In the Good Old Days When Coal was King

Centerville Daily Iowegian - 8 February 2003

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By Ethel Lira, Correspondent

  The Purdy Mine that was located near Jerome sported a double drum hoist and while much of the equipment was mechanized, there was still a lot of "pony power" used to hoist the coal from the bottom to the top and deliver it to customers.

  The miners had a definite pride in their ability to load "a little more" coal, lift "a little more: bottom, etc., than their fellow miners working alongside. Each miner was, in his own way, an environmental expert. They all wore carbide lamps down in the mine for safety reasons. If the flame fluttered or went out, it was a sign to get out NOW, as the air was bad.

  They were engineers because they had learned how to undercut the coal so it would fall for loading and to listen to the cracking of the coal walls because it would often mean that it was preparing to "fall" and, in the local mining history, many miners were seriously injured in not recognizing these sights and sounds. Some even lost their lives and limbs in these accidents.

  Miners became accountants be could they could, over time, know almost to the pound exactly how much coal had been loaded on the mine cars taken to the top. These were hoisted, weighed and dumped into waiting wagons and trucks for shipment.

  The Purdy Mine was another family operation Henry Purdy came to the area as a baby when his father, Frank, migrated from England. Henry's sons, Francis, Bob, David and the youngest, Don, all worked down in the mine from an early age. 

  The original mine was sunk circa 1930 on Walnut Creek, west of Jerome. An old hoist cleaned up the mine, let down to reverse and to ... upon the bottom. Ponies were used underground to pull the coal cars from the miner's places to the hoist to be pulled to the top. The mine closed in 1946 as the three oldest boys had been called into military service by the draft, leaving Don at home at that time.

  He suffered a serious accident when the gas and oil he was carrying down the slope was accidentally spilled and caught fire from the flame of his carbide lamp.

  When his draft number was called soon after, he reported and was sent to the induction center, only to be refused due to the fact his burns had not healed properly. He recalled the doctor examining him, stating, "My, what are they sending me now? This man is carrying serious injuries." Don was told to go back home and report again in 36 months.  By that time, the war was over.

  During his mining career, he found himself being a jack of all trades. He operated mining machines, shoveled behind the machines, loaded coal, operated hoists and, on down days when the mine wasn't working, he would clean up the mining ... grease mine cars and do other maintenance.

  No one thought much about youngsters working in the mining industry at an early age.  "It was a way of life. Just the way it was." He worked around the mines from the age of six. The family of eight consisted of his parents, four boys and two girls. Everyone had a part to do and they did it.

  With the start of World War II and the drafting of able-bodied men, there were not enough experienced miners to keep the mine profitable and it closed in 1946 with the young men seeing more rewarding employment elsewhere. Don moved to Kansas City where he obtained work at the GM motor plant on the assembly line. Later working as the head of sanitation for the City of Lawrence, Kan., then operated a boat marina with his wife, Vera. He underwent open heart surgery in later years and returned from Texas to Centerville May 2002.

  (During this interview, Don and Vera Purdy, graciously opened their photo albums and boxes of coal mining artifacts to share. The photos tell a tale of the coal mining industry in Appanoose County. While it was back-breaking work, those miners who worked underground had a great deal of understandable pride of their efforts. Because of this, many meals were prepared on coal fired cookstoves and home were heated in the cold winter months, keeping the family comfortable.

Henry Purdy, 1887-1968

Centerville Daily Iowegian- 19 January 1968

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  Henry Purdy, 80, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Kansas City, Kans., following an illness of several months.

  He was the son of Frank and Margaret Purdy and was born in New Castle, England, coming to America with his parents when 14 months of age. He was the last of a family of 11 children.

  A former Seymour resident, Mr. Purdy mined coal and was operator of the Purdy Coal Co. west of Jerome. They moved to Kansas in 1954.

  Survivors include his wife, the former Edith Dooley; four sons, Dave and Don of Kansas, and Bob of California, and Francis at Newton; one daughter, Mrs. Paul (Ellen) Anderson of Moline; 21 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. One son died in infancy and one daughter, Mrs. Ruth Mattly, passed away in 1962.

  Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Christian Church in Seymour. Interment will be in Jerome Cemetery.

