Coalpail.com Forum

In 1979 a Miner was photographed in Tower City. St. Luke's University Health Network and St. Luke's Miner's Memorial Hospital would like to identify the Miner (if Possible).

Do you have any idea what company he worked for?

I sent a private message to one of our members to see if he can help identify him.

Paulie

Is that David A. Lucas?

Bill

DRBill wrote: ↑

Thu. Apr. 25, 2019 1:12 pm

Is that David A. Lucas?

Bill

At first I thought it might be, but the picture posted was from 1979.

Here is a more recent picture of Dave. Paulie

David A. is a living legend in those parts, especially on the Southern coal fields.

I'll be off next week, if I get a chance to see David A I'll show him the picture. He may know, at least he would be a good starting point.

Could have been from Porter tunnel.

gaw wrote: ↑

Fri. Apr. 26, 2019 12:16 pm

Could have been from Porter tunnel.

Might have been.... The Porter Tunnel collapse was in 77 and the picture was taken in 79.

Atley was the one trapped that they drilled for and I think Morgan was hospitalized also.
I didn't know either of them but I remember it well.

Paulie

Thank you for your efforts and interest. St. Luke’s would like to hang this portrait near the entrance of St. Luke’s Miner’s Memorial Hospital and would love to notify his family. We think he may have worked for Kocher Coal ( not certain)

I'll be asking around the area this week and will get back either way. I know some people who worked for Kocher but they are getting older by the day.

James contact Ron Lickman he was involved on the mining end with Kocher .Worth a try .jack

David A does not know who the man in the picture is.

I spoke to someone who was a Forman at Porter Tunnel during that time period and recognized him but didn't know the name. He was not part of his crew. If he remembers the name he will let me know.

I will continue to ask around, he may have been from the Pottsville or Minersville area. You never know if you bump into a family member of his that would recognize him.

Several years ago I would speak regularly with another Forman from Porter tunnel but he is no longer with us which is the problem with many of those guys.

Really appreciate your help. 40 years is a long time for anyone to remember anything. Even the photographer's memory is hazy.
JDB

David A. and his wife LaRae were in a car accident 5/24 on the way home from Crossroads Market. She died at the scene and he died 6/8 from multiple trauma including severe head injuries. I sent a PM to one of the people on this list hoping he would send the word to David A.'s friends. Hopefully, someone who knew him will write up a tribute for this list. One outspoken Independent Coal Miner. If you haven't seen it, plug in "Hard Coal. Last of the Bootleg Miners" on Youtube.

Bill

See this thread;
Prayers for David A