My Dad passed away in 2012. He was 85. He had ponies due to low top. Yes they loaded coal by hand many years ago. The top was held by timbers. Even in more modern times, he felt blessed if the top was 40”. He never worked in a mine in which he could stand up. He went to work in the dark and came home in the dark. Black lung causes the lungs to stiffen which causes the heart to do double time. Yes Dad had an oversized heart. I miss him.

Coal and Miners built this great country. That is why we won WW1 and WW2 from the benefits of coal. Thank you all coal miners, past , present and future.

Thank you for keeping these stories alive! The hard-working people from our history are so important to remember ❤

My grandfather used to tell me stories about the bloody Harlan wars. Then he moved to Arjay KY and drove an old international scout from Arjay to Tackett Creek every day for 33 years. I remember him coming home covered in coal dust before his shower every day. He didn't live long after he retired because of black lung and emphysema.

Thank you, Donnie, for sharing BIG FOOTS stories and experiences of being a Cole Miner in the early 50. Thank you for remembering the miners and paying respect to them. Many thanks. God 🙏 bless 🙏.

Thank you for sharing this story. My Dad worked in the mine . I remember him hand loading. It was in the far north and it was a gold mine. He died from lung problems at 57. The dust in his work space was so thick it was almost solid. Have a blessed day. Keep Safe❤Keep Well ❤

Thanx Mr Donnie for great memories. Both my pop and pawpaw broke their bodies in the mines. They had kids to feed and this is like their stories. They lived in coal camps. The 40's 50's and 60's they worked those mines. Black lung killed my pappaw😢 my mammaw got a check each month cause of it. God bless Donnie. I am so proud of my heritage.❤😊

These stories are a reminder that people had it rough all through history and we should be grateful to just exist right now. ❤

My granddad worked in the deep mines of Southern Illinois. He quit school and went to the mine at age 14. Incredibly hard work. He lost 2 fingers with the coal car, just like you talked about. The gentleman's hand in the video reminded me of him. He was a sweet, dear man. I miss him. Thanks for the video and the memories of my granddad. ❤

Thank you, Donnie, for sharing Big Foot's story of coal mining. This country owes everything to the coal miners from the mid 1800s to the present day. Without their backbreaking work and sacrifices, we couldn't have built the cities and industries we now have. And this is true all around the world, not just here in the US. I thank all coal miners, with all my heart, for all they have sacrificed for me and mine. I won't forget! Please take care now! May God bless you and yours.😊

Good 🌄 friend, What a great reflection of days gone by.I really enjoyed the interview with Bigfoot. I pray that the Lord continue to bless all the people, that made life better for the ones that needed this fuel source! Blessings!

Happy Friday morning Mr. Donnie and Mr. Bigfoot. Thank you for sharing this. God bless you and have a good weekend

I love these stories Donnie. These great men and women that built this country should be remembered.

My granfather worked in the coal mines at Bishop Virginia for 36 years. He was the best man ive ever known. God rest his soul. He started back in the late 1920's. Thankyou for this video. I'll never forget all you hard working coal miners. God bless you.

Donnie thank you for bringing us the story of the Coal miners. God bless you and your family!! ❤

Good morning Donnie, it is a beautiful cool sunny day in sw Ohio. I appreciate all the stories you bring to us and I never miss a one. My father was a coal miner in the 1930's era in Kentucky. He was very young and lost a finger when a large rock came down . He was never compensated for that. He later joined the Army and was in WW 2. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Thank you for sharing this Mr Donnie ❤I love hearing the old stories ❤God bless you ❤

Thank you, Donnie for going down memory lane. Thank you for sharing. God bless brother.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

As always thanks Brother Donnie for keeping these stories alive and sharing. God bless you

So many families stayed warm during cold winters due to miners digging coal. Much respect for the hard work done.

Thank you for this, cousin Donnie! There were no mines here in Middle Tennessee, but my family heated our homes with coal stoves and grates, so we owed a debt to those brave fellows who went underground and risked their lives. I did get to know an old gentleman named Columbus Gross who moved here after leaving the mines, and he suffered greatly from black lung, G-d rest his dear soul. 😥 He and Ms. Pearlie were precious souls! ❤ Shabbat Shalom, dear cousin, and G-d bless you, yours, and Bigfoot! Please pray for the peace of Yerushalayim.

I never knew any miners personally but I sure do respect em. Thank ya Mr. Donnie for all of these precious stories. However my grandparents who raised me used coal and wood back in the day. Hope this finds you doing well. Have a blessed day.

Both of my grandparents were miners. One I never met, he died at Leatherwood mine in 1953; but Papaw told me stories. He coughed up black his entire life but he told a lot of funny and sad stories. The man said wrong place wrong time; that’s it exactly. My one grandpa died from a shelf collapse. Papaw told me of a day he was sick and the man who took his place died. Tough life.

I love your videos. I’m a fuel hauler and I love listening to them when I’m driving. I work some long long hours.

Thank you Donnie for this history lesson on coal mining. Don't let these people be forgotten, the sacrifices they made were huge.

