NO Reproduction in Whole or in Part, on ANY, and ALL of my Pages,
 Including Text and Pictures,
 May be made, without the express Written Permission
 of Web Editor, Doug Gent
© 2016

 

 My Genealogy and History Page of
 Lignite Coal Mines,
 Owners, Operators, Workers,
 and Their Families,
 Located in SE Saskatchewan

 

 ** WARNING **
 Old Abandoned Underground Coal Mines can be Very Dangerous,
 Due to Collapse, and Mine Gases (Noxious and Flammable).
 Extreme Care should be taken around them, due to Falls, Sudden Ground Collapse, and Bad Air,
 and in NO Circumstances should People enter into ANY Mine Openings, or Associated Caves.

 The Material Contained on my Sites, is NOT to Encourage Personal Investigation of these Mines,
 But only as a Historical Record of these Long Abandoned Mines.
 Please View these Mines from a Far, Safe and Legal Distance.
  Always Observe Private Property Rights, and Obey ALL Warning Signs. 
   ************************************************ 

 

To search for a Name or Word on this page:
1.
use the "Edit" button, top left on your browsers Standard Toolbar,
then "Find", then input your search info or name.
or the easy way,
2. hold your "Ctrl" Key down, and then the "F" key at the same time,
then type in your search info or name.

I could add a Google search button or a MS Frontpage search bar,
but these just clutter up the screen in my opinion.
this Ctrl+F works the fastest and easiest
plus it works on any web page.
My other little web tip
To zoom in and enlarge the screen,
use Ctrl + at the same time, to zoom out Ctrl -
or bottom corner of your screen use the screen size control there.

NOTE- Some Mines might be repeated under a different spelling or name,
duplicates are more than likely, some changed owners and names, more than once..
Some names appear as different spellings in various books,
Some listed are still in operation today
Some links to the Western Land Grants database,
These may or may not work, they are not my web pages.

One thing I have noticed doing this little list,
these mines changed names like I change socks!
Constantly changing names and owners. 
I'm not a professional "historian" so take my list with a grain of salt.
I've attempted my best to identify and add some info on these mines.
The names are compiled from various sources,
and then I have added as much information I can find on the mine, owner, etc.
The Family Genealogy info is my research, do not take it as 100%
Do your own research, using this as a guide.

In 1917 a survey of the mines was done by William Joseph (W. J.) Dick, Mining engineer.
His list of mines operating, or not operating in 1917 is included.

Saskatchewan Land Surveys, after Ranges are decided every 6 miles,
based on the which Meridian you are starting at.
Land was surveyed into 36 mile square Townships. Each square parcel within the
township is known as a "Section" each being one mile square and consisting of 640
acres each. Title to each section may be further subdivided either into half-mile
square 160-acre "Quarters" and 40-acre Sixteenths ("Legal Subdivisions" or LSD's).

3 different types of mining has been done in this area of SE Saskatchewan.
-Some of these mines were known as Deep Seam Shaft Type Mines,
using the Bord-and-Pilllar or Room-and-Pillar method of mining.
-Some were called "Gopher Mines', as they were simply dug into a hillside or bank
 on the side of a ravine off the Souris River, or simply holes dug in the surface,
to access a seam of coal that was close to the surface. 
 The pocket gopher is a rodent animal well known in this area, for digging many holes and tunnels.
-Some of the mines in the list, the newer ones, use the Strip Mining Method,
 removing the overburden with huge Electric Draglines,
 and exposing the coal seam for mining with large Electric Shovels.

In 1910, A coal lease was for 21 years.  Annual Rental of $1.00 per acre, max 2560 Acres per lease.
Coal could be sold to settlers, for their own use, not to exceed $1.75/ton at the pit head.
Slack in 1911 in Saskatchewan on average was up to 25%. 
 In Estevan it was 10-12% slack that was dumped outside the mine.
Slack lignite coal readily ignites, by spontaneous combustion.
In 1910 this area was referred to as the Laramie Formation, Souris District, Saskatchewan.

All of these mines are Lignite Coal Mines

The Big Six Companies in 1931 Strike, that represented the Employers were:

   Bienfait Mines Limited,
   Manitoba and Saskatchewan Coal Company,
   National Mines Limited,
   Eastern Collieries Limited,
   Crescent Collieries Limited,
   Western Dominion Collieries Limited

Ca 1950 the last underground mine operated in the SE Coal District,
IN 1955 the last Underground Coal Mine closed in Saskatchewan.

The number of Coal Mines rose rapidly to approx 70 by 1930.
During the Depression years this number rose dramatically,
until in 1933, there were 201 mines listed.
of the 201 mines, 24 only produced more than 2,000 tons per year.
Now I know I don't have 201 mines listed here, so my job is not done.
Would like to track down that list now.

2009 there are only 5 working Coal Mines In Saskatchewan
All Open Pit, strip mines.
The surface-mineable deposits are located in three coal basins:
Estevan, Willow Bunch/Wood Mountain and Shaunavon

I don't go as far west as the big Poplar River Coal Mine,
owned by Sherritt Coal Co,  20 km N of Coronach in this list
All of these mines are from a bit west of Estevan east to Manitoba border

 
 Name of the Mine  Location- LSD#
 Section, Township,
 Range, West of 2nd
 Arranged by Ranges
 Owner(s), Operators, Mine Info
Range 2    
Julius Mellom mine SE & SW Section 5
Township 1
Range 2, W2
Opened by Julius O. Mellom, on SW 1/4
the next year after Bill Druniak mine closed (next entry)
 View my Web Page for this Mine here
Julius Mellom Mine
Bill Druniak Mine NW, Section 5
Township 1
Range 2, W2
Opened by Bill Druniak, the Brother-in-Law
 of the Konopaki brothers, from Bienfait,
 dug a slope in one of the ravines,
 a cave-in buried all the tools
Opened in the winter, after the Konopaki mine (next) closed.
Konopaki Mine SW 1/4 Section 7
Township 1
Range 2, W2
Owned by the Konopaki brothers from Bienfait
in the early 1930's

View my Web Page for this Mine here
Konopaki Mine

Pierce Rock Coal Mine Section 29
Township 1
Range 2 -W2
SE corner of the Province
south of Oxbow
Operating in 1917
Owner-Operator unknown
Dominion Government
Coal Test Site #2
NW Section 15
Township 3
Range 2, W2
-at Junction of Moose Mountain Creek and the Souris River
just SW of Oxbow.
drilled on the level of the plain,
20 3/4 miles, in a direct line from test site #1, (below)
128 ft above the river,
2 1/8 miles west, 10 deg south
from the confluence of Moose Mountain Creek and the Souris River
1880- This was the second test drill site

View my Web Page for this Mine here
Dominion Government Coal Test Site #2

Range 3    
None Known    
Range 4    
None Known    
Range 5    
Dominion Government
Coal Test Site #1
10 miles East of Roche Percee
Exact location unknown
Section 10 or 11
Township 2
Range 5
W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Dominion Government Coal Test Site #1

 
Excelsior Coal
 and Brick Company Mine
aka- Excelsior Coal Company Ltd.
-Pinto
Section 30
Township 1
Range 5 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Excelsior Coal and Brick Co. Ltd.
 

 

Winna Banks Mine
-Pinto
Unknown Location
Range 5 or 6?
 operated by H. Banks
There was Harry and Hugh Banks in this area mining
not sure which one here.
H. Banks and Lee Mine
-Pinto
Unknown Location
Range 5 or 6?
There was Harry and Hugh Banks mining in this area
not sure which one mined this mine

Sam Lee, and his wife, who was born in Nottinghamshire, England,
came to Canada in 1903, she died in Bienfait Nov 20, 1944, age 77.
She is buried in Estevan Cemetery.
They first came to Taylorton, where they kept a boarding house.
After a few years they moved to Portal to farm. 
They lived in Roche Percee, then went to Shand,
where Sam Lee was Mine Manager until 1926.
From 1941-1944 they lived in Bienfait
3 sons, and 5 daughters.
Redvers of Windsor, Sam (jr.) of Estevan, and William of Hamilton,
Mrs. Matt Limbert of BC, Mrs. Harry Banks of Roche Percee,
Mrs. Jim Vaughan of Bienfait, Mrs. Nels Anderson of AB,
 and Martha of England.
Assuming daughter married Harry Banks, we can assume this is Harry.

Harry Banks and Son Mine
-Pinto
Range 5 or 6? Wilfred Harry Banks,
b- Aug 2, 1891, in Ellen Snook, Dist of Leigh,  Lancashire, England
d- Apr 28, 1967, age 75
Funeral service St. Paul's United Church in Estevan.
Buried in Estevan City Cemetery
1901, age 9 in Golborne Lancashire, England
Came to SK in 1907
Operated Banks mine from 1928 to 1956
when he retired and moved to Estevan
He was a member of the Elks Club.
Wife- Gertrude Banks, nee Lee,
b- July 16, 1894,
d- July 9, 1979, buried in Estevan City Cemetery
son Richard Banks Sr. b- 1913,
d- Nov 26, 1933, buried in Estevan City Cemetery
son Wilfred Hugh Banks, b- 1917,
d- Oct 12, 1980 buried in Estevan City Cemetery
daughter- Mrs. Norvin Uhrich, alive in 1967 in Estevan
daughter- Mrs. James Smith, alive in 1967 in Estevan

Father- James Banks,
living at 28 Helen St, Golborne, Lancashire, UK

see Banks mine below, for brothers James and Hugh

Range 6 Township 1 0-6 miles north of US border
Beamish Mine
- Roche Percee
Section 19
Township 1
Range 6 -W2

Approx 1 1/4 miles SW of RP

View my Web Page for this Mine here
Beamish Coal Mine

 
J. B. Adams Coal Mine Possibly on Section 20
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
J. B. Adams Mine
 
Better 'Ole Mine
-Roche Percee
Section 21
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
Owner-Operator unknown
William Ostepchuk Mine
-Bienfait
NE 1/4 Section 22
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
 William Ostepchuk Coal Mine
Frayne Mine
(Frayn Mine)
-Roche Percee
S1/2 OF LS 16 Section 22
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Frayne Mine
 
Pure Lignite Mine
-Roche Percee
Section 25
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
This Mine was operating in 1917.
Owner-Operator unknown
Lee Brothers Mine
- Pinto
Section 25
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Lee Brothers Mine
 
Badger Mine
- Pinto
Section 26
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
Hugh Banks
  b- Apr 22, 1893, in Golborne, Lancashire, UK
  d- ?
  buried- ?
Father- James Banks,
living at 28 Helen St, Colbourne, Lancashire, UK
when Hugh enlisted in WWI in Winnipeg Feb 1, 1918
Regimental # 2380285
Hugh was shown as Methodist, single, Miner and farmer
living in Taylorton SK
Banks Mine
-Pinto
LSD 15 Section 26
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
Operated by Hugh Banks.
There were three brothers,
James, Hugh, and Harry Banks,
who all came to the Pinto area in the early 1900's.
James left to New York, but Harry and Hugh
 both had coal mines in the area.
Wilfred Harry Banks,
  b- Aug 2, 1891
  d-Apr 28, 1967
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery
Also buried there,
Wilfred Hugh Banks, son of Harry above.
  b- 1917
  d- Oct 12, 1980
The correct Hugh was not him though
The correct Hugh Banks
  b- Apr 22, 1893, Golborne, Lancashire, UK
  d- ?
  buried- ?
Father- James Banks,
living at 28 Helen St, Golborne, Lancashire, UK
when Hugh enlisted in WWI in Winnipeg Feb 1, 1918
Regimental # 2380285,
Hugh was shown as Methodist, single, Miner and farmer
1901 UK census shows James Banks as a Coal Hewer, age 39
born in Ashton in Makerfield
brother James Banks
  b- bet Oct- Dec 1895, He was 5 in 1901,
   born in Golborne, Lancashire, UK

Now I know of one Hugh Banks family, listed below,
still not positive this is the correct Hugh that owned this mine
but if it isn't, it's his son.
Hugh Banks wife was Ruth Banks, nee ?
Hugh and Ruth had 5 children known:
Son Jim Banks
   b- ?
   d- deceased, date unknown
Daughter Lorna May Banks,
   b- May 24, 1925
   d- Sept 28, 1983
   Lorna married Clarence Jahn

Daughter Lila Banks,
   b- 1928
   d- Mar 3, 1952
   Lila married Mike Dzuba

Daughter Ruth Banks,
   b- Dec 12, 1930
   d- Jan 12, 2009 in Regina General Hospital
   Ruth married Frank
Nieviadomy
   I know She grew up in the Pinto area for sure.
   Ruth and Frank were great friends of my Mom and Dad
Daughter Bernice Banks, married a Demers, living in 2009

new info I found Sept 2010 below
Hugh Banks age 27, returned from Liverpool
to Quebec City, Canada on SS Megantic,
Sept 11, 1928, shown as single,
lived in Canada for 8 years when he came back this time,
born in England, heading to Taylorton SK, occupation Miner.
returning Canadian on CPR

then I found Hugh Banks immigrating June 30, 1913,
arriving in Quebec City from Liverpool England,
on SS Lake Manitoba, age 20,
came with a brother, Thomas Banks, age 23,
both joining a Miner brother at Taylorton SK, 
both shown as single, both Prim Methodist.
both shown as Coal Miners
now we have a Thomas Banks in the mix too

May 6, 1912, Harry Banks, age 22, came to Quebec city
from Liverpool, on SS megantic, single, Prim methodist
born in England, heading to Taylorton SK, coalminer.
worked as coalminer for 9 years prior to this.
planned on becoming a farmer.
now we know he was the possible first brother.

Mine Name Unknown ?
-Pinto
LSD 9 Section 26
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
Operated by Hugh Banks
  b- Apr 22, 1893, Golborne, Lancashire, UK
  d- ?
  buried- ?
Father- James Banks,
living at 28 Helen St, Colbourne, Lancashire, UK
when Hugh enlisted in WWI in Winnipeg Feb 1, 1918
Regimental # 2380285
Hugh was shown as Methodist, single, Miner and farmer
see the 2 mines shown above, will be one of them
Thistle Mine
-Roche Percee
Section 29
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
This Mine was operating in 1917.
Owner-Operator Unknown
Blue Seam Mine
-Roche Percee
Section 29
Township 1
Range 6 -W2

1 1/2 miles E of RP

View my Web Page for this Mine here
E. J. Sinclair Coal Mine
aka: Blue Seam Mine
Good Luck Mine
-Roche Percee
SW 1/4 Section 29
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Brooks & Paluikis Mine,
aka: Allan & Lischinsky
ala: Allan & Baker
aka: Good Luck Mine
Harry Banks Mine
-Pinto
LS 16 Section 31
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
Operated by Harry Banks
Wilfred Harry Banks
   b- Aug 2, 1891,
   in Golborne, Leigh dist, Lancashire, UK
   d- Apr 28, 1967
   buried in Estevan City Cemetery

More Banks genealogy here:
Hugh Banks Coal Mines

Michel Mine
-Taylorton
NE 1/4 Section 33
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
obviously owned by a Michel,
but not known which one
The name can also be spelled Mitchell
There is Michels, and Mitchells, buried in Estevan Cemetery
Howard Edwin Mitchell took out a land grant on LS 14 of Section 34
was this his mine?
Riverside Mine
-Taylorton
Section 34
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
This Mine was operating in 1917.

