipping coal in December 1863. In 1869, further development was made. Thomas Lewis, inside foreman, was shot during the labor troubles of 1875. “Hill’s Colliery (later Mahanoy City), was owned by Messrs. Hill and Harris. Charles Hill was superintendent. The first coal was shipped in 1862. Veins opened were the Primrose, Skidmore and Mammoth. This was one of the earliest collieries in Mahanoy Valley. “Silliman’s Colliery (later North Mahanoy) was the second mine to be opened in this vicinity. Samuel and Edward S. Silliman, sr., came from Pottsville in 1862. Alexander S. Fister was outside foreman. The first shipment of coal was made January 14, 1862 from North Mahanoy Breaker. The original breaker was destroyed by fire in 1869. In the same year the Sillimans sold out to Hill, Harris and Rumble who built the breaker which, for many years, was a local landmark. “Primrose Colliery, also known as Steele’s, was opened in 1862 by Steele and Patterson who continued operations until 1866 when the mine was purchased by Caleb Kneavles. The veins worked were the Primrose, Mammoth and Skidmore. “Elmwood Colliery was opened in 1871 at a point opposite the old Grant Iron Works (Foundry Row). The owners were Ralph R. Lee and Thomas and George Wren, of Pottsville. They erected a breaker with machinery at a cost of $85,000 and conducted operations until 1874 when they sold the colliery to the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Co. “Glendon, formerly known as Lawton’s Colliery, was opened in 1861 by Abram Pott, who built a small breaker in 1862. In 1863, the mine was sold to Alfred Lawton who built a large breaker. The colliery was sold to James B. Boylan in 1866 and he operated it until 1876. In 1876, the Delano Land Company took possession of it, leasing it to J.C. Hayden and Co. The company was composed of J.C. Hayden, of Jeanesville; Francis Robinson, York, and Dr. Thomas N. Patterson, Summit Hill. The last mentioned moved to town and assumed the managership of the mine. For thirty years the Patterson family continued to be interested in the operation. The veins mined were the Seven Foot, Buck Mountain and Skidmore. “Other early operations identified with the development of the community but about which space limitations preclude giving details included: Suffolk; St. Nicholas, Wiggans and Treibles, Boston Run, Bowmans, Shoemakers, Park Place, Robinsons, Fochts, Buck Mountain, Vulcan, New Boston, Mill Creek, Morea, Lannigans, Fowlers, Jacksons, Maple Hill, Barrys and possibly others.” An early operation unmentioned by Mr. Thomas, was the East Mahanoy (Hillside) Colliery located on the hillside north of Tenth Street, apparently operated as a tunnel or drift. Of more factual import, but less descriptive, are the following brief descriptions of the early mining operations in the Mahanoy City area condensed from “Reports of the Inspectors of Coal Mines of the Anthracite Coal Regions of Pennsylvania for the year 1871”, published by B. Singerly, State Printer, Harrisburg, in 1872. Grant Colliery - Eshelman & Co. Operated later by Dr. Slocum. Situated east of Mahanoy City, near the western entrance of the tunnel, on the estate of the Delano Land Company. Oak Hollow Colliery - Gorman and Wenterstine, Operators. Situated east of Mahanoy City, south of the Delano Land Company’s tract. Ellen Gowen Colliery - Situated at Maple Dale, on the estate of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Company. It is noted that three deaths resulted from accidents “not reflecting on the officers, but purely casual”. Suffolk - Suffolk Coal Company, Operators. Situated on the estate of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Company. Mahanoy City Colliery - Romel, Hill & Harris, Operators. Situated in the suburbs of Mahanoy City, north, on the estate of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Co. It is re- Page 59 - ported, “in consequence of the destruction of the breaker, by fire, last year, a new one of large capacity has been built off from the old location, and mining and shipping rapidly resumed”. Copley Colliery - Lentz & Bowman, Operators. Situated east of Mahanoy City, on the estate of the Delano Land Company, it is twelve years in operation. East Mahanoy Colliery (This operation was also known as Hillside) - Pomroy & Rickert, Operators. Situated north of Mahanoy City, on the estate of Kear, Patterson & D.L. Company. *Picture of North Mahanoy Colliery with caption “Operations suspended in November, 1930”. Hoffman Colliery - Lineaweaver & Co., Operators, old firm; James F. Hardy & Col., present operators. Situated two miles west of Delano City, in east Mahanoy Valley, on the estate of the Delano Land Co. The present company, it is stated, is composed of company of cooperative miners. In operation some 12 years, it has passed into the hands of different parties. Glendon Colliery - J. B. Boyle, Operator. Situated north of Mahanoy City, on the estate of the Delano Land Co. The mines have been operated for some 12 years, “and bids fair to last for a number of years longer, as the tract is a large one, and the coal deposit extensive and inexhaustive”. Barry Slope - M’Neal Coal and Iron Company, Operators. This slope is situated two miles north of Mahanoy City on the M’Neal Estate. “The market out-let for coal from this colliery is over the Quakake Railway”, the mine inspector notes. M’Neal No.1 Colliery - M’Neal Coal and Iron Company, Operators. Situated two miles east of St. Nicholas, on the M’Neal Estate. M’Neal No. 2 Colliery - M’Neal Coal and Iron Co., Operators. Situated on the same premises with colliery No. 1, “and all the coal is manufactured, shipped