My great grandfather was a miner in the 1920’s, he got sick with pneumonia and died, his wife married the widow next door and together they raised her children and his and stayed married until she passed away. It truly is sad how the coal barons treated people. I don’t even know where my great grandfather is buried. Thank you for another great video. Take care.

Leo, Thanks from the bottom of my heart for this great video. It is time someone told the story the way it happened. History of coal mining in KY, WV, VA. People realize how dangerous it is for all ages. You mentioned a 9-year-old girl having to set dynamite off in a coal mine. Today that would be considered child abuse to the highest degree. Many children worked in the mines separating slate from coal and closing doors to mines. Again my friend thanks for bringing this to lite for people.\ Jim McCracken.

I just love you and your wife’s accent I can listen to y’all talk all day and night. The way you narrate your wonderful story time and knowledge of West Virginia history is so amazing and the giggling adds beautiful, unique character it is so cute. I enjoy and appreciate all that you and your wife on your channel. Blessing to yall❤️

My mom's family is in Floyd County Kentucky and have been coal miners for generations. My grandfather died of a massive heart attack brought on by black lung disease. I live in north central Texas and I am very proud of my roots in Appalachia.

I am from Elk View West Virginia. I wasn't board one minute with your video. My daddy got us out of there. He used the GI bill to get a degree and he moved us away. Dad and I loved those mountains and I still do. You can't keep me away.from them. I am drawn there. You remind me of some of my family and I really enjoyed it. God bless.

I have to say, I really enjoyed this video. I scour youtube for unique videos because I don't like watching mindless TV shows. On youtube though you can fall into a rut watching the same sort of content and it can be hard to find origional channels that also mix things up. I did watch abandoned mine exploration but after seeing about fifty of those I had to have a break. WV is a really pretty place. I had a friend who grew up there and we were walking across fields up between to ranges and there was a graveyard way up on top of a steep hill. It was a family cemetery and there were some old iron fences etc. and it was cloudy. Well there was a break in the clouds in this one spot and rays of sunshine were shining beams right down on this graveyard. Just beautiful and a very sweet message from God.

Good job Leo thanks for taking us along on that guided tour of West Virginia looking forward to my own trip

Hello again Hillbilly Files. My grandfather was a foreman in a local mine. He passed away before I was born. However, I have read so much about coal mining in WV. The Matawan Disaster movie tells it like it was during that time. Thanks for the awesome video. Look forward to the next one.

Leo I have an idea for a series of video, if you could get Danny to collaborate with you and do some storys on the history of mining in West Virginia, I am sure danny could get you access to a lot of stuff that the normal general public has never been able to see, start with the old pick-and-shovel mines through the continuous Miner and a long wall cutting machine, I am quite sure it would be a very good episode and gain you many more subscribers and patreon, and when you and your wife become full-time KZfaqrs and you will have to give up your trail 10 touring business maybe you should talk to Danny about running the business for you, when you and your wife become full-time KZfaqrs you will not have the time anymore to even run your touring company, good luck with your channel I sure enjoy it😊😊

My Grandfather was a coal miner in Ayrshire Scotland. I was only 7 years old when he died and that was Black Lung desiese and it still sticks in my mind of him spitting into the fire to try and clear his lungs he was 53 when he died. I’m now 75 years old

My dad was a coal miner in the hills of eastern Kentucky I was lucky enough as a 7 year old to have the privilege of going back in the mines with one time with him for just a short while it’s unlike anything I had ever seen dark is a understatement it’s humbling to say the least what these miners do my dad is now 71 and diagnosed with black lung he only has 40 percent of his breathing now chest full of coal dust thank you so much for give ng a perspective of the job they did please continue making all these videos

This is a fantastic video! I have a few comments: 1) I love hearing how intelligent you are. My daddy’s family was from Appalachia. So many people look down on “hillbillies” and it ticks me off 😂 2) the evidence of water is explained easily by the Flood-Gen 7 3) my husband runs a galvanizing plant and I never knew you had to have coal to make steel. 4) interesting info: some of the men and women who worked at the WTC after 9/11 have developed what doctors are saying is identical to coal miners’ black lung. 😢 Again, great video! Keep ‘em coming!

Leo, you are a great story teller!