William Lemond Hamilton, from Lethbridge AB, Miner
 took out land grants
 on Section 34, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
owning the mineral rights on NE LS 10, and NW LS 9
on Section 34

See the "New Crescent Mine" for his story
Souris Coal Mine co owned land here as well.
Banner Coal Company Mine
aka- the Uhrich Mine
aka the Black Diamond Mine
-Pinto/Roche Percee
LSD 14 Section 35
Township 1
Range 6 -W2

View my Web Page for this Mine here
Banner Coal Company Mine
(aka- Uhrich Mine)

Rock Springs Coal Company
-Roche Percee
LSD 13 Section 35
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Rock Springs Coal Mine
Rock Springs
 Co-operative Coal Co.
Location Unknown Open at least in 1932-34
Rock Springs Co-operative Coal Co. [Bienfait, SK]
 - Mine operated by Rock Springs Coal Co. after 1934
Before this I believe Empire Collieries Ltd. operated this mine
Same mine as one listed above?
Prospect Mine
-Roche Percee
This site was on the lower end of a ravine leading to the Souris River, 1 Mile SE of Taylorton.
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
operated by Mr. Peter Roberts and Mr. Tony Miller
Haven't been able to pin these guys down
Next mine is Hugh Roberts, relative of Peter?

one article says this mine was near Pinto,
and it's miners were returning to work after a strike in 1938

Lignite Mines Ltd
aka Lignite Coal Mines Ltd.
-Bienfait
Located SE of Western Dominion Coal Mines
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Lignite Coal Mines Ltd.
aka: South Cambrian Ltd.
Sutherland Mine
-
Roche Percee
West of Roche Percee
Tipple was in the village
Located where the Roche Percee Station was located on the Soo line.
Township 1
Range 6 -W2

Located at the junction
of Short Creek
and The Souris River.

View my Web Page for this Mine here
Sutherland Mine (Old Mac Coal Mine)

 
Souris Coal Mining
Company Ltd.
-Roche Percee
Coalfields Location,
became Taylorton
Township 1
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Souris Coal Mining Company Ltd.
West Canada Company Taylorton area Apr 12, 1908, there was a dispute between this Company and its men.
Judge Myers of Winnipeg was appointed Chairman of the Inquiry
into this dispute. 
Saskatchewan Coal Company   George Crow was appointed lawyer for this Company
on the Board of Inquiry, into the West Canada Company
Range 6 Township 2 6-12 miles north of US border
Hugh Hassard Mine
-Roche Percee
 

 SE 1/4 Section 4
 Township 2
 Range 6 -W2

North side of the river.
About 1 1/2 miles east
of Roche Percee

The First Coal Mine in this area
was operated by Hugh Hassard

View my Web Page for this Mine here
 
Hugh Hassard Mine

Price Coal Mine
-Roche Percee

Very near
Hugh Hassard's mine

View my Web Page for this Mine here
Price Coal Mine
 
Unknown Name Community of Coalfields
Section 4?
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
Isaac Cockburn owned a mine in the area, ca 1892,
He hired William Lemond (Billy) Hamilton,
who became pit boss, manager, shareholder, then owner
The community of Coalfields grew up around the Hamilton mine
located in the side of the valley
Hamilton built a substantial house called Eagle's nest
above the mine, where his daughter Jessie was born.
In 1905 this mine was sold,
and Hamilton moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta
See "New Crescent Mine" for his story

The only Isaac Cockburn I can find is this fellow below.

The hamlet of Berwick Ontario,  was first settled by four brothers from Scotland, Adam, Peter, James and Isaac Cockburn, in the early 1800s. They established Cockburn Corners, which was later renamed Berwick, after their home village in Scotland.

The Isaac Cockburn who possibly mined here,
was born in 1841 in Berwick ON.
Retired from business interests in Coal, Lumber, and mining,
 It's known he moved to Winnipeg around 1901. 
Named after his Uncle Isaac Cockburn.
Served on Winnipeg City Council, Ward 1 Alderman, from 1918-1919
He died at Winnipeg May 8, 1927, buried at Gravenhurst ON
Father Peter Clayton, Mother Mary Cockburn, nee ?
His wife was Alicia (Ida) Secord, b- ca 1839 in Canada
married Apr 13, 1876, in Toronto ON
she was a widow, first married name Clayton.
was a granddaughter of Laura Secord, nee Ingersoll,
Laura Secord (1775-1863), died age 93, the heroine of the 1812 war.
Alicia's father was Charles Badeau Secord,(1809-1873)
 a barrister, who died in 1872, his wife was Margaret Robbins.
He was the only son of James and Laura Secord.
 He lived in Newark at one time.
Alicia's grandfather was a James Secord.
Isaac was a lumber merchant in Toronto in 1876
There was an Isaac Cockburn who was postmaster
 at Coalfields (Taylorton), Dec 1, 1897-Mar 28, 1901
1907 he was in a court trial shown as former
 Secretary Western Retail Lumber Dealer's Association
1906 census he and his wife were in the La Claire Hotel
187 Garry St in Winnipeg, he age 66, her age 62, name Ida
2010 this is called the Windsor Hotel,
and is ready to be possibly demolished
no known document to verify this is the correct Isaac Cockburn
Only thing that works out is he resigned postmaster at Coalfields, Mar 1901, and this fellow was in Winnipeg after that
But I can't find him or his wife in 1901 census, anywhere in Canada?
Did he sell the coal mine, and take off travelling? 
probably wrong spelling of the name in the census?
do I have the correct guy?

Oct 4, 1898
Big storm reported.
Manager Cockburn and his wife returned from Winnipeg.


Mar 8, 1900
A Mr. J. Cockburn is away on business,
in this newspaper article.

So is it J. or I. Cockburn?
I am pretty sure this is a misprint, and Isaac is correct
One of the Big Six Mines ca1931 Riot
Western Dominion
Collieries Ltd.

 
Section 3 & 4
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
 
View my Web Page for this mine here
Western Dominion Collieries Ltd.
Bienfait Coal, Briquette & Power Co. Ltd. Lignite Coal Mine Next to
Western Dominion Mine
 at Taylorton
Mid April 1929 with $1 Million Capital,
they bought the Lignite mine next to Western Dominion,
and will had Head Offices in either Regina or Weyburn.
They were to develop a new mine on the property
 with a capacity of 200 tons per day.
They were to engage in the making of Briquettes from Lignite Coal, increasing to 500 tons/day.
Work will be done by English Machines
 the same they used at Merritt BC.
They also planned on a new mine in Nova Scotia.

Investors and Developers involved:
1.  P. T. Roberts, President of
     The P.T. Roberts Wholesale Lumber Co., Winnipeg.
2. Joseph Meyers, President of the
    Meyers Steamboat and Coal Co.. Vancouver
3. David Whiteside, K.C.
   of Whiteside, McQuarry and Duncan, New Westminster, B.C.
4. Ernest C. Whitelow, Superintendent of the I.O.C.O.
    (Imperial Oil Co.) refinery, Vancouver,
5. H. M. Freeman, Managing Director
    of Canadian Coal and Briquet Company, Merritt BC
6. E. V. Campion, President
    of E. V. Campion Coal and Briquet Company, Merritt, B.C.

Pacific Coal Company Ltd.
-Roche Percee
W 1/2 Section 6
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Pacific Coal Company Ltd.
Sidney J. Pocock mine Section 8
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
2 miles S of Bienfait
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Sydney J. Pocock Mine
 
One of the Big Six Mines ca1931 Riot
Manitoba & Saskatchewan
 Coal Co. Ltd

aka the "
M&S Mine"
or just M&S
Section 10
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
The Manitoba & Saskatchewan Coal Company (Limited),
 abbreviated to 'M & S' became the operator
 of the Bienfait Mine on February 13, 1907.
The mine was purchased from the Hudson Bay Coal Co.,
who had commenced operations in 1905
Deep Seam, Shaft type Mine from 1907 to 1942.
Switched to strip mining in 1942.
Alexander Craig McMiken (Alec) (Happy) Wilson
manager-
Part of the Big Six time of Sept 29, 1931 riot
This was the largest of the mines in 1931
head office in Winnipeg MB
Tipple was near the Briquette Plant.
Purchased by Luscar.
M & S Mine was known as the Hudson Bay Mine
 in its earlier days of operation,
It became known as the M & S Mine about 1920
 and strip mining started about 15 years later.
Housing Campsite closed as of June 1967
Operating in 1917.

View my M & S Coal Company Ltd Web page here
By Dec 8, 1945 they had an agreement
with District 18, U.M.A.,
(United Mine Workers of America)
Oct 1, 1924 this Company was one of the sponsors
of the First Air Mail flight in Saskatchewan,
from Estevan to Winnipeg.

Crawford Thompson was manager Dec 1940


Oct 1923 article on mine operation

One of the Big Six Mines ca1931
Bienfait Mines Ltd.

aka "Hassard Mine"
the "Hawkinson Mine".
aka: "Hosmer Mine"
 
Section 19
Township 2
Range 6 -W2

Just South of Bienfait
near the CNR tracks.
Bienfait Mine is shown as D on this map from 1927

D on this map-
   49 deg, 08’ 22.94” N
  102 deg, 48’, 05.16” W

 

The Bienfait Mine owned by the
Canadian Pacific Railway was
opened for business in January 1904
 per 1955 history book..
Deep Seam Shaft type,
was sold to Souris Coal Distributors, 
owned by
John Robert Brodie, in 1939,
under
Western Dominion Coal Mines Ltd name.
A J. R. Brodie was vice president of Bienfait Mines,
per Estevan Mercury article on the Royal Commission
after the 1931 strike.

Joseph (Joe) Bembridge was Manager in 1931.
  b- Nov 12, 1887 (in Reg. Dist. of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England)
  d- May 27, 1975
  buried in Bienfait Cemetery with his wife Mary
 Joe Bembridge fought in WWI,  Regimental #336933
  May 15, 1915 enlisted in Calgary AB.
  His wife Mary was living at 1408 1st W. in Calgary at the time.
  Occupation shown as Miner.

Robert J. (Bob) Hassard was President. 
He was the 3rd child of Hugh Hassard
 from Roche Percee, Taylorton fame.
See Hawkinson Mine
for the rest of the story on this mine.

3rd largest mine in 1931
Part of the Big Six in the area
 at the time of the 1931 riot and strike
They owned the mineral rights,
 in Section 18 and 19, Tsp 2, Rge 6, W2
Tipple would have been in section 19
Operated from 1904 to 1940
View my
Bienfait Mines Ltd Web pages here
Oct 1, 1924 this Company was one of the sponsors
of the First Air Mail flight in Saskatchewan,
from Estevan to Winnipeg.

1928 I found an article that stated the 3 Laidler brothers,
William (Bill) Laidler, Richard (Dick) Laidler and John Laidler,
worked underground at this mine.
They were from Morpeth Northumberland
Also A. Rambridge, from Wales,
John Diamond, Alex Ferguson, and J. Oprey, from Scotland
Bob (shown as Hazard) Hassard, was the Owner at the time.
"Red" Pickard was the tour guide for the newspaper reporter.


Oct 1923 article on this mine

Coates Mine
- Bienfait
LSD 10 & 11, Section 19
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Coates Mine
 
North East Mine
-Bienfait
LSD 10, Section 19
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
1 mi East of Bienfait
View my Web Page for this Mine here
North East Mine
 
Western Dominion
Coal Mines Ltd.
-Bienfait
various locations
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
Amalgamation of Western Dominion Collieries Ltd.,
Truax Traer Coal Co. Ltd.,
and Bienfait Mines Ltd,
 by John Robert Brodie, prior to 1939
See Western Dominion Collieries above
My Western Dominion Mine Page
Hawkinson Mine
- Bienfait
Became the Bienfait Mine Co.
later Wilson Mine #1
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
Deep Seam Type Mine
Opened by the CPR in 1906,
and leased to Maurice Hawkinson.
 Managed by Maurice Hawkinson,
shown in 1911 census, as a boarder of
Albert Rogers family in Bienfait,
born Dec 1875, in the USA, age 35.
Nationality- Norwegian, religion Presbyterian.
Shown as a Mine proprietor.
 Rogers is shown as Hotel Keeper, block 3,
 which would be the King Edward Hotel.
Interesting to note, Gordon White
 was a boarder here at the same time,
and he bought the King Edward Hotel.
Also at the hotel, Joseph A. Sequin shown as a mine manager,
  Joseph A. Sequin, (probably Joseph Augustus Sequin)
    b- Apr 1879 in Quebec, Catholic religion
    father- Augustus Sequin, in 1881 living in Gatineau area, Quebec
   Joseph Homesteaded, Mar 12, 1902, on NW Sec 16, Tsp 2, Rge 7, W2
   NE same Sec was a Pierre E. Sequin, brother?
   F. Sequin buried in Estevan City Cemetery
   There is a Sequin district in Saskatchewan,
   maybe near Weyburn somewhere?
   There was a Sequin School 16 km NE of Creelman. Tsp 11, Rge 9, W2
    Joseph's wife- Aminda, nee ?,  b- May 1889 in Quebec

Hawkinson sold power to the village of Bienfait,
sold later to the Dominion Electric Co.. 
 Operated until 1940.

