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Eccles, WV (Raleigh County) - A Selected History Early 1900s Through Present Day - |
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Miners of Eccles Page 7 of 8 |
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"King Coal" Tribute to a Coal Miner
The old man stood gazing and sobbed aloud at the coal miner standing so tall and proud reminiscing of his own working days the back breaking labor; a family to raise
His faithful pick and shovel always at hand while the exhausted mules, patiently they stand for the to be loaded and hauled away only to return again, day after day
For the coal was dug out by hand in that day with only dim head lamps to guide their way crawling through tunnels in the bowels of the Earth never realizing their true value and worth
I remember the stories my father would tell of his mining days of agony and hell no medical care then, no pensions, meager pay that was how conditions were in that day
The company houses, little more than shacks the cold winter winds blowing through the cracks while the chiefs prospered in their homes on the hill at the expense of the miner's knowledge and skill
The families at home existing in fear that the dreaded whistle they might hear fearing that their loved ones may have been killed that the mine might be forever sealed
As the men were carried out, one by one a husband, a brother, a father, a son they huddled together in a human prayer line please Lord, don't let it be one of mine
The March of Blair Mountain, for a union they fought bitterness and protests for what they had sought violence and insults as they marched by with dignity, they proceeded, their heads held high
Even when the modern technologies of now the miners still toil by the sweat of their brow exposing their lives to hidden dangers that lurk this is their livelihood, for most, their life's work
Such a great struggle for miners through the ages resulting in new safety measures, benefits and wages oh, the blood, sweat and tears, so many lives slain their struggle for a union has not been in vain
Coal miners are the symbol of brotherhood they stand united where they can do the most good when their brothers, near and far, must struggle and fight they rally to join them, to stand up for right
Our coal miners belong in a class of their own united as one, never standing alone their heritage, their determination to preserve surely, this recognition, they so richly deserve
Coal's valuable resources o'er the ages have spanned constantly coming into greater demand our factories and plants, their research expanded to furnish for us what we take for granted
No wonder West Virginia is called "King Coal" the title befitting, with progress our goal due to their efforts, our community thrives thanks to our miners for enriching our lives
We, in West Virginia, salute all those who labor brother to brother, neighbor to neighbor to those who gave their lives for the cause we honor their memory with heart felt applause
A tribute to all of our coal miners throughout this nation, who, by their unceasing labor, bring so much into our daily lives!
Written by: Sultana Hager Danville, WV June 2000
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Poem: "King Coal" Tribute to a Coal Miner - The Coal Miner poem was written by my sister in law Sue Hager of Danville, WV.
Submitted by Jolene Hager Luth - April 10, 2004 |
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