Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
1. Miners Memorial
Inscription.
Miners Memorial. .
In Memory of James J. Burke (1928 - 2015). A native son of Wilkes-Barre and a member of the first graduating class of King's College (founded in 1946 to educate the sons of coal miners), Jim later served his beloved alma mater as Chairman of its Board of Trustees from 1978 to 1988., In 2011, he co-founded the Anthracite Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to commemorate the lives of the anthracite coal miners of Northeastern Pennsylvania and to educate students and the general public about their many sacrifices and contributions to society., Jim's passion, vision, leadership and philanthropy led to the building of this Anthracite Miners Memorial Park. Requiescat in pace.[Rest in peace.], During the nineteenth century hundreds of thousands of immigrant men, women and children trekked to the coal regions of Pennsylvania., The Miners Memorial pays lasting tribute and gratitude to those of them , and their progeny , who toiled in the region's coal patches, whose arduous and hazardous labor helped preserve the Union during the Civil War, fueled the nation's Industrial Revolution, whose valiant lives are seamlessly woven into the nation's history.,
"They came not as conquerors but as believers in the promise of America. They came with hopeful hearts and willing hands to make a home far from the world they knew. They came with faith to light their way and humor to ease the journey. They came with pride in who they were and courage to overcome all hardships as they followed their cherished dream of freedom." Edward Cunningham
Pray… for each of them… the gates of heaven swung wide.,
"A small number of very rich men have been able to lay upon the teeming masses of the laboring poor a yoke little better than that of slavery itself."
Fatal accidents, fires and cave-ins were not the only perils miners faced., On September 10, 1897, nineteen un-armed miners - peacefully protesting their plight - were massacred at nearby Lattimer by Luzerne County's Sheriff and Deputies. An additional thirty-two miners were shot in the back as they fled., At their trial… jurors found the Sheriff and Deputies "Not Guilty", professing "They had no way of knowing 'who' shot 'whom'". Throughout the Anthracite Coal Region "when coal was king" 35,000 men and boys died in mine accidents and disasters; later in life still more from black lung.,
June 5, 1919 Wilkes-Barre 92 men and boys died, April 7, 1841 Throop 73 men and boys died, September 6, 1869 Avondale 110 men and boys died, June 28, 1896 Pittston 58 men and boys died.
In Memory of
James J. Burke
(1928 - 2015)
A native son of Wilkes-Barre and a member of the first graduating class of King's College (founded in 1946 to educate the sons of coal miners), Jim later served his beloved alma mater as Chairman of its Board of Trustees from 1978 to 1988.
In 2011, he co-founded the Anthracite Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to commemorate the lives of the anthracite coal miners of Northeastern Pennsylvania and to educate students and the general public about their many sacrifices and contributions to society.
Jim's passion, vision, leadership and philanthropy led to the building of this Anthracite Miners Memorial Park. Requiescat in pace. [Rest in peace.]
During the nineteenth century hundreds of thousands of immigrant men, women and children trekked to the coal regions of Pennsylvania.
The Miners Memorial pays lasting tribute and gratitude to those of them — and their progeny — who toiled in the region's coal patches, whose arduous and hazardous labor helped preserve the Union during the Civil War, fueled the nation's Industrial Revolution, whose valiant lives are seamlessly
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woven into the nation's history.
"They came not as conquerors but as believers in the promise of America. They came with hopeful hearts and willing hands to make a home far from the world they knew. They came with faith to light their way and humor to ease the journey. They came with pride in who they were and courage to overcome all hardships as they followed their cherished dream of freedom."
Edward Cunningham
Pray… for each of them… the gates of heaven swung wide.
Wall of Honor
Dedicated to all Anthracite Mineworkers
Those years rush back
Like beating wings —
Long years of strife
When Coal Was King.