Various owners,
William Lemond (Billy) (Will) Hamilton,
      See "New Crescent Mine" for his story
Robert J. Hassard, 1915-1926,
John Robert Brodie bought Hassards share in 1926.
1939 Hamilton sold his share to
 Alexander Craig McMiken (Alec) (Happy) Wilson,
who sold outright to J. R. Brodie in 1939 
 sounds like a soap opera doesn't it.
View my Bienfait Mines Ltd Web pages here

Alice Lynch, nee Ward wrote this about this mine
"The old "Hawkie" mine, straight west of Bienfait, was a major coal producing area for years. Built by Mr. Hawkinson, who also had a store in Bienfait, it employed a number of men until into the 30's. A large boarding house provided accommodation for the single workers while two to four roomed company houses provided for families. The boarding house doubled as community centre, with card parties and dances being held there"
She also says it was on the Eastern Half of Section 23

Bienfait
Commercial
Light and Power
-Bienfait
At the Bienfait Mine
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
Operated at the Bienfait Mine south of Bienfait
Not really a Coal mine, but associated with one
So I included it here.
Bienfait
Commercial Coal Co.
-Bienfait
South Of Bienfait
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
Opened in 1915
 financed by Maurice Hawkinson,
closed approx 1925

Hawkinson, shown in 1911 census,
as a boarder of Albert Rogers family in Bienfait,
born Dec 1875, in the USA, age 35.
Nationality- Norwegian, religion Presbyterian.
Shown as a Mine proprietor
Hawkinson sold power to the village of Bienfait,
sold later to the Dominion Electric Co

1924 M. J. Hawkinson, General Manager,
Shaft mine, Steam Power Plant, Pick Mining,
Horse haulage, 50 men.

1900 US Census shows a
Maurice J. Hawkinson
born Dec 1874 in Wisconsin, Single
Lodger with a farmer, Theodore Beaver,
living at Sisseton, Roberts, SD,
Father and Mother, both born in Norway. 
Occupation- Real Estate and Loans.
 This probably is him.
There is a Hawkinson Valley in Wisconsin
possibly named after this family?
1880 US census shows a John Hawkinson
age 6, born 1874, living with his family
father- Hawk Hawkinson, age 47
mother, Martha Hawkinson, age 48
both parents born in Norway,
living at Fountain, Juneau, Wisconsin.
Now is this Maurice John Hawkinson our man?
all speculation so far.
Hawkinson leased his mine from the CPR
the first mine in the Bienfait area.
Glenbow museum has a CPR document, 1925-1926,
re: Bienfait Mine Purchase, M2269, Minutes, meetings 68-75

1920-21 Managers and Employees listed here
Bienfait 1920

Pierce McCallum Ltd Unknown- Bienfait Sold the brand "Commercial Coal" Oct 1923
owners unknown, possibly Edward Pierce?
there was a Dr. McCallum in Winnipeg, him?
only seen this one ad for this company


1923 ad

Western Collieries of Bienfait Ltd. obviously near Bienfait In an article dated Oct 18, 1938
 this mine is listed showing its workers,
members of the UMWA, were on strike.
other mines affected were listed:
Western Dominion Coal Mines Ltd,
Dominion Briquettes and Chemicals Ltd,
M&S Coal Company Ltd,
Bienfait Mines Ltd.,
and Lignite Mines Ltd.
so this is a separate mine from those.
"The First"
Crescent Collieries
Ltd.
-Bienfait
1 mile East of Bienfait
Township 2
Range 6 -W2

  49 deg, 09’ 09.01” N
 102 deg, 47’ 14.86” W
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Crescent Collieries Ltd.
 
 
Kingdon Mine
-Bienfait
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
Operated by Leslie (Les) Kingdon
  b- July 22, 1893,
  Barnstable, Devon, England
  d- Oct 28, 1986
  buried in Bienfait Cemetery
Wife- Margaret Elizabeth (Maggie) Kingdon, nee Graham.
  b- Nov 10, 1900
  d- Jan 7, 1997
  buried in Bienfait Cemetery also
Father and Mother of Stan, Don, Ken, Leslie, & Valerie Kingdon
Leslie enlisted in WWI, May 9, 1918, single, C of E, Miner
Reg #260483, svc #466123
next of kin- Father- Harry John Kingdon
living at Surzern?, Surrey Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
Harry John Kingdon,
born bet July-Sept, 1863, in Barnstable, Devon, England
d- bet Oct-Dec 1937, age 76 in Poole Reg. Dist., Dorset, England
Harry shown as a French Polisher in 1881 census
Kingdon and Coates Mine
-Bienfait
Township 2
Range 6 -W2
Just south of Bienfait, across from old CN Station
Operated by Leslie (Les) Kingdon and Coates obviously
Roche Percee
Coal Company Ltd
-Roche Percee
Located where the CPR station on the Soo Line was located View my Web Page for this Mine here
Roche Percee Coal Mine Company
see also Old Mac and Sutherland mine links
 
Siddall Coal Mine
-Roche Percee
Unknown Location Per Guest Book entry,
from his granddaughter Gwynne Siddall, 
Matthew Siddall,
  b- 1913 in Roche Percee,
owned a Family Coal Mine in the area.
Possibly Thomas Siddall Mine above is this mine,
or another, probably family below?

There was a Rev. Siddall who dedicated
the Taylorton Church when it was next to the Cemetery
in the valley, in 1892
Deep Seam
Taylorton Mine
-Taylorton
Location Unknown
Range 6 -W2
Probably Western Dominion Mine
Roche Percee Mine
- Roche Percee
Very close to the Hassard,  Taylor and Coulson mines. My mystery picture on the Roche Percee page,
 has Brailsford Estevan written on the picture.

see
Coal Mine Picture

In 1900, Mr. R.R. Taylor managed the Roche Percee Mine, as well as the Taylor and Hassard Mines.  He combined all 3 in 1901, and then closed the Taylor mine.  In the fall of 1904, with increasing demand for output, a new point of attack was used, and in the center of their 2,600 acres they drove a slope from the surface of the prairie.  this new mine became known as Taylorton mine.
Great West Coal Company Mine
-Roche Percee
2 miles East of Roche Percee
Range 6 -W2
Started in 1906 financed by a man
named Kennedy in Brandon MB.
One article states first Incorporated in 1905 in Saskatchewan.
John Robert Brodie was it's accountant and sales agent.
This mine only operated for a few years,
but the name continued with Mr. Brodie.
He later owned the Great West Coal Company.
Operated by Mr John Robert Brodie, in Brandon. 
there is a John R. Brodie wing
on the Brandon MB University, named after this man.
I have done research on him,
which can be found here, John Robert Brodie
N. (Norman) M. Paterson and Sons had a subsidiary,
Great West Coal, based in Bienfait, Saskatchewan.
Per their web site-
"N.M. Paterson and Sons strip-mined coal at Bienfait
 with the biggest dragline in Canada,
 an enormous crawler shovel named Mr Klimax."
So now it appears John R. Brodie,
 sold this firm to N. M. Patterson & Sons.
Great West Coal Company Ltd name,
 still operated in 1980, maybe later.

Sept 1961 this company opened it's new mine near Estevan
new mine, new Modern Office buildings, new service facilities,
and an all new metal screen tipple, served by 9 sets of tracks,
output capacity of 650 tons/hour.
Officiating at the opening ceremonies, President D. S. Paterson,
Managing director J. M. Brodie,
Hon Russ Brown, SK Minister of Industry and Information.
The company produced almost 10% of Canada's production in 1961.

Union 1963-1965- Roche Percee Coal Miners' Union

Sept 28, 1964 newspaper stated Loram Coal Co. Ltd. of Calgary bought controlling interest in Great West Coal Co. from the Norman McLeod Paterson family of Winnipeg.  The business office moved from Brandon to Winnipeg under Paterson, and then moved to Estevan after this sale.  Head sales office remained in Winnipeg, Head Office in Calgary.  The company also owned the Rosedale Mine in Sheerness Alberta.  Loram was a subsidiary of Mannix Co. of Calgary same as Utility Coals was at time.  C. F. Doerr the General Manager of Utility Coals, was appointed Managing Director of Great West Coal Ltd.

May 1962, John Malcolm Brodie
was Managing Director of this company
shown operating in Estevan, Brandon and Winnipeg.
He was appointed to the Dominion Coal Board,
the first for someone from the Lignite Industry of SK.
Mr. J. M. Brodie was 42 at the time, born ca 1920 at Brandon
He attended St. John's Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg,
Studied Mine Engineering at Queen's University,
followed by Geological engineering at U of Manitoba.
Served with Royal Canadian Navy, 1941-45.
Discharged rank of Lieutenant.
Joined the Great West Coal Company in 1945.
Appointed Managing Director in 1955.
He is a member of the Canadian Mining Metallurgical Institute.
there is a Memorial Bursary at Brandon University in his name
Now was he related to J. R. Brodie?  my guess is yes.
found a John M. Brodie born July 15, 1920, that died
July 26, 1997 in Tempe, Maricopa, Arizona, 85282, same guy?
I know John R. Brodie died in Arizona
I know J. R. Brodie's wife's dad's name was Malcolm.
It all fits too close to not be true.

Roche Percee
Collieries Ltd
-Roche Percee
3 miles East
 of Roche Percee
Operating as early as Aug 1899-
Bought out one of the early Roche Percee mine(s)
owned by Gow and Russell. 
 It shipped it's coal on the Soo (CPR) Line.
The Hugh Hassard mine was a little
 to the west of this mine.
Prior to 1924, a branch spur was laid
to this mine, for the Spur of the Souris Mine.
Aug 1899- H. Gocher arrived from England
as a salesman for this company.
Same time Mr. Percerelle and his family arrived,
he was the new bookkeeper for the mine.

William Albert Russell took out land grants on
LS 11, Section 32, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
LS 12, Section 32, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
LS 13, Section 13, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
LS 14, Section 32, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2

George F. Gow took out his land grant on
NW Section 33, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
and SW Section 32, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2

Leonard Gocher took out a land grant on
 LS 11, Section 34, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
relation to H. Gocher?

Coulson Mine
-Roche Percee
Close to Hassard mine Operating in 1900,
located a short distance from the Hassard,
 Roche Percee and Taylor mines, owned by R.R. Taylor.
This is the only mine he did not control as of 1901.
 I found a George Coulson living in Oxbow in 1901,
 as a farm worker. 
Possibly his family formed this mine originally?
Taylor Mine
-Roche Percee
Close to Hassard mine Managed by R. R. Taylor as early as 1900,
In 1901 he Combined this mine with the Hassard,
and Roche Percee Mine, which he also controlled.
He then closed this Taylor Mine.

Russell Mine
-Roche Percee

Near the Gow Mine.
North side of the river.
Obviously owned by a man named Russell
With the Gow mine, one of the first after the Hassard Mine.
Some articles show Gow and Russell mine.

William Albert Russell
   took out Land Grants on
LS 11, Section 32, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
LS 12, Section 32, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
LS 13, Section 13, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
LS 14, Section 32, Tsp 1, Rge 6, W2
Gow Mine
-Roche Percee
3 Miles east of Roche Percee
1 1/2 miles east of the Hassard mine. North side of the river.
One of the early Coal Mines, after the Hassard Mine.
Bought out and renamed Roche Percee Collieries Ltd.
One article says the name was the Daddy Gow Mine
I know at least one of the Gow family came from Morris MB
I know Neil Gow and George F. Gow were in the area.
George Frederick Gow,
 b- July 10, 1835 at Portsmouth England,
 baptized July 19, 1835 at
Saint Thomas, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
 d- Apr 15, 1911 in Winnipeg MB, age 75
Father- John Gow
Mother- Margaret Paterson
I believe he had a sister named Ann Gow
Married and had 6 children
Wife- Elizabeth Gow
  b- 1833 or 1834 in Ontario
  d- Dec 6, 1897, age 64, in Winnipeg, MB
Son- Frederick (Fred) George Gow,
     b- 1858 or 1859 in Ontario
     d- July 17, 1937 in Winnipeg MB, age 79
    who married Isabella (Bella) Brown
His son Fred had children in the Coalfields area, and in MB

1871 census George was living in Macaulay, Muskoka, Ontario
1891 census he was living in Sub District of Youville,
district of Provencher, MB
He was a Businessman, Farmer, Hotelier, and Indian agent. At the age of seventeen he accompanied his family to Canada West from Ireland, where he had spent his childhood.  In 1878 the Conservative Government appointed him Indian Agent at Winnipeg but he resigned the position within a few months to become proprietor of the Morris House, Morris, Manitoba, where he combined farming with his hotel business for fifteen years. He moved to Estevan and was in the coal business there for twelve years. He then returned to Winnipeg, operating a real estate and insurance business until his retirement.

From a History book- Second mine in the district, about a mile east of the present Taylorton Bridge, was operated by Mr. Gowe, known far and wide as "Daddy Gowe".
Here I think Gowe should be spelled Gow

Griffith Mine
- Roche Percee
Located at Coalfields
Range 6
Dec 29, 1904, this mine was in development stage,
It had no Railroad Spur, at that time.
Exact Owner-Operator Unknown

Charles Deacon Griffith
  b- July 19, 1884 in Wales
  d- Aug 24, 1982
was Estevan Postmaster 1919-1955
Seems to me he would be too young in 1904
to own this mine, maybe his father?
Range 7 Township 1 0-6 miles north of US border
Thompson Mine
- Estevan
Section 11
Township 1
Range 7 -W2
Owned by a Thompson, but which one?
Olson & May Mine
-Roche Percee
W 1/2 Section 13
Township 1
Range 7 -W2
Owned by an Olson and May but which ones?
Langen Mine
- Roche Percee
Section 13
Township 1
Range 7 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Langen Coal Mine
 
Hildahl Mine
- Roche Percee
Section 14
Township 1
Range 7 -W2
Operator Hildahl?
Not sure which Hildahl owned this mine
 
Poage Mine
-Roche Percee
Section 24
Township 1
Range 7 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Poage Mine

 
Thomas Siddall Mine
-Roche Percee
N 1/2 LSD 7
S 1/2 OF SW 1/4
THE N1/2 OF THE
 SW1/4 OF LSD 8
Section 24
Township 1
Range 7 -W2
one and three-quarter miles SW of Roche Percee.
Various spellings of this last name have been used,
but Siddall is the correct one.
I believe he married Barbara Annie Campbell,
who was born in 1914. 
They had 10 children.
Her brother Duncan Charles Campbell
also operated a mine in the area.
 Henry Siddal, who I believe was his brother, died in WWI in 1917.
Thomas was living with his parents
 Edward and Flora Siddall on 36-1-7 W2 in 1906.
 he was age 2 in 1906, born in England,
 immigrated in 1904.
See Edward Siddall mine above for more family history
Baniulas Mine
- Roche Percee
Section 25
Township 1
Range 7 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
 Baniulas Mine
 
McKersie Mine
- Roche Percee
Section 25
Township 1
Range 7 -W2
Operated by a McKersie, which one?
Superior Coal Mine
-Roche Percee
Section 25
Township 1
Range 7 -W2

Operating in 1917
Owner-Operator unknown
Edward Siddall Mine
-Roche Percee
Possibly Section 36
Township 1
Range 7 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Edward Siddall Mine
 
Range 7 Township 2 6-12 miles north of US border
Saskatchewan Coal, Brick
 and Power Company

aka: Shand Coal and
Brick Company
-Shand

LSD 14, 15, 16
S OF CPR
Section 4
Township 2
Range 7 -W2
Opened by Joel (Joe) Bardsley,
in 1908, on the Soo (CPR) Line,
  b- July 1874 in Reg Dist of Rochdale, Castleton, Lancashire, UK
  d- Apr 10, 1957, Burnaby BC, age 83
  buried in the Masonic Lodge, Burnaby Cemetery,
  4305 Halifax St, Burnaby BC
Now we know he was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Father- Samuel Bardsley,
  b- ca 1843, Ashton U. Lyne, Lancashire, England,
Mother- Mary A. Bardsley, nee ?,
  b- ca 1842, Manchester, Lancashire, UK
Wife- Jane Bardsley, nee Halliwell,
  b- Jan 1874 in Reg Dist of Leigh, Tyldesley, Lancashire, UK
  d- Nov 3, 1953, in Vancouver BC, age 78
  buried in the Masonic Burnaby Cemetery, Halifax St, Burnaby
Marriage- July-Sept 1897, Reg Dist of Leigh, England
Daughter Mary Bardsley,
   b- Feb 1898
in Reg Dist of Leigh, Tyldesley, Lancashire, UK
immigrated to Canada bet Mar 1901 and Nov 1903,
as the family was living in England per 1901 census.
Son, Samuel Bardsley,
   b- Nov 26, 1903 in Assn. (SK)
Daughter Violet Bardsley-
   b- Apr 9, 1906 in Sask
   d- Apr 12, 1927, in Vancouver BC, age 21
   buried in the Masonic Burnaby Cemetery, Halifax St, Burnaby
Mar 12, 1906 took out the homestead application
on NE Section 4, Tsp 2, Rge 7, W2

Sold ca 1912, to
Jonas Gustav Peterson,
  b- Aug
22, 1869
  d- Apr 14, 1948,
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery. 
Considered the founder of the Hamlet of Shand.

