Coal Miner's
Dedication Page Eleven
Coal miners were paid every two weeks. They received cash along with a statement showing the hours they worked and the net amount of pay they received after the necessary deductions were taken out, which included taxes, Social Security, and any charges made against their check. Peabody Coal Company, Mine #31 located at Black Mountain, Kenvir, Harlan County, Kentucky also took out a family health insurance premium, which cost $4.00 per month. This health insurance covered all medical costs of the family. If miners needed to have cash between paychecks, they would go to the office and "borrow" money against their next paycheck. This money was paid in scrip. The scrip could only be used at the Coal Company's store, which was called a commissary. Scrip from one mining company could not be used at another mining company's holdings. Each coal company owned their own hospitals, doctor's offices, clinics, pharmacies, commissaries, movie theatres and many other places. The commissary sold such items as food, clothing, household items, coal, feed, and many other items. Scrip could be used to purchase items at the commissary or even to go to the movie theatre. People could also charge these items against the miner's next pay. These charges would then be taken out of the their next check. Larger purchases could be taken out of their check in installments.
Orco is located in Cincinnati, OH. Osborne Coinage, as it is now known as, made scrip for the mining companies. Osborne was founded in 1835 and is America's Oldest Private Mint. One of only a handful of mints in the world, they produce high quality custom minted coins, tokens, medallions, and key chains. To learn more about Osborne Coinage, visit their website at OSBORNE COINAGE.
Black Mountain Corporation Mines in Kenvir, Harlan County, Kentucky operated from 1922-1952 and employed 841.
Submitted by: Kim Jones Dean
My Kinfolks of Kentucky & Beyond
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