I was born in a company town like Windber. My mom, uncle, and grandma unloaded dyamite at the mine site when my mom and ucle were just
kids. I have no sympathy whatsoever for the likes of Berwind and all of the bosses who worked for him.

I sure like Salt Lake City better than McKeesport.

Michael Yates

Today, I traveled to Windber to perform maintenance on a treadmill owned by one of the sons of Windber (the town, not the man). He is about 80 years old. We became fast friends and he told me some of the details of what it was like to live in Windber when our dads were babies (1914) and even afterward. I share some of what he told me below. Although I use quotes, I am not quoting anyone, just paraphrasing the impersonations my pal performed:

Just when you were getting out of debt, henchmen would come visit and say, “Looks like you could use a new dining room suite.” “Oh, no – we just got out of debt!” Such a reply sent you to mine locations needing rock removal before coal could be mined. Since you only got paid for a fraction of the coal you loaded onto the cars, you didn’t get paid at all for moving rock.

If you went to a private store and bought a pair of boots, when you came out, a henchman would tell you “nice boots. But they don’t look like they’d be too good for mining. You’d better go back in and get your money back and go get the better boots up at the company store.”

One road led into town. It had a manned roadblock. You’d tell them you were so-and-so’s father or uncle and they would tell you that you had one hour before you’d better be back. This was to prevent union meetings.

My buddy said after so many years of that sort of life, always under someones thumb, people just got so’s they were hiding any money they had under a mattress and afraid to buy anything or let anyone know they had it – even years after that skunk Berwind blew out of there. They were so conditioned and remained that way until newer generations began to dilute it. Sorry, skunks – I actually like skunks and even like the way they smell.

I came away thinking just because someone is willing to complacently yield to your abuse is no reason to abuse them. You should rather bless their lives any way with which you have means. I dare not speak or write what I thought of what probably became of Berwind after he died, but I can refer you to the Book of Luke, 16:23.

Today’s trip to Windber was of great value to me because of the time I spent with my pal and because of the things on which he educated me. I am always so humbled whenever I hear of or see people living such rougher lives than I, and taking it on the chin.

Thanks very much for this post. I will certainly read your book, and I should have mentioned it in my post. I hope those who see
my blog will read it too. I am always in awe of historians who spend the time to really delve into something like this and challenge and
correct the historical record. My hat goes of to you!

Michael Yates