Carl Alber • Joseph Augustinski • Zigmund W Augustinski • Walter Baran • John Bartush • Adolfo D Battisti • Alex Battisti •
Anthony Bednarz • Joseph Bednarz • Stanley Benezkowski, Sr • Edward Bieski • Michael Bilek • Emil Boder • Jeremiah Boney •
Joseph A Bonner • Matthew Bottoms • Michael Bozentka • James Brennan • Michael Brunick • Michael Buckley • Daniel Butchko •
John Butchko • John P Butler, Jr • Louis Butz • Guido Callovini • James Cavanaugh • Patrick J Clark • Peter Conlin • Henry Grouch •
James Daniel, Sr • James Daniel, Jr • Joseph DeLucia • John Dubinski • Stanley J Duda • Andrew Dulsky • Ellis Ellis • Owen Ellis •
Charles Englehart • Michael Felegie • Adolph Fennick • John Ferdo • Dominick Ferretti • Gino Ferretti • Giuseppe Ferretti •
Rufino Ferretti • Matthew Gallagher • Edward Gavenus • Arthur Gensel • Morgan George • Joseph Gieda • Michael Goul •
Joseph Grzybowski • Michael Guydosh • Nicholas Guydosh • Richard Handley • Spurgeon Handley • John Hanlon •
William Hardey • Joseph Hudak • Ralph Job • Michael Jurovsky • Andrew Kapral • Michael Kearns • George Kempinski, Sr. •
Vincent Kluczynski • Frank Kohut • Edward Kordoski • George Kostick • Michael Krasnavage • John Krella • Joseph A Ksiaskiewicz •
Gus K Kulas • William Kurtinaitis • Peter Lazar • Andrew Leeson • Michael Leeson • Nicola Lello • Constanty K Lemanowicz •
Daniel J Lewis • Dominic Maciejczyk • Guiseppe Mancia • Michele Marietta • Joseph Masonis • Charles Medura •
Patrick McMennimen • Hipolit Mielanczyk • Frank Mlynarski • Steve Modrosky • Walter Mollitt • Michael Natishan •
Alfred Noyle • David Noyle • Adalbert Omolecki • Anthony R Pachick • Joseph Pacovsky • Stephen Pacovsky • Michael Panenko •
Joseph Pesta • Joseph Pistack • Matthew Pollard • William J Powell • Michael Prestas • Francis Price • Norman Pronovich •
Jan Przestrzelski • Alois Rauscher • John M Ribar • Frank Richards • Francis Rindgen • Owen Roberts • Clarence Robertson •
David Robertson • Alek Romashko • Leroy Ruggles • Andrew Rusinko • William J Saba • William Sanderson • Stanley Serafinski •
Andrew Shedlock • Joseph Shedlock, Sr • Michael P Shedlock • John Shershan • John Skrypek • Thomas Smith •
Nicholas Soconish • John Sokoloski • John Sorick, Sr • John Sonoski • Joseph Stepanski • Edward J Strenfel • Nicholas Sura •
Joseph Swartz • Harry Valentine • Fred Wancho • Joseph Wancho • Frank Waslick • Walter Wegrzynowicz, Sr • Michael Wiancek •
William R Williams • Harry Wintle • John J Wright • Joseph Yanulevius • Andrew Yenalevitch • John A Yencha •
Kasmir Zajaczkowski • Peter Zionkowski • Walter Zionkowski • Stanley Zurek • Frank D Zurynski • Felix Zynel •
Michael Antosh • lacob Benish • John Bienick, Sr • Michael Bigus, Sr • Chester F Bogacki, Sr • Martin Bogusko • Rocco Braccio
Michael Antosh Jacob Benish • John Bienick, Sr • Michael Bigus, Sr • Chester F Bogacki, Sr • Martin Bogusko • Rocco Bracci James Brawley • Joseph Brice • Victor Brice • William Brice • Frank Burnat • John Cawley • Luke J Comer • George Darga •
Bruce Davis • Joseph Dobash • John Dunsavage • Joseph R Elko • John Evans • Roy E Evans • Joseph Finogl •
William Flaherty • Adam Gerlach • Daniel E Gildea • Konstanty Gocek • Stanley Grebeck • Herman Gries • Moses Griffiti Adam Grohol • Frank Harowicz • Joseph Injaychock • George Jacobs, Sr • Stanley Jamaca • Charles J Jasulevicz, Sr • Thomas Jenkins •
John Jiompkowski • Leon Kalinowski • Anthony Karasinski • Stanley Karp • Adam Kazmerski • James Kelly • Joseph Kolesai •
Charles Konarski, Sr • John Konopka • Edward Koslosky • Stanley Koslosky • Edward Kosmol • Andrew Kotlowski • John Koval •
George Kozich • Alexander Krukowski • Michael Kucab • John Kucz • Stanley Laskowski • Walter Latinski • John M Latsko •
Andrew Letnianczyn • Andrew J Loyack • Edward Lazur • Germaine Maciejczyk • John Malahowski • George Moreck •
Andrew Markuszewski • Dominick Martini • Joseph Masiona • Charles Mazzarella • Joseph P McGarry • Francis McHugh, Sr Sylvester Mieszalowski • George Mihalchik • John Mihalchik • Charles Mislak • Frank Mislak • Stanley Moczulski • John Morenko •
Thomas Morpeth • Joseph G Morris, Sr • Adam Narbut • Edward Nork • John Norkaitis • Arthur O'Donnell, Sr Joseph Olszewski • Stanley Orlowski • Alfred Oshinski • John Omina, Sr • Amedeo Pancotti • Joe Pavlica • Mike Pavlica Felizano Pecorelli • George Petrin • Walter V Petrofski • Andrew Petros • Joseph Pluskey • Edward T Proleika, Sr •
William Prystrzelski • Peter Recek, Sr • Thomas Reino • Joseph S Ridilla • Michael Risko • Richard Roche • John Romanchick •
Walter Ryba • Frank Rybarczyk • Romolo Sabbatini • Andrew Sabol, Sr • Andrew Sabol, Jr • Edward Sabol • Jack Sabol •
Michael Sabol • Albert Savakinas • Frank Scango • Peter Scatena • Joseph Schillaci • Joseph Schraeder • John Sepela, Sr •
Frank Siépietowski • Louis Shimkus • Steven Smith, Sr • John W Sopko, Sr • Frank Sorick • Stanley Sowa, Sr • Joseph E Stahley •
John Stepanski • Theodore Sweryda • Thomas D Thomas • Michael Wanek • Joseph Waskie • Joseph Waszkiewicz •
Leonard Wentz • Peter Wolski • Frank Wszolek • Dominic Yanuzzi, Sr • Frank P Yamus • Joseph Yarosavich • Jacob S Yencha Joseph & Yencha • Stephen Yonik • Maynard Yuscavage • Joseph J Zapusek • Charles Zannetti • Emilio Zannetti Joseph Zannetti • Anthony Zaledonis • John Zalewski • Joseph Zavada • Benjamin Zanuk • Joseph Zelek
John J Andrejko • Andrew P Bartos • Michael Basar • Joseph Belchunes • James Boyle • Michael Brennan • Alex Bucknavage •
James Bugdale • Jan Burnat • Joseph Burnetski • John Carey • Sam Casciani • Fred Cecconi • Michael Cefalo •
Michael Ceklosky, Sr • Joseph Centak, Sr • Andrew Chervak • Frank P Danna • George Daru • Charles Degavage, Sr Dominick Del Balso • Richard Dickson • John Dilauro • Michael Donelan • Michael Ezzo • Thomas V Finn • Martin Flynn •
Peter Flynn • Frederick Fuess • Andrew Gavenonis • Anthony Gavenonis • John Gavenonis • Edward M George, Sr • Nat Giuli Stephen Giza, Sr • Stanley Gora • Raffaele Grillini • Gregory Gulick • Charles Gyle • Peter Halloway • Arthur Hands •
Charles Hannon • Patrick Hannon • Michael Harris • John Harrison • Edgar H Hartman • Michael Hendricks • John Hibala •
John Hoosic • Peter Husty • John Jukas • Andrew Kalinka • Carl Kalinka • Frank Kalinka • Walter Kalinka • Walter A Karwaski •
John Kashuba • John Kay • Stephen J Klopatch • Michael Korb • Joseph Koslap, Sr • John Krempasky, Sr • John Kress •
Walter Kulick • Alex Kulikowich • Michael Kullkowich • Stanley Laskoski • William Lastowski • Joseph Latona •
William Launikonis • Clarence Lee • Daniel Le • Edward Lemanowicz • Charles Lettieri • Stanley Lisowski • Michael Lucas •
Bella J Lukacinsky • Charles Lutynski • Vincent Mantione • Frank Margaiski • Benjamin Martinsky • Joseph Matelski •
Henry D May • John McCrone • Michael McManus • Michael McManus, Jr • Clarence W Michael • Walter Mickno •
John Mikula • John Milchick • Paul Milchick • Con Moore • Martin A Muldowney • Peter F Naylis, Jr • James Nixon • Dimitri Orischak • Anthony Pagnotti • Pasquale Pentino • Antonio Piazza • Quintilio Pisaneschi • Michael Popovich •
Michael Pulicari • Rocco Pulicari • John Puscavage • Andrew Racho • Joseph Redyker • Carl L Reichart • Leroy C Robbins •
Paul Romanowski • Anthony Rulka • Edward Salvadore • Joseph Samselski • Joseph Savage • Frank Saydock • Marino Schillaci •
Anthony Schultz • Stanley Schultz • Joseph Shalanski • William Skammer • Stanley Sklanka • John Shinski • Steve Simco • Peter Slabinski • Frank Slusarz • Peter D Smith • William Sokola • Peter Songaila • Anthony Sorick • Alexander Stover • Louis Strinkoski • Floyd Stull • John Swantko • Barney Styczynski • Clem Szczecinski • William Tomalinas • Thomas Toole • Michael Vino, Jr •
