Vail / Deadman Mine  

The Vail Mine was on Deadman Creek, which flows into the Big Greys River. It was owned by the Vail Coal Co. of Idaho Falls. On February 11, 1938, the mine exploded killing five men. Mrs. Baker skied to Sam Young's ranch to report the disaster. Rex Young heard the dog's barking and found Mrs. Baker lying exhausted in the snow. The explosion came from the 350 foot tunnel where fine coal or "bug dust" instead of damp, non-explosive rock dirt was used to pack the blasting powder into the bore. Rex and Sam Young found that the explosion had scattered debris 300 feet from the mine. A plane flew the mine inspectors to Young's ranch. Thirty-six miles of road was cleared of seven feet of snow to remove the bodies and rescue team. In the late 1950's, Joe Goyen opened the mine as the Dead Man Gulch Mine. The mining lease is still active in 1996.