Walter Celeski was a Junior Wobbly in high school and became a miner at age 17. He learned the job from his father and goes into detail about mining methods, both by hand and with machines. He describes the fiercely competing unions (IWW and U.M.W.A) during the Strike of 1927 and describes the Columbine Massacre, where mine guards killed and wounded striking miners. He tells how experienced miners were seldom promoted because their mining expertise was indispensable, yet new miners were handling dynamite with no training whatsoever. Two of his brothers died from mining accidents. He criticizes coal company management and details the business practices of the Coors family. Despite the hardship (summers without work, living on credit) and the ruthlessness they faced, he remembers a strong sense of community and joyful times in the town of Frederick, which comprised many ethnicities.
description
Walter Celeski was a Junior Wobbly in high school and became a miner at age 17. He learned the job from his father and goes into detail about mining methods, both by hand and with machines. He describes the fiercely competing unions (IWW and U.M.W.A) during the Strike of 1927 and describes the Columbine Massacre, where mine guards killed and wounded striking miners. He tells how experienced miners were seldom promoted because their mining expertise was indispensable, yet new miners were handling dynamite with no training whatsoever. Two of his brothers died from mining accidents. He criticizes coal company management and details the business practices of the Coors family. Despite the hardship (summers without work, living on credit) and the ruthlessness they faced, he remembers a strong sense of community and joyful times in the town of Frederick, which comprised many ethnicities.
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