My great grandfather died in a mine explosion in AmEagle … I don’t even think that’s a town anymore. I have one of his headlamps… I imagine it’s 150yrs old at least. My grandmother was 3 when he died. She’s been gone 23yrs . I’m 54. When my dad passed away last April … he left it to me. Very cool piece of history.
McDowell County girl!! Like my dad used to say, growing up in the Weyanoke Coal and Coke Camp in Mercer County, WV..."we were poor, but we didn't know it". Between gardens and hunting, we never went hungry. And our parents loved us and raised us in blue collar Christian homes.
I'm a miner I work in tunnels in California, on the west slope Sierra Nevadas near Tahoe, its solid granite and always 4 to 10 inches of water in the piss ditch it's hard work but we have clean air always coal mines are bad places to be thanks man ✌️❤️🇺🇸😎
@@usabadass8775 back in the 1910's - 1950's it was low pay for extremely dangerous work. At least today's miner (like yourself) usual make a very good wage and are much safer...but still in dangerous. As noted above, my great grandfather and grandfather were Above Ground Mine Forman's at Weyanoke. Dad briefly worked in the mines for about a year before WWII began. Dad enlisted in early 1942 and went on to serve in the US Army Air Force in the 20th USAAF, 7TH Army Air Corp, 414th Fighter/ Bomber Group, 413th F/ B Squadron on Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima. He was considered a Combat Veteran in the South Pacific Campaign. After returning home, to mom. He had a choice of being a Virginia State Trooper or Class A Transmission Lineman for Appalachian Power Company in Bluefield, WV. He took the later. Mom & dad raised us 7 kids (I'm the youngest) in a Blue Collar Christian home, just like they were raised. All 7 siblings worked our own ways through college and went on to do well. I just turned 60yo in February. All 7 kids are now retired.
It is so good to view another excellent video. Thank you so very much for this informative video. This lady was great. Gosh! She told it was it was. My grandfather was a foreman for a coal company, but he passed away before I came into this world. My grandmother used to share stories about him. Cynthia Rylant, a children's author who lived in WV most of her life, wrote a delightful book, "When I Was Young and Lived in the Mountains" which tells the story of her grandfather coming home from the coal mines. Rlylant goes into some detail about what it's like to live in a coal mining camp to give the children about the company store and so on. She is my very favorite female children's author. Just wanted to say thank you again for this awesome video. By the way, I hope your family had a wonderful Easter and that your little girl like the activity and books which I sent.
I have lived in Southern WV all my nearly seventy years and I love this old lady West Virginia. Many people don't understand us and some make fun of us but they don't understand our way of life. I grew up poor financialy even though my Dad worked hard every day. But I was never hungry, afraid or sad, thanks to my parents making me rich in a better way. I thank God that he allowed me to grew up and grew old in the greatest state in the United States. I will never leave my beloved mountains and plan to become literally a permanent part of them in the end. Mountaineers are always free.
This brought back such good memories. I was born in same hospital in Welch and as a kid saw Dr Vega I think that’s the correct spelling. And like she said we never worried about locking doors and everyone knew everyone for the most part now people don’t even know their neighbors
My Poppop Charlie Muncy and Mommom Gladys Muncy raised all 8 of their children in Coal Camp in Bradshaw , McDowell County WV. He worked very hard in the mines, dragging his sick body through thick snow to make sure his children would have those pintos and fried potatoes with occasional piece of meat for dinner. His belly would have been full of gravy and biscuits that he would have just had breakfast with all the children even at that extremely early time. He never owned or drove a car. All of my Aunts and Uncles would tell us stories of growing up dirt poor,but they all were so it didn’t matter. I heard stories of his union going on strikes and them being so hungry that they could barely stand it. Back then people stuck together. Most of my Aunts and Uncles left the area , many to Maryland young to carve out their own paths. My Mom Loretta, along with her sister Donna and my Dad raised my brother and sister and I in Elkton. My grandparents did move their eventually too , where he was able to enjoy about 20 years of decent health before the black lung took him. He was a warm, loving man who lived by example. I am currently living in that same house in coal camp. It has been sold and bought a few times but always between the family. There is a lot of laziness here now. So many houses in this town are either abandoned and need to be removed or look like they are even though they are occupied. Being poor is not a excuse for being lazy and dirty. In my opinion, it should be the opposite. If you are poor because you don’t work but keep having children then you should have plenty of time and help in keeping up with a clean yard and home. I am so grateful for the morals passed down through my generation but am in fear of the future for this area that seems to think they don’t need to go on to college or work because mission groups and the government will support them. They don’t understand those are not their to support them entirely and forever but as a bit of extra , temporary help.
