J. E. Sparks Poem
The Red Jacket Mine Explosion
By J. E. Sparks - Yukon, WV
Why did the camp seem so lonesome
Why were they feeling so strange
It seemed every person was restless
But why had there come such a change?
That evening the men lingered longer
But at last they must start for the mine
For they felt that their duty had summoned
And their labor required them on time.
It seemed every nerve was at tension
Such an unusual silence around
Then silence was suddenly broken
By the shock from in under the ground.
What could have brought such disturbance?
O, what could have caused such a fright?
Then in terror they cried an explosion
What a scene on that sad Friday night.
Machinery had rolled down the mountain
Screaming and cries filled the air
They were all in a state of excitement
Many thought that they never could bear.
Rescuers rushed to assist them
In caring for wounded and dead
From coal mining camps that surrounded
Till their task was successfully done.
Forty five miners killed in a moment
Men were crushed in their prime
Tho we’re not in a coal mine explosion
We may answer our call any time.
Red Jacket Camp’s famous beauty
Looks not the same as before
It seems now that something is missing
That can never return any more.
Transcribed by Carol McCoy Phelps - 1/29/2015