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mso-line-height-alt:24.0pt'><span style='font-size:36.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt'>Who Killed Buffalo Creek?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
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style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>By TOM PRICE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;
tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>Published in <i
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Rolling Stone</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>Reprinted in <i
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Reporting: The Rolling Stone Style</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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line-height:24.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
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</span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><i
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt'>In late February 1972, a wave of black water and coal mine</span></i><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
normal'>sludge wiped out whole towns along Buffalo Creek in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">West<span style='font-style:normal'> </span>Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>.
Senior Editor Joe Eszterhas had an idea about a</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
normal'>two-years-after piece on the tragedy.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>Joe contacted Tom Price,</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>an
old school friend from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Ohio</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Tom was interested in the .Appalachian
poverty program and had just</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>quit his
job as city editor at the <st1:City w:st="on">Athens</st1:City> </i><span
style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Messenger</span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
normal'> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Athens</st1:City>,<span
style='font-style:normal'> </span><st1:State w:st="on">Ohio</st1:State></st1:place>,
a southeastern town on the fringes of the Appalachian</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
normal'>range.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>In researching the story,
Tom combed the fine print of</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>reports
from <st1:country-region w:st="on">U. S.</st1:country-region> Senate hearings,
and the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U. S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>
Army</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Corps of Engineers.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>He studied the lawsuits and visited what</i> <i
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>was left of Buffalo Creek.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>There he found shattered families,</i> <i
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>shattered individuals, and the history of a
disenfranchised</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>mining community
whose pleas for protection prior to the</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>flood
had been buried for years under layers of bureaucracy,</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
normal'>neglect, and corporate self-interest.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>This was Price's first</i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>major
magazine piece.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
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style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>���� </span>When storms come to this 17-mile-long
hollow, the blue sky turns gray and then black clouds roll in over the densely
forested mountains -- mountains that stand not much more than a football field
apart on either side of Buffalo Creek and the 16 unincorporated mining towns
that string out one after the other along the creek from the incorporated City
of Man, where the creek meets the Guyandotte River, to Three Forks, where the
creek is fed by Lee Fork on the right Middle Fork and Main Fork on the left.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>����� </span>The clouds sit high on the coal-rich
mountains and hurl long, jagged, vicious, bright lightning bolts into the
peaks.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>On the valley bottom, each bolt
of lightning is like a gigantic flashbulb, bouncing brilliant blue light off
the houses, stores, trucks and coal tipples.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>����� </span>It had been like that during the last
week in February, 1972.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But Friday the
25th had been one of those beautiful blue Appalachian days -- the green
mountains standing above the green grass of the valley and the clear shallow
water of Buffalo Creek, a little snow hanging onto the peaks, mud, the creek
slightly higher than usual because of the recent rain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>��� </span>The people still were worried about the
three coal waste dams at the top of the hollow and the 22 million cubic feet of
impounded water and sludge.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But the
fears dissipated when they saw the clear sky.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>Once again it was common to laugh at the nervous residents of Three
Forks and Pardee and Lorado and the other upper valley towns who had left their
homes to stay with friends or relatives on higher ground just in case a dam
failed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>���� </span>Then, Friday night, the rain started
again.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Upper valley residents began to
leave their homes again.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The water crept
closer and closer to the top of the biggest dam, Dam 3, high up Middle
Fork.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The warnings became more urgent.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Sheriff�s deputies and miners noticed how
close the water was to the<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>top of Dam 3.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>���</span>At 8
am Saturday, after years of cries of "wolf" and false alarms and the
jokes of the residents who slept while their nervous neighbors made fools of
themselves by scrambling up the steep hills . . . Dam 3 failed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>���� </span>For tradition's sake, you couldn�t pick a
better place for a major disaster than Logan County, West Virginia -- a county
with a history of conflict and violence as rich and as dark as its coal seams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>���� </span>Storybook hillbilly violence, where the
Hatfields and the McCoys really did feud in the late 19th Century.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>��������� </span>Storybook coalfield violence, where
in 1921 Bill Blizzard and Mary "Mother" Jones sent off 4000 armed
miners to wage war in the Battle of Blair Mountain against Sheriff Don Chafin�s
deputies, state police and assorted hired thugs, including a pilot who dropped
bombs on the miners from his airplane until federal troops restored
"order" and the union army was defeated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>���� </span>Robert "Pug" Mitchem is steeped
in that tradition.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Son of a miner,
nephew of miners, brother of miners and, of course, a miner himself.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Born and reared in Amherstdale in Buffalo
Hollow.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Proud debtless owner of a house
in which to sire and rear his own family at Braeholm, three communities down
the hollow from Amherstdale.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Motor
operator for the Amherst Coal Co. Former president of his union local.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Supporter of union rebels Jock Yablonski and
Arnold Miller, and rebel West Virginia Congressman Ken Hechler who Mitchem
thinks is "as close to an ideal person as a person can be."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>���� </span>On this Saturday Mabel is up early and
she's worried.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>It's been raining
again.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The creek's been rising
again.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>People are talking about the dam
breaking, about a flood.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Mabel gets the
family up, fixes breakfast, and insists that Pug go look at the creek.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>���� </span>On Saturday, February 26th, 1972,
37-year-old Pug Mitchem is enjoying his morning by sleeping in.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Secure in his job underground, which he
doesn't really like but has grown accustomed to.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Secure in his roomy house, where everything
