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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DOREN BISHOP, SUPERINTENDENT FOR ROBIN MINES OWNED BY THE ALMA COAL CORPORATION NEAR CLOTHIER AND MADISON, WEST VIRGINIA STANDS ON THE ROAD WHICH WAS MADE FOR THE NEW MINE THAT IS BEING OPENED. IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW MINING CHANGES THE LANDSCAPE SOMETIMES CHANGES SUCH AS THIS RESULT IN EROSION AND FORCE FAMILIES TO MOVE THEIR HOMES
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF THE BRASS WHICH IS AFFIXED TO THE BELT OF EACH MINER WHO WORKS FOR THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. IT LISTS THE MINER'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, NAME AND BLOOD TYPE. THE V-P COMPANY IS A SUBSIDIARY OF THE ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY WHICH IN TURN IS A SUBSIDIARY OF THE OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM COMPANY. NOT ALL MINES HAVE SUCH AN IDENTIFICATION PLATE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ONE OF THE ENTRANCES TO CHATTAROY, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR WILLIAMSON, LEADS PAST A CHURCH OF GOD. THERE ARE MANY SMALL CHURCHES IN THE MINING AREA AND MOST HAVE A FUNDAMENTALIST BELIEF CHATTAROY IS A SMALL TOWN WITH NO INDUSTRY. MOST OF THE PEOPLE SURVIVE ON WELFARE, SOCIAL SECURITY, PENSIONS AND BLACK LUNG BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. EARLY MORNING LIGHT ENRICHES A BUCOLIC SCENE AT CLAYPOOL HILL, NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, ABOUT A DOZEN MILES FROM THE COAL MINES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DR. DONALD RASMUSSEN, PHYSICIAN AT THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY OF THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL, IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA, PLACES A SYRINGE IN THE ARM OF A COAL MINER ABOUT TO BE TESTED FOR THE DISEASE. BLOOD SAMPLES WILL BE TAKEN AND THE MINERS' HEARTBEAT MONITORED WHILE HE EXERCISES ON A TREADMILL. THESE AND OTHER KNOWN TESTING METHODS ARE USED TO DETERMINE IF THE MINERS HAVE COAL DUST PARTICLES IN THEIR LUNGS WHICH CAUSE A PROGRESSIVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COAL LOADER NEAR CHATTAROY IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR WILLIAMSON. THIS TYPE OF MACHINE IS USED TO MOVE COAL AND IN CLEANUP OPERATIONS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ALICE THOMPSON, BESOCO, WEST VIRGINIA, IS SHOWN WITH MILK BOTTLES HER NEIGHBORS FURNISH HER WATER WITH AFTER HER WATER LINES WERE CUT OFF. SHE IS DIVORCED FROM A COAL MINER WHO WAS IMPRISONED FOR KILLING A MAN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COAL BARGES TIED UP ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER WAITING TO BE UNLOADED BY AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT AT THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY STEAM PLANT AT CUMBERLAND CITY, TENNESSEE, NEAR CLARKSVILLE. IT IS THE LARGEST TYPE STEAM PLANT AND ONE OF THE MOST MODERN IN THE WORLD. THE PLANT KEEPS ONE MILLION TONS OF COAL ON HAND AT ANY ONE TIME
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS LINE UP TO GO INTO THE ELEVATOR SHAFT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA THE MAN AT THE RIGHT WEARS A RED HAT WHICH MEANS HE IS A NEW MINER AND HAS WORKED BELOW LESS THAN A MONTH. HIS BELT ALSO SHOWS LESS WEAR THAN THE OTHERS. THE MINER AT THE LEFT CARRIES RED MAN CHEWING TOBACCO, USED BY MANY OF THE MEN BECAUSE THEY CANNOT SMOKE IN THE MINES. THEY ALSO PREFER TO CARRY THEIR OWN WATER RATHER THAN USE WHAT THE COMPANY PROVIDES
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER WALKING ON A TREADMILL IN THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY AT THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA DURING THE TEST BLOOD SAMPLES WILL BE TAKEN FROM HIS WRIST, AND HIS HEARTBEAT WILL BE MONITORED. THESE AND OTHER KNOWN TESTING METHODS ARE USED TO DETERMINE IF THE MINERS HAVE COAL DUST PARTICLES IN THEIR LUNGS WHICH CAUSE SHORTNESS OF BREATH. UNITED MINE WORKERS FUNDS HELP PAY THE COST
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PAUL DAVIS, 49, OF NEWTON, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR CHARLESTON SEATED IN A LOG SMOKEHOUSE HE HAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. INTERIOR VIEW OF THE FLIP COOP STORE IN WILDER NEAR COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE, WHICH WAS STARTED WITH FEDERAL OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FUNDS AND SERVES MOSTLY OLD PEOPLE IN THE AREA. IT WAS BUILT NEXT DOOR TO AN ABANDONED AND BURNED OUT COAL COMPANY STORE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER IN VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, OPERATES A SHUTTLE CAR WHICH TAKES THE COAL FROM THE CONTINUOUS MINER AND MOVES IT OUT OF THE TUNNEL TO A CONVEYOR FOR TRANSPORT OUT OF THE MINE. THIS MINE PROCESSES METALLURGICAL COAL FOR USE IN STEELMAKING FURNACES. THE SHUTTLE CAR DRIVER WILL TURN AND FACE THE OTHER WAY ON THE TRIP BACK
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE COOL MORNING AIR CONDENSES A BOY'S BREATH AS HE WALKS ALONG A COAL CAR ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL IN CUMBERLAND, KENTUCKY, IN HARLAN COUNTY. COAL MINING REMAINS THE LARGEST SINGLE INDUSTRY IN THE AREA. WHEN THE YOUNGSTERS GROW UP MANY OF THEM FACE THE CHOICE OF WORKING IN COAL RELATED JOBS OR MOVING AWAY FROM THE AREA, AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A ROOF BOLTING MACHINE IS SHOWN IN THE CENTER OF THE PICTURE IN A NEW MINE OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA. THE SELF-PROPELLED MACHINE HAS A DRILL THAT BORES HOLES IN THE CEILING OF THE SHAFT AND AUTOMATICALLY SCREWS FOUR TO FIVE FOOT BOLTS WHICH ACT AS BRACES TO KEEP THE ROOF OF THE SHAFT FROM FALLING. AT THE RIGHT IS A YELLOW BRATTON (CANVAS) USED TO CHANNEL FRESH AIR INTO THE MINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY STEAM PLANT AT CUMBERLAND CITY TENNESSEE, NEAR CLARKSVILLE, ONE OF THE MOST MODERN IN THE WORLD COAL FOR ITS FURNACES ARRIVES BY BARGE AND IS UNLOADED BY AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT. ABOUT ONE MILLION TONS OF COAL IS ON HAND AT ALL TIMES AT THIS PLANT IN NORTH CENTRAL TENNESSEE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PULLEYS THAT TRANSPORT COAL FROM BELOW GROUND TO THE CONVEYOR BELTS MOVING BETWEEN THE STORAGE SILO AND THE CLEANING PLANT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. ONCE THE COAL REACHES THE PLANT AN AUTOMATED CONTROL ROOM MONITORS THE MATERIAL AS IT IS CLEANED AND SCREENED ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLEANING TRAYS AND SCREENS IN THE CLEANING PLANT OF THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA THE V-P COMPANY PROCESSES METALLURGICAL COAL WHICH IS USED IN MAKING STEEL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WATER WHICH HAS BEEN USED IN CLEANING COAL IS THEN PLACED IN SETTLING PONDS. IT WILL BE PURIFIED AND RETURNED TO THE STREAM FROM WHICH IT WAS TAKEN. THIS POND IS NEAR WILLIAMSON, WEST VIRGINIA WHICH HAS THE LARGEST TRAIN COAL YARD IN THE WORLD
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DOREN BISHOP, SUPERINTENDENT FOR ROBIN MINES OWNED BY THE ALMA COAL CORPORATION, SITS IN A BEER JOINT IN CLOTHIER, WEST VIRGINIA NEAR MADISON. THE MINES HE IS SUPERVISING IS JUST OPENING AND HASN'T BEGUN TO PRODUCE YET
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. TYPICAL SHOT OF MINERS' HOMES BY THE RAILROAD TRACKS WHILE THE SUPERVISOR'S HOUSE IS UP THE HILL. THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN IN CLOTHIER, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR MADISON. IT IS SYMBOLIC OF THE RIGID CASTE SYSTEM WHICH PREVAILED BETWEEN LABOR AND MANAGEMENT IN THE MINES, BUT WHICH IS NOW BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER LEE CALDWELL, ON A SELF-PROPELLED ROOF BOLTING MACHINE IN A MINE OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA. THE MACHINE HAS A DRILL THAT BORES HOLES IN THE CEILING OF THE SHAFT AND AUTOMATICALLY SCREWS FOUR TO FIVE FOOT BOLTS WHICH ACT AS BRACES TO KEEP THE ROOF FROM FALLING. IN THE UPPER FOREGROUND IS A BOLT THAT HAS JUST BEEN DRILLED IN. THIS METHOD CUTS DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF WOOD POSTS NEEDED AS BRACING. THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS JOB IN THE MINES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A TECHNICIAN AT THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA, MONITORS A MINER WHOSE LUNG CAPACITY IS BEING TESTED. BLOOD SAMPLES ALSO ARE TAKEN AND HIS HEARTBEAT IS MONITORED WHILE WALKING ON A TREADMILL THESE AND OTHER KNOWN TESTING METHODS ARE USED TO DETERMINE IF MINERS HAVE COAL DUST PARTICLES IN THEIR LUNGS WHICH CAUSE A PROGRESSIVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A MEMBER OF THE ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY TRAINING STAFF AT ITS FACILITIES NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, C.E. BARNETTE IS SHOWN WITH A DUMMY USED TO DEMONSTRATE MOUTH TO MOUTH RESUSCITATION BARNETTE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE COMPANY FOR 42 YEARS, 36 OF THEM INSIDE THE MINES AND WAS ONCE TRAPPED UNDERGROUND BY FIRE FOR TWO DAYS. ALL MINERS NEW TO THE COMPANY MUST SPEND A 40-HOUR TRAINING PERIOD WITH THIS MAN, EVEN IF THEY HAD PRIOR EXPERIENCE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JACK SMITH, 42, A DISABLED MINER IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, IS WHEELED DOWN THE STREET BY HIS DAUGHTER, DONNA, 16, TO THE BEER JOINT HE OPERATES. HE HAD WORKED IN THE MINES FOR ONE YEAR WHEN HIS LEGS WERE CRUSHED IN A ROOF CAVERN, BUT IT WAS 18 YEARS BEFORE HE RECEIVED WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION FOR THE ACCIDENT. UNDER HIS ARM IS THE CASH BOX HE USES AT THE TAVERN. SMITH IS ACTIVE IN THE UNION AND HAS MANNED THE PICKET LINES IN HIS WHEELCHAIR IN THE PAST
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A GREASED PIG CONTEST WAS ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC HELD AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE. YOUNGSTERS ARE SHOWN SURROUNDING THE BOX CONTAINING THE PIG. MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK, EAT BARBECUE PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS AND LISTEN TO THE COMPANY PRESIDENT DISCUSS HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. FIRST SHIFT OF MINERS AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, LEAVING THE ELEVATOR. THEY WILL BE REPLACED BY THE SECOND WORK SHIFT THAT WILL WORK FROM 4 P.M TO MIDNIGHT. A MIDNIGHT TO MORNING OR quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT WILL CONDUCT CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS. MANY OF THE MEN CARRY THEIR OWN WATER JUGS FROM HOME, PREFERRING TO DO THAT TO DRINKING THE COMPANY PROVIDED WATER. THOSE WHO SMOKE ABOVE GROUND CHEW TOBACCO WHILE AT WORK
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MRS. THAXTON, 90, IS A WIDOW AND MOTHER OF RETRIED MINERS WHO LIVE IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. NURSES IN THE OUTREACH PROGRAM FROM THE MOUNTAINEER HEALTH PLAN VISIT HER AND CHECK HER HEALTH
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ALVIN ELLEDGE, LEFT, ON THE COAL LOADER IN A TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY MINE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE. THE LOADER PICKS UP THE COAL BUT DOES NOT CUT IT. NOTE THAT HE SITS ON A CANVAS SEAT THAT PULLS HIM ALONG THE GROUND. AT THE RIGHT IS FOREMAN JERRY LAYNE WHO IS ABOUT TO CHECK THE ROOF AHEAD OF THE LOADER PRIOR TO PLACING A FOUR TO FIVE FOOT ROOF BOLT IN THE CEILING AS A BRACE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WORK BECAUSE THE ROOF COULD CAVE IN BEFORE BEING BRACED
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE GLOW OF A MINER'S LAMP ILLUMINATES THE HEAD OF A CO-WORKER AS HIS LAMP SHINES ON HIS WORK IN A MINE OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE. THIS IS THE WAY THE MINE LOOKS TO THE MINERS WHO DIG COAL THERE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. Mr. and Mrs. Berry Howard of Cumberland, Kentucky, and the New Truck He Just Bought with Some of His Black Lung Payments, He Retired from the Mines Several Years Ago, the Disease Results from Coal Dust Particles Filling Air Sacs in the Lungs and Causes a Progressive Shortness of Breath
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF A RAILROAD ENGINE AND COAL CARS LOADED FOR SHIPMENT TO CUSTOMERS AT THE DANVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR CHARLESTON. TRAIN YARDS NEAR CHARLESTON. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TRANSSHIPMENT POINTS FOR COAL IN THE WORLD. A CONSTANT STREAM OF RAIL CARS LOADED WITH COAL IS MOVED IN AND OUT OF THE SMALL TOWN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MAN OPERATING A CONTINUOUS MINER IN VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. NOTE THE WATER SPRAYING IN FRONT OF THE MACHINE TO KEEP COAL DUST PARTICLES OUT OF THE AIR. LIME OR ROCK DUST ALSO IS USED TO CONTROL THE AIRBORNE PARTICLE PROBLEM. THE CONTINUOUS MINER PASSES THE COAL BACK TO A SHUTTLE CAR WHICH TAKES IT OUT OF THE TUNNEL FOR TRANSPORT BY CONVEYOR OUT OF THE MINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DAVID SHANKLIN, 19, LIVES IN A COAL COMPANY TOWN NEAR SUNBRIGHT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND GRADUATED FROM LOGAN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL. HIS GIRLFRIEND, JANET EDWARDS, 17, STILL ATTENDS HIGH SCHOOL IN LOGAN. DAVID'S FATHER WAS KILLED IN THE MINES IN 1954 BY A ROOF FALL AND HE WANTS TO BE A MINER, BUT HIS MOTHER DOESN'T WANT HIM TO. THE YOUTH HAS A BROTHER WORKING IN THE MINES. NOTICE THE OUT HOUSES IN FRONT OF THE HOMES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. VIEW OF MINERS' HOMES IN A COAL COMPANY TOWN NEAR LOGAN WEST VIRGINIA. NEXT TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THEY ARE ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE MINE SUPERVISORS' HOMES. THE ONE STORY MINER HOMES HAVE FOUR ROOMS WHILE THE SUPERVISOR HOMES HAVE FOUR ROOMS ON EACH OF TWO STORIES. THE PHYSICAL SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT SIZE HOUSES WAS SYMBOLIC OF A CASTE SYSTEM OF THE PAST THAT NOW IS CHANGING. SEE PICTURE #13981 FOR SUPERVISOR HOUSING
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. AERIAL OF RAIL YARDS IN DANVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR CHARLESTON, THE SECOND LARGEST IN THE WORLD BEHIND WILLIAMSON WEST VIRGINIA. THERE IS A CONSTANT STREAM OF COAL CAR TRAFFIC IN AND OUT OF THESE TOWNS AS TRAINS HAUL THE MATERIAL FROM THE MINES ENROUTE TO DESTINATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HERSHAL AND MAI SHREWSBURY LIVE JUST OUTSIDE OF A COALMINING AREA NEAR BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA. HE WORKS AS AN OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SUPERVISOR IN RALEIGH COUNTY. SHE IS ACTIVE IN HELPING WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES. HE HAS ONLY ONE LEG, SO HE WAS NEVER EMPLOYED AS A MINER
