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