Time Book for Big Bend Coal Co. 1899
This time book covers the year of 1899 for the Big Bend Coal Company in Twin Rocks, PA and contains the names of 229 individuals and businesses that were paid wages, salaries or expenses during the year. This book was one of several that were abandoned in the old company store building, now the Lanzendorfer Building in Twin Rocks, PA. I believe that the book was kept by W.C. Smith, whose name appears in the book and is written on the inside back cover. He was general manager and superintendent of several mines in the area. On the first page of the book is a summary for coal orders for the month of January, 1899. Below is a summary by employee/account by month for the year of 1899. At the top of the summary are the salaried personnel and general expenses and "outside" workers. The "inside" workers are arranged alphabetically by last name.
Contained in the book are several blank monthly report forms of the M. B. Courtwright & Co., dealers in General Merchandise and Mine Supplies, General Office Gallitzen, Pa, with stores in Gallitzen, Hastings, Nant-Y-Glo, and Bens Creek, PA. On a letterhead from the Courtwight Company is a letter (1901):
The time book divides the month into 2 two-week periods; 1-15, and 16 to end of month, the pay periods for the mine. The normal work day was 10 hours and the wages ranged from $0.70 to $2.50 per day. Wages for "inside work" ranged from 1.25 to 2.50.
The mine foreman received a salary of $32.50 per month. During the year there were three different mine foreman: Watkins, Hawxby, and Nicholson.
Typical daily wages were:
$1.50 blacksmithing, shoveling snow,
$1.60 weighing, dumping; night engineer;
$1.75 general repairs & road work; barn boss; driving heading;
on rock; machine helper
$2.25 machine runner
Separate accounts were maintained for rock removal and these people on "Yardage" accounts were paid $0.25 to $0.75 per yd.
At an average of $1.75 per day a worker would make $35 per month, but few achieved that. The work was not steady and there appeared to be a high turnover of employees. Only 19 employees made more than $100 for the entire year. Only J. Harry Dorricott, night engineer, was on the payroll for a continuous 12 months and earned $645.33. Of the inside laborers Joseph Strenka, machine operator, worked the longest -- 11 months, and earned the highest wages-- $364.36
Total wages and expenses for the mine rose from $498 in January, 1899, to $1,050 in December, 1899, and total expenditures for the year were $9,517.04
It is interesting to note the cost of supplies; ties (4 cents each) and props (3 cents each) were purchased from Dan Kerr and A.F. McAllister. Other lumber was purchased from W.E. Wagner and J.A. Shoemaker. Hay for the mules, was purchased from J.A. Gray at $10.00 per ton, while one hundred bushels of oats were purchased for $34.28.
A.E. Bender and James Dunn apparently operated hotels or boarding houses and were paid for board bills for the surveyors and "Pittsburgh men".
To the Ebensburg Mountaineer Herald, one of the few recognizable names on the list, printing bills of $13.36 were incurred.
