| By Nicole Young MELVILLE, W.Va. -- There isn't much to the small town of Melville, just off W.Va. 17 in Logan County. Situated in part of the state's coal mining country, the area is mostly industrial and coal based, with little more than a hardware shop, a couple churches and some drive-in restaurants. But through the grieving, a spirit of camaraderie grew in two very different locations where both families and the community gathered to mourn the loss of Don I. Bragg, 33, and Ellery "Elvis" Hatfield, 47.
The two men were found Saturday afternoon, about two days after a fire broke out in Aracoma Coal's Alma No. 1 mine in Logan County. They became the 13th and 14th deaths in West Virginia coal mines in less than three weeks. Another miner also died in a Pikeville, Ky., mine earlier this month. Bright Star Freewill Baptist Church, where the families of Bragg and Hatfield gathered for comfort and support, did not conduct services in its sanctuary Sunday, only hours after the families heard the news that the coal miners were found dead. Just down the road at Badger Lumber, the small hardware store stayed open 24 hours when news of the missing miners became public. The shop, accustomed to being open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, served as a type of headquarters for not only the community but media, state and coal officials as well, running reports on their computers, providing a location for news conferences and supplying food and restrooms. "We're not even open on the weekends," said employee Chris Brewster, 20, of Chapmanville, W.Va. "We're just helping out as much as possible. Since Thursday evening, the doors haven't been closed, and we're staying open as long as needed, till the last person leaves." Five of the store's seven employees rotated shifts to keep it open around the clock, with each getting about three hours of sleep a day. Manager Jimmie Ferrell of Logan said he heard the news around 8 p.m. Thursday over his son's emergency scanner and immediately came into the shop to help. "We've just been trying to keep everybody happy," he said. "There was never a dull moment, and I feel like I've made some friends as a result of it all." Visiting Badger Lumber Sunday afternoon, Lois Lane of Boone County said she had no idea her son, Arnold, was actually in the Alma No. 1 mine during the time of the fire. It wasn't until Friday she found out her son had made it out alive and was at home, awaiting her return. Arnold Lane, she said, was one of 21 miners inside Alma No. 1 when a carbon monoxide monitor about 10,000 feet from the entrance of the mine alerted them of the fire. Authorities said the fire started where a side conveyor belt meets the main line that brings the coal out. "He was at home when I was out looking for him," she said. "I've been so thankful and grieving all at the same time. I'm so grateful ... I'm so happy I can't be still." He had worked a swing shift in the mine for several years and decided he would continue to work in coal mines, she said. "We're here today to live or die, we are born to die," Lane said. "Because accidents will happen as long as we live, and (miners) understand it's life or death every day." Brewster says he understands the difficulties some have with leaving the coal industry. "My entire family is a coal mining family. If you want to make any money in West Virginia, you have to be a coal miner," he said. "I just knew about it and growing up with it. I hoped I never have to work in a mine, but if I had to, I would go in a heartbeat." • Get more information on this topic by searching our Archives • Discuss this topic with others in our Community Forum |  |
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Monday, January 23, 2006
Small community comes together during tragedy
Small community comes together during tragedy
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