Mine Shaft

If you wander around long enough you might find an open mine shaft like this. Now think about those working conditions... Remember this is the 1860s... "So, um, you want me to crawl down that little hole that looks two foot by three foot, hauling a pick a shovel & a bucket and dig for 10-plus hours a day for six days a week in a place where the winter is 8 months long and you're going to pay me... how much?" ... "Any benefits? Health care? Workers comp? Sick leave? Vacation days?" And one of the local mines was entirely funded by folks in London.. When the mine gave out they just pulled all of their money out, sold the equipment they could and just left the mess behind... all from the comfort of their gentlemen's club.

Gold Mine
Mine Shaft
Sierra Nevada
California