Being from Huntington W.V. and having rode MANY of the outlaw trails through those mountains..... i hate that i never came across that spot!! I just recently found you and your wife's channel and was instantly hooked for several reasons! Your videos are very informing and you two do a VERY GOOD JOB of showing off my home state and the MANY beautiful things that are found inside her mountains!! I moved to N.C. several years back but all my family still lives in WV and i look forward to every time i get to male back home. In the mean time, i'll keep watching the great videos you two put out about WV and the surrounding Appalachian mountains that wind through WV and Kentucky and the rich history they hold

There are not too many things that scare me, and throughout my working career have taken pride in adapting to most situations and environments. Also, have been in plenty of caves (with cracks, small holes, low ceilings etc.) , and loved exploring them as a kid. But I gotta say, IF I ever had to slither on my belly for even one mile underground through a 2 foot tall seam (let alone 18") I would probably have a heart attack and die due to sheer terror. And as Leo said, JUST to get to work. The UTMOST respect to all those men who ever worked in such conditions to feed their families, and to keep lights on in the USA.

Thank you so much for all you are doing. I live in Scotland U.K. and love hearing about past folks. I am in awe what it was like for folks then in USA. You see bits in films but your work makes it oh so more interesting and helps to relate to those times

Hi, again from Saint John Canada. My home town (Plymouth Nova Scotia Canada) in May,of1992 had a coal mine disaster at what was called the westray coal mine that killed 26 which a couple were school mates and 11 bodies have never been recovered. Pictou County has always been known for some of the best coal in the world (Anthrisite) ..I think that is how you spell it. No coal has been removed since then..... It is a hard way to make a living in the 90`s ...I can`t imagine what it must of been like much earlier than that...Thanks for the great vid again..

So fascinating! Beautiful country there. Thanks for taking us along.

this is so cool Leo we dont have coal mines in NC so its pretty cool to see a glimpse of where some of the hardest working people worked

Spent sometime around Pottsville/Minersville area years ago. Coal district in Pennsylvania. There were 'coal barons' houses standing at that time. Huge difference between where they lived and where the workers lived. Workers' homes were dirt floored shacks, on company property with company stores etc. All monies went to the mine owners. I was shocked to find that people worked their own mines! This was in the 70s' Thanks again for your episodes..

My step grandfather was a coal miner in West Virginia. He was a good man. Taught me a lot about life in the short time I knew him. He died of black lung from the mines. Mining was very very hard work. Sad to know so many good died too early in life.

Fascinating facts about the best firewood filling a 55 gallon barrel being equal to a 5 gallon bucket of coal for a days effort of heating your home in the winter! I never knew it required coal to melt steel. Thank you Leo !

My grandfather was a coal mine foreman in Harrison County and his leg and chest were crushed from a rock fall in 1939. He was 61 years old at the time. He died six days later from a pulmonary blood clot. Would love to have known more about him. Thanks for sharing what conditions were like back in the day.

Thanks for sharing. My maternal family is from Virginia, later West Virginia. The McClungs' and the Cranes' from Greenbrier area. Now I know why my Grandfather left the mines and was lucky enough to buy a small farm and along with his world war 1 (shrapnel wounds during the Meuse Argonne 1918 )disability check was able to survive.

Just came across this site. Hands down one of the best ! Thanks so much for sharing it with everyone

I really enjoyed it I didn’t think it was boring at all learned a lot of stuff from you

I love the way you explain things, Leo. You talking about how deep the water had got at one time made me think of Noah and God covering the Earth with water. Why do they say coal is a dirty heat? I am 59 I knew a lady that heated with coal as a little girl. It didn’t seem dirty. When I cookout with coal, there isnt much smoke. Coal is a hot, hot heat. And the Chinese want our coal in the worst way. These people bad mouthing coal just dont get it. I thank the men that work in our mines. God bless you all and my prayers are with you.

Another great video, thanks for taking the time, it's amazing how much fun you have, keep it going!!!!!!

My grandmother was born in Rhodell, Raleigh County, West Virginia. It was a coal camp. Two of my great-grandfathers and one grandfather were coal miners.

Learned so much. Thank you. My people were miners in AZ. I have lived in a ghost town 20 plus years. Mine dried up town closed. Lot of history here. Even have a grave yard.

Grew up in the 60’s-70’s McDowell Co., WV. As kids we walked the mountains and strip jobs, across trestles, thru tunnels, in old mines and working mines. We used to get us a bottle of cold water at the entrance. We all lived to grow up and tell our stories to our kids

A friend I once worked with her father worked the coal mines and when he was home from work, the house knew no darkness. He kept lights on regardless. She said he died from black lung disease. I couldn't imagine that kind of Hell all in the name of making a dollar.