My dad worked in the coal mines for probably 40 years. He pretty much kept most of his pay envelopes. There were times when they took out for rent, the company store, doctor, house coal and those things that he still owed them. It was a hard dangerous job that most people just don't understand and don't want to. Thanks for the stories.

I live in WV and my daddy worked in the mines all his life, when I was a kid he'd sometimes take me to work with him, I got to see inside the mines, watched them blast and roof bolt the top, it was quite the experience I never will forget. I'd absolutely hate to have to make a living at it. God bless those who do, have, and still are! They are special individuals!

Good Morning Donnie. The minor risked their lives and should never be forgotten. Big Foot spending years in the mine must have more stories to tell and I would love to hear them, stories from you as well.

Coal mining runs on both sides of my family...my grandfather on my Dad's side lived in Rockwood Tennessee and worked in the mines. My grandfather on my mother's side lived in Alley Kentucky and coal mined there.Seems it was a hard life for all. Yes the history runs deep...thanks Donnie 😊

Thanks for sharing that story Donnie. I really enjoyed that.

I am 43 years old, still young in years. I worked on a strip job for 20 years before getting diagnosed with bone cancer. I dont get around too good now. Two weeks ago i was under my house replacing water lines. It was so tight, couldnt hardly move around and do anything. Then it hit me about the old timmer coal miners working in extremely low coal. Made me calm down and thankful i had the little room and light that i did have.

Historic and moving video on coal mining.

Thank you Donnie for Big Foots story, he looks great and man is he a big fella. These coal miners are what kept our country going, and still do today. May the Lord bless you friend.

Good morning Donnie…I pray you are doing well…. I love this video….Thanks for keeping our ancestors way of living alive…Take care…God Bless & Lord willing I will see you next time 🙏🏻❤️

God bless all the coal miners and their families ...Mr.Bigfoot is a officer and a gentlemen and i thank him as well as you Donnie for your work in the mines....my Grandpa worked around the mines out west and the southwest at the geologist end of the operations....i got a chance to see some it as well... Thank you for the video Brother.

I can’t think of a worst job that affects your health. I can’t imagine doing that work people just got on with it I suppose. Thank you Donnie love from the UK 🇬🇧 x

Hi Donnie. I was born and raised in Williamson, WV. It was called once called Home of the Billion Dollar Coalfield. Mingo County , WV. My dad was a railroader. I have lots of stories of this town. Love ya Donnie. Thank you for your stories. I have a lot of stories if you would like to write me. Thank you.

God bless the coal miners. Thank you for the great interview with Big Foot and the story about how it used to be. Have a great day!

Hats off to the brave cool miners. They were amazing men that risked their Lives to feed their families. God bless them and their families. thank you for sharing this very nice tribute to them. Your friend, Louise

The wife and I just drove from Huntington West Virginian thru Virginian and east TENN. KY. Coal mine this past week on Hwy 10 and 16 my hat is off to you Buddy.

I love these stories told by the people who lived this history. Excellent video Mr. Donnie and God bless you!

Thank you for the interview with Bigfoot Mr Donnie. Very powerful to hear the voice behind the story. Thank you for keeping history alive with your excellent videos. I appreciate all you do!!

So many up here have lived a miners life. What mines are left are still being mined but so many have been shut down. Most people will never understand how coal is king and has made this country so successful. A older man, Russ was a close family friend and his wife whose in her mid 90’s now, still talks about how he earned $40 per week and how they raised their 4 kids on a miners pay. So many folks just don’t get that it’s these mountainous areas in our country that kept it running. People think we’re backwards but I’d rather live out here than anywhere. Thank you from Western Pa!

God bless all the miners, those still here and those who have gone home. They are the backbone of this country. God bless you, Donnie.🙏❤️

Morning Mr Donnie. Appreciate your story my friend. Hope you getting along well.

Thanks Donnie for making us remember... The ones who gave all.

Thanks, Big Foot for sharing a memory, Thanks, Donnie for bringing it to our attention, Rip,past coal miners God Bless

I've learned more about this area than I probably ever would have without your videos. Thanks for sharing the history.

Next time you talk to Bigfoot tell him one of your viewers said thank you for sharing his story. I have loved to listen to the old people ever since I was a kid. I am pretty sure I am about your age so we are sadly aware how fasst we are loosing them. God bless, and thank you for helping to keep history alive...

Wonderful video Donnie. "salt of the earth" coal miners and their gentle but powerful mules made it work. God bless my friend, Greg New Zealand.

Wow. From what I've seen and read,coal miners worked awful hard. There should be a holiday for them. Thanks for sharing this Mr Donnie.

Thanks for keeping the coal miners history alive.... have a great weekend Donnie 🙂👍

God bless you for all your hard work in the mines. Some of my family worked the mines in southwestern Va. I'm so sad to see coal mining change to mountaintop removal. I hope they stop doing that to those beautiful mountains.

Amazing story! Bless all these hard work Veterans!

Thank you gentlemen! Much respect to you both. Information shared by experienced folks like y'all is more precious than gold. I truly love listening to our elders!

