NTDMG005 Guide to Stanly Easton papers 1900-1957 Easton (Stanly) papers Finding aid prepared by Judith Nielsen; Updated by Courtney Berge Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives 1979; 2020 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2020-04-03. English Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. English University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Stanly Easton Papers Easton, Stanly Alexander, 1873-1961 MG 005 1 cubic feet 1900-1957 Primarily reports of operatives working in the Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mine from 1900 to 1905.

As manager of the Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mine, Stanly Alexander Easton was in intimate touch with his staff, foremen and workers. Indeed, he was perhaps the most respected of the mine managers in the entire Coeur d'Alene mining area.

Born April 7, 1873 in Santa Cruz, California, Easton established a connection with the mining industry early in life. He was first employed as an office boy for the firm of Hans C. Behr and W.I. Salkeld, specialists in mechanical area mining engineering. From office boy he advanced to the field and in construction work had his first opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the many activities in mining at that time.

With this experience behind him, he entered the University of California College of Mines from which he graduated in 1894. After leaving college he worked underground at gold properties in Calaveras and Tuolumme counties doing such varied jobs as assaying, mining, and mill and construction work. In 1896 he went to the Northwest, working underground in the mines of western Montana, Rossland, B.C. and the Coeur d'Alene where he was employed as a miner at the Bunker Hill and Sullivan mine for the winter of 1896-1897. From there he went to Silver City, Idaho where he was in charge of productive mining work. From 1899-1900 he had charge of the development work at Greenwood, B.C., and afterward at Republic, Washington.

In 1901 he engaged in mine examination work under F.W. Bradley. Bradley was impressed with Easton's ability and character and placed him in charge of the Bunker Hill and Sullivan properties when Albert Burch resigned at the end of 1902.

In addition to his mining interests, Easton was also president of the Boy Scouts, of the Idaho Mining Association, a member of the Idaho State Board of Education, and a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Idaho from 1921-1931. In 1950 he received an honorary degree from that university.

After leaving Bunker Hill and Sullivan, Easton returned to California where he died December 17, 1961.

BACKGROUND MATERIAL

Mining in the Coeur d'Alenes

A lockout by mine owners in 1892 led to the destruction of the Frisco Mill at Gem, the killing of five miners by guards and the retaliatory shooting of several "scabs" (non-union miners) by members of the miners' union. Order was restored by state troopers and the power of the union was temporarily broken, but the atmosphere of hate continued for many years and later led to much violence.

The Western Federation of Miners was formed in 1893 and grew rapidly. In April, 1899 the Federation officials demanded the holdout Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mine unionize. The answer of the mine owners was to discharge all union miners. The unionists responded by dynamiting the Bunker Hill and Sullivan concentrator at Wardner, said to be the largest in the world. Governor Steunenberg declared martial law and President McKinley ordered U.S. troops from Montana into the area. The miners were rounded up and herded into hastily constructed barracks surrounded by barbed wire, an area later referred to as the "Bull Pen." Miners were gradually released after denying that they belonged to any subversive organization.

The influence of the Western Federation in Idaho had nearly been destroyed, and its leaders dispersed. New headquarters were established in Denver, and soon Charles H. Moyer, William D. Heywood and George A. Pettibone were officials in this new union.

The Assassination of Frank Steunenberg

Although Steunenberg had been out of office for nearly four years, living a quiet life with his family in Caldwell, the union could not forget his actions during the spring of 1899. As he was returning from his evening walk on December 30, 1905 a bomb was placed near his home . As he opened the garden gate he tripped the wire which exploded the bomb. Although badly maimed by the explosion, he lived for twenty minutes. For some time before the explosion he had been receiving threatening letters in the mail, and must have realized the source, for as he lay dying in his home he told his family that they (meaning the miners) finally got him.

It was not long before Harry Orchard was arrested and taken to Idaho State Penitentiary. Orchard soon confessed to Pinkerton agent James McParland and told him of his meetings with Western Federation of Miners officials Moyer, Heywood and Pettibone, and of their hiring him to murder the former governor. Moyer, Heywood and Pettibone were literally kidnapped in Colorado and placed on a special train which brought them very quickly into Idaho where they were arrested.

The papers of Stanly Easton are primarily concerned with the Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mine. There are numerous reports of the operatives working in the mines and of one operative detailed to work among the ranchers who had filed a damage suit against the mine owners. There are newspaper clippings about the Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mine and the city of Kellogg, Idaho, as well as a photograph collection depicting various sections of the mine.

