The Hercules Mine of Idaho

In 1915, the Hercules conglomerate bought smelters in Northport, Washington, and Carnegie, Pennsylvania. They also bought the Consolidated Lone Pine, Pearl, and Surprise mines near Republic, Washington. These mines were low in gold and silver production but high in silica, which was needed for the smelters.

The Hercules was still limping along when the start of World War I brought a demand for, and raised prices, of metal ores. Zinc was especially in demand. The Days had acquired the Tamarack, Custer, and Sherman, which were good producers of zinc.

During this time, the U.S. entered World War I and there was a threat that the federal government would seize control of the mines for war production. Instead the owners got together and formed a committee agreeing to turn over 20% to sell the government at 1 cent below market rate. The Hercules did well and mine made a profit of $3,690,400 in 1917, which helped pay for the smelters.

During and after the war, union activity increased. There had been a shortage of labor, to the point teenagers were hired for some jobs. Eventually after threatened strikes, Bunker Hill owners agreed to an 8-hour work week. The International Workers of the World (Wobblies) union, which started in the timber industry, was gaining a foothold and the mine owners wanted to keep them out. They were afraid of their violent tendencies. The Hercules employed more security, put up fences and night-time lights, always on the look-out for sabotage. They were also wary of some of the foreigners who came in, particularly the Germans and Swiss, worried about their socialistic tendencies.

After World War I ended, the demand for lead decreased. Many of the mines reduced production or closed. The Hercules and other Day properties closed. Shortly afterward the unions struck, but the owners refused to deal. After several months when economic conditions improved, the men finally came back to work and an 8-hour day was agreed to. Some arrests of IWW leaders for syndicalism finally loosened their hold in Idaho. The Mine, Mill and Smelters Union still had members but the owners refused to recognize their collective bargaining or their grievance process.

They closed the Northport Smelter on April 1921 because of low prices and high railroad rates. They later sold it to ASARCO and renegotiated a deal. Production hampered the mine once more on February 24, 1923 when a fire in the mine, closed

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