The phrase “stubborn as a mule” was fitting, as the animals would often simply refuse to move, leading some workers to think they actually knew when they were being overworked.

This stubbornness actually made the mule a better option for mine work than their equine brethren, as horses would often literally work themselves to death.

To keep the mules working, miners would feed them carrots and sometimes even get them chewing tobacco.

It was quickly found that the best mules were happy mules – mistreatment often led the animal to seek revenge by refusing to move or worse, by pushing a worker into the rib. The era of the mule in mining ended in the 1960s when a law was passed that forbade the use of animals in mining.

Photo courtesy United States Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, National Mine Health and Safety Academy, Technical Information Center and Library, Bureau of Mines Collection.

This photo forms part of the American and Australian Longwall Magazines' flashback series. Click on the photo to enlarge.