Members of the Lake Superior Mine Institute are seen. (Photo courtesy of the Ishpeming Historical Society)

ISHPEMING — Created to “promote the arts and sciences connected with the economical production of the useful minerals and metals in the Lake Superior Region,” (LSMI Proceedings 1903, Page 1), the Lake Superior Mining Institute held its first meeting in 1893 in Iron Mountain.

“At the outset, it was something of a speculation as to whether a sufficient membership could be secured to make it self-supporting. The annual report of the secretary sows that there were 378 members enrolled and that there was a balance of cash on hand of $1,962.19.” (Iron Ore, August 22, 1903)

“Any person interested in the objects of the Institute is eligible for membership.” (LSMI Proceedings 1903, Page 1) Of course, they had to be proposed by at least three current members, approved by the council, and elected by ballot at a regular meeting.

There were dues of $5 a year and a membership fee of $5 as well. (That $5 would be equal to $146 today.) For a one time payment of $50, any member could become a lifetime member and not have to pay dues again.

George Newett, editor of the Iron Ore, was probably a founding member. His newspaper served not only the citizens of Ishpeming, but the mining community at large. Detailed minutes of each meeting were kept and each year he would produce an olive green, hardcover book filled with information on the meeting, a list of members, the bylaws and more. Some of these books are still around and many have been digitized.

The session in 1903 was held in Ishpeming August 18-20. “The members and guests began to arrive Monday evening and by Tuesday evening there were fully 200 visitors in Ishpeming where the opening session was held. Pullman cars had been provided for those not securing accommodations elsewhere and all were comfortably provided for.” (LSMI Proceedings 1903, Page 5)

During the day, there were plenty of excursions. In 1903, the members of first to the Maas Mine in Negaunee. At that time, the mine had yet to produce any ore, as the shaft was still being drilled. “Here was seen the deepest shaft sunk through quicksand in the Lake Superior region.” “The shaft proved of much interest to the party” (Iron Ore, August 22, 1903)

After lunch came tours of mines in the southern part of Ishpeming, with the Section 21 mine, property of the Lake Superior Iron Company first on the list with mining captain John Trebilcock on hand. Next on the list were the Section 16 mine, the Pittsburgh and Lake Angeline mine.

“The Cleveland Lake shaft was the last to be visited for the day, and the final mining property to be looked over during the trip. This is a Cleveland-Cliffs possession and the ore mined lies in the Old Lake Angeline basin. A new shaft, engine house, etc., are the late features.” (Iron Ore, August 22, 1903)

In the evening, the meeting moved to the opera house (later the Ishpeming Theater) where the business part of the meeting was held. After an address by President Walter Fitch, several papers were presented. Many of the papers were technical in nature, such as ‘Sinking and Equipping No. 9 Shaft, Ashland Mine’ and ‘High Explosives, Their Safe and Economic Methods of Handling.’

“A paper on mine accounting by Mr. Walter M. Jeffrey, auditor for the Oliver Iron Mining company of the United States Steel corporation, was an interesting one, and brought out more discussion than any yet presented the institute.” (Iron Ore, August 22, 1903)

“Mr. W.G. Mather, president of the Cleveland-Cliffs company, gave a highly interesting paper on the ‘Charcoal Iron Industry on Lake Superior. The product of all the furnaces, the time of construction of the stacks, their output, as well as the product of the entire state of Michigan and the United States was given.” (Iron Ore, August 22, 1903)

Wednesday’s excursion started off with a short stop at the Queen groups of mines in Negaunee, then progressed to the Pioneer Furnace No. 2 in Marquette.