Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 21, 1994 TAG: 9406240019
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
"It was like throwing a rock in a hornet's nest," said Jimmie Lee Price, who has been elected president of the newly incorporated Montgomery County Coal MIning Heritage Association.
Fifty-eight people attended the group's first monthly meeting in early June. A constitution and by-laws are being prepared, and already the Heritage Association is planning next year's Coal Miner's Day.
Originally, the group formed informally to raise funds for the monument and plan the April 23 event, which was attended by an estimated 1,000 people.
Members raised enough money to pay for the new monument and had enough left over to start a treasury.
Price says the Heritage Association is discussing forming a relief fund for needy miners or their families. Also under consideration is a mining museum that would display artifacts and collect documents.
The Heritage Association's next meeting will be July 11 at 7 p.m. at the Golden Years Club, located behind the Long Shop-McCoy Rescue Squad building on State Route 652.
Price said anyone connected to mining or interested in the subject is welcome.
"The interest is still good," he said. "We've got something very wonderful that we want to preserve."
by CNB