Ghosts of the Coal Mines

They were deprived of experiencing the sunlight and fresh air. Instead, they lived in darkness underground, relying on their instincts and the guidance of their human partners, known as conogons. These horses were born, worked, and perished in the dark, enduring strenuous labor. It was not uncommon for a single horse to pull up to eight heavy coal wagons alone. Despite their challenging circumstances, these animals maintained their dignity and were aware of their rights, such as refusing to move if they felt burdened with excessive wagons. They also possessed a remarkable sense of time, knowing when their working day should end and finding their way back to the stables even in darkness. This demanding work of horses in the mines continued until 1972 when technology took over, marking the end of an era. On December 3, 1972, Ruby, the last miner's horse, emerged from the mines in a grand fashion. Accompanied by an orchestra, Ruby, adorned with a flower wreath, was brought out of the darkness, symbolizing the conclusion of the era of mining horses and their connogon partners. To commemorate their shared labor underground, a sculptural composition named "Conogon" was erected within the Museum-Reserve "Red Hill."

Truly a beast of burden as God intended . Many have great friends of mine for 73 years .Some have been willing partners and others not at all . In many ways like people some just do not fit in or want to .Thanks 330 for a great post and picture of a noble beast and helpful partner . smith

Many years ago, when I started underground, I worked with guys who had drove mules. The mine was an old Pittsburgh Coal Company operation, that had been started in 1908. Six to eight foot seam. It employed over 900 guys at its peak, handloading. There was a mule stable at the bottom of the grade inside, in the old workings. It still contained lots of harnesses and tack from when mules were used. I have a big carbide light that hung inside that underground mule barn, it cleaned up nice.

The mine was closed in 1958, and reopened in 1971. Being a UMWA operation, the guys laid off in 1958 were eligible to be recalled. Some of these fellas were in their 70s when I started in 1975. Some had worked there in the 1920s. Nearly all the old timers that were recalled were now motormen or they worked outside. Some of these motormen who were pulling 10 ton cars out of the mine had driven mules on the same track, pulling 2 ton loads on wooden cars. I rode with a few of those guys when I was learning how to pull trips and drop empties into the mine. These guys couldn’t remember their grandkid’s names, but could recall mule names from 50 years earlier. They would stop along the track and tell a story about a big wreck there, and if a mule or miner was killed. I’m really glad I had the opportunity to work with those guys, with I could have recorded those conversations. Those guys are all gone now.

I’m glad that era ended, as it should. Horses are beings of light, lots of room to run. They are not moles.

This one looks like the old European Belgians, who were often dark roan.

Handsome lad in the photo.

I like this song about mules working in the mines by Dave Stamey>

I don’t know a lot about horses but that guy looks Jacked! Holy Smokes!

Either that's a darn big horse or those are midgets!!! LOL

Yours right Sharon

had to get the coal out somehow....

What a great story!

Looking at the style of those fellas hard hats, I’m guessing this was from Great Britain, likely Wales.

wow a great read, thanks for sharing

That is quite a specimen of horse flesh right there.Also,,i think Rodney Dangerfield photobombed that picture.

Sure

They'd never get away with treating horses like that in today's world.