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Post by Marge Smith on Dec 19, 2002 20:22:02 GMT -5
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Post by Robert Braun on Dec 30, 2002 11:52:41 GMT -5
Interesting hats.
What do you make of this style of headgear, Marge?
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Post by Marge Smith on Dec 30, 2002 13:27:59 GMT -5
I think the miner's hat is stuffed to protect his head in the mines. Or to protect his head from rocks falling down on him.
I have no idea, really.
I wonder if there are any drawings from Potosi, Missouri of how miners dressed there. I wonder where it came from and how long it was used. Was it a protective head gear or a fashionable item.
Have you read "Struck a Lead" a novel written about the mines in the 1840s. Maybe that gives a clue. I will dig out my copy.
Marge
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Post by Robert Braun on Dec 30, 2002 14:26:45 GMT -5
No... I have not yet had an opportunity to obtain a copy of James Goodhue's rolicking novel; tho' I have heard it is rather good.
I have a theory on what the hats might be... but will defer until your review of Goodhue.
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Post by Rusty Ayers on Dec 30, 2002 14:28:02 GMT -5
A really interesting picture, especially since some of the Galena landmarks are still there today. It looks as though the scene was sketched on the east side of the river, south of town, looking north toward the city. Marge, is that iron bridge in the center distaince of picture at the same general location as the Route 20 highway bridge today?
The windlass arrangment is also interesting. As for the hats, I think it's just a regular 'ol beehive hat smashed down over the guy's ears
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Post by Robert Braun on Dec 31, 2002 11:39:33 GMT -5
Smashed down beehive, eh? Certainly could be. Perhaps plumped with old rags as a sort of head protection, as did one of the New York City gangs seen in that recent new movie.
I think we can safely rule out the jacked leather mining hats seen in later decades.
Look closely, as both miner's brims appear to be of the same... style. I will offer my theory once Marge has had an opportunity to consult Goodhue.
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Post by Marge Smith on Dec 31, 2002 13:19:56 GMT -5
There will be a delay on the miners' hats until I locate the Goodhue book. It is either hidden on a bookshelf or I have loaned it to someone. So, don't wait on me, go ahead Bob with your theory.
I agree with Rusty on the location as being south of Galena. The white building along the left side still exists right before the flood gates and was an early hotel.
As for the bridge, I don't know. The original entry to the town was down Bouthillier where Grant's home sits.
I'll check that out with Steve Repp the Galena History Room librarian.
I like the mining tub hooked over the end of the windlass. Always thought of them as metal, but this one is wood. Might explain why a cooper is at the Apple River Furnace/Fort.
Also note on the left side the two smelting furnaces, I assume them to be. I transcribed the surveyor notes from ca. 1840 and the furnaces then are along the east bank of Fever River and far south of the town. And Lena, Illinois is complaining about the odor from their new plant. Can you imagine the smell that would have drifted up the Fever River into town. Really can't tell from this on the damage to the environment.
But these are not the big furnaces like Hughlets, Leekley, or the one Alan Van Natta is restoring at Potosi, WI. Taci Campbell, curator of the Dubuque Historical Society, is an expert on furnace construction - will check with her.
Isn't it a wonderful graphic.
Marge
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Post by Marge Smith on Jan 1, 2003 11:24:20 GMT -5
First Excerpt from "Struck a Lead, An Historical Tale" by James M. Goodhue, Chicago, 1883. This was serialized I believe in the 1850s in the Platteville newspaper.
The hero is Jim White recently arrived from Texas, had fought at the battle of San Jacinto--held a commission in the army of Texas. He is 25 years old. Jim goes to the Blue Rabbit diggings near the Little Blue Rabbit Creek in Territory of Wisconsin. He and his partner Buff live in a shanty where they "bachelored" described on page 25.
"Buff has not yet risen from his bunk on the back side of the shanty. Jim White seemed to be cooking very scientifically over a fire built in the bottom of a large stone chimney, which served as the only window when the door was shut. In the hot ashes were buried some potatoes. Two large slices of ham were frying in a two-legged spider; a coffee pot stood glowing upon the coals in the opposite corner of the fireplace. In one end of the shanty was a pile of potatoes upon the ground, and over the pile of potatoes were hanging a ham, a shoulder of pork and a saddle of venison. The table was such an one as might be made in ten minutes with an ax and auger, being simply an oaken board with four oaken legs inserted in as many auger holes."