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF MINE SAFETY DEVICES AS SHOWN AT A KENTUCKY STATE MINE SAFETY CONTEST HELD IN BENHAM, NEAR CUMBERLAND. FROM THE LEFT, THEY ARE AN ANEMOMETER, WIND VELOCITY METER; A G-70 METHANE DETECTOR, FOR CHECKING GAS; AND A FLAME SAFETY LAMP FOR BLACK DAMP THAT WILL GO OUT IN MINE POCKETS WITH LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF OXYGEN. THESE DEVICES ARE CARRIED BY THE MEN DESIGNATED AS SAFETY MEN IN THE MINES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. FROM AN ABANDONED MINE IN THE FOREGROUND CONTRAST WITH THE MODERN EQUIPMENT USED BY THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #2 SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND. THE TIPPLE IS A DEVICE WHERE COAL IS PLACED FROM THE MINES AND THEN LOADED ONTO TRANSPORTATION NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. AERIAL VIEW OF MOBILE HOMES USED BY FAMILIES WHOSE HOUSING WAS WIPED OUT IN THE EARLY 1970'S WHEN AN EARTHEN DAM GAVE WAY DURING A RAINSTORM ON BUFFALO CREEK AND CREATED A TIDAL WAVE THAT KILLED 104 PEOPLE NEAR MAN AND LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA. THIS IS NOT THE MAIN VALLEY, BUT A HOLLOW OFF TO ONE SIDE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MARTHA ANN CRIDER COMES FROM A COAL MINING FAMILY AND IS THE WIFE OF A RETIRED MINER LIVING IN FIRECO, NEAR BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA. SHE IS PRESIDENT OF THE MOUNTAINEER FAMILY HEALTH PLAN. IT IS RALEIGH COUNTY'S ONLY COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH PLAN FOR 7,000 HOUSEHOLDS WITH 16,000 PEOPLE OF WHICH 90 PER CENT ARE COAL RELATED SHE IS A BRIGHT, ARTICULATE WOMAN WHO IS AT EASE WITH THE POOR, THE POLITICIANS AND THE PRESS. IT IS A FEDERAL PROJECT FUNDED FOR $3.2 MILLION BY H.E.W
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER WAYNE GIPSON, 39, WITH HIS DAUGHTER TABITHA, 3. HE HAS JUST GOTTEN HOME FROM HIS JOB AS A CONVEYOR BELT OPERATOR IN A NON-UNION MINE. AS SOON AS HE ARRIVES HE TAKES A SHOWER AND CHANGES INTO CLOTHES TO DO LIVESTOCK CHORES WITH HIS TWO SONS. GIPSON WAS BORN AND RAISED IN PALMER, TENNESSEE, BUT NOW LIVES WITH HIS FAMILY NEAR GRUETLI, NEAR CHATTANOOGA. HE MOVED NORTH TO WORK AND MARRIED THERE, BUT RETURNED BECAUSE HE AND HIS WIFE THINK IT IS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COALMINER C.K. PARKER, HIS WIFE AND 14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER OUTSIDE THEIR HOME AT CLAYPOOL HILL NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. HE WORKS FOR THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY AS AN ELECTRICIAN HIS FATHER WAS A FEDERAL COALMINE INSPECTOR IN VIRGINIA, AND HER FATHER AND GRANDFATHER WERE MINERS IN WEST VIRGINIA. PARKER DRIVES 18 MILES TO WORK, AND IS TYPICAL OF THE MINERS IN THE AREA WHO COMMUTE TO WORK. THE PARKERS FEEL THE IMAGE OF THE MINER IN A CABIN IS WRONG
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HOUSES PERCHED ON A HILLSIDE IN LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA. MANY HOMES ARE BUILT ON HILLY GROUND BECAUSE FLAT LAND IN THE VALLEYS IS AT A PREMIUM. MANY OF THE YOUNGER MINING FAMILIES ARE BUYING MOBILE HOMES BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAPER THAN CONVENTIONAL HOUSING AND TAKE UP LESS SPACE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. REX LAYNE, 14, TRIUMPHANTLY HOLDS UP ONE OF THE GREASED PIGS HE CAUGHT AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC HELD AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. DURING THE DAY THE MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK, PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, EAT BARBECUE AND HEAR THE COMPANY PRESIDENT EXPLAIN HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COAL TIPPLE HOLDS THE MINED MATERIAL AFTER IT IS CLEANED AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. EMPTY COAL CARS ARE ROLLED UNDERNEATH TO BE FILLED, THEN TRANSPORTED TO CUSTOMERS. THIS MINE PRODUCERS METALLURGICAL COAL FOR USE IN STEELMAKING FURNACES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. LARGE FAN EQUIPMENT USED TO BLOW FRESH AIR INTO VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #2 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA IT TAKES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POWER TO FORCE THE AIR INTO ALL THE TUNNELS OF THE MINE. IT IS WINDY IN THE MAIN SHAFTS AS THE AIR PASSES BY ON ITS WAY TO THE MANY TUNNELS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DONNA SMITH, 16, DAUGHTER OF DISABLED MINER JACK SMITH, FROM RHODELL, NEAR BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA, RIDES THE FAMILY PONY WITH A NEIGHBOR SEATED BEHIND HER. THE SMITH CHILDREN GRAZE THE ANIMAL ALONG THE RAILROAD TRACKS. SMITH NOW OPERATES A BEER JOINT ABOUT A BLOCK FROM HIS HOME. HE ALSO IS ACTIVE IN THE UNION AND HAS MANNED THE PICKET LINES IN THE PAST IN HIS WHEELCHAIR
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ARNOLD RASNICK, VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY SUPERINTENDENT OF MINE #4 (IN WHITE HAT), TALKS TO TWO YOUNG MINERS THEIR RED HATS SIGNIFY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE MINES LESS THAN ONE MONTH. THE DISCUSSION CENTERED AROUND OBTAINING GASOLINE FOR THEIR CARS WHICH THEY USE TO COMMUTE TO WORK. MINERS NO LONGER CONGREGATE IN COMPANY TOWNS AS THEY ONCE DID, AND SOME OF THEM COMMUTE AS MUCH AS 25 MILES ONE WAY. NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A LOCK IS STILL ON THE DOOR OF THIS STRUCTURE WHICH WAS USED TO HOLD EXPLOSIVES FOR A MINE NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, THAT WAS ABANDONED IN THE 1960'S. MINE SAFETY REGULATIONS HAVE CLOSED MANY OF THE SMALLER MINES WHICH DO NOT HAVE THE CAPITAL TO BUY COSTLY SAFETY EQUIPMENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS JUST EMERGING FROM THE ELEVATOR OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA AFTER RETURNING TO THE SURFACE FROM WORK BELOW. THEY WILL BE REPLACED BY MINERS ON THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT. BOTH OF THESE SHIFTS ARE CONCERNED WITH DIGGING AND GETTING THE COAL OUT OF THE MINE. A MIDNIGHT TO MORNING OR quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT IS INVOLVED IN DAILY CLEANUP OPERATIONS
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MIX OF MOBILE HOMES AND CONVENTIONAL HOUSES AT RICHLANDS VIRGINIA. MOST OF THE MOBILE HOMES BELONG TO MINERS WHO WORK FOR THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY NEARBY. THEY ARE POPULAR WITH THE YOUNG MINERS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT COST AS MUCH AS CONVENTIONAL HOUSING AND THEY FIT ON A SMALLER PIECE OF LEVEL LAND WHICH IS AT A PREMIUM IN THE AREA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. EDWARD AUSTIN, 64, LIVES IN THE BLACK PORTION OF FIRECO, A SMALL TOWN NEAR BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA, IN RALEIGH COUNTY. HE RECEIVES BLACK LUNG BENEFITS AND A UNITED MINE WORKERS PENSION, AFTER WORKING IN THE MINES FROM 1925 TO 1956. HE HAS 20 CHILDREN AND DOES NOT REGRET HAVING THEM ONE BIT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MICHAEL GIPSON, 14, SON OF MR. AND MRS. WAYNE GIPSON WHO LIVE NEAR GRUETLI, TENNESSEE, NEAR CHATTANOOGA, FEEDS THE FAMILY COWS AFTER SCHOOL. THE FATHER KEEPS THEM AS WELL AS SOME PIGS AND CHICKENS TO GIVE HIS SONS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. MR. GIPSON IS A CONVEYOR BELT OPERATOR IN A NON-UNION MINE AND A MINISTER WHO DOES NOT HAVE A REGULAR CHURCH. HE OFFICIATES AT WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS AND PREACHES AT REVIVAL MEETINGS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS WHO HAVE JUST RETURNED TO THE SURFACE OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT. BOTH OF THESE ARE WORKING SHIFTS WITH THE MINERS DIGGING COAL AND BRINGING IT OUT OF THE MINE. A MIDNIGHT TO MORNING OR quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT IS INVOLVED IN CLEANUP OPERATIONS TO READY THE MINE FOR THE NEXT TWO DIGGING SHIFTS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JACK SMITH, 42, A DISABLED MINER WHO LIVES IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, WORKS ON A UNION POSTER IN THE TAVERN HE NOW OPERATES. HE HAD WORKED IN THE MINES FOR A YEAR WHEN HIS LEGS WERE CRUSHED DURING A ROOF CAVEIN. IT TOOK HIM 18 YEARS TO RECEIVE WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION. HIS WHEELCHAIR WAS BROUGHT FOR HIM BY HIS FRIEND ARNOLD MILLER, NOW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED MINE WORKERS. SMITH IS ACTIVE IN THE UNION, AND HAS MANNED PICKET LINES IN THE PAST
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GATHER TO TALK AND ENJOY THE OUTING AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. THEY ATE A BARBECUE LUNCH, PARTICIPATED IN SPORTS, WATCHED A GREASED PIG CONTEST AND HEARD THE COMPANY OFFICIALS EXPLAIN HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DORA DARLENE HANCOCK, DAUGHTER OF MARTHA CRIDER, LIVING IN FIRECO, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. (SEE PICTURE #14040) THE TOWN IS DIVIDED BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE POPULATIONS BY THE RAILROAD TRACKS. DORA IS WALKING UP HER STREET IN A NEW DRESS ON HER WAY TO A BAND CONCERT AT THE LOCAL GRADE SCHOOL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HOMES ON A STREET IN LYNCH, KENTUCKY, NEAR CUMBERLAND WHICH ONCE WAS THE LARGEST COAL COMPANY TOWN IN THE WORLD. NOW PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS OWN THE HOMES AND STORES. LYNCH IS AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE AS IS SHOWN IN THIS PICTURE WHERE EACH OWNER HAS PAINTED HIS HOME A DIFFERENT COLOR
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COAL SLAG HEAP BURNS ABOVE COMPANY HOUSES NEAR HUTCHINSON WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR LOGAN, IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, LIGHTNING. A FIRE OR VARIETY OF OTHER CAUSES CAN RESULT IN IGNITION OF THESE COAL MINE REFUSE PILES, AND THEY CAN BURN FOR YEARS. IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES THE MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES MAD
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF A PICKET SIGN MADE BY MINERS ON STRIKE AGAINST THE BROOKSIDE MINE COMPANY IN BROOKSIDE, KENTUCKY, NEAR MIDDLESBORO IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF THE STATE. VIOLENCE OCCURRED DURING THE STRIKE WHICH LASTED SEVERAL MONTHS. IT ENDED WHEN A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON THE PICKET LINE. THE STRUGGLE WAS BETWEEN THE MINE OWNED BY THE DUKE POWER COMPANY, AND THE UNITED MINE WORKERS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SECTION OF A LONG WALL MINE WITH JACKS HOLDING UP THE CEILING AT THE LEFT AND THE MINING MACHINE IN THE FOREGROUND AND AT THE RIGHT WHERE TEETH RAKE COAL ONTO A CONVEYOR BELT WHICH TAKES THE MATERIAL OUT OF THE TUNNEL FOR TRANSPORT OUT OF THE MINE. MINERS ARE ILLUMINATED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S LIGHTING. LONG WALL MINING IS RELATIVELY NEW IN THE U.S. AND IS MORE COSTLY, BUT ALLOWS ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH COAL TO BE TAKEN FROM A MINE. VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. OLD COAL COMPANY TOWN OF RED ASH, VIRGINIA, NEAR RICHARDS IN TAZEWELL COUNTY IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE. THIS IS A CLASSIC PICTURE OF A COMPANY TOWN WITH A RAILROAD IN THE VALLEY FLANKED BY MINERS' HOMES. THE COAL MINE SUPERINTENDENT'S HOME IS UP THE HILL IN THE UPPER LEFT PORTION OF THE PICTURE. THE SEPARATION IS SYMBOLIC OF THE CASTE SYSTEM WHICH ONCE RULE IN THE MINING TOWNS BUT WHICH IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE. THE ROAD IS MADE OF RED DOG, A MINING BYPRODUCT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER IN THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY AT THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA, UNDERGOING TESTS WHILE ON A TREADMILL. HIS LUNG CAPACITY AND HEARTBEAT ARE MONITORED, AND BLOOD SAMPLES ARE TAKEN. AT THE LEFT IS DELILA LAFON, WHO DRAWS THE BLOOD SAMPLES, AND IS THE WIFE OF A MINER. AT THE RIGHT IS JOHN ELLISON CHIEF LAB TECHNICIAN. THE BLOOD WILL BE CHECKED FOR OXYGEN CONTENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SLAG HEAP ABOVE HOUSING ON BUFFALO CREEK NEAR LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA. SLAG HEAPS ARE ONE OF THE ITEMS WHICH MAKE MINING FAMILIES MAD. THEY CAN BE IGNITED BY SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, LIGHTNING, FIRE OR VARIETY OF OTHER THINGS, AND BURN INDEFINITELY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ONE OF A SERIES OF PORTRAITS OF MINERS WAITING TO GO TO WORK ON THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. HE IS quot;HUNKERINGquot; (SQUATTING) WHICH IS A FAMILIAR POSE FOR MANY OF THE MINERS WHEN THEY ARE RESTING. THE STANCE IS USED DOWN IN THE MINES BECAUSE MANY OF THE TUNNELS DO NOT ALLOW A MAN TO STAND ERECT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JACK SMITH, 42, A DISABLED MINER WHO LIVES IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. HE HAD WORKED IN THE MINES ONE YEAR WHEN A ROCK CAVEIN CRUSHED HIS LEGS, AND IT TOOK HIM 18 YEARS BEFORE HE RECEIVED WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION. HIS WHEELCHAIR WAS BOUGHT BY HIS FRIEND, ARNOLD MILLER, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED MINE WORKERS. SMITH NOW OPERATES A BEER JOINT AND STAYS UP ON UNION ACTIVITIES. HE HAS MANNED PICKET LINES IN THE PAST IN HIS WHEELCHAIR. THE DOG IS A FAMILY PET
