Arivaca Small Mine Operators Association
August 1, 2007
If it were not for some recent local political issues, we may have forgotten all about the Arizona Small Mine Operators Association, but of course, supporting the mining industry is the reason it was created in the first place.
The man responsible for the establishment of this organization was Charles F. Willis, a professor of mining engineering and magazine publisher who had come to Tucson in 1912 to teach at the University of Arizona. He helped organize the Arizona Bureau of Mines and served as a consultant for Phelps Dodge in Bisbee. He became editor and publisher of the Arizona Mining Journal and kept that up for 25 years. In the course of this work he became aware of the needs of miners and the extent of small mining operations in Arizona. In early 1938 he formed the statewide organization known as the Arizona Small Mine Operators Association.
Almost immediately the Arivaca miners’ community became involved. On March 9, 1938, a meeting of the small mine operators and mining claim owners was held in Caviglia’s Hall, (on the southeast corner of Main Street and Fraguita Road, across from the Tire Shop) with about 40 in attendance. Sam Coupal of the State Dept of Mineral Resources came down to help establish the chapter. It was unanimously voted to organize a Council, to be known as the Arivaca Council, Arizona Small Mine Operators Association. The officers were: Dr. G. Wallace Walker, Chairman, Wm. P. Plum, Vice-Chairman, Fred C. Noon, Secretary, with Arnold D. Anderson and J.B. Fullerton, members of the Executive Committee. Not all of the attendees paid to join initially, but a 1939 list showed 139 members, some of which were out-of-state. In the course of the next few years the following served as officers: J.B. Cates, Harvey T. Edwards, Harvey Parrish, Isidro Parras, Birl Kinman, E. Fernstrom, Howard Lerch, Charlie Keppler, and Thomas C. Cravens. Later on, members would include C.B. Ruggles, Walt Edwards, Charles Udall, A.J. Allen, Ernie Grimm, Chuck Abercrombie, Randall Hill, Billy and Matilda Campas, Chick Haggerty, Mike McElrath, Glenn Shields, Harvey Riggs, Hack Townsend, Jack Larson, Charlie Lemons, and Ralph Griffin. Many more were involved who are not named here.
Within two years there were 52 other councils in the state with Arivaca being among the largest in number. Speakers from Tucson and Phoenix came to meetings to present programs on subjects of interest, including Miles Carpenter, Field Engineer for the State Dept of Mineral Resources. One time he reported on mining activity in the Patagonia area, and at another meeting he brought a projector and mining movies—perhaps the first ones ever shown in Arivaca.
Issues that came up in the course of time included the matter of smelter payments for various types of ores, railroad freight rates, assessment work on unpatented mining claim issues of exemption or performance, geological survey of the Arivaca area, mining rights and public land law, loans to small mines, strategic metals due to the upcoming war. Conflicts in the boundary lines of newly located mining claims was common, as many prospectors really didn’t know what they were doing, or perhaps they did and were trying to get away with something (out here in the sticks.)
The membership also took an active part in political activities, such as sponsoring bills in the state legislature and lending their efforts to collective action. This included protesting the withdrawal of all Federal lands from mineral prospecting, which even in 1939 was being advocated. Protesting the bureaucratic red tape required of small mines was a common activity.
Dissemination of mining information was not the only activity at the meetings. The secretary noted that after the meeting closed at 10:30 pm, refreshments and musical entertainment followed. The social part of the ASMOA would become one of the major events in Arivaca. The second birthday of the Council was celebrated with a dance and oyster stew. In 1938, the Council participated in the Statewide Jamboree, held in Phoenix, which featured a parade of mining equipment and implements. Isidro Parras contributed two hand made tanates (rawhide buckets) for use in the parade.
In 1941, the U.S. became involved in World War II and the mining business in Arivaca was greatly affected. The mine at Ruby closed and with it went many of the residents who were prospecting on the side. The ASMOA lost members and canceled meetings. For five years things were up in the air. In 1947 it started up again, with Harvey Edwards and Fred Noon as officers again, along with one Lehman Harris. The minutes of that meeting state that “By mutual agreement the Arivaca Boosters Club and the Arivaca Council of the Small Miners were combined into one organization.” (You didn’t know Arivaca had a Boosters Club, did you?) At this meeting, Hugo Miller, assayer and Chairman of the Nogales Council, gave an interesting account of his experiences buying and selling ore.
The periodical of the AZ Small Mine Operators Assn is called Pay Dirt. It was published by Charles Willis for years, and copies of back issues are still available in archives around the state. It is still in publication and news of mining interest and informational articles are provided.
As time went on, the Arivaca Council kept up its activities in the community, becoming more of a community social organization. An annual barbeque was the major fundraiser, and a Christmas Party with Santa Claus was held each year for local children. That’s what many old timers remember fondly. Membership cards and buttons are still kept as memorabilia. Mining skills such as drilling were featured at Arivaca Days celebrations. When Arivaca had a café, men would meet each morning to have breakfast and visit. Although most miners were men, women were involved in the social activities of the organization and some were interested in mining as well. Eventually the large number of local prospectors and miners that had been here began to dwindle and now there are no local meetings or activities. The social needs of the community have been taken over by other organizations.
The Arizona Small Mine Operators Association is still in business, with a local mine operator as president. Especially after the environmental movement became strong, mining has been under attack, even though minerals in vast quantities are still necessary to support the U.S.’s growing demand for all kinds of products. Perhaps it is ok to exploit other countries’ mineral resources (and their environment) and import the products. Since the ASMOA supports an essential industry, it still has a place in the scheme of things.
References: Minutes of meetings of ASMOA in the 30s and 40s. Pay Dirt magazine.
Reminiscences of Mike McElrath, Rosie Robles, Alice Allen, Fred Noon
Copyright 2007 Mary Kasulaitis
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