Creeping death -Island Creek Mine 22 disaster of 1960, Holden West Virginia

[@trishwise8269]

I’m not very good with words but Leo, you are an amazing storyteller. Hearing the emotion in your voice tells me that you’re telling it from the heart. You and Heather are my absolute favorite KZbinrs. I so look forward to hearing more of your stories. Thank you BOTH so much for what you do. ❤

[@judypierce7028]

Gosh! I remember this terrible disaster in 1960. I was a senior in high school. It was all over the newspaper. From what I read, it was simply horrific! Thank you Leo and Heather for sharing this disaster with your viewers. Both of you do such a grand job of researching and sharing information about forgotten pieces of WV history. I do know that Leo must be in tip top shape with all of the mountains and hills that he climbs looking for graves. Leo does a great job sharing the stories. Thank you for this memory.

[@darian2948]

My heart goes out to those families that were affected for generations. I’m proud of my coal miner husband. Im thankful for ever time he comes home.

[@1984cablrrelf]

I had a grandfather and uncle who worked in that mine. From 1946-1949. They stayed with one of my Grandfather's brothers. They earned enough money to buy land in Kentucky where my grandfather continued to mine coal on his own property. I have a living aunt that has told me many stories about how papaw mined two Mines. He stopped in 1962 and dynamite the Mines closed. My brother and I used to climb up the slate pile and slide down. It's truly sad how many men gave their lives to the coal industry. I'm in my 60s and remember several mining disasters throughout my life. Godspeed Leo & Heather..

[@caligirlmisplaced9831]

You don't know how glad I am that you did the story I lived through this. When you were reading that I couldn't keep from crying I remember that time so well my uncle was one of the rescues his name was James Adkins my aunt and I would take food up there to him because he never come home can we take clothes the gift and because he never left that mines until all the miners were out it was a sad time my family knew most of them. My dad died with black lung. We lived in a coal camp it was a nice place after the mines sold the houses to the miners. I had a great childhood I don't regret one day I lived around good people. Add to this day I am still friends with some of the people that I grew up with we still go see each other and we still stay in contact even though one of them or two of them live in Michigan and I live in Georgia will you still talk to one another and still visit each other when we can although we're getting older now and it's not as often but thank you thank you for doing this story

[@naomisgram1]

Thanks for sharing that piece of your life with us ❤

[@normajeanhedlund7429]

Leo and Heather, Jim and i are Patreon members. We really enjoy all you do. Jim watches for you next video everyday. If you dont do one he gets worried something is wrong. The two of you make a great team. Jim says you all should go professional. Leo does a great job hiking up the mountains and telling the stories.. And you Heather, your research and editing brings it all together. Cant thank you enough. You are a favorite for sure.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Awesome, thank you! And tell Jim we said hi! :-)

[@normajeanhedlund7429]

@@thehillbillyfiles Now he is smiling

[@jasonrunyon2663]

Leo, you did an amazing job detailing and honoring those families. My Dad was raised up 27 holler. Now known as Scarlotte Rd. He can remember this tragedy. I want to thank you for bringing a spotlight to this tragic event that shook the entire region. Thank you Leo.

[@deltonwatts9726]

Thank you for retelling these stories that need to be remembered. Blessings.

[@sr633]

I went to college In Fairmont W.Va. in 1960- 61. I was told of the parking lot of this mine where many cars of these passed miners sat there for many days. Sad.

[@tommiecook1909]

Leo , I am from Jenkinjones and remember men killed in a slate dump incident, but have never heard any story done on it . I'll never forget that , but also , like you said , we were all family in that wonderful little town . Coal miners are the best people I've ever known

[@johnharmon1403]

You reading that note made me realize I should dust more, gosh darned tears....

[@theburtseoni]

What a sad story- those poor people in that area! And the men in the mine who knew that any day could be their last day! Thank you guys for keeping these stories alive so none of us ever forget!

