Koyle Relief Mine map
Scope and Contents
Ink sketch map of the Koyle Relief Mine, also known as the 'Dream Mine,' located in Salem, Utah (31 x 38 cm). The creator of the map is unidentified, and the item is undated, but it appears to be an original. The map includes a 21-item key, and is traced in pencil on the reverse of the sheet (minus some of the shading), producing a backwards image.
Dates
- approximately 1930-1939
Conditions Governing Access
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Koyle Relief Mine map must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical
John Hyrum Koyle (1864-1948) married Emily Arvilla Holt on December 9, 1884. He served an LDS mission from 1888 to 1891 in the Southern States. Based on dream instruction starting in 1894, and a desire to help others, Koyle opened a “Relief Mine” in the mountains east of his home and started the Koyle Mining Company in 1909. After years of conflict with LDS Church leadership, Koyle repudiated his claim in 1947, but reversed himself and was excommunicated in 1948. After Koyle's death in 1949, Quayle Dixon took over the company, which was succeeded by the Relief Mine Company in 1961.
Mine founder John H. Koyle, was born August 14, 1864 in Spanish Fork, Utah County. He married Emily Arvilla Holt on 9 December 1884. They had four sons and three daughters. Koyle served an LDS mission from 1888 to 1891 in the Southern States. In August 1894, he experienced a dream in which he was taken to a high mountain east of his house and shown an ancient "Nephite" mine full of treasures and artifacts. Koyle was instructed that he was to open a mine and extract gold for the welfare of "his" people during a time of world crisis, hence the name "Relief Mine"; he especially received instruction on how to develop the mine, including air shafts, escape ways and drainage tunnels. In 1909 the Koyle Mining Company was formed with 114,000 shares of stock issued at $1.00 per share.
In 1910, Koyle was called as bishop of the Leland Ward in Spanish Fork. The mining activities closely coupled with his church work attracted attention from LDS Church leaders. Apostle James E. Talmage, a geologist by training, could find no evidence that precious metals would ever be found in the strata being explored. The Mormon Church spoke out against the Koyle mine and associated activities and released John H. Koyle from the bishopric. He continued to attract opposition from the Church for the rest of his life. He negotiated a repudiation of his claims in 1947, but then reversed himself almost immediately and was excommunicated from the Church on April 19, 1948. John Hyrum Koyle died May 17, 1949 in Payson.
(Norman C. Pierce, The Dream Mine Story, Salt Lake City, 1972; Utah History Encyclopedia.)
Administrative
The Koyle Relief Mine, also known as the Dream Mine, is located east of Salem in Utah County. Based on a dream of John Hyrum Koyle, the Koyle Mining Company was founded in 1909 at one dollar per share. In 1910, geologist and LDS Church apostle James E. Talmage examined the designated land and declared that no ore would be found there. Koyle repudiated his claim in 1947, but reversed himself and was later excommunicated. After Koyle's death in 1949, Quayle Dixon led the company through ups and downs in success until 1961, when it was succeeded by the Relief Mine Company.
The Koyle Relief Mine, also known as the Dream Mine, is located east of Salem in Utah County. The mine founder, John H. Koyle, served an LDS mission from 1888 to 1891 in the Southern States. In August 1894, he experienced a dream in which he was taken to a high mountain east of his house and shown an ancient "Nephite" mine full of treasures and artifacts. Koyle was instructed that he was to open a mine and extract gold for the welfare of "his" people during a time of world crisis, hence the name "Relief Mine"; he especially received instruction on how to develop the mine, including air shafts, escape ways and drainage tunnels. In 1909 the Koyle Mining Company was formed with 114,000 shares of stock issued at $1.00 per share.
In 1910, Koyle was called as bishop of the Leland Ward in Spanish Fork. The mining activities closely coupled with his church work attracted attention from LDS Church leaders. Apostle James E. Talmage, a geologist by training, could find no evidence that precious metals would ever be found in the strata being explored. The Mormon Church spoke out against the Koyle mine and associated activities and released John H. Koyle from the bishopric. He continued to attract opposition from the Church for the rest of his life. He negotiated a repudiation of his claims in 1947, but then reversed himself almost immediately and was excommunicated from the Church on April 19, 1948. John Hyrum Koyle died May 17, 1949 in Payson.
The mine continued in fits and starts under the leadership of Quayle Dixon for another twenty-three years. In 1961 ... the Relief Mine Company succeeded the Koyle Mining Company and continued to do the minimum $100 per claim annual assessment work.
(Norman C. Pierce, The Dream Mine Story, Salt Lake City, 1972; Utah History Encyclopedia.)
Extent
1 oversize folder (0.1 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
Benchmark Books acquired the map from an individual who had purchased it from a dealer in Salt Lake City (Beehive Antiques). The map was apparently left over from a collection of Relief Mine items purchased by Special Collections within the last year (possibly what is now MSS 5992, papers of Benjamin Franklin Woodward and son Benjamin Spencer, the former speculated as most likely to have drawn the map), but for some reason was not included in the purchase. Special Collections purchased the map from Benchmark Books in March 2012.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased; Benchmark Books, Salt Lake City, Utah; March 2012.
Appraisal
Utah and American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th Century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.VII, 2007).
Processing Information
Processed; David Whittaker, Curator, and Amanda Crandall, Manuscripts Specialist; April 2012.
- Title
- Register of the Koyle Relief Mine map
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- David Whittaker, curator, and Amanda C. Crandall, manuscripts specialist
- Date
- 2012 April 9
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States