I, too, have been wondering if anyone on this mailing list has shared information concerning the coal mines and the miners who made up this major industry in Jefferson and adjoining counties during so many years. My father and grandfather were coal miners in such mines as "Witch Hazel", "Sunshine", "Piney Fork" and other names that I recall only when someone uses the name. My father's only brother, Ernest Durbin, was killed in a mine--I know not which--when he was in his early 20's. He left behind a young son and a pregnant wife. I also had an uncle, one of my mother's brothers, who died as a result of a slate fall that severed his spine at the deep shaft in Unionvale, Harrison Co., OH. I recall the sound of the whistle that blew at mines when there was a major accident somewhere deep beneath the ground. I remember the smell of coal dust brought home on the clothes and body of my father. One of my great grandfathers owned a small "worked out" mine from which he sold to a few local customers in the "Long Run/Dillonvale" area. I've tried to find books on the subject of coal mining in southeastern Ohio but can find none. I've even considered the possibility of taking on the task of researching the topic and talking with families in the area who were "coal miners' families" to attempt to draw together what must be a wealth of local color stories and historic events in that area. Any suggestions, information or whatever would be most appreciated. Having lived in a coal miners' town, Adena, with a coal miner father, grandfather and loads of coal miner relatives during part of the Great Depression, I know something of the thoughts and experiences of that time and place. Ed Durbin Barbara wrote: > > Hi, I have the feeling this is a "stupid question" - hopefully it will be > seen as naive instead :-). > It seems most, if not all, of my Jefferson Co. CAMPBELL, MOORE (& > affiliated families) ancestors were coal miners, and there were several who > died in mine related accidents. > Can anyone give me an estimate of how many coal mines were operating in the > mid to late 1800's in Jefferson Co, especially around Bergholz?... How many > are active today? ...And can anyone recommend a book I could get via > interlibrary loan (or a web site/article!) that discusses the mines in the > area? > > Thank you, > Barbara Richardson