DMARSPA AUGUST 25, 2016, MINUTES President Justine Finley welcomed DMARSPA members and visitors. Introduced by Twyla Wilson, Doug Wilson presented a program on "Coal Mining in Central Iowa. Doug became interested in genealogy while in California, when he discovered his dad, grandfather and great grandfather had been coal miners in Iowa. Upon retiring, the couple moved back to Iowa where he pursued his interest by going to coal mining areas in which his family had been involved. That led to COAL MINING IN POLK COUNTY. He grew up in a coal camp in eastern Iowa. His great grand father came from Sweden to Iowa to work in the coal mines. Members were able to look at artifacts Doug brought from the mines. They could also buy maps of coal mines. He also invited people to let him know if they had any pictures of coal mines and/or miners. He told of one man who begin in the mines at the age of nine, following his father; and, worked in the Centerville area mines until he was 74 years old. The steam locomotive caused the need for coal in Iowa. Most digging coal was found in the Des Moines River Valley after being discovered in Iowa in 1835. The greatest mining catastrophe was in 1902 with 22 deaths from a mine explosion. Most coal was dug and loaded by hand. Monroe was the biggest producer. Over 18,000 coal miners worked in Iowa. More teachers need to talk about coal mining in Iowa. From 1843 to 1908, Des Moines had over 119 active mines producing over a million tons of coal. In 1843, Captain Allen opened a mine near Principal Stadium. Coal started to be really used in 1865. Wesley Redhead seeing that money could be made, organized a group of DM business men with Hoyt Sherman, and founded Des Moines Coal Company, located near University Avenue, near the levy. #1 mine. He finally bought out the other men and began mining on the south side near the 7th Street bridge. He was convinced that coal occurred below the upper vein. He brought a man from England who had experience in drilling for coal in 1873. The Black Diamond Coal Company, nicknamed the South Park Mine, employed over 40 men. He prospered and built a beautiful house on Dean Avenue. He also bought land near the Fairgrounds and raised Herefords. In 1874, the name was changed to Pioneer Coal Company, with an office in downtown Des Moines. Most of the pioneer miners lived near the Sevastopol area, where Graziano Brothers grocery is. The Watson Coal Company had another mine located north across the tracks with S.E. !4th nearby. It was the largest producer in Polk County for some time. Doug, upon investigation, found some of the remnants of the mine. In 1867, another shaft was sunk = The Watson Mine Company, which was located in Ford, Iowa. In 1868, Rawson and Vincent Coal Company was north off I235 and south of the Post Office on University near Twin Rivers Engineering Consultants. Another was near Mercy Hospital. When making additions to the hospital, structures were found from the coal mines. Other mines were near S.E. 14th and Hartford; near the Pioneer Columbus Center (Eureka Coal Co.); E. 18th and Logan (Gibson); near Sam's Club's; near Broadway; under the East interchange of I235 and I80; near The Animal Rescue League; north of Camp Dodge' Between 1869 and 1873, another shaft sunk near east of Capitol building, and ran almost up to the Capitol steps. They had three mines. Some abandoned mine shafts are under unsuspecting current housing divisions. Canfield Coal Company, Standard Coal Company were other mines. The coal miners enjoyed recreational things, too - baseball teams, bands. Blacks were solicited from the South to work in the coal mines around 1880's. Many times, they were used to break strikes. He also explained the process of mining. A few mines in Des Moines installed fans to ventilate the shafts for the miners.
