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Mining papers, 1912-1926
MANUSCRIPT 2338-2340
Collection Overview

Title:

Mining papers, 1912-1926
Errol MacBoyle mining papers, 1912-1926

Creator/Contributor:

MacBoyle, Errol., creator

Creator/Contributor:

Jones, Carl P. (Carl Power), 1878-1944

Creator/Contributor:

McGuire, T. H. (Thomas H.)

Creator/Contributor:

Battey, L. L.

Creator/Contributor:

Randol, A. M. (Alanson M.)

Creator/Contributor:

Recanzone, John B.

Creator/Contributor:

Tolman, Cyrus Fisher, 1873-

Abstract:

The collection consists primarily of the correspondence of Errol MacBoyle documenting his activities in evaluating, acquiring, and financing mining properties in Grass Valley, Nevada County, California, and in Sonora, Mexico. There are also a variety of mine reports concerning past production or contemporary mining activity and miscellaneous papers, including financial and legal documents, newspaper clippings, stock certificates and maps.
The collection is organized into four series: CORRESPONDENCE: (1914-1926). Incoming and outgoing are interfiled in chronological order. Includes some plans, maps, and letterheads. 1914-1916 major correspondents are in Grass Valley, including C.P. Jones, T.H. McGuire, L.L. Battey and A.M. Randol, foreman of the Mohawk mine during this period. 1917-1924 correspondence is sketchy. During 1925 and 1926 major correspondents are John B. Recanzone and C.F. Tolman who were involved in the mining venture in Mexico.
MINE REPORTS: (1915-1925): California: Historic: Humbolt County: Orleans Placer, Sierra County: Goodyear Quartz, Nevada County: Porter Placer, Unknown County:California Seven Troughs Caesar Mine. Grass Valley Mining District (Nevada County): Allison Ranch, Brunswick, Empire, Eureka Consolidated, Idaho Maryland, North Star, Pennsylvania, South Idaho, Union Hill. Operational: scattered stockholder reports, management reports, and assay reports regarding current operations of the Union Hill and Idaho Maryland properties. Development: proposed mining activities for the same properties. Outside California: Sonora, Mexico: Mina Grande de la Higuerilla.
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS (1890-1925): Legal: Title, contract, proxies; Financial Records: mine and personal expenses, misc. MISCELLANEIOUS: Personnel: accident report, employee time cards; Newspaper clippings; Maps; Stock certificates; C. A. Bennett (1919-1926): Miscellaneous personal papers of an individual who may have served as superintendent 1919-1926.

Date:

1912 (issued)

Contents:

2338: Correspondence (1914-Aug. 1925). -- 2339: Correspondence (Sept. 1925-1926); Mining reports. -- 2340: Legal and financial documents; Miscellaneous.

Subject:

n-us-ca -- n-mx---
MacBoyle, Errol -- Correspondence
Mining engineers -- California -- Correspondence
Gold mines and mining -- California -- Grass Valley
Idaho Maryland Mines Company -- Records and correspondence
Mines and mineral resources -- California
Mines and mineral resources -- Mexico -- Sonora (State)

Note:

Errol MacBoyle was born 28 September 1880 in Oakland, California. During his summer vacations while a student at the University of California he worked as a mucker in Grass Valley mines. He graduated from the U.C. School of Mines in 1903 and completed post-graduate work in geology at Columbia University, New York. After working as a surveyor and engineer for the North Star Mine in Grass Valley, MacBoyle opened a consulting engineering office in San Francisco in 1909 and completed survey work in the Philippines and Alaska.
From 1911 to 1915, MacBoyle was employed as an examining and reporting engineer for the California State Mining Bureau. During these years he became interested in the potential of abandoned gold mines in the Grass Valley area and began to secure options on mining properties and seek capital to develop them. Between 1915 and 1919 he consolidated the properties into the Idaho Maryland Mines Company, in which he represented the minority stockholders and served as consulting engineer. But his expertise was not appreciated and it was not until 1925, after the majority stockholders had wasted over $2,000,000 and walked away, that MacBoyle was able to put together another group of investors and take over operation. He proved to be an able manager, supportive of the working miners, and was well respected. And, by the time of his death on 4 November 1949, the Idaho Maryland group of mines had produced bullion valued at over forty million dollars.
Errol MacBoyle mining papers, 1912-1926
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.

Type:

biography

Physical Description:

print
3 ms. boxes (ca. 740 items) : ill., maps

Language:

English

Identifier:

MANUSCRIPT 2338-2340

Origin:

California

Copyright Note:

Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.