Sylvester Webb • John Weron • Stephen Wodarczyk • Charles A Wolfe • Wasyk Wolinsky • Lawrence Wroblewski • Anthony Yasso • Peter Zahyrowski
Joseph Andrysick • Donald E Angle, Sr • Michael Antonacci • George Antosh • Stanley Archavage • Michael Bedosky • John Benia •
Joseph Benczkowski • Stanley Benczkowski • Frank A Bolesta • Walter F Bolesta • Paul Brojakowski • Walter J Brzyski •
Peter Crofcheck • Charles Domant • John Donnelly • Arnold E Dudeck • John Dupock • John Dziak • Andrew Elko • Wilbert Elliott Joseph Engle • Francis Fosko • John Gawlas • Carlo Gelli • George Gilbus • Joseph Gilbus • Walter Godlewski •
Raymond Grohowski • Joseph Gustus • John Gwiazdowski • Fred Hollenback • Joseph Harowicz • Peter Horyczon •
George Hrubowchak • Alexander Jachimiak • Alexander Jamiolkowski, Sr • Alexander Jamiolkowski, Jr • John Jarosz •
Joseph Jarosz • Walenty Jarosz • Hugh H Jones • Thomas W Jones • Steven Kalinovich, Sr • Antoni Kijek • John Kimsal, Sr •
John Kipikasha • Stanley Kolander • Michael Kolesar • Joseph Komor • Peter Kondrad, Jr • Charles Konkus, Jr • Andrew Koval •
Joseph M Kovalick • Charles Kozokas • Frank Kozokas • Edward Knight • Jack Knight • Jon Krajcovic • John Krivak • John Krokos Ignatius Kumiega • Joseph Kumiega • George Kuscavage • Alex Kuzovich • Joseph Kwiatkowski • William P Lamereaux Joseph LaVerde • Earle Layaou • Giovanni Lepore • James W Lewis • John Lokuta • A Joe Lukacinsky • Adonio Magni Gieseppe Magni • Quinto Magni • Anthony Mattick • Charles McHugh • Constantine McHugh • Andrew McKelvey • John Miller •
Peter Mrozinski • Frank Mrufchinski • Frank Mylet • Ludwig Nebl • Alberto Nerozzi • Frank Nice, Sr • Philip Nice •
John Niedzwiecki • Bronislaw Niemiec • Josef Orechovsky • Michael Orechovsky • William Owens • Thomas L Painter •
Peter Papeika • Imrich Partika • Arthur Patterson • George Pavlick, Sr • Andrew Pekala • Celestino Pennoni • Peter Perchansky •
Joseph Peterlin • Joseph Piragas • Joseph Pohida • John Pokrinchak • Richard Pollard • Francis A Polkowski • Frank Powlitch •
John Proleika • Stanley Pruce • Michael Raykovicz • Neil Raymond, Sr • Edgar Roberts • Leo Rogatski • Stephen Rusnak •
Frank C Soska • Raymond Simmons • Thomas Sipple • Julius Sheakoski • Andrew Shovarsky • Ignaz Skrzyniecka • John Shovarsky •
Benjamin Snyder, Sr • Louis Splendido • Thomas Stigora • John Stofila • Sam Starzecki • Stephen Stretansky • Gerald A Tinshaw Angelo Tranguch • John Vinscavage • Michael Vitacco • Stanley Wadas • Edward Welsh • Stanley Washinsky •
Staniey Washinsky, Jr • Joseph Wasil • Andrew Wasilko • Peter Yadrnak • Walter Yagiello • Thomas H Yelland •
John Yursha • Joseph Zapotocky • Joseph P Zawacki • Thomas Zimich • Joseph A Zuba
Bernard C Adamczyk • Kazimieras Andriekus • William M Benedetti • Leo Blockus • William L Buckley • William A Burridge, Sr •
Peter C Cacosky • William Carver • Michael Chabala • Joseph A Check • Anthony Chepalonis • John J Chervenitski •
Theodore A Cholewa • Stephen Chyko • Isidoro Clabocchi • Metodio Ciabocchi • Frank Cieniawa • Frank Gimakasky •
John Cintala • Ambrose Collier • Michael K Condrick, Sr • John Cooper • Daniel Corgan • John B Corgan • William F Corgan •
William H Corgan • Joseph Cortello • Theodore Delikat • William H Dunstone • Michael Dzara • David Ellis • Draper Evans •
Joseph Falatko • John Farber • Gennaro Fierro • Anthony Fonzo • Myron Franckowiak • Jules Fronzoni • Andrew Gajzik Sylvester Gardner • George Gatcha • Angelo V Gatti • Gerald A Gatti • Raymond J Gatti • John Gelatka • Louis Giomboni •
Andrew Glowatch • John Golightly • Martin Golightly • John Gonos • Lawrence Grochowski • Alois Gruber • Henry Guerin •
Andrew Harchar • Harvey Herron • John Hovan • John D Howell • Istwyn Jones • Andrew Kirkutis • John Klimchak Andrzej Koc • Frank Koch • Simon Kokinda • William Konsavage • George Krajnak • Fred P Kratz • Frank A Ksiaskievicz •