Miners were paid $1.25 per ton a day. Everyone else got paid by the day. They lived in camps, where the houses were alike. There would be a company store, where miners could charge their goods. Money would be taken out of their pay. A question session followed
Following the speaker, President Finley celebrated members with July birthdays with the Happy Birthday song, and led members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lunch I. The August 25, 2016, business meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. A. Secretary: Sherry Wilkinson. Minutes where approved as read. B. Treasurer: Rosemary Hillman. Deposits - $1404; expenses (Baratta's and membership book printing) $1463.65. Checking account balance on August 25 - $11,069.16. Scholarship account - $375.78. Total Assets - $11,444.94. Report will be filed for audit. C. Courtesy: Sue Slatter - no report D. Legislative: Gary Thelen- After attending the Benefits Advisory Committee meeting, he learned the CEO will remain the same. The fund is worth $29 billion, an alltime high. On the average, we are doing 8.6 percent. IRPERS bills are considered in even number years. Only one was considered about police officers. Bill introduced in 2015 about changing contribution plan didn't get beyond the desk. Question asked if the DM Plan will be purchased by IPERS. Gary said he didn't think so. Changing to a defined plan will not be good. The COLA plan was discussed, but it hasn't gone anywhere. A consulting firm was hired to explore a cost of living plan. But, don't expect anything soon. 2. OLD BUSINESS: A. Directories can be picked up from Joelle Synder B. Volunteer hours need to be sent in. So far, a total of 5,195 hours of community time and 770 hours of Youth and Education. C. State dues are now $15. Make checks payable to IRSPA, payable to Rosemary. D. Fall convention is in Marshalltown October 5 and 6. Details on IRSPA website. 3. NEW BUSINESS: A. Justine honored Martha Cole and Dee Flieschwaker for the work they have done. B. Installation of officers by Shirley Corkhill 1. Justine Finley - President 2. Elaine Wilkinson - President Elect 3. Sharon Cooley and Erika Brown - Vice Presidents 4. Sherry Wilkinson - Secretary 5. Rosemary Hillman - Treasurer C. Cashiers for next month are Fran Ganoe and Mara Swanson D. Introduction of three guests 4. Dee Flieschwacker gave the puzzle answers. 5. Door prize - Dorothy Perry
President Finley adjourned the meeting at 12:55p.m. Our next meeting will be September 22, with "The Geology of Iowa" by Mike Blair being the program. Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Wilkinson
Miners were paid $1.25 per ton a day. Everyone else got paid by the day. They lived in camps, where the houses were alike. There would be a company store, where miners could charge their goods. Money would be taken out of their pay. A question session followed
Following the speaker, President Finley celebrated members with July birthdays with the Happy Birthday song, and led members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lunch I. The August 25, 2016, business meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. A. Secretary: Sherry Wilkinson. Minutes where approved as read. B. Treasurer: Rosemary Hillman. Deposits - $1404; expenses (Baratta's and membership book printing) $1463.65. Checking account balance on August 25 - $11,069.16. Scholarship account - $375.78. Total Assets - $11,444.94. Report will be filed for audit. C. Courtesy: Sue Slatter - no report D. Legislative: Gary Thelen- After attending the Benefits Advisory Committee meeting, he learned the CEO will remain the same. The fund is worth $29 billion, an alltime high. On the average, we are doing 8.6 percent. IRPERS bills are considered in even number years. Only one was considered about police officers. Bill introduced in 2015 about changing contribution plan didn't get beyond the desk. Question asked if the DM Plan will be purchased by IPERS. Gary said he didn't think so. Changing to a defined plan will not be good. The COLA plan was discussed, but it hasn't gone anywhere. A consulting firm was hired to explore a cost of living plan. But, don't expect anything soon. 2. OLD BUSINESS: A. Directories can be picked up from Joelle Synder B. Volunteer hours need to be sent in. So far, a total of 5,195 hours of community time and 770 hours of Youth and Education. C. State dues are now $15. Make checks payable to IRSPA, payable to Rosemary. D. Fall convention is in Marshalltown October 5 and 6. Details on IRSPA website. 3. NEW BUSINESS: A. Justine honored Martha Cole and Dee Flieschwaker for the work they have done. B. Installation of officers by Shirley Corkhill 1. Justine Finley - President 2. Elaine Wilkinson - President Elect 3. Sharon Cooley and Erika Brown - Vice Presidents 4. Sherry Wilkinson - Secretary 5. Rosemary Hillman - Treasurer C. Cashiers for next month are Fran Ganoe and Mara Swanson D. Introduction of three guests 4. Dee Flieschwacker gave the puzzle answers. 5. Door prize - Dorothy Perry
President Finley adjourned the meeting at 12:55p.m. Our next meeting will be September 22, with "The Geology of Iowa" by Mike Blair being the program. Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Wilkinson
No comments:
Post a Comment