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COAL BARGE ON THE KANAWHA RIVER NEAR CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA. GREAT AMOUNTS OF STEAM COAL ARE MOVED ON WATERWAYS IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE THE COST IS CHEAPER THAN USING OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PAUL CALLIS, PRESIDENT OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY WITH HEADQUARTERS AT JASPER, TENNESSEE, NEAR CHATTANOOGA GIVES MINERS THE DETAILS OF THEIR RETIREMENT PLAN AT THE COMPANY'S FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC. HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT ABSENTEEISM IN THE NON-UNION MINES AND SAID BOTH LABOR AND MANAGEMENT WERE HURT BY IT. THE PROBLEM IS GREATER AMONG THE YOUNGER MINERS WHO HAVEN'T SETTLED DOWN YET AND TAKE OFF TO HUNT AND FISH WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS UNDERGOING TESTS IN THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY AT THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA. BREATH TESTS, HEARTBEAT MONITORING AND BLOOD SAMPLES ARE AMONG THE KNOWN TESTS DONE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DR. DONALD RASMUSSEN MINERS FROM THIS AREA AND SEVERAL OTHER STATES COME HERE TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAVE COAL DUST PARTICLES IN THEIR LUNGS WHICH LEADS TO PROGRESSIVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. AERIAL VIEW OF CLUSTERED MOBILE HOMES USED BY FAMILIES WHOSE HOUSING WAS WIPED OUT IN THE EARLY 1970'S WHEN AN EARTHEN DAM GAVE WAY ON BUFFALO CREEK NEAR MAN AND LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA, AND CREATED A TIDAL WAVE THAT KILLED 104 PEOPLE. MANY OF THE HOMES IN THIS IMMEDIATE AREA WERE WASHED AWAY ALONG WITH ALL THE PEOPLES' POSSESSIONS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE TRADITIONAL AND THE NEW IN HOUSING ARE SITUATED NEXT TO EACH OTHER ON A LATE SPRING AFTERNOON IN PIGSKIN, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. MANY OF THE YOUNG MINING FAMILIES IN THE AREA LIVE IN MOBILE HOMES BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAPER TO BUY THAN CONVENTIONAL HOUSING AND THEY TAKE UP LESS SPACE WHICH IS AT A PREMIUM IN THE VALLEYS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. REPAIR SHOP FOR THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, IN THE SOUTHWESTERN TIP OF THE STATE. IT IS SUBSIDIARY OF THE ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY WHICH IS IN TURN A SUBSIDIARY OF OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM COMPANY. THIS MODERN SHOP IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE V-P COMPANY WHICH HAS SOME OF THE MOST MODERN MINES IN THE COUNTRY. THE MEN ARE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA. ALL EQUIPMENT IN THE SIX V-P MINES ARE OVERHAULED ON A REGULAR BASIS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THURSTON STRUNK, CENTER, PRESIDENT OF THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY WITH HEADQUARTERS NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, LOOKS AT A MAP OF OPERATIONS WITH TWO MEN (GEOLOGIST AND MINING ENGINEER) FROM GERMANY WHO WANT TO OPEN ANOTHER MINE AND ARE PREPARED TO OFFER LONG TERM FINANCING
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. BILLY TAYLOR OF RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, IS A SHOP MECHANIC FOR VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY. A MEMBER OF THE REPAIR SHOP SAFETY COMMITTEE HE REPAIRS UNDERGROUND SHUTTLE CARS WHICH TAKE THE COAL TO THE CONVEYOR BELTS. TAYLOR BELONGS TO UNITED MINE WORKERS LOCAL #1671
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. G.F. HARRIS, MINE SUPERINTENDENT OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. HE IS IN HIS OFFICE LOOKING AT A MAP OF THE MINE WHICH PRODUCES METALLURGICAL COAL FOR USE IN STEELMAKING. THE MINE IS FIVE TO SIX MILES SQUARE AT THE 1,200 FOOT LEVEL. HARRIS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING AT HIS MINE AND REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE COMPANY PRESIDENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. VIEW OF MINE SUPERVISORS' HOUSING IN A COAL COMPANY TOWN NEAR LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA. THEY ARE ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE MINERS' HOMES WHICH ARE NEXT TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THE SUPERVISOR HOMES ARE TWO STORY STRUCTURES WITH FOUR ROOMS ON EACH FLOOR, COMPARED TO THE MINER HOMES WITH FOUR ROOMS. THE PHYSICAL SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT SIZE HOUSES WAS SYMBOLIC OF A CASTE SYSTEM OF THE PAST THAT NOW IS CHANGING. SEE PICTURE #13982 FOR MINER HOUSING
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. Clarice Brown, 19, is a Secretary in the United Mine Workers Field Services Office in Charleston, West Virginia, Her Father was a Miner Who Died of Black Lung Disease, Caused by Shortage of Breath as the Lung Sacs are Filled with Coal Dust
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GEORGE WILSON IN HIS DRIFT MINE (ONE THAT IS CUT STRAIGHT INTO A HILL) NEAR WILDER AND COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE. IT WAS CLOSED DOWN BY FEDERAL MINE INSPECTORS BECAUSE HE LACKED A NON-ARCING DRILL WILSON SAID SUCH A DRILL AND ALLIED EQUIPMENT WOULD COST HIM $100,000 TO REOPEN THE MINE. NOTE THE HEIGHT OF THE SHAFT. THE LINES ON THE SIDE ARE CALLED ESCAPE WIRES WHICH A MINER COULD USE TO FIND HIS WAY TO SAFETY IN THE EVENT OF A MINE DISASTER
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HIRAM LILLY, 84, STANDS ON THE PORCH OF HIS DAUGHTER'S HOME IN FIRECO, NEAR BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA. THE RETIRED MINER LIVES WITH HER FIRECO WAS ONCE A GREAT MINING TOWN, BUT THE REGION HAS BEEN MINED OUT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JERRY LAYNE WITH HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTERS RHONDA, 8, AND DARLA 2, AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE. HE HAS WORKED IN THE MINES FOR EIGHT YEARS, AND IS A FOREMAN IN MINE #21. SEE PICTURE #14060 OF LAYNE AT WORK UNDERGROUND AT THE PICNIC THE FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK, PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS AND HEAR ABOUT THE COMPANY'S HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ANXIOUS YOUNGSTERS BEGIN THE CHASE IN A GREASED PIG CONTEST AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC HELD AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. DURING THE DAY THE MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK, PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, EAT BARBECUE, AND HEAR THE COMPANY PRESIDENT EXPLAIN HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. VIEW OF THE TOWN OF RALEIGH, WEST VIRGINIA, A SUBURB OF BECKLEY SHOWING SOME OF THE HOMES AND A PORTION OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS USED TO CARRY COAL FROM THE MINES TO INDUSTRY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. RALEIGH WAS A MINING HEADQUARTERS IN THE PAST. NEW MINES ARE OPENING AROUND BECKLEY AND SHOULD GIVE A BOOST TO THE ECONOMY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ROCKER TRAYS THAT CLEAN THE COAL AND GRADE IT BY SIZE AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA THE V-P COMPANY PROCESSES METALLURGICAL COAL WHICH IS USED IN MAKING STEEL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A MINER WHO HAD COMPLETED HIS WORK SHIFT IS SHOWN ON A PONY BELONGING TO THE FAMILY OF THE TAVERN OPERATOR. A SHORT WHILE LATER HE WAS BUCKED OFF. THERE IS LITTLE FOR THE YOUNG MINERS TO DO IN THE SMALL MINING TOWNS OTHER THAN DRINK BEER AND TALK. IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THIS PILE OF COAL CONTAINS PART OF THE ONE MILLION TONS KEPT ON HAND BY THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY STEAM PLANT AT CUMBERLAND CITY, TENNESSEE, NEAR CLARKSVILLE. COAL FOR THE FURNACES ARRIVES BY BARGE AND IS UNLOADED BY AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT. IT IS THE LARGEST TYPE STEAM PLANT AND ONE OF THE MOST MODERN IN THE WORLD
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. NANNIE RAINEY, 34, WIFE OF MINER JERRY RAINEY, WHO LIVES IN HOUSING OWNED BY THE BROOKSIDE MINE COMPANY NEAR MIDDLESBORO KENTUCKY. THE COMPANY IS OWNED BY THE DUKE POWER COMPANY. SHE WAS ARRESTED DURING THE STRIKE IN 1974 DURING AN ALTERCATION ON THE PICKET LINE IN WHICH SHE WAS ACCUSED OF WHIPPING A KENTUCKY STATE HIGHWAY PATROLMAN WITH A SWITCH, A CHARGE SHE DOES NOT DENY. SHE AND HER CHILDREN WENT TO JAIL UNTIL BAILED OUT BY UNION OFFICIALS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. VICKI SMITH, 10, DAUGHTER OF MR. AND MRS. JACK SMITH OF RHODELL WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY, STANDS NEXT TO A RELIGIOUS TAPESTRY IN THE FAMILY HOME. SMITH LOST BOTH LEGS IN A MINE CAVE-IN AND FOUGHT 18 YEARS BEFORE RECEIVING WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION. HE NOW OPERATES A BEER JOINT. SMITH COMES FROM A FAMILY OF NINE BROTHERS AND SEVEN SISTERS. ALL THE MEN, EXCEPT AN INFANT WHO DIED, WENT TO WORK IN THE MINES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE NORTH OF BECKLEY WINDS THROUGH BEAUTIFUL WOODED COUNTRYSIDE. IT WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NETWORK OF LESSER ROADS THAT ALLOWED MINERS TO COMMUTE A GREATER DISTANCE TO WORK, AND WAS ONE OF THE FACTORS WHICH LEAD TO THE DECLINE OF THE COMPANY COAL TOWNS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COMPANY FLAG IN FRONT OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE. IT IS CALLED LOCALLY BY ITS ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY NAME. V-P IS A SUBSIDIARY OF ISLAND CREEK WHICH IN TURN IS A PART OF THE OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM COMPANY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MAIN STREET OF DEHUE, WEST VIRGINIA, A YOUNGSTOWN STEEL CORPORATION COMPANY TOWN NEAR LOGAN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. VIEW OF THE MAIN HIGHWAY THROUGH HOLDEN, WEST VIRGINIA NEAR LOGAN, SHOWING HOMES OF MINING SUPERVISORS FRAMED BY PINK DOGWOOD. THE TOWN HAS SIDEWALKS, A FEATURE NOT EVIDENT IN MANY OF THE MINING COMMUNITIES. THESE TWO STORY HOUSES WITH FOUR ROOMS ON EACH FLOOR CONTRAST WITH THE TYPICAL MINER HOME OF ONE STORY AND FOUR ROOMS NEXT TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE TWO TYPES WAS SYMBOLIC OF A CASTE SYSTEM THAT IS BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. RUSSELL RAMSER WAITS HIS TURN ON THE TREADMILL AT THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY AT THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY WEST VIRGINIA. THE 72-YEAR-OLD MINER WORKED 35 YEARS IN THE MINES AND WAS A SUPERINTENDENT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE UNITED MINE WORKERS BEFORE RETIRING. HE LIVES IN SHADY SIDE, OHIO, NEAR WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA, AND CAME TO DR. DONALD RASMUSSEN'S LAB AFTER BEING TURNED DOWN FOR BLACK LUNG BENEFITS IN OHIO
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COAL YARD WITH LOADED RAIL CARS READY TO BE SHIPPED TO CUSTOMERS OUT OF DANVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR CHARLESTON. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TRANSSHIPMENT POINTS FOR COAL IN THE WORLD. A CONSTANT STREAM OF RAIL CARS LOADED WITH COAL IS MOVED IN AND OUT OF THE SMALL TOWN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLEANING PLANT AT VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #1 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. CONVEYORS TAKE THE COAL FROM A STORAGE SILO TO THE PLANT WHERE IT IS WASHED AND GRADED BY AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT IN A CONTROL ROOM. THE MINE DIGS METALLURGICAL COAL FOR USE IN THE STEELMAKING PROCESS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. RECESS AT A SCHOOL IN CHATTAROY, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR WILLIAMSON, FINDS A GIRL READY TO PLAY SOFTBALL. THE TOWN IS SMALL ENOUGH SO THAT MANY YOUNGSTERS GO HOME FOR LUNCH AND EVEN DURING RECESS. THE TOWN HAS NO INDUSTRY, AND MOST OF THE FAMILIES SURVIVE ON WELFARE, PENSIONS, SOCIAL SECURITY AND BLACK LUNG BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JACK SMITH, 42, RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, SEATED IN THE BEER JOINT HE OPERATES IN A WHEEL-CHAIR BOUGHT FOR HIM BY HIS FRIEND ARNOLD MILLER, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED MINE WORKERS UNION. HE WAS DISABLED AT AGE 21 AFTER A YEAR IN THE MINES AND HAD TO WAIT 18 YEARS TO COLLECT WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION. HE STAYS CURRENT ON UNION AFFAIRS AND WILL MAN A PICKET LINE. DURING THE STRIKE FOR BLACK LUNG BENEFITS HIS WIFE WHEELED HIM IN FRONT OF A TRAIN TO STOP IT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ARCING DRILL WHICH FEDERAL MINE INSPECTORS SAID WAS AGAINST REGULATIONS AND COULD NOT BE USED BY GEORGE WILSON IN HIS quot;BROTHER-IN-LAWquot; MINE NEAR WILDER AND COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE. WILSON SAID IT WOULD COST $100,000 FOR A NON-ARCING DRILL AND ALLIED EQUIPMENT TO PUT HIM BACK IN BUSINESS. BEFORE BEING CLOSED DOWN THE MINE PRODUCED 250 TONS A DAY WHICH WAS SOLD FOR HOME HEATING AND TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JERRY YATES, THE SECTION FOREMAN OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. CHECKS THE TEETH OF A CONTINUOUS MINER TO SEE IF ANY ARE LOOSE OR MISSING. THE COAL IS PUSHED BACK INTO A SHUTTLE CAR WHICH TAKES THE MATERIAL TO THE END OF THE TUNNEL FOR REMOVAL FROM THE MINE. MOST COAL IN THE U.S. IS MINED BY THIS METHOD
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER BATHED IN THE GLOW OF A CO-WORKER'S LAMP IS SHOWN WITH A SHUTTER CAR USED FOR TRANSPORTING SAFETY MEN OR OTHER SMALL GROUPS. THE SHUTTLES USED FOR THE MINERS GOING TO AND FROM WORK ARE LARGER. THIS IS THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. EMPLOYEES OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY AT JASPER, NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, GET READY TO PLAY SOFTBALL AT THE COMPANY'S FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC. MINE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES HAD A CHANCE TO SWIM IN A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE, PLAY A VARIETY OF SPORTS AND LISTEN TO THEIR HOSPITAL AND PENSION PLANS. KIDS PARTICIPATED IN A GREASED PIG CATCHING CONTEST. A VARIETY OF PRIZES WERE AWARDED TO PEOPLE ATTENDING THE EVENT, INCLUDING A DISHWASHER AND A SHOTGUN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF MICHAEL GIPSON, 14, SON OF MR. AND MRS. WAYNE GIPSON WHO LIVE NEAR GRUETLI, TENNESSEE, NEAR CHATTANOOGA. MICHAEL AND A BROTHER HELP THEIR FATHER TEND THE FAMILY LIVESTOCK AFTER SCHOOL. MR. GIPSON KEEPS THE ANIMALS TO TEACH HIS SONS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. HE IS A CONVEYOR BELT OPERATOR IN THE MINES AND A METHODIST MINISTER. ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT HAVE A REGULAR CHURCH, HE OFFICIATES AT WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS, AND PREACHES AT REVIVALS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. OVERALL VIEW OF THE COAL MINE OPERATED BY GEORGE WILSON NEAR WILDER AND COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE, WHICH WAS CLOSED DOWN BY FEDERAL MINE INSPECTORS BECAUSE IT LACKED A NON-ARCING DRILL. SIX PEOPLE WORKED THE MINE FOR 250 TONS OF COAL A DAY WHICH WAS SOLD FOR HOME HEATING AND TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY. WILSON SAID IT WOULD COST $100,000 FOR A NON-ARCING DRILL WITH SUPPORT EQUIPMENT TO GO BACK INTO BUSINESS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SMALL CHURCH AND HOME PERCHED ON A HILLSIDE NEAR KEEN MOUNTAIN AND RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, IN BUCHANAN COUNTY. MANY SMALL CHURCHES DOT THE COAL MINING AREA AND ATTRACT CHURCHGOERS WITH FUNDAMENTALIST BELIEFS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE CONTROL ROOM OF THE COAL CLEANING PLANT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA THE EQUIPMENT MONITORS THE CONVEYOR BELTS CARRYING THE COAL AND THE SCREENS USED TO SEPARATE IT INTO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COKE FURNACES AT KEEN MOUNTAIN, NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA MADE FROM COAL, THE COKE WILL BE SENT FOR USE IN THE FURNACES AT STEEL MILLS. (THIS IS NOT A PART OF THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS OPERATION.)