The only items not concerned with mining are publications dealing with the Republican National Convention in Chicago in 1916 to which Easton was a delegate.

The reports of the operatives contained in this file are very interesting and would be of great use to anyone interested in the growth of the miners' union after its virtual destruction in the Coeur d'Alene in 1899.

Collection is open for research.

The Papers are contained in one file box and have been separated into folders according to type of material. The reports of various operatives in the mines are in three folders, being in chronological arrangement within each folder. There is no arrangement within each of the other folders.

Materials from the first folder of operative reports were digitized and added to the digital Bunker Hill Labor Collection. To browse these and related digital collections click here.

Related materials may be found in Manuscript Group 367, Bunker Hill Company records, 1887-1984.

 Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mining and Concentrating Company Shoshone County (Idaho) Mining Corporations Detectives Manager of Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mine after 1902. Operative Reports Series I 1900-1908 Operatives Reports 165 items Listed below with links to digital objects. 1900-June 1901 1 1 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed August 13, 1900 5 August 1900 1 1 1 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed August 15, 1900 8 August 1900 1 1 2 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed August 13, 1900 9 August 1900 1 1 3 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed August 18, 1900 16 August 1900 1 1 4 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed August 22, 1900 16 August 1900 1 1 5 Invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for August, 1900, submitted to Bunker Hill and Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 September 1900 1 1 6 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 2 September 1900 1 1 7 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed September 20, 1900 15 September 1900 1 1 8 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 18 September 1900 1 1 9 Letter from W. St. M. Barnes to Frederick Burbidge 29 September 1900 1 1 10 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 30 September 1900 1 1 11 2 operative reports for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1-2 October 1900 1 1 12 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 12 October 1900 1 1 13 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 22 October 1900 1 1 14 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 23 October 1900 1 1 15 Letter from W. St. M. Barnes to Frederick Burbidge 27 October 1900 1 1 16 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 28 October 1900 1 1 17 Invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for October, 1900, submitted to Bunker Hill and Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 November 1900 1 1 18 Letter from W. St. M. Barnes to Frederick Burbidge and invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for September, 1900, submitted to B. H. & S. M. & C. Co. 1 November 1900 1 1 19 2 operative reports for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 November 1900 1 1 20 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 5 November 1900 1 1 21 Letter from "S", possibly W. S. Swain to Mr. B., possibly Frederick Burbidge 10 November 1900 1 1 22 Instructions for operatives, possibly given by W. S. Swain 10 November 1900 1 1 23 A list of 6 names 25 October 1900 1 1 24 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 12 November 1900 1 1 25 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 15 November 1900 1 1 26 A list of 7 names undated 1 1 27 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 19 November 1900 1 1 28 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd M. & D. Co. 19 November 1900 1 1 29 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, undated 1 1 30 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed November 23, 1900 undated 1 1 31 Operative report for Larson & Greenough undated 1 1 32 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed November 23, 1900 undated 1 1 33 Operative report for Silver Lead Mines Ass'n, transcribed November 23, 1900 18 November 1900 1 1 34 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed November 27, 1900 22 November 1900 1 1 35 Operative report for Finch and Campbell, transcribed November 28, 1900 25 November 1900 1 1 36 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed November 29, 1900 26 November 1900 1 1 37 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed November 27, 1900 24 November 1900 1 1 38 Invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for November, 1900, submitted to Bunker Hill and Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 December 1900 1 1 39 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., transcribed December 01, 1900 