Thank you for the story glad you keep these story's alive God bless all that did this hard work keep your stories coming God bless you

The song Tennessee Ernie Ford sung "Sixteen Tons" told about coal mining too and thank you Donnie and Bigfoot and all coal miners for your work in them.

God Bless the coal miners, even the ones who have passed on do need to be remembered 😢😊

Watching now, catching up, awesome share.

Can't help but hear "Dark as a Dungeon" --One song that sums up a lot. Thank you for sharing your friend's experiences and yours!

A heartfelt thank you to all of you for keeping our lights on and our homes warm ❤ Coal was indeed king for a long time. And the miners gave their lives for the lives of others 🎉

Much respect to these men and you too. Thank you for sharing Donnie, and God Bless you

Good morning friend 😊 I love these!! Thank you

Great video Mr. Donnie, glad to hear Big Foots story! We enjoy hearing stories about the coal miners and history of the coal mines! Thanks for sharing and God Bless you and your family!

Good morning sir 🌞 have a wonderful day ☀️ God bless 🙏

Keep telling them story's Donnie, some young ones don't know this history and the hardships. Blessed my friend

Nice to meet you Mr. Bigfoot. 😊

Thank You For That Wonderful Video. GOD BLESS YOU

Another great video Donnie. Still praying for you

Hello from KY love you and your channel ❤️.Thank you Big Foot for a very interesting story.Thank you Donnie for a great video.❤

Thank you Donnie for sharing these stories. God bless!

Mr Donnie, your friend Bigfoot is a dead-ringer for my uncle Ronnie - could be identical twins. Eerily similar. My grandad died at age 52 from black lung disease working the mines at first in Poland, then Wales, and lastly in western Pennsylvania. It was a rough time mining back then as you well know. This would have been at the turn of the century and into the 1930's. It's still rough work, but a lot safer than back then. I find it hard to realize that any man could mine for 47 years and live to be 80. Lady Luck and good sense surely were his two best friends. I know the same could be said about yourself. Glad we still have you with us. I mean that, too.

Oh I love these videos Donnie ❤ we can never forget the hard work our fathers did in these mines. Black lung is the worst ❤

Praying and Blessed! 🤗🙏🌄

I may have worked with Bigfoot a long time ago. If you ever get the chance to talk with him again ask if he ever worked at Golden Glow Coal at Liggett KY. This would have been somewhere around 80-81. I appreciate your hard work on these videos. Brings back a lot of memories.

Thank you not many from the interior will share their stories of odd occurrences in an area that has had lots of living. Love your stuff thank you

Hey Donnie, I can't imagine having to work in those conditions😳. I am so glad you are here to tell your stories❤. Thank you, Bigfoot, for your time in the mine🥴! God Bless the Miners❤🙏. JO JO IN VT 💞

Thanks for sharing although i have never worked in the mines a lot of family did i saw my grandfather die from complications of black lung we can never forget the struggles our ancestors went through for all we have today thanks again

Thank you Mr Donnie for sharing these stories I do appreciate them 😊

So much respect for these miners. My grandfather worked in the mines along with other relatives 100 years ago. Grandpa decided to move to Michigan to work for Henry Ford after he survived a cave in.

God Bless the miners ❤🙏🏻

Good video as always. Coal miners like you built everything thank you all. Take care, be safe and well.

Thanks for this video. I enjoy it and bigfoots story. God bless you Donnie and the coal miners.

Great story, my dad was a miner for 42 years, and 10 years after he left the mine, he would still have black specks in his spit.

I just can't imagine the working condition.Thank you for sharing with us.God bless .

That was a hard job. I remember when I started my job as a janitor here in NC in 1976.i made 2.50 per hour but it went a little bit further.thanks have a blessed day 🙏

My great grandfather died in the coal mine (AmEagle, WV) when my grandmother was 3yrs old. I have his old carbide head lamp… treasured keepsake. 💚

Love hearing stories about the coalminers awesome very interesting stories thanks for sharing brother

Thanks for sharing your video's 👍👍

Thanks for sharing this great video. I remember years ago when we went from NC to Ohio we would go through Virginia and West Virginia turnpike and coal mines . my grandma had an old coal stove she heated with I remember bringing in a bucket of coal.

Much appreciation for the wokers, equal appreciation for, and to their loved ones. Donnie enjoys honoring people; and I sure back that up 📖 🙏

This just proves that hard work is what built this country.

Thank you for sharing these stories Donnie, and thank you big Foot for your story as well!

Thank you Mr Donnie. I sure do appreciate you 😊❤

Thank you for the video! I enjoy the stories! I hope you and your wife have a wonderfully beautiful blessed weekend! Take care. 😊

God bless everyone who had to work such hard snd dangerous jobs. ❤❤❤

God bless the hard workin men that came before us. We won’t forget you men…

What a good story so glad you tell use about coal mining needs to be told thank you❤

I bet that was some really hard and rough work back in the day. Thank you for sharing Mr. Donnie I enjoy watching and learning things from these videos it's so interesting. Have a wonderful and blessed day ❤️

Love your channel here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina