These stories were originally published on January 9, 2018, to honor the lives of area coal miners and their families. — J.T.K.

"My father, Thomas Davis Jr., was born in 1903 in Mindenmines, Mo. He moved to Franklin 1910. Daddy went to work in the mines as a young boy and continued to do so until the last mine closed. He then went to work for the Kansas City Southern railroad in 1941. He died in 1981.

"My memories of the coal mines are all pretty disturbing. It was such a worry about mine cave-ins. I remember well when the whistle blew in the middle of the day everybody's heart went to their throats.

"My big memory is my mother washing those pit clothes - they were padded in the knees and they would be just embedded with coal dust. The carbide for the carbide lamps was so guarded - boy, we were forbidden to go near it.

"I think a lot about Western's Company Store. It was our whole life. You charged all summer when the mines weren't operating and they took it out of your checks when you went back to work. I think I thought the scrip was the only money there was. I think neighbors were closer and more united because everyone was in the same situation. Certainly the coal miners need credit for the hard work they did."

— Mary Jean (Davis) Buddemeyer

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"Clint K. Rowe came from a very large family and began working in the coal mines around Pittsburg - pushing empty and loaded coal cars - at a young age. He also worked in several gin shafts. I regret that I didn't listen closer and ask more questions concerning his coal mining days. I don't know all of the mines that he worked but the following are the main ones.

"He dug coal at various times at No. 27 Kansas & Texas Coal Co. located southwest of Pittsburg near Chicopee. From 1902 until 1908 he drove mules underground, harnessed and hoisted the mules at No. 6 Mineral. From 1908 until 1913 he did the same at No. 8 Mineral. In September 1913 he began digging coal at No. 9 Girard Fuel northwest of Arma. In January 1914 he was buried in in a cave in at this mine and was out of work approximately four months. He tried to resume his mining but was unable to do so due to his injuries. He then farmed for several years north of 50 Camp.

"In 1922 he began mining again at No. 51 Central located north of Ringo where he mined until February 1927. During this time he drove the mules underground, ran the motor and mined coal. Due to his injuries he finally gave up coal mining and moved to his farm southwest of Girard where he lived until 1952 when we moved into Girard.

"I remember him saying during his coal mining days he had what doctors diagnosed in those days as "Miner's Consumption." He always said they coughed up pure coal dust.

"Another story I remember him relating was about lying on his back in his "room" chipping away at the coal. At the end of the day, he came out of the mine soaking wet and by the time he walked home or caught the streetcar his overalls were frozen stiff to his body in winter or completely dry in the summer.

"It is difficult for me to fully realize how poor the working conditions of the mines really were. Day after day they returned to the mines knowing full well the dangers involved. Those at home dreaded the sound of the whistle indicating trouble at the mine. For all of this the pay was low and they really did owe their souls to the company store.

"Despite the hardships of the mines, he lived to be 89 years old. Even though my father only completed the fourth grade of formal schooling, he and others like him were hard workers and provided a wonderful heritage for us. They were a strong people. Some of my most precious keepsakes are of my dad's carbide lamp, dinner bucket, and mining tools.

"I'm grateful to have the opportunity to honor him in this small way and I'm also proud to be a coal miner's daughter."

• Mary Ann (Rowe) Wilson

If you have a story or photo for LBC, contact me at 620-704-1309 or jtknoll@swbell.net