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Adit:
any tunnel
that connects the underground workings of the
mine with the surface.
Between a rock
and a hard spot:
tough choice.
Boilermaker:
shot
of whiskey with a beer chaser.
Bulkhead:
a
seal of either concrete or wood to close prior
workings.
Butt Block:
a
block of wood (end grain) between ground and
joining of post and cap.
Cage:
an enclosed
platform used to lower or lift miners and ore to
and from the surface. Big mines used four
called top, 2nd, 3rd and
bottom. Each shaft could have many cages.
Dry:
where
miners would change into their working clothes
before going on shift
and where they
would shower at the end of a shift.
Chinese
laundry:
the hottest box
in the Steward Mine.
Chippie Hoist:
an
auxiliary hoist used to move miners, timber and
supplies from the surface and from one level to
another.
Collar:
top of the
shaft at the surface.
Diggers or
Turkey:
miners work
clothes – usually in a gunny sack or in a
bundle.
Deep enough:
I
quit.
Face or
Breast:
advancing end
of a drift or crosscut.
Fin Hoe:
regular shovel bent at right angle to form a
hoe.
Go get her:
get
your time – you’re fired.
Hand:
mining
partner.
Muck stick:
shovel.
Nine Bells:
warning signal.
Nipper:
man who
supplies tools.
Pencil Pusher:
clerk.
Rock in the
Box:
ore in the
chute.
Rustling Line:
men
applying for work.
Spitting the
Round:
lighting fuses connected to the primer and the
dynamite in drill holes. When all fuses
were lit, the miner was supposed to yell,
“FIRE”.
Tap her Light:
take
it easy.
Al Mengon
Yard
Master
John
Shea
Ropeman
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