is paid for except the air conditioner and where his wife Mabel, 32-year-old
Appalachian beauty, is bringing up 14-year-old James Robert and 13-year-old
Deborah Ann to have "high moral standards� and to be good �family"
people. On Sunday, relatives probably will stop over for the regular weekly
gathering and sit down to a big family meal. But Saturday is a morning to lie
in bed for a while and relax the muscles and nerves strained from driving coal
out of the Amherst Coal Co. mine from seven to three Monday through Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>So Pug walks down to the creek, a little concerned, but
remembering all the false alarms and all the times the dam didn�t break.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The water�s higher than usual. But it has been raining. That's
really nothing much to worry about.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>It's
not going to flood the Mitchem home at that rate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Pug looks up the creek, up the hollow.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>A pickup comes racing around the bend.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Jesus! Look at that guy drive! The truck
slides to a stop on the road by Pug.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"The dam's broke! The dam's broke!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>And the truck races off down the hollow, the driver shouting
his warning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Fear strikes Robert "Pug" Mitchem. He turns and runs
for the house.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Shouting.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>"The dam's broke! Let's get up on the
hill.�<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Not yet.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>First Mabel
has to warn her brother James Miller.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>And the Robinsons.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The Robinsons
have been like another set of parents.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>Mabel and Deborah Ann pull slacks under their night clothes and put on
coats.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Pug is ushering the children to
the hill.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Mabel warns the Millers.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And the Robinsons.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But the Robinsons don't want to leave.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>They've heard the threat too many times.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Mabel is crying, begging.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>"Please come.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Please come." This time she believes
it's true.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But the Robinsons say no.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The Millers believe.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>Thirty-five-year-old James, a miner for Zapata Coal Co.; 33-year-old
Tilda, a nurse; young James, 15; Johnny, 13; David, 10; Charles, 7, and Callie
Brunty, 58, Tilda's mother -- they all will run for the hill to escape the
flood.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But James Brunty, 82, Callie's
husband, is bedridden.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>He's been terribly
ill.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Moving him might be worse than
taking a chance on the flood.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And how to
move him, on his heavy bed, out into the cold wet February weather?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>James Miller sends everyone to the hill;
he'll stay and try to move Mr. Brunty if the water threatens the house.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>If the water gets high . . . It's 8:15 . . . 8:30 . ..<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>the water is on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;
tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><i><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>An Act of God<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Three Forks is a small coal town, or "camp," as
those communities have been called ever since the coal companies first built
the simple houses, and leased them to their employees.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Now the residents own the houses; many have
invested in new siding, added rooms, kept carefully tended lawns.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Three Forks is 20 houses and the Free Will Baptist
Church.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Above Three Forks is a massive
black coal waste bank -- a burning "gob" pile 200 feet high and 1000
feet long that smolders along one bank of Middle Fork.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>There, the narrow stream carries water that
has filtered through a 20-foot-high dam, Dam 1, that stretches across the
Middle Fork hollow.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>"Constructed" of coal waste dumped into the stream bed and
across the hollow, the dam impounds a lake of water that has filtered through
20-foot-high Dam 2. "Constructed" of coal waste dumped into the
stream bed and across the hollow about 600 feet above Dam 1, Dam 2 impounds a
lake of water that has filtered through Dam 3. "Constructed" of coal
waste dumped into the stream bed and across the hollow about 600 feet above Dam
2, Dam 3, which is 45 to 60 feet high, impounds a third lake.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The dams "clean" the 702,000 gallons of black water
the Pittston Co. discharges each day from its Buffalo Mining coal preparation
plant, where coal from five deep mines, one strip mine and two auger mines is
washed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The black water is pumped into the lake above Dam 3, and as
the water moves toward the dam the heaviest particles drop out.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The water is being cleaned.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>By the time it reaches the dam, the water
contains primarily fine particles which form a goop along the walls of the dam
and make the dam bigger.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Coal wastes are
dumped by trucks along the top of the dam, and are spread by bulldozers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The water filters through each dam and emerges clear in Middle
Fork just above Buffalo Creek.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The
process is a common cheap antipollution measure.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>According to a Corps of Engineers Report, it
is insane:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>�The basic concept of Dam 3 was not acceptable from an
engineering standpoint . . . a structure the successful operation of which
depended on uncontrolled seepage; unless some happy accident occurred whereby
Mother Nature took care of this fundamental error of conception, the dam was
doomed to failure from the time the first load of refuse was dumped.�<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The filtration through the dam weakened the dam. The February
rain -- 3.7 inches in 72 hours, a rainfall expected every two years -- added to
the pressure behind the dam. According to the Corps, any half-competent
inspector should have known that the dam was in danger of failure, any
half-competent engineer should not have built the dam in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Steve Dasovich, Buffalo Mining Co. vice president, looked at
the dam Saturday morning.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>He didn't see
anything to worry about.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Two sheriff�s
deputies assigned to warn Buffalo Hollow residents of potential flooding talked
to Steve Dasovich Saturday morning and were persuaded that there was no need
for a systematic evacuation of the valley.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>Miners and other residents were worried, and passed their worries along,
but too many people didn't heed and too many were not warned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>At 8 am, Dam 3, supersaturated with water, its lake nearing
the top of the dam, melted, its impounded water and sludge pouring into the
lake below and demolishing Dam 2, picking up more water and sludge to pour into
the lake below and demolish Dam 1, picking up more water and sludge to smash
into the burning gob pile and -- to explode, like water poured onto a campfire,
steam and water and black coal waste thrown into the air, turning the air wet
and black, 150 to 200 million gallons of water and thousands of cubic feet of
coal refuse now racing out of Middle Fork Hollow, with a black head 30 feet
high, roaring across Buffalo Hollow and bouncing off the opposite mountain and
toward Three Forks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Ossie Adkins, 70-year-old retired miner, is standing on the
porch of his house right beside the gob pile and he watches as the black water
pours from the gob pile just below his house and races toward Three Forks.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The black wave turns a Buffalo Mining Co.