and handled at a joint breaker”. Knickerbocker Colliery - This colliery is situated three miles east of St. Nicholas, on the estate of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Company. “This colliery,” the report continues, “has been 13 years in active operation in drift workings, which are now comparatively worked out”. Trenton Colliery - Wooley and Barton, Operators. Situated west of Delano City, on the estate of the Delano Land Co. “This colliery is put in operation of recent date”, it is stated under “remarks”. Elmwood Colliery - Lee & Wren, Operators. Situated in Mahanoy City, west, on the estate of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Company. “A new and substantial breaker has been erected and is now in operations”. Page 60 - Primrose Colliery - Caldwell, Connant & Co., Operators. Situated north of Mahanoy City on the estate of the Delano Land Co. E.S.Silliman Colliery - Romel, Hill & Harris, Operators. Situated on the north suburbs of Mahanoy City, on the estate of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Co. Under remarks, it is said, “This colliery has its out-let to market by the P&R R.R. and constitutes one of the 26 collieries surrounding Mahanoy City”. St. Nicholas - F. &E.D. Denison, Operators. Situated at St. Nicholas, on the estate of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Co. “The colliery has been 15 years in operation. “This colliery has been, from its commencement, one of the largest producing collieries in the district”. Bear Run Colliery - Wiggan & Treibles, Operators. Situated west of St. Nicholas, “on the estate of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Company, it has been in operation 12 years”. *Photo of “Payday At Tunnel Ridge Colliery”. Caption reads Discontinued Operation in 1931. Bear Ridge Colliery - Day, Huddell & Co., Operators. Situated north of the Mahanoy Planes, on the Girard Estate. New Boston Colliery - New Boston Coal Company, Operators. Situated two miles south of Mahanoy City limits, on the state of the New Boston Coal Co., it has been “eight years in operation”. Mahanoy Colliery - Bedford, Cox & Co., Operators. Located north of Mahanoy City on the estate of the Delano Land Co. Tunnel Ridge Colliery - George W. Cole, Operator. Situated in the western suburbs of Mahanoy City, on the estate of the Philadelphia and Mahanoy Coal Co. Hartford Colliery - Late William Patterson’s. Situated at Mahanoy City, on the estate of Kear & Patterson. It is noted “this colliery has been 11 years in operation”. These individual operations were gradually absorbed by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company and the Lehigh Valley Coal Company. Page 61 - EARLY STRIKES The first strike of the anthracite miners was ordered in Schuylkill County in May 1849, six months after the organization of the first miners’ union by John Bates, a mineworker. This strike was settled after a period of three weeks. Since this strike occurred fourteen years before the incorporation of Mahanoy City as a borough, it had no effect on this area. The first strong miners’ union was formed in 1868 under John Siney. A traveler riding towards Pottsville, through St. Clair, may see on the distant mountain, to the left, a monument erected by the working men of the county to the memory of Siney. During the three years immediately following that which marked the beginnings of Siney’s organization, Mahanoy City witnessed a series of local and general strikes. John Parker, Sr., editor of The Mahanoy Valley Record, which was known later as The Tri-Weekly Record, was a friend of the working man and always advocated the principles of the labor party. The local and general strikes sometimes ended in favor of the workers and at other times to the benefit of the operators. In 1871, the strike ended victoriously for the operators after troops were dispatched here to quell riots among the strikers. *Photo “Mineworkers At Mahanoy City Colliery”. Caption reads Reproduced From a Photograph Taken about 1905. The next big strike continued for six months when the operators announced a ten per cent reduction in wages. The Pennsylvania National Guard had to be called to quell the riots. After five months’ idleness, the miners went back to work defeated, accepting a twenty per cent wage reduction. August 14, 1875 was known as “Bloody Saturday” in the Mahanoy Valley. The miners had received their first pay of any consequence since the long strike and as a result a considerable amount of drinking was done. A number of the inebriates carried firearms. Many disturbances were reported in Mahanoy City, Shenandoah and Girardville. Locally, a man named Christian Zimmerman, was wounded fatally. An innocent bystander, he was waiting for his wife, who was shopping, during the exchange of shots by two antagonists. Another man was shot in the leg and one of the rioters stabbed. In neighboring towns, four persons were shot to death. In 1877, the riots ceased and there was no more bloodshed. Page 62 - The miners also lost the next battle when they stopped working in 1888. This strike was brought about by the united membership of the Miners and Laborers Amalgamated Association and the Knights of Labor. In 1897, the United Mine Workers of America entered the anthracite scene. Organized originally in the bituminous field, it became an organization of great power and strength when the anthracite workers allied with it. A strike occurring at this time was crushed by the militia after a series of riots. Mahanoy City and other sections of the county were affected less than some of the adjoining counties. This was the year of the Lattimore massacre when a mob of strikers were literally “shot to pieces”. The strike ended with heavy losses to the miners. From that time on, however, the miners were usually more successful in having their demands met in whole or in part. On September 12, 1901, John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers of America, called a general strike. It was settled in six weeks, with the miners’ gaining a ten per cent increase in wages. The militia was again dispatched to this section and they camped on the hillside, north of Mahanoy City, on a site known for many years as “Smith’s Farm”. Probably the greatest and most bitterly fought of all the operator-miner battles occurred in 1902. John Mitchell was still president of the U.M.W.A. On his order, 150,000 men staged a walkout in May 1902. For six months the coal regions were in a state of ferment. Ten thousand soldiers, sent to the coalfields, only intensified the chaos. They were encamped at Shenandoah during this strike, which has already grained legendary fame. A disturbance occurred between soldiers and rioters at the local Reading depot, then located north of Second and Centre Streets, but on one was injured. Eventually, President Theodore Roosevelt negotiated a wage agreement satisfactory to the miners and they returned to work. In 1912, John White, then president of the U.M.W.A., was the leader of the anthracite strike which ended in victory for the miners. There was no widespread trouble again until 1920 when an “outlaw” strike, not authorized by the union, was staged on September 1, and continued for three weeks when President Woodrow Wilson forced a settlement. A five-months strike occurred in 1923. It was settled with the intervention of Governor Gifford Pinchot. The agreement included a substantial increase in wages, and a two- year contract. In 1925, under President John L. Lewis, virtually the same demands in more detailed form than in 1923, with a determination to accept no compromise, was the object of the U.M.W.A. in staging a strike which continued for 165 days and was the longest strike in the history of the anthracite industry. The efforts of James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor under President Calvin Coolidge, ended the strike on February 12, 1926. With the beginning of the depression in 1929, the anthracite lost markets never regained. INDEPENDENT MINING The collieries of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company in this area suspended operations during the winter of 1929-1930. Buck Mountain workings being closed on January 10, 1930 and Vulcan Colliery shortly thereafter. With the exception of Springdale Washery and a section of Park No 1 Mine, which continued operating for a time, the Lehigh Valley coal lands were idle until the Peca Coal Company assumed control of the Primrose workings in December 1945. The North Mahanoy Colliery of the company was closed in November 1930, and Tunnel Ridge in June 1931. A section of North Mahanoy was worked through the Knickerbocker Colliery. Individual operators were identified with sections of the North Mahanoy mine more recently. Mahanoy City and Knickerbocker Collieries of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company suspended operations in March 1953 and Maple Hill Colliery in June 1954. The individual colliery breakers of both the Lehigh Valley Coal Company and the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company have disappeared and in their place Page 63 - Appeared the world’s largest breaker at St. Nicholas, and its twin at Locust Summit. The former was built in 1930 and the latter in 1932. Extensive strip mine operations have succeeded deep mining in recent decades, and independent operators have replaced the “bootleg” mines that were prevalent during depression days. So widespread was the bootleg mining industry and so serious a problem was it regarded that Governor George H. Earle appointed a special commission to make a detailed study of it. This appointment followed a three-day personal visit to this area, one of the days, Tuesday, December 26, 1936, being spent in Mahanoy City. *Photo “Old St. Nicholas Breaker”. Caption reads Razed Prior to Erection of the Central Breaker The first “bootleg” miners union had its beginning in Mahanoy city about 1934. Its purpose was to “protect” the interests of the members. It was known as the Brandonville-Mahanoy City Unit No. 1. It played an important role in the formation of the Tri-County Independent Miners and Truckers Association and subsequent unions. On September 5, 1933, in protest of the opening of the Carey, Baxter and Kennedy strippings at Jacksons, a march was staged on the proposed operation. On October 17, 1941, State Police and independent miners milled about the old Coplay stripping at Park Place when attempts were made to close the “bootleg” coal holes. The mineworkers in the area were organized into colliery Local Unions of the United Mine Workers for many years. These were later allied in the St. Nicholas Central Labor Union. The local Unions were identified with District 9, with headquarters at Shamokin, of which Joseph T. Kershetsky, a Mahanoy City resident, is president, and Peter Maholage, also of town, local sub-district Board member. Page 64 - *Photo “Breaker Boys”. Caption “Believed to have been photographed in a breaker in the area, the above picture is reproduced from a souvenir booklet of Mahanoy City, where it appeared with several other photographs under the caption ‘View of Mahanoy City and Vicinity”. *Photo “Present St. Nicholas Breaker”. Caption “Largest Breaker in the World When it was built in 1930”. .txt