EHA Pays Tribute to Miners Killed in 1927
Morgantown Dominion Post
16 May 2010
Submitted to The Dominion Post
The Everettville Historical Association (EHA) paid tribute to the
fallen coalminers of Federal No. 3 in Everettville, Monongalia County,
on April 25 at Friendship Baptist Church.
The Rev. Robert T. Buckner said the prayer for the service and the
miners. EHA President Carol Thorn was emcee for the service.
On April 30, 1927, at 3:25 p.m., an explosion rocked the hills of
Everettville that claimed the lives of 111 miners. Total fatalities at
the operation from 1918-1951 were more than 149. The mine’s operation
spanned four wars.
Monongalia County Marine Corps League Detachment 342 came out to place
the Colors in honor of veterans from the area. Commandant Tom Hellyer
and Dewey Nepkin help Isiaih and Caleb Hood place wreaths in honor of
Ralph Wright, their great-greatuncle, and all the other fallen coal
miners/veterans of Federal Mine No. 3.
UMWA Vice President Mike Caputo spoke in honor of the fallen miners in
2010 and read a poem, “When Coal Dust Turns to Gold,” by Irving E.
Rice. Caputo and Linda Longstreth, delegates from Marion County, were
on hand to support the miners and the miners’ memorial park.
Kati Singel, WVU history graduate student, has researched Federal Mine
No. 3 and was on hand to share her wealth of knowledge. Assistant
professor Peter Butler and student Phillip McHenry were there to
display the new design by the Landscape Architecture and Plant Design
Studio for the 25-acre Miners’ Memorial Park.
The Second Cousin Band, with members Mary Angel Blout, Duncan Lorimer
and Chris Plein, sang “Henry Russell’s Last Words” by Diana Jones. The
song is based on the death notes Henry Russell left for his wife Mary
in the Federal No. 3 explosion in 1927.
The Everettville Historical Association is a nonprofit organization who
is dedicated to conservation, education and preservation.
“The WVU students are using our land for education. Getting the younger
generation involved keeps the history alive. We can’t allow the memory
of our miners’ sacrifice to be forgotten,” Thorn said.