garage into splinters and hurls heavy equipment, like children's toys, into the
air.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>It picks up the Free Will Baptist
Church, balancing it like a white figurehead on the flat bow of a massive black
warship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>And then -- with people screaming and running and scrambling
up the hillside -- the black wave smothers the town of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Three</st1:place></st1:City> Forks, chews it up, and moves on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>In 20 minutes, the tail of the wave passes through Three
Forks.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And Ossie Adkins sees an empty
valley, black with sludge, the church gone, the houses gone, the cars and
trucks gone, the people gone, the topsoil gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The wave has just begun its three hours of work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Gathering more rubble, the Wave destroys the town of <st1:City
w:st="on">Pardee</st1:City>, and then the town of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Lorado</st1:place></st1:City>.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>Bouncing back and forth off the mountains that flank the valley, it hits
every town. The enormity of its destruction varies according to its angle of
entry or according to the number of houses built on the valley bottom and on
the hillsides.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Craneco, then Lundale, then Stowe, then Crites, then Latrobe,
then Robinette, then Amherstdale, then Becco, then Franco.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Then the wave lunges toward Braeholm -- Pug
Mitchem and the Millers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Inside his house James Miller is struggling to help his
invalid father-in-law.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Two men who are
coming to help him are in the front yard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Suddenly, the creek is turning black, rising faster than
anyone had expected.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Then, up the
hollow, turning the bend . . . the black wave is now carrying entire houses,
autos, trucks, trees, power poles and other splintered debris, and people.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The rising water in front of the black wave enters the
Millers' front yard.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The would-be
helpers are knocked down by its powerful current.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Soaked, they stumble back to their feet and
run and stumble and slosh toward the hill.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Inside, James Miller hasn't seen the wave.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>It hits the house. The house shakes, rattles,
begins to come apart.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>James Miller runs
to the front porch to look.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>My God!<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>What can be happening? The house is shaking,
breaking up.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>He climbs for the roof.
Another house is coming, carried like a boat on the flood. James Miller is
half-on, half-off the roof. The houses collide. He falls into the black water.
. . .<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>It is sometime after 8 am at House 267, Braeholm, and Willard
and Grace Adkins have just been warned by a neighbor that the dam has broken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Willard, 73, retired coal miner, and Grace, 60, get in their
1969 Ford pickup truck and drive down the valley toward Braeholm Hill -- high
ground and safety. But they have been warned too late and the rising water hits
their truck, gets under the hood, and the truck stalls.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Now comes that black wave. It lifts the truck, carries it down
the valley. Other vehicles, houses and rubble bounce in the water. Willard and
Grace Adkins are sure they are going to die.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>The truck rams sideways into the Mitchem house. The wave is carrying off
the house and the truck together.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The
Adkins are praying.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>A power pole falls
into the water and ignites sparks.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Oh,
God, are You going to electrocute us?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>��������� </span>Coming down the hollow . . . three
houses . . . side by side by side . . . about to smash the Adkins' truck
between them and the Mitchems' house.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>But one house moves to the right.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>Another moves to the left.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The
middle house, though, is coming broadside at the truck.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Then it starts to fall apart, turns to splinters
and sinks in front of the truck.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>They
are going to live.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Willard puts his arm around Grace, holds her close.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>They've survived so far, but now the water is
rising.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The windows are closed and the
Adkins sit inside and watch the black water creep higher.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Mrs. Adkins prays:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"Lord, You've divided the waters before.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>You can save us if it's Your Holy Will."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>But the water continues to rise.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>It starts to seep in the edges of the
windows.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The Mitchems, standing on the
hill and out of the water, see their house destroyed and watch helplessly as
the water covers the truck.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>They turn
away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>James Miller is in the black water.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>He knows his father-in-law must be drowning,
and he is certain that soon he, too, must drown. A power pole falls.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>A power line leaps about in the water and
grabs James Miller's leg.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The
electricity surges through his body, burning his leg.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>He fights with the wire, tries to throw it
off, to get untangled from it.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But the
shock is great pain. He flips about in the water.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And suddenly . . . he's free.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But free as well from his house, knowing his
father-in-law must be drowning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Then . . . ahead . . . a tree.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>If he can grab a limb of the tree, hang on, maybe he can stay alive till
the water goes down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in .8in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Pug Mitchem is standing on the hill, watching everything he
owns and knows and loves destroyed in the black water.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Beside him, on the hill, in various stages of
hysteria, sobbing: his wife, Mabel; his children, James Robert and Deborah Ann;
his wife's sister-in-law, Tilda; his wife's sister-in-law's mother, Callie; his
wife's sister-in-law's children, James, Johnny, David, Charles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>My God, what the hell am I gonna do?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Everything I own is gone.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>What will I do with all these people,
suddenly my responsibility?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>How can I
take care of them?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>How can any of us
live with this?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>He tells them that James Miller and James Brunty are
dead.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Mabel screams, "Oh, God, no!
