Lucin Mining District (Utah). Recorder

Entity: 2731
Entity Type: Mining District

Abstract

The first Lucin Mining District Recorder was elected on June 10, 1869 by mine owners within the mining district. According to the laws of the United States, "miners of each mining district may make regulations not in conflict with the laws of the United States, or with the laws of the State or Territory in which the district is situated. Mine owners elected a mining district recorder to uphold this lay and regulate the mining district. The Territory of Utah considered the mining district recorder a public official similar to the county recorder. The Lucin Mining District Recorder recorded mining operations in Box Elder County, Utah and Elko County, Nevada. The district recorder's office ended in 1897 when the law changed and the county recorder assumed sole responsibility for mining records.

Biography/History Notes

The Lucin Mining District Recorder was responsible for recording notices of location, proof of labor, deeds and mortgages, mining abstracts, district by-laws and amendments, annual meeting minutes, district officer election results, and merchandise bills. The recorder was also responsible for certifying the records with the seal of the office which provided evidence of the election and official status of the recorder. Mining district recorders were deemed public officials and records in their custody were deemed as public records (Compiled Laws of Utah, 1876, Chapter 10). Mining records, which constitute a legal record, are kept for the purpose of monitoring and registering mining claims and operations.

The Lucing Mining District Recorder was elected annually in June by mine owners within the mining district. Other elected officials in the mining district included the deputy recorder, chairman, inspector and secretary. The district recorders were: John P. Murphy, 1869-1871; W.S. Knapp, 1871-1872; John Knox, 1872-1875; Daniel Murray, 1875-1876; Wells Rowell, 1876-1877; Adolphe Finck, 1877-1878; L.A. Dithmer, 1878-1879; H.H. Dithmer, 1879-1880; Adolphe Finch, 1880-1882; H.H. Dithmer, 1882-1885; Florenz Mayer, 1885-1897.

Hierarchy

Lucin Mining District (Utah). Recorder