DUBUQUE MINERS' ASSOCIATION

DUBUQUE MINERS' ASSOCIATION. The Dubuque Miners' Association, a joint-stock organization, was formed at the courthouse in May 1858 with about two hundred fifty members. One of the first issues addressed by the organization was the seepage of water into mines. There was no approved method of resolving the problem. (1)

With the idea of reopening old shafts, the Association had a complete survey of the area made and recommended horizontal shafts to drain off the water be made just above the high water mark. (2)

A reorganization of miners occurred during September, 1860, for the purpose of arbitrating all minor differences among themselves. Connected with this association were Richard Bonson, John T. Everett, Joseph Herod, M. M. Hayden, W. G. Stewart, J. H. Bartlett, C. Childs, James Carr, B. J. O'Halloran, Charles Rose, S. Langworthy, Thomas Levins, Richard Waller, J. L. Langworthy, George Wilde, John Palmer, J. H. Emerson, Thomas Waters, R. O. Anderson, James Pratt, M. G Karrick, William Carter, Allen Leathers, J. H. Hollingsworth, John King, James Thompson, H. L. Stout, and P. A. Lorimier. (3)

This group had a constitution, by-laws and officials and kept their affairs in order. A meeting of the miners was held October 2nd. George O. Karrick served as chairman and speeches were delivered by himself, Solon Langworthy and others. Capt. M. M. Hayden offered resolutions to perpetuate the memory of Julien Dubuque; they were adopted by acclamation. Solon Langworthy, George W. Starr, George O. Karrick and T. McNear were appointed a committee to prepare a constitution for the society. (4)

The organization withered until interest in reorganizing it developed in 1875. Among the resolutions adopted was one stating that the mining interests in Dubuque were as important as ever and deserved public attention in relation to their further development. William Ashley Jones, John R. HARVEY, P. H. Brugh, George W. Burton, and C. Childs were appointed to a committee to review changes in the constitution and by-laws. (5)

The new Dubuque Miners' Association, according to an article in the August 24, 1875 Dubuque Herald was to encourage and protect LEAD mining interests relating to claims, leases and matters of difference between miners or between miners and land owners involving question of right of prospecting and mining privileges. There would be a standing committee of arbitration to settle disputes according to the law of Iowa. New members were assessed a twenty-five dollar membership fee, while members in the two previous organizations had no dues. Warner LEWIS was elected president. (6)

On September 25, 1875 the Association members met to decide upon benevolent and life insurance policy for the members. (7)

---

Source:

1. Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1911, p. 24

2. Ibid. p. 25

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. "Meeting of Mining Association," Dubuque Herald, July 29, 1875, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18750729&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

6. "Miners' Association," Dubuque Herald, August 24, 1875, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18750824&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

7. "Miners' Meeting," Dubuque Herald, August 26, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18750926&printsec=frontpage&hl=en