ODDS’N’SODS — Taking the Bull by the horns

Noranda Mines moved into the Porcupine camp in the mid-1930s and, in due course, made its presence felt by opening the Pamour mine in 1935-36, the Hallnor mine in 1937-38 and the Aunor mine in 1939-40.

At the Aunor gold mine, Noranda handled the engineering for the 600-ton mill, crusher, headframe, shops, hoist and hoistroom and initiated a program to deepen the shaft.

Tom Bullock was put in charge of sinking, and when I joined Aunor as a mechanical superintendent in 1939, I began a working relationship with “Bullock the Bull” that would last 10 years.

Despite the Bull’s no-nonsense manner, he was, underneath it all, an incorrigible practical joker, and some of the pranks he pulled off were unbelievable. Tom wasn’t fond of what he described as “those beady-eyed engineers,” and he rode them pretty hard whenever he could.

When a bright young geologist named March Cooper came to Aunor, the Bull figured he had found another target.

One morning, Marsh, who was packed in like a sardine along with everyone else descending in the cage, was amazed when a gloved hand came out of the oil suits and smeared his face and neck with diamond drillrod grease. Being stuffed in like that, Marsh could only sputter and swear while the Bull provided a laugh for everyone in the cage.

Marsh kept his eye on the Bull after that. A few months later, however, to the chuckles of those in the cage, the gloved hand reappeared, this time smearing Marsh with cable grease.

Arriving one morning at a work station in an undeveloped part of the mine, Marsh heard huffing, grunting and swearing. Investigating the sounds, he discovered that the Bull, who was also the timber boss, had been lashed to a large stull by the timbermen, who had then gone back to work.

The Bull ordered Marsh to cut him loose, but the geologist noticed a coiled water hose nearby. He pulled up a powderbox, opened the valve slightly and proceeded to drench his tormentor. The Bull, between curses, had no choice but to promise that never again would he bother Marsh Cooper.

As Marsh continued to spray the helpless Bull, the cage glided into the station, and who should step off but mine manager Stan Saxon and Noranda’s senior vice-president, Oliver Hall. They watched in amazement for a few moments before Stan turned the water off and bellowed, “What are you two idiots up to?”

Without any conversation, Marsh cut the Bull loose and they both hurried off, wondering whether they were still on the payroll.

Stan, being a good egg, let the incident slide.

— The author, a frequent contributor to this column, resides in Boyertown, Pa.