Bachman, West Virginia
From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia
A 1903-04 map of the coal lease lands of the New River Coalfield does not show a mine at Bachman. The mine was likely opened about 1906-07 when the C&O completed the railroad bridge across New River near Sewell, which permitted the opening of the railroad's mainline along the south side of the river between Bridge Junction and MacDougal. A post office was established at Bachman at some unknown date. Bachman was included on a 1917 list of West Virginia post offices.
A list of mines in West Virginia for the year ending June 30, 1907 listed the Bachman mine as a drift mine, operated by the New River Valley Coal Company, with a post office address at Fayette. On January 30, 1908, nine workers were killed in a mine explosion at the Bachman mine. The Annual Report of the Dept. of Mines for the year ending June 30, 1913, listed the"River Valley Colliery Company" as operating the Bachman mine. That year, the company shipped 7,164 tons of coal. The coal was mined by electric cutting machines and hauled by mules.
The name of the mine was apparently changed from Bachman to Atlantic in about 1917, and another mine opened soon afterwards. These mines were known as Atlantic Nos. 1 & 2. West Virginia mining records (1) indicate the Bachman mine was operated by River Valley Coal Co. during the period of 1907-1917 and Maryland Coal Mining Co. between 1917-1921 -- the Atlantic mines operated by the Atlantic Coal & Iron Company from 1921-1923.
Judging from what little information found regarding the Bachman mining operation one might assume the colliery remained a relatively small operation through its years of operation. The operation life of the mine was relatively short in comparison to most of the mines in the New River Gorge.
A 1921 list of coal mines in West Virginia listed the Atlantic Coal & Iron Co. as operating the Atlantic Nos. 1 & 2 mines, with its post office address shown as Bachman. A 1923 Fayette County publication cited the same company as operating the Bachman mine, describing it as a drift mine working the Sewell seam, with thickness of 3 ft. 6 in. That year, the company employed 44 workers who worked 75 days. The company's offices were in located in Bachman. Only machine mining was done, but four mules were used to move of coal. J. W. Garvey was superintendent, and E. H. Turner was foreman.
Rafter's Reference: The ruins of Bachman, if any, are located downstream of the New River Gorge whitewater on Hawk's Nest Lake.
Sources
(1) West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training, mine data tonnage reports