undated 1 1 40 Operative report for Finch and Campbell, transcribed December 04, 1900 1 December 1900 1 1 41 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., [transcribed December 5, 1900] 1 December 1900 1 1 42 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed December 08, 1900 3 December 1900 1 1 43 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed December 10, 1900 8 December 1900 1 1 44 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., transcribed December 11, 1900 8 December 1900 1 1 45 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., transcribed December 12, 1900 9 December 1900 1 1 46 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed December 12, 1900 8 December 1900 1 1 47 Letter from W. St. M. Barnes to Frederick Burbidge 13 December 1900 1 1 48 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., transcribed November 27, 1900 undated 1 1 49 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 12 December 1900 1 1 50 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed December 13, 1900 10 December 1900 1 1 51 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., transcribed December 14, 1900 11 December 1900 1 1 52 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., transcribed December 17, 1900 14 December 1900 1 1 53 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co., transcribed December 19, 1900 16 December 1900 1 1 54 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., transcribed November 28, 1900 24 November 1900 1 1 55 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., transcribed December 24, 1900 17 December 1900 1 1 56 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed December 24, 1900 21 December 1900 1 1 57 Operative report 25 December 1900 1 1 58 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed December 19, 1900 16 December 1900 1 1 59 Operative report for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co., transcribed December 27, 1900 23 December 1900 1 1 60 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed December 29, 1900 23 December 1900 1 1 61 Operative report for Bunker Hill & Sullivan M. & C. Co. 31 December 1900 1 1 62 Directory of local unions and officers undated 1 1 63 Transcripts of 5 letters June-October 1900 1 1 64 Transcripts of 4 letters October-November 1900 1 1 65 Transcripts of 2 letters 28 August, 31 October 1900 1 1 66 Transcripts of 8 letters February-October 1900 1 1 67 Transcripts of 6 letters August-December 1900 1 1 68 Transcripts of 6 letters August-November 1900 1 1 69 Miner's union meeting minutes 21 December 1900 1 1 70 Transcripts of 5 letters October-November 1900 1 1 71 Invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for December, 1900, submitted to Bunker Hill and Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 January 1901 1 1 72 Operative report 1 January 1901 1 1 73 Miner's union special meeting, minutes 1 January 1901 1 1 74 Unsigned letter to George P. Edmiston 21 December 1900 1 1 76 Operative report 4 January 1901 1 1 77 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed January 05, 1901 1 January 1901 1 1 78 Operative report 5 January 1901 1 1 79 Operative report 2 January 1901 1 1 80 Operative report 7 January 1901 1 1 81 Operative report 7 January 1901 1 1 82 Letter from unknown, appears to be signed A-50, to Albert Burch 11 January 1902 1 1 83 Operative report 10 January 1901 1 1 84 Operative report 11 January 1901 1 1 85 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 15 January 1901 1 1 86 Operative report 15 January 1901 1 1 87 2 operative reports 16 January 1901, undated 1 1 88 Operative report 17 January 1901 1 1 89 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 18 January 1901 1 1 90 Operative report for Larson & Greenough, transcribed January 02, 1901 28 December 1900 1 1 91 Operative report 18 January 1901 1 1 92 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 21 January 1901 1 1 93 2 operative reports 18 January 1901 1 1 94 Operative report 21 January 1901 1 1 95 Operative report 4 January 1901 1 1 96 2 operative reports 27-30 January 1901 1 1 97 Invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for January, 1901, submitted to Bunker Hill and Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 February 1901 1 1 98 Letter from "S", possibly W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 23 January 1901 1 1 99 Operative report 2 February 1901 1 1 100 Operative report 8 February 1901 1 1 101 Operative report 9 February 1901 1 1 102 List of union members undated 1 1 103 Operative report 15 February 1901 1 1 104 Operative report 15 February 1901 1 1 105 2 operative reports 16 February 1901 1 1 106 3 operative reports 19-23 February 1901 1 1 107 Operative report 22 February 1901 1 1 108 2 operative reports 19-24 January 1901 1 1 109 4 operative reports 25-28 February 1901 1 1 110 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 3 March 1901 1 1 111 Operative report 10 March 1901 1 1 112 Operative report 10 March 1901 1 1 113 Invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for February, 1901, submitted to Bunker Hill and Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 March 1901 1 1 114 2 operative reports 27 January 1901 1 1 115 Letter from [W. S. Swain] to Frederick Burbidge 18 March 1901 1 1 116 Operative report 26 March 1901 1 1 117 Operative report undated 1 1 118 Operative report 18 March 1901 1 1 119 2 operative reports 27-18 March 1901 1 1 120 2 operative reports 30-31 March 1901 1 1 121 Invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for March, 1901, submitted to Bunker Hill and Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 April 1901 1 1 122 2 operative reports 4 April 1901 1 1 123 Operative report 8 April 1901 1 1 124 Operative report 9 April 1901 1 1 125 Operative report 10 April 1901 1 1 126 3 operative reports for Coeur d'Alene Mine Owners Association, [transcribed April 24, 1901] 11-17 April 1901 1 1 127 Operative report for Coeur d'Alene Mine Owners Association, transcribed April 24, 1901 20 April 1901 1 1 128 Operative report 12 April 1901 1 1 129 3 operative reports 21-23 March 1901 1 1 130 3 operative reports for Frisco Cons'd Mining Co. [transcribed April 24, 1901] 16-20 April 1901 1 1 131 Operative report 18 April 1901 1 1 132 Operative report 20 April 1901 1 1 133 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 23 April 1901 1 1 134 8 operative reports 26 April-5 May 1901 1 1 135 Stray page in which operative mentions a possible scheme, union membership, a detective in town investigating a recent fight, and donations to legal cases undated 1 1 136 Operative report 10 May 1901 1 1 137 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 11 May 1901 1 1 138 3 operative reports 11-13 May 1901 1 1 139 2 operative reports 13-14 May 1901 1 1 140 Operative report 14 May 1901 1 1 141 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 16 May 1901 1 1 142 2 operative reports 19-20 May 1901 1 1 143 Invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for April, 1901, submitted to Bunker Hill and Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 May 1901 1 1 144 2 operative reports 20 May 1901 1 1 145 Letter from W. S. Swain to Frederick Burbidge 23 May 1901 1 1 146 Operative report 23 May 1901 1 1 147 4 operative reports 25-26 May 1901 1 1 148 2 operative reports 28 May 1901 1 1 149 2 operative reports 31 May 1901 1 1 150 Invoice for services and expenses of the Thiel Operative for May, 1901, submitted to Bunker Hill and Sullivan M. & C. Co. 1 June 1901 1 1 151 2 operative reports 4-5 June 1901 1 1 152 List of 41 names undated 1 1 153 Operative report 8 June 1901 1 1 154 Operative report 5 May 1901 1 1 155 Operative report 19 June 1901 1 1 156 List of 119 names 20 June 1901 1 1 157 Operative report 21 June 1901 1 1 158 2 operative reports 28 June 1901 1 1 159 3 operative reports 29-30 June 1901 1 1 160 Operative report 11 June 1901 1 1 161 2 operative reports 11 June 1901 1 1 162 Operative report 15 June 1901 1 1 163 3 operative reports 19-23 February 1901 1 1 164 4 operative reports 15-16 May 1901 1 1 165 Operatives Reports 110 items July 1901-February 1902 1 2 Operatives Reports 131 items 1905-1906 1 3 Operatives Reports 173 items 1907 1 4 Operatives Reports 176 items 1905-October 1907 1 5 Operatives Reports 224 items November 1907-June 1908 1 6 Publications and Clippings Series II 1903-1936 Strike 26 items 1919 1 7 Pageant of Silver 1 item 1935 1 8 Mining 51 items 1908-1936 1 9-10 Personal 33 items 1910-1931 1 11 Political and Patriotic 15 items 1904-1931 1 12 Correspondence 10 items 1904-1934 1 13 Miscellaneous Publications 21 items 1903-1924 1 14 Photographs Series III 1916-1937 Bulldozer at Work 5 items 1936 1 15 Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mine. Change House 6 items 1916 1 16 Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mine. Power House 5 items undated 1 17 Cash Payday 3 items 1933 1 18 Dredging River to Build a Dyke 8 items 1932-1933 1 19 Easton, Stanly 2 items undated 1 20 Fourth of July Parade, Coeur d'Alene 2 items 1936 1 21 Kellogg, Idaho. Flood 4 items 1933 1 22 Kellogg, Idaho. Miners' Union Hall 3 items undated 1 23 Sunshine Mine Strike 7 items 1937 1 24 First Aid Contest 4 items undated-1931 1 25 Bunker Hill Mine and Smelter 2 items undated 1 26 Bunker Hill Smelter Site 4 items 1916 1 27 Garage Crew 2 items 1935-1937 1 28 Wm. McDougall, Bob Jones, Zeb White 1 item undated 1 29 Unloading slag car 1 item undated 1 30 Two houses 2 items undated 1 31 Miners Picnic, Kellogg. Parade 1 item 1936 1 32 First statehouse in Idaho, Pierce 1 item undated 1 33 Hunting trip in Clearwater; six elk killed 34 items 1927 1 34 Airplanes at Air Show 1 item undated 1 35 Unidentified Group of 34 men 1 item undated 1 36 First Aid Contest Series IV 1918 Photographs, prizes, teams, and posters 9 items 1918 1 37 Republican Convention Series V 1916 Correspondence 42 items 1916 1 38 Program and Publications 9 items 1916 1 39 Interviews Series VI 1957 Reel to Reel tapes (2) 1957; Transcript 3 items 1984 1 40