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PICTURE OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #2 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, SURROUNDED BY TREES AND A STREAM IN WHICH FISH ARE VISIBLE. IT IS TYPICAL OF THE CLEAN TYPE OPERATIONS AT ALL SIX OF THE COMPANY MINES WHERE METALLURGICAL COAL IS DUG FOR USE IN STEELMAKING. EACH OF THE MINES HAS 400 MEN WORKING ON AROUND THE CLOCK SHIFTS. TWO GROUPS WORK IN DIGGING AND BRINGING THE COAL OUT OF THE MINES, A THIRD IS INVOLVED IN CLEANUP OPERATIONS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS WAITING TO START THEIR 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT AT VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA THERE ARE TWO WORKING SHIFTS WITH MINERS DIGGING AND TAKING THE COAL OUT OF THE MINE. THE THIRD, CALLED THE quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT (MIDNIGHT TO MORNING), IS INVOLVED IN CLEANUP OPERATIONS. MANY OF THE MINERS CARRY CHEWING TOBACCO INTO THE MINES BECAUSE THEY CANNOT SMOKE WHILE WORKING
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS WHO HAVE JUST RETURNED TO THE SURFACE OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA AND WILL BE REPLACED BY MEN ON THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT. MANY OF THE MINERS CARRY THEIR OWN WATER INTO WORK RATHER THAN USE THAT PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY. THEY ALSO USE CHEWING TOBACCO WHILE IN THE MINES BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SMOKE UNDERGROUND
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. FOUR COAL BARGES ARE PUSHED ALONG THE KANAWHA RIVER AT CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA. THE GOLD DOME OF THE STATE CAPITOL CAN BE SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF COAL BARGE TRAFFIC ON THE NAVIGABLE RIVER SYSTEMS NEAR THE MINES BECAUSE IT IS THE CHEAPEST FORM OF TRANSPORTATION
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PICKET LINE AT THE BROOKSIDE MINE COMPANY IN HARLAN COUNTY KENTUCKY, NEAR MIDDLESBORO IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE THE STRIKERS ARE PLAYING CARDS ON THE HOOD OF A CAR. THE MINE CAN BE SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND. THE MINE, OWNED BY THE DUKE POWER COMPANY AND THE UNITED MINES WORKERS WERE INVOLVED IN A LENGTHY AND SOMETIMES VIOLENT BATTLE. THE STRIKE ENDED WHEN A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON THE PICKET LINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. OLD COAL COMPANY TOWN OF RED ASH, VIRGINIA, NEAR RICHLANDS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE, SHOWING THE VALLEY AND GENERAL TERRAIN. THE ONLY FLAT LAND IS FULLY OCCUPIED BY THE RAILROAD USED TO HAUL COAL, THE MINERS' HOMES AND ROAD. A CREEK, NOT SHOWN, ALSO TAKES SOME LAND. THE HOUSE ON TOP OF THE HILL IS NEW
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. EDGAR ZORNES OF CLOTHIER, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR MADISON WITH HIS DOG. A MINER FOR 23 YEARS, HE HAS BLACK LUNG. DOCTORS HAVE DETERMINED MINERS CONTRACT BLACK LUNG FROM AIR-BORNE PARTICLES OF COAL DUST IN THE MINES WHICH FILL UP AIR SACKS IN THEIR LUNGS AND MAKE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO BREATHE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COAL IS SHOWN SPILLING FROM A CONVEYOR BELT AT MINE #21 OWNED BY THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. IT WILL BE TRUCKED TO THE COMPANY'S PROCESSING PLANT FOR CLEANING AND SORTING. MOST OF THE METALLURICAL (HIGH GRADE) COAL WILL BE SOLD TO JAPAN. IT IS A PROGRESSIVE AND NON-UNION MINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GENERAL SCENE UNDERGROUND IN THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. THE TUNNEL IS 1,250 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE AND ONE AND A HALF MILES FROM THE ELEVATOR SHAFT WHICH BRINGS THE MINERS TO AND FROM WORK. THIS IS A TYPICAL MINE SCENE FROM A MINER'S VIEWPOINT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. EAST GULF, ONE OF THE LARGE MINING COMPANIES IN THE AREA OF RHODELL AND BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA. THERE IS VERY LITTLE INDUSTRY OTHER THAN COAL IN THE AREA. MANY OF THE YOUTHS HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN COAL RELATED JOBS NEARBY OR SEARCHING FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE CITIES SOME DISTANCE AWAY. THIS CAN BE A TRAUMATIC DECISION WHICH AFFECTS ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLOSEKNIT FAMILIES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. FLIP COOP STORE IN WILDER NEAR COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE, WAS STARTED WITH FEDERAL OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FUNDS AND SERVES MOSTLY OLD PEOPLE IN THE AREA. IN THE BACKGROUND IS AN ABANDONED AND BURNED OUT COAL COMPANY STORE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HARVEY THAXTON, 64, LIVES WITH HIS MOTHER IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA (SEE PICTURE #14030), NEAR BECKLEY. A RETIRED MINER, HE USED BLACK LUNG MONEY TO BUY WHISKEY AND PAINT THE WALL IN THE PICTURE RED. HE RECEIVES A MONTHLY BENEFIT IN ADDITION TO A ONE TIME BLACK LUNG PAYMENT. THE PICTURE ON THE WALL SHOWS HIM IN WORLD WAR II UNIFORM WITH HIS WIFE, NOW DEAD
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ONE OF A SERIES OF PORTRAITS OF MINERS WAITING TO GO TO WORK ON THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. HIS RED HAT MEANS THAT HE HAS BEEN WORKING BELOW GROUND LESS THAN ONE MONTH. BEFORE GOING UNDERGROUND HE RECEIVED 40 HOURS OF TRAINING IN THE CLASSROOM WHICH INCLUDED CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION AND AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS. HE ALSO IS CLOSELY SUPERVISED BY VETERAN MINERS IN HIS FIRST MONTH
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SECTION OF A LONG WALL MINE WITH JACKS HOLDING UP THE CEILING AT THE RIGHT AND THE MINING MACHINE AT THE LEFT WHERE TEETH RAKE COAL ONTO A CONVEYOR BELT WHICH TAKES THE MATERIAL OUT OF THE TUNNEL FOR TRANSPORT OUT OF THE MINE. MINERS ARE ILLUMINATED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S LIGHTING. LONG WALL MINING IS RELATIVELY NEW IN THE U.S. AND IS MORE COSTLY, BUT ALLOWS ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH COAL TO BE TAKEN FROM A MINE. VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. TRUCK MAKING ITS WAY UP BLAIR MOUNTAIN, A PLACE NEAR LOGAN WEST VIRGINIA, WHICH HOLDS AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN UNION HISTORY PROTESTING FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS, MINERS MARCHED OVER THIS MOUNTAIN IN 1921. MANY WERE SHOT AND KILLED WHEN MET BY FEDERAL TROOPS. THAT ACTION GALVANIZED THE MINERS INTO ACTION AND LED TO UNION ORGANIZATION
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SETTING VAT FOR WATER THAT HAS BEEN USED TO CLEAN COAL IN THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA THE COAL RIDES ON A CONVEYOR TO THE STORAGE SILO AT THE UPPER RIGHT THEN TO THE CLEANING PLANT. AFTER CLEANING THE COAL GOES TO A TIPPLE FROM WHICH IT IS LOADED FOR TRANSPORTATION TO ITS DESTINATION. THE CLEANING PLANT WORKS ONE SHIFT EACH DAY. WATER USED IN THE CLEANING PROCESS WILL BE PURIFIED AND RETURNED TO THE CREEK FROM WHICH IT WAS DRAWN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. LEVI DANIALS IS DIRECTOR OF FIELD SERVICES FOR THE UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA AT THEIR DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS IN CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA. HE WAS A LEADER IN PUSHING FOR BLACK LUNG BENEFITS WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO THE ELECTION OF ARNOLD MILLER AS PRESIDENT OF THE UMW
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. VIEW OF THE MINE OF GEORGE WILSON NEAR WILDER AND COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE, WHICH WAS CLOSED DOWN BECAUSE IT LACKED A NON-ARCING DRILL. THE WOOD IN THE FOREGROUND IS FOR TUNNEL ROOF BRACES, AND THE LOADER IN THE BACK-GROUND FOR COAL AT THE TIPPLE JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE LOADER IS THE MAIN SHAFT OPENING, AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE SHAFT IS THE ESCAPE TUNNEL AND AIRWAY. NOTE THE TWO SMALL SHUTTLE CARS WHICH ARE RUSTED AND WITHOUT WHEELS, TYPICAL OF THE WASTE AT SMALL MINES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ENTRANCE TO A NEW OPENING AT A MINE OWNED BY THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA. THE WOOD FRAME WILL BE PLACED IN THE ENTRANCE. IT IS A PROGRESSIVE AND NON-UNION MINE, AND SELLS MOST OF ITS METALLURGICAL (HIGH GRADE) COAL TO JAPAN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GEORGE WILSON IS SHOWN AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE MINE HE OPERATED NEAR WILDER AND CRAWFORD, TENNESSEE, BEFORE IT WAS CLOSED DOWN BY FEDERAL MINE INSPECTORS FOR USING AN ARCING DRILL. A DRILL WHICH WOULD NOT CAUSE SPARKS AND ALLIED EQUIPMENT WOULD COST $100,000 AND PUT HIM BACK IN BUSINESS. BEFORE CLOSING, THE MINE PRODUCED 250 TONS OF COAL PER DAY FOR HOME HEATING AND THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS JUST LEAVING THE ELEVATOR SHAFT OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA AT 4 P.M. THERE ARE THREE MINE SHIFTS. THE FIRST TWO ARE EMPLOYED IN DIGGING AND REMOVING THE COAL. THE MIDNIGHT TO MORNING OR quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT WORKS ON CLEANUP OPERATIONS. THESE MINERS ARE HEADED FOR THE COMPANY SHOWER ROOM TO CLEAN UP BEFORE GOING HOME. THE YOUNGER MINERS RUN TO THE SHOWERS AND KNOCK DOWN ANYONE IN THE WAY; THE OLDER MINERS WALK
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MAIL SLOTS SIT AMONG THE DEBRIS OF A DESERTED STORE AND POST OFFICE IN CRAWFORD, TENNESSEE, NEAR COOKEVILLE. THE TOWN WAS ONCE A BOOMING COAL MINING HEADQUARTERS, BUT IS NOW LARGELY UNINHABITED THE LAST YEAR THE STATE ISSUED LICENSES TO THE STORE WAS IN 1966
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MRS. LEONA HALL, GALLAGHER, WEST VIRGINIA IS A SECRETARY IN THE UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS IN CHARLESTON. HER HUSBANDS IS A DISABLED MINER
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. Jack Smith, 42, a Disabled Miner Who Lives in Rhodell, West Virginia, Shown with One of His Daughters, Debra, in the Tavern He Now Operates, He Had Worked in the Mines One Year When His Legs were Crushed in a Roof Cave-in, it Took Him 18 Years to Received Workman's Compensation, His Wheelchair was Bought for Him by His Friend, Arnold Miller, Now President of the United Mine Workers Smith is Active in the Union, and Has Manned Picket Lines in the Past
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE A HOME IN SHARPLES, WEST VIRGINIA, NORTH OF LOGAN. NOTE THE WAY THE OWNER HAS BUILT A PLACE TO PARK HIS CAR SPACE IS AT A PREMIUM IN THE VALLEYS OF THE MINING AREA AND THIS TYPE OF PARKING OUTSIDE THE HOME IS COMMON
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DELILA LAFON. A TECHNICIAN AT THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY AT THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA OBSERVES A MINER BEING TESTED ON A TREADMILL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A PORTION OF THE RAIL YARDS AT DANVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR CHARLESTON LOADED WITH COAL CARS READY TO BE HAULED TO CUSTOMERS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TRANSSHIPMENT POINTS FOR COAL IN THE WORLD. A CONSTANT STREAM OF COAL CARS IS MOVED IN AND OUT OF THE SMALL TOWN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SMALL METHODIST CHURCH STANDS NEXT TO THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE NEAR BECKLEY IN THE HEART OF THE COAL COUNTRY. MANY CHURCHES LIKE THIS DOT THE COUNTRYSIDE AND SERVE THE MINERS, MOST OF WHOM HAVE FUNDAMENTALIST BELIEFS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DONNA SMITH, RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY, LEADS HER PONY TO ITS QUARTERS IN A BARN BY THE RAILROAD TRACKS. SHE ALSO LETS IT GRAZE ALONG THE TRACKS. HER FATHER JACK, IS A DISABLED MINER WHOSE LEGS WERE CRUSHED WHEN A ROOF CAVED IN. HE NOW OPERATES A BEER JOINT FROM HIS WHEELCHAIR AND STAYS UP ON UNION ACTIVITIES. HE HAS MANNED PICKET LINES IN THE WHEELCHAIR
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WAYNE GIPSON, 39, LIVES IN THIS HOUSE HE AND HIS WIFE BUILT NEAR GRUETLI, TENNESSEE, IN GRUNDY COUNTY, NEAR CHATTANOOGA. SETTLED BY PEOPLE OF SWISS DESCENT, THE AREA IS LOCATED ON A PLATEAU IN SOUTHEASTERN TENNESSEE. HE WORKS AS A CONVEYOR BELT OPERATOR IN MINE #21 OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY. GIPSON ALSO IS A METHODIST MINISTER WITHOUT A REGULAR CHURCH, AND PREACHES REVIVALS AND OFFICIATES AT FUNERALS AS WELL AS MARRIAGES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ALLEY BRANCH ROAD WHICH LEADS TO A NEW MINE SITE NEAR CHATTAROY AND WILLIAMSON, WEST VIRGINIA. THERE HAS BEEN SOME WATER DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF EROSION CAUSED BY CLEARING THE WAY TO THE MINE, AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY ARE STARTING TO MOVE OUT FOR THOSE WHO STAY, THEY WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH COAL TRUCK TRAFFIC IN THE FUTURE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ROAD LEADING THROUGH RED JACKET, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR LOGAN MUCH OF THE TOWN ORIGINALLY WAS OWNED BY THE ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY, BUT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING SOLD TO PRIVATE OWNERSHIP THE OLD IMAGE OF THE COAL COMPANY TOWN IS GIVING WAY AS ATTITUDES CHANGE. THE TOWN IS NEAR THE BUFFALO CREEK AREA WHERE 104 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE EARLY 1970'S WHEN AN EARTHEN DAM GAVE WAY DURING A RAINSTORM
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. OLD AND RUSTY COAL SHUTTLE CAR WITHOUT WHEELS AND A COLLAPSED MINE ENTRANCE NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, IS TYPICAL OF MANY WHICH HAVE BEEN ABANDONED IN THE AREA. MINE SAFETY REGULATIONS HAVE CLOSED MANY OF THE SMALLER MINES WHICH DO NOT HAVE THE CAPITAL TO BUY COSTLY EQUIPMENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. KEN HATFIELD, 74, OF NEWTON, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR CHARLESTON, IN MINGO COUNTY. A WORLD WAR II VETERAN, HE BEGAN WORKING IN THE MINES AT 18 AND WAS EMPLOYED UNDERGROUND AT LEAST 30 YEARS. A SICK MAN, HE HAS LOST ONE LEG. HE RECEIVES $78 A MONTH IN SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS, PLUS A VETERANS PENSION OF $148 PER MONTH. HATFIELD SAID HE WAS HAVING A TOUGH TIME. PAUL BRYANT IS A NEIGHBOR AND LOOKS IN ON HIM
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY AT JASPER, NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, IS UPGRADING ITS TECHNOLOGY WITH A CONVEYOR BELT (SHOWN) AND A CONTINUOUS MINER. PREVIOUSLY THE COMPANY HAD BEEN USING THE UNDERCUT AND BLAST METHOD. THIS NEW MINE WILL BE NUMBER FIVE FOR TCC, A PROGRESSIVE NON-UNION MINE THAT SELLS METALLURGICAL (HIGH) GRADE COAL, MOSTLY TO JAPAN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WILLIAM VINSON SHARES A MOMENT WITH HIS LITTLE BOY AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY'S FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE. VINSON IS AN ELECTRICIAN AT MINE #23 AND LIVES IN WHITEWELL. MINING FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK, EAT, PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, WATCH A GREASED PIG CONTEST AND HEAR ABOUT THE COMPANY'S HEALTH AND RETIREMENT PLANS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GEORGE A HUGHS, A MINER FOR 17 YEARS, WEARS A BLACK LUNG BUTTON WHILE ATTENDING A MEETING OF THE BECKLEY (WEST VIRGINIA) BLACK LUNG ASSOCIATION, ONE OF THE MOST MILITANT OF THE GROUPS CONCERNED WITH THAT ASPECT OF THE MINERS' HEALTH. MINERS CONTRACT BLACK LUNG BY INHALING COAL DUST IN THE MINES WHICH FILL AIR SACKS IN THE LUNGS AND MAKE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO BREATHE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. YOUNGSTERS WALK ON TIES OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS THAT PASS THROUGH FIRECO, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. IN THE OLD MINING COMMUNITIES THE RAILROADS ALWAYS WENT THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE TOWNS WHICH WERE BUILT IN THE VALLEYS AROUND THEM. IT WAS THE RAILROADS WHICH MADE IT POSSIBLE TO SHIP OUT THE COAL, THE REASON THE TOWNS WERE BUILT. FIRECO WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A ONCE GREAT COAL AREA, BUT DECLINED AS THE MINES GAVE OUT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THIS TIME EXPOSURE PICTURE SHOWS WHAT THE MINERS SEE FROM THE LIGHTS OF THEIR SHUTTLE CAR AS THEY ARE TRANSPORTED INTO THE MINE ON THEIR WAY TO WORK. THE MINERS LAY ON THEIR BACKS IN THE CARS DURING THE TWO MILE TRIP IN ONE OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY MINES NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE. THE PROGRESSIVE NON-UNION MINE SELLS MOST OF ITS METALLURGICAL (HIGH GRADE) COAL TO JAPAN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ABE LESTER, A RETIRED COAL MINER, LIVES ON A UNITED MINE WORKERS PENSION, IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. THERE IS VERY LITTLE INDUSTRY OTHER THAN COAL MINING IN THIS AND SIMILAR TOWNS. UNLESS THE YOUTHS WANT TO GO INTO COAL RELATED JOBS, THEY ARE FACED WITH SEARCHING FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE CITIES SOME DISTANCE AWAY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. LOADED COAL CARS SIT IN THE RAIL YARDS AT DANVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR CHARLESTON. AWAITING SHIPMENT TO CUSTOMERS. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TRANSSHIPMENT POINTS FOR COAL IN THE WORLD. A CONSTANT STREAM OF RAIL CARS IS MOVED IN AND OUT OF THE SMALL TOWN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HOUSES PERCHED ON A HILLSIDE AT LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA. MANY HOMES ARE BUILT THIS WAY BECAUSE LEVEL LAND IS AT A PREMIUM IN THE VALLEYS OF THIS COAL MINING AREA. AS A RESULT MANY OF THE YOUNG MINERS ARE BUYING MOBILE HOMES FOR HOUSING BECAUSE THEY TAKE LESS SPACE AND COST LESS THAN CONVENTIONAL HOUSING