Mrs. Larimer's Remains Here For Interment

Centerville Daily Citizen - 27 August 1913

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 It is probable that many of the older residents of Centerville will remember Mrs. Sarah Luce Larimer, a sister of Mrs. Jacob Shouts, former residents, although the Larimers were not residents of this city, but had made many visits here in the past.  Mrs. Larimer died last Saturday in Ft. Worth, Texas, where she had made her home for the last twenty years, her death being sudden from heart trouble, she being 77 years of age. The remains arrived here last night, and will be interred at Oakland cemetery according to her wishes. The late W. J. Larimer, her husband, and their only son, Mr. F. E. Larimer, are buried here. Accompanying the remains were Mrs. Larimer's sister, Mrs. G. F. Albright of Albuquerque, New Mexico, her brother, Mr. R. G. Luce of Ft. Worth, and her neice, Mrs. H. M. Price also of Ft. Worth.

  The party was met at the Rock Island Depot last night by Undertaker B. F. Gordon and taken to the Shaw undertaking parlors where they may be viewed by friends. The relatives accompanying the casket are at the Continental hotel and will be in the city for a few days while looking after the construction of cement and granite vault, so the time of the funeral cannot be announced as yet.

Paul Leonard Ervin, 1917-2001

Moravia Union - 18 July 2001

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  Paul Ervin, age 83, of Centerville died Saturday, July 14, 2001 at Golden Age Care Center, Centerville.

  Paul was born December 16, 1917 at Cincinnati, Iowa to Clarence and Grace Euwer Ervin. He was raised in Cincinnati and graduated from Cincinnati High School. He was married to Dorothy Stagner on December 24, 1938 at Bloomfield, Iowa and she survives him. Paul farmed in
  Appanoose County. He owned and operated the Appanoose County Ambulance Service for many years and later was a custodian at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (Mercy Medical Center). He was a member of the Drake Ave. Christian Church.
  He is survived by: his wife, Dorothy of Centerville; four sons, Donald and his wife Karen Ervin of Otho, Iowa, Max and his wife Mary Ervin of Centerville, Jim and his wife Cheryl Ervin of Huxley, Iowa and Bob Ervin of Indianola, Iowa; 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
  He was preceded in death by: his parents and two brothers Rodney and Tommy.
  Services were held on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at Drake Ave. Christian Church with Pastor Carl Heien and Fr. Joe Bathke C.PP.S. officiating. Burial was in the Jerome Cemetery in Jerome, Iowa. A memorial has been established and may be left at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home.

Gravestone for Paul & Dorothy Ervin

in the Jerome Cemetery
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  The editor appreciates the contribution of the above updated gravestone picture by Jimmy Ervin of Centerville, Iowa.

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Ad-Express/Iowegian - 18 July 2001

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  Paul Ervin, 83, of Centerville died Saturday, July 14, 2001, at Golden Age Care Center.

  He was born Dec. 16, 1917, in Cincinnati, the son of Clarence and Grace (Euwer) Ervin.

  He married Dorothy Stagner Dec. 24, 1938, in Bloomfield. She survives.

  Also surviving are four sons, Donald Ervin and his wife, Karen, of Otho, Max Ervin and his wife, Mary, of Centerville, Jim Ervin and his wife, Cheryl, of Huxley and Bob Ervin of Indianola; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

  He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Rodney and Tommy.

  He was raised in Cincinnati, graduating from Cincinnati High School. He farmed in Appanoose County and owned and operated the Appanoose County Ambulance Service for many years. He later was custodian at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital (Mercy Medical Center). He was a member of the Drake Avenue Christian Church.

  Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Drake Avenue Christian Church with Pastor Carl Heien and Fr. Joe Bathke, C.PP.S., officiating.

  Friends may call all day today, Monday, at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, Centerville, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.  Burial will be in Jerome Cemetery in Jerome.

  A memorial has been established to the Seymour First Responders and contributions may be left at the funeral home.

Velta Lorene Barrell, 1914-2003

Iowegian - 3 April 2003

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  Velta Lorene Barrell, 89, of Centerville died Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at her home.

  She was born March 21, 1914 near Albia, the daughter of Robert Thomas and Margaret Elsie (Wells) Agan. She received her education in rural Appanoose County schools.

  Velta was united in marriage to Robert W. Barrell on Sept. 5, 1937 in Centerville. She was a homemaker.

  Velta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert W. Barrell, on Oct. 28, 1998; a brother, Homer Agan; sisters, Edna Smith, Bertha Ross and Audrey Varney; daughter-in-law, Carol McVeigh Burrell; son-in-law, Jack Miller; grandson, Walter Gene Engle; and great-grandson, Craig Engle.

