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| Bart Trucano at Spearfish Area Historical Society 3-1-2016 |
On March 1, 2016, Bart Trucano led over 80 members of the
Spearfish Area Historical Society down the "Trucanos and Trojan" path
of ancestry and stories. Bart's great
grandfather, Matteo Trucano, left a monastery in Italy as a young man to come
to the Illinois coal fields. His other
great grandfather, Peitro Ciuretto, also came from Italy and moved to
Terraville to work in the Terraville Mine where he was tragically killed by a
blast in 1897. The next generation,
Bartholomeo Trucano and Mary Ciuretto Trucano, stayed away from the mines and
became grocers in Lead. Bartholomeo
joined the Christopher Columbus Society, a club that advised and helped
immigrants become naturalized.
Bartholomeo's naturalization papers were signed by Sol Starr and in 1915
he registered for the draft for WWI.
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| Early Day Open Cut Mining Black Hills Area |
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| Trojan, SD approx 1918 Jim Ciuretto and Curt Hoselton delivering groceries |
Some facts from the times:
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A postcard in 1910 cost 1 cent to mail.
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In 1914, miners who were in ill health went to
Hot Springs for health treatments in the spa.
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The town of Trojan, west of Lead with a
population of about 500, was originally named Greenmont then Portland, then
Trojan.
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In 1907, Homestake Mine changed the work hours
for miners from 10 hours a day seven days a week to 8 hours a day seven days a
week. They
offered 6 days a week but the miners wanted to work Sundays.
offered 6 days a week but the miners wanted to work Sundays.
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Trojan Mining Co. eventually became Bald
Mountain Mining Co. It employed about
200 people.
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Cyanide can lids were used around the area as
insulation.
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| Aldo Trucano in center of group of people cross-country skiing in Trojan/Terry Peak Area 1927-1929 |