I really enjoy seeing how different life was back then. These are important stories to tell. Thank you for sharing!

Very interesting! Thank You for bringing the history to light.. You're a great storyteller.

I found what you talked about fascinating , and i could listen to you for hours.

My husband’s grandfather was a WV coal miner. They lived over near Valley Head WV. His grandfather laid on his side and mined. One day, he was talking to his boss when there was a cave in. The ceiling killed his boss and scrapped his nose. He turned around and walked out and never went back. Eventually, the family moved to the Shenandoah Valley of VA. . My FIL met my MIL and thus I was blessed by their son.

The Industrial Revolution was powered by coal . It built the modern civilizations and continues to power them . Even with modern electric arc furnaces to melt scrap steel , the main source of energy to help make electricity usually starts with coal . Hence , this cheap source of energy has allowed humanity to flourish to 8 billion people . Incredible . May G od bless all who were involved in the dangerous labors of making civilization possible.

you can really tell you love doing this. And I do too! this old man learned alot today. Thank you.

This is fascinating to me. I look forward to seeing more of your videos this one is my first and I have learned a LOT! I may try to come to your area I am probably only a couple of hours from you.

I can't believe the amount of knowledge you have. It's not just of one subject, it's a book full. This was so informative. I learn a lot from your videos & that's why I watch & follow. Stay safe

I enjoy your channel...its wonderful history. Thank you so much !! A walking diamond...You're an amazing teacher !!

My dad was a coal miner in Caretta WVa. I was born in Welch. Im proud of what my dad for what he did!

I can remember as a child in East Tennessee there was a big expose vein. And we used to go down there and the fall with a horse-drawn wagon along with picks and shovels and dig out our winter heating fuel

A few suggestions, I worked as a Coal Geologist for about twenty years before I moved on. Mineral rights in West Virginia have never worked like you say. The “government” does not own mineral rights or coal mines, individuals or companies do. Never in 18” coal, but I have been in 24”coal in the seventies these were metallurgical coal mines just south of Beckley. There were no snakes in the Pennsylvanian, but there were Lepidodendron branches and trunks that, granted have a diamond pattern and look snaky. Peat bog chemistry is important to preservation. You kind of have be buried in a peat bog to be preserved although some of the best preserved human specimens are from bogs. You need the right ph and anoxic conditions. Diamonds are kind of a special case found in deep seated intrusions with special chemistry called Kimberlites and the source of carbon is really never straight organic material from the surface. The coal measures were probably several thousand feet below sea level, but of course they were buried entirely by rock and sediments so nothing could get in. Bears just love living in those auger holes BTW! My purpose is to help out not to criticize, so I will come back in a few days and delete this if you ask. I’m just another West Virginia hillbilly too!

Thank you for the tour and sharing your experience and wisdom about the importance of the past and present of coal and a great lesson in earth's geology.

My dad was a coal miner in the 20's. He talked to me about how hard it was. You're video increased my appreciation for what those men went through. I also enjoyed your discourse on the necessity of coal and the simple minded, highly educated green people who say they are going to kill coal.

Thank you very much! That was very interesting and not boring at all. At 75 I learned a lot of different things today. I knew about black lung and accidents, but the stories of the coal barons treatment if the workers and their families was unnerving. Very informative, keep up the good work!!

You worked in the coal industry all of your life.i working hard rock mining in the Coeur d'Alene Idaho we have found stuff underground drilling the face and was pull us out of that work area and bring in company officials and archaeologists from the University of Idaho, we found quite a lot of frankly unexplained stuff and normally the company would make you sign off on a nondisclosure statement. When I worked in the copper mines of Michigan up in Calumet we used to find what was known as skulls it was like a large mud ball that was encased in copper about the size of a child's skull, saw a lot of young underground workers freak out the first time they saw them, if we were blasting through old fossilized volcanic mud we called it which was actually volcanic ash where you would find fossilized fish. I enjoy your channel

Leo I hope you never shut up. You bring to life the reality of coal miners I knew it was dangerous work but I didn't realize how dangerous. Your nine year old mother with dynamite. Oh dear God in heaven. I thought my cousins & I were allowed to do some really stupid stuff but we never had dynamite. A few yrs. ago my cousin asked me did I think our parents were irresponsible or were times just different. Probably a little of both. I surely never allowed my kids to do the stupid stuff we did. I love seeing the trails. It reminds me of riding on horses up the hills through the woods with my cousins many many moons ago. I would love to go on the trails but unfortunately 3 back surgeries won't allow that to happen. I have the next best thing going with you on video. I do enjoyed this video. I'll be looking forward to the next episode

Excellent video Leo, really enjoyed the tour, we have coal mines near my hometown here in Alberta

I was lucky enough to climb telephone poles for thirty five years for Ma Bell . Many of my friends went into the mines . 55 degrees year round in the mines , they would brag . Now i`m an old man and all my coal mine friends are long gone . Sad story , but true .

