Each miner that works in the mine possesses two round brass tags for tagging “in” and “out” on the 800 level and in the winze. In addition to this each miner has a brass nametag permanently attached to their belt. This is required by law, very similar to “dog tags” worn by military personnel.
When a miner leaves the Sixteen to One, the remaining miners “spike his brass” by attaching it to a specific timber at the 800 station. Many of the brass tags are literally nailed to the timber with a track spike. Often, the size of the spike and the degree to which the brass is pounded are a reflection of how well the miner was liked or disliked by the other miners. If the miners are glad to see somebody go, the brass is likely to be spiked with a large spike and pounded beyond recognition. On the other hand a well-liked miner’s tag is spiked with a nail, little damage being done to the brass. If this miner returns he can retrieve his brass from the timber.
One of the greatest insults betweeen miners is to spike the brass of a currently employed miner. A miner at the Sixteen to One was fired once when, as a joke he spiked his supervisor’s brass.
Rae Bell
Curator