David Natives Reminisce: Page 3

(l-r) Dawson Bussey, Tandy Bartley, Unidentified Miner. Underground in David Mines.


Paul Shepherd:Judy ,What an awesome picture. Most in the modern world do not know what our
Dads,Uncles,Brothers, Cousins, Family members and Friends had to endure each day to support their families.Food on the table,clothing and shelter.A good education so their children would have a better life than they had. It took a real man to do this labor so his family could survive. There was so much Love and responsible they risk their lives everyday.Then when it came time to enjoy life as it was meant to be many were too sick or died before their time. That was true Love.

This should be a poster picture to show those that live in their many million dollar homes, ride in their limos, eat the finest foods, hang out with what is known as the elite crowds, walking down the red carpet as if they are Gods of the people. These are those that say coal mining should be stopped. Don't they realize if coal mining stops a great deal of the Nation and World will also come to a stop as millions will loose their incomes. Who will give food and shelter to the needy.

You have a great group of photos. We forget about lots of things in this life but the fond Memories will go on forever.

Judy Bussey: Paul, It took me a few years to really know how great Daddy was in many ways. Now I tell every class he crawled on his knees every day for 34 years to keep 8-10 people sheltered and fed. Any transgressions he made are easily lost these days... in my realization of his persistence and hard work..often on bad "miner's knees"...they just kept on going, didn't they. I ask my students how many people they know in today's world that would stick it out to keep a family together. Not many, I'm afraid.I think they love when I dignify labor this way...I value all work and make that clear to them. Would you mind if I put your comments on my blog spot: www.appalachianroots.blogspot.com I appreciate your feedback and deep thoughts about our heritage. I remember your Dad, Ashland very well. He was indeed a smart man and a hard worker.

Linda Morefield: My dad worked in the mines for awhile but when they built Carr Creek Dam, we had to move and he chose that moment in time to do something else with his life. We came to the end of the Mountain Parkway and bought a farm in Winchester and he... became a maintenance man at the Clark County Hospital where he could fix any machine that broke down. He worked just as hard there as he did in the mines and then came home and worked on the farm until dark so his work ethic continued even after he left the mines. I had several uncles that worked their lives in the mines and lost one uncle to a cave-in when he was only 16 or 17. He had just started working and was so proud of doing the job his dad had always done. My mom's dad spent his life in the mines until he died in a car accident. Your pictures certainly make it clear what they went through for us, though.

Judy Bussey:‎Linda, you have me in tears. We have so many common bonds..always did. I'm glad for the good conversations we had. A strong work ethic seems to be the common thread of those great men. Your father was probably the most skilled man around,... they had to learn so much to keep thin ♥ Judy

On another subject, Linda, I have strong memories of your waiting for Adam to come home from Iraq. He was among the first young men to go to Iraq and I hated it so bad for you. I asked about him often and will never forget the day he came home! You are a wonderful mother, daughter, wife and grandmother-to name a few--and you held all the forts down as I remember--attributes of a strong coal miner's daughter! ♥

The women were special too. I write about mother elsewhere and won't go into it right now.

Glen DeBoard: Hey Judy, The person on the right in this picture looks like Eula's Dad, Eugene Hager.

Paul Shepherd: You may be right Glen. I know him by his glasses.seen him many times but after all these years can't remember the name. At first I thought it may be Ruie Cavens

Glen DeBoard:Eugene (Gene) and Mildred moved to Wabash several years ago. Being John"s father-in-law, I visited their house many times. We were fishing buddies. I was looking at Judy's pictures and thought it looked like Gene. Maybe we can find out. I get so much enjoyment looking at Judy's pictures---thanks Judy

Judy Bussey: I'm in tears now. To think the miner might be our own special Eulagene and Jonell's father. I only met Eulagene this year, knew Jonell in high school....How wonderful if we discover our fathers were together in that dreadful underground. Great Men. Paul said once they were all pioneers and deserve to be honored. I agree. Let me know if you confirm it. I can't wait to find out!!! I'll be seeing John and Brenda tonight, maybe we can find out then!♥

Judy Bussey: These are *our* pictures Glenn! Feel free to contribute and I'll put them up.I'm so glad our David community is gathering around, so to speak.

Judy Bussey PS: I just learned recently that friend Barb Hager is cousin to Jonell and Eulagene. I'm going to ask all of them so they can help us identify the miner on the right!

Glen DeBoard: Paul, did you mean Rudell Cavins? He was my next door neighbor. I'm sure it is not Him. I guess I did not know Ruie----October 22

Pattie Clark Mollette THE MAN ON THE RIGHT LOOKS LIKE WALTER ARROWOOD AND BURNSIE SAYS THAT IT IS WALTER ALSO.
October 22

Glen DeBoard
My Dad worked 2nd shift for years. He and us boys were die-hard Reds fans. When the Reds played on the West Coast, John and I would stay up late at night and listen to them on the radio. A little after midnight Dad would come in with his black miners clothes on and say---What is the score boys. He would curl up on the floor to keep from getting coal dust on the furniture and we would finish listening to the game. Boy, these are great memories. Needless to say John and I would have a hard time getting up the next morning to catch the school bus to P-Burg High.
--Hey John---We use to be able to tell all the guys names on the Red and their batting averages. Do you remember T.F. Ratliff giving us the baseball cards that come in his chewing tobacco packs? When one of them was a Red's player we were thrilled. What happened to all those cards?
Johnie Greengrass, Ted Kluszewski., It's been too long
October 22
Glen DeBoard
Hey Pattie and Burnsie, I'm glad you commented on this picture. I'm sure if both of you think this is Walter, you probably are right. I thought it looked like Gene but I am not sure. I'm sure Eula and Jonell will comment as soon as they see... our comments.
It's great to communicate with people from David that I knew so well when I lived there. Can you tell me about Bill, We use to hang out and have a great time when I was a teenager.

Pattie Clark Mollette Glen, Bill died Feb.17,2007. He lived in Lexington ,Ky. I am the only one still living .I still live in David. Good to hear from you I love these picture where we guess who the people are. Good to hear from you. Pat

Glen DeBoard: I am sorry Pattie, I didn't know. Bill and I were such good friends. He was a little older than me but He rode me on his bike and we fished and did all the things that kids did in David. I remember stopping in David several years ago and saw Bill and--was it Dorthy? I thought all your family was so great. I can still see your Mom and Dad sitting on the porch when I walked down the sidewalk. They would always say hi to me and they were Icons in David. Tell Burnsie hello
October 22
Judy Bussey: Rod and I have a friend who is Walter and Velma's nephew. I'll ask him (Phil Haney) to look at this photo too. Funny, but I don't see Walter in the face of the man......but, Pattie has been proven the expert on these old photos....

Phil Haney looks a little like Walter, but it is not clear enough. Walter wore glasses.October 23

Glen DeBoard John told me that he and Eula both didn't think Eugene worked at David. I thought he told me some stories about working at David. My mistake gang- This guy looked like my friend Eugene (Gene). I miss him.
October 26

Judy Bussey; I'm tagging friend Fran Burkett Justice and her daughter Anita, who has written a screenplay about the mines. I want Anita to see how our fathers worked, always on their side or their knees. The unidentified miner will soon become Walter Arrowood unless someone has a better idea.October 27

Anita Justice Skibski This is an incredible photo. I was telling mom that I'd love to have the beginning credits roll over photos like this one. I'm definitely going to suggest it if they ask my opinion.