Oh, God, no!" Fourteen-year-old James Robert puts his arms around her to
comfort her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>And Pug Mitchem stands on the hill and sees what little is
left of Braeholm <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>He sees the Adkins' truck, still lodged
against the remains of the Mitchems' house, and he walks toward it to see
what's left of Willard and Grace Adkins.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>He opens the door, and . . . Willard and Grace are alive! The black
water had covered the track, but had not filled it.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Willard and Grace had breathed the stale air
of the closed track and held each other and prayed.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And now Pug is helping them out of the truck and
through the sludge and debris and up the hill.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>And now he must search for the remains of James Miller and
James Brunty.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Knowing he will find them
-- if he finds them at all -- black with the sludge, filled with water,
swollen, probably twisted and bent and broken, perhaps mutilated by sharp
debris.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .9in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in 19.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
2'>������������������ </span>And then he sees a tree . . . and a body in the
tree.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>James Miller. He looks bruised,
burned, his clothes torn, his body black from the water.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>He looks<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>. . . alive.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>James Miller has
held onto the tree, and the water has gone down, and he is alive. With Pug for
support, he stumbles across the valley toward the hill, toward his family, who
can rejoice that he is alive even though everything they own except what they
are wearing is gone. Even the Robinsons, who failed to heed Mabel�s warning,
are alive. They escaped in time. But James Brunty, the bed-ridden invalid, who
had no chance when the wave came, is dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in .9in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in 19.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The wave left the valley almost empty where Braeholm had stood
and crashed through Accoville and through Crown and through Kistler and into
the <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Guyandotte</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">River</st1:PlaceType>
at <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Man.</st1:place></st1:State> Now,
after the destruction, it would turn the Guyandotte black and give the
Guyandotte its plunder as the Guyandotte made its way through the <st1:State
w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:State> mountain valleys toward <st1:City w:st="on">Huntington</st1:City>
and the <st1:place w:st="on">Ohio River</st1:place>. And seven bodies never
would be found, and people would wonder how far downstream the water had
carried the bodies and where the bodies were rotting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;
tab-stops:0in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in 19.5in'><i><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>It Could Happen Again<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in 19.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>How do you rebuild a 17-mile-long valley?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>How do you rebuild 507 homes?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>How do you repair 273 homes that were
"seriously" damaged?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>How do
you repair 663 homes that suffered "minor" damage?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>How do you rebuild a road? And railroad
tracks?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And bridges?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And mining facilities?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>What do you do about topsoil washed away to
bedrock?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>About trees and flowers and
wildlife?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>About snakes suddenly washed
into once-populated sections of the valley?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>About dogs, suddenly without masters, wandering lost and hungry.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>About 1000 automobiles and trucks?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>About water systems and power systems and
telephone lines?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>About churches and
schools and recreation areas?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>About 125
men, women and children killed -- drowned or crushed or mutilated to
death?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>About 4000 people suddenly
without livable homes -- 4000 of the 5000 who lived in the valley, almost 10%
of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Logan County</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:State></st1:place>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>��������� </span>Government officials know what to do
first.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Call in the National Guard and
the US Army Corps of Engineers with helicopters and trucks and jeeps and
bulldozers. Bulldoze rubble into piles, carry on instant condemnation
proceedings and bulldoze damaged homes into piles.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Bum the piles.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Cut through a temporary road and throw up
temporary bridges or fords.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Turn schools
into refugee centers and morgues.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Call
in the Red Cross with emergency food and clothing. Expect people, as they
always do, in an emergency, to become their brothers' keepers, to donate food
and money and clothing, to take in the homeless.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The state government slaps a quarantine on the valley and stations
state police at access points to keep out people without permits.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The government orders that the homeless not
move back up the valley and rebuild on their own, or repair their damaged homes
on their own, or buy and relocate mobile homes on their own land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The US Department of Housing and Urban Development sends in
600 trailers and sets them up in flat trailer parks cleared by the Corps of
Engineers.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>HUD tells people they can
live rent-free in the trailers for a year and after that can rent or buy the
government-owned trailers. The state and federal governments promise immediate
emergency relief and longer-term aid in rebuilding Buffalo Hollow communities
and the survivors' lives. The government officials also promise to investigate,
to determine if there's been corporate negligence, perhaps criminal guilt.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>To punish the criminals.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>To prevent similar disasters in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The press arrives en masse.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>First the local reporters.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Then
the wire services and the networks and the big newspapers.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Later magazine writers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>And time passes.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And
the press leaves.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And the government
investigations are concluded.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And the
Corps and the National Guard go back to routine duties or onto other disaster
sites.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>As you start to drive up Buffalo Hollow, you see nothing
unusual.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Houses, many typical modern
suburban homes, older frame houses, and dilapidated, unpainted shacks. Side by
side. As they are throughout the Appalachian hill country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>There's a laundromat in Man with special washers for �mine
clothes and greasy clothes." In the summer and early fall, the mountains
are lush green.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The houses have neat
grassy yards, trees, flowers.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But, as
you go up the hollow, you notice that the green mountains are broken by black
coal waste dumps. Sometimes low along the road. Sometimes starting high on the
mountain and dripping black all the way down to the valley. Sometimes smoking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Braeholm: A few trailers, a couple of houses, a railroad
crossing, an empty flat field.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Orange smoke billows from a coal processing plant. Twisted
six-foot pipe, once probably a conduit under a bridge, is rusting beside the
roadway. An occasional foundation . A brick chimney. Cement steps leading<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>nowhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>HUD trailer courts. Housing hundreds of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Buffalo</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Valley</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