[@Lauren36984]

I was 14 but remember this terrible tragedy! This was hard to listen to ( made me cry) but Leo you did a wonderful job!! God Bless you and Heather for telling these stories so others will hear! Hugsssss

[@hillbillydan4721]

Leo, today's video was especially difficult for me cause it reminded me of my Grandpa and my Uncle who were coal mining statistics! My Grandpa died in 1988 of black-lung, and my uncle died on a strip job in Pikeville in December 15 2020, he was changing a tire on an end loader and the end loader fell on him...how, why, reckon we'll never know the answers to those questions til we .get again ! Just like you I don't know how some people can spit out a story with no remorse or feelings to the immediate family, well I'm man enough to say yea, this story got to me, I guess it tugged on my heartstrings but, it still needs to be told...I totally respect the way you told it because I could hear the pain in voice, Sir keep doin everything related to the Appalachian people, whether it be in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Johnson County Kentucky !!

[@jamesholbrook5820]

This man used his last breath to do the most important thing he could ever do on earth and that was to write the note to tell his family how much he loved them and to make sure they are taught about the Lord. I can only hope to have the chance to do that with my dying breath! Thank you guys and God bless!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Well said!

[@patricatfurever4051]

Thank you for sharing this tragic story but showing the brotherhood of the mining families ❤️

[@barbarascofield6683]

What an incredibly moving story. I was truly moved by this story and the feeling of community that was had by these families. Thank you for telling this story .

[@naomisaleem5396]

Hey Leo and Heather my name is Naomi and I am from Ohio I just want to let you know that ever since you started your KZbin about West Virginia use have really opened people's eyes about West Virginia and making it a place to come visit that there's terrific Landscaping many things to do great food great people many historical sites which a lot of people never knew y'all had just want to say great job you've certainly opened up a lot of people's eyes that didn't know anything about it thank you bunches your friend always Naomi

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thank You

[@naomisgram1]

I agree! I will probably never get to visit there, living on the west coast, but what a beautiful area of the country! So privileged to see it up close ❤

[@stephenhobbs1174]

In April 1971, seven miners succumbed to methane gas at a fluorspar mine in Pope County, Illinois. The miners were from the County of Hardin. They also are not forgotten.

[@naomisgram1]

😢 thank you for mentioning them, there are so many

[@monicaann5459]

This amazing story never heard this story thank you for bringing all these stories to life completely amazing

[@edielawrence97]

" Happy 4th of July " ... I really appreciate🙏 y'all for bringing us these stories . I believe we must remember the past . That history should not repeat itself . We can make things safer today . I believe that's where we should begin . 😢 , we desperately need to make everyone safe . Thank you for bringing these men's lives back to us ❤ . As we shall never forget 😢 ... " God bless "

[@michaelbedinger4121]

How tragic! May all the victims rest in peace 🙏 Thank you very much Leo and Heather, for telling their story.

[@lisacooper3991]

Thank u Leo and Heather for y'all's energy,time, and research in so many historical cases y'all have done.. I know what u mean Leo bout having to tell or read story out loud that's heartbreaking,..u just try to hold back tears for the victims.. I can be watching a western movie and seeing the bad guy doin whatever against others.. I'll hurry pass and get to the end where they get their justice..sad so many families and friends have witnessed or told of a love one hurt or dead.. thank u both for the video and prayers for y'all as y'all continue doing them.. from South Carolina

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

What an awful tragedy. Leo you put such heart & feeling into the stories you tell. You bring them to life. Excellent video as always

[@betsyholway7500]

Leo, I just love the care and sentiment you give to your stories. You're such a sweetheart. Miss seeing and hearing Heather. ❤❤❤

[@BryceEScott-yd4wu]

I really enjoyed this video my Dad was a coal miner and my brother.

[@davidchisham]

So sad. I have always herd stories about coal miner camps and the company store. Thank so much for the story and video😮

[@pamelashiflett5281]

I think you and Heather need to invest in a couple of little bikes, even the electric ones, to go up these hills. Would save on some wear and tear and time!!! Get you a little trailer to haul them on behind that gorgeous mustang. They are really handy, I use a little 150cc moped to check on the cows. Just a thought, I want you both to be around for many many stories. Blessings to you both.