John S Lichon • August Long • Lawrence Malachefski • Charles Maso, Sr • John Meza • Stephen Meza • Thomas T Michael Napoleon De Montaque • Joseph Montigney, Sr • Joseph Montigney, Jr • Ralph Montigney • Joseph Motto • Nicholas Musto •
Stephen Myron • Albert E Namey • Francis Naylis • Patrick Naylis • Alexander O'Donnell, Sr • Francis Olowiany •
Victor Palaczanis • Robert L Parry • Raymond Perez • Frank Petrosky • Frank Pisarcik • George Pollock, Sr • Cecil Prye Ludwig Przekop • Donato Ragantesi • Luriano Randazzo • Ludwig Rauscher, Sr • Joseph Redensky • Thomas Rhodes, Sr •
Michael Rishcoff • Arvon Roberts • Anthony Rogish • Alexander Romanoski • Michael Sabalesky • John Liptak-Sabol •
Raymond Saporito • Michael A Schintz • John Sefcik • John Shahoney • Harry J Shales • Anthony Shanders •
William Shillabeer • John Shinko • Fred Smith • George Smith • Harry Smith, Sr • Charles Snyder • Eugene Snyder, Sr •
Carl Sowa • Stanley Stavinski, Sr • Theodore Strunk • George Sufrinko • Michael Sulzinski • Anthony Tinshaw • Frank Tokash •
Andrew Toth • Anthony Truskoski • Michael Truskauskas • Joseph Vitcosky • Charles Volpe • Adam Waclawski Costic Washcalus • Edward Wasko • Evan R Watkins • Frank A Westawski • Melvin Wynn • Frank Zahay Albin Zak • Michael Zakwieja • Joseph Zaleppa • Andrew Zalonis • Edward Zenex • Joseph Zerblas
James Altieri • Samuel Altieri • Vincenzo Altieri • Owen O Anthony • William Anthony • Lee Austin • Walter Badjonis •
John Baloga, Sr • Clement Barrett • Thomas Barrett • John Berry • William H Bevan, Sr • George Bodolosky •
Andrew Bosak • John Bosak • Patrick A Brannon • Edward Brutski • Frank P Bucknavage • John Buczynski • Leo Buczynski •
Martin Buczynski • John C Burnat, Sr • Robert J Caruthers • Frank D Casaia • Henry Casper • Thomas F Cassidy •
William T Cassidy • William H Emmett • William T Emmett • John Fabian • Peter Finiak • Arthur Frit • Michele Gai •
Stanley Garbush • Andrew Gaydos • William Girvan • Peter Gonos • William Gmuca • John Greenley • Andrew Grzybowski •
Stanley Gutkoski • Paul Halecki • Charles Hannon • Thomas Hannon • Wilbert Heyes • Ralph Hodgson • George Honey •
Richard Jones • John Kasarda • Andrew Kendzior • Joseph Kendzior • George Kimock • Demetrius Kobuta George Kopetchny • Andrew J Kotch • Alex Kotzer • Michael Kral • John Kudey • John Lacomis • Stephen Luzar •
Albert J Leonard • Andrew Leonard • Thomas Lepkoski • Frank Lutz • Charles Mahar • Frank J Manley • Fred Mercellini •
Frank J Markowski • Victor Mazur • Michael Medallis • Michael Mehalick • Philip Melleski • Nicholas Miketinac •
Patrick Molyneux • Hugh Montague • Frank Montville • Wiliam H Mooney, Jr • John Mravcak • Michael T Munley •
Philip Mylet • Joseph Nartowicz • Henry Nauss • Joseph Nauss • Frank Niemie • Albert L Nitz • Andrew Novak Sylvester Novak • Neil O'Boyle • Gerald F O'Donnell • Joseph P O'Donnell • Joseph Olenick • Joseph J Olsav •
Vincent Orloski • John Pasternack • Samuel Petitto • Joseph Polny, Sr • Joseph Polny, Jr • Louis Remigi • Ivor Richards, Sr Roscoe Rishcoff • Frank Rittenhouse • Stephen D Rossi • Charles Rother • George Rowles • Charles Salvo • Edward Samuels •
John Samulevich • John Sawik • Angelo Sciabacucchi • Joseph Sessock • Andrew J Shedlock • Adam Shinal •
Frank Shukwietis • Bernard Skibinski • Edward Soboski • John Sobosky • Clement A Sosnak, Sr • Stanley Sowa •
Rinaldo Squarta • Anthony Sulkevich • Anthony Sulkevich, Jr • Stanley Szortyka • Stanley Szymanski • Robert Taylor •
Charles R Thomas • Joseph M Wallace • George Wanchek • John F Wanchek • Stanley Wasloski • John Watkins, Sr •
Dominick J Wegrzynowiez • John O Williams • Paul Williams • William D Williams • Theodore Wolman • Zigmunt Wroblewski George Zaledonis • John Zanowicz • Albert Zelinski • John Zelinski • Walter Zelinski
Charles Adamitis • Stephen A Amrich • Cleo Angeli • Dominic Antonacci • Michael Antonacci • Walter Antos • Clement Antosh •
