The record., 1912-06-27
The Old Richmond Mines
Sketch by Amy NJ. Longest


grassy, fields change TO wood
land hills whose steep sides
are interrupted with jutung
rocks and awing cliffs, before its
sepa ration from Ohio county by the
tranquil waters of Green River are
yet to be seen the remains
of one of the Oldest mining camps
in the county.
\ few years after the building of
the /. &. X. r. Inn Parks from
Richmond, Ky, opened these mines
and named them in honor of his
home town. The camp or village
was small one consisting of not
more than twenty five houses (part
of which were occupied by negroes, J
a store and two boarding houses.
The big boarding house, two story
building with an open passage lead
ing to the old log kitchen stood on
top of the hill near the mines. 1t
was built for the accommodation of
the miners and was kept by several
different families. The small board
ing house, cottage, was almcst
hidden IN a valley at the rear of the
store which stood on the ground
now occupied by the Martwick ware
room or freight depot. Lucretia
Palmer an old Colored woman cook
ed at this cottage for the clerks,
Superintendent and other men inter
ested in the enterprise who had
rooms in the store building.
For several years Richmond was
quiet prosperous little town. The
children went to a nearby school
house to learn the three "R's".
The mine rs toiled at their laborious
work. Nearby farmers brought
their produce to the mines to sell.
1t was typical mining village.
The only accident which happened
resulting In death was that of Am
brose Grady, colored. 1t is said
that one evening after having some
difficulty in getting his shot fired,
he made the remark that he would
shoot it or 60 to H.. He finally
fired it, but in climbing out of the
shaft he fell, his body was badly
crushed, death being instantaneous.
There was Baptist church near
| Nelson creek where the white peo-
pie who were SO disposed attended
services. A log cabin was given by
the Company to the negroes In
which to conduct their wor-
4
ship. At one time there was a
great revival at this old cabin, many
white people went to it, work almost
stopped at the mines and shouting
and praying was the order of the
day. Beer drinkings and similar
affairs were unknown; the people
lived the simple life.
The dense woods surrounding the
mines was hunters paradise: wild
turkeys, squirrels, coons, etc. F.,
were plentiful. Some people yet
remember seeing the deer and timld
fawn on their way to the licks.
One night the bailer at the mines
had just hoisted tub of water when
in the darkness he beheld what seem
ed to be two glowing Goals; he was
badly frightened, but soon discop-
cred that it was only fawn; for il
scsmpered away into the thicket al
his approach.
There were many springs in the
vicinity of Richmond Mines, neal
ope of these on what known as the
Davis place large party of men,
W omen and children from Louisville
camped one summer.
In the year of 1881 the mine.
were leased to the &. &. and | Co.
for a period of fifteen years with ;
contract TO build ninety houses
The houses were not built, and in ;
short time work was stopped. NJ
one knew why, but it was supposed
that the company leased it merel.
to avoid competition against thei
mines at Central City and Nc Henry
A law suit followed which resulted
in the C.. e. and | Co. buying tn,
property.
The village was then apandoIe;
and few years later the house
were sold to different farmers livin
near who tore them down IN Orde
to use the lumber for other pur