[@OlSgtLove]

Leo and Heather Thank-you for another touching and great story of America and Southerners ...Bringing them back to life .. Lest We Forget

[@dennyvance1767]

Great job heather and Leo. Really enjoyed this episode

[@milantoombs6696]

Thank you Leo, such a tragic end for those 18 men. And their families as well.

[@sherrilee230]

Heather and Leo Happy Independence Day

[@david_bmx1148]

HAPPY 4TH. .Leo

[@bethintexas9678]

Thank you for finding and telling all these tales. I can't hear these without feeling the connections and the reality of folks' lives.

[@connierichards9121]

Thank you Leo and Heather. Just what I need at the end of a crappy day to unwind. Happy 4th guys.

[@kerrydennison7947]

Another tragic story in the history of West Virginia's coal mining industry. It would be repeated again at the Farmington mine disaster n then the upper Big Branch mine disaster😢

[@connie2558]

Really makes you think, thank you.

[@angelahorne867]

Thank y’all so much ❤

[@Jans77FAMBAM]

Leo and Heather ,thank you so much for honoring these men an their families, Wonderful story, sending prayers to their families my they all rest in Peace God Bless

[@sandrasmith7091]

They make it sound like people would be happy? there. Alot of us know better. Thanks for sharthese difficult ones. The rest/real story 😢😊

[@Blessard23]

A Beautiful and sad story Thank you Leo and Heather God bless all the miners and families love all your videos

[@georginastoliker3358]

😢🙏🏼 Thanks for the story of what happened was so tragic.

[@joanneweislocher8540]

Bless you for this video🙏

[@Susan71105]

Really great story. Thanks

[@cindyclark8983]

Love what you and Heather do.

[@charlesbanks3464]

I enjoy your videos. I meet you a Walmart on Wednesday that was on the 4th of September standing in line at the customer service .I watched the video of 22 mine disaster you did such a great job of doing that video. I could here it in your voice. When you was reading the letter to his wife.. . Like all your videos you showed respect and honor ..God bless you and family

[@debbiesnavely4676]

Wonderfully moving story. Thanks.

[@claudiadesoto2378]

My great grandfather was killed in a mine, southern Illinois

[@donnaelkins186]

❤❤ Thank you Leo and Heather for remembering these men! RIP!

[@edielawrence97]

Sure is beautiful ✨ there ... Rest In Peace ❤ .

[@lindablack2064]

Wonderful presentation. Thank you Leo!!🙏🙏🙏

[@christineberry3076]

So sad. My maternal Grandfather, shoveled coal, quick! Had pay by the load!

[@jackiehoward7300]

This broke my heart. Thank you Leo and Heather

[@johnbarnett4963]

I would travel through Holding by the Island creek wash plant beside 119 every week. A lot of of History the plant was operating at that time the old mine office down the road from the plant through the curves of Holding. Thank you for your interesting information.

[@pattywolford]

I was 10 years old. The Holden disaster was the one that affected me the most.

[@K9COP282]

OUTSTANDING STORY and VERY WELL TOLD LEO!!!!

[@stephruiz573]

That made me cry…I always thought growing up in WV that I didn’t know or realize I was “poor”

[@bonniesimpkins148]

This was & still is so sad! Thanks Leo you did good!

[@lukestephens1846]

Thank you so much my friends love it ❤👍🙏

[@rebeccastreet5811]

Hey guys, the mining stories really touch my heart. My father Cecil Monk from Cedar Bluff, VA was in the mining industry for over 35 years and will be 83 in August. Dad had been in a couple of bad accidents one in which he lost the vision in one eye and another he had to have a steel plate in his ankle just to name a few. My great grandfather Monk, my grandfather Monk and my three uncles and two husbands (passed), cousins and etc. were and still are coal miners. We are proud people to come from coal camps the last being Amonate, VA. I have prayed like others to let my daddy come home safe and most of the time he did. So I am grateful. Bless your heart about climbing those mountains to the graves but it keeps you strong to be able to go home to Ms. Heather. Keep up the good work both of you. I love your channel. I often wonder if the widows are still alive like the ones in today's story. Love from the Coalfields of VA💜, Rebecca