Joseph L Bargella • Joseph Baurys • Matthew Bayzik • Walter Belinski • John Bezick • Edwin Bingham • Angus Blue Michael Bogdon • Frank Bohenek • Casper Boncal • Frank Bubblo • Michael Burcak • John F Butler • Anthony Cardell •
Francis Chango • Joseph Chango • Theodore Chesluk • Dominic Cicala • Frank Collisto • William Cooney • John R Davis, Sr •
John R Davis, Jr • William Dickson • Frank Dixon • William Dixon • Martin Engle • Carl Evanchick • John D Evans •
William Evans • Michael Faherty • Angelo Falchetti • John Falchetti, Sr • Frank Fosko • John Galinsky, Sr • John C Garis •
John C Godlewicz • Thomas Golightly • Wasil Gonos • asyl Gonos • Edward Grigor • Joseph Holminski • Michael Hudock •
John J Hummer • Joseph S Iskra • Karol Iskra • Benjamin Jones • Donald Jones • Paul P Kishbaugh • John Kolanich •
Thomas Kopecki • Michael Kost • Clarence Krieger • Andrew Kobosko • Andrew Kwasek • George Langdon • Joseph Lavix •
Bernard J Levandoski • Walter Logalia • Pasquale Lutz • John Maciejczyk • John W Mahady • John A Marek • Stephen Markowsky •
Joseph Mayewski • Edward M McLaughlin, Sr • George S Mizzer • Joseph J Molski, Sr • John Moran • Adoph Mozeleski • Frank Mucha •
John Mucha • Peter Mucha • Robert Muraney • Joseph Novak • Louis Novak • Gregorio Paglianite • Samuel Paglianite •
John Petcaugh • Ferdinando Pierantoni • William Pohutski • Joseph Popson, Jr • Joseph Popson, Sr • Richard Price • Richard Prothero •
Anthony M Rendako • Clyde Roberts • Thomas Roberts • Samuel Robinson • Henry W Rodda • Joseph Rodda • Joseph J Rodda •
Thomas Ruane • Stanley Rychlicki, Sr • Stanley E Rychlicki • Albert G Sai • Joseph B Sai • Walter Sakosky • Anthony Saksa •
Edward Seasock • John B Serafin • Minor Shaw • James Shea • Michael Shewack • Anthony Simonowicz • George Skrosky Ignatz Solack • Joseph Solack • John Spangler • Jacob Stephens • Johan J Stoebner • Frank Strinkoski • Peter Suda •
Stanley Suda • Leonard Sulzinski • Anthony Tarasiewicz • Benjamin Thomas • David T Thomas • Edward Thomas • Isaac J Thomas •
William F Thomas • Alfonse Urenovich • Sheldon Vest • Theodore Vinsko • Michael Walsh • Andrew Wassil • Frederick Whitefield •
Andrew Woitko, Sr • Nicholas Wolensky • Adam Yaworski • John Young • William Young • Enrico Zampetti • Stanley Zondlo •
John Zvirislis
Victor C Baranaskas • Henry Bartol • Lodovico Bartol • John Bizup • Michael Bogdon • George Bokor • Charles E Borland •
Stanley Borowski • John Brazinski • Franciszer Buchinski • George Burgham • Lewis A Casterline • Rudy Charney • John Chesluk •
Stephen Chismar • Nicholas Colicchio • Michael Coolican • Martin Degnan • John Demko • John J Dillon • Peter Dutzer •
Michael Dzuranin • Anthony Ebert • Francis Eustice • Michael Evans • Stephen Evans • Henry Farver • Michael J Fontanella •
Andrew Frankiewicz • Samuel H Gardner • James J Gavin, Sr • Joseph Gongleski • John Gouse • John J Griglock •
John Gross • William C Hoffman • Claude S Hooper • Richard Honeychurch • Richard H Honeychurch • Richard Honeychurch, Jr •
John E Joivell • Joseph Kalemba • Theodore Keeler • Michael Kocis, Sr • Edward Kollar • Thomas P Kopetsky • Albion T Kozel •
Alex Kozicki • John Kozicki • Zigmund Kulakowski • Stephen Ladamus • John Lazar • Milo F Lloyd • Stanley Lopata • Thomas Lydon •
Giovanni Mandarano • Joseph Marinko • John Mattie • Michael McCormack • John Mihalko • John M Mooney, Sr •
William Mooney, Sr • Theodore R Morgans • James Mulcahey • George Myers • Frank Niedzwiecki • William Odgers •
John Opet • Stephen Opet • Raymond J Palmiter • Joseph Parulis • John Phillips • Charles Pierce • John J Poremba •
Joseph Prischak • Joseph Randazzo • Vincenzo J Randazzo • Frederick Rauscher • Anthony Revit • Daniel P Roarty • William Rodack •
John Robbins • Michael R Roos • Jacob Roschak • Julius Rowles • Adam Rutski • John Rutski • Michael F Rybarczyk •
John Salnicky • Nicholas Salnicky • Leo E Scanion • Michael Sedlisky • William Seidel • Nicholas Shanko • Michael Shema •
