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Miners And Prospectors: Photos of a Tough Life

Created on Oct 24, 2016 by Kathy Pinna

Black lung, cave-ins, noxious gases, low wages, owing your soul to the company store . . . mining and prospecting has always been a difficult hazardous, and necessary job.

With the rise of industrialism, mining became even more important to the U.S. economy. And, prior to Child Labor Laws, even children were involved in the mining industry.

We honor those who have given their lives to improve ours - the miners of the world.

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History Photos of Miners

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1889 South Dakota gold

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Three men (and a dog) exclaiming "We have it rich!" while panning for gold.

1956 copper mine

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Lil Doody
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shared on 10/09/2014

Two of these men are believed to have later been injured in an explosion.

Deep in a mine

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Kendra Ballou
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shared on 04/10/2014
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Mining can be deadly

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This message, left on the wall by 47 entombed miners, was written with carbide lamps (miner's lamp). Shortly before midnight on August 27, 1922, a fire broke out, trapping the miners. . .

A 1913 machine that took the place of "breaker boys"

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Breaker boys were (literally) young boys who separated coal from impurities. This machine was more effficient and eliminated the need for young boys to do this.

Breaker boys, 1913

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These are breaker boys doing the same work as the machine.

A trapper boy

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Trapper boys opened and closed wooden gates - allowing trains filled with coal to leave the mine and controlling ventilation.

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Trapper boy (far left)

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He said he was going back to school - it was more fun!

Tipple boy, 1908

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He tipped over loads of coal when they came to the surface so the coal could be sorted from trash.

1910 Tipple boy at work

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Harley Bruce at a mine in Tennessee.

Boy braking coal train, 1908

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That's a live wire above his head - at about the height of a grown man.

Coal miners eating dinner, 1903

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After lunch at the Chance mine, 1909

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Silver mine

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Barstow, California, 1890's.

Going into work

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Miners heading into the mines, 1909 Idaho.

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