Today we went to the Beckley Exibition Coal Mine, Terex Equipment, the McDowell County Court House and Matewan. I have never been in a mine before today. I wasn't sure what to expect. I learned something new today. I knew that calcium carbide made a gas when mixed with water, but didnt know it was acetelyne. Our guides name was Marvin. He used to be a coal miner, but now he is a guide at the exibition mine. Marvin gave us a great tour. This coal from this mine comes from the Sewell Coal Seam. This is the same seam that the coal camp that I researched got its coal from. After seeing Marvin demonstrate how the early miners got the coal out and then seeing how the highwall mining machine at the Terex Plant worked - wow what a difference. It gave me a greater appreciation of what my grandfather and great grandfather went through when they worked the mines. Great grandpa was almost 67 yrs old and still mining coal by hand. He had a heart attack died on his way home from work. I really enjoyed the museum at the mine as well. The miners house reminded me of how it used to be out at my dad's aunts and at grandma's house. It was a very pleasant trip down memory lane.
The highwall mining machine we saw at the Terex Plant was really something. Josh's dad works there and was instrumental in getting us in. The high wall mining machine is huge. Someone said it looked like something out of StarWars. Stuff like that that is made right here in WV is something we can all be proud of. The folks at the plant actually listen to what the miners who use the highwall machnine tell them so that they can make it a better product. What a thought. I found it especially interesting that the plant manager told us that younger people catch on to operating the high wall mining machine better than the older folks do. Something good comes out of playing video games.
We left the Terex Plant and headed to Welch to see the McDowell Co. Court House. We got our pictures taken where Sid Hatfield was shot as he went up the steps. We also went to Matewan and got hear Mike Little tell us about the Matewan Massacre. The folks who run the museum opened it up for us. The gentleman who works there gave us some additional background about what happened as well. Dr. Little took us over in town and walked us through what took place there. There are conflicting details of what actually happened that day and why. I would have thought it was pretty open and shut especially since so many people saw what happened. The actual drive we made today was my least favorite thing we have done on the trip. It was sad to see the condition of the towns and surrounding areas. We spend alot of taxpayers money helping people over seas. We need to help our own first. I don't see a whole lot of difference in what we saw today and what Lyndon Johnson saw 40 yrs ago when he came through this area and started his programs to help the poor in Appalachia. We are fortunate in that when this trip is over we can return to our nice comefortable homes and lifestyles and walk away from this. These folks don't have that option. Unfortunately I don't see much comeing into this area that will give it the shot in the arm it needs to be revitalized.
No comments:
Post a Comment