Mine Wars

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Tue. Feb. 02, 2016 6:46 pm

Recently PBS had an interesting documentary on the turn of the century coal mine wars, where the coal miners, UMW, and owners were battling it out against each other in Southern West Virginia. Lots of original photos and movies of that horrific time, showing the abuse the coal miners had to endure from their employers, and the battle that ensued from them and the unions. And it would have to make modern miners appreciate what they have today, compared to the primitive tooling, and back breaking work required to mine the coal back then. PBS usually replays their program, so I would recommend anyone interested in this history to check it out. 2 hrs long.

Post by **Lightning** » Tue. Feb. 02, 2016 7:07 pm

Cool. Was that the name of the show? "Mine Wars"?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Tue. Feb. 02, 2016 7:19 pm

Thanx for the heads up JQ. Surprised I missed that one.

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Tue. Feb. 02, 2016 7:22 pm

It was one of their American Experience episodes, and was titled "Mine Wars". Hope you guys get to see it.

Pauliewog · Post by **Pauliewog** » Tue. Feb. 02, 2016 7:30 pm

I am pretty sure that is one of the documentaries my son recorded for me. The other one was on the Knox Mine Disaster , which put the end to 95% of the underground mining in Wyoming Valley.

I didn't get over to see them yet, and I'm hoping he can save them for me on a DVD.

Paulie

Post by **Lightning** » Tue. Feb. 02, 2016 7:53 pm

Hey Joe, should be able to stream it right here.
http://www.pbs.org/video/2365647481/

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Tue. Feb. 02, 2016 8:20 pm

I didn't get to load it Lee, and I'm not much for watching 2 hr programs on my little 'puter monitor. But if it's titled Mine Wars, you've got it. Thanx for posting the link.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Tue. Feb. 02, 2016 9:12 pm

Thanx Lee, I'll watch it tomorrow.

Post by **Lightning** » Wed. Feb. 03, 2016 5:58 am

Yer welcome Fred, I watched the first few minutes of it last night. Looks really interesting.

franpipeman · Post by **franpipeman** » Wed. Feb. 03, 2016 7:20 am

I saw it . Its a good way to learn what happens with absolute free market capitalism. Another one is the triangle garment factory fires , another example Meanwhile I have to go take my ashes out

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Wed. Feb. 03, 2016 8:15 am

Thanks for posting this, Joe. And thanks for the link, Lightning. It was interesting.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Wed. Feb. 03, 2016 10:06 am

This was especially interesting viewing for myself as I did spent some time in and around the area where this had taken place. I worked doing upgrades on natural gas compressor stations on the pipelines through out that region about 7 years back.
That general area is still quite a site to see even in our present times.

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Wed. Feb. 03, 2016 12:12 pm

Saw it, liked it. Very interesting part of our history.

Paul

franpipeman · Post by **franpipeman** » Wed. Feb. 03, 2016 3:39 pm

I have read the autobiography of Mother Jones one of the United Mine Workers go to women . She was instrumental in this story. She had tragedy throughout her life. I think she coined the phrase "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living ."

get apple tv and you can watch this on your bigs screen tv at the time and day of your choosing and since it pbs there is no charge except you need internet connection in

joeq · Post by **joeq** » Wed. Feb. 03, 2016 4:50 pm

McGiever wrote:This was especially interesting viewing for myself as I did spent some time in and around the area where this had taken place. I worked doing upgrades on natural gas compressor stations on the pipelines through out that region about 7 years back.
That general area is still quite a site to see even in our present times.

Larry, are you saying the old mines are still exposed? I don't imagine anyone's been working them for years.