  Surviving family members are four sons, Roger Barrell and his wife, Janie, of Centerville, Gary Barrell and his wife, Dorothy, of Mystic; Donnie Barrell and his wife, Marilyn, of Milo and Perry Barrell and his wife, Louisa, of Royal Beach, Md.; four daughters, Darlene Miller of Centerville, Sharon Phelps and her husband, Don, of Centerville, Carma Morrow and her husband, Bill, of Centerville and Shirley Tomlinson and her husbad, Robert, of Castle Rock, Colo.; 22 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchilren; and eight great-great grandchildren.

  Funeral services will be heldon Saturday, April 5, 2003, at 10 a.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with Rev. Mark Waits officiaating. Burial will follow inthe Jerome Cemetery in Jerome.

  Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

  A memorial has been established to the family and may be left at or mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville.

William H Thompson, 1825-1906

The Seymour Press - 15 February 1906

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  The funeral of W. H. Thompson was conducted from the church in Jerome on last Wednesday, the 7th.  Mr. Thompson died at his home west of Plano, on the 5th.  He was 80 years, 9 months and 5 days old. He has been a resident of Appanoose county sine 1854 and was highly respected. His wife died 10 years ago, and three children, two sons and one daughter, are left to mourn the father.  Burial at the Jerome cemetery.

JEROME News - 10 November 1953 - Iowegian

Centerville Iowegian - 10 November 1953

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Report Mr. Fry Much Improved

  JEROME - Mrs. I. E. Fry reports that her husband, who has been in the Bloomfield hospital for seven weeks, is very much improved in health and is eating better.

  Mrs. Johnny Vruble attended a pink and blue shower this past week in honor of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Carl Micetich in Centerville.

  The high school students of Jerome enjoyed two days' vacation due to the State Teachers convention in Des Moines.

  Walter Warnick drove his dad to Kirksville, Mo., to the hospital there for a medical checkup. Both returned the same day.

  Vera Scott has gone to Davenport where she has employment for the winter.

  Mr. and Mrs. Gene Wray have named their new baby son, Carl  Eugene.

  The Jerome Methodist church is having a room built on to serve as a kitchen. Carl Barbaglia of Mystic, with the assistance of some of the farmers, plans to begin building soon in time to have it finished for Thanksgiving.

  Mrs. Stella Dooley reports that her daughter, Bertha, has gone to Pensacola, 

Fla. to live for the winter. Bertha will stay with her niece, the former Patty Dooley, whose husband is stationed there with the Army.

  A new family by th name of Williams have moved into the Stanley Matelski property. They have two small children.

  Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Vruble and family and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Johnson, all drove to Rock Island, Ill., Friday to attend the wedding of Jackie Vruble to Joe Verihoores that took place Saturday. The Vruble returned home Sunday evening. They report that the bridegroom and best man were in a car action the night before the wedding and were hospitalized. The groom was released an hour before the wedding ceremony, but the best man was unable to be present due to a broken rib and bruises. The groom's 17 year old brother was made best man instead.

  A birthday dinner was held at the Carl Hamm home honoring Carl Hamm and his granddaughter, Barbara Jones.  Carl's mother, Mrs. Mae Hamm; his sister, Mrs. Artie Barrell and family of Centerville; his daughter, Mrs. Geo. Jones and family of Davenport; another daughter, Mrs. K. E. Owen and family of Jerome; and his wife, Belle, and their son, Carl Jr.; were all present to help the honorees celebrate their birthdays on Sunday.

*Blozovich, Messa recall days in county's mines

Ad-Express/Iowegian, 20 February 1998

Annual Progress Edition - Heritage Section

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By Julie McClure, Staff Writer

 "I finished school after the eighth grade and began working with my father in 1929 in a coal mine. Back then most 14 year olds were finishing school and would then go to work with their fathers in the mine," said Rudy Blozovich, who worked in coal mines during 1929-1956. He graduated from eight grade at Rathbun school. There wasn't a high school when he was going to school.

  Blozovich worked in several mines including Empire mine, Sunshine Coal Co.'s No. 3 and 4, and out west in New Mexico.

  He performed several jobs while working in the mines. He loaded coal adn ran a mining machine.  It took three peope to run the machine so they worked as a team. The machine that they used is on display at the old post office museum in Centerville.

  The miners worked eight hour days when he first started mining, but later they switched to seven-hour days. "We did just as much work in seven hours as we did in eight," said Blozovich.

  During the winter months when a large amount of coal was needed they sometimes worked six days per week. The sixth day was on Saturday. During the regular season they cut back to five days per week.

  It was not always a day job; sometimes Blozovich worked from 4 p.m. to midnight or the swing shift. During the swing shift the miners would have to cut coal so the next day the miners would have coal to load.

