This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: schoolmama Surnames: Hall, Jones, Crider,Rainey Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.counties.harlan/14647.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: If you were like me, living through those horrible days, when our dads went on strike for a better life,the memories are so sad. The coal miner never got ahead in life, many days into the strike, there was no food, on the table. Neighbor helping neighbor. Our grandads, dads, brothers had a terriable life as a coal miner. I left Harlan as a spohmore in high school to become a nanny in Lexington for a wealthy family with three small children. The mom was so depressed she never got out of bed. As young as I was, I wondered, she has everything, why is she so depressed and sad. Steaks on the BBQ, a freezer full of food, a maid, a cook and a money in the bank. I never understood then the molding of a man under the thumb of the coal operator. I do now. My Parents never had time to think out loud, if they were worried, we kids never knew the pain, that filled thier hearts. We had nothing to compare our lives with. In that movie, was Sudie Hall, what she said about her dad was true, Nannie Crider went to jail, she married Hershel(Rainey). Nannie was the daughter of Denver and Vera Crider. The young Jones boy that lost his life due to the strike was tragic. When I watch that documentary I cry, because I can feel the pain and frustration that each and every family experienced being the slave to the coal operators. Today I feel my life is so different than my parents, because the coal mines never became part of my life after I decided at a very young age, there has to be a better life some where and in my own way, I found it. I still have family there and my heart is there, I don't think that many today could survive the harsh reality that our ancestors faced. Life was harsh, rugged and the coal miner was a breed that stood tall, proud and held on to his dignity, beliefs and instilled in his children, strength, courage and love of God. Proud to be a coal miners daughter. Elva Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.