Honoring the Miners

So talking about Duke Power and their use of coal brought back some harsh memories of coal mine disasters that I can remember. I’m sure there were more but these are the ones that stick out in my mind:

1937 Baker Mine over in Sullivan. I think 20 died here. It is the earliest memory I have of a mine explosion and I remember it not because we lost family but some members of the family rushed there to help out and this of course left the women to wring their hands over their safety.

1941 Panhandle mine here in Bicknell. 14 died here after an explosion. What I remember most about this was that another group made it out by walking about two miles underground and up.

1961 Viking Mine in Terre Haute. 22 died here and while I was no longer in the area I still felt the horror of it when I reached out to home.

American Coal Mining Co. Bicknell

American Mine Bicknell

Freeman Coal Co. Bicknell

In their honor I would like to share this poem by David Ronald Bruce Pekrul:

The Coal Miner

His face is black, his cough is heavy,

He works far underground,

A breed apart, one-of-a-kind,

His type is hard to be found.

He works in the dark from nine to five,

And sees not the light of day,

And when he is done he stands in line,

Just waiting for his pay.

His wife and children are waiting at home,

They worry when he is away,

They hate that damned old coal mine,

And wonder why he wants to stay.

Then news of a cave-in spreads through town,

There's panic on everyone's faces,

The mine has been buried and so have the men,

They're gone and without any traces.

There's weeping and praying, there's cursing and more,

But everyone there pitches in,

They work through the evening and then through the day

Just looking for loved-ones and kin.

Now in the dark distance they see a small glimmer,

The light from a helmet is there,

And then in the rubble they see the coal miner,

Which causes the people to stare.

For over one shoulder he carries a miner,

And with his right hand drags another,

His life he would forfeit if they needed him,

He cares for them like they were brothers.

These days he just sits and thinks of the mine,

And tears overwhelm like a flood,

And often he wishes that he was still there,

For coal dust is still in his blood.

Sorry no Redneck picture today, just something to honor the miners…..