  Safety equipment was not invented for the mines so there were minor injuries.

Pit lamps and hard hats were about the only pieces of equipment that miners wore in the mines. When Blozovich worked in the mine out west, he wore hard hats and used a battery light.

  Around 130-150 men at one time worked at Sunshine No. 3 mine.

  "Most of the old timers are all gone now, most of by buddies anyway," said Blozovich. "I didn't make much money as a coal miner, but we made a living out of it."

  Blozovich enjoys to hunt and fish and cultivates a property in Rathbun to raise a pretty good sized garden each year.

Frank Messa

  In 1921 Frank Messa began his career in the coal mines. He worked in the mines from the time that he turned 16 years old until 1971 when the mines shut down due to the railroads switching to diesel engines.

  "The coal mines went to the dogs when the railways began using diesel. We were about finished when they shut down," said Messa.

  "I've just about done everything there is to do in a mine," said Messa. Messa began working in the Walnut Creek mine and trucked for the mine. The miners at this particular mine shipped coal up to 100 mines to the west.

  Messa also dug goal by hand, ran a mining machine, drove ponies and mules, trucked and loaded the coal while working in the mines.

  The machine that he ran is now at the museum in Centerville. "The machine ran real good at the time and it was still working when we shut the mine down," said Messa.

  When Messa started working in the mines he father, Dominick Messa, was on strike. He along with many other miners were out of work for two years due to the strike.  After the strike the miners were represented by a union. Messa also had three brothers that all mined.

  When he graduated from school after the eighth grade, he began working in the mine.  He attended school in Jerome. At that time there was a two-year high school, but he didn't attend.

  Messa worked five days per week during the winter months from about August through April and then when ever there was work to be done. The work days covered eight hours. "When I was younger the eight-hour days seemed to drag on, but as I got older they were hardly long enough," said Messa.

  One time when he ws trying to pump some water to get a drink the water wouldn't come on so he turned the air shaft[s fan on and the stairs fell out. This was an escape route which had been rotted by the ice from the winter. They had to repair the stairs before returning to work so that if the mine fell in they would have a way to escape.

  Messa recalled a close call once when he had his head between the roof on a coal car.  Another near accident was when a 10-foot rock of coal fell and covered the hole the he was in. The tunnels that the miners worked in were 28 inches deep. Eighteen inches were known as the top coal and the other 10 inches were called the bottom coal. "We worked on our hands and knees all the time, so we had really rough hands after working in the mine," commented Messa.

  In 1971 when Mess was forced to end his job in the mine, he went to work at the lake for Earl Simmons and Bill Webb at the hatchery. In his free time now he enjoys playing cards, especially pitch.

  "I was just a hard working coal miner in those days," laughed Messa.

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  Editor's Note:  *Blozevich and Massa are the correct spelling of the names of these miners.

Maurice Stamps Publishes New Book

The Seymour Herald - 14 June 2012

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  Maurice Stamps has published a new book, Shoal Creek Legends 4 which is on sale at The Seymour Herald and from Nancy and LaNanc Salon,

  This is the fifth book he has written.  Legends 1 and 2 are sold out.  SNAFUS (World War II) and Legends 3 are also available.

  The new book sells for $12.  If you wish to have one mailed, send $15 and your address to P.O, Box 6, Seymour, IA 52590.  Checks should be made out to the Seymour Community Club,  Proceeds are used for the Enid and Maurice Stamps Scholarships,

  Maurice will have a book signing inthe park during Old Settlers.

William Addison Hagan

The Seymour Herald - 28 January 1937

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William Addison Hagan

  William Addison Hagan, son of Elizabeth and James Hagan, was born Jan. 6, 1858, in Bellair twp., Appanoose county, Iowa, and departed this life at his home in Jerome, Iowa, on Jan. 20, 1937, at the age of 79 years, and 14 days.

  He was the second child of a family of six children, two boys and four girls.  His father, mother and two sisters, Callie and Mary Belle Hawkins, and one brother, John F., have preceded him in death.

William Addison Hagan with his horse and buggy

in front of his parents' home in the center of Jerome --

a second floor was later added to this house

  In 1871 he moved with his parents to Jerome where he spent the greater part of his life with the exception of brief periods of time when he was employed in the states of Nebraska and Washington.  

William Addison Hagan as a young man in Nebraska

  He went to Kalispell, Montana, in 1927 to stay with his sister, Mrs. Emma Ogle, after the death of her husband.  In 1929 he established a home for his sister in Jerome, where they have lived together for the remaining years of his life.

