Walking Where They Walked: Old Timers Association

 
Old Timers Association, Rock Springs, Wyoming, September 2013, RR&B
Old Timers Association, Rock Springs, Wyoming, September 2013, RR&B
June 13, 1925, about 269 employees who had worked at the UP and its predecessors for at least 20 years joined the Old Timers Association and were placed on the registration roll. Each man pinned a badge on his lapel with the name of the mine in which he first worked.

The Old Timers Association was organized with the intent of honoring those miners who had given their youth and strength to the mines. Membership would confer distinction and recognition to faithful loyal miners. The Old Timers Association belonged completely to the members and not the coal mines. Four years after its beginning, the Association built its first auditorium in Rock Springs.

Old Timers Day became one of the major holidays celebrated in Rock Springs and included miners from Rock Springs and Hanna.

Old Timers Association, Rock Springs, Wyoming, September 2013, RR&B
Old Timers Association, Rock Springs, Wyoming, September 2013, RR&B
Isaac Roberts(10) is listed on page xxv (25) stating he entered service at Rock Springs in 1905.

Old Timers Association Flags, Western Wyoming Community College display, September 2013, RR&B

Sources: 
Rhode, Robert B., “Booms & Busts on Bitter Creek”, Fred Pruett Book, Boulder, Colorado, 1987, page 79.
“History of the Union Pacific Coal Mines 1868-1940”, The Colonial Press, Omaha, Nebraska, Wyoming Centennial Reprint sponsored by Sweetwater County Historical Society, page 172.

Comments

  1. MKnightAugust 14, 2015 at 10:17 PM

    My Great Uncle John Magers worked for the Union Pacific Coal Company from about 1889 to 1920 at least, but I have searched in vain for a roster of the 1925 old timer's association that might show his name. Do you know where I can find that roster? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JanetAugust 22, 2015 at 7:46 AM

    MKnight, I have a copy of the "Roster of Membership Old Timers' Association The Union Pacific Coal Company," published by the Colonial Press. In the back of the book in the appendices, there is a 'Roster of Membership Old Timer's Association, The Union Pacific Coal Company' that lists members names (alive and deceased) from about 1880 to 1911. I looked up your uncle, John Magers in the list, but was unable to find his name. I purchased the book back in 1998, so I don't know if the book is still for sale. I believe I bought mine at the Rock Springs Historical Museum. I think you can find a copy of the book at Western Wyoming Community College in the Hay Library. I do know that the Rock Springs Historical Museum has old copies of the mining magazine (right now I can't remember if it is the Old Timer's Association or another one) and the employees there might know where to find the 1925 roster. You might also try looking up the roster to see if it was published in the Rock Springs Miner/Rocket newspaper. Western Wyoming Community College Hay Library has copies of the newspapers on microfilm. Please keep me posted and let me know if you find the roster. I will reply again if I can think of any other places to look. And thank you for your comment. Good luck on your search! Janet

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