Deep Enough: A Working Stiff in the Western Mine Camps

by Frank A. Crampton

Deep Enough, first published in 1956, is the adventure-filled autobiography of Frank Crampton in the mines, mining camps, and frontier towns of the American wild west in the early 1900s. At age 16, Crampton ran away from home, traveling west aboard freight trains in the company of hobos and 'bindle stiffs.' A fast learner, Crampton mastered hard-rock mining skills, and went on to work in most of the important western mining camps in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Nevada. From mine-hand, Crampton moved on to work as an assayer, surveyor, and eventually became known as one of the West’s best mining engineers. Included are 32 pages of photographs from the author's collection.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Research

366 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1982

Reviews

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might be the best personal account of the life of a hardrock tramp miner at the turn of the 20th century. He worked in mining camps in Nevada, California, Arizona, Colorado and elsewhere, 1888 to 1918. On my reread list. $2 @ Kindle, 9/7/20

[Julie Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. Wish I could afford to give a copy to everyone I knew!

[Clyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Crampton was born into a wealthy New York family. By his own account he was a bit of a scamp, even a rogue perhaps -- anyway, frequently in trouble. At the age of 16 he was kicked out of his prep school. Deciding he had enough of school and social boundaries ("deep enough" in the mining vernacular he would learn), he then ran away from home and headed West. There he learned new trades in the tough mine fields, worked and played hard, and did well.
This book is the story of his adventures in the Western mining communities. He was lucky to survive some of them as he was naturally disposed to taking chances.
Damn good book; a look into a world that is now gone. Worth the price ($2 for the Kindle version) just for the photos at the end.
Solid 4 stars.

[TENN2ARIZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of the life of a hardrock miner in the Western mining camps of 1890 to 1925. Unfortunately, it does gloss over the illegal deportation of 1300 miners in the Bisbee strike of 1917; this was ordered by Arizona Republican governor Tom Campbell in collusion with the mine owners and the National Guard. Other than that huge oversight, the book is very good and probably understandable to even non-miners.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading!

If you are interested in western mining in the early 20th century read this book. I have been to many of the places mentioned this book in NV, AZ, and CA. Not knowing those places were discussed in this prior to reading it. Added a lot to my understanding of them after the fact.

[Gwbnyc]

A long tall read with many loose ends. I'll give it five stars for entertainment provided and unabashed whopperation. Page or two in he describes himself as Norman Rockwell's half brother ...I dare ya.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting delve into historic mining.

[Rob McLennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting window into life during the 19th century mining boom

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting biography/ 1st person experience of the mining industry at the turn of the last century.