Early coal mines

[laplander]

We {Melvin and I} hunted a bean field along an abandoned railroad track near a ghost town/coal mine. The finds were plentiful but the keepers were few and far between. I love finding these coal miners tags as they were personal items representing a days productivity. Miners weren't paid by the hour but by the coal cart full as he filled the cart he would attach his tag to the load. The tags were held to his clothes by a large safety pin. The miner still wasn't paid cash but received credit at the company store where he could trade for coupon books or tokens to be used at the store. Consumption or black lung turned these mostly immigrant workers to dust at an early age feeding our young countries industrial appetite.
06 barb dime VDI 24
97 V nickel VDI 12
large brass buckle VDI mixed high tones at over 18 inches
# 65 miners tag from mine number 4 VDI 23
Nox field 2 program
HH Jeff

 

[utmike]

Love the old tags and tool checks, especially when they have the mine name on them. Sounds like a great hunt!

 

[Dale(Ia)]

Love the tag, Jeff! A nice piece of history!!

Iowa Dale

 

[The Lost Ring]

A beautiful story about the transition from the contradictions of daily life to the serenity of history.

 

[Ronstar]

Tennessee Ernie sand about that company store, doesnt seem fair but ya did what ya had to do to feed the family…..neat finds!

 

[bootyhoundpa]

Cools finds and description…

 

[JimmyCT]

Awesome finds!! Love the miners tag!

 

[still looking 52]

Just getting to hunt an area like that would be exciting, knowing the history behind the area makes every target you go after exciting.
Love that barber dime.

 

[laplander]

Just getting to hunt an area like that would be exciting, knowing the history behind the area makes every target you go after exciting.
Love that barber dime.

With 3 to 5 thousand workers it was a huge complex with multiple mines. You have a sense of reverence for what happened there!

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

Yes, I know the times well. Maybe just part. Ha. Ha. I'm an old coal miner and fire boss. So was my dad and his dad and my mother's dad. I remember buying things at the stores. I find miner tags a lot and a few old store tokens. I find carbide lights, but nothing much is left. I still have my light from the mines and carbide lights I use caving. Thanks for showing. Post some more finds and good luck.

 

[laplander]

Yes, I know the times well. Maybe just part. Ha. Ha. I'm an old coal miner and fire boss. So was my dad and his dad and my mother's dad. I remember buying things at the stores. I find miner tags a lot and a few old store tokens. I find carbide lights, but nothing much is left. I still have my light from the mines and carbide lights I use caving. Thanks for showing. Post some more finds and good luck.

Thanks John, I think were on the same page!
HH Jeff