Bits & Bites in Digital
Reflections: Growing Up In a Coal Mine Community
The mind reaches out through time and space
then tries to hold each by gone memory in place
A questions ask the return of an encouraging word,
ears tuned and all is heard.
Now to record all that was said for future tales to have and be read.
The mind reaches out through time and ever changing place
So as to fill up any empty space.
One dark and dreary night, across the street and adjacent to the restaurant, we late movie goers on our way home sighted this plant protection officer assisting a man by holding a flash light for the man as he was changing a flat tire. It was later revealed that the man was stealing a tire from the automobile and that the plant protection officer was not aware of what was taking place and therefore became victimized by the thief.
The "Big Store" With the passing of the years
Gone is the "Big Store"
This company store was a clutter of everything and more.
From hardware, groceries, clothing and string;
Shelved were shoes, flannels and jeans
The counters were made substantial and wide
With bins of merchandise inside;
On top stood the scales, the coffee, the tea
Another held pots, pans for all customers to see.
Though stock was as vaied as it could be
The center showcase filled with candy delighted me.
Lucky was we with a penny or two
Looking at the peppermint sticks and licorice soon to share with you.
BIG STORE
In the early mining years at Lynch, ponies and mules were used as work companions of miners. These animals would often go blind from working in the darkness of the mine. Dad brought home a blind pony and gave it to my older brother who loved ponies. A neighborhood boy also wanted a pony. So dad told him if he prayed and behaved himself he probably could be given a pony. Several months went by and finally another pony became blind. The neighborhood boy was given this pony.
The Depot ah! The Ole Cho-Cho Train
What ever happened to the noon-day train?
It always arrived in sunshine, snow or rain.
What ever happened to the steel rails, wood ties and spikes that held all in place?
Wild plant vegetation has changed their face
What happened to its whistle and line of many coal cars?
Why do we now wonder about the space program and the planet mars.
What happened to the Lynch Depot that stood by the tracks?
I wonder now; its falling down as thoughts go wandering back.
Remember the trains whistle and its echo through the valley
It would be good to see the belching of the grey-black smoke rising in the sky
and hear the
clanging engine bell.
Canary [birds] were utilized in early mining of coal. These birds were transported to the work face where coal was being extracted. If the birds became inactive or died this was an indicator that sufficent oxygen was not available to sustain the miners. It also indicated that noxious gas was present.
Buildings of A By Gone Coal Mine
These old mine buildings depict a place in time of a by gone era.
The buildings illustrate a
chronology of life in a Coal Mining Community.
An aging of the buildings harbors the
comings and goings of time.
Some have been abandoned to the sun, the rain, the wind and snow.
Others to the vandals who cherish the sound of a thrown stone.
These vintage buildings continue to endure.
Some now with sagging roofs and loosened
bricks, ripped by the wind
they are graced with beauty by that is all their own.
Now standing by the road side and some all alone,
they represent a generation of people that were proud to dream.
These were people who spoke of their work which is echoed in a mountain forest of
whispering trees,
and heavy low growing plant vegetation now carrying all those dreams.
POST OFFICE & BANK
The Bath
There was a time when saturday night had a meaning all its own. It was weekly shower night at the
the Mine 31 bath house for the neighborhood boys. Grab a towel and a bar of soap and then off to the blessed
event.
The grand Lynch Hotel so majestically stood.
The center portico of stone and wood
There were plush stuffed chairs in the lounge; a brass spittoon or two.
A bowling alley, barber shop, and a shoe shop too.
The Frog Pond
Reflections of one tiny dried up pond are flowing throw my mind where the huge coal fire lit up the slate dump outcropping. Above the smokes grey hue, the eyes wattering - clothing smelling - a climb to the top - just another ride on the roofing tin with fourteen friends sitting in line. Whenever I'm dreaming and in need of a boyhood friend the slate dump will come to mind. I think of that tranquil dried up pond and the memory of things I grew so fond.
Excursion (Field Trip)
The U S Coal & Coke Company arranged for many activities for employees an their families. Here is one outing arranged by the company. The day consisted of mine car transportaion into and through portal 31 which exited on the opposite side of the mountain at 'Little Maggie' on the Cumberland river in Letcher County, Kentucky. 'Little Maggie' was a favorite site on the river where the locals could swim and picnic. After a nice day of fun, everyone then boarded the mine cars for the trip back through the mine and home.
The Whale of a Tale
A Whale packed on ice and salt was transported to Lynch by an enclosed rail car of the L & N Railroad Company. This scientific creature was then put on display for the school children. The entry fee charge was 10 cents. Upon entering a guide gave a short talk on this gigantic creature of the sea.
Water Mellons
Occasionally, during the summer, trucks loaded with water mellons would arrive late in the evening after a long days journey from Georgia or Alabama. The farmers parked their vehicles on Main Street near the bath house restaurant so as to have a good vantage point to shift changes at Mine 31. Fatigued from the days travel and after dark the drivers would fall asleep. The local boys on their way home from the picture show would sometime help their self to a nice plump juicy water mellon from one of the trucks.
| Black Diamond Coal NetParent Site 1997-2004 |
This Page Hosted by