residents still homeless in the second year after the flood. New trailers here
and there, some impressive double-wide mobile homes, belonging to those who
said to hell with, government and returned to their own land on their own.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Fourteen houses in a government-assisted
"model subdivision." Other houses built privately after special
dispensation was obtained to waive the quarantine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The farther you go up the valley, the less activity you
see.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Near the top, as you approach Three
Forks and the dam-sites, you come to an empty clearing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The valley floor is flat and deserted, like a large park.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>A No Trespassing sign is stuck in the middle
of a flat space beside the road, some property-owner's desperate notice that
this is . . . was . . . his home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>At the top of the valley, the coal company has seeded the
bottom end of the gob pile that was black and burning when the dams broke.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Now, grass tries to grow on the pile's
hostile surface.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>A culvert, installed to
let now-undammed Middle Fork flow freely into Buffalo Creek, sits high in the
hillside, and the clear water cascades to the valley floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Behind the coal company's No Trespassing signs, the scene
remains black and ugly.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The gob pile
stretching back along the fork, the remains of the dams almost flat for
hundreds of yards.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Mostly dry, with some
gooey spots.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>In dirty black contrast to
the green mountains on either side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>But the story of Buffalo Hollow since the flood is more than
landscape.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>If 4000 people were made
homeless on the morning of February 26th, 1972, there are 4000 stories of
Buffalo Hollow since the flood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .3in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><i><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"They didn't intend to kill nobody.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But if you run over a man, that�s
manslaughter, whether or not you intend to run over him.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The people responsible for this ought to get
manslaughter.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Too many people got killed
and nothin�s been done."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .3in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
3'>������������������������������ </span>Robert Bowens, disabled miner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .3in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
2'>������������������ </span><i>"It's just plain mass murder, that's all
it was."<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in 1.8in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in 19.5in 20.0in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
2'>������������������ </span>Bill Morris, retired mine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in 1.8in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in 19.5in 20.0in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
2'>������������������ </span><i>"An act of God."<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.1in 2.5in 2.6in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
3'>��������������������� </span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�</span>Pittston
Co. executive vice president<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in 2.1in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in 19.5in 20.0in 20.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in'><i><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"Coal, as usual, will come out of this as good as gold
because God, after all, can't be reached for comment."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .4in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 1.9in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in'><i><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
3'>������������������ </span></span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>A <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West
Virginia</st1:place></st1:State> journalist<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in 1.9in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in 19.5in 20.0in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>West Virginia Congressman Ken Hechler describes attempting to
establish blame as "like nailing currant jelly to the wall -- very
frustrating." But there are plenty of potential culprits, although it's
unlikely that any will face the punishment that the average Buffalo Hollow
resident would for running a red light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Some items:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- On October 21st, 1966, in Aberfam, <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region>, a slate
bank near a coal mine turned to mush and oozed down a hillside, crushing a
schoolhouse and killing 116 children and five teachers.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall
quickly ordered a survey of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s
coalfields to determine if such a disaster were possible here.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>On March 6th, 1967, Udall wrote a three-page
letter to West Virginia Governor Hulett Smith, all West Virginia congressmen
(including Hechler and current Governor Arch A. Moore), and many local
officials, including three Logan County commissioners.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The letter warned that 30 waste piles in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:place></st1:State> created
some form of hazard, and specifically named the four that were most
dangerous.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Udall wrote that "the
Bureau [of Mines] will. continue to observe mine dumps for possible critical
conditions and will receive counsel from the Geological Survey where unstable
conditions that might endanger life are recognized.� The letter did not
specifically identify Dam 1 on Middle Fork, which Geological Survey geologist
William Davies had said was �stable� but �could be overtopped and breached.
�Flood and debris,� Davies said in his report, �would damage church and two or
three houses downstream, cover road, and wash our railroad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- In the summer of 1967, a slide from a gob pile in Proctor
Hollow, a Buffalo Hollow offshoot, filled several basements with med and swept
away several autos. Hechler, one of the few coalfield politicians willing to
criticize the industry launched a protest which included a well-publicized
visit to the site.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The <i>Charleston
Gazette</i> reported on July 7th: "Towering piles of mine refuse scattered
throughout Logan County were cited Thursday as serious threats to the safety of
county residents . . . [Hechler] said the streams in Logan County need to be
dredged and 'people's homes protected before we have the kind of catastrophe
which struck Wales with a heavy loss of human life.'"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- On February 5th, 1968, Mrs. Pearl Woodrum, of Three Forks,
wrote a letter to Governor Smith: "We are all afraid we will be washed
away and drowned. They just keep dumping slate and slush in the water and
making it more dangerous every day.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>Please let me hear from you at once and please for God's sake have the dump
and water destroyed.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Our lives are in
danger."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- In 1969, Buffalo Mining Co., finding its two coal waste
dams in Middle Fork inadequate for the magnitude of its mining operations,
began dumping coal wastes into the hollow about 600 feet upstream from Dam 2,
to begin Dam 3.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- The <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>
state code forbids construction of a dam the size of those on Buffalo Creek
unless both the design and construction of the dam "shall have been
declared to be safe by an order entered by the Public Service Commission after
full investigation."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act provides that:
"Refuse piles shall not be constructed so as to impede drainage or to
impound water . . . Refuse piles shall be constructed in such a manner so as to
prevent accidental sliding and shifting of materials. . . . If failure of a
water or silt retaining dam will create a hazard it shall be of substantial
construction and shall be inspected at least once each week."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- From 1925 until shortly after the flood, the West Virginia
Public Service Commission had received 260 dam-building applications and turned
down only two or three.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Commission
officials explained that they simply review the dam-builders' plans, that they
don't bother to check to see that the plans have been followed in construction,
