During the early 1900s, mine accidents and disasters were as common in West Virginia as mass shootings are in the U.S. today.  Accidents, injuries and death were regular occurrences. As late as World War I, it was more likely for a soldier fighting in the trenches of Europe to return alive than it was for a miner to survive the same time period. (Corbin [Life])

At the time, an incident was only recorded as a disaster if five or more miners died as a result*, otherwise work generally continued unimpeded with little notice to the public or the state. Mine disasters in WV by this count were still common: 1906 – 7 disasters (104 dead), 1907 – 4 (517), 1908 – 2 (59), 1909 – 2 (83) 1910 – 1 (10), 1911 – 3 (47), 1912 – 2 (88), 1914 – 2 (188), 1915 – 3 (162)….

Two of these many disasters were in Cabin Creek in 1905, one in Paint Creek in 1906, and one in Boomer No. 2, which was within walking distance of Longacre, in 1915.

*Note: this secondary source often disagrees with primary sources as to the dates and details of disasters.  Poor record keeping and disparate accounts would suggest that these numbers are not exact and probably low.

Boomer No. 2, Boomer, Fayette County WV, Monday November 29th 1915

(various period newspapers)

Our Bullpush RESIST shirts are now set at a 0% markup.  The third party printer will make a profit off of these, but we sure won’t.  Start a conversation about change with what you wear!

Other Featured Bullpush Mercantile Content (Merchandise)