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Iron miner's helmet with lamp

Iron miner's helmet with lamp

Collections items are not for sale.
A reproduction can be purchased.

Titles: Iron miner's helmet with lamp (Supplied title)

Description: Rimmed miner's helmet similar to World War I-era U.S. Army military helmets. The helmet has a kerosene lamp fixture attached to the front. It was worn by Adam Shapic circa 1910-1930s. Mr. Shapic immigrated to Minnesota from Croatia in 1910 and wore this helmet in iron mines near Virginia, Minnesota, until he was injured in a mining accident that left him paralyzed. The helmet was manufactured by Mine Safety Appliances Co. in Pennsylvania.

Dates

  • Not earlier than 1910 - Not later than 1940 (Use)

Creation

Identifiers

  • Accession Number: 1999.36.1

Holding Type: 3D Objects

Quantity: 1 item

Format

  • Content Category: artifacts

Measurements

  • 7 inches height
  • 10 inches width
  • 13 inches depth

Subjects

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Iron miner's helmet with lamp

Collections items are not for sale.
A reproduction can be purchased.

Community notes

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  • provide information that clarifies historical context of the item
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Add a note
  1. John B.
    January 03, 2013
    Pertaining to my grandfathers mining helmet: Adam Shapic came to America on a boat from Croatia in 1910 and brought my Grandmother Mary from Croatia the following year. He worked in the Leonidas underground mine from 1910 until he fell from a ladder causing extensive damage to his teeth and head. The mine bosses came to his house the next day convincing him to return to work, but Adams injuries were so bad that an attorney by the name of Greenburg from Eveleth was hired. As it turned out the same Doctors that treated Adam also worked in the hospital owned by the mining company and testified that Adam's paralysis of his whole body was cause by the 1919 influenza epidemic. Adam never received any compensation for his injuries from the mining company. Grandmother took care of Adam until his death in 1940. They both lived in Buhl, Minnesota and had 4 daughters and 1 son [Katherine, Marion, Ann, Rose, Richard]. John Bennett
    Reply
  2. Lizzie Ehrenhalt (MNHS Staff)
    January 07, 2013
    Dear Mr. Bennett, I have added this information to our records. Thank you for writing. Lizzie Ehrenhalt Collections Assistant Minnesota Historical Society
    Reply
  3. John B.
    May 09, 2017
    Pertaining to my grandfathers mining helmet. I found new information to update the history of this: Adam Shapic came to America on a boat from Trieste, Croatia in 1910 to seek his fortune in the "New Country". Upon arriving in New York all were examined for diseases and were put on trains going to different destinations of this country. Adam's destination was Virginia, Minnesota where he stayed with relatives. There was a big demand for miners and Adam had no trouble finding a job. With the money he saved he sent for his sweetheart Marie Theresa from Croatia. They were both born in Kuterva, Yugoslavia and were married in 1911. They moved to Buhl, Minnesota. He worked very hard and the bosses were very demanding. He worked underground and used dynamite to dislodge the iron ore. When one mine closed, he found work in another mine. One day he slipped from a ladder at the Leonidas underground mine and he fell causing extensive damage to his arm, teeth and head. The m
    Reply