Coal Mine
Most children working in the coal mines were boys. They usually started out as "breaker boys'. Their job was to work outside of the coal mine picking out slate and other waste they found in the coal. As a result, the boys' fingers were cut and bruised very often and were poorly cared for. In order to find the small pieces of waste, the boys were required to crouch over the chute and reach into the moving coal. Broken fingers were a common injury in the industry, and occasionally a boy would reach too far and topple over into the coal, ultimately ending his life. As time passes, their chest decreases in size while their shoulders began to broaden. The mines were also filled with coal dust. This dust would eventually completely cover their clothes and fill their lungs which resulted in the early stages of asthma.
After being a "breaker boy" for a while the boys would move to the underground mines where they would work as a door tender or as a mule-driver. As a door tender, your job was to stand by the door, ankle deep in water, waiting to open the door for mule-drivers. He often worked dark, 14 hour shifts. His pay was about 60 cents a day.
Some of the boys who worked in the mines never went to school. They were also three times more likely to get injured in the mines than an adult.
After being a "breaker boy" for a while the boys would move to the underground mines where they would work as a door tender or as a mule-driver. As a door tender, your job was to stand by the door, ankle deep in water, waiting to open the door for mule-drivers. He often worked dark, 14 hour shifts. His pay was about 60 cents a day.
Some of the boys who worked in the mines never went to school. They were also three times more likely to get injured in the mines than an adult.