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ERNEST ANDERSON, SHOT FOREMAN, LEFT, AND BILL KILGORE CUTTER, ARE WORKING ON THE DRILL USED TO MAKE HOLES FOR THE CHARGE AN UNDERCUTTING MACHINE IS SEEN IN THE FOREGROUND. THE WORK IS PROCEEDING AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY MINE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. IT IS A PROGRESSIVE NON-UNION MINE, AND SELLS MOST OF ITS METALLURGICAL (HIGH GRADE) COAL TO JAPAN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS JUST SURFACING ON THE MINE ELEVATOR AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. THEY WILL MAKE WAY FOR THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT. THE MINES HAVE TO WORK SHIFTS AND A MIDNIGHT TO MORNING OR quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT FOR CLEANUP OPERATIONS. NOTE THE VARIETY OF SAFETY SIGNS ON THE ELEVATOR GATE AND THE PROHIBITION OF CARRYING MATCHES, CIGARETTES OR AN OPEN LIGHT INTO THE MINES. MOST OF THE MEN WHO SMOKE CHEW TOBACCO WHILE ON THE JOB
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DARRELL GIPSON, 13, SON OF MR. AND MRS. WAYNE GIPSON, WHO LIVES NEAR GRUETLI, TENNESSEE, NEAR CHATTANOOGA, FEEDS PIGS AFTER SCHOOL HIS FATHER GOT THEM AND OTHER LIVESTOCK TO GIVE THE BOYS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. MR. GIPSON WAS BORN IN TENNESSEE, BUT MOVED NORTH FOR A JOB AND MARRIED THERE. BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE HAD FATHERS WHO WERE MINERS AND THAT IS THE JOB WAYNE RETURNED TO. THE FAMILY PREFERS LIFE HERE TO THE NORTHER CITIES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS JUST LEAVING THE ELEVATOR SHAFT OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA AT 4 P.M. THERE ARE THREE MINE SHIFTS. THE FIRST TWO ARE EMPLOYED IN DIGGING AND REMOVING THE COAL. THE MIDNIGHT TO MORNING OR quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT WORKS ON CLEANUP OPERATIONS. THESE MINERS ARE HEADED FOR THE COMPANY SHOWER ROOM TO CLEAN UP BEFORE HEADING HOME
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. INDUSTRY, EDUCATION AND HOUSING ARE SHOWN IN THIS PICTURE IN LYNCH, KENTUCKY, NEAR CUMBERLAND, IN HARLAN COUNTY. U.S. STEEL MINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COAL CITY CLUB IN COAL CITY, WEST VIRGINIA, A PART OF BECKLEY ALL OF THE MEN ARE COAL MINERS. NOTE THAT SOME OF THEM ARE quot;HUNKERING DOWNquot; RATHER THAN SITTING. THIS IS A FAMILIAR STANCE TO ALL MINERS WHO USE THIS POSTURE IN THE MINE SHAFTS WHICH HAVE LOW CEILINGS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SLAG HEAP ON BUFFALO CREEK NEAR MAN AND LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA. AN EARTHEN DAM GAVE WAY ON THIS STREAM IN THE EARLY 1970'S DURING A RAINSTORM CREATING A TIDAL WAVE OF FLOOD WATER WHICH KILLED 104 PEOPLE LIVING IN THE VALLEY BELOW
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A TATTERED BLANKET HUNG ON A LINE IN FIRECO, WEST VIRGINIA NEAR BECKLEY, SYMBOLIZES THE DECLINE IN THE AREA AFTER THE COAL MINES GAVE OUT. THE TOWNS ORIGINALLY WERE BUILT AROUND THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCH TRANSPORTATION MADE THE MINES POSSIBLE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PAUL CALLIS, PRESIDENT OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY WITH HEADQUARTERS AT JASPER, NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE TALKS TO MINERS AT THE FIRST ANNUAL COMPANY SPONSORED PICNIC. HE WAS DISCUSSING ABSENTEEISM FROM WORK AND TOLD THEM BOTH LABOR AND MANAGEMENT LOSE BECAUSE OF IT. THE PROBLEM IS GREATER AMONG THE YOUNGER MINERS WHO HAVEN'T SETTLED DOWN YET AND TAKE OFF TO HUNT OR FISH WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DR. DONALD RASMUSSEN, PHYSICIAN IN CHARGE OF THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY AT THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA. MINERS WHO HAVE BEEN TURNED AWAY BY OTHER DOCTORS COME TO HIM TO LEARN WHETHER THEY HAVE AN ACCUMULATION OF COAL DUST PARTICLES FILLING THE AIR SACKS IN THE LUNGS AND CAUSING A PROGRESSIVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH. A CHEST SPECIALIST, THE DOCTOR USES KNOWN TESTING METHODS IN CHECKING FOR BLACK LUNG SYMPTOMS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SHERMAN M PHIPPS IS A FEDERAL COAL MINE INSPECTOR WHO IS CHECKING FOR METHANE GAS AMONG THE LONG WALL JACKS HOLDING UP THE CEILING IN VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3. EMPLOYED BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF MINES, HE SPENDS ABOUT SIX MONTHS IN EACH MINE. PHIPPS MAKES HIS HOME IN RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, NEAR THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE V-P COMPANY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SHIFT OF MINERS IN THE ELEVATOR WHICH WILL TAKE THEM DOWN TO WORK IN THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA THEY ARE HEADED FOR THE 1,200 FOOT LEVEL. THE BLACK HATS SIGNIFY THAT THE MEN ARE EXPERIENCED MINERS. THE MINER WITH THE GREEN HAT IS A SAFETY MAN. THESE MINES HAVE THREE SHIFTS, TWO WORKING AND ONE CLEANUP
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JACK SMITH, 42, LEFT, RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY, WAS A MINER DISABLED WHEN A ROOF CAVED IN WHO HAD TO WAIT 18 YEARS TO GET WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION. HE WAS 21 WHEN INJURED AND HAD WORKED ONE YEAR IN THE MINES. OF THE NINE BOYS AND SEVEN GIRLS IN HIS FAMILY ALL THE MALES WENT INTO THE MINES EXCEPT ONE WHO DIED IN INFANCY SMITH IS SHOWN ON THE PORCH OF THE BEER JOINT HE OPERATES. SEATED WITH HIM ARE HIS BROTHERS, LEO, 39, AND TWIN ROY, 42
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WAYNE GIPSON FAMILY WHICH LIVES ON A PLATEAU IN SOUTHEASTERN TENNESSEE NEAR GRUETLI, NEAR CHATTANOOGA. HE IS A CONVEYOR BELT OPERATOR IN A PROGRESSIVE NON-UNION MINE. ALSO A METHODIST MINISTER WITHOUT A REGULAR CHURCH, HE OFFICIATES AT WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS, AND PREACHES AT REVIVALS. BORN AND RAISED IN PALMER, TENNESSEE, GIPSON WENT NORTH TO WORK, MARRIED AND STARTED HIS FAMILY THERE. THEY RETURNED TO TENNESSEE BECAUSE THEY PREFER LIFE THERE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JOHN HOSKIN, JR., AN EX-MINER WITH BLACK LUNG DISEASE, LIVES IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. HE WORKED IN THE MINES FOR 15 YEARS; NOW HE LIKES TO SIT ON HIS PORCH AND DRINK WHISKEY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ROBERT JOHNSON, 18, AND LANNY GREEN, 21, OUTSIDE A BEER JOINT IN CLOTHIER, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR MADISON. THEY HAD BEEN DRINKING BEER AND VISITING WITH FRIENDS INSIDE. JOHNSON HAS PASSED A JOB PHYSICAL AND IS WAITING TO GO TO WORK IN THE MINES. GREEN HAS NOT WORKED IN THE MINES AND ISN'T INTERESTED, BUT HAS NOT LOCATED A JOB. HE WOULD LIKE TO WORK FOR THE RAILROAD
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DOREN BISHOP, SUPERINTENDENT FOR ROBIN MINES OWNED BY THE ALMA COAL CORPORATION NEAR CLOTHIER AND MADISON, WEST VIRGINIA PUTS ON MINING COVERALLS NEXT TO A METAL CULVERT. HE IS SUPERVISING A NEW MINE WHICH HASN'T YET GONE INTO PRODUCTION, AND THE MINER SHOWER ROOMS ARE NOT FINISHED
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MAN OPERATING A CONTINUOUS MINER IN VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. NOTE THE REDDISH BOX IN FRONT OF THE OPERATOR. IT AUTOMATICALLY CUTS OFF THE MACHINE IF METHANE GAS REACHES A CERTAIN LEVEL. THE CONTINUOUS MINER PASSES THE COAL BACK TO A SHUTTLE CAR WHICH TAKES IT OUT OF THE TUNNEL TO THE CONVEYOR FOR TRANSPORT OUT OF THE MINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. Miners Waiting for Their Examination at the Appalachian Regional Hospital in Beckley, West Virginia, Dr. Donald Rasmussen's Black Lung Laboratory Uses Known Testing Methods to Determine if Miners are Suffering from the Disease Which Results from Coal Dust Filling Lung Sacs and Causing Progressive Shortening of Breath, the Lab, with Funds Paid Mainly by the United Mine Workers Union, is Well Known to All Coal Miners Who Come from Several States
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ABANDONED TOOL SHOP AT A NOW CLOSED MINE NEAR RICHLANDS VIRGINIA, IN THE SOUTHWESTERN TIP OF THE STATE. MINE SAFETY REGULATIONS HAVE CLOSED MANY OF THE SMALLER MINES WHICH DO NOT HAVE THE CAPITAL TO BUY COSTLY EQUIPMENT. THIS PICTURE SHOULD BE COMPARED WITH #13862 WHICH SHOWS THE MODERN SHOP FOR THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JACK SMITH, 42, A DISABLED MINER FROM RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA NEAR BECKLEY, WITH HIS WIFE, DELLA MAE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. TRAINMAN HEADING FOR AN ENGINE IN THE RAIL YARDS OF DANVILLE WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR CHARLESTON. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TRANSSHIPMENT POINTS FOR COAL IN THE WORLD. A CONSTANT STREAM OF RAIL CARS IS MOVED IN AND OUT OF THE SMALL TOWN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. REAR VIEW OF SUPERVISORS' HOUSING IN DEHUE, WEST VIRGINIA, A YOUNGSTOWN STEEL CORPORATION COMPANY TOWN NEAR LOGAN. IN THE OLDER HOUSING THE SUPERVISORS WERE GIVEN TWO STORY HOMES WITH FOUR ROOMS ON EACH FLOOR WHILE THE WORKERS RECEIVED ONE STORY FOUR ROOM DWELLINGS. THE HOUSES ALSO WERE SEPARATED, SYMBOLIC OF A CASTE SYSTEM THAT IS NOW BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PICTURE OF PEOPLE SEATED AND WAITING FOR THE BECKLEY (WEST VIRGINIA) BLACK LUNG ASSOCIATION MEETING TO BEGIN. THIS ORGANIZATION IS ONE OF THE MOST MILITANT OF THE GROUPS CONCERNED WITH THAT ASPECT OF THE MINERS' HEALTH. MINERS CONTRACT BLACK LUNG BY INHALING COAL DUST IN THE MINES WHICH FILL AIR SACKS IN THE LUNGS AND MAKE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO BREATHE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WOMAN AND HER MINER HUSBAND WHO WON A DISHWASHER AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC HELD AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE. A SHOTGUN WAS THE PRIZE FOR THE MEN. DURING THE DAY THE MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK, PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, EAT BARBECUE AND HEAR THE COMPANY PRESIDENT EXPLAIN HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ROW OF MOBILE HOMES NEAR MADISON, WEST VIRGINIA, WITH TRASH THROWN ALONG THE EDGE OF THE CREEK IS A TYPICAL SCENE IN THE MINING VALLEYS THAT DOT THE AREA. THE TRAILERS ARE APPEALING TO THE YOUNG MINERS BECAUSE THEY CAN BE BROUGHT FOR LESS THAN CONVENTIONAL HOUSING AND TAKE LESS SPACE. LEVEL LAND IS AT A PREMIUM IN THE VALLEYS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JULIUS DILBECK, A RETIRED MINER IN HIS PICKUP TRUCK AT CLAIRFIELD, TENNESSEE, NORTH OF KNOXVILLE IN CLAIRBORNE COUNTY. HE NOW USES HIS TRUCK TO TRADE IN BATTERIES AND OTHER SURPLUS AUTO PARTS. HE ALWAYS CARRIES THE BIG PISTOL FOR PROTECTION BECAUSE HE CARRIES MONEY FOR HIS BUSINESS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. AERIAL VIEW OF CHATTAROY, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR WILLIAMSON SHOWING THE SCHOOL NEAR THE TOP OF THE PICTURE. THERE IS NO INDUSTRY IN THE TOWN. MOST OF THE PEOPLE SURVIVE ON WELFARE, PENSIONS, SOCIAL SECURITY AND BLACK LUNG BENEFITS. A FEW PEOPLE DRIVE TO NEARBY WILLIAMSON TO WORK. IT IS A NICE AND CLEAN TOWN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. LILLY MAE SHEETS, FIRECO, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY, STANDS OUTSIDE HER RALEIGH COUNTY HOME. HER HUSBAND WAS HURT BY A ROOF FALL IN THE MINES IN NOVEMBER, 1973, AND DID NOT RECEIVE WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION UNTIL MARCH, 1974. THEY RECEIVED NO WELFARE OR FOOD STAMPS, BUT WERE GIVEN CREDIT AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE. THE DELAY IN RECEIVING COMPENSATION WAS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT OF THE MINERS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. BLUEGRASS PARKWAY IN EASTERN KENTUCKY NEAR ASHLAND AND THE BORDER WITH WEST VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DOREN BISHOP, ROBIN MINES SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE ALMA COAL CORPORATION, LOOKS AT THE OPENING OF A NEW MINE NEAR CLOTHIER AND MADISON, WEST VIRGINIA. IT IS CALLED A PUNCH MINE BECAUSE IT IS quot;PUNCHEDquot; OR CUT INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL. IT IS THE SAME AS A DRIFT MINE EIGHT MEN WERE WORKING ON THE OPENINGS PRIOR TO DEPLOYING MACHINERY FOR DIGGING COAL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. VIEW OF THE MAIN HIGHWAY WHICH RUNS THROUGH THE UNINCORPORATED TOWN OF CLOTHIER, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR MADISON IN LOGAN COUNTY. IT IS AN OLD MINING TOWN THAT BOOMED DURING WORLD WAR II AND THE 1950'S, THEN SLOWED DOWN. MINING IS COMING BACK NOW THAT THERE IS RENEWED INTEREST IN COAL SINCE THE ENERGY CRISIS
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. RETIRED COAL MINER ED AUSTIN WITH SOME OF HIS 20 CHILDREN IN FIRECO, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. THE 64-YEAR-OLD WORKED IN THE MINES FROM 1925 TO 1956. HE RECEIVES BLACK LUNG PAYMENTS AND A UNITED MINE WORKERS PENSION
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THREE GENERATIONS OF COAL MINE WIVES AND A BABY, ALL RESIDENTS OF CUMBERLAND, KENTUCKY. FROM THE LEFT, THEY ARE MRS BERRY HOWARD, MRS. GEORGE WATTS AND MRS. YVONNE BOGGS WITH HER CHILD
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MEMBERS OF A COAL COMPANY SAFETY TEAM DON THEIR EQUIPMENT IN PREPARATION FOR THE KENTUCKY STATE MINE SAFETY CONTEST AT BENHAM, NEAR CUMBERLAND, IN HARLAN COUNTY. ALL OF THE LARGER MINES SAFETY TEAMS FOR EACH SHIFT WHO PRACTICE TO MAINTAIN A STATE OF READINESS IN THE EVENT OF A MINE ACCIDENT. EACH TEAM HAS DIFFERENT COLOR COVERALLS TO DIFFERENTIATE THEM DURING THE COMPETITION WHICH IS GOOD-NATURED, BUT FIERCE. THE AIM IS TO SAVE LIFE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. J.L. BOLEN, 74, A BLIND, RETIRED COAL MINER IS ACCOMPANIED ON A WALK FOR FRESH AIR BY HIS WIFE IN BESOCO, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY HE ALSO LIKES TO WALK AT NIGHT. BOLEN WAS BORN IN BESOCO, NAMED FOR THE COAL COMPANY THAT USED TO MINE THERE. HE STARTED IN THE MINES AT AGE 14, AND NOW GETS BLACK LUNG BENEFITS AS WELL AS A UNITED MINE WORKERS PENSION
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ROW OF MINERS' HOMES IN THE BROOKSIDE MINE COMPANY TOWN OF BROOKSIDE KENTUCKY, NEAR MIDDLESBORO. THE MINE, OWNED BY THE DUKE POWER COMPANY, WAS THE SCENE OF A PROTRACTED AND SOMETIMES VIOLENT STRIKE BETWEEN THE MINE AND THE UNITED MINE WORKERS UNION DURING 1974. THE STRIKE ENDED WHEN A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON THE PICKET LINE IN HARLAN COUNTY. THE HOME OF THE JERRY RAINEY FAMILY IS IN THE FOREGROUND. THEY WERE THREATENED WITH EVICTION DURING THE STRIKE
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF JACK SMITH, 42, DISABLED MINER FROM RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY, WITH THREE OF HIS FOUR DAUGHTERS. HE LOST BOTH LEGS IN A MINE ACCIDENT, AND WAITED 18 YEARS BEFORE RECEIVING WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION. DURING PART OF THAT TIME THE FAMILY HAD TO LIVE ON WELFARE WHICH MADE THEM BITTER. THEY ARE DOING OKAY NOW WITH THE COMPENSATION AND THE MONEY HE MAKES OPERATING A BEER JOINT A BLOCK FROM HIS HOUSE