Big Bend Coal Co. Time Book 1899
Line First Name Last Name Description Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
1 W.C. Smith Salary, expenses 41.60 40.00 11.64 11.38 11.00 10.00 11.25 16.65 11.60 17.76 18.00 200.88
2 Jno. C. Dingwall Improvements & engineering 39.20 56.60 62.00 56.00 66.00 63.37 10.50 353.67
3 J. Harry Dorricott Night Engineer 52.00 45.60 49.60 46.40 54.24 56.52 60.64 61.37 54.15 54.81 55.00 55.00 645.33
4 W.N. Fair Day engineer 22.50 22.50
5
6 Cecil Beckwith 19.80 19.80
7 A.E. Bender Board for Pgh men 8.40 8.40
8 Wm. Bland 3.99 3.64 7.63
9 W. Burkstresser 26.25 26.25
10 Herman Crouse 51.60 22.42 74.02
11 Jno. Dare Shoveling snow 0.30 0.30
12 Thos. E. Davis 0.75 28.80 6.40 35.95
13 Motell Davis 6.77 6.77
14 Isaac Davis 8.00 8.00
15 John Dempsey 13.60 30.60 44.20
16 James Dunn Board bill, surveyors 11.75 8.65 20.40
17 Andy Farbaugh 28.00 41.57 39.10 20.29 20.86 35.88 10.14 195.84
18 B. M. Foust 11.50 4.60 16.10
19 Jno. A. Gray hay @ $10.00/ton 16.20 13.32 5.22 14.95 8.97 12.25 22.22 6.30 23.15 24.30 6.00 152.88
20 Wm. Green Shoveling snow 0.45 0.45
21 Edw. Hessong Blacksmith, driving, yardage 5.56 14.96 2.40 22.92
22 Harry/Henry Johns 28.00 48.20 76.20
23 Ed Keane Board 4.80 13.36 18.16
24 Doss Kernry Driver, barn boss, feeding mul 43.50 32.12 33.77 37.30 44.55 53.91 51.67 22.52 3.40 322.74
25 Daniel Kerr ties@4cents, props@3cents 15.60 4.61 8.08 7.04 35.33
26 A. F. McAllister ties @3.5 cents, 4.0 after Jul 1899 30.94 43.02 13.82 14.04 3.88 8.20 18.04 8.12 12.00 152.06
27 Jacob McFaith Blacksmith 3.00 36.00 30.97 8.32 4.65 82.94
28 Jas. McFaith Blacksmithing 8.05 1.25 9.30
29 Peter McGlum Helping blacksmith, yardage 6.32 6.32
30 Thos. McQueary Driving, haulage 4.30 3.50 17.70 4.30 0.35 11.10 19.20 60.45
31 Ebensburg Mountaineer Printing bill 3.00 10.36 13.36
32 W.J. Rose & Sons Lumber bill 16.05 16.05
33 Phil Seabring 21.00 45.03 39.52 25.46 131.01
34 H. A. Shoemaker Cutting box 2.50 2.50
35 J. A. Shoemaker Lumber bill 9.06 10.56 14.85 8.10 42.57
36 Ed Smith Drayage 5.40 2.35 3.05 1.50 12.30
37 J.B. Snyder Weighing, dumping, etc. 17.28 17.28
38 Danl. Steffey 1.60 1.60 3.20
39 S. Tibbott 100 bu oats 34.28 34.28
40 W. E. Wagoner & Bro. Lumber bill 9.66 4.44 6.28 2.00 22.38
41
42 Jas. Shirt Gen repairs, roadman,pipeman 46.19 21.87 45.32 44.97 50.75 23.34 47.77 26.32 306.53
43 Jno. Hunter Salary, Weigh Boss 32.50 65.00 54.66 38.32 20.82 211.30
44 J.W. Watkins Mine foreman 32.50 32.50
45 Smith Hawxby Salary, mine foreman 23.85 65.00 65.00 65.00 30.00 248.85
46 Jim/Jant. Nicholson Cutting, surveying, foreman 55.80 59.50 52.65 63.00 32.62 263.57
47
48 Sam Adams Cutting 27.00 57.75 61.75 58.50 57.50 262.50
49 Frank Allen 16.00 16.00
50 John Allen 10.00 10.00