Deep Seam type Mine.
The mine was open until 1938
Mr Peterson owned the
Eureka Coal and Brick Company
 in Estevan prior to this.
In 1916 this mine produced 23,755 tons of Lignite coal
4th highest in the District.
This Mine was operating in 1917.

Thomas McLean Sr. worked at the Shand mine
 when he first immigrated from Scotland in 1911
(see McLean's Mine below)

Apr 1915, Saskatchewan Coal, Brick & Power, Ltd. Officers
 Company Head Office address- 504 Leader Building, Regina SK
Officers-
President- F. W. Green
Vice-President- Jonas Gustav Peterson
Managing Director- Professor S. M. Darling
Secretary-Treasurer- Thomas Grant
Directors-
 Regina- A. C. Patterson, J. H, Haslam, S. M. Darling
Moose Jaw- F. W. Green, C. M. Wrenshall
Weyburn- Frank B. Moffett, E. V. Campion
Estevan- J. E. Loughlin, James Alpin Smith
Rouleau- Thomas J. How
Carlyle- Hume Robertson
Oxbow- W. O. Fraser
Taylorton- C. C. Symons
Shand- J. G. Peterson
Portal- John Hill
Captial $300,000, 3,000 shares at $100 each.

Maple Leaf Mines Shand
6 mi e of Estevan on the CPR
The Saskatchewan Coal, Brick & Power, Ltd.
in 1915 took out an option on this coal mine.
Hugh McLean Mine
(official name unknown)
near Shand Operated by Hugh McLean and William (Bill) McLean
Hugh McLean
b- Feb 1883, (shown as 1865 on cemetery transcription) in Scotland
d- Feb 17, 1951
buried in Estevan City Cemetery
he was married to Elsie Mclean, nee Ferries
        b- July 1876 in Scotland
        d- ?
They both immigrated to Canada in 1907
   son- Hugh McLean, b- Nov 3, 1907 in Brandon MB
   son- William, info below
Hugh was a Brother to Thomas Mclean Sr.,
(see McLean's Mine below for father, mother etc).

William (Bill) Mclean, (son of Hugh McLean, above)
   b- Nov 1909 in SK
He was married, name unknown
   Bill's Son- Name unknown, b- May 7, 1925 at Shand
   Bill's Daughter- Name Unknown, b- May 28, 1930

Hugh and family living at Section 31, Township 7, Range 3, W2 in 1911
Occupation farmer, religion Presbyterian

Thomas McLean Jr. operated this mine at one time,
switching locations with Hugh and Bill

Parkinson Mine
-Shand
 N 1/2 LSD 5 &
S 1/2 OF SW 1/4 OF LS 12
Section 6
Township 2
Range 7 -W2
Operated by Thomas Edward Parkinson-
  b- Feb 21, 1910, at Abram, England
  d- July 24, 1975
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery
Hannah Collieries Ltd.
-Bienfait
NW 1/4 Section 8
Township 2
Range 7 -W2
Deep Seam, Shaft Type Mine
located 6 miles East of Estevan,
opened in the mid 40`s,
operated for only a few years. 
Owned by Alexander Craig McMiken
 (Alec) (nickname Happy) Wilson. 
What didn't this guy own?
a Larry Hannah was living in Estevan in Dec 1892,
and a newspaper article says
He was to be married soon,
and  it would be the first wedding in Estevan.
wonder if this wasn't his mine first?
Then Oct 11, 1892, Mr. Laurie Hannah was
building a store on 4th st in Estevan.
Now we have 2 Hannah's?
But I think Laurie is the correct name.

Mr. Laurie Hannah 1892
One of the Big Six Mines ca1931
Eastern Collieries
 of Bienfait Ltd.

aka "Eastern Mine"
 or The "Eastern"
Sections 13 and 24
Township 2
Range 7 -W2

Eastern Mine is shown as C on this map from 1927
C on this map-
 
 49 deg, 08’, 09.31” N
 102 deg, 49’ 21.12”W

 

Deep Seam, Shaft type Mine, opened in 1922
Owned by Herbert (Herb) Wallace
 and his brother, of Estevan.
5th largest mine in 1931
Part of the big Six, time of Sept 29,1931 riot.
ca1930's the size of the mine underground
was about 400 x 800 yds
Edward Pierce Jr. was manager at one point. 
I know a Frank Newsome
 was mine manager at one point.
He was born Aug 1878, died July 5, 1945,
buried in Estevan City Cemetery
He also managed a mine at Bienfait,
and Crescent Collieries.
A Picture in the museum
 says R.D. Newsome was manager,
 but I think he might have been a lawyer
 in Estevan in the 30's.
My Dad Phil Gent worked underground
 at this mine in the 30's.
Just west of Bienfait, north of Hwy 39
They owned the mineral rights where our farm was.
Operated until the late 40`s
My Eastern Collieries Mine Page
By Dec 8, 1945 they had an agreement
with District 18, U.M.A.,
(United Mine Workers of America)
Oct 1, 1924 this Company was one of the sponsors
of the First Air Mail flight in Saskatchewan,
from Estevan to Winnipeg.
found a Norman and Lillian Wallace, was Norman the other brother?
Destroyed by fire end of March 1939.
Apr 13, 1939, Herb Wallace announced at the Hotel Saskatchewan
in Regina that the mine would not be rebuilt, die to the labour situation.
Fire damage was reported to be in excess of the First $50,000 estimate.
He reported the mine employed between 40 and 44 men all summer.
In the peak winter season over 100 men were employed.
North Mine
-Bienfait
LSD 14 &
PART LSD 11
LYING N OF CPR
 Section 22
Township 2
Range 7- W2
2 1/2 miles west of Bienfait,
north side of Highway 39
Owner-Operator unknown
the following folks homesteaded this section 22
ca1900-1903
NE- Gustave La Coste
NW- Raphael Burlinguette
SE- Athanese La Coste
SW- Napoleon LaCoste
North West Coal Company Ltd.
aka Konopaki Mine
- Bienfait
LSD15 &
LSD 16 &
PART OF 9 &10
 LYING N OF CPR, RR 
Section 22
Township 2
Range 7- W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Northwest Coal Company Ltd. (Konopaki Mine)

 
Commercial Mine
-Bienfait
Section 23
Township 2
Range 7 -W2

This Mine was not operated in 1917.
Owner-Operator unknown
One of the Big Six Mines ca1931
National Mine Ltd
NE 1/4
Section 25
Township 2
Range 7 -W2

 49 deg, 08’ 32.25” N
102 deg, 50’ 25.13” W
View my Web Page for this Mine here
National Mine Ltd.
One of the Big Six Mines ca1931
"New"
Crescent Collieries
Ltd.
SE 1/4  Section 26
Township 2
Range 7 -W2

 49 deg, 08’, 07.41”N
102 deg, 51’, 59.12” W
View my Web Page for this mine here
Crescent Collieries Ltd.
 


 

North West Coal Co. Ltd.
-Bienfait
NE 1/4  Section 27
Township 2
Range 7-W2
Deep Seam Shaft type Mine.
Opened in 1932, operated until 1947
 as underground mine, then until 1964 as a strip mine.
Owned and operated by Alex Konopaki and Dan Bozak.
One of the largest mines, ca 1961
This mine was located just north
of where the Battle River Coal Company Ltd.
tipple and offices were located.
By Dec 8, 1945 they had an agreement
with District 18, U.M.A.,
(United Mine Workers of America)
J. S. Wilbur Mine E 1/2 OF W 1/2 &
W1/2 OF E1/2 LS 61
14-7-W2
a F. S. Wilbur owned the Elm Valley Coal Mine
 near Roche Percee, same family?
Old Mac Coal Co. Ltd.
-Roche Percee
West of Roche Percee
Tipple in the Village
in 1955
Range 7 -W2
View my Web Page for this mine here
Old Mac Coal Mine
Costello Mine
- Bienfait
4 km east of Estevan
Township 2
Range 7 -W2
Opened in 1960, wasn't sure how this mine got its name
until I found a Mannix history book my Dad had.
turns out Chairman of the Board of Loram Holdings Ltd.
was Mr.
Everett William Costello, QC
 b- 1909 in Calgary AB

Equipment used at this mine
B.E. (Bucyrus Erie) 5W dragline,
50B loading shovel,
Alco locomotive,
and a coal hauler,

are on display at the Estevan museum
just west of Estevan, on highway 39, ca 2010

Mine closed in 1993 due to no demand for the coal.
It re-opened in summer of 1998
as part of Prairie Coal Limited
20 year life expectancy of the mine, at that time

I also find an article that says this mine was at Roche Percee?
Owned by Manalta Coal Corporation 1970-1998
Luscar Coal Corporation took control ca 1998

Havanah Coal Company Ltd
(aka Havanah Collieries Ltd.,
Havana, Havanna,
 & Havannah Coal Company)
-Bienfait
South side of Highway 39,
and West of Bienfait
Township 2
Range 7 -W2
Operating 1943 for 12 years
Shown on the map in 1955 History book map
 as south side of Highway 39,
and west of Bienfait,
between the North West Mine and Eastern Mine
By Dec 8, 1945 they had an agreement
with District 18, U.M.A.,
(United Mine Workers of America)
June 5, 1946 they signed a wage agreement
with the UMWA, District 18

Article in newspaper states owner Alex Wilson of
Havana Collieries on Thursday Apr 8, 1948
announced the underground Mine would close,
and all equipment would be sold.  Alex claimed labour costs,
were too high to be competitive with strip mining.
30 miners were affected.  He blamed shorter work week,
increased wages, and holidays with pay.
He said the Company may strip mine on an untouched
block of land.

In Alexander Craig McMiken Wilson's life history
 he stated the company name was
 Havanah Coal Company Ltd., opened in 1943
and claimed by him to be operated in a small way
for 12 years. He should know the spelling.
His wife was born at Havannah, Parr, Lancashire
and no doubt he named this mine after that name.

Havanah Coal Mine web page

Range 8 Township 1 0-6 miles north of US border
Petterson, Lee &
 Flower Mine
-Estevan
LSD 14  Section 28
Township 1
Range 8 -W2
Possibly Would have been on land
 owned by James Flower.
He owned the NW 1/4.
b- Mar 1, 1861 in Ohio, USA
d- July 27, 1967.
buried in Estevan City Cemetery

He homesteaded in North Portal area in 1903.
Mine was operated by his sons
Orville Flower and Roy L. Flower
in partnership with Knute Petterson.

 The Flower boys farmed this area in 1964.

Knute Petterson, husband of
Ida Marie Petterson,
worked at this mine in the 1930's

James Flower married Agnes Polly Cook of Roche Percee in 1907
b- Dec 13,1887
d- Aug 28, 1963
buried in Estevan City Cemetery
they had 5 sons, Orville, Roy, Floyd, Garvey and Alfred.

Orville Arthur Flower
b- Nov 26, 1908
d- Apr 6, 1981
buried in Estevan City Cemetery

Roy Lester Flower
b- Dec 22, 1911, at Estevan
d- May 12, 1974,  at Estevan, age 62
buried in Estevan City Cemetery

Roy Flowers farm was only 400 yards from the
Dakota air crash in 1946, and he witnessed the whole accident.

Kjersem Mine
-Estevan
NW1/4 LS12.
SW1/4 LS13,
SW1/4 LS13  
  Section 28
Township 1
Range 8 -W2
a Stan Kjersem owned this land in 1964
Niels Anderson Mine
-Estevan
NW Section 28
Township 1
Range 8 -W2

SW of Estevan in the Valley, covered by water at Boundary Dam now
Started by Niels Anderson in 1912. 
His son Hans Anderson worked at this mine
until he started his own mine.
Other sons worked at the mine as well. He had 4 sons.
First name spelled Nils as well
Located on the bank of Long Creek.
Mine operated until 1950
Seam was 12-14 ft thick.
 Niels Anderson
 b- Dec 18, 1871 in Denmark,
 d- Oct 4, 1957.
 Buried in Estevan City Cemetery.
Niels and Marie Anderson
 homesteaded on NE section 28, Sept 25, 1923
Other
1/4's of this section 28
 were homesteaded by Con Barabash ca1931
including this NW section 28
Aug 19, 1923 Engineers attending the convention
in Estevan, of the SK Branch
of the Engineering Institute of Canada
made a visit to this mine,
and were entertained at the Anderson Home.
Bridge Mine No 1
aka "Old Bridge" mine
-Estevan
E 1/2 LSD 1
Section 32
Township 1
Range 8 -W2
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Bridge Mine No 1, (Old Bridge Mine)

 
Bridge Mine No 2
-Estevan
LSD 1 & LSD 2
Section 32
Township 1
Range 8 -W2
Operated by Edward "Ed" Tajc (see above)

Last name could be spelled Taje, first name could be Edwin?
but I don't think so

Black Diamond Coal Mine
-Estevan
LSD 5
Section 33
Township 1
Range 8 -W2
Operated by Joe Anderson.
Oak Mine
aka "Hans Anderson Mine"
aka "Anderson Strip Mine"
 -Estevan
NW 1/4 Section 33
Township 1
Range 8 -W2
Operated by Johannes (Hans) Christian Anderson
  b- Nov 24, 1901
  d- Mar 26, 1966,
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery.
Tessier Mine
aka "Bridge Mine"
Section 33
Township 1
Range 8 -W2
 
Opened in the 1930's, for 6 years, 
 by Joseph Tessier,
  b- Mar 28, 1893 in Casimir, Quebec,
  d- Oct 19, 1973,
 He is buried in the Estevan City Cemetery.