Henry L Shemanski, M.D. • Stanley Shiffka • John Skochen • Andrew Slavinski • Frank Shumbris • Edward F Sowa • Frederick Snedeker • Joseph Sperrazza • Angelo F Stella • Alexander Stempleski • Joseph J Stiles • George Stofko •
William Swankosky • Joseph Swartz, Sr • John Swisko • George Swisko • Joseph Szymanski • Stanley Szymanski •
Luke J Temprine, Sr • James E Thompson • Ludwik Tubis • Stephen W Ulichney • George Updyke • Andrew Uporsky •
David VanFossen • Michael Wadzin • Patrick Ward • Felix Wawer • Robert E Whitmer, Sr • James Wilson • Andrew Wisnewski •
Andrew Woitko, Jr • Joseph Woitko, Sr • Frank Wozniak • Casimer Wozniak • Andrew Yencha • Michael J Yencha • Jozet Zarzycki
Charles F Ahner • Nicholas Ambrose • George Ambruch • Michael Ambruch • Steve Balutanski • Anthony Balutis • Frank Barnousky •
Thomas Baskin • Giuseppi Belardinelli • George Bellas • Frank Biernatoski • Antonio Bitonti • Andrew J Branas •
Thomas F Brannigan • Michael Brown • Walter Bucikowski • Fedor Burcak • Leo O Caccia • Michael A Cassarella •
John L Cecconi • Joseph T Chesla, Sr • Stanley B Chela, Sr • Joseph F Clonan • Anthony J Colinet • John Cossman • Relza C Cragle •
Edward Czock • Frank Dagostin • Stanshaw Decowski • Joseph V Deetz • Anthony B Denisco • Michael Dobranski • Frank S Dombroski •
John Dombroski • Harry Drahusczak • Charles Drazba • Andrew Drugach • John H Ellis, Sr • Sam J Ferretti, Sr • Robert D Gardner •
Anthony L Gavel • Peter Gaydosh • David S Gibbon • Anthony Gosco • Walter Granoski • Joseph B Gushka • Nicolas P Gushka •
Raymond H Hooper • George Hudock • Richard R Hummer • Vasil C Karazia • Michael Kedda • Thomas J Kelly • John Klosko •
Louis Kochinsky • George A Kopec • Harry Korba, Sr • William Korzinski • Louis Koscinski • George J Kovalick • Paul S Kovach •
Calvin L Kovatch • Joseph Kristan • John Krull • Zigmund J Krystofolsky • Joseph J Kulakowski • Stanley Kuligowski • Andrew J Kush •
William J Lavan • Anthony Lemanowiez • Chester Lemanowicz • Stephen M Loyack • Theadore R. Luff • John Lukachunas •
Emelio N Malacarne • Frank P Martin • Victor Martuza • Michael Matichka • Stanley A Meholchick • Albert Melosky • Fridolf T Meurell •
Joseph Michaels • Albert G Michalezyk • John Mikitka • Theodore R Morgans • John J Muczynski • Charles C Napersky •
Joseph G Olenik • Joseph L Olshefski • Harley Pantie • Peter Papeika • James S Patterson • Edward F Pawlowski Feléciano Pecorelli • Michael Pworchik • Aaron Phoenix • Hezekiah Phoenix • Thomas C Polacheck • John Popietsk •
Stanley T Polak • George Postupak • John Phillips • Stephen T Prevuznak • Evan J Roberts • Thomas W Roberts •
John M Sabol • Michael G Savakinas • Joseph L Shemo • Stanley M Shinko • Thomas Shone • Walter Sitcavage • William Slobecheski •
Anthony Stefanowiez • George Steininger • George Steve • Stephan Stine • Edward J Stoko • Louis Stoko • Valerian Slovinski Leonard Sulzinski • Marcel Tanski • John Taylor • John Telatovich • Louis Telatovich • John Timko • Michael Timko, Sr •
Frank E Tomko • Andrew Uporsky • Anthony J Vestyck • Anthony Vitcosky • Eugene Vivalda • Giovanni Vivalda • James Vivalda •
Eugene A Walch • Joseph Wargo • David Watkins • Leo Wiliszewski • Paul Witt • Jan Witek • Edward & Zukowski, Sr
Emory Andrejko • Joseph Arias-Prieto • John J Bendik • Andrew Berecin • Robert Bodycomb, Sr • Robert Bodycomb, Jr Rosser, Bodycomb & William Bodycomb • John Borkowski • Richard Burke • Harry Burridge • Stanley Butsavage •
Michael P Carlin • Pasquale Ceccarelli • Stanley Chernowski • George Chorey • John Giokajlo • George W Columbo •
Thomas Connor • Louis J Conrad • John P Corcoran • Michael Corcoran • John Cunningham • John X Davis • John B Davis •
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When coal was king, miners toiled ten hours each day, six days each week, midst rats and mules deep in the bowels of the earth.
