This series of blog posts presents some original source material in the form of letters written by William H. Adams to the Pine Grove Press-Herald in 1977 related to the Mine Disaster at the Porter Tunnel in 1977. It was Adams’ contention that the accident needed to be investigated by the Federal government because of the information that was circulating in the Schuylkill County area regarding unsafe conditions at the Kocher Mine and the possibility of a cover-up if it were investigated only by local and State authorities.
William Henry Adams was born in Orwin, Porter Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania on January 14, 1906, the son of William Charles Adams (1879-1918) and Cora Ellen [Leininger] Adams (1886-1978). The father was killed in a mine accident in 1918, leaving the mother with three children to raise on a very small, per-month stipend.
According to census information, William H. Adams married Mary E. Ossman (1905-1972) around 1925. In 1930, he was living in Reilly Township, Schuylkill County, with his wife and two small children and working as a laborer in a coal mine. Also in the household was a boarder, Charles W. Johnson, a 71 year old widower, without occupation. When William registered for the draft in 1940, he was living in Zerbe, Schuylkill County, he indicated that he was unemployed. However, the census of that year states that he was working as a laborer for the Works Project Administration (W. P. A.). His record of work after 1940 was given throughout the letters he wrote to the Press-Herald, and included working with the Independent Miners and Associates (IMA) as an officer and collecting royalties related to the use of coal lands.
William H. Adams‘ wife died in 1972 and he died in April 1981 in the Pottsville Hospital. He was survived by a son and three daughters.
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From the Press-Herald, Pine Grove, July 21, 1977:
Zerbe–Tremont
To Editor Press-Herald:
I want to thank the Press-Herald for the correction of the Breaker-Operator on the Kocher Disaster article printed July 7th [1977] issue.
I would also like to answer the article on July 14th by John L. Miller and state I never knew I had any marbles or that I never used any and that I have no Million Dollar Head or a 10c Brain.
John said it was wrong to have the Federal Government come in and hold an Investigation and our government is not doing things right. If our government is so bad, why did you spend so many years in the Service of Our Country so as to be able to collect Retirement fees?
I fought at home here during 1932 to 1952 to help fight the corrupt coal land conditions so that Independent Miners could make a living. These were hard years with Coal and Iron Police and men hired to blow the coal holes shut and the court injunctions to get the men off the mountains. It was a rough time as some prepared their own coal and sized it while others sold mine run to the breakers. It was hard to get enough money to pay the lawyers and other costs. The hardest period was from 1943 on until around 1952 to get mining more legalized.
In 1943 the big item was the Bootlegging must end by November 30 and the State was to go and help any landowner to clear them off his land. Also 1943 brought out Legislation that if it were passed would include all mines employing two to five men. This was fought hard from January till June and was beaten. In 1945 the same kind was beaten, but in 1947 there was a State Mine Law for two to five men passed.
During these years the Anthracite Emergency Committee, under certain legislation and acts, was also operating and they had men in the mountains going from coal hole to coal hole gathering various information, such as How many men in the hole? How deep is the hole? Where is the coal prepared? and many other questions.
It was also in 1943, when a committee was to see the Secretary of mines Richard Maize about the so-called Bootlegging to end, that he requested the Bootleggers to get a job at a legitimate colliery. When he was told of the faulty condition at the Lytle Colliery on September 21, 1943, he said it was impossible, as that mine was just inspected and was OK. The next day a committee met with Federal Inspectors. J. J. Forbes, Seth Reese, and L. L. Reese, which was September 22, and reported conditions to them. On September 23, 1943, the inspectors visited the Lytle Colliery and found the conditions as reported and on the next day, September 24, there was the Great Explosion killing 14 men in which one of my own cousins was killed.
There is a court case history on this matter, but at that time the federal inspectors could only recommend, but could not force any law. Today there are federal laws as well as state laws and the federal government can prosecute if the laws are not carried out. This is one reason I have asked for the federal investigation, because I feel some actions were not carried proper.
As I stated before, I sacrificed by job and all in 1949 and 1952 to help the so called Independent Miner, and also during the years from 1932 to 1952 whenever there was a man or men involved or being killed or covered up there was never a need for such a big collection to supply food and other items at the mine because the salvation Army was always there first and till the last, and I know for one covered up death I paid for the food for the Salvation Army to hand out.
Here in this disaster I protested the public collection of funds as was started by certain churchmen and as it had amounted to quite a sum. I hope it goes to where it was collected for and that all those who are entitled to benefits will receive all that they are entitled to, whether from the company who had employed them or an benefits they are entitled to otherwise. And that the Independent Miners and Associates which is a strong healthy organization, because as they advertised, they were well financed and have a sound beneficial welfare fund for members and their families. So why the public fund raising when the employer and Association are responsible?
\During my years involved I had to endure lots of times without any earnings and I even had some who were helped by my good graces cut my throat behind my back, but I still endured the rough times. I know there was danger at the Kocher disaster territory and there are still dangers ahead and that is why I feel the Federal Government should look into the matter and have the wrong conditions corrected.
So Mr. John L. Miller, I feel if the Government is good enough to pay you for your long service period and now retirement, it cannot be such a bad government after all.
Tis also covers some other people’s questions.
Sincerely yours,
William H. Adams
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The letter that William H. Adams was responding to was from the Press-Herald, Pine Grove, July 14, 1977:
7 July 1977
To: The Editor Press-Herald —
Sir
I do not know exactly what William Bill Adams‘ aims are on the Kocher coal mine disaster. But when he askes for the Federal Government to investigate, well that request makes me wonder are the marbles still all there.
Bill Adams must know the Federal investigation would really twist and distort the matter beyond reproach. When has the Federal Government done anything right? Not in my memory. And I’ll debate that fact with anyone. A federal investigation would amount to the same as pouring gasoline on an open flame. More fire and nothing accomplished.
Thank you sir,
John L. Miller
Rte 1
Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 17963
P. S. Bill, let you and me or anyone who sees fit, debate the matter of federal interference. I need no notes for this debate, only what I know. Since March 4, 1933, our government is in high gear leading us to a ONE WORLD government which you and I won’t like. Wake up, America. I can count on the fingers of one hand or less the things the federal government has done right since time of March 4, 1933.
Everywhere around me I see all people with a million dollar HEAD and a 10c brain inside.
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Letters and photo from Newspapers.com. Photo is of rescuers going into the Porter Tunnel to rescue trapped miners.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.