Coalwood girl here, I was born in Grace Hospital, too. Coalwood was the nicest, cleanest little town in the county when I was growing up. The mine closing, and the bad floods have obliterated the town I knew. Some people take pride in their homes and try to keep them nice, others not so much. I try not to go back, because every time it looks worse, but every now and then I drive over and take a ride through town (I live in Virginia, near Bristol--I'll always be close to mountains, wherever I live). It's almost unrecognizable now. I would never have gone back there to live, but hate what's happened to Coalwood and all the little towns in McDowell County. 💔 Maybe the ATV trails can help bring things back to some extent. It's beautiful country that deserves to be seen.
Great video and story. I hear this last loud and clear. I grew up the same way in the Hurley/Blackey, VA area. My father and older brother worked in the coal mines. Dad had his back brook three times and my older brother had his back brook once. So they decided to move north so the younger kids could find a better way of life. We all made a living but sometimes we talked moving back to Va. But we never did. It would be great if they could find a new trade to make the South Rule again. Coal mines are great but very dangerous. There has to be a better way. God bless everyone in the South. ""Thumbs up to your video and Tammy Gibson.
Another wonderful, interesting video! My Grandfather worked in the mines in Virginia and passed early from black lung disease! God bless the miners and their families! Thanks Melody and Shane!!! ♥️
Great interview! I grew up in a small town in Va. in the 60s. Everyone knew each other and looked after all of us kids and I can never remember my parents locking the house up.
Great video once again y’all. I so miss the time this lady was talking about when you did not lock your doors. It was like that all over America at one time in The small towns anyway. It’s so sad to think we will never go back to those seemingly innocent times. 😢 Anyway, sure hope that baby is doing well.
Anything is possible, especially if God wills it. That said it is not very likely. More likely is a division of the country into two or more different ones. Perhaps in one of those you won’t need to lock your doors like the olden days. 😊
Isn't that where the Rocket Boys were from? I live in (central) Ohio, but I'm considering retirement in W. VA. I'm just not sure about the taxes on retirement, social security, and such. All the Best! 73 DE W8LV BILL
Great video! I loved the interview. I love to hear stories about the coal miners. They worked so hard!! ♥️♥️
My great grandfather died in a mine explosion in AmEagle … I don’t even think that’s a town anymore. I have one of his headlamps… I imagine it’s 150yrs old at least. My grandmother was 3 when he died. She’s been gone 23yrs . I’m 54. When my dad passed away last April … he left it to me. Very cool piece of history.
McDowell County girl!!
Like my dad used to say, growing up in the Weyanoke Coal and Coke Camp in Mercer County, WV..."we were poor, but we didn't know it". Between gardens and hunting, we never went hungry. And our parents loved us and raised us in blue collar Christian homes.
I'm a miner I work in tunnels in California, on the west slope Sierra Nevadas near Tahoe, its solid granite and always 4 to 10 inches of water in the piss ditch it's hard work but we have clean air always coal mines are bad places to be thanks man ✌️❤️🇺🇸😎
@@usabadass8775 back in the 1910's - 1950's it was low pay for extremely dangerous work. At least today's miner (like yourself) usual make a very good wage and are much safer...but still in dangerous.
As noted above, my great grandfather and grandfather were Above Ground Mine Forman's at Weyanoke. Dad briefly worked in the mines for about a year before WWII began. Dad enlisted in early 1942 and went on to serve in the US Army Air Force in the 20th USAAF, 7TH Army Air Corp, 414th Fighter/ Bomber Group, 413th F/ B Squadron on Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima. He was considered a Combat Veteran in the South Pacific Campaign. After returning home, to mom. He had a choice of being a Virginia State Trooper or Class A Transmission Lineman for Appalachian Power Company in Bluefield, WV. He took the later. Mom & dad raised us 7 kids (I'm the youngest) in a Blue Collar Christian home, just like they were raised. All 7 siblings worked our own ways through college and went on to do well. I just turned 60yo in February. All 7 kids are now retired.
It is so good to view another excellent video. Thank you so very much for this informative video. This lady was great. Gosh! She told it was it was. My grandfather was a foreman for a coal company, but he passed away before I came into this world. My grandmother used to share stories about him. Cynthia Rylant, a children's author who lived in WV most of her life, wrote a delightful book, "When I Was Young and Lived in the Mountains" which tells the story of her grandfather coming home from the coal mines. Rlylant goes into some detail about what it's like to live in a coal mining camp to give the children about the company store and so on. She is my very favorite female children's author. Just wanted to say thank you again for this awesome video. By the way, I hope your family had a wonderful Easter and that your little girl like the activity and books which I sent.
I have lived in Southern WV all my nearly seventy years and I love this old lady West Virginia. Many people don't understand us and some make fun of us but they don't understand our way of life. I grew up poor financialy even though my Dad worked hard every day. But I was never hungry, afraid or sad, thanks to my parents making me rich in a better way. I thank God that he allowed me to grew up and grew old in the greatest state in the United States. I will never leave my beloved mountains and plan to become literally a permanent part of them in the end. Mountaineers are always free.
