Autobiography of Wilbur R. Thatcher (My Dad) Installment 9 of 10
This week's blog is installment 9 of 10 of my Dad's autobiography about growing up in Wayne County Iowa. Next week will conclude Dad's autobiography so it will be followed with additional memorabilia from Mom and Dad's era until the release of my book Bring Me Back Home coming soon.
My grandfather Fern Green was a coal miner as was his son Ralph. Dad used to haul coal to Corydon with a team & wagon for hire. He went the night before to be in line for the next morning. There were many mines around. Pete Carpenter owned one & many farmers dug coal in the winter time to make extra income. Pete received black lung money which built his new house on the farm. (Reimbursement for miners afflicted with lung problems resulting from mine work.) John L Lewis of Lucas Iowa made this possible through his efforts to recognize coal mine workers. Clinton Hellyer dug coal in his younger days. He had a friend who when they went down into the mine he would eat his pie, so if the mine caved in, no other bastard would get it. Alf Hayhurst & family also had a coal mine. There were many many mines in Wayne & Appanoose counties, Floyd Parks new home was built on the location of a coal mine. Seymour had many coal mines inside the town boundaries. The Croatians came to Centerville to work in the mines. The shale from the slag piles was our first attempt at curing dirt roads. Later crushed rock became available & still used today.
