Come with me on an Anthracite Coal Mine Tour - 1913

This is what was called the 'breaker' and was the processing plant that broke the pieces of coal into various sizes.  I am not certain which mine this was, but assume it was one of the Pennsylvania coal mines.  However, it's interesting that the rail car in the bottom left is the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific line that ran between International Falls and Duluth, Minnesota.  The state of Minnesota was a big coal buyer, but I do not think they had coal mines in that state.  There is a Minnesota State Park that was an abandoned iron mine.  It's been a long time but I recall them saying on a tour there wasn't coal mines in Minnesota.

All aboard for our trip down below

And here's our tour guide.  He's the Fire Boss and he's the guy that's responsible for inspecting the mine for explosion dangers or other hazards before the miners show up for their shifts.  He was also probably the boss in general or superintendent of the facility.

Here's our ride....I'm calling him Charlie.  I definitely see a Charlie in those eyes.

And this is what happens when Charlie gets annoyed.

These guys are talking loads of coal to the top with these big electric motors.  Definitely didn't know they had electric tow motors in 1913.

And yikes....I hope this guy is faking just for the photos.  But it was a vey dangerous job and falling rock was a real possibility.

And these where the youngest workers......(very sad childhood).