Down into the dark pit before dawn; up ten hours later-again into the dark. Daylight but a memory from November to March - except on Sundays.
Paid by the car-load; paid in scrip - not coin - spent at the Company Store or rent of a Company shack.
Sudden death from accidents and cave-ins - one heart beat away.
On a single day - one hundred and ten men and boys died in Avondale; ninety-two in Wilkes-Barre; fifty-eight in Pittston; seventy-three in Throop
Over thirty-five thousand men and boys died in mine accidents and disasters throughout the coal regions. Later in life, still more from Black Lung.
Boyhood in the patch soon ended. "Tis time, son, to go to work" … each told when turning seven.
Each dawn, hand-in-hand, off they'd go - father to the pit; son to the breaker.
"Breaker-boys" - sorting slate from coal for pennies ten hours each day - fingers bleeding, breathing dust, chewing tobacco to keep from choking; the dreaded "stickman" hovering over them. The perils of the pit too soon to be their fate.
Disabled men were put back with them in the breaker to sort. "Once a man… twice a boy" was the saying.
From dawn to dusk women toiled - nurturing the young, fetching water from the well, washing clothes, gardening, cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing, mending… scavenging coal from the company culm bank to fuel to fuel the stove and warm the shack.
In winter… a brick from the stove in each bed at night to keep warm. Praying throughout the day no harm would come to their men and boys.
In a near-by coal patch Mrs. Kate Burns scrubbed floors and took in wash to feed her young sons after her husband was killed in the mine.
To add to his mother's meager earnings, her older son became a breaker boy".
After a full month's work he brought home no pay… but a due bill for $396 — owed to the Company — he was told — for rent of their shack since his father's death. Mrs. Burns and her sons worked twelve years repaying the "debt" to the Company.
Heard talking "union" … got miners busted, sacked, tossed from their shacks, run out of the patch.
Like the birds they were… trapped in a snare — the patch the only world they knew.
In 1891 — decrying the plight of miners and breaker boys — in an encyclical on Capital and Labor Pope Leo XIII proclaimed,
"A small number of very rich men have been able to lay upon the teeming masses of the laboring poor a yoke little better than that of slavery itself."
Fatal accidents, fires and cave-ins were not the only perils miners faced.
On September 10, 1897, nineteen un-armed miners - peacefully protesting their plight - were massacred at nearby Lattimer by Luzerne County's Sheriff and Deputies. An additional thirty-two miners were shot in the back as they fled.
At their trial… jurors found the Sheriff and Deputies "Not Guilty", professing "They had no way of knowing 'who' shot 'whom'".
Throughout the Anthracite Coal Region "when coal was king" 35,000 men and boys died in mine accidents and disasters; later in life still more from black lung.
June 5, 1919 Wilkes-Barre
92 men and boys died
April 7, 1841 Throop
73 men and boys died
September 6, 1869 Avondale
110 men and boys died
June 28, 1896 Pittston
58 men and boys died
Erected 2017
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
Location. 41° 14.791′ N, 75° 52.912′ W. Marker is in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It is on Public Square east of West Market Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 Public Square, Wilkes Barre PA 18701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region and in the Wyoming Valley. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: King's College (a few
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
4. Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
5. Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
6. Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
7. Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
8. Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
9. Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
10. Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
11. Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
12. Miners Memorial
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 19, 2024
13. Miners Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3,570 times since then and 431 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on July 25, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
