Class
Article
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty Mentor
Amanda Addison
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
If you have done some research into the history of the state of Utah, you learn that while religion was the basis of many things in state history, mining was one of the first industries. From the rich mineral deposits in Bingham canyon that still is a driving force in the state's economy, to the Potash, Coal and Uranium deposits in Central and Southern Utah, mining has been a part of this state from the beginning. You'd also find out that Utah was home to two of the worst disasters in U.S. history in terms of loss of life. But why has the idea of mining seemed to have gone away from the public eye? In 1950, 5 men lost their lives impacting a whole town in the SW corner of Salt Lake County. No one has heard of the town, and even fewer have heard of this mining disaster. Why? Almost no reports were made in newspapers, or even by the state. No public outcry for an investigation? No real effort was seemingly made to compensate the community that was impacted by this, how come? The only mention made of them, besides the local newspaper in the days following the disaster, was in the state Industrial Commision report that simply said that 5 men died in a mine due to a fire. How come this sense of unfeeling came so quickly after huge reports and investigations after other disasters? What made this one so... unimportant? Why did no one at all, care? This is what I hope to try and present. Or at least, who these men were and what happened to them in their small town that no one has heard about.
Location
Room 421
Start Date
4-12-2018 10:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2018 11:45 AM
The treatment of mining disasters in Utah, why don't we care anymore?
Room 421
If you have done some research into the history of the state of Utah, you learn that while religion was the basis of many things in state history, mining was one of the first industries. From the rich mineral deposits in Bingham canyon that still is a driving force in the state's economy, to the Potash, Coal and Uranium deposits in Central and Southern Utah, mining has been a part of this state from the beginning. You'd also find out that Utah was home to two of the worst disasters in U.S. history in terms of loss of life. But why has the idea of mining seemed to have gone away from the public eye? In 1950, 5 men lost their lives impacting a whole town in the SW corner of Salt Lake County. No one has heard of the town, and even fewer have heard of this mining disaster. Why? Almost no reports were made in newspapers, or even by the state. No public outcry for an investigation? No real effort was seemingly made to compensate the community that was impacted by this, how come? The only mention made of them, besides the local newspaper in the days following the disaster, was in the state Industrial Commision report that simply said that 5 men died in a mine due to a fire. How come this sense of unfeeling came so quickly after huge reports and investigations after other disasters? What made this one so... unimportant? Why did no one at all, care? This is what I hope to try and present. Or at least, who these men were and what happened to them in their small town that no one has heard about.