On the following page is a bill of items owed by Mr. Buff.
"One buffalo coat - $18.00; 30 lbs windlass rope at 31c - $9.31; 1 pair buckskin pants - $7.00; 1 ROUND-TOPPED MINER'S HAT - $1.50; 1 pick - $2.00 and tobacco, pipes and sundries $13.00."
Mr. Buff will pay his bill in mineral.
More later. Marge
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Cliff Krainik
Member
MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS LIFTED THE TOPKNOTS OF THE LONG KNIVES
Posts: 233
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Post by Cliff Krainik on Jan 1, 2003 15:00:25 GMT -5
![]() images.andale.com/f2/116/104/7566189/1041449498483_BOOKlead.jpg [/img] The BOOK and the "round-topped miner's hat" Here is some bibliographic information regarding STRUCK A LEAD - Goodhue, James M. (Founder of the St. Paul Pioneer Press STRUCK A LEAD. An Historical Tale of the Upper Lead Region. Chicago: Jameson & Morse, 1883. Copyright by Joseph Cover, Lancaster, Wisconsin. Brown cloth cover with gilt embossed design of a Mississippi steamboat. 155 pp. (23 chapters). Publisher notes in the introductory page, "this tale is herewith submitted to the public for the first time in book form." The reference to the "round-topped miner's hat" appears on page 26 Cliff |
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Post by Robert Braun on Jan 2, 2003 9:10:39 GMT -5
This is just fascinating material!  I am on the hunt for a copy of this book! Returning to the subject of hats, I would like to offer the following: The lack of a brim on the hats, and the general style of the hat on the smaller figure on the right makes me think these fellows may be wearing workman's hats made of folded paper, most probably newsprint. These disposable paper caps are seen in occasional images of mechanics, etc. from the antebellum period. The style of cap, and the instructions for folding same, appear in the 1838 "Workwoman's Guide." Paper mechanic's caps were the subject of an MOMCC article by John Graf more than 15 years ago. My $0.02; your mileage may vary. Regards, Bob. |
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Post by Marge Smith on Jan 7, 2003 2:44:26 GMT -5
Answers to the Harpers 1858 graphic showing the two miners south of Galena from the Saturday Galena History Room gang. First of all the narrative to this graphic says it is of Galena as it once was.
Steve Repp pointed to page 487 of the 1878 JoDaviess County History on a section of bridges in Galena. We now think this is the wooden bridge erected in 1842 by A.G.S. Wight at Bouthillier Street. Prior to that he operated the ferry across Fever River.
Tacie Campbell believes those are log furnaces which would make sense if this graphic was drawn prior to 1858. The 1840s land survey indicate furnaces south and east of Galena.
Tacie Campbell also thinks the miner's hats are made of leather and is looking for the citation.
She wonders what is in the cart that is sitting on the hillside.
Marge
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Post by Robert Braun on Jan 7, 2003 8:58:09 GMT -5
Very interesting observations!
I agree that the furnace is probably a "log furnace" type.
As for the hats, I think that jacked leather miner's hat had a pronounced brim to protect the face and neck in the mine galleries, which these hats don't appear to have. Based on the different forms of the hats, and the upturned brim close to the crown of the hat, I am still inclined to think they MAY be paper work man's caps.
I made one of these according to the pattern found in the 1838 Workwoman's Guide, and with very little effort, was able to scrunch up the cap to look like either version in the image.
Regardless, I'll keep an open mind until Tacie Campbell has a chance to review her records.
As for the contents of the cart, my first inclination is to say that it is cordwood for the furnace.
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Cliff Krainik
Member
MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS LIFTED THE TOPKNOTS OF THE LONG KNIVES
Posts: 233
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Post by Cliff Krainik on Jan 8, 2003 18:14:51 GMT -5
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Post by Marge Smith on Jan 8, 2003 19:53:46 GMT -5
Thank you Cliff.
We now know what miner's hats looked like. And I thought two graphics were a goldmine. My earlier graphic Floyd Mansberger found for his Galena leadmine report from the Masthead of "The Galena Advertiser" ca. 1829. If I knew how to get it from the xerox thru the Scanner to here, I would show it to you.
I'll go read the scanner book and then try.
Marge
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Post by Robert Braun on Jan 21, 2003 14:52:30 GMT -5
Are you of the opinion that the hats found in the 1844 Report of a Geological Exploration... illustration match that of the Harper's illustration?
Just curious...
Bob.
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