Mining is a tricky business and Hayden Hill was no exception. One of difficulties that plagued mine owners was water seepage. There was on one occasion that black damp occurred in one of mines there.

In late August 1917, J.M. Sutton quit his job at the Golden Eagle Mine. He cited the cause of the condition of black damp–a combination of noxious gases that form from the lack of ventilation which can be deadly. Sutton was not alone in his exodus, as many as fifty of his co-workers left. It was reported that only six men were still on the payroll, because of the offer higher wages as an inducement. Company officials stated they were working diligently to correct the problem to “raise the poisonous gases to the surface.”

Tim