that they don't inspect the safety of functioning dams.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>They also explained that they never
prosecuted a dam-builder for failure to seek a permit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- As of March 31st, 1972, the US Bureau of Mines had never
issued a citation for an improperly constructed dam.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- The Pittston Co. has no records of regular inspections of
its Middle Fork dams.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>It never applied
for State Public Service Commission dam-building permits.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>On February 25th, 1972, the day before the
flood, the Pittston Co. submitted maps of its operations to the West Virginia
State Department of Mines, maps which did not show the Middle Fork dams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- After the flood, Nicholas T. Camicia, president of the
Pittston Co., told a Senate labor subcommittee that "it has been, and is,
the policy and commitment of our coal group to comply with the federal and
state laws relative to mine health and safety."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- Between April, 1970, and May, 1972, the Pittston Co. was
cited by the US Bureau of Mines for 5358 mine health and safety
violations.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Penalties with the citations
totaled $1,152,725.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Pittston's Buffalo
Mining operations had 330 citations in that period, carrying with them $57,180
in penalty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- On July 12th, 1973, Camicia explained in a letter to
Subcommittee Chairman Harrison Williams that "based upon the figures
available to us the record of our coal subsidiaries in meeting these standards
certainly has not been out of line with the performance of the industry as a
whole."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- All $1,152,725 in penalties against Pittston have gone
unpaid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>-- Interior Secretary Rogers C. B. Morton, previously through
the Interior Department's Bureau of Mines and now through the new Mine
Enforcement and Safety Administration, is responsible for enforcement of mine
health and safety laws and for collection of penalties assessed for law
violations.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>His brother Thruston, former
<st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> senator from <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kentucky</st1:place></st1:State>, is on the
Pittston Co. board of directors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 2.8in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in 19.0in 19.5in 20.0in 20.5in 21.0in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>��������� </span>-- After various investigating
bodies, including one appointed by the governor and one reporting to the Senate
subcommittee, concluded that the disaster would not have happened had the state
and federal governments and Pittston done what, by law, they were supposed to
do, a special grand jury was convened. The jury met for three days in November,
1972, heard some 30 witnesses called by the dean of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Law</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
and by a former county prosecutor, and returned no indictments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .3in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Establishing blame wouldn't bring back to life any of the 125
persons killed in the Buffalo Creek flood or physically restore the hollow to
its pre-flood status. But criminal prosecution of mine company officials might
serve as a deterrent to future criminal negligence by Pittston and other mining
firms. There's also a psychological need fulfilled when blame is established
and the guilty punished.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And the
residents of Buffalo Hollow have many psychological needs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>There are survivors who live in deathly fear of rain and loud
noises, adults who cringe at the sound of thunder, children who fear drowning in
bathtubs and who want to hide when it rains. There are those who never want to
go back up the hollow again, and those who die a little every day they are
forced to live in HUD trailer camps and are unable to return to their
homesites.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Psychologists talk about
"survivor syndrome" and "death guilt" and Buffalo Hollow
survivors who had to be shipped off to mental institutions for intensive
care.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Tranquilizers and periodic
hospitalization for "nerves" are common.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City>
flood was everything at once -- death, injury, destruction of personal
belongings and entire communities. Survivors -- homeless -- still live in
trailer camps, away from friends and relatives, away from communities in which
many were born, grew up and planned to die.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>And there are those who, five days a week, travel from their trailers,
past the empty fields which once were their hometowns, past the spots where
friends and relatives died, past horrible memories of personal experiences on
February 26th, 1972, all the way to the top of the hollow, past the gob pile
and the remains of the dams, to work in the Pittston mines, dependent for
survival on the agent of destruction of their pre-flood way of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>And many worry about other waste banks in the coalfields and
wonder if the same thing could happen again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>After the flood, the Corps of Engineers conducted a quick
survey of a few waste dams in southern West Virginia and reported: "Lack
of adequate design and construction measures, as well as the poor planning of
operations, make <i>all</i> the dams presently in use a serious hazard, one of
even potentially catastrophic proportions, to life and property
downstream.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The dams are, in general,
only barely stable under present conditions; the study indicates that all will
fail under reasonably high-pool conditions."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Later, a more thorough Corps study of 123 waste piles in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:place></st1:State> classed 16
as "severe hazards," 92 as "potential hazards," and 15 as
being of "little or no apparent hazard." And the Corps was quick to
qualify its findings, warning that the report did not represent detailed
engineering studies, but rather "on-site visual surface inspection
entirely, with no subsurface exploration, sampling or testing and no laboratory
analysis.� "In general," according to the report, "almost all of
the sites inspected posed some form of hazard by the mere fact that water was
either impounded or capable of being impounded behind a structure which was not
properly designed, constructed and maintained." And, the Corps cautioned,
some potentially hazardous sites may not have been located for study.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The follow-up of the Corps study, one of several done
throughout the coalfields, was the responsibility of the US Bureau of Mines
until the Mine Enforcement and Safety Administration was created this summer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The Bureau, which previous to the flood had never issued an
unsafe dam citation, later cited almost every coal wastebank impoundment in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>, according
to one official responsible for inspections.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>About 170 mines were on notice in southern <st1:State w:st="on">West
Virginia</st1:State> alone -- 30 to 35 in Mingo and <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Logan</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Counties</st1:PlaceType> -- as <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">MESA</st1:place></st1:City> came into being, the Bureau official
reported. He said 10 to 15 operations had been shut down for periods of time
because of waste-bank violations. Banks considered �serious hazards� were to
receive daily inspections by company personnel, weekly inspections by bureau
staff, and periodic visits by consulting engineers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>But the process is time-consuming and expensive, both for the
mine companies and for the government, There are an estimated 5000 working
mines and 5000 abandoned mines in the Appalachian coalfields, and abandoned
waste banks can be just as hazardous as active ones. <i>Business Week </i>has
reported that �sophisticated water recycling systems which might also control
waste water cost from $500,000 to $1 million." Cost estimates on
strengthening individual impoundments have been set at a quarter-million
dollars and more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>William A. Wahler, consulting engineer whose firm has worked
for the Interior Department in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West
Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>, is aware of the costs.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span><i>Coal Patrol</i> magazine quoted him as
saying, "You must determine what loss of life is an acceptable risk."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>A federal inspector discussed one "serious hazard"
site which remained in use despite the need for improvements, which he said were
being worked on.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>The mine was losing
