On more than one cold winter's night, he has fixed our aging coal furnace. Not all coal miners are sweetness and light, of course. Some are rough and violent. Coal mining is a difficult occupation, even in these modern times. Twelve-hour shifts, six days a week can take a toll on miner and family.
Miners also fear constantly about their jobs.
I caught a glimpse of this two years ago on a tour of another coal mine owned then by the giant ARCO mining company. We drove deep into the blackness of the mountain until we came to the massive longwall machinery. There a great blade shaved chunks of glistening coal onto a belt that ran like a swollen, lumpy river out of the mountain to the railroad tracks. Someone asked about the company's commitment to the local community. We've got another 20 years worth of coal down there, at least.