Amonate, Virginia: "We Were So Poor We Spelled It With 3 'Os'"
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- Опубліковано 15 сер 2022
- Amonate, Virginia: "We Were So Poor We Spelled It With 3 'Os'"
Amonate was a top-producing coal mine for the famous Pocahontas Fuel Company in the glory days of coal mining in Appalachia. Originally built as a model town, several homes are still in great shape because they were constructed of a higher quality than many other coal camps. Like most all coal camps, Amonate has seen better days and fallen on hard times but there's still a lot of pride in being from this great community that straddles the state lines of Virginia and West Virginia.
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What a lovely interview with such a charming man! When he said "What's the use of being sad?" and "Treat everybody the same," that really made me smile. I hope he has a lot of people in his life who care about him. It sounds like he does!
You know how many times I have said, "this is your best video"? I smiled from ear to ear the entire show. You both did such a wonderful job of interviewing this wonder of the land, Pastor Roger. The landscape, the roads, the simple but resourceful architecture. You know, Appalachia might not have pristine beaches, soring skyscrapers, or huge cities where money floats from trees. You both have something better. Surrounded by real beauty, and honest hard working people who are grateful for everything they have. Thanks so much for another story you both so well present. Its truly an inspiration. And yes, this is your best video so far.
You took the words right outta my keyboard. Very well said!
Yes!!! I soooo agree!!
I prefer the woods over beaches. Prefer rural countryside vs big cities. I’d rather be in your neck of the woods anyway over being in any big city. So beautiful there. Thanks for making and sharing these videos 👍👍
Lots of personal history for me in this video! My Great Grandmother and Great Aunt was killed about where you were standing on the railroad tracks near the tunnel, at the base of Tunnel Hill many years ago. A logging truck lost its breaks coming down the hill and the two women sat on the tracks changing their shoes and waiting for a bus. The accident was very traumatic for the family and the whole community at the time. Also, both of my parents grew up in Amonate, and I grew up going to the Freewill Baptist church. I still go there when I am in town with my mom who is still attending. I treasure the interview with Roger. He has been my lifelong pastor and one of my favorite people. He always gives me a hug when I see him, and calls me his girl. There is a home across from the yellow superintendent house near the end of camp that sits up on the hill- this is where my mother’s parents lived. When they were there, it was well maintained and looked really nice. It obviously is not now. This building though was actually the company doctor office originally. Thanks for going there to complete this video!
The pastor is so strong for his age. Wow there were no bus benches in that place for people to sit on, what a tragedy.
I’m pretty sure that the 2 you talked about being killed by a logging truck were my great grandfathers sister and mother.
Really enjoyed the interview. Wish you would do more interviews with local folks. Good job!
Here is a link to another great interview from this channel. ua-cam.com/video/QzWYQCIw9Is/v-deo.html
It just breaks my heart when I see these once bustling old towns at the end of their lives. Amonate must have been really pretty back in her day.
I really enjoyed y’all’s chat with Mr. Barnett. He is a real treasure! I’d love to see more of talks with old timers in the videos. We have so much to learn from them. God Bless you both!
Me too all the ghost towns across the world and not to mention all the small towns that have no signs of ever existing just gone! There was 20 towns that have completely disappeared in my area in the last 50 years!!!
I loved this. I live in Amonate, went to Bandy Elementary school (now the community center) and go to Bandy Freewill Baptist Church. Since the recent Bandy flooding the Blessing Box has been much visited. When I was in the 5th grade a Bandy Elementary school, one morning we missed the bus. We only had 2 buses you rode the “up the road” or “down the road” bus. Well, my sisters and I rode the up the road bus, which meant we came through the tunnel every morning. So on the morning we missed the bus, my mother hurried us into the car, wearing her curlers and robe, planning to drop us off and go back home to dress. Well, that wasn’t her luck. The station wagon she drove broke down in the middle of the tunnel, where I could see and be seen by my whole 5th grade class. My dad worked at S&S and was not at home, this was around 1983, so no cell phones, to call for help. I remember being sent on to walk to the school and never looking up to see how mom got back home. Mom passed away last August and Dad in March 2020. I’d love to call her and found out her version of this story nearly 30 years later!
We were so poor we couldn't pay attention ...
I liked listening to the gentlemen. I have always like listen to those who are quite a bit up in years. I enjoyed listening to their life and the knowledge and wisdom that pass on.