Working in the mine were his brother Emanual,
son Wilfred and Ernie Betland.
Tisdale Coal Mine
-Estevan
LSD 11 & 12 Section 33
Township 1
Range 8 -W2
Operating in 1948 for sure
Operated by Adam Edward Tisdale,
 b- Oct 10, 1877, Wellington County, Ontario
 d- Nov 15, 1953 in Moose Jaw SK
Father- John Tisdale born in Ireland
Mother- Susannah Fearns, or possibly Mary Fearns
Mine located 7 miles south of Estevan,   
Operated from 1935-1948.   
It is now flooded and part of Boundary Dam.  
 
Dec 8, 1945 they were near an agreement
with District 18, U.M.W.A.,
(United Mine Workers of America)
June 5, 1946 they signed a wage agreement
with the UMWA, District 18

All 3 of his sons, Clifford, Melvin, and Murray,
and a Son In Law, worked at the mine.
one record says Adam had 9 children, and 2 died early in life.
His wife, Sarah Hannah Tisdale, nee Clark,
 b- Feb 14, 1876 in Ontario
 d- Mar 17, 1943.
They married Jan 2, 1906 at Glen Edin, Normanby Ontario
Both Sarah and Adam are buried at Macoun SK.
where they had a homestead SW 2-5-10-W2,
until 1920, when they moved to Estevan.
They were Methodists.
The Tisdales operated the "Estevan Hotel"
 on 6th St. for 4 years.
Adam was a rep for Great West Life Assurance Co
as well as owning this mine.
Range 8 Township 2 6-12 miles N of US border
Lomnicki Mine
-Estevan
LSD 3 & 14
Section 1
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Owner was Leon Lomnicki,
and Operated by him and his son,
Joseph (Joe) Lomnicki Sr.
Leon Lomnicki,
  b- Apr 29, 1898,
  d- Aug 15, 1962,
  buried in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan SK
Jenish Brothers Mine
aka: Jenish Coal Mining Company
-Estevan
LSD 7, 8, 9 & 10
 Section 1
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
View my Web Page for this mine here
Jenish Brothers Mine
 
Estevan Valley Mine
aka J. Parkinson Mine
-Estevan
LSD 11
Section 1
Township 2
Range 8 -W2

View my Web Page for this mine here
Estevan Valley Coal Mine
 (aka Jimmie Parkinson Mine)

 

William Gill Mine
-Estevan
 LSD 13
Section 1
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operating sometime between 1938-1951
Operated by William Gill Sr.
  b- 1885
  d- Dec 25, 1943
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery
J. Olshanski Mine
-
Estevan
 Section 2
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
(could be spelling error,
could be OLSHANOSKI
, probably Joseph)
Nicholson Mine
-Estevan
N1/2 LSD 9 &
 E 1/2 LSD 15
Section 2
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
View the Web Page for this mine here
Nicholson Mine
 
Joyce Mine
-Estevan
S1/2 LSD 2
Section 4
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operated by John Joyce
Brokenshire Mine
- Estevan
Section 4
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
View the Web Page for this mine here
Brokenshire Mine
 
Peterson Mine
-Estevan
W 1/2 OF W 1/2 LSD 3 &
ALL LSD 4
Section 4
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operated by Peterson & Blackburn
William Andrew Blackburn owned land in this area,
this could be him.
This mine would be very near
 where the Boundary Dam plant is now
W. Hudynka &
 T. Mandzuk  Mine
-Estevan
E 1/2 LSD 14 &
W 1/2 LSD 15
 Section 4
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
 
No Info On W. Hudynka
Thomas Mandzuk
  b- 1880
  d- Sep 11, 1951,
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery
1911 census says name was Thomas Mandzuik
   b-Mar 1879 in Austria, Catholic Religion
immigrated in 1905
Palmer Mine
-Estevan
Section 4
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
E1/2 OF LS 2 OF 4
View my Web Page for this Mine here
Palmer Mine
 
F. L. Thompson Mine
-Estevan
LSD 2  
Section 4
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Frank Lorenzo Thompson
b- Jan 4, 1879 in Deuel County, SD, USA
d- Oct 12, 1966
buried in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens in Estevan
Father- Abel Thompson
Mother- Helen Thompson, nee ?
immigrated in 1902 from US to Canada
Wife- Mary Thompson, nee Murray
 b- Feb 3, 1884, d May 4, 1970 also buried in SVMG in Estevan
8 children
Highway Mine
- Estevan
Section 9
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
M. Murphy
Blackhawk Mine
aka Black Hawk Mine
- Estevan
 Section 9
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
C. J. Wheelock
I wouldn't be surprised if this fellow isn't an American

July 17, 1933 a blown safe was found on Prairie land
near this mine, as reported in the Leader Post
as a mine near Bienfait.
The safe was stolen from Harmsworth SK., 2 years prior.
Only problem is I can't find any Harmsworth village,town?

W. A. Grawbarger Mine
-Estevan
LSD 14 & 15
Section 9
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operated by Wilbert Andrew Grawbarger
   b- Apr 12, 1894 in Restoule, Patterson Township, Ontario,
   d- Aug 19, 1953
 Mine located just to the west of Estevan   
Wilbert was the Nephew of George Pawson,
who was the owner of
Pawson Market Gardens in Estevan.  
Wilbert delivered vegetables to some of the mines. 
He was a veteran, reg #3030822 of WWI
enlisted 1917, occupation a farmer,
living in Carr P.O., Parry Sound District, Ontario
out of North Bay Area,  ON.   
He was married to Evelyn Brokenshire in Estevan.
Her family history is recorded in Brokenshire Mine section
Father, Richard Grawbarger (1864-1943)
Mother- Sarah Pawson (1874-1913)
Wilbert was one of 10 children
Dawson Mine
-Estevan
Section 10
Township 2
Range 8 -W2

Operating prior to 1917, but not Operating in 1917
Peter Cuthbert Duncan, and George Pawson,
both had mineral claims in this area.
In the first Estevan Cemetery there is a young boy buried,
his father was J. (Possibly John) Dawson.
or was it a combination of Duncan and Pawson?
Parry Mine
- Estevan
LSD 10
Section 10
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Might have been opened by a William Parry
  b- 1867
  d- Dec 13, 1946 in Estevan SK, age 79
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery
He came from Wrexall, North Wales in 1911,
1912 his wife Mary came with 7 children to Canada
Mary Parry, nee Thomas
  b- 1870
  d- Apr 18, 1930 at age 60
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery
He was the first employee of the Prairie Nursery,
becoming a foreman with them, until he retired.

Operated by Reidel (Riedel?) Brothers,
and also E. H. Gillis at one time.

George Pawson owned the mineral rights near this mine.
Big Chunk Mine
- Estevan
Section 10
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
This mine operated in 1917
Owner-Operator Unknown
Unknown name Section 10
Township 2?
Range 8? -W2
 near Estevan
B. Watt and C. Fallis
were opening up a mine Aug 10, 1905
8ft seam struck.

1911 there was a Ceph Fallis working in a livery in Estevan,
born Aug 1878, in Ontario, Prebyterian,
boarding with a McCrimmon family
but to confuse the issue a Cephas Fallis was living in Estevan
at the same time, boarding with a Waggoner family
He was born Dec 1881 in Ontario.
Also working in a livery. Brothers?
Strange, can't find them in 1906 census.
Cephas Hugh Taylor Fallis took out a western land grant
 on NE Sec 18, Tsp 3, Rge 7, W2
or maybe it was Cecil Ray Fallis, who was in Frobisher
when he enlisted in WWI in 1918
Section 10, Tsp 2, Rge 8 is same location
where P.C. Duncan and George Pawson had mineral rights.
Same mine location?
George Parkinson Mine
aka Johnson Mine
aka Woodlawn mine (ca1949)
-Estevan
LSD 1, 2 & 3
Section 11
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operated by George Parkinson-
  b- Dec 14, 1876 in Wigan, England
  d- Aug 26, 1959, age 82
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery,
He worked his mine until 1945 when he retired
He immigrated in 1906 to Canada
The Johnson Mine was operating in 1917
article in Estevan Mercury July 22, 1926
states the George Parkinson Mine was working at that time.
George Parkinson mine was involved
 in the Dominion wide mine strike in 1931
George Parkinson was councillor of RM#5, 1942-1947
and Reeve in 1948
Married his wife Sydney (Mary) Parkinson, nee Anderson, in 1907
   b- Apr 2, 1881 in Reg. District of Carlisle, England
   d- May 9, 1968 age 87
   buried in Estevan City Cemetery
son Robert born July 1908 in SK
family shown in 1911 census as Methodists

See Louis Parkinson mine for family info

White Hope Mine
-Estevan
NW 1/4 LSD 9.
NE 1/4 &
N 1/2 OF SE 1/4 &
NE 1/4 OF SW 1/4 LSD 10
Section 12 and 18
Township 2
Range 8 -W2

 

Started by Louis Emile Bourquin.
It was named by Henry Gillis.
Located only a 1/2 mile from the
 Eureka Brick plant at that time.
Started in 1913. sold to Truax-Traer in 1930.
Louis Bourquin
 b- Nov 22, 1894 in Valentigney, Doubs’ County, France.
 d- Mar 19, 1985
 buried in Estevan City Cemetery.
This Mine was operating in 1917 at 18-2-8 W2.
Ed Taje worked for this mine ca1940 when he quit
and started the Old Bridge Mine on Long Creek.
Southernwood & Rice Mine
- Estevan
Section 13
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operators Southernwood and Rice?

One possibility for the Rice name
Frederick C. Rice,
  b- 1885,
  d- Oct 23, 1930
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery

One possibility for Southernwood
Golden Oliver (Oly)  Southernwood
  b- Jan 12, 1896 in Fordham, Essex, England
  d- Feb 2, 1957
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery
enlisted in WWI, May 1915 at Estevan
Occupation dairyman, single
next of kin Thomas Southernwood, living at Fordham
Immigrated in 1912
married Doris Jepson in 1921

both of these are wild guesses
now the name is Rice in the history books,
but could it be Nice?, Arthur Nice actually
He was a brother-in-law to George Edgar Southernwood, b-1893
who was Oliver's brother.
again a wild guess
see also the Company Mine, owned by the Southernwood brothers
Unknown Coal Mine name SW Section 13
Tsp 2
Rge 8, W2
Sept 25, 1901, Peter C. Duncan, Nels Mikkelson,
 Andrew O. Hidahl, Lars Olsen, and John Rasmussen
,
bought 160 acres at $3/acre from the CPR
Dec 1, 1902 changed to Laura Mikkelson, widow of Nels
Dec 31, 1905 they paid a premium to purchase the coal rights
Rooke & McNeil Mine
- Estevan
Section 14
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operators Rooke and McNeil?
Munroe Mine
-Estevan
LS1, LS2, LS 7
Section 14
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operating in 1917
Operated by Thomas Munroe
  b- Jan 1874
  d- ?
  buried- ?
Eureka Coal Mining Company was very near this mine.
1911 census he was living on Railway Ave.,
with wife Mary, and a daughter.
Woolomeloo Mine-
alt. Wooloomooloo Mine
-Estevan
Section 14
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
North side of the Souris River, slightly east of Highway 47.
- in the hill just east of the old bridge on old Hwy 47
Operated in the 1930's,
by Frank (Bill) Eli Klyne
 b- ?
 d- ?
 buried- ?
son of Frank Klyne (Lignite Louie 1980).
This Mine was operating in 1917.
Eureka Coal
and Brick Company
aka- Estevan Coal and Brick Co. Ltd.
aka- International Clay Products
aka- Estevan Brick Ltd.
-Estevan
Just south-west of the Hwy 47 and Torquay Highway corner.

Section 14
Township 2
Range 8 -W2

View my Web Page for this mine here
Eureka Coal and Brick Company
(aka: Estevan Coal and Brick Co. Ltd.)
(aka: International Clay Products)
(aka: Estevan Brick Ltd.)

 
Unknown Coal Mine   May 13, 1911 NW Section 14, 160 acres
was bought jointly from the CPR for $35/acre by
George Cooper Campbell, Thomas Kennedy, both from Toronto ON
David D. Christie, Guelph ON, Francis Napier Tenant, of Brampton ON
with coal and Surface rights
Unknown Coal Mine Near Estevan Mr. Nichol, no first name known, came to Estevan with
Mr. James Hartney, on Oct 28, 1896,
to check on the output of his coal mine.
All I know is he was from Winnipeg MB
there is a Nichol Ave in Winnipeg
Unknown Coal Mine Near Estevan Mr. James Hartney, from Hartney MB
came to Estevan Oct 28, 1896
to check on the output of his coal mine.
Came with Mr. Nichol above.

James (Jr) Harvey Hartney
b- Sept 22, 1848, at Arnprior, Renfrew Co., ON
d- Dec 27, 1924, in Toronto, ON
Father- James (Sr) Harvey,
b- ca 1820, in Ireland
d- 1889, age 68
Mother- Elizabeth Harvey,
daughter of John Harvey from Carleton co
Father came to Canada when he was 1 year old, ca 1821.
first to Lanark co, then later moved to Renfrew co.

