Tribute Coal Miners

(Photo's belong to their copyright owners, I do Not claim ownership). "I just wanted to honor those that gave their lives" so you could turn your PC on. This video is dedicated to underground Miner's around the world, even Gem miners. I think coal miners are the most forgotten people on this Earth...Until an accident occurs. One person asked how far down is Hell?... "It's just a 1/4 mile down" was the reply. One shot shows a coin "25" that is how they use to buy things at the (Company Store) most people today didn't know this. Tennessee Ernie Ford wrote a song, "I owe my soul to the company store" When you ran out of these coins you started a tab/chit. thus...you have the story.
I want to thank 2 people for their inspiration, guidance, and help: ulead123 & superglide63 and a few of my friends for their support to post it.
INFO ABOUT THE COIN:
Imagine spending your days in the depths of the earth; doing the dirty, dangerous work of mining coal. Then consider what it would be like to be paid for your labor with money that could be considered virtually worthless. This was the plight of many miners during the early 20th Century; this is the story of scrip. As coal mining in the Appalachian region of the United States began to develop in the late 1800's, mines were established in remote, rugged areas, far away from banks and stores. Partially from a need to supply household goods to miners and partially to capitalize on an opportunity to make a profit, mine owners established company stores in their mining town. As actual U. S. currency was difficult for mines to keep on hand in sufficient quantities, the companies began to issue their own scrip tokens as payment for the miners' wages. Most scrip was unique in appearance so that a mine's company store could immediately identify its own scrip, as most did not want to accept tokens issued by another company. Miners were given scrip in advance of their wages to buy necessities for the home, but also to pay rent on the company-owned houses they lived in, to buy tools and supplies for work, to pay utilities and medical care, and even to contribute to a mandatory funeral fund. All this was paid to the coal company. There was little retail competition in the coalfields and the prices at some company stores were often so high that miners virtually had nothing left to collect when payday arrived. According to Stan Cohen, in his book, King Coal: "Payment by scrip served a dual purpose. The miner could get wages in advance of his regular paycheck, and he did not have borrow money or charge items at the store, The company in turn did not need to keep extensive charge account records, nor were there difficult collection problems involved." Scrip started out in paper form but by the early 1900's was commonly being created in brass, copper, and aluminum coins. To conserve metal during World War II, fiber scrip was occasionally produced. Each company had its own version and each mine's company store accepted only its own scrip. The government ultimately outlawed the use of scrip and it began to decline in use in the 1950's, disappearing entirelyby the early 1970's. A variety of other industries besides coal - such as lumber, textiles, agriculture, paper, copper, gold, and silver—issued scrip, creating thousands of varieties from more than 30 states.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Coal
• miners
• tribute
• 2008
• gems
• underground
• media
• death
• honor
• life
• coal
• electric
• power

[MrAndysoul]

At the end of this video it claims that 100,000 miners lost their lives 1900 to 1970

in britain i have the names of nearly 200,000 miners from just coal not including mineral mining etc it was a very dangerous job

[W8NSVARRL]

@MrAndysoul Yes that is somewhat correct information based on U.S. statistics. I did not include the world. May be a mistake and oversight on my part for mis-clarification. Please accept my apologies for not being more specific. Actually the count is closer to being 131,401 by OSHA and MSHA-(Mine safety and Health Admin) Actual recordable's & statistics. I'm very sorry to learn of so many death you make claim to. Regardless to any facts, one death is one too many. 

[W8NSVARRL]

Someone asked back in Aug who sang this song. Betty Jean Robinson.

[W8NSVARRL]

As of Jan 14th 2010

Miner was # 4 on the list.

[W8NSVARRL]

God bless each and everyone of you mining...Your never alone. I'am thinking about you each and if your working and think to yourself..does any one else in the world even know or cares we're down here??? YES! Rest assured you are being thought of and yes, many like myself worry about your working, your life, and your families. May each miner find some comfort in these words. Please pass this message along to your crews at what ever mine your working, Tell them Don W8NSV thinks about ya' all.

[sammygallup]

i like the video, as a miner it does pay a big tribute to those who have lost their lives

[W8NSVARRL]

Thank you kindly, I had Amazing grace as music but the Butt-heads at YouTube said...You can't have that on your video. Anyway, Just wondering where your mining? You can send me a Private message if you wish. Thanks again for the comment. Always appreciated and

remember...you are being thought of while your working, even if you feel alone...your really not.

[Astrodan2600]

I just accidently came across this video. The photo's and song together send a really powerful message. You really should make a film someday. Thank you

[thcthc]

@W8NSVARRL SREČNO! GOD BLESS THE MINERS !

[Chris231MCF]

no you should be ok with pictures just add they belong to their copyright owners if you don't claim them pictures as yours you are alright as long you get them from web but nice video

[scout8847]

Who sings this song??? Tanya Tucker?

[antman833]

aint no one but good hard working west virginians in that mine i hope all miners can return home safley

[cwr56]

Who sings this version of Aint No Grave?

[bestkeptsecretout]

This Video Is A Tribute To Grieving Families Every Where All Over The World

I'm Praying For All Of You "Let Jesus Fix Your Heart" I Know It's Broken And Heavy Burdened! He Can Fix It!!! Trust In Him!!! To Get A Copy Of This Song For Your Continued Listening Go To i-tunes Under "Songs Of Hope And Remembrance" In The Video Is A Tribute To The Coal Miners Families