Dirty Mines: Coal Mining in Pennsylvania

by John Fitzgerald

DIRTY MINES is a story about coal mining in Pennsylvania. For the first time many of the jobs performed by boys, as young as 8 years old, are described in detail. Cesar D’Angelo was 10 when his father was killed in the mines. Cesar, the oldest boy in his family, had to take his father’s place working for the coal company. His first job was working high up in the dangerous coal breakers. At the age of 12 he went down into the blackish, coal dusted mines to begin his long mining career. His first job was sitting in the dark alone for 10 to 12 hours a day as a door keeper. Later he became a spragger, mule driver, and had various other jobs until becoming a lifetime coal miner.DIRTY MINES also addresses the rich history of this era; including the miscarriage of justice towards the Molly Maguires in their fight for union rights and the environmental disaster at the Knox Coal company that ended coal mining in North Eastern Pennsylvania.This is a family story about the last generation of Scranton coal miners. It is a fascinating and warm narrative of sacrifice, humor, and love. A revealing story about a forgotten way of life in difficult times, with very little pay in horrible working conditions. It’s an anecdotal story of courage and tenacity of poor deprived coal miners that struggled to make a better life for their children. Their historic sacrifices are being passed on to a new generation, so their unique heritage will never be forgotten.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2016

Reviews

[Rob Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the title and description of this book make it sound like non-fiction, it’s not. The book addresses the rise and fall of coal mining in Pennsylvania but it is done through a narrative about a man, Damien, who, as his father ages, comes to gripes with the understanding that he knows very little about his father’s life as a coal miner so he begins his journey to understand more about the mines and his father. The book addresses the immigrants who worked the mines as well as the atrocities they experienced working beneath the earth. It deals with a number of important issues that were part of mining history including child labor, racism, unionization efforts and organized crime. Although the historical context is intriguing and fascinating, the narrative that is used to tell the story is less compelling. The plot and dialogue seem forced at certain points but the overall message of the book and the history it tells is worth reading, especially to anyone who has a family history with coal mining or the northeastern PA region.

[Betty Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading This Brought Memories of My Grandfather

I knew grandpa was a coal miner, but that's all I knew. Reading this makes me wonder if he was one of the ten year old boys working twelve hours a day. He worked at Orient Coal before the tragedy in the 1950's. He retired in Orient, Illinois, in the same three room house in which he raised his four children. They had no indoor plumbing and had an ice box on the back porch. He had been a miner in Wales before coming to the United States. Parts of this book could have been written about him. This book brought a rush of memories of my grandparents. I wish I could convince my children and grandchildren to read this so they could more deeply appreciate the lives they are now living.

[Albert Plytage]

A must read for anyone from the anthracite fields

The best book I have read in a long time well written, being the grandson of an Irish Catholic miner from the valley I was fortunate to get a lot of history first hand I wish he was still here so I could hear more, thanks for the great memories I have of him and my proud heratage. Great read!!!!

[Todd R · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much to like

This book seems like historical fiction, maybe it is. The few chapters of being a young miner are interesting, but just ends. We don't hear how his career evolved later on and came to retirement.
The author should have just written about the Molly Maguires since it takes up a large portion of the book.
The names of the towns are not even correct.

[Liane Luini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Book

This is a well researched novel that gives a human side to a difficult time in our history. I'm new to the subject (having read a couple other books before this) and found this put a lot of my previous reading into a compelling context. I highly recommend it. It taught me a lot.

[cynthia l angle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good information only

As a native Pennsylvanian with coal region heritage I found the book well researched historically but the story I felt was forced and the writing just average

[mark laskowski]

Growing up in NE Pa. I never realized the gift given to us by our grandparents.


We take for granted our great country. John Fitzgerald has written a book that will open many an eye about our coal mining past.