Re: (erielack) RE: Coal is hard...

[Njricky2_@_aol.com]

An excellent piece of writing that truly paints a visual picture, not to 
mention the photograph that brings it home. Well done indeed.

The piece and photo brought back scant visual memories of seeing my 
grandfather coming home covered in black dust after a day's work in the mines. For many 
years, he worked the Underwood Mine in Throop, PA (a suburb of Scranton), 
which was served by the Erie. As time passed and the mines closed he travelled 
farther out to find work. Eventually he gave up mining. The lack of work close 
to home coupled with health problems (black lung) forced his decision. 

For anyone interested, check out www.undergroundminers.com. It's a website 
run by a group of guys who actually enter abandoned mines in northeast PA for 
photographic and documentation purposes. It's a great site for those who either 
have a family history related to anthracite mining or who are interested in 
the subject.

Thanks for a great piece.

Rick Sedlisky
ELHS #3319

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End of EL List Daily V3 #1484
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