[@DelMiller-f9p]

Happy fourth July

[@sandrahunter5749]

🇺🇲 Happy 4th of July Everyone 🇺🇲

[@geraldpenix940]

Leo and Heather, can’t believe I’ve become addicted to your channel. Reason being I have been to a lot of the places you visit. I follow your methods of recording closely. I live in Southern Ohio. My question is, Your drone footage is exceptional and I am trying to learn to fly my drone so how many takes does it take to get the footage. Just curious, keep it up. Do you mind telling the type of camera equipment you use?

[@betsyholway7500]

Heather is amazing as well. You're such a great team

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thank you!

[@walterperry4565]

Thanks

[@janapetty2806]

That'll bring tears to your eyes.

[@sandrasmith7091]

Was it??

[@julieshepherd5989]

It is quiet a story. God bless those who lost their lives , and God bless their families then, and today.

[@seanburke5815]

God bless minors and all the labor is to build this nation

[@melaniegudgel1]

Kyle must have been incredibly brave to go back down a mine after escaping the other one. Very sad. Was he a relative of Leo?

[@melindaschluter1669]

Oh no, tear jerker! 😢 ❤❤❤

[@arneldabennett3142]

Just heartbreaking 💔

[@naomisgram1]

What a tragic story, sad that so many had to do that type of work probably because there was little else available. It seems that it killed almost everyone that did it one way or another eventually 😢😢

[@jimchambers7548]

Idk if you've already did an episodeon the battlle of Blair mountainor not but its a cool story of the coal miners takingon the coal companiesand the US Army had to come in to stop the fire fight. Its a cool story and the beginningof the rerm "red neck" becauseof the red bandanas they wore.

[@Wildandwondrfulwv304]

hi new follower , I have family history from Ona That Iam curious about. My great grandfather and great grandmother was Albert, and Cora Perry. could you find out about the history. Apparently they were running a hotel back in the days. Thank you your fan from Huntington wv

[@brianlykins6663]

Heather, Leo, thank you for another amazing story. While you were telling this story and about tge two men that got out. I was thinking how difficult it would be to go back into a mine. But I also thought, where they live, what else would they do but go back into the mines. God gives you a second chance, it would be hard to go back into the mine. No different decision for soldiers, sailers, miners, firefighters, or anyone that faces death and survives, to go back and do what you did before. Same could be said for car wreck survivors, going back to driving. This story was just ironic by highlighting his story. If a person lives by faith in God, then you know that nothing or anybody will take your life before God says its your time. But Mr. Blair, like anyother mine disastor survivor, where they live, what they do, really didn't have a choice. Go back in a mine or starve. Hellova choice. All we can do is offer a prayer for the ones that didn't make it, praying they found their peace. Also pray for the families that had to go on after losing family members. God bless each and grant them the peace tgey deserve. Thank y'all so much for all that you do to bring us these stories and a glimpse into these folks lives. God bless y'all and stay safe on the road and at the desk doing these stories. ❤ 👍👍🫶

[@Nora_Anderson]

What ever happened to Mr. Willis the other guy who survived?

[@manmeetworld]

I'm here because someone commented he lost both Grandpas in cave accidents. One in this accident.

[@proz1995]

why do the people that live around those areas allow mine companies to come in and take the tops of mountains away or off,why don't they fight to keep this from happening?These mountains can not be replaced once they are allowed to take them away,not to mention the damage they do to natural run offs.....Why????

[@thehillbillyfiles]

If it's done right, it's a good thing. We have an old strip mine near here, that was turned into a industrial park. It employs tons of locals, and is still breathtakingly beautiful.

[@gjpd71589]

Picnic tables over a disaster memorial?

[@thehillbillyfiles]

I think they hold services there sometimes.

[@knarftrakiul3881]

When you are saved and Believe in Jesus Christ, death has no sting