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Manuscript Group 169: Theodore “Ted” Spewock Collection (Pennsylvania Coal Mining)

 Collection
Identifier: MG169

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1960 - 1990

Extent

1 box Linear Feet (Theodore “Ted” Spewock was born in 1921. He started mining coal in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in 1960. His mining operation had two employees before 1970 and they mined about 12 tons of bituminous coal per day. The coal seam that Spewock mined was about four feet high. After 1970, he worked the mine shafts by himself and mined two tons of coal daily. According to a 1977 article in The Pittsburgh Press, “He now works six days a week, taking time off annually for an extended vacation. He gets $22.50 a ton for the coal he mines. Mostly it’s bought by local residents who use it for home heating.” With fewer than four employees, Spewock’s one-person coal mining operation was not subject to the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. According to another article in The Free Lance-Star on December 13, 1977, he stated that “The big companies didn’t want the small operator in business, it’s a pity. When I see the federal inspectors come here, I get goose bumps. I just keep my head above water. I don’t make enough to cover expenses and replace my machinery when it wears out.” After running his operation for 24 years, Spewock retired from coal mining in 1984. In 1989, he gave a tour of the Clark Hollow Mine, Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and the oral history interview is part of the collection. This collection was donated by Dr. Theresa McDevitt, Outreach and Government Documents Librarian at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Spewock contributed to the biographical note and historical information about the collection. Box 1 (5 folders): 1. Magazine Article: Focus Magazine. (November 3, 1974), “A Miner’s Story,” p. 2; 2. Magazine Article: National Geographic Magazine. (June 1978), “A Miner’s Story,” Volume 153 Number 6, pp. 740, 752-753; 3. Newspaper Articles (copies); 4. Oral History Interview: Theodore Spewock; and 5. Oral History Interview (2): Theodore Spewock – Tour of Clark Hollow Mine, Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 1989)

Language of Materials

English

Title
Manuscript Group 169: Theodore “Ted” Spewock Collection (Pennsylvania Coal Mining)
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Repository

Contact:
Indiana Pennsylvania