Finding aid for the Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company Records


Title:
Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company Records
Repository:
Ohio University
Phone: 740-593-2710
http://www.ohio.edu/library/collections/archives-special-collections/
Creator:
Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company
Dates:
1870-1939
Quantity:
80 cubic feet
Abstract:
Ledgers, maps, and miscellaneous
Identification:
MSS155
Language:
The records are in English

History of Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company

In 1883, several coal and iron companies merged together to create the Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company (CHCIC.) The CHCIC was also known as "the Syndicate" because it owned most of the land and mining operations in the Hocking Valley (HV.) In the spring of 1884, the CHCIC proposed a ten cent per ton wage reduction for miners, who rejected the proposal. The CHCIC reduced the wage a further ten cents per ton and required miners to sign a contract. The miners of the Hocking Valley went on strike. The operators imported "blackleg" workers and hired Pickerton guards. The strike went on for nine months. In the end, the strikers accepted the terms offered by the Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company. By the 1920s, the CHCIC had mined most of the coal and iron available in HV and left the region.

Scope and Content

The Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company records includes time books, ore scale books, ledgers, level books, rental books, store books, cash books, letter books, shipping records, payroll books and maps. Many of the records contain listings of the names of thousands of employees, customers, and other people that had contact with the company. Names are often indexed and easily found. Employees are sometimes listed with job classifications, wages paid, rent, and company store records.

Statement of Arrangement

These records are organized in the following series:
Series: Time Books
Series: Ore Scale Books
Series: Ledgers
Series: Level Books
Series: Rental Books
Series: Store Books
Series: Cash Books
Series: Letter Books
Series: Shipment Records
Series: Payroll Books
Series: Maps
Series: Miscellaneous

Subject Terms

The following terms have been used to describe this collection.

Subjects:

Coal mines and mining--Ohio.
Iron mines and mining--Ohio--Hocking River Valley.

Preferred Citation

Researchers are requested to cite collection name, collection number, and Ohio University, Athens, Ohio in all footnotes and bibliographical references.

Other Finding Aid

A paper copy of the finding aid is available.