The PAIL.......
For many years coal mining has been a mainstay in Buchanan County. The demand for the "Black Diamond" and it's overwhelming abundance in the foothills of Southwest Virginia provided many families with a stable and comfortable income. However, these luxuries didn't come without a price.
The extraction of coal was a rigorous task often considered one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Despite the hard work and less than desirable work conditions, the relentless work ethic and desire for a better way of life led many into the dark abyss. In the early days of coal mining when all of the loading was done by shovel the mettle of a man could be tested by the number of tons of coal that he loaded. Legends tell of men loading as much as 36 tons by themselves in a single shift of work. This back breaking labor was fueled and sustained by the homemade meals prepared by the hands of caring wives and mothers. These meals were carried into the mines in cleverly designed lunch pails which held meals in one compartment as well as a days supply of cold water in another. These lunch pails were often the life source of a coal miner and were often battered, beaten and worn just like the men who carried them.
Throughout the years many miners sought out a "good Pail" and carried it with them during their entire working career. Over time the Pail came to represent the hard work, desire and never ending commitment of a man to his job. It was common for a man to perform laborious taskes around the home or farm, but when he went to WORK he always took his Pail along.
In honor of our grandfathers, fathers and relatives who labored daily in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, we carry THE PAIL with us each night as we GO TO WORK for our school, community and TEAM
Did You Know?
1. The Pail is an antique with over 30 years of use.
2. The Pail was purchased from Big Prater Supply located in Vansant Va.
3.The Pail has two compartments.
4. Inside the large compartment lies a pair of silver scissors wrapped in cloth. The scissors are only used to cut down future championship nets.
5. The smaller compartment houses a piece of each championship net that has ever been cut down.
6. There is another item in the Pail that only members of the Twin Valley Basketball team are allowed to see!