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. VERY LARGE COAL MINE IN APPALACHIA, VIRGINIA, NEAR KINGSPORT TENNESSEE. THE MINE HAS THREE SILOS TO STORE THE COAL UNTIL IT IS PROCESSED AND READY FOR SHIPMENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE MAIN STREET THROUGH THE SMALL MINING TOWN OF RHODELL WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. COAL IS THE ONLY INDUSTRY HERE AND IN OTHER SIMILAR TOWNS. UNLESS THE YOUTHS WANT TO GO INTO COAL RELATED JOBS, THEY ARE FACED WITH SEARCHING FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE CITIES SOME DISTANCE AWAY. THIS CAN BE A HEART WRENCHING PROSPECT TO ALL MEMBER OF THE CLOSEKNIT FAMILIES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. NORMAN S. KILGORE, A MINER ATTENDING THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. A SAFETY MAN AND ROOF BOLTER IN MINE #21, HE STARTED IN THE MINES AS A MULE DRIVER WHEN HE WAS NINE YEARS OLD, AND HAS WORKED UNDERGROUND OFF AND ON FOR 20 YEARS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER IS HOOKED UP TO A BREATH MACHINE TO MONITOR HOW MUCH LUNG CAPACITY HE HAS WHILE WALKING ON A TREADMILL DURING TESTS AT THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY AT THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL AT BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA. BLOOD SAMPLES ALSO ARE TAKEN AND HIS HEARTBEAT IS MONITORED. THESE AND OTHER KNOWN TESTING METHODS ARE USED TO DETERMINE IF MINERS HAVE COAL DUST PARTICLES ACCUMULATED IN THEIR LUNGS WHICH CAUSE A PROGRESSIVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JACK AND DELLA MAE SMITH IN FRONT OF THE BEER JOINT HE OPERATES IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE ELEVATOR TO THE MAIN SHAFT FOR MEN AND EQUIPMENT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA THE GREEN BUILDING ON THE RIGHT CONTAINS AN OFFICE, SHOWER ROOMS AND WAREHOUSES. THE SMALL YELLOW CARS BEHIND THE ELEVATOR FIT INTO THE ELEVATOR AND ARE USED IN THE MINE. A SWITCH ENGINE, USED FOR OUTSIDE WORK, IS SEEN BETWEEN THE ELEVATOR AND THE BUILDING. COAL CARS ARE SHOWN ON RAILROAD TRACKS IN THE FOREGROUND
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GROUP OF MINERS WAITING TO GO TO WORK ON THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. THEY ARE SITTING ON A SHUTTLE CAR OF THE TYPE WHICH WILL TAKE THEM INTO THE MINES, AND ALSO IS USED FOR WORK ON THE OUTSIDE. THE YELLOW BAGS CONTAIN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. TWO YOUNG PEOPLE ON THEIR WAY TO A HIGH SCHOOL FUNCTION IN BROOKSIDE, KENTUCKY, NEAR MIDDLESBORO. THEY ARE WALKING SINGLE FILE ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SIDEWALKS. STRIKE SIGNS ADORN THE TREE PROCLAIMING THE UNION SIDE OF THE STRIKE AGAINST THE BROOKSIDE MINE COMPANY. SOME OF THE PICKETERS ARE PARTIALLY VISIBLE TO THE EXTREME LEFT EDGE OF THE PICTURE. IT WAS A LONG AND SOMETIMES VIOLENT STRIKE THAT ENDED WHEN A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON THE PICKET LINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY AT JASPER, NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, IS UPGRADING ITS TECHNOLOGY WITH A NEW 3-FOOT-HIGH CONTINUOUS LOADER FOR THEIR NEW MINE IN GRUNDY COUNTY BEFORE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW EQUIPMENT COAL FORM THE SHAFTS WAS OBTAINED BY THE UNDERCUT AND BLAST METHOD. A PROGRESSIVE AND MODERN NON-UNION MINE, IT HAS AN UP TO DATE PROCESSING PLANT AND LOADING DOCK ON THE TENNESSEE RIVER. THE FIRM SELLS MOST OF ITS COAL TO JAPAN. IT IS METALLURGICAL (HIGH) GRADE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SHUTTLE CAR OF COAL IN A THREE FOOT SHAFT IN A MINE OWNED BY THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. THE SHUTTLE IS PUSHED BY A TRACTOR AND HAS A HYDRAULIC PUSH WHICH SHOVES THE COAL ONTO A CONVEYOR BELT WHICH TAKES THE MATERIAL OUT OF THE MINE. IT IS CALLED A NON-GASSY MINE BECAUSE IT IS ABOVE THE SURROUNDING WATER TABLE. THE YELLOW CANVAS BARELY VISIBLE OVER THE TOP OF THE SHUTTLE IS USED TO DIRECT FRESH AIR INTO THE MINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WILDER, TENNESSEE, IN THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS NEAR COOKEVILLE IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE. IT IS AN ALMOST ABANDONED TOWN IN A ONCE GREAT MINING AREA. IT REACHED A POPULATION OF MORE THAN 20,000 IN THE 1920'S AND HAD A SLIGHT COMEBACK DURING WORLD WAR II. NOW THE POPULATION OF SOME 400 LIVES ON WELFARE AND PENSIONS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. RAILROAD TRACKS HOLD BOTH COAL CARS WAITING TO BE FILLED AND THOSE ALREADY LOADED OUTSIDE THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. AT LEFT CENTER IS A BUILDING HOUSE FAN EQUIPMENT FOR THE MINE. NOTE ITS SIZE IN RELATION TO THE RAILROAD CARS. IT TAKES A GREAT DEAL OF POWER TO FORCE FRESH AIR INTO THE MANY MILES OF TUNNELS UNDERGROUND
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. YOUNGSTER RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER GOING HOME DURING RECESS TO GET AN ICE CREAM CONE. THE TOWN OF CHATTAROY, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR WILLIAMSON, IS SMALL ENOUGH SO THE YOUNGSTERS CAN DO THIS. MANY OF THEM ALSO GO HOME FOR LUNCH. THE TOWN HAS NO INDUSTRY, AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE SURVIVE ON WELFARE, PENSIONS SOCIAL SECURITY AND BLACK LUNG BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ELLIS W. MOONEY, 58, BESOCO, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY, CUTS THE HAIR OF HIS NEPHEW, KENNETH BLIVINS, WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN BESOCO BUT NOW LIVES IN DETROIT. HE IS HOME ON VACATION. MOONEY IS LIVING IN HOUSE #52 WHICH WAS FORMERLY OWNED BY THE BESOCO COAL COMPANY. HE BOUGHT IT FOR $680 AND ADDED SEVERAL ROOMS AND A BATH NOW THAT COAL IS NO LONGER MINED HERE, IT IS A DEAD TOWN WITH NO INDUSTRY AND FEW STORES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ALVIN ELLEDGE, COAL SHUTTLE CAR LOADER IN THE MINES, SITS WITH HIS SON AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. SEE PICTURE #14059 FOR HIS WORK SURROUNDINGS. MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ATE, PLAYED SPORTS AND HEARD THE COMPANY'S HEALTH AND RETIREMENT PLANS DISCUSSED
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SHIRTLESS YOUNGSTERS GATHER AS OFFICIALS SMEAR THEIR QUARRY FOR A GREASED PIG CONTEST AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC HELD AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. DURING THE DAY THE MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK, PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, EAT BARBECUE AND HEAR THE COMPANY PRESIDENT EXPLAIN HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A MINER AT THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA, IS HAVING HIS LUNG CAPACITY TESTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER HE HAS THE DISEASE. BLOOD SAMPLES ALSO ARE TAKEN AND HIS HEARTBEAT IS MONITORED WHILE WALKING ON A TREADMILL. THESE AND OTHER KNOWN TESTING METHODS ARE USED TO DETERMINE IF MINERS HAVE COAL DUST PARTICLES IN THEIR LUNGS WHICH CAUSE A PROGRESSIVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. TONY MURPHY HAS HIS LUNG CAPACITY TESTED WHILE WALKING ON A TREADMILL AT THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY AT THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA. THE HOSPITAL USES OTHER KNOWN TESTING METHODS SUCH AS HEARTBEAT MONITORING AND A BLOOD SAMPLE OXYGEN CHECK. A MINER WITH A FAMILY OF TEN CHILDREN, MURPHY WORKS FOR THE ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY IN LOGAN COUNTY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. TYPICAL SCENE OF A MEDIUM-SIZED COAL MINE AT THE BASE OF A FORESTED VALLEY NEAR LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SUNRISE OVER BLACK MOUNTAIN WHICH SEPARATES VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY, NEAR KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE. NEAR HARLAN COUNTY, KENTUCKY THIS AREA HOLDS SOME OF THE RICHEST COAL RESERVES IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE UNITED STATES. THE VIEW IS TOWARD VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HARLEY OWENS IN POSITION AS A MACHINE OPERATOR ON THE END OF THE LONG WALL WHERE THE COAL IS PLACED ON A CONVEYOR BELT. A TAIL OPERATOR WORKS ON THE OTHER END OF THE MACHINE 450 FEET AWAY. THIS IS MINE #3 OF THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY NEAR RICHLANDS VIRGINIA. LONG WALL MINING IS RELATIVELY NEW AND MORE COSTLY, BUT ALLOWS ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH COAL TO BE TAKEN FROM A MINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF JERRY RAINEY, 34, MINER AT THE BROOKSIDE MINE COMPANY WHO WAS OUT ON STRIKE IN THE SUMMER OF 1974
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HOMES OF COAL MINERS WHO LIVE IN TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA NEAR RICHLANDS, IN THE SOUTHWESTERN TIP OF THE STATE. HIGHWAY #19 IS SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND. THE BREAKUP OF THE OLD COMPANY TOWNS HAS RESULTED IN A CHANGE OF PATTERNS IN MINING LIFE. MANY OF THE MINERS NOW COMMUTE UP TO 25 MILES ONE WAY TO GO TO WORK COMPARED TO THE OLDER WAYS OF CONCENTRATED HOUSING AROUND THE MINES WHICH ALLOWED THEM TO WALK TO WORK
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. TWO MINERS RELAXING IN A BEER JOINT AFTER FINISHING THEIR SHIFT THERE IS LITTLE TO DO IN MANY OF THE SMALL MINING TOWNS FOR THE YOUNG MEN OTHER THAN DRINK BEER AND TALK. THEY ARE SHOWN IN THE TAVERN OPERATED BY JACK SMITH, RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. OLD SLAG HEAP NEAR PIGSKIN, WEST VIRGINIA, AND BECKLEY SHOWS THE FIRST SIGNS OF NATURAL RECOVERY. IT IS A LONG, SLOW PROCESS AND BEGINS ONLY IF THE PILES ARE NOT SO STEEP THAT THEY ERODE INTO THE STREAMS. SLAG HEAPS ALSO CAN CATCH FIRE AND BURN INDEFINITELY FROM A NUMBER OF CAUSES. THIS IS ONE OF THE TOPICS OF CONVERSATION THAT MAKE MINERS MAD
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MEMBERS OF THE PEABODY COAL COMPANY TEAM DON THEIR EQUIPMENT IN PREPARATION FOR THE KENTUCKY STATE MINE SAFETY CONTEST AT BENHAM, NEAR CUMBERLAND, IN HARLAN COUNTY. ALL OF THE LARGER MINES HAVE SAFETY TEAMS FOR EACH SHIFT. THEY PRACTICE TO MAINTAIN A STATE OF READINESS IN THE EVENT OF A MINE ACCIDENT DIFFERENT TEAMS WITHIN THE DIFFERENT MINES COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER AS A WAY TO KEEP PROFICIENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ONE OF A SERIES OF PORTRAITS OF MINERS WAITING TO GO WORK ON THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. HIS POCKET HOLDS RED MAN CHEWING TOBACCO WHICH MANY OF THE MINERS USE BECAUSE IT IS AGAINST MINE LAW TO SMOKE UNDERGROUND. MANY OF THE MINERS ALSO CARRY THEIR OWN WATER FROM HOME RATHER THAN DRINK THAT WHICH IS PROVIDED BY THE COAL COMPANIES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A TECHNICIAN AT THE BLACK LUNG LABORATORY IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA, MONITORS A MINER WHOSE LUNG CAPACITY IS BEING TESTED. BLOOD SAMPLES ALSO ARE TAKEN AND THEIR HEARTBEAT IS MONITORED WHILE WALKING ON A TREADMILL. THESE AND OTHER KNOWN TESTING METHODS ARE USED TO DETERMINE IF MINERS HAVE COAL DUST PARTICLES IN THEIR LUNGS WHICH CAUSE A PROGRESSIVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A MEMBER OF THE ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY TRAINING STAFF AT ITS FACILITIES NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, C.E. BARNETTE DEMONSTRATES A MODEL OF A SELF RESCUER THAT ALL MINERS MUST CARRY WITH THEM. IT CONVERTS MINE GASES INTO BREATHABLE OXYGEN FOR ONE TO TWO HOURS BARNETTE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY ISLAND CREEK FOR 42 YEARS, 36 YEARS INSIDE THE MINES. ALL MINERS NEW TO THE COMPANY MUST SPEND A 40-HOUR TRAINING PERIOD WITH THIS MAN, EVEN IF THEY HAD PRIOR EXPERIENCE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF AN OLD COAL COMPANY MINING TOWN OF RED ASH VIRGINIA, NEAR RICHARDS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE. THIS IS A CLASSIC PICTURE OF A COMPANY TOWN WITH A RAILROAD IN THE VALLEY FLANKED BY MINERS' HOMES. THESE HOUSES ARE TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS THE ROAD IS MADE OF RED DOG, A MINING BYPRODUCT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. FOUR YOUNG MEN GATHER IN A BEER JOINT IN CLOTHIER, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR MADISON. THEY ARE LEFT TO RIGHT--MICHAEL DOSS, 18; LANNY GREEN, 21; JUNIOR JEFFORY, 20; AND ROBERT JOHNSON, 18. ALL THEIR PARENTS WORK OR HAVE WORKED IN THE MINE. JEFFORY IS A MINING FOREMAN AFTER TWO YEARS, BUT DOES NOT LIKE IT AND WANTS TO JOIN THE NAVY. GREEN CAN'T FIND A JOB BUT WOULD LIKE TO WORK FOR THE RAILROAD DOSS ISN'T WORKING, BUT IS WAITING FOR A JOB IN THE MINES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MS. GAIL FALK SELTZER, A BLACK LUNG BENEFITS STAFF LAWYER FOR THE UNITED MINE WORKERS FIELD SERVICES OFFICE IN CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA. SHE IS SHOWN CONDUCTING BUSINESS BY TELEPHONE WITH HER BABY ON HER LAP. JOHN NICHOLAS SPENDS MOST OF HIS DAY IN A BABY BED BESIDE HIS MOTHER'S DESK. MS. SELTZER HELPED AUTHOR THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT WHICH IS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE STATES FOR RATIFICATION TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JERRY LAYNE, FOREMAN OF A CREW AT A TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY MINE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, CHECKS THE ROOF OF A SHAFT PRIOR TO PLACING A FOUR TO FIVE FOOT ROOF BOLT IN THE CEILING AS A BRACE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WORK BECAUSE THE ROOF COULD CAVE IN BEFORE BEING BRACED
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES PASS THROUGH A FOOD TENT WHICH FEATURED BARBECUE AND COMPLEMENTS AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC AT THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK, PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, WATCH A GREASED PIG CONTEST, AND HEAR ABOUT THE COMPANY'S HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WILSON DAY OF WHITESVILLE, KENTUCKY, A MINER WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE SAFETY TEAM FROM THE BETH ELKHORN COAL COMPANY, ADJUSTS A GAS MASK BACK PACK DURING THE KENTUCKY STATE MINE SAFETY CONTEST AT BENHAM, NEAR CUMBERLAND. SAFETY TEAMS FROM EACH OF THE LARGER MINES IN THE STATE HAVE COME TO COMPETE. THOUGH THE COMPETITION IS GOOD-NATURED, IT IS FIERCE, AND THE AIM IS TO SAVE LIFE SHOULD THEIR EXPERTISE EVER BE NEEDED IN A MINE ACCIDENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. LEE SKYLES, A TRACTOR DRIVER FOR THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, IS SHOWN PUSHING A SHUTTLE CAR OF COAL OUT OF THE THREE FOOT SHAFT. THE SHUTTLE HAS A HYDRAULIC PUSH WHICH SHOVES THE COAL ONTO A CONVEYOR BELT WHICH TAKES IT OUT OF THE MINE. IT IS CALLED A NON-GASSY MINE BECAUSE IT IS ABOVE THE SURROUNDING WATER TABLE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ONE OF A SERIES OF PORTRAITS OF MINERS WAITING TO GO TO WORK ON THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. THE MINES ARE OPEN AROUND THE CLOCK. TWO SHIFTS WORK IN DIGGING AND BRINGING OUT THE COAL, THE OTHER IS INVOLVED IN CLEANUP OPERATIONS. THE CLEANUP OR quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT BEGINS AT MIDNIGHT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS WAITING TO START THEIR 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT AT VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. THERE ARE TWO WORKING SHIFTS WITH MINERS DIGGING AND TAKING COAL OUT OF THE MINE. THE THIRD, CALLED THE quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT (MIDNIGHT TO MORNING), IS INVOLVED IN CLEANUP OPERATIONS. MANY OF THE MINERS CARRY THEIR OWN WATER INTO THE MINES RATHER THAN USE THAT PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WAYNE GIPSON, A BELT LOADER IN THE MINES, ATTENDING THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE, HE HAS BEEN MINING FOR THREE YEARS. GIPSON ALSO IS A METHODIST MINISTER AND LIVES WITH HIS FAMILY IN NEARBY GRUTLI
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE GENERAL MINE FOREMAN AT ONE OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY MINES NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA STANDS BESIDE THE SHUTTLE CARS USED TO TRANSPORT THE MINERS TO WORK. THEY LAY DOWN ON THE CARS TO CLEAR THE THREE FOOT HIGH CEILINGS DURING THEIR TWO MILE TRIP. IT IS A PROGRESSIVE NON-UNION MINE THAT SELLS MOST OF ITS METALLURGICAL (HIGH GRADE) COAL TO JAPAN
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. TWO MINERS ARE CLEANING OUT LOOSE COAL BY HAND SO CANVAS WALLS CAN BE HUNG TO CONTROL THE AIR FLOW IN THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA THIS IS DANGEROUS WORK BECAUSE A SECTION OF THE WALL CAN POP OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AND CRUSH A MAN. A MACHINE CALLED A CONTINUOUS MINER IS USED TO EXTRACT COAL IN THIS TUNNEL. MOST COAL IN THE U.S. IS MINED BY THIS METHOD
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MODEL OF A SELF RESCUER USED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES BY THE STAFF OF THE ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY AT ITS TRAINING CENTER NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. EACH MINER CARRIES SUCH A DEVICE INTO THE MINE WHEN WORKING. IT CONVERTS MINE GASES INTO BREATHABLE OXYGEN FOR ONE TO TWO HOURS