I would never think to make fun of y'all, on the contrary, you have my respect.
@@minerran I appreciate that. Thank you
Montani Semper Liberi
This brought back such good memories. I was born in same hospital in Welch and as a kid saw Dr Vega I think that’s the correct spelling. And like she said we never worried about locking doors and everyone knew everyone for the most part now people don’t even know their neighbors
I grew up in Welch my dad worked in the coal mine they men do work hard for there families miss my home place love West Virginia
2 of my favorite RUclipsrs! I wish I had a side kick to travel around with. Thanks for all your videos.
Great video Shane and Melody thanks for sharing 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you 🙏
My Poppop Charlie Muncy and Mommom Gladys Muncy raised all 8 of their children in Coal Camp in Bradshaw , McDowell County WV. He worked very hard in the mines, dragging his sick body through thick snow to make sure his children would have those pintos and fried potatoes with occasional piece of meat for dinner. His belly would have been full of gravy and biscuits that he would have just had breakfast with all the children even at that extremely early time. He never owned or drove a car. All of my Aunts and Uncles would tell us stories of growing up dirt poor,but they all were so it didn’t matter. I heard stories of his union going on strikes and them being so hungry that they could barely stand it. Back then people stuck together. Most of my Aunts and Uncles left the area , many to Maryland young to carve out their own paths. My Mom Loretta, along with her sister Donna and my Dad raised my brother and sister and I in Elkton. My grandparents did move their eventually too , where he was able to enjoy about 20 years of decent health before the black lung took him. He was a warm, loving man who lived by example. I am currently living in that same house in coal camp. It has been sold and bought a few times but always between the family. There is a lot of laziness here now. So many houses in this town are either abandoned and need to be removed or look like they are even though they are occupied. Being poor is not a excuse for being lazy and dirty. In my opinion, it should be the opposite. If you are poor because you don’t work but keep having children then you should have plenty of time and help in keeping up with a clean yard and home. I am so grateful for the morals passed down through my generation but am in fear of the future for this area that seems to think they don’t need to go on to college or work because mission groups and the government will support them. They don’t understand those are not their to support them entirely and forever but as a bit of extra , temporary help.
Coalwood girl here, I was born in Grace Hospital, too. Coalwood was the nicest, cleanest little town in the county when I was growing up. The mine closing, and the bad floods have obliterated the town I knew. Some people take pride in their homes and try to keep them nice, others not so much. I try not to go back, because every time it looks worse, but every now and then I drive over and take a ride through town (I live in Virginia, near Bristol--I'll always be close to mountains, wherever I live). It's almost unrecognizable now. I would never have gone back there to live, but hate what's happened to Coalwood and all the little towns in McDowell County. 💔 Maybe the ATV trails can help bring things back to some extent. It's beautiful country that deserves to be seen.
Thank you for another amazing video!!
Great video and story. I hear this last loud and clear. I grew up the same way in the Hurley/Blackey, VA area. My father and older brother worked in the coal mines. Dad had his back brook three times and my older brother had his back brook once. So they decided to move north so the younger kids could find a better way of life. We all made a living but sometimes we talked moving back to Va. But we never did. It would be great if they could find a new trade to make the South Rule again. Coal mines are great but very dangerous. There has to be a better way. God bless everyone in the South. ""Thumbs up to your video and Tammy Gibson.
Another wonderful, interesting video! My Grandfather worked in the mines in Virginia and passed early from black lung disease! God bless the miners and their families! Thanks Melody and Shane!!! ♥️
Great interview! I grew up in a small town in Va. in the 60s. Everyone knew each other and looked after all of us kids and I can never remember my parents locking the house up.
Thank you Shane and Melody for another great video; we appreciate you!
Great video once again y’all. I so miss the time this lady was talking about when you did not lock your doors. It was like that all over America at one time in The small towns anyway. It’s so sad to think we will never go back to those seemingly innocent times. 😢
Anyway, sure hope that baby is doing well.
Anything is possible, especially if God wills it. That said it is not very likely. More likely is a division of the country into two or more different ones. Perhaps in one of those you won’t need to lock your doors like the olden days. 😊
Happy Wednesday 😊!Awesome video! My dad and I were WV coal miners. Thanks for sharing and safe travels!
Thank you so much, Michael. God bless the coal miners
Interesting and nice interview. Thanks.
Great interview
Beautiful
Emjoyed ❤🤍 💙
Great video! WV proud! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing!
Isn't that where the Rocket Boys were from? I live in (central) Ohio, but I'm considering retirement in W. VA. I'm just not sure about the taxes on retirement, social security, and such. All the Best! 73 DE W8LV BILL
They do tax pensions there, some. But the cost of living is soooo much less than Columbus. A lot of the housing is half what you pay in Columbus.
Man y'all look tired whats up with that?
Caretta still mines coal