Series 23009
Inspector of Coal and Hydrocarbon Mines Letter books
Dates: 1896-1915.
0.70 cubic foot and 6 microfilm reels
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
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.
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.
Research Note
Because paper in the letter books is very thin, reverse images are showing through the paper. Many pages are difficult to read.
Related Records
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.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Processing Note
This series was processed by Rosemary Cundiff in June 2000. The letter books were microfilmed and the inventory updated in April 2002.
Indexing Terms
- Coal mines and mining—Law and legislation—Utah.
- Coal mines and mining—Safety measures—Utah.
- Coal mine accidents—Utah.
- Utah—Coal miners.
- Utah—Coal—Analysis.
Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.