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ALVOID ALLISON, 58, FROM NORTH CAROLINA SHOWN ATTENDING A MEETING OF THE BECKLEY (WEST VIRGINIA) BLACK LUNG ASSOCIATION, ONE OF THE MOST MILITANT OF THE GROUPS CONCERNED WITH THAT ASPECT OF THE MINERS' HEALTH. HE HAS THIRD STAGE (MOST SEVERE) BLACK LUNG, BUT IS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING BENEFITS BECAUSE OF TECHNICALITIES EVEN THOUGH HE WORKED IN THE MINES FOR 37 YEARS
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MEETING OF THE BECKLEY (WEST VIRGINIA) BLACK LUNG ASSOCIATION, ONE OF THE MOST MILITANT OF THE GROUPS CONCERNED WITH THAT ASPECT OF THE MINERS' HEALTH. THE SPEAKER IS ONE OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED THE MEETING. MINERS CONTRACT BLACK LUNG BY INHALING COAL DUST IN THE MINES WHICH FILL AIR SACKS IN THE LUNGS AND MAKE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO BREATHE
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A BRIGHT AND CLEAN TRAILER PARK INHABITED BY AREA MINERS AT SUNBRIGHT, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR LOGAN. THE MOBILE HOMES ARE POPULAR WITH THE YOUNG MINERS BECAUSE THEY COST LESS THAN CONVENTIONAL HOUSING AND TAKE LESS LAND TO BE SITUATED. LEVEL GROUND IS AT A PREMIUM IN THE COAL MINING VALLEYS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PICTURE OF THE LONG WALL MINER WITH JACKS HOLDING UP THE CEILING TO THE LEFT AND THE TEETH OF THE MINER ON THE RIGHT. THE TEETH RAKE THE COAL TO THE CONVEYOR BELT BELOW. A CONTINUOUS SPRAY OF WATER IS USED ON THE COAL TO CUT DOWN ON THE AMOUNT OF AIRBORNE PARTICLES (NOT SHOWN IN PICTURE). THE FACE OF THE LONG WALL OF COAL IS 450 FEET. A TYPICAL SHIFT INCLUDES 10 MEN--A FOREMAN, 2 MACHINE OPERATORS, UTILITY MAN, 5 TO 6 JACK SETTERS AND SOMETIMES A REPAIRMAN
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER SPREADS HIS LUNCH OUT ON A BENCH IN THE SHOWER AND TIME CARD ROOM OF THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. HE HAULS EQUIPMENTS INTO THE MINE DURING HIS WORK SHIFT
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. YOUNGSTER TAKES A HEFTY SWING AT A BALL WHILE PLAYING IN THE EQUIPMENT YARD OF A COAL COMPANY (SEEN IN BACKGROUND) AT BECKLEY WEST VIRGINIA. NEW MINES ARE BEING OPENED IN THE AREA WHICH WILL RESULT IN NEW JOB OPENINGS AND A BOOST TO THE ECONOMY FOR PEOPLE LIVING THERE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MOST OF THESE HOMES AT CLAYPOOL HILL, VIRGINIA, NEAR RICHLANDS, ARE OWNED BY MINE FOREMAN OR OTHER COAL RELATED PEOPLE THEY WORK FOR THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY, A SUBSIDIARY OF ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY, WHICH IN TURN IS A SUBSIDIARY OF OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM COMPANY. THE MINERS OF TODAY LIVE AS FAR AS 25 MILES FROM THEIR WORK AND COMMUTE RATHER THAN LIVE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE IN THE OLDER TYPE COMPANY TOWNS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ROOF BOLTER LEE CALDWELL WITH A BOLT USED TO BRACE CEILINGS IN A MINE OF THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. HE OPERATES A SELF-PROPELLED MACHINE WITH A DRILL THAT BORES HOLES IN THE CEILING AND AUTOMATICALLY SCREWS FOUR TO FIVE FOOT BOLTS INTO THE CEILING. THIS METHOD CUTS DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF WOODEN POSTS NEEDED AS BRACING. THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS JOB IN THE MINES
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF THE SMOKESTACKS OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY STEAM PLANT AT CUMBERLAND CITY, NEAR CLARKSVILLE TENNESSEE, COAL FOR ITS FURNACES ARRIVES BY BARGE AND IS UNLOADED BY AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT. IT IS THE LARGEST TYPE STEAM PLANT AND ONE OF THE MOST MODERN IN THE WORLD. THE PLANT KEEPS ONE MILLION TONS OF COAL ON HAND AT ANY ONE TIME
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WAYNE GIPSON FAMILY IN THE LIVING ROOM OF THE HOUSE THAT THE GIPSONS BUILT NEAR GRUETLI, NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. ALTHOUGH THE FATHER AND MOTHER CAME FROM MINING FAMILIES THEY LIVED IN SEVERAL NORTHERN CITIES, MARRIED AND STARTED THEIR FAMILY THERE BUT THEY RETURNED TO TENNESSEE BECAUSE THEY PREFER LIFE IN THAT STATE. HE IS A CONVEYOR BELT OPERATOR IN THE MINES AND PREACHES IN HIS NON-WORKING HOURS. HE HAS BEEN INJURED THREE TIMES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. EXTERIOR VIEW OF A DESERTED STORE IN CRAWFORD, TENNESSEE NEAR COOKEVILLE. THE TOWN WAS ONCE A BOOMING COAL MINING HEADQUARTERS, BUT NOW IS LARGELY UNINHABITED. THE LAST YEAR THE STATE ISSUED LICENSES TO THE STORE WAS IN 1966. THE MAN IN THE PICTURE IS A RETIRED MINER WHO LIVES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HAS JUST COME FROM THE SMALL POST OFFICE THERE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DOUG MCCLAIN WITH HIS DOG AT THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. HE IS A WELDER AND ELECTRICIAN IN MINE #24. MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK EAT, PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, WATCH A GREASED PIG CONTEST, AND HEAR ABOUT THE COMPANY'S HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ALLEY BRANCH ROAD WHICH LEADS TO A NEW COAL MINE SITE NEAR CHATTAROY AND WILLIAMSON, WEST VIRGINIA. THERE HAS BEEN SOME WATER DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF EROSION CAUSED BY CLEARING THE WAY TO THE MINE, AND SOME PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY ARE STARTING TO MOVE OUT. FOR THOSE WHO STAY, THEY WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH COAL TRUCK TRAFFIC IN THE FUTURE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF VARIOUS STATE LICENSES ISSUED TO THE OWNER OF A NOW DESERTED STORE IN CRAWFORD, TENNESSEE, NEAR COOKEVILLE. THE TOWN WAS ONCE A BOOMING COAL MINING HEADQUARTERS, BUT IS NOW LARGELY UNINHABITED. THE LAST YEAR LICENSES WERE ISSUED TO THE STORE WAS IN 1966
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINERS AT VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 ARE SEARCHED FOR SMOKING MATERIALS PRIOR TO TAKING THE ELEVATOR INTO THE MINE FOR THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT. REGULATIONS PROHIBIT SMOKING IN THE MINES AND, IF CAUGHT, BOTH MINERS AND THE MINE CAN BE FINED. MANY OF THE MINERS WHO USE TOBACCO CHEW RED MAN WHILE AT WORK
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WAYNE GIPSON, A BELT LOADER IN A COAL MINE OWNED BY THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY AT JASPER, NEAR CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE, IS BATTING DURING A SOFTBALL GAME AT THE COMPANY'S FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC. GIPSON, A METHODIST MINISTER WHO HAS BEEN A MINER THREE YEARS, LIVES IN GRUTLI. EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES ALSO HEARD THEIR PENSION AND HOSPITAL PLANS DISCUSSED BY THE COMPANY PRESIDENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. OTIS SAUNDERS, IN HIS LATE 80'S, SUNS IN FRONT OF HIS HOME IN FIRECO, NEAR BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA. LIKE MOST OF THE OLDER MEN IN THE AREA, HE IS A RETIRED MINER. FIRECO WAS ONCE A GREAT MINING TOWN, BUT THE REGION HAS BEEN MINED OUT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. AUTOMATED UNLOADING EQUIPMENT IS USED TO TRANSFER COAL FROM BARGES ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY STEAM PLANT AT CUMBERLAND CITY, TENNESSEE, NEAR CLARKSVILLE. IT IS THE LARGEST TYPE STEAM PLANT AND ONE OF THE MOST MODERN IN THE WORLD. THE PLANT KEEPS ONE MILLION TONS OF COAL ON HAND AT ANY ONE TIME
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF MRS. BERRY HOWARD, WIFE OF A RETIRED COAL MINER WHO LIVES IN CUMBERLAND, KENTUCKY. HER HUSBAND HAD JUST BOUGHT A NEW TRUCK WITH SOME OF HIS BLACK LUNG PAYMENTS. THE DISEASE RESULTS FROM COAL DUST PARTICLES FILLING AIR SACS IN THE LUNGS AND CAUSES A PROGRESSIVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. Veteran Miner Harold Stanley, Right, Talks to a Young Miner Who has Come into the Mine for the First Time after 40 Hours of Classroom Training, Stanley Placed His Hand on the New Man, Shined His Lamp in the Miner's Face and Said quot;Be Alert, Be Safe, and Uns (You) Will be a Good Miner and Get along Just Fine,quot; this is Virginia-Pocahontas Coal Company Mine #3 Near Richlands, Virginia
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. STARRITT BISHOP WHO IS A STANDARDS CONTROL INSPECTOR OR AIR SAMPLE MAN FOR THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. HE WORKS IN MINE #4 CHECKING THE AIR FLOW AT EACH SPLIT (TUNNEL) AND REPORTS CONDITIONS TO THE MINE SAFETY MAN WHOSE ONLY JOB IS TO CHECK THE MINE FOR SAFETY; HE DIGS NO COAL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. Ms. Gail Falk Seltzer, a Staff Lawyer for Field Services with the United Mine Workers of America, Work on Black Lung Benefits at the Headquarters in Charleston, West Virginia. In the Foreground is The Baby Bed Her Child Sleeps in While She Works. Ms. Seltzer is a Yale Graduate and Contributor to the Equal Rights Amendment being Considered for Adoption to the U.S. Constitution
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HOUSES IN BESOCO, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. THEIR CONDITION MIRRORS THE DECLINE OF THE ONCE BUSY MINING TOWN. THE MINES ARE NO LONGER WORKED THERE. THE PEOPLE WHO REMAIN BEHIND MOSTLY ARE THOSE RECEIVING BLACK LUNG, SOCIAL SECURITY, PENSIONS OR WELFARE
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MEMBERS OF THE BETH ELKHORN COAL COMPANY BEGIN DONNING THEIR EQUIPMENT TO PREPARE FOR THE KENTUCKY STATE MINE SAFETY CONTEST AT BENHAM, NEAR CUMBERLAND. EACH TEAM HAS DIFFERENT COLORED COVERALLS THAT DIFFERENTIATE THEM DURING THE COMPETITION WHICH IS FIERCE, BUT GOOD-NATURED. THE AIM IS TO SAVE LIFE IN THE EVENT OF A MINE ACCIDENT. THESE MEN WILL GO TO ANY MINE DISASTER IN THEIR VICINITY, NO MATTER WHO IS INVOLVED
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF DOREN BISHOP, ROBIN MINES SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE ALMA COAL CORPORATION, PONDERS THE WORK THAT MUST BE DONE TO START A NEW MINE NEAR CLOTHIER AND MADISON, WEST VIRGINIA. IT IS CALLED A PUNCH MINE BECAUSE THE OPENINGS WERE quot;PUNCHEDquot; INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL. IT IS THE SAME AS A DRIFT MINE. EIGHT MEN WERE WORKING ON THE OPENINGS PRIOR TO DEPLOYING MACHINERY FOR DIGGING COAL BISHOP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PHASES OF THE MINING OPERATION
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. WATER IN A CONTINUOUS SPRAY IS USED ALONG THE FACE OF THE LONG WALL WHEN THE COAL MACHINE IS IN OPERATION TO CUT DOWN ON THE AMOUNT OF AIRBORNE DUST. THE MACHINE'S TEETH RAKE THE COAL ONTO A CONVEYOR BELT WHICH MOVES IT FOR TRANSPORT OUT OF THE MINE. LONG WALL MINING IS RELATIVELY NEW AND MORE COSTLY, BUT ALLOWS ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH COAL TO BE TAKEN FROM A MINE. THIS IS VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GARY MCKENNY, 5, SON OF A MINER, EATS A GREEN APPLE IN RHODELL WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. THERE IS LITTLE INDUSTRY IN THE MINING COMMUNITIES AND VERY FEW CHOICES FOR JOBS WHEN THEY GROW UP. MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE FACED WITH WORKING IN MINE CONNECTED JOBS OR LEAVING THEIR HOMES IN SEARCH OF MANUFACTURING JOBS IN CITIES SOME DISTANCE AWAY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MAIN STREET OF LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA, SHOWING A NARROW STREET WITH PARKING ON ONLY ONE SIDE WHICH IS TYPICAL IN MANY OF THE SMALL TOWNS IN SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COAL TIPPLE IN THE FOREGROUND IS CLOSE TO HOUSES IN RALEIGH WEST VIRGINIA, A SUBURB OF BECKLEY. NEW MINES ARE OPENING IN THE AREA WHICH WILL RESULT IN NEW JOB OPENINGS AND A BOOST ECONOMICALLY TO PEOPLE LIVING THERE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. VIEW OF WASTE MATERIALS WHICH HAVE ACCUMULATED AROUND THE MINE OF GEORGE WILSON NEAR WILDER AND COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE. HIS quot;BROTHER-IN-LAWquot; MINE WAS CLOSED BY FEDERAL MINE INSPECTORS BECAUSE IT LACKED A NON-ARCING DRILL. WILSON SAID IT WOULD COST HIM $100,000 TO BUY THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO GO BACK INTO BUSINESS. THE MINE PRODUCED 250 TONS OF COAL A DAY FOR HOME HEATING AND THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MODERN TELEVISION STUDIO OWNED BY THE ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA, WHICH IS USED IN TRAINING MINERS BEFORE GOING UNDERGROUND FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT IS LOCATED AT THE SITE OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #2, A SUBSIDIARY PERSONNEL WITH DEGREES IN COMMUNICATIONS AND VETERAN MINERS USE CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION, AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS AND CLASSROOM WORK TO TRAIN MEN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. DOREN BISHOP, SUPERINTENDENT FOR ROBIN MINES OWNED BY THE ALMA COAL CORPORATION NEAR CLOTHIER AND MADISON, WEST VIRGINIA KNEELS INSIDE THE OPENING WHICH RECENTLY HAD BEEN MADE. NO MACHINERY HAS YET BEEN PLACED IN THE MINE FOR DIGGING COAL. IT IS CALLED A PUNCH MINE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN quot;PUNCHEDquot; OR CUT INTO THE FACE OF THE HILL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CONVEYOR BELT CARRIES COAL FROM LOADED BARGES ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY STEAM PLANT (IN BACKGROUND) AT CUMBERLAND CITY, TENNESSEE, NEAR CLARKSVILLE. IT IS THE LARGEST TYPE STEAM PLANT AND ONE OF THE MOST MODERN IN THE WORLD. THE PLANT KEEPS ONE MILLION TONS OF COAL ON HAND AT ANY ONE TIME
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SMALL U.S. POST OFFICE IN WILDER NEAR COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE. IT SERVES AREA RESIDENTS, MANY OF WHOM LIVE ON WELFARE OR PENSIONS THE FLAG POLE IS FROM THE TRUNK OF A SMALL PINE TREE. IN THE BACKGROUND IS AN OLD COAL TIPPLE WHICH IS ABANDONED
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GEORGE WILSON, AGE 52, WHO RAN A SIX MAN quot;BROTHER-IN-LAWquot; MINE NEAR WILDER AND COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE, IN FENTRESS COUNTY. HE DID EMPLOY HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW AND TWO SONS, BUT HAD JUST BEEN CLOSED DOWN BY FEDERAL MINE INSPECTORS BECAUSE HE LACKED A NON-ARCING DRILL. THE MINE PRODUCED 250 TONS A DAY WHICH WAS SOLD FOR HOME HEATING AND TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY. HE IS SITTING ON A CONTINUOUS LOADER. HE NEEDED ABOUT $100,000 FOR A DRILL TO GET BACK INTO BUSINESS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. Robert Johnson, 18, Sits on a Pool Table in a Beer Joint in Clothier, West Virginia, near Madison, He has Passed a Job Physical and is Waiting to Go to Work in the Mines, Many of the Young Men Like to Get together in the Taverns and Drink Beer and Talk, there is Little Else to Do in the Small Mining Towns
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. AERIAL OF A TYPICAL COMPANY TOWN NEAR LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA WITH THE SCHOOL AT ONE END AND THE COMPANY STORE AT THE OTHER COMPANY TOWNS ARE BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST. BECAUSE THEY NOW HAVE THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION, THE MINERS CHOOSE TO LIVE AWAY FROM THE MINES IN WHICH THEY WORK AND COMMUTE AS MUCH AS 25 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK. BEFORE MINERS HAD THEIR OWN CARS THEY CLUSTERED IN COMPANY TOWNS AND WALKED TO WORK
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. END LOADER USED AROUND THE TIPPLE AND THE ENTRANCE TO A COAL MINE OPERATED BY GEORGE WILSON NEAR WILDER AND COOKEVILLE TENNESSEE. IT WAS CLOSED BY FEDERAL MINE INSPECTORS BECAUSE AN ARCING DRILL WAS USED AND REGULATIONS CALLED FOR A NON-ARCING ONE THE MINE PRODUCED 250 TONS OF COAL A DAY FOR HOME HEATING AND THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY. WILSON SAID IT WOULD COST $100,000 TO GET INTO BUSINESS AGAIN
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER HOMES IN A COMPANY TOWN NEAR CABIN CREEK AND CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA. THE ONE STORY STRUCTURES HAVE FOUR ROOMS COMPARED TO THOSE HOUSING THE MINE SUPERINTENDENTS WHICH WERE TWO STORY WITH FOUR ROOMS ON EACH FLOOR. THE SUPERINTENDENT HOMES WERE APART FROM THE MINERS, USUALLY ON THE HILL ABOVE. IT WAS A SYMBOL OF THE CASTE SYSTEM WHICH PREVAILED IN EARLIER MINING DAYS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MRS. SHARON BOWLING, 25, AND SON, MARK, 2, IN THE STREET OUTSIDE THEIR HOME IN CUMBERLAND, KENTUCKY. SHE IS THE WIFE OF A MINER WHO KEEPS UP WITH HIS WORK BY THOROUGHLY READING THE UNITED MINE WORKERS JOURNAL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. COKE FURNACES AT KEEN MOUNTAIN, NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA MADE FROM COAL, THE COKE WILL BE SENT FOR USE IN THE FURNACES AT THE STEEL MILLS. (THIS IS NOT A PART OF THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS OPERATION.)