  In the earlier years of his life he and his father managed a grocery store and postoffice in Jerome.  He was later employed by the Hawkeye Lumber Co. for a period of several years, which was his last active work.

  He united with the M. E. church in early youth and was an active Sunday school worker during his stay in Nebraska, where he also served as Sunday school secretary.

  He was an upright and honest citizen, being highly respected and esteemed wherever he made his home.

William Addison Hagan with his horse

  He leaves to mourn their loss, two sisters, Mrs. Ada Crouch, of Kalispell, Montana, and Mrs. Emma Ogle of Jerome, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.  Due to failing health Mrs. Crouch was unable to be present at this time.

Emma Elizabeth Hagan Ogle, William Addison Hagan

and Ada Rebecca Hagan Crouch

William Addison Hagan with three nieces -

Phyllis, Mary and Betty Hawkins

William Addison Hagan

  Funeral services were held at the Jerome M. E. church Saturday afternoon at two o'clock conducted by the Rev. Francis B. Harris.  Burial was in the Jerome cemetery.

William Addison Hagan's Gravestone in the Jerome Cemetery

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Card of Thanks

  We desire to thank our neighbors and friends for every act of kindness and sympathy following the death of our brother and uncle, W. A. Hagan.

  -- Mrs. Emma Ogle, Mrs. Ada Crouch, Nieces and Nephews 

James Wesley (Dave) Workman, 1891-1968

The Seymour Herald - 4 July 1968

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  James Wesley Workman, known to many as Dave, the son of Edison and Emma Diltz Workman, was born in Appanoose county Jan. 18, 1891, and passed away Monday, June 17, 1968, at the Davis county hospital in Bloomfield at the age of 77 years.

  On Sept. 23, 1915, he married Zelda Loofbourrow at the David Loofbourrow home near Jerome. She survives his passing, along with two sons, Forrest of Rock Island and Burdette of Moline, Ill., four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, three sisters, Mrs. Beula Luzadder of DeKalb, Ill., Mrs. Inez Fry of Centerville and Mrs. Gussie Baker of Lenora, Kans.

  Dave had been in poor health for several year because of a heart condition which  resulted in his passing. He lived his entire life in the Jerome community and spent most of his time farming. He was saved in 1953 and became a member of the Jerome Methodist church, attending as long as his health permitted.

  Funeral was Tuesday, June 18 at the Jerome Methodist church with burial in the Jerome cemetery.

  A memorial for the heart fund has been established. He will be missed by his many loved ones and friends.

CARD OF THANKS

  Our recent sad loss leaves us with grateful hearts toward neighbors and friends. Their conforting expressions of sympathy and thoughtfulness will always be remembered.

Mrs. J. W. (Dave) Workman

and family

Charles Lovell McGavran, 1883-1957

The Seymour Herald - 5 December 1957

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  Charles Lovell McGavran, son of J. L. McGavran and Hattie Branch, was born Dec. 6, 1883, at Minneapolis, Kans.; and passed away at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital in Centerville, Iowa, Nov. 21, 1957, at the age of 73 years, 11 months and 15 days.

  With the exception of his early childhood he lived his entire life in or near Seymour, Iowa.

  On Oct. 2, 1904, he was united in marriage to Bertha Etta Close who proceded him in death. To this union were born two sons, Kenneth of Des Moines and Keith of Ames, Iowa. 

  When a young man he was united with the Christian church of Seymour. During the past few years he had attended the Jerome Methodist church at Jerome, Iowa.

  On June 25, 1947 he was united in marriage to Ida Mincks, who with his sons, Kenneth and Keith; stepsons, Richard Mincks of Seymour and William Mincks of Cedar Falls, Iowa; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren survive his passing.

  He also leaves two brothers, Elvin and Earl of Seymour; six sisters, Mrs. Maude Lister of Plano, Iowa; Mrs. Nina Whitworth of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; Mrs. Chloe Vaverka of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mrs. Alice Agnew of Wichita, Kans.; Mrs. Ruth Edwards and Mrs. June Drefke of Alamo, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews and friends. A sister and a brother preceded him in death.

  The funeral services were held at the Jerome Methodist church Sunday, Nov. 24, 1957, at 2 p.m.  Burial was in the Southlawn Cemetery, Seymour.

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CARD OF THANKS

  We wish to express our heart-felt appreciation for the many acts of kindness, cards and floral offerings received during the illness and passing of our loved one. Many, many thanks to all.

The Charles McGavran family