Series 23009

Inspector of Coal and Hydrocarbon Mines Letter books, 1896-1915.

0.70 cubic foot and 6 microfilm reels

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Historical Note

See history of the records' creator.

Summary of Records

The coal mine inspector recorded most outgoing correspondence in letter books. This correspondence documents his activities, which centered on safety inspections and accident investigations. In addition to correspondence, the mine inspector used the same letter books to report mine inspections.

Scope and Content

The coal mine inspector recorded most outgoing correspondence in letter books. This correspondence documents his activities, which centered on safety inspections and accident investigations. In addition to correspondence, the mine inspector used the same letter books to report mine inspections. Quarterly, he inspected all mines employing six or more full time employees. He evaluated factors relating to the mine's safety, including things like ventilation, watering, timbering, scale accuracy and man trips (procedure for entering and exiting the mine), etc. In early letter books, he calculated travel expenses and reported accidents.

Research Note

Because paper in the letter books is very thin, reverse images are showing through the paper. Many pages are difficult to read.

Arrangement

Chronological by date.

The coal mine inspector recorded entries in chronological order, mingling correspondence and reports, in three sequential volumes. In April 1911, he began keeping reports and correspondence in separate volumes.

Additional Forms

This series is available on microfilm.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Use Restrictions

These records are available for reproduction and use.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Acquisition Information

These records were acquired from the creating agency through established retention schedules.

Processing Information

This series was processed by Rosemary Cundiff in June 2000. The letter books were microfilmed and the inventory updated in April 2002.

Related Material

Correspondence from the Inspector of Coal and Hydrocarbon Mines, Series 1283, contains the mine inspector's incoming correspondence as well as some outgoing correspondence.
Record book from the Inspector of Coal and Hydrocarbon Mines, Series 1284, also contains records of travel expenses as well as some early accident and inspection reports.
Reports from the Inspector of Coal and Hydrocarbon Mines, Series 23008, includes some of the same kinds of reports found in the letter books.
Administrative records from the Inspector of Coal and Hydrocarbon Mines, Series 23010, also contain general information about the mine inspector and his functions.
Biennial reports from the Inspector of Coal and Hydrocarbon Mines, Series 83919, contain published versions of many inspection, accident and other reports first recorded in the letter books.

Container List

ReelBoxVolumeDescription
1111896, Jul-1904, Nov
2121904, Dec-1908, Dec
3121908, Dec-1910, Jun
4231910, Jul-1913, Feb
5231913, Feb-1915, Sep
6241911, Apr-1915, Jan (reports only)