Many immigrants from Sicily migrated to the coal mining communities in America. Working under harsh and dangerous conditions, coal was a way of life for many immigrants. Upon arriving in the U.S.A., my grandfather worked in various mines in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He vowed that none of his sons would make their living by working in these conditions. Soon after leaving the mines, he began selling fruits and vegetables, door to door, to the families residing in these mining communities.
For anyone interested in this time period, there is a wonderful exhibit at the John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. dedicated to the immigrant coal miners.
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