Mining Town Memories: Minden, West Virginia

By Billy Ray Bibb

Billy Ray was the name his mother chose for him, but the doctor insisted his birth certificate read “William.” Knowing his mother, Billy Ray is sure she shared some choice words with the man, as “William” has been called “Billy Ray” ever since while growing up and living in the small mining town of Minden, West Virginia, where stories grow like trees.

Mining Town Memories is a collection of poems that tell the tall and small tales of those living and dying near the New River. This is a look into the everyday life of the miner, how he strives to work under difficult conditions, surviving in and outside the mine. Families had to survive, too, on the little money earned, making extra effort to provide for their needs.

A close insight into the mining life, this collection portrays the mental and emotional state of a hard-working band of brothers. Many shouted from the mines for God’s protection. Some souls were lost, while othes saved. The life of a miner is a life like no other—one of darkness and strain but also hope and light, revealed now for the first time in poetic verse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781546277033

Billy Ray Bibb

Billy Ray Bibb served in the United States Navy and has always had a desire to tell his life’s story. From the book’s proceeds, he plans to raise money for the Minden Community Center in an effort to preserve the small West Virgina town’s history. Bibb currently lives in Scottsville, Virginia.

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© 2019 Billy Ray Bibb. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  01/18/2019

ISBN: 978-1-5462-7704-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-7702-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-7703-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019900765

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Our Little Town, Minden

A Miner’s Prayer

Children Of The Mine

The Young Miner

A Tribute To The Miner

Spirit Of The Miner

A Miner Goes To Heaven

The Miner And Black Lung

When The Whistle Blows

The Mine Is Gone

Jesse James, The Motor Running Man

The Miner’s Family

Our Big Lump Of Coal

Union Hall Memories

Berry-Picking Time

Christmas In Minden Town

Moma, Back In The Day

Mother’s Old Porcelain Coffeepot

Falling From Grace

The Choir Cloud

Fruit Of The Vine

The Berry And The Holly Tree

Scrappers’ Corner

The Spirit Of West Virginia

It’s Old, But It’s New

Daddy’s Grace

West Virginia Gals

The Leaf And Me, I

The Leaf And Me, Ii

Mountain Air

My Hobby

My First Bike

Collins High School, Fiftieth Anniversary, 1965

Our Little Town Of Minden Memories

His Loving Hands

Ode To The Outhouse

To Walk With The Lord

Hopes And Dreams

Down At The River

Was It God’s Plan?

About The Author

MINING TOWN

Memories (Minden, West Virginia)

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MINING