Exactly 126 years ago today, the local coal question was almost settled before it got started.
A massive explosion in what is known as the “Baby Mine” at Pocahontas exploded on March 13, 1884, and killed (approximately) 114 miners.
So severe was the blast that for a time there was reportedly some question as to whether the Southwest Virginia Improvement Company, a.k.a. Pocahontas Fuel Company, a.k.a. Consolidation Coal Company, would be able to continue operations.
However, the company officials quickly cast aside any doubt and within less than a week operations to clear the mine and find as many of the bodies as possible were underway. With the dangers of “after damp” as well as flooding and some remaining fire immediately after the explosion, the search was cautiously started. Not all of the bodies were found, some having been literally cremated in the fiery tunnel.
The mine was sealed, water was pumped in to quell any remaining fires, and clean up started under the direction of Superintendent W. A. Lathrop. Both the Virginia General Assembly and the Norfolk & Western Railway offered assistance but company officials refused, noting the SWVIC would take care of its obligations.
When the tunnel was opened, dead mules, twisted track and various pieces of equipment were brought out. Many of the bodies were recovered.
At that point, the Town of Pocahontas Cemetery was officially laid out in preparation for receiving those bodies for burial. In the meantime, a large mound of “rubbish” taken from the mine was heaped up and burned. A rail car of disinfectant was sprinkled along the Laurel Creek waterway when the water and refuse was removed.
Amid much sadness, the burial was accomplished and the grieving took its course.
Families of all races and creeds were affected by the tragedy, which made headlines across America as one of the largest coal mine explosions in history and it still ranks as one of the great calamities of the industry.
Soon, efforts were back in high gear. The coke ovens were blazing and miners were working to resume production of some 1,200 tons per day, according to some early reports. There was no more talk of discontinuing operations.
Instead the company redoubled its efforts to produce coal. The coal industry has always been resilient. Despite a host of legislative battles from Charleston to Richmond to Washington, D.C., Four Seasons Country residents as a group are hoping this will be yet another time the jobs and finances will be retained in the area. It will take another great effort but history says somehow the coal people will find a way.
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Max Kammer was certainly a friend to the local area and the coal miners. Along with veteran business people like the late Al Land, Mr. Kammer said from time to time how important the miners had been to the prosperity of Kammer Furniture Company. He often extended payment plans and other courtesies to customers over the years. For that reason, much of the furniture that my family purchased came to our house by way of Max Kammer, and later, his son, Harry.
Mr. Kammer and I had many conversations about local history, his beloved West Virginia Mountaineers, World War II, and Bluefield. He always had the best interests of the area at heart. From the time he left home to go to WVU until he returned after World War II to join the family business, he was diligent about business and doing the right thing for himself and others.
A few years ago, at our own Riverside Community Church, it was quite a treat to present Mr. Kammer with a certificate of appreciation on Veterans Day.
He came down with the late Tom Colley and they had a grand time. As always, Mr. Kammer helped out by loaning us some of his memorabilia from the war to use in our display. He was one of several veterans so honored and enjoyed speaking with his fellow veterans.
From the living room to the bedroom to the kitchen table, Max Kammer will long be remembered and thanked for helping to secure our freedom and then coming home to help provide some of the means to enjoy it.
Larry Hypes is a teacher at Tazewell High School and a columnist for the Daily Telegraph.
Columns
March 13, 2010
Tragic Pocahontas explosion underscores resiliency of mining industry
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