51 Andy Allinder On rock 8.55 11.70 20.25
52 Jno. Anderson 7.65 7.65
53 Paul Arnbrern Yardage 3.90 3.90
54 Fred Arndt New heading 27.67 63.25 37.75 25.10 1.90 155.67
55 Nick Anili New heading 4.00 4.00
56 Steve Ballock Lifting bottom, new heading 4.00 4.00
57 Charles Banky Box cars
58 Lawrence Bearer 18.20 9.62 27.82
59 H. Beer On pipeline 1.50 1.50
60 Mike Bendic Yardage, rock 2.50 3.68 6.18
61 Andy Belly 1.75 1.75
62 Albert Bodenski Box, rock 12.97 27.20 38.00 78.17
63 Jas Bodenski New heading 10.20 10.20
64 Albert Bodnic Rock 1.90 1.90
65 Andy Bola 3.60 3.60
66 Geo. Boyle 9.10 27.82 36.92
67 Wm. Bradley Cutting 14.75 14.75
68 Jos. Brown Yardage, cutting 2.50 0.60 3.10
69 Wm Brown Box cars, new heading 29.81 44.40 34.80 109.01
70 Jas. Brutzman Box 8.84 8.84
71 Fred H. Burgh Driver, on pipeline 4.35 23.70 33.49 17.98 2.97 82.49
72 John Burgh Helper 0.87 0.87
73 P.F. Burgh Yardage, on air line, on roll 7.25 1.80 1.50 5.40 15.95
74 Louis Busselli 14.35 14.35
75 Butty New heading 5.40 5.40
76 Mike Calloba Haulage 13.20 45.29 48.40 41.50 39.00 187.39
77 Patsy Capitainer 1.75 1.75
78 H. C. Chaplin Box cars, rock, feeding mules 0.34 38.68 50.40 89.42
79 Andy Chock Yardage 3.50 1.84 5.34
80 Chris Clinton New heading 11.26 8.00 19.26
81 Peter Comas 1.50 14.25 15.75
82 Harry Conrad 10.35 10.35
83 Mike Codrady Box 4.03 3.16 7.19
84 Jno. Cook On rock 17.50 48.64 42.00 41.00 33.40 182.54
85 John Craighton New heading 15.73 8.00 43.00 66.73
86 Evan D. Davis Salary 41.15 41.15
87 Joe Davis Lifting bottom, new heading 4.17 4.17
88 Angela D'Angela 1.75 1.75
89 Tony D'Arenzia 3.50 3.50
90 Jas. Dally 1.75 1.75
91 John Delozier Cutting 23.00 23.00
92 George Demka Yardage 5.00 4.00 9.00
93 Javk Dimmenni 1.75 1.75
94 Jno. Donaldson 1.60 0.87 2.47
95 Wm. Dukes On roll, gob coal, box cars 1.50 2.25 7.92 25.59 49.72 28.36 115.34
96 John Dunn 12.88 6.58 19.46
97 John Duntza Yardage & rock 8.00 8.00
98 Jno. Durky Yardage 5.00 0.82 5.82
99 Thos. Elley 1.40 1.40
100 Evan D. Evans 17.34 17.34
101 W.S. Feltman Yardage 1.00 1.00
102 Jno. Fierce Box 11.20 39.00 48.01 11.60 109.81
103 Fred Fitz Harris 2.40 2.40
104 John E. Flick Box cars, rolls 10.14 6.24 15.40 8.40 12.50 52.68
105 B.F. Fresh Rock, coal hauling, yardage 6.75 5.62 1.25 13.62
106 Thos. Gardner 6.00 6.00
107 Jno. Garrity 5.00 5.00
108 John Gerber 16.00 16.00
109 John Gerika 4.00 4.00
110 John Glenn 10.80 10.80
111 A. Good 2.00 2.00
112 H. E. Good Box, yardage, rock, new heading 1.34 44.23 32.40 77.97
113 Frank Grimes Cutting 2.10 2.10
114 Jno. Gyretsa Yardage 5.00 - 1.80 6.80
115 Thos. Harbor Cutting 15.60 15.60
116 Isaac Harvey Driving on rock,cutter, yardag 2.87 4.00 18.15 10.25 1.00 2.01 38.28
117 Joseph Hendrickson Rockman 11.70 11.70
