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Two prospectors near Wells
on a mountain top. WPH126
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In
1930, people flocked once again to the Cariboo for employment in the
mining field. This was the second gold rush in the Cariboo. Hard rock
mining was hard work and most of the miners spent their working hours
underground, but the pay was good and better than the majority of
the country that was standing in food lines.
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Miners On Christmas Day
1933, At Camp. WPH320
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People
from various cultural backgrounds, including Chinese, Scandinavian,
American, and Irish decent, travelled to the Cariboo to escape the
devastating effects of the Depression. Mining was a tough job though,
and many men found themselves hard at work, often poor and unhealthy
with little money to buy food and proper safety gear.
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Employees Of Island Mountain
Sitting In Front Of Bunkhouse. WPH256
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Miner With Drill In Stope.
The White Streak Is The Vein With Gold In It. WPH372
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Many
struggled just to support their families; most were grateful to have
work during the Depression. Food was generally expensive during the
30s since Wells was such an isolated town so the men had to work hard
to feed their families. Few men ever struck it rich gold mining.
Since
it can get to 40 degrees below celsius during the
Cariboo winters, it was important to keep warm. A typical miner's
outfit consisted of big boots, a wide-brimmed felt hat, woolly/cotton
pants and plaid shirt, suspenders, kerchief, and a knife at the waist.
Mining supplies could be purchased right in Wells
after the businesses were built.
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