Published: November 05, 2009 09:56 am      

125 years: Mercer hails mining heritage

BRAMWELL — On Nov. 4, 1884, the first coal mine on the West Virginia side of the historic Pocahontas coalfields was opened by the late John Cooper and his associates.

Thursday — 125 years later — several of Cooper’s descendants returned to the site of the Mill Creek Coal and Coke Company’s first mine to help commemorate the 125th anniversary of the shipment of the first coal from Mercer County.

“It was election day in 1884 — Nov. 4,” Bramwell Mayor Louise Stoker said. “The weather was just like it is today — I’m sure — and John Cooper sent his first coal out of this mine. This also happened on the day Grover Cleveland was elected to his first term as president.”

Kelly Murphy Eller, a great-great granddaughter of John Cooper, said Thursday’s ceremony was a fitting tribute.

“It’s not only a tribute to him, but to all coal miners and the coal that has fueled our country for so long, and needs to continue to fuel our country,” Eller said. She was joined by Cooper’s great-great grandson Kim Murphy, and his great-great granddaughter Susan Cooper Snyder, at Thursday’s ceremony.

Eller said her great-great grandfather was good to his employees, and proud of his coal mine.

“He appreciated all there was here in West Virginia, and he appreciated coal,” Eller said. “I know if he could look down on us today and see this community of Cooper he would be so pleased.”

A large chunk of mortar and stone — which had been safely nestled inside of the old mine since 1902 — was moved to the historic marker site Thursday on Route 120 for the special celebration.

“What looks like a big chunk of mortar is actually a significant piece of American industrial history,” Stoker said. “It is brick and mortar that has been in the tunnel since 1902. It came out of John Cooper’s mine.”

Eddie Belcher, a representative of Gov. Joe Manchin, said Bramwell and the Cooper community played a defining role in the creation of the state’s mining industry.

“On this historic day, right now coal continues to be a very important aspect of our energy portfolio in this country,” Belcher, who read a letter from Manchin written to the Bramwell community, said. “We appreciate those who mined coal over the years across these hollows and mountains.”

Members of the Montcalm High School Marching Band and a local JROTC program were on hand for Wednesday’s ceremony, along with members of the Mercer County Commission, the Princeton Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, members of the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and a host of other local and community leaders.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com