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Maria Costello (Character representation)
Credits:Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society
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Wayne's 15 bed hospital owned by the minersCirca 1920-1930
Wayne, Alberta
Credits:Wayne Community Association
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Everyone had already taken in their gardens. The ladies were all very kind. They told me I could go in and take what was left and can it. Thank goodness because I did not know how we were going to make it through the winter with no money coming in and hungry mouths to feed.The local ladies were too generous. There was to be a bake sale and dance with all proceeds going towards our family. Our roof was in desperate need of new shingles and the community got together and got the job done. There was just so much to do and without John's help it seemed like everything was falling apart. Everything was falling apart.
Since John's accident things haven't been the same. He can't work, and the doctor says that he could be laid up on his back for months. So with no money coming in and winter ready to set upon us, it was John I was worried about. Not canning, not taking in the garden, only John and his health.
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Dr. John Alexander Tolmie, G.P. Served the health needs of Wayne and District in the 30s & 40s1952
Wayne, Alberta
Credits:Wayne Community Association
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Two miners on surface with cap lamps and lunch boxes20th Century
Unknown
Credits:Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society
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It happened four months ago, in late spring. It was his last day of work. I should have insisted that he stay home. He was burnt out from a winter in the mines and we had enough money to get us through to fall. But, like any other day, he picked himself up, and went to work in the "devil's dust." I handed him his lunch pail, as I had every morning, and watched him walk away. I haven't seen him walk in four months.His memory of the accident isn't clear, but from what other men tell me, this is the story.
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Miner underground at coal face, carbide lamp.20th Century
Unknown
Credits:United Farmers Historical Society
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Coal in a boxcar20th Century
Unknown
Credits:Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society
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He was working underground at the coal face with young Steve Kowalewich from down the street, when the unthinkable happened. A rockfall. It hit them out of nowhere crushing them between a timber and the floor. Steve managed to budge himself loose, it was John that took the brunt of the fall.The ambulance surged through the valley letting out little tiny screams as it went by. At that moment my heartsunk. So did the heart of every other woman in town. Nobody knew which mine it was going to, and for which miner.
Underground, Steve immediately started hurling lumps of coal off of John. Every few seconds Steve tried to pull John out, but the immense weight of coal was pinning him down. His breathing was laboured ? he was beginning to suffocate. The more lumps Steve pulled from the pile, the more laboured John's breathing became. Steve said he felt it was hopeless.
Finally through the darkness a small light emerged. John told Steve that he could see a light?Steve didn't realize that help was on its way and began to work harder and faster thinking his friend was at the end.
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Hygrade #2 Surface PlantBetween 1934 - 1950
Drumheller, Alberta
Credits:Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society
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The ambulance turned into the Hy-grade, that was John's mine. Was he okay? Was he dead?I ran towards the mine.
When help arrived it took no time at all to rescue John from the rockfall, but the men say they new his injuries were bad. Steve stayed with him the whole time. Right to the entrance, where I saw Steve, and I knew John was hurt.
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Since John's accident things haven't been the same. The rockfall broke John's pelvis and although he survived, and I'm thankful for that, he can't work and he may never go underground again. I am afraid that soon I will have to send our oldest son, Joseph ?into the black?but I will do everything that I can to prevent that.13
Douglas Powell standing in front of the Western Gem Hotel wearing his father's mining helmet1947
Drumheller, Alberta
Credits:Garry Crittall
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