In 2005 I posted my photos and discussion of the Richard Mine at Mt. Hope Park of Morris County NJ. Since then I've had some correspondence with those who had relatives who worked them mine, and even some former miners. Here's some examples. - Herb Johnson
In Oct 2007 I got this email from Gerry Stanford in New Jersey:
Hi Herb -
I found your articles online about the Richard Mine. My great grandfather Frederick Nichols was killed there in shaft #1 in 1902, and two days later 6 other men were killed trying to retrieve his body. I attached the news articles in case you are interested.
I am writing to see if you are aware of the location of shaft #1. I saw the map provided on your site, ( http://retrotechnology.com/iron/mthope/map.jpg ) and the closest I could find was Richard #2, which I assume is talking about the shafts. Based on the articles, I believe workers were trying to get into shaft #1 from #2, so I guess they'd be very close to each other.
Anything you know about this would be appreciated. - Gerry Stanford
I post what I know on my Web site. There are probably some books which discuss the Richard Mine as part of New Jersey lore. They are often written by local historical societies over the years. A search of booksellers for New Jersey based books may find some of them. Or you can contact some of those societies. I encourage you to share your knowledge of the era with them, that's why they exist.
Also, the New Jersey State library, Rutgers University Geology Department, and the NJ Geological Survey are good resources. The NJGS did annual surveys of mines and likely have maps. the early 20th century is the best bet for a time period to review these resources. Google books has digitized some of the oldest books.
Google has digitized most of the 1910 "final report by New Jersey Geological Survey" which has some pages on the Richard mine: check page 400.Unfortunately Plate VIII. a map of the Mount Hope mining area, was not digitized properly by Google. Probably their automatic machines failed to scan it, the scanned pages are blank.
http://books.google.com/books?id=AugbAAAAMAAJ&dq=new+jersey+geology+%22richard+mine%22
"In 1880 ore was being taken through three shafts, of which one (No 7), 160 feet deep, was the southwesternmost one was near the Baker mine. The next to the northeast was No 6, 375 feet deep and the third, (No 3) which was about 500 feet still further northeast, was 400 feet deep. In 1883 the shafts that were active were: No 1, which was to the southwest of No 7 on the vein that was supposed to be the continuation of the Baker vein. About 1,000 feet northeast of this was shaft No 2, and 700 feet further northeast was shaft No. 3."
Item (252) The Richard Mine, pages 400 following, from the Geological Survey of New Jersey, "Iron Mines and Mining in New Jersey" by William S bayley, Volume VII of the Final Report Series of the State Geologist, published 1910.
Finally, the Morris County Park people may have more information, as the site is their park. I hear they have a guided tour of the site from time to time. - Herb Johnson
I sent Gerry this information, and got this reply: "Herb - Thanks for the great info. I'm confident I can find what I need out there somewhere. I'm getting the impression that shaft #1, then, is across the street from #2. The Daily Record - Friday, June 27 news account says the mine collapsed while a train was passing over it. That would indicate to me that it would be southwest of #2 under (or almost under) the tracks, assuming they are the same tracks." Gerry said I could post his name and forward to him any comments that others might send me about his inquiries.
Anyone with more info about the Richard Mine and its miners in the early 20th century can write to me, and I'll post some of that here. - Herb Johnson
Copyright 2007 Herb Johnson. All rights reserved. Last updated Oct 26 2007.
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Copyright © 2007 Herb Johnson