The following information about the Bergholz coal mines comes from The Bergholz Story a histroy of Bergholz and the surrounding area 1805 - 1976 compiled by Marianne W. Featheringham published by The Bergholz Junior Women's Club. "The development of the coal industry appears to be the single most important factor in the growth of Bergholz and the surrounding area and continues to be an important economic factor today. At the height of the mining industry, 130 mean reportedly left their homes each day in Bergholz and Amsterdam for work in the local mines. Two of the earliest mines were the Eagle (also called the Oliver) and the jumbo mine. Both mines were closed before 1910. The Eagle was located opposite Smokey Row at the extreme north of Washington Avenue. Many of the homes then located on Smokey Row were built by the mining company. The Jumbo, also known as the Deal Mine was a drift mine with no shaft located between here and Mechanicstown. The Eastern Mine (also referred to as the West Pittsburg) was open bvetween 1900 - 1904 two miles south of Bergholz on the L.E.A. & W. Railroad.. . . and in 1909 employed approximately 200 men. At its height, the mine reportedly employed 400 men and was closed in 1937. The Wolf Run Mine (also known as the Elizabeth) . . . opened in 1905. . . The XL Mine . . . employed by 100 men and closed in 1925. . . In 1915, the Goathill Mine, a cooperative was opened. This mine continued into the mid 30's employing approximately 120 men in its prime. The Cloverleaf was a somewhat smaller mine, located slightly southe of Bergholz on the L.F.A. & W., which employed up to 40 men at one time. Near the Cloverleaf, James Strabley operated the Mapleshade Mine in the mid 20's and Hackathorn and Myers operated a similiar small mine on north 164 toward Salineville in the mid 30's. The last sabstantial mine to begin operatikon in our area was the Jessie Mine opened in March 1950 at East Springfield. Still in operation today. . . The initial uderground development was in the morthern portion of the 3,400 tract, adjacent to working so the company's Wolf Run Mine. Many of the mines operatin in the Bergholz area were know as country mines or truck mines because they had no railroad facilities. Among the other mines operating in this area were: The Parsons Mine just East of the Bergholz Corporation limit Amos Wells Mine 1/2 mine East of the Bergholz Corporation limit Joe Beadnell 1 mile East of Bergholz at Calhoun Hollow Orvile Leishman Mine on the John George Farm Charles Jenkins Mine on the Scott Allen farm and Mordie Griffith farm Ted Harris Mine on the Mordie Griffith Centertown Coal Company at Mooretown by John H. Elliott and Waldon Walker Two mines in Brimstone Hollow J.D. George, the Baker Brothers, William Miller and Dale Hartong also operated mines in the area and further down Yellow Creek Hackathorn and Meyers opened their fourth mine six miles east of Bergholz in Sween Hollow. Charles Warrington and Dick George also operated a mine in the same area and a little further east John Ridzon operated a mine on the McConnell Farm. A mine was also in operation the Clarence Patten Farm known as the Haun Mine in the early 40's" Hope this information is helpful. Jean Griffith Booth Barbara wrote: > Hi, I have the feeling this is a "stupid question" - hopefully it will be > seen as naive instead :-). > It seems most, if not all, of my Jefferson Co. CAMPBELL, MOORE (& > affiliated families) ancestors were coal miners, and there were several who > died in mine related accidents. > Can anyone give me an estimate of how many coal mines were operating in the > mid to late 1800's in Jefferson Co, especially around Bergholz?... How many > are active today? ...And can anyone recommend a book I could get via > interlibrary loan (or a web site/article!) that discusses the mines in the > area? > > Thank you, > Barbara Richardson