$100,000 a month, he said, and was facing bankruptcy.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>If the operation went bankrupt, he asked,
what would the government do?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>In many
states, strip-mine operators are required to post bonds to guarantee reclamation
financing should a company skip out or go bankrupt. There is no similar
procedure for financing the elimination of waste-bank hazards. Inspectors,
therefore, pay attention to company pleas of financial hardship, especially,
ironically, at the most-difficult-to-improve impoundments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Last summer Gene McCoy, supervising geologist at the Corps of
Engineers' Huntington District and chairman of the board of review for the
Corps' <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>
waste-bank study, said, "I don't think there's anybody who could say you
couldn't have another Buffalo Creek.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>I
certainly wouldn't."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Last month, at 5 am, November 28th, about 60 families were
evacuated from <st1:City w:st="on">Carbondale</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">West
Virginia</st1:State>, because the Allied Chemical Co. feared possible failure
of a waste-bank dam at its <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Carbondale</st1:place></st1:City>
mine.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Company officials contacted union
officers, evacuated the town, and closed the mine which had an entrance below
the dam.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>According to United Mine Workers safety consultant Davitt
McAteer, the dam had no spillway.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>A
drain pipe near the dam�s base had become clogged with coal waste, and water
was rising dangerously close to the top of the dam as heavy winter rain soaked
the <st1:place w:st="on">Appalachian Mountains</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�������� </span>Deciding that the government was not
doing its job and worried by a weather forecast of heavier than normal
precipitation through the end of December, the union sent ten international
safety officers into the field to conduct spot checks of waste banks in <st1:State
w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:State>, <st1:State w:st="on">Kentucky</st1:State>
and <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>But, McAteer pointed out, the union men are not dam
experts.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And he reported that some coal
companies -- notably Amherst and Island Creek, both of which own mines in
Buffalo Hollow -- turned union inspectors away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>In Buffalo Hollow, changes come more slowly than government
officials' disaster-spawned statements once indicated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Although the C&O Railroad and the dozen coal mine
operations of the valley were back to normal shortly after the flood, HUD's
temporary trailer camps still house more than 200 families. HUD has extended,
and extended again, its free-rent policies in the camp. And of survivors who
have returned to private homes, more have made their new homes in trailers than
in houses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>State planners, proclaiming intentions to have the valley
"rebuilt more beautiful than before with a better life for everyone,"
sat down with a map shortly after the flood and drew a line from Man to Route
85 over the mountain east of the hollow.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>The line, a new road, State Route 16, will connect Man and Buffalo
Hollow with <st1:City w:st="on">Beckley</st1:City>, a major southern <st1:place
w:st="on">West Virginia city</st1:place>.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>It will promote "economic development." It also will destroy
an estimated 80 homes that survived the flood and will remove about 200 parcels
of land from private hands.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>It will not
interfere with coal mine operations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>In August, 1972, the Corps of Engineers contracted with an
engineering-architectural-planning firm for planning and engineering work on
redevelopment of the valley.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But
complete funding did not come through for the engineers, and by November the
project was at a standstill.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>In January,
1973, a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Buffalo</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Creek</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Valley</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
public-service district -- formed to provide water and sewer systems in the
hollow with $7 million in federal, state and local funds -- contracted with the
same firm, and planning work began on that phase of valley redevelopment. At
the same time, the State Highway Department was moving along with its Route 16
plans. <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>�s
Office of Federal-State Relations is attempting to coordinate all government
efforts at valley redevelopment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Predictions are that highway construction will be completed in
1976 or 1977 and that sewer and water system con<span style='layout-grid-mode:
line'>struction will be completed by the end of 1974.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>There is no official guarantee of when
sufficient housing will be completed.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>The highway department is searching for sites for "last-resort
housing" for those displaced by the highway. The department has been
negotiating with property owners for purchase of land lying in the highway
right-of-way.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But relocation benefits
may have to be repaid out of any settlements survivors make with Pittston and
many property owners fear they will be paid less for the highway-appropriated
land than they will have to pay for comparable land if they want to stay in the
valley.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line'><span
style='mso-tab-count:1'>������ </span>There is a strong sense of roots, of
community, in the Appalachian Mountains, and some of the people of Buffalo
Hollow demonstrated that after the flood by tenaciously placing new trailers on
their old homesites or repairing their old homes or rebuilding from scratch --
and daring the state to enforce its quarantine on construction until the new
sewer and water systems are completed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;
mso-pagination:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
layout-grid-mode:line'>"The unrest on Buffalo Hollow is the people wantin'
to go home," according to Ruth Morris, who did just that and to hell with
the government quarantine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line'><span
style='mso-tab-count:1'>������ </span>"It's not much up here.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But what we're fightin' for, it's home."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;
mso-pagination:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
layout-grid-mode:line'>Collected on Braeholm Hill, with the happiness that
James Miller is alive and the sadness that James Brunty must be dead, in shock
after the destruction they witnessed, the destruction now lying in front of
them, not yet really comprehending the enormity of their loss, Pug and Mabel
and James Robert and Deborah Ann Mitchem travel to Mabel�s younger brother's
trailer outside the hollow for shelter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoBodyTextIndent style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:
0in;margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify'>Saturday night,
they can't sleep. Pug and Mabel lie awake all night, Mabel with a horrible,
undescribable feeling, afraid to go to sleep, afraid of another flood, thinking
the water is going to get her, thinking she is about to die.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Out of her mind: "Where is that river?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Is it rising?" Senseless questions no
one knows how to answer.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;
mso-pagination:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
layout-grid-mode:line'>Sunday, the Mitchems move in with Mabel's sister, and
from February 28th to April 4th the four Mitchems and the sister and the
sister's son live together in a two-room apartment</span><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>. The close quarters rub
them raw.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Nervousness is
contagious.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>So is insomnia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>The family makes return
trips to the rubble at Braeholm when they can get through the police
lines.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>At first, all of them
together.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Then, one day, when the family
plans to go up the hollow, James Robert is on the couch, on his knees, his head
down toward his knees: "My head is killing me and I can't go back up there
any more." And he doesn't.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>April 4th, and at last the
Mitchems can move out of the two-room apartment into a HUD trailer . . . not on
their homesite, not at Braeholm, but at Crites, six communities up the valley.
