Swallowed by the Hole (The Knox Mine Disaster)

[blkngldnj]

My Grandfather lived in Port Griffith and worked in the number 12 mine for 25 years. He was asked to be a foreman in the Knox mine and thank God he declined and worked instead at a cigar factory in Pittston. I think about this every time I visit NEPA. Thanks for the song. If we don't remember who will?

[wordweaverlynn]

My cousin Olive's husband died in that disaster. Thanks.

[mikeverdetto]

Hello my friend i worked in the mines in sugar notch when the knox came in. we had to move up to the higher veins because the water was coming in. i put 10 yrs in the mines mcdade park was 190 slope was my last in the mines. i use to send the cars of coal outside. my father put 40 yrs in the mines . my pic hangs in the lamp room with 10 others when 190 slope closed. nice song. keep up the good work. i am in the pa coal mine in laflin pa check it out.. mike verdetto

[thcthc]

@mikeverdetto RESPECT!!! in srečno knapi!!!

[Tony2581]

B/t/w Tom, I just listened to your talking blues song about PTSD. Congratulations on a brilliant song! My best buddy is a now-retired PhD psychologist who devoted his life to working with Vietnam vets suffering from PTSD, so I have forwarded your video on to him. You're a very talented guy! Best wishes, Tony from Kentucky

[Tony2581]

Tom -- Did you write this song? What a moving performance! I'm a collector of coal mining songs, so I'd be interested to know if you have recorded any others?

Best wishes, Tony from Kentucky

[StatenIslandFolkie]

Beautiful. Your style of guitar accompaniment is perfect for the song.

[kkwuzhere67]

great song! my grandfather was in this and was lucky to be a survivor :)

[steveinnepa]

Nice song... My late father worked as a coal miner for Glen Alden for 20 years, between 1940 and 1960. He worked in Loomis, Avondale and Wanamie. He often talked about how the Knox Disaster.

Thanks for posting.

[321PALOG]

Very nice song and nice to make an appearance at Mcdade Park Sat.- George Wanyo(fireworks)

[reliablebow]

Very good song. I'm from Binghamton, though no mines, we had a bad flood from the ol' river a few years back. My wife's old home taken...Appreciate your song.

[send2meez]

great song, Tom. I lived in Parnassus, PA.. An explosion there in 1929 killed hundreds. I believe the mine was named Kinlock. I lived in an old Victorian mining house. The inside had been painted black.

[NRUDOWSKI]

Are you a from PA, sir? Just curious...My grandfather used to talk about how how mining statutes were so ignored that, if a man were so possessed, he could probably walk from the northeastern part of PA right into a main street of Scranton. 6 feet seems awful thin.

[TomSmithMusic]

Hello and thank you for the comment. Yes, I grew up in the Scranton area. I also heard that statement about walking from one part of the state to another completely underground via connected mines. Given the sink holes I saw growing up, I suppose it might also be possible to walk right up out of the mines and into Scranton for a cup of coffee. - Tom

[suuzzee5]

So glad to hear this song...it's really good!  Anything that honors the miners is so well deserved ... I didn't realize it had been that long ago. Seems like the disasters are coming closer and closer together these days...

[Johnfern99]

Great song, Tom! Wow, what a horrible way to go.