William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2010-04-01 / 4. szám
Branching Out with Endre Csornán Windber, Pennsylvania OVER THE YEARS, I have made many business trips to the Johnstown-Windber area of Pennsylvania. Windber is located less than 10 miles southeast of Johnstown. Working in the fraternal industry for more than 40 years gave me an opportunity to connect with people who shared their experiences-stories of their immigrant family's harsh life in the coal industry. Some immigrants came with the intent to stay for a few years, make some money and return to their native countries. Most of them stayed and assimilated into the American way of life. Many, however, did not speak English and often lived in communities with others from their country. The new immigrants were often labeled as "Huns" or "Slavs." The immigrants were not always welcomed and were often believed to be inherently different from "Americans." Most coal miners in company towns usually lived in situations which made them greatly dependent on their employers or "coal barons." They lived in company houses; they were forced to purchase their groceries and supplies at the company store which often charged more than other stores. Also, miners were paid with scrip and only the company store would accept it. Coal miners lived a dangerous life. Hundreds died yearly in mine explosions, and often mine shafts collapsed on them. The immigrants were exploited not only by the coal companies but also often by labor leaders. I must mention that the right to live in a company house ceased when one did not buy at the company store or joined a strike. The coal miners' wives played an important role in the lives of many. Women's work was never done; they often made substantial monetary contributions to the family income through the boarding (burdos) system. Women's labor proved essential to the development of the local ethnic churches. Windber had the Hungarian Roman Catholic Church (St. Mary's) and the Hungarian Reformed Church. Women cooked for ethnic gatherings, festivals, etc. Keeping boarders was hard work. The company houses had no running water, toilet or bathing facilities. Washing was done by hand. Cooking, baking for their families and boarders, tending the gardens and taking care of the animals and poultry that were characteristic of the mining places were only a part of their lives. Women's work was critical to survival in those times when the miners only worked a few days a week. All in all, the immigrants of Windber survived the harsh life and struggle against the coal barons whose repressive policies encroached on every part of their lives. Family, church and fraternal societies all proved critical as men and women adapted to the new country and culture. God bless their memory. In the late 1950's when I first joined the Hungarian Home in Ellwood City, Pa., the "Vándor Zászló" of the Windber Hungarian coal miners was displayed on the back wall of the stage. At one point, the flag was removed (in the 1980's) and vanished. Some years later, I found it in a large cooking pot adjacent to the kitchen and hope to find a permanent place for it soon. [wpl| View of Budapest from Fisherman’s Bastion. Budapest, Eger, Croatian coastline, highlight WPA trip THE WPA HAS ANNOUNCED the official itinerary for this year's tour to Hungary and Croatia, departing Sept. 28 and returning Oct. 13. Departures will be available from Pittsburgh and Cleveland through JFK International Airport and from Detroit. After arriving in Budapest, the tour will proceed to Zalakaros in the southern part of Lake Balaton. From there, guests will travel the next day to Croatia's Istria Peninsula, for four days of sightseeing along the beautiful coastline and four nights at the Grand Hotel Milenij. On Day 6, as you travel back to Hungary, you'll pass through Zagreb before arriving for an overnight stay in Balatonalmádi where you'll enjoy a peasant wedding party and authentic Gypsy music. The next morning it's off to Gödöllő for a magnificant horse show, then on to Eger with accommodations at the Hotel Flóra. Over the next four days, you'll visit Szilvásvárad, the Bükk Mountains, Miskolc, Lillafüred and Tard. The last four days and nights will be in Budapest where you'll see all the famous and historic sights and have plenty of free time to explore on your own. For more information, please contact Endre Csornán at 1-800-848-7366, ext. 136, or email Endre at ecsoman@ williampennassociation.org. 6 William Penn Life, April 2010