Had both great great grandfathers, both great grandfathers, two grandfathers, never knew one grandfather, one grandfather I knew but died when I was nine. My great grandmother died when I was 14. So oh yes I understood everything you said.

I so want to come to Cero Gordo but don't have the finances to get there I wanna watch the sunset from Cero Gordo Brent I've been watching ur adventure from the beginning what an amazing home u have settled hopefully someday I will be able to find the finances to come visit

So much to learn. And all from my small little couch with my puppies snuggled up against me. Thank you for the lesson!

Enjoyed watching this , unbelievable about windows having to remarry so soon , that’s insane ! But enjoyed the lesson of life in the West Virginia Coal mines . Awesome!!!

Love learning from y’all. You are a sweet hubby! Y’all take care.

My great grandfather owned a coal mine in Salem Center, Ohio during the late 1800's into the early 1900's, when they dug the coal by hand , hauled it out in carts pulled by mules and used canaries to warn of black damp.

I really enjoyed your video, & I learned a lot. There is a coal mine in Centralia Pennsylvania that has been burning since 1962. All the people had to move out. They can’t put the fire out & say it could burn another 250 years. I wonder why they can’t get the coal out. Thanks for your great video!

My Dad was from Dingess and Mom was from Mudfork in Logan County and both my grandpa's were killed in mines before I was born , I don't know much about dad's dad other than it was a fall that killed him but moms dad was 1 of 18 men who lost their lives in the Holden 22 mine disaster you may have heard about it ,it was a fire in the mine but they didn't burn the smoke got to them, I'm glad I found your Chanel thanks for what you do to show the history of the best people and place I have ever met and been coming from a Buckeye 👍💓

My Great Grandfather owned The Reel Cove Coal Mine 1 & 2 near Whitwell, TN. The stories, photos of the mines, and the people who worked on them are interesting.

Love and enjoy these videos🙏👍💯🇱🇷

Leo. You forgot to tell the people about the danger of the black damp. I remember out in Idaho at the sunshine mine and the Coeur d'Alene 87 miners suffocated underground Just from bad air that came off a accidental underground explosion an a combination of a fire that accidentally started when a generator that was out of sight and out anyone noticing noticing it caught on fire.. this was not a methane gas explosionthat came off of a unauthorised useof a liquid explosive called anflow, some bonehead used it to do some mud caping with.. sadly I was on the mine rescue and recovery team😢

I have been watching coal miner youtubes for years. I just came across your channel. You are super entertaining, thank you for this.

INCREDIBLE STORIES!!!!! especially the mineral rights 😲

My family took a tour of an old coal mine that is run by the miners. Our guide told us about the fossilized trees. It was absolutely soooooo fascinating. We road a cart into it.

You are a true educator. That was fascinating. (Once again) thank you.

I was there two weeks ago I have pictures of this made my heart sad that people would throw cans and trash inside so disrespectful, Such a beautiful place can’t wait for our next visit to West Virginia , Thank you for the video Well done

I had a choice to work coal mines or work in a poultry plant I worked in a p plant for 28 years glad I did had a lot of friends who worked in the mines lost many of them later on nothing wrong with what you decide 2 make a living I just wish the kids today would just get a job and off the streets plenty of work for everyone in this great country God bless the USA

Best one yet ! Keep them coming.

You are my man! Praise God my friend! ❤❤

I have built many a. Metal pole building outside of coal mines ! The fans sucking the air outside would cover the white roof metal dark and slick with coal dust in 4 minutes before you could lay another sheet down. !!!

You do a good job with these videos. People can learn a lot from you. A lot of people scream about shutting things down they haven't a clue how much are lives depending on.

My Irish grandfather told me stories about the coal mines in Ireland, Britain. He said the men all get the black lung from the coal dust. I was about 15 when he told me that.

