References & Resources are only a push button away.
As a young girl of only 7 or 8 I was fascinated by the grocery clerk. She sat on a high stool, sliding groceries along side her with one hand and with the other hand she would push a series of buttons and then pull a lever. I thought, "that is so cool! I want to push buttons too!" Little did I know what an impact buttons would play in my life.
I literally make a living pushing buttons, one keystroke at a time.
I have always loved libraries and books. I could spend hours lost in the stacks of the local library and even today, I browse without using the catalog, just to experience the stacks. It is a great way to learn about the world.
As a recent college graduate I have spent hundreds of hours pushing buttons, wandering stacks, and expanding my horizons. One experience of my college career that has had a profound impact upon me was my study of the Monongah mine disaster of 1907. I have read hundreds of pages, interviewed community members, researched and reviewed photographs and original documents, and spent many hours reviewing hundreds of maps from the turn of the century.
In his book, Monongah: The Tragic Story of the 1907 Monongah Mine Disaster, the Worst Industrial Accident in US History Davitt McAteer explores the beginnings of the community and the events of December 6, 1907 that changed history forever.
"At about 10:30 on the morning of Dec. 6, 1907, J.H. Leonard watched as 14 loaded coal cars rose out of the No. 6 Mine in Monongah.
Leonard's main job was to keep the mine's 9-by-11-foot ventilation fan lubricated. Using large oilcans with long spouts, Leonard oiled the motor and wheels hourly and tightened the fan belt frequently to keep it from slipping. Both jobs were vital to keeping fresh air flowing into the underground workings." Monongah, McAteer, Davitt
It was these words that helped to capture my attention and stir my desire to learn more about Monongah and the events of that fateful day. I spent hundreds of hours over two years traveling around West Virginia, immersing myself in libraries across the state, and writing, reviewing, and proofing countless papers, reviews, and ramblings about a date that had no direct impact upon my life. At least not until I picked up the book.
The worst industrial accident in U.S History! This book has my attention now! My husband is a landscape architect and has spent the last three years working with community members in Everettville to build a memorial to their own mine disaster. Being new to West Virginia I'm eager to learn more about this subject as it have obviously had a profound impact on how West Virginia see themselves.
ReplyDeleteI remember that in 2007 the city of Monongah had a rememberance ceremony. The middle school choir performed at it. This event shaped that community as well as the surrounding areas. Thank you for sharing, I am going to have to pick that book up on my kindle as a summer read.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very scary happening. My dad is a miner and I worry all the time. Many family members where lost that terrible day.
ReplyDeleteMy father was a coal-miner. I am going to have to read this book.
ReplyDeleteOne of my very best friends lost her father in the 1968 Farmington Mine Disaster.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved to West Virginia, a friend of mine told me about the mine disasters. The Sago disaster was still fresh. How scary.
ReplyDeleteCoal mining and West Virginia go together like peas and carrots.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know anyone that died as a result of this accident however one of my friends had two family members that were killed. He went ahead and became a miner for a period of time but not without some doubts from his family. Coal mining is dangerous, but through the accidents of the past they have begun to make safety provisions for the future.
ReplyDeleteOne of my first jobs was working as a grocery store clerk. This story sounds very intriguing as my son-in-law is a coal miner. I may just have to read about this story too.
ReplyDeleteWhile coal mining has been WV's life, it has taken many. My husband's family lost their home, friends and neighbors in the 1972 Buffalo Creek Disaster. Luckily, they all survived. My husband was born 9 months later.
ReplyDeleteCoal mining is very important to WV, and many people do not recognize how dangerous this career can be. Disasters can occur and will always be remembered.
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