Person:Charles Shelton (2)

From Charles Shelton Jr.: Charlie went to work in the coal mines as soon as he finished the 6th grade of school at Kayford, WV. Charlie had hopes of being able to continue his education, but his father was killed in September of 1907, making it necessary for Charlie to continue working in the mines. His first job was closing trap doors behind mules, as they pulled coal cars into and out of the mine. Robert, Charlie's brother, was working with his dad the day he was killed. Charlie continued to work in the mines for 50 years, until he was 60 years of age. He started working at the age of 10, since there were no child labor laws then, and the coal companies could pay the younger guys less than they paid some of the men. Charlie was involved in the coal mine wars to establish the United Mine Workers Union, which brought fair wages and more safety rules to protect the miners. On a hillside up Cabin Creek, where Haymon is buried, there is an entire hillside covered with 10,000 Coal Miners Graves. It's grown up in weeds, trees and brush and only a few select graves are maintained.