As an adult, CC had both a harsh sense of humor and a caring heart as will be shown as the story develops.  At least one time when relieving himself while out fishing, he pulled the elephant trick on his grandson.  Once when asked what he was giving a grandson for Christmas, he responded that it would be something to wear and something to play with–a pair of pants with the pockets cut out.  CC developed strong beliefs in loving your neighbor and working for equality–often equality in dealing with orneriness.  Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it.

An example of a check-off sheet.  Different mines had different formats including differing earnings and deductions line items.

Borderland is just north of Williamson WV on the Tug River.  The company had operations on both the West Virginia and Kentucky sides of the river–hence Borderland.  Borderland was known for better than average living conditions.  In the early nineteen twenties, some of the company’s houses for employees were brick and had running water.  

Coal Camp USA has some photos if you are interested. 

Longacre successfully organized well before nearby areas south of the river such as Paint and Cabin Creek.  The union there was not without its own internal troubles though.

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