James (Jr.) Hartney, Educated at Pakenham High School
Moved to Manitoba in 1881 or 1882 (depending on the source),
 to farm at present site of Hartney MB.
in 1891 elected Reeve of the Municipality of Glenwood
1892- 1896 Member of Manitoba Legislative Assembly, for Avondale
1900-1915, Manitoba Immigration Agent, based in Toronto.
his office located at 77 York St. Toronto, ON.
Member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen
married twice
1st wife- Sarah Jane Cowan,
married Aug 16, 1870 at St. Marks Church, Pakenham, Lanark, ON
b- in Ottawa
d- 1877
daughter of William and Jane Cowan

2nd wife- Annie Evans Cuthbert,
married before 1881
b- 1856 in ON (age 15 in 1871 census)
d- aft 1911
daughter of James Evans Cuthbert, and Maria, nee ?,
James a trader, born in Ireland (1823),
living in Pakenham, Lanark North, ON

he had total of 6 children,  from 2nd wife:
son- Clarence Harvey Hartney
b- Mar 1, 1880 in Arnprior, Renfrew Co., ON
d- Apr 18, 1931, age 51
buried in Regina Cemetery, Broad St. & 4th Ave.
married Anne Richardson Mannix, Apr 17, 1906 in Boissevain MB
b- 1880, possibly in Quebec
d- July 4, 1939 age 59
buried in Regina Cemetery, Broad St. & 4th Ave.
bank clerk in 1901 in Brandon, Glenwood, ON
2 children of Clarence and Anne I found:
daughter- Kathleen Louise Hartney,
b- Jan 27, 1901 in Boissevain, MB
son James Rowan Hartney
b- May 5, 1908 in Weyburn SK

son- Russell Hartney
b- 1882 in ON
d- ?
Became a lawyer in Saskatoon SK
Both Prime Minister, John G. Diefenbaker, and Ernest Gardiner,
 articled under Russell Hartney in Saskatoon.
Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Public,.
Office- Bank of Hamilton Bldg., Saskatoon

son- James Cuthbert Hartney (James the III?)
b- May 20, 1885 in Pakenham, ON
d- May 1, 1917
buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
enlisted in WWI, Apr 27, 1915, Lieutenant
Mechanical and Electrical Engineer
44th Overseas Batt. and Royal Flying Corps
Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) 11th reserve Batt.

son- Harold Evans Hartney
b- Apr 19, 1888 in Pakenham, Lanark, ON
d- Oct 6, 1945, Washington D.C., USA
married Irene McCeary in 1914
graduated U of Toronto in 1911.
graduate degree U of SK
Barrister and Solicitor when he enlisted Oct 28, 1914
Served in WWI,
ended war as an American Lieutenant Colonel,
a decorated flying ace.
3 years Harbord cadets, Lieutenant bandsman,
48th Highlanders, Trumpeter, 12th M. D.
Rank of Major, Aug 18, 1918
when he was nominated for extraordinary heroism,
awarded American Distinguished Silver Cross in 1919
married to ?, had a daughter Doris Hartney
who Nov 1940, married Robert Genzel, in Douglaston

daughter- Lena Cathleen (Kathleen) Hartney
b- Sept 23, 1891,  in RM of Glenwood, MB

missing 1 child

wife in 1901 shown as Amanda Hartney, nee unknown
b- Apr 3, 1859

Hartney MB named after James (jr) Harvey Hartney

1911 James (jr) living at 41 Roxborough West, Toronto, ON

Nov 11, 1884, James Hartney (Sr)
Warrant issued on charge of insurance fraud
on the insurance claim for a store fire in Arnprior, ON
shown as a prominent and wealthy merchant in Arnprior.
Insurance claim for $27,000, he had some of the stock
hidden in a railcar destined for Toronto.
I know Sr retired in 1884, moved to Toronto.

Nov 22, 1894, "Merchant charged with arson"
was in the newspaper headlines on this date.
He was committed for trial at the next Assizes.
don't know if he was found guilty or not.

Blondeau Mine
- Estevan
Section 17
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Possible operator of this mine,
Joseph Clement Blondeau
  b- November 17, 1890 at Qu'Appelle,
  d-June 22, 1968, age 77,
  buried- ?
came to Estevan in 1891 with his parents. 
 He operated a coal mine in the Estevan district
from 1948 until his retirement into Estevan in 1956.
Hard Times Mine
- Estevan
Section 17
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
J. Hork  (J. S. Mork below?)
Mork Mine
-Estevan
 LSD 5
Section 17
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operated by J. S. Mork. 
I know he attended Reddemann School, age 8-10, in 1904.
possibly Julius Mork,
name is Norwegian ancestry
M. L. Ross Mine
aka Blue Ox Mine
-Estevan
LSD 6
Section 17
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operated by Matthew (Matt) Leon Ross-
 b- July 7, 1873 near Ottawa ON.,
 d- June 26, 1945
  Buried in Estevan City Cemetery
In 1906 he was living near Estevan, 6-1-7, W2
Cossette Mine
- Estevan
Section 18
Township 2
Range  8 -W2
Cossette Brothers operated this mine.
The mine was on the level prairie,
operated from Dec 1, 1931 until mid-March, 1936.
Lloyd Mine
-Estevan
SE Section 18
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
View my Web Page for this mine here
Lloyd Mine
 
Nordstrom Mine
- Estevan
LSD 15
Section 21
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operated by Charlie Nordstrom.
He was single and came from the US.
Shaft type mine, west of Estevan.
He lived in a shack near the mine.
He returned to the US.
A. Muirhead &
 W. J. McCleary Mine
-Estevan
 
LSD 12  
Section 22
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Andrew Muirhead
and William John McCleary (his brother-in-law) 
- Located just west of ECI, over the hill,
operated for 15 years.   

Andrew Muirhead   
  b- June 6, 1879 in Bellamena, County Antrim, Ireland,
  d- Nov 22, 1950 in Vancouver BC, age 70
  buried in Ocean View Cemetery in Vancouver B.C.  

William John McCleary 
  b- June 15, 1871 in Lisnamurican, Ireland, 
  d- December 14, 1953 
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery- 
This was a Hillside family in Estevan
Valley Street Mine
- Estevan
Section 22
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Owner-Operator unknown
June 30, 1892, Dominion Coal Coke and Transport Company
bought part of the NW Section 22,
from the CPR, only 2.3 acres for $10/acre
 I know Major J. M. Walsh bought part of the NW section 22 here
Dec 31, 1892 from the CPR, 157.7 acres for $4 per acre.
also part of NW and SE, 80 acres for $4/acre
was it him that had this mine? 
or was it one of the above or below mines?
Anderson Mine
- Estevan
Section 22
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
2g-1-8 W2
Started by Niels Anderson. 
  b- ?
  d- ?
  buried- ?
His son Hans Anderson worked at this mine
 until he started his own mine.
This Mine was operating in 1917 at 2g-1-8 W2.
The Estevan Transit
 and Power Company Ltd.
-Estevan
Around Section 23,
Township 2
 Range 8 -W2
Incorporated Dec. 19, 1913,
Directors- Harry Nicholson- Contractor
Hector J. McNeil- Agent
William J. Perkins- Barrister
Ernest C. Hilborn- Salesman
Donald C. Dunbar- Estevan Mercury Owner and Editor
Head Office- Estevan,
$100,000 Capital Stock, at 1,000 shares @ $100.00 ea.
Licensed to sell Power, own Coal Mines
 and sell Coal, manufacture Brick,
Construct Warehouses, Hotels, Stations etc,
and even construct a Railway,
starting in SE 1/4 sec 23, Tsp 2, Rge 8,
ending in SE corner Section 11, Tsp 2, Rge 8, W2,
passing thru NW Sec 14, Sec 15, and NW Sec 10.
James Walsh bought 215 acres of Sec 23,
at $4 acre Dec 31, 1892 from the CPR
Did the fellows above buy it from him?
Lignite Power Company
-Estevan
Section 24
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Under Development in 1917
NE corner of Estevan, close to the new Hotel
Black Lump Coal Mine
- Estevan
 LSD 4.
 Section 27
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Deep Seam type Mine.
Operated by Gilsoul & Murray,
a James Gillson lived in this area,
so very likely a spelling error here.
Truax-Traer Coal Co.
-Estevan
LSD 4.
 Section 27
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
In 1930 this American Company
 bought out the Big Lump Coal Co.
First Major Stripping for Coal
 was done by this company
with a Bucyris Erie 320B 1 1/2 cu. yd. shovel.
 
This company opening was the start of the 1931 strike,
by under cutting coal prices,
for the underground mines to compete with.
I have always had trouble researching
 this company's origins
.
 I do know they bought out many mines in the area,
and where tough competition
 for the other remaining mines.
I think they gave Mr Brodie, and Mr Wilson
something to think about at night. 
They had their own way in the district until Truax arrived.
In 1955 this company was #491 on the Fortune 500 list
They eventually became
the 4th largest Lignite producers in the world.
Elmer Merton Truax, (1873-1936), son of Newton Curly Truax
founded the Company, in Columbus, Burke Co. ND
with his brother Arthur Harlan (Harold) Truax who joined him,
and Harold later became the head of the company,
 which operated in Illinois and ND, as well as Virginia later. 
The Truax-Traer Company started ca 1919-1920
between 1920-1930 they required more investment cash
and joined with Glenn Wood Traer

see My Truax Traer Strip Mine page for their bio's
Truax-Traer Company donated a trophy
used at the Woodlawn Golf Club in Estevan.


Sept 13, 1930 article describes the mine

Sept 13, 1930
This is the big shovel that The Truax Mine used
The use of this Strip mining shovel in the district
was the cause of the strike/riot in 1931

June 25, 1931, Mr. Eleazer William Garner
was Managing Director of Truax-Traer


Nov 10, 1931 all the Executive meeting in Estevan

Dec 5, 1934, E. W. Garner on the stand

Grandson of Elmer Truax, Mr. Bill Truax, tells me
the Company was sold and nationalized during WWII
by the Canadian Government.

I found a reference in 1943,
it was sold to Coal Sellers Co. Ltd. Head Office in Calgary AB
but they might have just been managing and handling
the coal sales for the Government.
 

Coal Sellers Company Ltd. LSD 4.
 Section 27
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
They possibly bought or became managers
of the Truax Traer mine in 1943
John I. McFarlane was President ca 1940 and 1941, (maybe more)
Offices in Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Regina that I have found.

Richard Bedford Bennett, KC, (July 3, 1870 – June 26, 1947)
Prime Minister of Canada, 1930-35, during the depression,
was a shareholder as early as 1932 in this company.

John I. McFarlane was previously
 head of the Canadian Wheat Board, ca 1931.
In 1931 he was part of what was called
 the "Northern Syndicate Ltd." formed in 1925 to 1949
with R. B. Bennett, and Patrick "Pat" Burns, (
1856-1937)
of Burns meat fame, and a former Senator,
Burns is buried in St. Mary's Pioneer Cemetery, Calgary.

Northern Syndicate Ltd., formed by Prof J. O. Howells,
total of 7 Calgary citizens.  All 7 lived in Calgary AB
did they own this Co?  just nothing to show who owned it.

Unknown Mine name SW Section 27
Tsp 2
Rge 8, W2
June 30, 1892,
Dominion Coal, Coke and Transport Company Ltd.. Winnipeg,
 bought 10.03 acres from the CPR, for $10/acre
Unknown mine name SE and SW Section 28,
Tsp 2,
Rge 8, W2
June 30, 1892,
Dominion Coal, Coke and Transport Company Ltd., Winnipeg,
bought 114.50 acres in part of SE Section 28 at $10/acre
also 160 acres whole of SW Section 28, from the CPR
Earny Snider Mine
-Estevan
SW 1/2 OF SE 1/4 LSD 9 &
 E 1/2 &SE 1/4 LSD 10
  Section 29
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operated by Earny Ozman Snider,
 b- June 6, 1895 in Hinchinbrook Township, Frontenac Co., ON
 d- Apr 8, 1973
Buried in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens in Estevan
this land was homesteaded by his father Elmaron Snider.
Elmaron Snider
b- Oct 2, 1860 in Petworth, ON
d- Aug 2, 1931 on the family farm
moved to SK in 1902
mother- Emily Jane Walroth, married 1882
b- Jan 24, 1876, in Petworth, Portland Township, Frontenac Co., ON,
d- 1943
Emily's father- Jacob Walroth, her mother Isabella McKnight
Earny's siblings- Earl, Etta, Myrl, and Ralph
Elmaron's father- Calab Snider, b- 1831, in ON
Elmaron's mother- Miram Snider, b- 1840 in ON
1881 Earny living in Portland, Addington, ON,
German Ancestry, Free Methodist religion

mine located approx 2 miles west of Estevan,
coal mine was just south of the farmstead,
on the edge of the valley.
Coal was sold to settlers in Hitchcock and Macoun area mostly.

High Grade Mine
-Estevan
LSD 6
Section 33
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Operated by Joseph (Joe) Olshanoski
  b- 1890
  d- Oct 5, 1951
  buried in Estevan City Cemetery
Married to Anna nee?
International Clay Products Ltd.
aka: Estevan Coal and Brick Co.
aka: Estevan Brick Co. Ltd.
-Estevan
South of Estevan
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
View my Web Page for this mine here
International Clay Products Ltd.
(Eureka Coal and Brick Company)
(Estevan Coal and Brick Co. Ltd.)
(Estevan Brick Ltd.)
Sunshine Mine Ltd.
-Estevan
1 mile S of Estevan City Limits
Located on the direct southern boundary of the first Pioneer Cemetery in Estevan, just east of the Estevan Brick Plant, near the old Estevan Electric Generating Plant.
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
 View my Web Page for this mine here
Sunshine Mine Ltd.
 
The Company Mine
-Estevan
Just west of Alice Road,
west of Estevan
Township 2
Range 8 -W2
Mine was just west of Alice Road, west of Estevan
Owned by Oliver (Oly) Golden Southernwood
and his brother George Edgar Southernwood.
Oly served in WWI.
Oliver (Oly) Golden Southernwood
  b- Jan 12, 1896 in Fordham, Essex, England,
  d- 1957
  buried- ?
Edgar the oldest brother also served in WWI,
George Edgar Southernwood
  b- Sept 22, 1893 in Fordham, Essex, England,
  d- June 13, 1965
  buried- ?
Big Lump Coal Co.
-Estevan
Located Just East
 of the Sunshine Mine
View the Web Page for this mine here
 
Big Lump Coal Company
Big Co. Coal Mine
-Estevan
End of Third St
in Estevan 1893
corner of 20th Ave.
This is actually really the "Dominion Coal Company ".
Shown in old Westview School History book.
They had a Big boarding House
 on block east on SW corner of 3rd St.
Dominion Coal Company
-Estevan
Coulee west of Estevan,
3,000 ft from the Soo Line
Operated from Sept 1892- 1895
Sept 6, 1892- Drift 20ft wide was being built and timbered,
with a broad landing made.
See my Dominion Coal Company web page
Northwest Coal Company was sold to Dominion Coal Co.
David Elder Adams
   b- Apr 26, 1859 Beaverton ON,
   d- Apr 1919, Pasadena CA, USA
  was manager from 1885-1895
  He was also connected with the Souris Valley Coal Co.
  He sold his interests in 1900.
he owned the D. E. Adams Coal Co. in Winnipeg

then I found this snippet, from a 1896 mining journal
and now I know
Arthur Gould Yates from Rochester, NY
did invest in the Dominion Coal Company,
after his visit Sept 1892.
owned by the Dominion Coal, Coke & Transportation Company,
in Winnipeg MB
incorporated by Dominion charter in 1883
here is a listing of the Directors from the photo
missing in photo,
David Elder Adams, Director and President.
Head Office- Mr. William McQuaker, Secretary, Winnipeg,
Director-
Major James Morrow Walsh, Brockville ON, shown,
 he was on the train with Mr. A. G. Yates.
Director- A. Jardine, Winnipeg.
Director- D. Adams, Winnipeg. (could be D. E. Adams or relative?)
Director-
Arthur Gould Yates, Rochester, NY
Part not shown in photo bottom, below:
"Company owns 2,000 acres of coal lands
 in the Province of Assiniboia
(which became Saskatchewan),
 at the town of Estevan in the Souris district
connected with the Souris line of the CPR
 and the main line of the Sault branch
from St. Paul, connecting with the CPR at Pasqua.
Mining for coal began in Nov 1892. (Sept is correct)
output to date averages about 10,000 tons per annum,
sold altogether to Manitoba,
seam averages 8ft
opened by 3 side drifts.
500 ft in at time of publication, (1896)
method of working Pillar and room,
50 persons employed"

A. Jardine- Arbuckle Jardine?
The Jardine name appears in Bienfait later on. Relations?

A. Jardine was Arbuckle Jardine,
Secretary of Great Life Insurance Co. in Winnipeg, at this time,
who retired in 1927.  reason I suspect this is
William McQuaker was head of the Accounting Dept.
 with Great West Life, and also involved with
this Company as per above ad.
Maria Jardine was his spouse.