118 Jacob Henry New heading 18.00 38.00 56.00
119 John Henry New heading, furnace 18.00 54.80 72.80
120 Wasko Hrobeck Box cars, yardage, rock 8.13 10.32 9.10 15.39 0.51 43.45
121 Jacob Hesketh On roll 4.00 4.00
122 Wm. Hesketh Driver 1.75 2.25 11.72 15.72
123 Jos. Hina 14.25 14.25
124 Andy Isican Yardage & clay vein 3.00 6.00 2.75 11.75
125 Gabriel Isican Yardage, box cars 7.00 3.50 5.63 2.67 2.99 21.79
126 Jno. Isican On Roll 6.00 2.75 8.75
127 Thos. Jarrat 1.75 1.75
128 A. Johns 13.00 13.00
129 John Johns Rolls 1.75 1.75
130 Matt Johnson Mach. runner, new heading 9.00 8.32 28.34 45.22 4.00 94.88
131 Andy Joseph Rock, coal hauling, yardage 9.25 5.63 14.88
132 Jas. Judge On roll, coal, box car 3.75 0.96 28.06 9.67 42.44
133 Steve Kechi 10.50 16.50 27.00
134 Thos. Kelly 1.66 - 1.66
135 Steve Kranki Yardage 5.00 1.00 6.00
136 Robt. Kurtley New heading 9.00 8.20 17.20
137 France Lacour Cutting 11.80 11.80
138 Frank Lambkin 0.80 0.80
139 Jno. Lobush On roll 2.85 1.50 4.35
140 T. J. Lowrie On roll, gob coal, rock, cutting 31.14 50.00 41.00 33.40 155.54
141 Mike Lucas On rock 9.20 9.50 1.90 20.60
142 Danl. Lynch 0.75 0.75
143 Jas. Lynn Box cars, new heading 11.15 25.74 36.89
144 Jas. McCallum 1.75 1.75
145 Jas. McCarty Mach. helper, side track 25.55 18.37 0.80 44.72
146 Patsy McCarty On roll, side track 10.90 10.90
147 Tim McCarty Rock, coal hauling, yardage 6.75 5.62 8.19 7.55 12.81 7.42 2.66 51.00
148 Tom McCarty, Jr. 5.80 5.80
149 Edw. McCauley 9.50 9.50
150 Thos. M McCreery 22.74 22.25 44.99
151 Matt McEwan On rock 17.50 15.75 33.25
152 Edw. McLeanley 10.00 3.99 13.99
153 Jas. McLearty Box car 96.00 96.00
154 Ely McQueary 2.40 2.40
155 Mike McVoy 1.75 - 1.75
156 Peter McVoy 16.50 58.75 39.35 114.60
157 Danl. Mohney 24.00 52.50 76.50
158 Jacob Maskulka 4.00 44.60 42.00 48.43 30.35 169.38
159 David Matchin On roll, gob coal 6.00 10.25 16.25
160 Lester Matchin Driver,napper 8.77 2.87 11.64
161 John Mays Rolls, yardage 1.75 1.75
162 Frank Meredith 26.71 26.71
163 Frank Miller Rock, coal hauling, yardage, g 8.50 5.63 5.30 0.60 19.92 16.80 46.19 43.89 41.60 33.00 17.20 238.63
164 Peter Miller 4.00 4.00
165 Danl. Mooney 5.00 26.75 31.75
166 Mike Morarty 9.20 19.00 28.20
167 Andrew Morris Yardage, crossing roll 2.33 7.87 7.00 3.00 20.20
168 Jesse Mulhollen Haulage, new heading 5.32 8.67 45.20 19.40 78.59
169 Peter Mullen Cutting, sidetrack 31.70 39.50 17.85 89.05
170 D.C. Murphy Rolls 10.14 6.62 4.20 20.96
171 Adam Nanse On roll, gob coal 2.00 0.75 2.75
172 Jos. Nina 1.50 1.50
173 Wm. Neugent On roll, coal, side track, box car 3.75 0.96 0.96 5.67
174 Andy Ochran Box cars, new heading 12.07 16.56 28.63
175 Jos. Oill On roll, gob coal 6.00 6.00 0.99 12.99
176 Jno. Ontko On rock, cutting 9.60 40.20 49.80
