Historical Commission Agenda and Packet 2014 11 05

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Mine Practices at the Acme Mine: According to a 1975 oral history interview with Henry "Rico" Zarini (1889- 1982), all of the mines had to pump out water due to the high levels of ground water in the area. He stated that at the Acme, a 6 -to -8 inch stream of water was pumped out almost continuously. A newspaper account from a 1932 issue of the Louisville Times was reprinted in the Times on 4/4/1990. The article described a 1932 interview with Clement V. Epley, who had worked at the Acme Mine. Epley was then about 65 years old. Epley began to work at the Acme Mine in the 1890s, working "on top" sawing mine props by hand. He earned $2.50 a day. The article went on: The system then in vogue was for the miner to order a prop of the length needed. Epley would mark the miner's check number on the order, and the prop would be delivered at night to the place needing it. Timber was freighted by team from up Coal Creek Canyon, 30 miles away. It was a big day's trip delivering a load of mine timber.... The Acme Mine then started work at 7 o'clock mornings; there was a half hour rest at noon, and the men quit for the day at 5 p.m., when it was nearly dark at the coal mining season. When the miners came out of the mine their lard oil lamps were burning, and they were not extinguished until they reached their homes. So the streets were filled with moving lights for a few minutes. Top wages [wages for aboveground work] then were $2.50 a day. For work on the bottom, the wages was $3 a day. Miners received pay only for the coal that was screened.... Wages for screened coal were $1 per ton for pick coal, 50 cents for machine coal, and nothing for what went through the screen. Many coal miners walked several miles between their farm homes and the Acme Mine. [The article then gave the names of some of the Acme miners.] Practically all coal mined then left the mine by railway. Doubleheader engines would haul 18 cars of coal to Semper, then double back for 18 more. The two locomotives would then haul the 36 cars to Denver. At that time the grade around Murphy Hill was steeper than at present. The cars used were mostly of 40,000 pounds capacity. 10