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SMALL COUNTRY TOWN NOT RELATED TO COAL MINING NEAR THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE NORTH OF BECKLEY. IT WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NETWORK OF LESSER ROADS THAT ALLOWED MINERS TO COMMUTE A GREATER DISTANCE TO WORK, AND WAS ONE OF THE FACTORS WHICH LEAD TO THE DECLINE OF THE COMPANY COAL TOWNS. BEFORE THE ROADS THE MINERS CLUSTERED AROUND THE MINES THEY WORKED AND WALKED TO THEIR JOBS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MRS. SHARON BOWLING, 25, AND SON, MARK, 2, OUTSIDE THEIR HOME IN CUMBERLAND, KENTUCKY. WIFE OF A MINER, SHE IS SHOWN LOOKING AT THE UNITED MINE WORKERS JOURNAL, HER quot;BIBLEquot;
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. RALEIGH WORLEY, A SECTION FOREMAN WITH VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE MINE SAFETY TEAM THAT MEETS REGULARLY AND SHARPENS ITS SKILLS IN COMPETITION AGAINST TEAMS FROM OTHER COMPANY MINES. HE LIVES IN RICHLANDS, 12 TO 18 MILES FROM THE MINE WHERE HE WORKS. WORLEY HAS TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE EDUCATION AND IS THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO PROBABLY WILL GO UP THE COMPANY LADDER AND BECOME A SUPERVISOR
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. ONE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF JERRY RAINEY, 34, A MINER WHO WAS OUT ON STRIKE AGAINST THE BROOKSIDE MINING COMPANY IN BROOKSIDE KENTUCKY, NEAR MIDDLESBORO FOR SEVERAL MONTHS DURING 1974. SHE IS ON THE BACK PORCH OF THE HOUSE RAINEY RENTS FROM THE COMPANY NOTICE THE OUTHOUSES IN THE BACKGROUND. THE FAMILY WAS THREATENED BY EVICTION DURING THE LENGTHY AND SOMETIMES VIOLENT STRIKE DESPITE A STATE LAW WHICH OUTLAWS SUCH A PRACTICE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PICTURE OF VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS MINE #2 NEAR RICHLANDS VIRGINIA, IN A PICTURESQUE SETTING WITH A RED BUD TREE IN THE FOREGROUND. IT IS TYPICAL OF THE CLEAN TYPE OF OPERATIONS AT ALL SIX OF THE COMPANY MINES WHERE METALLURGICAL COAL IS DUG FOR USE IN STEELMAKING. FISH CAN BE SEEN IN THE CREEK ADJACENT TO THE MINE
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National Archives at College Park |
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GROUP OF MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES RELAXING AT THE FIRST ANNUAL COMPANY PICNIC SPONSORED BY THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA. THOSE WHO ATTENDED WERE ABLE TO SWIM IN A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE, ENJOY A VARIETY OF SPORTS, WATCH THEIR CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN A GREASED PIG CONTEST, AND HEAR THE COMPANY PRESIDENT DISCUSS THEIR HOSPITAL AND PENSION PLANS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MACHINERY SURROUNDS THE OPENING OF A NEW COAL MINE, CALLED THE ROBIN MINE, OWNED BY THE ALMA COAL CORPORATION NEAR CLOTHIER AND MADISON, WEST VIRGINIA. IT IS CALLED A PUNCH MINE BECAUSE IT IS quot;PUNCHEDquot; OR CUT INTO THE FACE OF THE HILL. IT IS ALSO REFERRED TO AS A DRIFT MINE. EIGHT MINERS WERE WORKING ON OPENINGS; NO MACHINERY HAD YET BEEN PLACED IN THE MINE FOR DIGGING COAL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. AERIAL OF A TYPICAL MINE IN SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA NEAR WILLIAMSON. THE UNPROCESSED COAL IS SENT DOWN A CHUTE TO A STORAGE SILO. FROM THERE IT GOES INTO THE CLEANING PLANT FOR PROCESSING AND GRADING, THEN TO A TIPPLE TO BE LOADED ONTO COAL CARS AND SHIPMENT TO ITS DESTINATION
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SIGN TO LABORATORY WHERE BLACK LUNG STUDIES ARE UNDERWAY WITH SUPERVISION BY DR. DONALD RASMUSSEN. MINERS FROM THE AREA OF THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL AT BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA, AND SEVERAL OTHER STATES ARRIVE TO LEARN IF THEY HAVE AN ACCUMULATION OF COAL DUST PARTICLES FILLING UP THEIR LUNGS WHICH LEADS TO A PROGRESSIVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. YOUNGSTERS WRESTLE WITH A GREASED PIG DURING A CONTEST HELD BY THE TENNESSEE CONSOLIDATED COAL COMPANY DURING THEIR FIRST ANNUAL PICNIC AT A TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY LAKE NEAR JASPER AND CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. DURING THE DAY THE MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GATHERED TO TALK, PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, EAT BARBECUE, AND HEAR THE COMPANY PRESIDENT EXPLAIN HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MICHAEL, 14, AND DARRELL, 13, ARE SONS OF WAYNE GIPSON, A MINER AND MINISTER WHO LIVES NEAR GRUETLI, TENNESSEE, NEAR CHATTANOOGA DARRELL IS SHOWN IN SOME OF HIS FATHER'S MINING GEAR. THEIR FATHER ARRIVES HOME PROMPTLY AT 3:30 P.M. TO SHOWER AND CHANGE CLOTHES. HE THEN FEEDS THREE COWS, AND SOME PIGS AND CHICKENS WITH HELP FROM THE BOYS. HE KEEPS THE ANIMALS TO GIVE HIS SONS SOMETHING TO DO AFTER SCHOOL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. MINER, WHO HAS JUST FINISHED HIS SHIFT AT VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4, NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. CARRIES HIS EMPTY LUNCH PAIL. THE BRASS PLATE ON HIS BELT CARRIES HIS NAME AND BLOOD TYPE. THE BELT ALSO HOLDS BATTERIES FOR HIS HEAD LAMP AND LIFE SAVER BREATHING APPARATUS. HIS YELLOW HAT MEANS HE IS A SAFETY MAN. THE LAMP (PARTIALLY OBSCURED ON HIS RIGHT HIP) DETECTS BLACK DAMP PLACES WHERE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH OXYGEN FOR THE MINERS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. EARLY MORNING FOG CARPETS CLOTHIER, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR MADISON. IT IS A FAMILIAR OCCURRENCE IN THE HILLY TERRAIN OF THE COAL MINING COMMUNITIES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. NEAR SHADY SPRINGS, WEST VIRGINIA, ABOUT FOUR MILES FROM FIRECO WHICH IS NEAR BECKLEY. THIS TRANQUIL SCENE WITH PASTURE, POND AND NATURAL VEGETATION SHOWS THE CONTRASTS BETWEEN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES IN THE COAL MINING AREA. THE OLD COMPANY TOWNS ARE VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN ONES WHICH CAME INTO BEING WITHOUT DEPENDENCE ON COAL
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. AERIAL OF WILLIAMSON, WEST VIRGINIA, SHOWING THE COAL RAIL YARDS AND THE RIVER THAT DIVIDES KENTUCKY AT THE UPPER LEFT AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE TOWN HAS THE LARGEST COAL TRAIN YARD IN THE WORLD, FOLLOWED BY DANVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. PAUL BRYANT, 39, A NEIGHBOR OF PAUL DAVIS IN NEWTON, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR CHARLESTON. BRYANT HAS A COMBINATION OF THIRD STAGE (MOST SEVERE) BLACK LUNG DISEASE COMBINED WITH A LUNG AILMENT (SILICOSIS) CAUSED BY ROCK DUST. ROCK DUST IS USED IN THE MINES TO KEEP DOWN THE COAL DUST
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. OLD COAL COMPANY STORE WHICH WAS GUTTED BY FIRE IN THE FENTRESS COUNTY, TENNESSEE, TOWN OF WILDER NEAR COOKEVILLE. THE SMALL WHITE BUILDING JUST BEYOND IT IS A COOP STORE WHICH WAS STARTED WITH THE HELP OF OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. JACK SMITH, 42, DISABLED MINER IN HIS HOME WITH THREE OF HIS FOUR DAUGHTERS IN RHODELL, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR BECKLEY. HE NOW OPERATES A BEER JOINT ABOUT A BLOCK FROM HIS HOME. ALTHOUGH HE HAD WORKED IN THE MINE FOR A YEAR BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, IT WAS 18 YEARS BEFORE HE RECEIVED WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION. SMITH CAME FROM A FAMILY OF NINE BOYS AND SEVEN GIRLS. ONE BOY DIED IN INFANCY, ALL THE OTHERS WENT TO WORK IN THE MINES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. THE WAYNE GIPSON FAMILY SAYS A PRAYER BEFORE THEIR EVENING MEAL IN THE KITCHEN OF THEIR MODERN HOME NEAR GRUETLI, NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. THEY HAS A SIMPLE MEAL OF STEW, ICED TEA AND CRACKERS. THE NIGHT BEFORE IT HAS BEEN FRIED CHICKEN. THE FAMILY WAS PLANNING TO LEAVE FOR FLORIDA AND DISNEY WORLD ON VACATION. IT WAS A PRESENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK, A TIME MINERS DO NOT WORK. THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE NEW TYPE COAL MINER WITH MODERN, MIDDLE CLASS VALUES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GEORGE KING, LONG WALL SECTION FOREMAN IN VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #3 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA LOOKS AT A CONVEYOR BELT COMING FROM A WORKING SECTION OF THE MINE. THE WHITE MATERIAL IS LIME OR ROCK DUST TO KEEP DOWN THE AMOUNT OF COAL DUST IN THE AIR. SOME 3,000 TONS OF COAL PER DAY PASS OVER THIS BELT ON THE WAY TO THE CLEANING PLANT. LONG WALL MINING IS RELATIVELY NEW AND ALLOWS ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH COAL TO BE MINED BUT IS EXPENSIVE BECAUSE OF MACHINERY
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE TO WILLIAMSON, WEST VIRGINIA, PROCLAIMS THE TOWN IS IN THE HEART OF COAL FIELDS. ROTARY, KIWANIS AND LIONS SERVICE CLUB (LEFT TO RIGHT) SIGNS NOTE THAT THOSE ORGANIZATIONS ARE PRESENT, WORKING FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT. THE TOWN HAS THE LARGEST COAL YARD FOR TRAINS IN THE WORLD, FOLLOWED BY DANVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. A VALENTINE CANDY BOX BRIGHTENS THE DRESSER IN THE BEDROOM OF THE HERSHAL AND MAI SHREWBURY HOME NEAR BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA JUST OUTSIDE A COALMINING AREA. HE WORKS AS AN OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SUPERVISOR IN RALEIGH COUNTY. THE IS ACTIVE IN HELPING WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. HAROLD STANLEY, DIRECTOR OF SAFETY FOR THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY, LOOKS AT A MAP CROSS SECTION OF MINE #3 AT THE 1,250-FOOT LEVEL IN HIS OFFICE NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA HE SUPERVISES A SAFETY DIRECTOR AT EACH OF THE SIX MINES WHO IN TURN SUPERVISE SAFETY DIRECTORS FOR EACH MINE SHIFT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CONVEYOR BELT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. GROUP OF MINERS WAITING TO GO TO WORK ON THE 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT SHIFT AT THE VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS COAL COMPANY MINE #4 NEAR RICHLANDS, VIRGINIA. THEY ARE THE SECOND OF TWO WORK SHIFTS WHICH ARE INVOLVED IN DIGGING THE COAL AND BRINGING IT OUT OF THE MINES THE MIDNIGHT TO MORNING OR quot;HOOT-OWLquot; SHIFT WORKS ON CLEANUP OPERATIONS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CHILDREN AT RECESS IN THEIR SCHOOLYARD AT CHATTAROY, WEST VIRGINIA, NEAR WILLIAMSON. THE SCHOOL IS OPERATED BY THE COUNTY THERE IS NO INDUSTRY IN THE SMALL TOWN. MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE SUPPORTED BY WELFARE, PENSION, SOCIAL SECURITY AND BLACK LUNG BENEFITS
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CLOSEUP OF A MEMBER OF THE PEABODY COAL COMPANY TEAM THAT IS COMPETING IN THE KENTUCKY STATE MINE SAFETY CONTEST AT BENHAM NEAR CUMBERLAND. SAFETY TEAMS FROM EACH OF THE LARGER MINES IN THE STATE HAVE COME TO COMPETE. THE COMPETITION IS GOOD-NATURED, BUT FIERCE, AND THE AIM IS TO SAVE LIFE SHOULD THEIR EXPERTISE EVER BE NEEDED IN THE EVENT OF A MINE ACCIDENT
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Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1944 - 2006. DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern. 1972 - 1977. CHILDREN DURING RECESS AT THE CHATTAROY, WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL. IN THE BACKGROUND IS A FORMER COMPANY STORE, NOW PRIVATELY OWNED. THE TOWN HAS NO INDUSTRY AND MOST PEOPLE ARE SUPPORTED BY WELFARE, PENSIONS, SOCIAL SECURITY AND BLACK LUNG BENEFITS. A FEW PEOPLE DRIVE INTO WILLIAMSON NEARBY TO WORK. IT IS A NICE SMALL TOWN THE CHILDREN OFTEN WALK HOME FROM SCHOOL FOR LUNCH AND EVEN TO USE THE BATHROOM WHILE OUT FOR RECESS
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