177 Henry Perry 28.95 14.40 15.73 59.08
178 Joe Patonka New heading 1.80 1.80
179 John Perstr Box cars 7.53 7.53
180 Mike Persti New heading 9.00 9.00
181 Paul Peter On rock, on roll 2.85 1.50 - 4.35
182 H. L. Peterson 3.60 3.60
183 Andy Petock Box cars, rock 0.49 6.64 9.75 6.80 23.68
184 Peter Petrick Box cars, yardage, cutting, rock 12.63 18.64 9.10 8.60 48.97
185 Mike Polinky Heading work 4.50 36.60 3.00 4.25 48.35
186 Elmer Porter 2.25 3.75 2.00 1.33 9.33
187 John Pusty New heading 2.00 17.82 19.82
188 John Rabic 24.25 22.50 32.51 21.73 100.99
189 Mike Rabic Rock 2.30 2.30
190 Hiram Rager Yardage 6.50 3.66 11.44 1.00 22.60
191 Sam Rager Side track, rolls 6.50 1.22 6.97 8.00 1.00 0.51 24.20
192 Walter Rager Yardage 2.50 2.25 1.75 6.50
193 Wm. Rager Driving on rock & yardage, rol 0.87 3.00 0.83 12.47 17.17
194 Chas. Rass 1.75 1.75
195 L.N. "Kid" Reynolds 28.66 42.29 37.00 0.80 108.75
196 Benj. F. Rose/Rhodes On roll, box cars, cutting 13.75 10.81 26.74 1.00 52.30
197 Simon Ribaugh 6.00 6.00
198 Jno. Robic Cutting 14.00 24.50 38.00 24.00 100.50
199 Mike Rogers 3.50 14.90 2.00 20.40
200 Jas. Roudebush Mach. helper, box cars 17.85 45.84 46.02 31.09 17.87 158.67
201 Andy Robinson 25.42 42.50 17.77 27.31 113.00
202 Joe Rumshaw Box cars 2.04 11.33 13.37
203 Jno. Scoran Yardage 2.33 8.63 8.50 19.46
204 W. J. Shaffer New heading 16.00 31.00 47.00
205 Willis Smith New heading 26.60 4.00 30.60
206 George Solosh Heading work 4.50 36.60 25.80 66.90
207 Joe Sonsetty 3.85 3.85
208 Freeman Soper 10.85 18.20 29.05
209 Frank Sponsky 1.25 1.25
210 Andrew Stanka 9.75 16.50 26.25
211 John Strechic New heading 5.40 1.80 7.20
212 Jos. Strenka Mach runner, cutter, haulage 23.17 59.85 52.42 48.37 66.41 63.75 21.80 11.20 4.20 3.00 10.19 364.36
213 Alvin Stevens 3.37 3.37
214 Chas. Stephens Trapping 5.67 5.67
215 Chris Stevens/Stephens Yardage, rock, box 1.60 11.51 13.11
216 Elery Stephens 1.69 1.69
217 Jos. Sutcliffe Box 3.06 3.06
218 Elmer Susnick Box 0.68 0.68
219 Mike Terna On roll, box cars 3.00 13.35 2.31 1.15 19.81
220 Simon Tackle Box 1.02 1.02
221 A. B. Thorton Roads 39.20 50.80 50.40 140.40
222 Wm. Thorton Haulage 15.54 12.39 15.61 12.57 56.11
223 Jno. Tote 3.60 3.60
224 Jos. Valushic (Starry) Crossing roll 1.50 1.50
225 Jas. Walker -
226 Joe Washer Rock 3.42 3.42
227 Jno. Weedish Yardage 3.90 3.90
228 Thos. C. Wesca Yardage, clay vein, cutting 1.17 1.82 4.29 7.28
229 Walter Wilkinson Cutting 3.85 38.84 48.51 22.80 12.20 126.20
230 Andy Williams 3.25 3.25
231 Albert Wise 6.00 6.00
232 Jno. Yakebusky Box cars 6.99 6.32 0.34 13.65
Total 498.27 559.03 703.07 703.02 990.03 925.55 895.30 955.92 719.30 792.94 724.62 1,049.99 9,517.04
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