City Directories and History: The Rock Hill Record reported on April 15, 1904 – “That Mr. O.J. Theis, Manager of the Blackmon Mine in Lancaster Co., was in Yorkville today. He is prospecting in York County for gold and looking at some of the valuable mineral interest. His father Capt. A. Theis was for many years the successful manager of the well known Haile Gold Mine.”
The RH Herald reported on April 29, 1880 and May 20, 1880 – “A party of NY capitalists recently visited the Haile Gold Mine. They brought a mining expert who was pleased with the property and they may buy it.” Later, “The capitalists’ who visited the mine a few weeks ago have purchased the property and are now preparing for active operations.”
On Aug. 19th, 1880 the Rock Hill Herald reported – “A Northern Company which has bought the Haile Gold Mine plans to install new machinery valued at $25,000.”
The RH Herald reported on July 28, 1881 – “The new machinery at the Haile Gold Mine will add over $100,000., to the taxable property of Lancaster County.”
On Feb. 22, 1883 the Herald reported – Mr. F.G. Spilsbury of the Haile Gold Mine on Monday deposited three gold bricks, each worth $1,200. in the Mint at Charlotte. This represents the proceeds of the mine for the month of January.”
The Yorkville Enquirer of Jan. 31, 1884 reported – “The Haile Gold Mine near Camden employees 200 workman and has 13 steam engines. ”
On April 22, 1886 the Rock Hill Herald reported – “Capt. H.P. Waring, the assessor of the mint in Charlotte, recently sent to Phil., two thousand five hundred dollars in gold from the Haile Gold Mine in Lancaster County.”
The Lancaster Ledger contained an ad on Aug. 4, 1886 – “Dr. J.M. Hunter and Dr. G.M. Wells are physicians and surgeons with offices at Haile Gold Mine, S.C. and Taxahaw, S.C.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Aug. 25, 1886 – “The Haile Mining Co., in sinking a new shaft, struck one of the richest veins of gold they have discovered in some time. The yield last month was greater than for several previous months.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported (from the Lancaster Ledger), on Nov. 15, 1893 – “On last Tuesday, while hands were engaged at work in shaft #2 at the Haile Gold Mine, a large amount of rock and dirt caved in on some of the crew. Instantly killed were George Knox, (Hardt), and Jason Maloney and two others were hurt. All the men were African American labors.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on April 4, 1896 – “It is not generally known, but the Haile Gold Mine in Lancaster Co., was once the property of the grandfather of Dr. J. R. Massey and Mr. Henry Massey (of Rock Hill.).”
Nov. 14, 1896 the Herald reported – A gold brick valued at $6,500. passed through Rock Hill Wednesday afternoon. It was consigned from the Haile Gold Mine to the U.S. Treasury in Washington.” (An online calculator valued this brick as equal to $186,600. in 2015)
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Aug 12, 1908 – “There was a terrible explosion at the Haile Gold Mine yesterday morning at 9:07 A.M., two one hundred pound boilers blew up, demolishing the engine house and stamp mill. Four were injured including the son of Capt. and Mrs. A. Theis of Rock Hill. Earnest A. Theis, is superintendent of the mine and was seriously burned on his head and body and cut by debris. Others injured were: B. M. Truesdel, J.P. Pittman, (burned and stunned), and E.M. Ogburn (burned and cut). Later the Herald learned that Mr. Theis died about 1:30 A.M.”
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