Yes Leo another great view. You can bring the life of what it like to be a miner. My family where not miner of any kind. I know about blowing thing up We liked on a farm. (BACK IN THE DAY) We would blow tree stump out of the fields. When I went to work I stated in working in A Car Factory In these plant any of use working came from al over the U/S. My car line. had many guys from W.V. and the south. most were from mining family.. back in they days. WOW They could tell some story about Coil . They were much older then me.( OR as it said today They had been there done that) Little help here Leo. IN MY mined I remember them telling me the punch mines you called them. I think I think THEY called it pocket mines. ( my mind 76 years old- last worked for G.M. in 1990) much water under the bridge . If I'm wrong tell me I can take it I'm a BIG BOY. Hit me back you two. I have maney more DUM B question for you

fairmont native. have many friends that work in the mines today. very prideful.

I live in VA and have family in WV, thanks for the history, I really enjoyed it and have subscribed to your channel, glad I came across it.

My great grandfather was a coal miner in walker county Alabama, he told me some stories when I was a kid. They were some tough guys back then

That's a great story, information that lots of people just don't know...thank you.

Very interesting. Thanks

5 gallon of coal equals 55 gallons of wood - true. My grandfather heated with a mix of wood and coal, and like you said, the coal lasted longer

One more week🤗so excited. Lord willing and the creek don't rise I'll see yall in Roanoke next Sat 👩‍🌾

My grandfather's worked in the coalmine my daddy worked in the coalmine to in Alabama.

Brings new meaning to Billy joe shaver s song . I'm old chunk of coal. I'll be a diamond some day. Love the channel

I remember little local punch mines, and there was one I passed on my way to the bus stop. I saw some neighbor men working early morning sometimes, and I have not been back for years. I would love to go back someday and see that little mines. I knew all the dear folks who lived along that little road, and they were some of the finest peopleI I have ever met. Harry Shrader and his family, and Margie and her family. Those may have been hard days, but we did not realize it. I just remember how fine all the people were, and how there was a closeness and sharing. It seems all social situations are built around eating out nowadays, but not so much back then. Love more of your stories like this, Leo, even more so than the visits of famous landmarks. Thank you and Heather for all you do. One can go online and read a story on a WV site about Keystone, WV. It is not so much about the Madams and prostitutes as it is about the sheer danger of living there. Apparently, there were so many mugging and killings at that cut between Northfork and Keystone that they were buried right where they found them. That would be a very interesting little town to research and write on even leaving out the stress on Cinder Bottom. The name of the book is Sodom and Gamorrah of Today or the History of Keystone West Virginia., and can be found online and even downloaded.

Wow, i had no idea how dangerous coal mining was. O live in Northern Virginia outside of DC, so we dont have any old coal mines up here so this was fascinating to hear about.

Not at all boring! Very interesting. Never heard about that before this was quite an adventure. Thank you And the one about Logan. Judy

I love the history!! My grandfather worked in the coal mines and steel mills. He used to take me to the old ash dump and coal mine by our house and we would look for coal just laying on the ground. I was little but I remember!! 😢could u do a video on the Hatfield /McCoy trail system?? I want to come down from Pa and ride the trails this spring!!

Really enjoy your videos. That is some beautiful country. Thank you

This looks quite a bit safer than a lot of the abandoned coal mines I've seen on video, where the ceiling is all fractured and has been falling down, piece by piece, over the years. I'm sure it's still a death trap, but it seems safer still. Maybe my dream of building a mad scientist lair in an old coal mine is not impossible.

Just ran across your video.. awesome!! My daddy would be 105 & I know he worked in some rough conditions back in the day.Sounds like you close to this area in WV

My Grandfather worked in the Ida May mine in Dakota West Virginia . He worked for 40 years to support 7 children, my father the 2nd born. Grandpa Chester Lee Brooks died with black lung disease.! He didn’t have much of a life at all! I am so proud of him!

I love rock hunting and learning this history. Loved this !!

Leo& Heather, I appreciate your videos they're very interesting I enjoy them

Thank you for all the history, I enjoyed this video

It’s also a huge lie that coal could run out. Coal is abundant!

That was really interesting, thanks very much.

My family is from Beckley West Virginia

My mother's father died young from the black lung disease. Living in a coal company house. It was a very hard living.

Great video, very inciteful. Your personality is what makes this so good. Thank you

My Mom’s Dad worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines. He passed from lung issues.