William Penn Life, 2003 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-11-01 / 11. szám
Branching Out with Endre Csornán Soft coal, hard times Reflections on the Hungarians of Vintondale, Pennsylvania IT WAS IN THE EARLY PART OF the "Nineties" that Hungarians settled in Vintondale and an area known as the soft coal region of Pennsylvania. Vintondale was called a "Coal Belt Phenomenon." An estimated 2,000 or more men were employed by 1907, when the coke ovens were lit up for the first time. Most of the workers were employed by the Vinton Colliery Company. According to records, Vintondale was a "closed" town where unionism was a no-no. However, without organized labor, the only way the coal companies would listen to grievances was if the miners called a strike. Such strikes often resulted in harassment, evictions and beatings by constables or deputies that the coal companies hired. Furthermore, the coal companies would bring more newcomers from eastern or central Europe to replace the strikers. These newcomers did not know the language of their new employers, and the coal companies did not tell them the truth. The newcomers were referred to as "strike breakers." Unfortunately, tempers flared at times between union organizers and the so-called strike breakers, resulting in fights, shootings and injuries. The surrounding anthracite communities of Black Lick, Homer City, Luzerne Mines, Penn Run, Barnsboro, Twin Rocks, Nanty Glo, Portage, Scalp Level, Windber, Hooversville and too many other towns to mention were not spared from the harsh life of the coal miners. Over the years, I have visited the vicinity of Vintondale many times. In my travels I have also met many people that came from that area and have heard many stories about the various ethnic groups that lived there—Italians, Ukranians, Serbians, Croatians and, of course, Hungarians, the largest active ethnic group in Vintondale. Unfortunately, there was little loved lost between the Magyars . and the various Slavic groups, whose mutual animosity dated back to the iOth century when the Magyars settled in the Danube Basin. The Hungarians in Vintondale were divided into different religious groups—the Roman Catholics, the Byzantine Catholics and Hungarian Reformed (Calvinist). The Hungarian Reformed church still operates with a small congregation. The church was organized in 1916 and was known for its Hungarian summer schools, dinner-dances and social gatherings. Branch 61 of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association (now WPA Branch 80) was established in 1907 with 23 paying members. Many Hungarians also owned businesses. The most prominent business was that of Mike (Miklós) Farkas. He spoke several languages and was known to help anyone. He took special interest in his Magyar kinfolk. Mr. Farkas and his accomplishments are living proof that foreign-born citizens contributed much to the development of our great country. IffPL 1 THAT’S A QUESTION YOÜ MAY not have asked yourself very often, if ever. But, it’s one you should ask yourself at least once a year. We can’t stress enough the importance of regularly checking the beneficiaries listed on your life insurance policies. It is the only way to ensure that the people you want to receive the benefits of your life insurance are the ones who will receive it Think about the changes that have occurred in your life since you purchased your life insurance. Getting married, having children, losing a loved one, getting divorced, getting remarried-all these life changes affect your responsibilities. Do the beneficiaries currently listed on your life insurance policies reflect such changes? if you think you need to update the beneficiaries listed on your policies-either primary or secondary beneficiaries-contact your WPA representative. Or, call our Home Office toll-free at 1-800-848-7366. William Peu Life, November 2003 3
