History of Toms Creek

By Edison S. Perry

 

            Toms Creek is located in the foothills of the Cumberland Plateaus, two miles north of Coeburn, VA. It is snuggled in a cove of mountains refreshed by a small stream which is called Thomas Gist. The community was built along both sides of the creek. Under the beauty of the mountains was one of our greatest treasures, coal. In 1898 George L. Carter, from Hillsville, VA, started his coal empire and in 1902, he organized The Virginia Iron, Coal and Coke Company.

            If you lived in Toms Creek in the twenties and thirties, you would have fond memories of the coal camps. The camps housed Italian, Hungarian, Negro and white laborers.

            Most of the Italian immigrants originated from the southern part of Italy (Catanzaro). They were employed mainly in three different occupations; coke drawer operators, outside laborers, and miners. The section set aside for these people was called "Tally Town." The Italians attended the Catholic Church. Since the Italians were trained in working with the coke ovens, the need for their work became very much in demand when the coke ovens that Virginia Iron, Coal and Coke Company built became the largest in the world at that time.

            The Hungarian immigrants came from Iron County in Budapest, Hungary. They lived in a section called "Hunk Town". This part of Toms Creek always had a wonderful smell of fresh bread. The Hungarians were excellent bread bakers. They had outside ovens, brought from their homeland, where you could buy fresh baked bread. The Hungarians also attended the Catholic Church.

            The Negroes came mainly from Georgia and South Carolina. Although their labor was the same as others, there was still a sense of segregation of these citizens. One example was the separation of the Negro and white schools. The Negro children had a three room school in the back of Thelma store. The coal company built and gave to the Wise County School Board, a big six room building that had a full size basement, steam heat, and a large auditorium that seated at least three hundred people, and this was to be used as a school. Only the white, Italian and Hungarians could attend the school. Toms Creek had a Negro church for the Negro people, which was of Baptist denomination.

            Another section which made up Toms Creek was called "Big Bug Row". This was where the bosses of the coal camps lived. There were about 35 houses. As a company benefit, as were kept with running water, picket fences and board walks. The largest houses belonged to the superintendents.

            "Hardaway Row" was another well kept row of houses. This was where the foreman of the company lived. This section of houses had only four rooms and was not equipped with running water and baths.

            A row of about 100 houses made up the community of "Pink Town". There were only white employees who lived there. These homes were built on the same style as the houses in "Hardaway Row." At one time it is said that all the houses in "Pink Town" were painted pink.

            Everyone in these communities took pride in keeping their yards nice, for each summer a prize was given by the company for the best kept and prettiest yard.

            The coal boom attracted business within the community. The huge company store was built in 1911 and was said to be the most modern store this side of Roanoke. It included a butcher shop, a dry goods department, grocery department, and a furniture department. In the middle of the floor was a large round department where cigarettes, candy, ice cream and soft drinks were sold. This was called the "Ball Pen." Mr. E. S. Becker was one of the first store managers. The store also had delivery service. In the beginning they made deliveries with a horse and wagon, and later by truck.

            The hospital was a huge red bricked two-story building. Anyone who was employed by the company, whether they lived in Toms Creek or one of the company's other camps, could use this hospital. You could go to the doctor's office or he would make house calls for a fee of $2.00 per month. This fee was held out of your pay at the company office.

            There was a large two-story brick theatre building where public gatherings were held. Any of the employees or organizations were allowed to have parties, suppers, dances, or any kind of gathering without charges.

            Next to the theatre was the post office. Mr. Squire Tompkins was postmaster for several years. At one time the post office was called "Georgel" in honor of George L. Carter.

            Some of the other businesses within Toms Creek were a machine shop, electric shop, supply house, a large boarding house and a large stable where company horses were taken care of George Stillwell was in charge of the stables.

            The mining department of Toms Creek was vast in Scope. This large organization helped to develop the small mines in Toms Creek. Some of the more important mines were Sexton, Coeburn, and Thelma mines.

            Sexton mines was a well equipped operation. This mine had what is called the double entry system. This meant that the slope of the coal is such that the mine is mainly drained by gravity. The road beds were also good. Mr. Robert T. Hopkins was general foreman.

            The Coeburn mine was also well equipped. Coal from this mine was primarily used for steam and domestic purposes. Mr. Conley Lyons was the general mining foreman for Coeburn mine at this time.

            The large Thelma mine had coal averaging eight feet. Some mining mechanics were used in Thelma mine for cutting through the coal. Mr. W. A. Smith was general foreman.

            Swansea, Pine Run and Lee mines are some other well known mines within the community during this period. The Swansea mine output was very large. The road beds and ventilation was very good. The general foreman was Richard T. Akers.

            Pine Run was one of the largest mines in Toms Creek. The coal was conveyed to the outside, around the mountain and the tipple. The drainage was good. This mine was equipped with a 20 foot, 200 horse power engine. The coal was used for domestic and slack purposes. The general foreman was D. R. Pippin.

            The lee mine has a natural drainage and part of it was lighted by electricity. Its coal was primarily used for steam and domestic purposes. The general foreman was Mr. Pete Castle.

            The colleries of Lee, Swansea, and Pine Run mines were in charge of Mr. J. H. Garner, a native of Pennsylvania. He was an expert in the study of coal mining. Sexton, Coeburn and Thelma colleries were in charge of J. R. Bailey. He was at one time superintendent at Boissivan, VA.

            During World War II, the mines in Toms Creek were in full swing. After the war, the coal supply began to run out in the deep mines. Homes began to degenerate and the people began to depart.

            Where once there was beauty, now there are coal tipples, loaded docks, washing plants and a huge silo.

            Toms Creek may be only a lapse of times before, but for some, the memory still lingers.

 


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