It is morning, and 14-year-old James Robert is crying, sitting down, crying,
begging: "Please don�t make me go. Please don't make me go." And Pug
Mitchem has to use his coal miner's strength to force his son to go up the hollow.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>To their new home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>There, James Robert wants to
be with his father all the time.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>When
Pug goes to work, James Robert goes into his room and closes the door and
doesn't come out until Pug comes home.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>If Pug just walks outside, James Robert must be there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>Debbie, a tall slender,
sensitive girl who wants to go home, home to Braeholm, sits in the trailer and
talks with Mabel.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>They talk about the
flood.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>�Why?" Debbie asks over and
over.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>"Why, Mom?<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Why did it happen?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>But the fall and school
bring positive changes. James Robert begins to make friends with neighbors at
the trailer camp, new neighbors, because the old community is gone.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And soon, while he used to stay in his room
and never come out, he's always away, coming home only to eat and sleep. Pug
and Mabel feel relieved.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But, then, a
slowly realized shock.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>That the
"high moral standards" and the "family" life also have been
casualties of the flood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>"All the while,"
Mabel says, "it turns out he had been keeping company with people with low
moral standards and in fact very disreputable characters -- all the while
disregarding any and all moral standards we have set for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"Since people have a tendency to group themselves,
Braeholm had no low-class people.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>We
have been thrown into nothing more than slums.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>We have no control over how we have to live."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The Millers obtain property in Kistler and are among the lucky
few to build new homes. Callie Brunty is in and of the hospital, living with
the Millers when she can go home. The Adkins find a place in <st1:place w:st="on">South
Man.</st1:place><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>And the Mitchems, too,
move . . . across the road from one section of the Crites trailer camp to
another section, because the new highway, which will take their property in
Braeholm, also will cross the land on which their temporary HUD trailer sits.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Shortly after the flood, at a community meeting of flood
victims, the people of Buffalo Hollow decide to form the Buffalo Creek Citizens
Disaster Committee. It will be chaired by black service station operator
Charles Cowan and will have 21 representatives from valley communities.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Among them is Pug Mitchem. The committee
obtains the prestigious <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:State>
law firm of Arnold and Porter and files a $52-million lawsuit against
Pittston.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Eventually, 672 men, women and
children are parties to the suit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The Citizens Committee is recognized as the buffer between the
people and the government, dealing with the governor and the state agencies and
the federal agencies. Pushing for sewer and water systems, pushing for quick
housing construction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Pug Mitchem is sitting in a green reclining chair in the
cramped living room of his HUD trailer, drawing on a <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Raleigh</st1:place></st1:City> filter cigarette.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Mabel is sitting on the orange couch, puffing
a Belair from an almost empty pack beside the glass ashtray sitting on the
couch beside her. Debbie leaves the room when the conversation turns to the
flood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Pug Mitchem has remained one of a half-dozen members keeping
somewhat active in the Buffalo Creek Citizens Disaster Committee, but he has
become cynical about the committee's value. Mostly, the committee today is
Charlie Cowan, respected for his contributions to the community since the
flood, but losing support from those who don't share his optimism about the
future, his trust in the good word of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West
Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>'s governor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"Charlie, he's got the patience of Job," Mabel
Mitchem says.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>She means it kindly.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But she also means that her patience is worn
out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"I'm coming to the conclusion that the state's not going
to do a thing except what they have to do," Pug Mitchem says. "Some
of us spent a great deal of time at what I recognize now was beating our heads
against a stone wall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"I personally hate this damn trailer with a passion.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>It's small.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>I just don't like livin' in a trailer.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>There's no privacy whatsoever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"My daughter can go in her room and close the door and my
wife can sit here on the couch and talk with me and we'll all hear what
everybody else is saying.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>You shut the
doors and there's still no privacy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"My wife's family had a habit, a good habit.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>They used to visit us every Sunday.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Here, if we're all in here, some of us have
to sit on the floor.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>You can't put a
meal on the table and sit at the table.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>There's just not enough room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"We're waitin' on the lawsuit, to see how it turns
out.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>But it may be a long time. In a
suit of this kind, I compare it to a compensation case -- the company figures,
'The longer we put them off, maybe they'll die.'"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The Mitchems would like to rebuild on their property in
Braeholm, but their property in Braeholm is going for the highway. They could
borrow to build elsewhere, but they worked hard for their pre-flood
debtlessness and they don't want to go in debt now because of the flood they
didn't cause.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>So they wait on the lawsuit, glad that they chose that route
over immediate settlement with Pittston, knowing those who settled with
Pittston, who rejected filing suit, and who now have discovered they settled
for much less than they need to replace the physical possessions they lost,
knowing that money -- no matter how much -- won�t really be adequate
compensation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>�I don�t think in terms of dollars. You can never repay the
people for what they�ve been through,� Mabel says. �You can�t make it up in
dollars and cents.�<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .2in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Pug explains, �There�s things that people gather through
everyday life that you can�t replace once it�s gone. My wife had a flower in
the front yard. It belonged to her Dad who died in the sixties. It was a weakly
flower and I thought we should move it to give it a better chance to live, but
she was afraid if we moved it it'd die.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>�
</span>So we left it there and tried to take extra good care of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>"She loved it, because it belonged to him.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Now it's gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>����������� </span>It�s like that even in the winter.
In these mountains, rain is more likely than snow and the snow that does come
often comes in brooding dark storms. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>��������� </span>As Christmas comes to Buffalo Hollow,
it brings with it the message that the seasons change more quickly than the
lives of the flood survivors. The Mitchems are getting ready for the holiday.
If there is to be a traditional big family gathering, Pug says, it will be
"too crowded in the trailer to really enjoy yourself."<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>That, of course, is a problem many families
won't have, because many families aren't so big any more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>��������� </span>There is some good news, though.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>Governor Moore has announced that, because of
its mammoth coal resources, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">West
Virginia</st1:place></st1:State> doesn't face the same kind of energy crisis
that is dimming Christmas decorations in other parts of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>The Mitchems and their neighbors can string as many colored
lights as they like and can illuminate trees as big as will fit inside the HUD
trailers in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Buffalo Creek Valley</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:State></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Published in <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Rolling
Stone</i>, January 3, 1974<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Reprinted in <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Reporting:
The Rolling Stone Style</i> (Doubleday, 1977)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Copyright 1974 Tom Price<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:
1'>������ </span>Reproduction without permission is prohibited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.2in;
margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.2in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;
tab-stops:0in .1in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in 16.5in 17.0in 17.5in 18.0in 18.5in'><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><a href="tom.htm">Back to By
Tom Price</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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