Thats the disadvantage of the extraction industry once the resource is gone its gone. I live in a area of SW PA near Morgantown WV. When I was a teenager we had at least 30 different Coal mines operating in the general area. Now the nearest mines are 15 and 40 miles away. The big industry here now is Natural Gas. We went from Coal trucks to rock and water trucks. My dad raised us working in a local mine for 44 years. A lot of these old towns are run down here also but its still home and will always be home.
I love the high, long railroad trestle and the tunnel too! I believe that building was a mule barn, for the mules that worked in the mine. Great video thank you!
Thank you for your blessings with your time, energy and effort. Your videos offer armchair travel for those who are elderly and shut-in. As a couple, you two have an awesome chemistry and help others learn of the history in the surrounding area and you are interesting. I appreciate that about your channel. The beautiful drives with the lush greenery is so pleasant to watch. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with the pastor and the time given to him and providing him with a chance to get excited about things long ago and his family. You are offering a fine internet community service and I appreciate you. Grateful thanks.
Thank you, Clemetene, reading your comment truly made out day
Enjoyed this ! The older gentleman is such a treasure! The train tunnel was kinda spooky with that fog ! The Tressel is awesome, and really high! That church is beautiful! That was funny, when melody said " it might be the Holy Ghost" , when y'all talking about they say " the church is haunted " ..haha....I do love country churches and country folk...that is a very beautiful area ....thanks you 2 ...stay safe always and God bless...🙏❤
I LOVED the interview with the nice older man :) I love the knowledge that older folks have... love the history :)
You two make a lovely team. Love watching.
Wonderful place and visit, thank you Shane and Melody! That fog in the tunnel did show and it was very cool.
I was totally taken by surprise, the way you pronounced the name. I would have guessed that the emphasis would be on the first syllable, and that the second A would be a long A, as in date or cake.
Thanks for showing the churches. I enjoyed all of them, especially that fancy one. But it's sad that it's not in use. That was awesome when you stopped to see that pastor. I enjoyed that too.
I lived on the WV side and those buildings were old garages. Its amazing to look at it now and see that there is absolutely nothing left. There were 3 large houses like on VA side. These were like duplexes back in day each side housed a family and each side looked the same, but eventually they made them just one big house. There were 2 houses up on a hill right up from the garages that Mrs. Humphrey owned. She was a teacher at Baldwin school which was located to the right of that guard station by the mines. When I lived there. There were about 12 families that lived there most of which were my relatives. Thanks for video.
The train tunnel entrance was so spooky looking, I was half expecting the Ghostbusters to come screaming out of it lol
Oh my gosh! This is one of the best! Loved your visit with the preacher!! What a blessing he is.
Remember that movie Stand byMe when the three boys went across a tressel like that and a train was coming?The poor little kid (well he wasn’t little) almost got hit by the train! They yelled TRAINNNNN . Do you guys live around Amonate ?
That trestle in Oregon is no longer.
I don’t want to see either of you walk through the tunnel. You both seem so happy, it is contagious. Thank you..!
I could listen to this gentleman's stories for hours...
Beautiful area. Reminds me of home. My dad worked in the steel mills in West Virginia.
I remember when I walked on the tracks to go fishing in Clifton VA
You guys are so fun to watch. I love these old towns!!! Churches are wonderful!!!! I really wanted you to walk thru the tunnel!!!! The fog was cool!!!😊
There is always something to be thankful for,some of the best Church meeting in those little churches for sure.Loved the interview.Stay safe
I'm glad I heard you say Honaker, now I know I've been saying it correctly.
I could spend an entire day talking with that fine gentleman you interviewed. Blessings to all, thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video. That old boy has seen his fair share. A local treasure I'm sure.
I enjoy all of your videos but I absolutely loved this one. Your chat with Mr. Barnett was wonderful and the "Holy Ghost" comment was too funny. Thank you for posting these.
I love that Pastor. He reminds me so much of my Daddy who is now with the Lord. He was a preacher, who never met a stranger.
Wonderful video.
I lived there back in the early 50's..as a kid I knew those hills..I loved that town.
I once lived just across the way from the church as a kid. I'm 39 years old now. I had great memories. My house was supposed to be haunted. We had a funeral in one of the houses. Heard the tunnel was haunted. Went to the church for service a few times. Lived by Roger and then the pastor of the church. Our house burnt years later after we moved away. So many memories
Excellent video!!! The conversation with the minister was thought provoking. He’s really witnessed a lot of history.
