 | The first coal mine worked in New Mexico was the government mine in 1860 near Carthage, New Mexico. United States soldiers worked the mine and supplied blacksmith needs for Fort Seldon, Bayard, and Stanton, New Mexico. Many black miners were brought to New Mexico and used as strikebreakers. Working conditions for the minders was poor. Company housing was inadequate and many miners were paid with script. Script could only be redeemed at the company owned stores, where prices were high and profits were lucrative for management. Two black brothers, Frank and Doc Oliver dug the largest mining settlement in Dawson Mountain in 1897. The Phelps Dodge Coal Company owned the Dawson Mountain Mine. Six years later two explosions caused many miners to move because of an old superstition "if you are in a mine during two explosions, the third meant death." | |