William McQuaker, lived at 437 Elgin, in Winnipeg, in 1911
b- Apr 1866 in ON. occupation= Accountant
d- Mar 5, 1930 in Winnipeg MB, age 63
Scotch, Presbyterian
married wife- Margaret Mann Forrest, Aug 6, 1899 in Winnipeg
b- May 1872,  d- Feb 26, 1940 in Winnipeg, age 67
 

Duncan's Mine
-Estevan
Section 14, near Estevan
Range 8? -W2

 Probably Owned by Peter Cuthbert Duncan
 Mayor of Estevan
Yardley Mine
- Estevan
Exact Location Unknown
Range 8?

Located in a Coulee south of Estevan,
probably owned by Henry Yardley,
Estevan's first mayor.
He lived at 1010-3rd Street in Estevan
 at one point in time.
Mr Yardley was on
the board of the
Statute Labour District No. 140,
before the RM of Estevan was formed.
November 15, 1899 he was elected
Overseer of the Village of Estevan.
He sold Implements in Estevan for a living.
There was a Amery Yardley in the area as well
who repaired cars.
Range 9    
M & C Mine
aka Munshaw &
 Cundall Mine
-Estevan
N 1/2 LS 14
Section 36
Township 1
Range 9 -W2
Mine operated from 1932-1942
Operated by George Edward B. Munshaw, 
and George Cundall

George Edward B. Munshaw
 b- Feb 28, 1879 in Pottageville, King Township, York North, Ontario
 d- Sept 1, 1949
,
 Buried in Estevan City Cemetery
Mother- Elizabeth Munshaw, nee Pottage
  b- Jan 1846 in Ontario
(note- Pottageville was named after an Edward Pottage)
Age 22 in 1901 living in York ON, no father shown in census
with 2 sisters and 2 brothers
1881 census, father shown as George Munshaw, blacksmith
b- 1843, age 32, in King, York North, Ontario
strange his mother here is shown born in 1849 as well, age 32
wife- Mary M. Harnden,
   b- 1886 in Cobourg, Ontario
married Mar 29, 1907, in Bracebridge, Muskoka County, Ontario
His oldest son Ross Munshaw managed the mine at various times

George Cundall
   b- Jan 19, 1894,
in Harrogate, Reg. District Pateley Bridge,
         Yorkshire, England
   d- Jan 7, 1980, age 85, St Joseph Hospital, Estevan SK
   buried in Souris Valley Memorial Cemetery
Father- Richard Cundall, born Yorks Leeds, age 36, occupation Carter
Wife- Violet Alice (registered as Agnes not Alice?) Pilcher,
   b- Jan-Mar 1900 in Elham Reg. Dist. Kent, UK
   d- Dec 19, 1989
   buried in SVMC in Estevan
married Nov 2, 1918 in Elham Reg. district, Kent, UK
George Enlisted in WWI, Apr 27, 1916,
served in the battle of Vimy Ridge
The Cundall farm,
became the Pleasantdale subdivision in Estevan.
Mine was on Mr. Cundall's land along the town line
Unknown Locations   If you know where these were, please let me know
Wilson Mine (1 & 2) Wilson Mine #1
 was the Bienfait Mine,
Mine #2
could be the Eastern mine.
Deep Seam Shaft Type Mine-
owned by
Alexander Craig McMiken
(Alec) (Alex) (nickname Happy) Wilson
.
Opened in 1936 until 1938.
J. R. Brodie took over all of this mine,
In return Alec Wilson got half share
 of the Bienfait mine.
Called the Wilson Mine #1,
 at the time the Eastern Mine tipple burnt down.
Same location as the Battle River Mine in 1980.
Mr. Wilson later opened up the Bienfait No. 2 Mine
using the elevator method of pulling the coal to the surface,
which did not prove too successful.


photo Bienfait Mine #2, Wilson Coal
sent by Margaret Cuddington
from Alex Wilson collection

Wilbur Gleason Mine Location Unknown Wilbur Gleason operated a mine in the area
and his partner, an Englishman named Weekes,
who was fatally injured by a cave-in while working in the mine

W. N. Gleason homesteaded
SW Section 16,  Township 2, Range 8, W2
Date of entry- Apr 28, 1903

A Wilbert W. Gleason died July 24, 1924,
buried in Estevan City Cemetery
J. (Josiah) Bastian Mine Location Unknown
Possibly Section 10
Township 2
Range 8 -W2,
J. Bastian operated a mine in the area
Operating during Sept 1931 Mine Strike
Bastian farm, on Sec 10, Tp 2, Rge. 8, 
was owned by the Bastian family   
 Probably owned in 1911 at least, by a Josiah Bastian
   b-June 1882- d-Jan 26, 1967 in Winfield BC age 83
wife Esther Jane Bastian (nee Millington)
  b-Jan 1884- d- Dec 16, 1966 in Winfield BC., age 82
married between Oct-Dec 1902 in Wigan Registration district,
in or near Manchester and Lancashire Counties, of England.
Daughter Ruby Bastian
   b-Aug 3,1909 in Estevan SK., d- Jan 30, 1984 in Kelowna BC, age 74
Ruby Bastian married Thomas Edwin Patterson (b- Feb 12, 1911, at Estevan SK, d-Feb 21, 1984, at Winfield BC, age 73), son of Thomas Gail Patterson and Alma Hodgson, on June 30, 1933, at Estevan SK..
Josiah and Esther immigrated from England in 1904.  Josiah is shown as a coal miner   They are listed in the census close to George Pawson.  This section was originally homesteaded by John Nordstrom in October 1904. The Bastian family owned a fur shop in Estevan for years on 5th st.. The family name is still shown as a ladies shop in Estevan on King St. in 2009.  Not much is written about this family in the Estevan History books, but they are obviously an old pioneer family of the area.  Josiah's father,  was Thomas Bastian (Oct 1852 (1853 possibly)- Dec 25, 1928 in Burnaby BC, age 78) and mother Jane (July 1860- May 20, 1919).   They are listed directly below the Josiah family in the census. Thomas is shown as a coal miner as well. The Thomas Bastian Family originally homesteaded  on Sec 36, Tp1, Rge. 8.  Thomas and Jane are buried in the Estevan City Cemetery.  They immigrated from England in 1905.
From the internet I found Donald N. Bastian, who is a retired Bishop of The Free Methodist Church of North America, born in Estevan.  He is Josiah`s son.
Well after a great phone call, Aug 2010, I now find out Mr. Donald N. Bastian is Bishop Emeritus of the Free Methodist Church.  He is indeed a brother to Ruby, and a son of Josiah and Esther.  His father Josiah, and brother Wilfrid Bastian operated the Red & White Store, 6 doors from the Town Hall, later Wilfrid owned the Bastian Store, east of the Orpheum, on 4th st, which became a clothing store, with Dry Cleaners in behind, later became Bastian Furriers.  Wilfrid, his older brother,  was born ca 1912.  Doris his sister born ca 1915, and a brother Norman died in infancy, on Aug 21, 1906 in SK.  ca 1942 Don moved from Estevan, to Bible School in Moose Jaw SK.

The Bastian property south of the river, was sold
to the Great West Brick and Coal Company

Great West Brick
   and Coal Company Ltd.
old Bastian property
south of the Souris River

Nov 30, 1912
Company capitalized at a 1/4 million
will manufacture pressed brick and other clay products,
including tile and hollowware.
Several Coal tipples constructed, gas producer brick kilns
to be installed in the spring of 1913.


June 20, 1913,
President of the Company
J. A. Kinney, barrister, from Kenora ON

found a James Arthur Kinney, b- Abt. 1877 in Kenora ON
who married Anna Perle Clinton on July 19, 1911
 b- Aug 25, 1885
James was the son of James Kinney and Malina Johnson
his father James, was a lighthouse keeper in
Gordon Township, Algoma, ON in 1901, b- 1836 in ON

in 1916 in Kenora the coroner was named Kinney

Harry Rollinson Mine Location Unknown

SW of Estevan in the Valley, covered by water at Boundary Dam now

Harry Rollinson operated a mine in this area
A William H. Rollinson homesteaded
SW Section 18, Township 2, Range 8, W2,
Date of entry- July 28, 1909

Harry Rollinson
  b- Aug 1879 in England
  d- ?
wife Edith Rollinson
  b- Apr 1873 in England
  d- ?
1911 both living at the Estevan Brickyard
They immigrated in 1906
McIlvenna Mine Location Unknown

SW of Estevan in the Valley, covered by water at Boundary Dam now

Operated by a McIlvenna in this area

Hard to tell which one below is the right one:

Robert McIlvenna
  b- Dec 28, 1856 in Nassagaweya, Halton, ON.
  d- Oct 17, 1941 in Estevan
Wife- Mary Elizabeth Reed
   b- Oct 15, 1858 in ON
   d- Oct 10, 1930 in Estevan
   both buried in Estevan City Cemetery
Daughter- Ethel H. McIlvenna
    b- July 1, 1886 in Assiniboia (SK)?
Son- Chester McIlvenna
   b- May 3, 1888 in Assiniboia (SK)?
   d- bef 1982
   He was involved in the miner's riot Sept 1931
Son- Ernest (Earnest?) McIlvenna,
    b- Aug 7, 1890 in Assiniboia (SK)?
    who married Christina Johnston
Daughter- Nellie (Ellen) Louisa McIlvenna
     b- June 20, 1892 in Assiniboia (SK)?
Son- Robert McIlvenna
     b- Sept 24, 1894 in Assiniboia (SK)?
Daughter- Ida C. McIlvenna
     b- July 20, 1896 in Assiniboia (SK)?
1901 and 1911 living in Estevan,
Robert (Sr.) shown as Irish nationality, Stone Mason and farmer
strange none shown born in SK are in the SK vital stats records?
something tells me they were all born in ON

Percy Ernest McIlvenna
   b- ?
   d- Aug 7, 1944
Svc #L13364
Commemorated on Page 387
 of the WWII Book of Remembrance
Cpl, Army, SSR, R.C.I.C.
Bayeux War Cemetery,
Calvados, France, Grave Ref: IV. B. 11.
Geo Memorial- McIlvenna Bay- Lat 54°39' Long 102°50'

I show McIlvenna alumni at ECI

William McIlvenna- mason. Living in 1901 in Estevan, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan

Western land grants:
Robert McIlvenna
   NW 20, 5, 2, W2
   NW 28, 4, 2, W2
William James McIlvenna
   SE 20, 5, 2, W2

then further west,
to Chester McIlvenna
   SW 28, 2, 11, W2
Ernest McIlvenna
   SE 20, 2, 11, W2
Which one owned the mine?
alt spellings: McElvenna, Macalvanna, McElvinna, McIlvanna

McLean's Mine Location Unknown

SW of Estevan in the Valley, covered by water at Boundary Dam now

Operating from 1924- ca1930
Operated by Thomas (Tom) Malcolm M. McLean Jr.
  b-  Feb 14, 1902, Scotland
  d- Feb 26, 1966 in the Taber AB hospital
buried in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan
Very famous in the Estevan area, operating his 5th st. machine shop, and large trucking business.  Built the first 16 wheel trailer for heavy hauling. Operated McLean Construction Ltd and McLean Hide and Fur Co.
  His sons have become just as famous.
Father- Thomas McLean (Sr.)
  b- Mar 10, 1880, in Thorniewood, Lanarkshire, Scotland
  d- ?
  Immigrated in 1911 to Shand SK
  Served for 17 yrs in 2nd Lanarkshire Vols, in Scotland
  Served in WWI, enlisted May 8, 1916 in Brandon MB
  Reg #234938, occupation Coal Miner
  Brother- Hugh McLean (see his mine above)
Mother- Jennet (Janet) Mclean, nee ?
  b- ?
  d- ?
Tom Jr's siblings:
brother- James McLean
brother- Robert McLean
brother- John Mclean
sister- Elizabeth McLean
sister- Janet Mclean

Wife- Emily Mclean, nee Howitt
   b- ?
   d- Dec 29, 1996
   buried in Estevan City Cemetery
married Jan 15, 1930
They had four sons:
-David Malcolm H. McLean (deceased 1961),
-Ernest (Ernie,"Punch") McLean,
    Ernie of course the coach of the Estevan Bruins,
    New Westminster Bruins, at one time.
    Now into Gold Mines in Northern BC
-Allan McLean,
-Vernon ("Butch") McLean,
      owned Perma Glass Industries,
      and was one of the first to make prefab fiberglass tubs

Taylorton Truax-Traer Mine
-Taylorton
Western Dominion Mine Thanks to Pictures from Duane Bill in Calgary,
I now know they moved their equipment from Estevan,
to Western Dominion Mine site.

My Truax Traer web page
McDonald Mine Location Unknown Owner-Operator Unknown
Sunlight
Coal Company Mine
Location Unknown I think this was the Sunshine Mine near Estevan
and the name here is in error.
Spring Mine Location Unknown Owner-Operator Unknown
High Test Coal Company Location Unknown Owner-Operator Unknown
Apr 1943 the manager of the mine was William Morgan
who had a car accident, 6 miles from Estevan,
suffered a broken back.
Louis Parkinson Mine
Lewis Parkinson Mine
Location Unknown Operated by Lewis (Louis) Parkinson
   b- May, 1885 in Platt Bridge, Wigan Reg. District, Lancashire England
   d- Oct 18, 1949,
Buried Estevan City Cemetery (transcript says died Oct 26)
Died on a Tuesday night,
from injuries he received from falling down the stairs
Thanksgiving day,  at the Princess Cafe in Estevan
wife- Abigail Parkinson, nee Gill
    b- Mar 1885 in Lancashire, England
    d- Nov 9, 1925
Married Apr 20, 1908, at St. John the Evangelist Church,
   located on Warrington rd,
   at Abram, Reg. Dist Wigan, Lancashire, England
Lewis lived at 136 Warrington Rd and
Abigail lived at 132 Warrington Rd, at time of their marriage.
Son- Thomas Gill Parkinson,
   b- Jan 1910 in Wigan Reg. District, England
Family immigrated in 1911 (or possibly 1905?)
per obit, He worked at coal mines in Lancashire
 until he immigrated in 1910
all shown as Methodists
another? or same son?,
 Thomas Edward Parkinson
   b- Feb 21, 1910 in Abram, Wigan Reg Dist, England
   d- July 24, 1975
interesting enough, both are in the BMD index?

