Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Appalachia

Showing Original Post only (View all)

Petrushka

(3,709 posts)
Wed May 28, 2014, 04:30 AM May 2014

Appalachian Struggles: A Tunnel Runs Through It [View all]

DINGESS, West Virginia — Hidden deep within the coal filled Appalachian Mountains of Southern West Virginia rests a forgotten land that is older than time itself. Its valleys are deep, its waters polluted and its terrain is as rough as the rugged men and women who have occupied these centuries old plats for thousands of years.

Referred to by neighboring communities as “Bloody Mingo,” the people of this West Virginia county have both commanded the respect and fear of anyone wishing to cross them, or their mountainous borders.

Despite the rich resources buried beneath their feet, the proud and strong inhabitants of this haunted land have seen neither fortune nor rest. Dating back to the days their ancestors first crossed into this intrepid territory, nearly three hundred years ago, life has been cruel.

I know all of this to be true, because I was born in this bitter region four decades ago.

Three days following my birth, my mother and father made the same passage my dad’s parents had taken only a handful of years earlier; a journey over Logan Mountain and back to the same parcel of ground owned by the Farley family for centuries.

The passage home included a drive through a one lane train tunnel nearly 4/5 of a mile long.

< snip >





http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1137805

1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Appalachia»Appalachian Struggles: A ...»Reply #0