19th Century Anthracite Coal Breaker

[@novemberjohn]

My dad was a miner who went into the mines c.1917. I now give tours of a coal mine. I really like your video.

[@steveinnepa]

You're speaking of the Avondale Mine Disaster, September 6, 1869. I live about 2 miles from the Avondale site. My wife's gr gr grandfather John D Evans also perished in the disaster.. The lands of the former Avondale Colliery have become a dumping ground for illegal dumpers. I am working with several other groups, to get the access road gated to the public and to clean up the site. The 110 miners who perished and the thousands more who worked at the Avondale, deserve so much more !

[@Phil49er]

My great grandfather worked in the anthracite mines until he, along with 109 other men and boys died when the breaker caught fire -- it was directly above the shaft-- and burned for 5 hours. There was no other exit or entry to the mine, it took a full day after the fire was out for a rescue crew to clear the shaft and begin to look for survivors. There were non. The youngest dead was 10 years old.

[@stevent9179]

I couldn't imagine doing that for an hour, let alone 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. God bless those boys.

[@CoalCrackerCummins]

Any idea what breaker that was? Any videos of the Huber Breaker when it was operational or any other breaker from the Wyoming Valley? Super interesting

[@Phil49er]

His name was Charles F. Ruth

[@steveinnepa]

What was your gr gr grandfather's name. My wife's relative was buried in Hyde Park Cemetery / Washburn St Cemetery, Scranton, Pa. In Plymouth, we know of 6 graves of Avondale victims. I have an extensive amount of info on the disaster. Let me know if you are interested in sharing information.

[@StellarYankee]

Scene from the Molly maguires cough cough