He settled in Estevan in 1910 working at the Parkinson Mine,
owned by his brother George Parkinson, and in 1949
this mine was called the Woodlawn Mine

He worked at the mine until a few years before he died
when he moved into Estevan, doing janitor work in town.

He had 4 brothers, George Parkinson, James Parkinson,
and Job Parkinson of Estevan,
all buried in Estevan City Cemetery
and Simeon Parkinson of Durham, England

and one sister, Annie Parkinson who
married William G. Birchall, bet Jan-Mar 1935 in Wigan Reg dist.
living in Platt Bridge England in 1949

Rohatyn Mine Location Unknown Owner-Operator Unknown
Rohatyn, but which one?
Winnipeg
Supply And Fuel Co.
Location Unknown originally owned the Old Mac Coal mine location
west of Roche Percee.
Jan 30, 1926 Coal Ad from this Company

Operating in 1942, and later became
 Old Mac, Great West Coal, then Manalta Coal
Mervyn Luther Hewitt worked at this mine

Company originally called "The Winnipeg Supply Company Ltd"
incorporated Mar 6, 1904
1912 changed to "Winnipeg Supply and Fuel Co."

Golden Glow Mine
aka- Zieglgansberger Mine
Roche Percee
Unknown Location Operated by Ludwig Zieglgansberger
and Frank Xavier Snr. Zieglgansberger
Ludwig Zieglgansberger
   b- Oct 9, 1902
   d- Apr 23, 1987
   buried in Bienfait Cemetery,
Frank Xavier Snr. Zieglgansberger
   b- Jul 15, 1901
   d- Dec 27, 1992

   buried in Souris Valley Cemetery in Estevan.

I had an email from Kyle Zieglgansberger,
from Pilot Butte SK, and he ensures me
this IS the only way to spell the family name. 
He should know, his Great Uncle was Louis.

Apr 11, 2010 received a nice email from Al Zieglgansberger,
and he told me that this mine was owned and operated by his grandfather,
Frank X. Zieglgansberger Sr.,  and Ludwig Zieglgansberger.
He knows of the location, and I am hoping will soon tell me where it was.
The hill opposite the mine has been stripped of shale, in recent years.
Al did say the mine shaft has been sealed off.

Zieglgansberger Pictures

Elm Valley Mine Unknown Location operated by F. S. Wilbur.  
In 1915 he was a member of
the Short Creek Telephone Company
located in the SE corner of RM #5
His name possibly is Frederick Samuel Wilbur
but this is a wild guess.
Frank Adams Coal Mine Unknown Location operated by Francis (Frank) Adams,
He
had mineral rights on some land
 about a mile southeast of Taylorton, could be this mine
   b- Jan 12, 1884 at Omemee, Ontario,
   d- August 20, 1966 ,
   buried in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens in Estevan
Federal Elevator was operated by a Frank Adams
Auld's Mine Unknown Location operated by a John Auld
In 1911 there was 2 John Auld's living in Roche Percee
Father and son
John Allen Auld the father
He is shown as a Butcher,
    b- Dec 1883 in Scotland, immigrating in 1903
Wife Agnes (Aggie),
    b- Jan 1887 in Scotland, immigrating in 1904
then we have their son
John McEwen Auld,
    b- Dec 17, 1908 in Roche Percee
SK
all Presbyterian religion
With no dates to go by, no way to tell which one worked this mine.
There was also a James Auld family in Taylorton area,
whose wife was Helen or Ellen Miller.  But doubt if they are the one.
North Deep Seam Unknown Location Owner-Operator Unknown
operating between 1938-1951 time period.  exact time unknown
North Star Coal Mine Unknown Location Owner-Operator Unknown
operating between 1938-1951 time period.  exact time unknown
June 5, 1946 they signed a wage agreement
with the UMWA, District 18
Y Mine
- Roche Percee
Unknown Location All I know is a Mr Frank Klyne worked here
sometime in his career (1915-1949)
Note- Mr. Klyne also owned his own mine,
the Woolomeloo Mine. (alt. Wooloomooloo Mine)
Prankie Mine Unknown Location There was a Thomas Prankie family
living on Section 25, Township 1, Range 6, W2 in 1911
Thomas Prankie, the Father
   b- Dec 1861 in Russia Lithuania (RL)
   d- ?
 shown as a Coal Miner
They all immigrated in 1911,
Wife- Eva, b-Dec 1863 in RL
Son- Victor Prankie,
    b- Mar 1890, in RL, shown as a Coal Miner
Son- William,
    b- Feb 1899 in RL
Son- Joseph,
    b- Aug 1906 in Scotland

Victor enlisted in WWI Oct 1917, in Weyburn,
Reg #
257557
shown b- May 1892, Roman Catholic religion, Farm Labourer,
living at Pinto Sask, his father Thomas Prankie also living at Pinto

Also living on the same section was
Alexander Prankie
   b- May 1883 in RL, shown as a Coal Miner
  d- Dec 3, 1954, buried in Bienfait Cemetery, age 70
   probably son of Thomas above
married to Annie (Ona?) Nee?,
  b- Nov 2, 1884 in RL
  d- Oct 9, 1966, buried in Bienfait Cemetery
Their son Joseph Prankie, b- Feb 1911 in SK
I think they also had a son Adolph Alex (Slim) Prankie
  b- Oct 26, 1916
  d- Jan 1, 1979, buried in Bienfait Cemetery
All I know for sure, is a Mr Frank Klyne worked here
sometime in his career (1915-1949)
John Mitchel Mine Unknown Location Owner-Operator John Mitchel
All I know is a Mr Frank Klyne worked here
sometime in his career (1915-1949)
South Cambrian Coal Company Ltd Unknown Location
- Estevan?
Operating in 1937
By Dec 8, 1945 they had an agreement
with District 18, U.M.A.,
(United Mine Workers of America)
June 5, 1946 they signed a wage agreement
with the UMWA, District 18

Jan 1, 1949, after a strike starting Nov 3, 1948
David Wholley, Estevan Manager of this mine,
announced the mine would close, all equipment,,
 and mine buildings sold, or moved off the property.
It was an underground mine that employed 40 men.
half of whom lived on the property.

Unknown Name Unknown Location
Picture from Ron Carpenter of an unknown Mine. 
Any Name Ideas?
Winstanley Brothers Mine
-Roche Percee
Unknown Location
Range 6?
Possible owners
William Winstanley and Earl Harold Winstanley,
from Roche Percee area. 
Both of these fellows served in WWII.
operating sometime between 1938-1951
when they negotiated an agreement
 with the United Mine Workers Union
Willa Ma Lou Coal Mine
 
Unknown Location on the bank of the Souris River
is this the same as the Woolomeloo Mine-
alt. Wooloomooloo Mine near Estevan?
Newer Mine Names below    
not a Coal Mine
 but a major owner of mines
Great West Coal Company Ltd.
  Company first Incorporated in Saskatchewan in 1905
Ca Sept 21, 1961- President, D. S. Patterson
and Managing Director J. R. Brodie

opened their new mine near Estevan
 
Bienfait Coal Co.
-Bienfait
Range 6, W2 Mine Manager 1981 until he retired was Stan Kingdon
See Luscar and Estevan Coal Corporation below
Manalta Coal Co. Klimax Mine Tsp 2, Range 7, W2 See Battle River Coal Mine Co. Ltd below.
Klimax Mine
and Luscar below
Klimax Mine prior to ca1971, was Great West Coal Company, bought by Alberta Coal Ltd., a subsidiary of Mannix Company Ltd. from Calgary.
Prairie Coal Limited Range 6, W2 Prairie Coal Limited had 1 mine in 1996
Utility Mine which produced 2,049,086 tonnes.
Costello Mine, reopened in 1997.
Luscar Coal Ltd.   Nov 1998- Luscar Coal Income Fund, based in Edmonton, Alberta, and 100% owner of Luscar Ltd., completed a successful takeover bid for Manalta Ltd. on Sept. 12, 1998. Luscar merged the two coal operating companies, which had mines in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. Producing more than 42M mt/yr coal, Luscar became Canada's largest and North America's seventh-largest coal producing company, ranking behind Peabody, Arch, Kennecott, Consolidated Coal, AEI Resources, and Cyprus Amax

2001 they owned the Costello Mine,
Boundary Dam Mine, Shand Mine and Bienfait Mine

Luscar Coal Ltd. Ordered the P&H 9020 dragline, Jan 1998, for expansion of it's Estevan Coal Corporation mine. (next entry) The dragline was commissioned in late 1999

Estevan Coal Corporation   Production in 1996 for Estevan Coal Corporation's 3 mines was:
Boundary Dam Mine 2,057,035 tonnes;
Shand Mine 1,736,109 tonnes,
Bienfait Mine 1,476,724 tonnes
They also owned the Char Plant south of Bienfait.  Some 87,000 tonnes of lignite char were produced for the barbecue briquette industry in 1996
Boundary Dam Mine Tsp 1, Range 8, W2 2009- Operated by Sherritt Coal,
 (part of Sherritt International Corporation)
 (formerly Prairie Mines & Royalites)(formerly Luscar Ltd)
I believe Sherritt and the Ontario Teachers Pension board
 are the co-owners of this mine now
The Battle River
Coal Mine Co Ltd.
Tsp 2, Range 7, W2 see Western Dominion Coal Mine.
 Mannix out of Calgary owned this mine. 
They also owned Utility Coals where my Dad worked.
This mine changed it's name to Manalta Coal after this.
In my Dad's history book, he writes,
this was the "Wilson mine",
at the time the Eastern Mine tipple burnt down.

1971 article states- The Klimax mine was until recently operated by Great West Coal Company Ltd. which was purchased by Alberta Coal Ltd. a subsidiary of Mannix Co. Ltd. of Calgary.  the Company name was changed to Battle River Coal.

Battle River Coal turned out an annual production ranging from 550,000 tons to 1 million.  the coal is strip mined and hauled to the plant in 40 ton trucks.  It was dumped into a primary crusher, which reduced the coal to a predetermined size.  From the crusher the coal is conveyed to the tipple, a screening and sorting plant built over 9 railroad tracks.  From a master control panel in the tipple, an operator can load railway coal cars, from the hoppers in the screening plant, moving the cars along with a tow cable.  The nine tracks fan out into a switching yard.  In 1971 working at full capacity, the plant can crush, screen, and load 700 tons per hour.  The coal was marketed in Manitoba, and Ontario.  It employed up to 60 men at full capacity in 1971.

Union 1966- Roche Percee Coal Miners' Union, Local No. 1623

Utility Coals Ltd. Mine South of Estevan
South and West of SPC
Tsp 1, Range 8, W2
Economical supplies were dwindling in 1998
and operations were moved to Costello mine
Utility Mine located West and South of Boundary Dam,
where my Dad worked until he retired.
See My Utility Coals Ltd Web Page

2001 SPC owned this mine

Union 1960-1967- Saskatchewan Strip Miners' Union, Local No. 1573

Coal Valley Mine   2009- Operated by Sherritt Coal,
 (part of Sherritt International Corporation)
 (formerly Prairie Mines & Royalites)(formerly Luscar Ltd)
I believe Sherritt and the Ontario Teachers Pension board
 are the co-owners of this mine now
Estevan Mine   2009- Operated by Sherritt Coal,
 (part of Sherritt International Corporation)
 (formerly Prairie Mines & Royalites)(formerly Luscar Ltd)
I believe Sherritt and the Ontario Teachers Pension board
 are the co-owners of this mine now
Bienfait Mine   2009- Operated by Sherritt Coal,
 (part of Sherritt International Corporation)
 (formerly Prairie Mines & Royalty Ltd.)(formerly Luscar Ltd)
I believe Sherritt and the Ontario Teachers Pension board
 are the co-owners of this mine now
The Bienfait Mine is the longest continuous mining operation in Saskatchewan and marked its 100th year of operation in 2005
Dominion Briquettes and Chemicals Ltd Briquette, char plant
 S of Bienfait
Union 1961- Saskatchewan Coal Products' Workers' Union, Local 335
Souris Valley Mine Directly East of Boundary Dam SPC owned mine, one of the smaller in the area.
1980 they used a 7 1/2 yard capacity dragline here.

And probably many more

 

(If you know of more, or have corrections, please e-mail me)

some sources I have used:
W. J. Dick, Engineer report 1917
Western Land Grants online
1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1906, 1911 Canada Census
Sask Vital records online
MB vital records online
BC Vital Records online
BC Cemetery search online
AB Cemetery Search online
SK Cemetery Search online
WWI and WWII soldier records online
Archives Canada
Sask Archives
OurRoots- History book search online
Passenger Ship lists online, from England, and into Canada
Rosemary Mack's Cemetery lists online, now offline, and changed to rootsweb site
My Dad's 1927 map SE SK
Alberta Newspaper collection online
Estevan Mercury (microfilm at Estevan Library)
Just about every newspaper in Canada and the states online
Tale that is Told Estevan History book, which was online, now offline
Estevan- the Power Center, by Andrew King, was online, now offline
My ECI web pages
Bienfait 1955 history book
Roche Percee History book, was online, then went offline, now I have added a copy on my Roche Percee Pages
Frobisher History book, online on ourroots
Oxbow and Glen Ewen history book, online on ourroots
Central School History Book, was online, now offline
Shand History book, now on ourroots
Free BMD site, in England-Wales
Saskatchewan Mines Branch in 2012, for Mine Map plans.
Emails from miners family members
and many, many, more that I have forgotten

 

 

 No Reproduction in Whole, or in Part, may be made
 without the express Written Permission
 of Doug Gent
© 2016

Revised Apr 19, 2012, by Doug Gent

Quick Links
Coal Mine Index Page
Personal Family Pages / Sask. Web Pages / My Dad's 1927 Map of SE Sask. 
Hillside Public School
/ Estevan Collegiate Institute
Nor-West 1904 Newspaper
/ Terrace BC / Contact Page