This picture is of the #39 mine tipple at Pierce. Notice the man doing a balancing act on the pole. This mine was owned by Senator Henry Gassaway Davis and was part of his Davis Coal and Coke Company. If there was a Davis Coal and Coke mine, there would also be a Buxton and Landstreet Company Store which was the retail arm of the Company. There was a Buxton and Landstreet Store at Pierce. An interesting note from the submitter of the photo; in 1902 his great-grandfather, John Propst died of a heart attack at the mine. His grandfather Joseph Stanley Wilson lost his life in the mine in 1929.
Last week’s photo was confirmed as being Slim Little’s father, Louis Little (1873-1927) who was from Grantsville, Calhoun County. Louis’s wife was Nellie. Louis worked for the Dept. of Highways and was killed when a tractor trailer lost its brakes and ran over him. Slim came to Tucker County to work at the CC Camp; when that closed he went to work for the Forest Service. Ideas or comments contact Tim Turner (304) 478-3389.