WOW! What an eerie tunnel!!! It reminds me of the famous tunnel in WV where John Henry "broke his pore heart." Both of you seem to come up with the most wonderful and awesome places to visit. This video was outstanding due to its historic content. Great stuff! Loved it.
It does look a whole lot like that tunnel now that you mention it.
I don’t know how hungry I would have to be to work in a mine, any kind of mine.
In ‘69, I’m a jr. In HS and we went in a cave, a crawling cave. Going in we shined lights into holes, side chambers we couldn’t see the bottom or back walls, nothing (no flashlight’s like these today).
Got all the way in and had to wiggle back out a ways till we had enough room to turn around. My friend bumped the light……out!-click,click, nothing.
Heart in throat because I was never a fan of the dark and, as a geezer now, still not.
No choice but to bump it again…..on. You never saw 3-5(?) kids crawl out of something that fast. I hit open air and I said, nope, never again.
Had bad dreams about that incident for years and probably will again tonight since I rehearsed it.
Enjoyed this video as I was born in the wrong era.
Just describing that is frightening. When my son was 7 we went to a couple tourist caves that summer. No biggy, we all enjoyed it. Last one the guide warned he was going to turn off all the lights. As soon as he did it I felt the darkness closing in. Just awful. I’m holding my little boys hand trying not to freak.
@@samanthab1923I have done a few caves here in WV with my Boy Scout Troop. Always carried two or three lights. It’s different in there for sure. No more for me either.
Roger Barnett had one of the loudest preaching voices you ever heard! No sleeping in his church. I was raised in amonate and have been in this area all my life. Thanks for the video! And the building on the WV side you were asking about was garages for the houses that were there.
So much great information. Thank you.
This is my father's hometown, born and raised, his 7 brothers and 4 sisters. His family resudes in Tazewell County.
1st time I visited 1973. I'm from NY. Next time was at my grandfathers funeral 1992. Was a culture shock both times, but that's my family history. The family name is "Bland"
Yes, I know a few people by that last name in the area
I'm 53 years old and my dad is from there. I spent a few summers there playing by the church and catching lightning bugs. @11:06 to 11:15 you drove past the land my family still owns.
Great 👍
That was such a sweet interview!!
I LOVED this video!! The older pastor was so amazing! Please do this more often! He was so informative. Love our Appalachia. ♥️♥️
Love the video, especially the talk with older gentleman. Love talking to the elders, you can learn so much from them.
We loved that we got to talk to him too
My father was from Amonate but he died when I was young. His name was Marvin Wyatt and he had several brothers and sisters. I think most or all of the family moved out by the end of the 1940's but I could be wrong. One of my aunts told me the name of the town but because it was pronounced so differently than the way is is spelled it took me years to find the place.
This trip to Amonate was phenomenal. We got the creepy bridge, Jesus (statue), the holy ghost, Turn Up Rd and a friendly resident with a great sense of humor. Blessings to you both. 💓💓💓
I've done overnight security at some mines in Amonate, Bishop, and McDowell County. I've gone under that same train trestle and through that tiny tunnel. I've driven along all those old houses, which are now mostly abandoned. My grandfather was a miner at Bishop.
Hello,what a beautiful video.the pictures were amazing.my husband is from big stone gap and
when i show him your videos,he knows exactly where you're at.
his mom was born in what they called the wildcat,and she would've loved seeing your videos.thank you so nuch.
My home town I love it I have walked through that tunnel many times ❤️🙏🎉 I love it!!
Loved the chat on the porch. I hope I can have a great outlook like that at almost 90. Thanks for sharing, I could have listened to him for hours.
Thank you both for another fine video, it is a very nice one, and very informative.
Great video. Thanks y’all ☮️
Absolutely love this video y’all thank y’all for sharing your journeys with us keep them coming I keep watching.
That was country awesome
Such a great video. I am learning so much history. The church was wonderful along with the knowledgeable gentleman. Thank you for all of your videos!
Great video, thank you for the lovely peek into the beautiful and mysterious mining tunnel
Wonderful!!
Love your videos! I grew up just down the road in Adria.
Loved it guys
That music was beautiful and I usually complain about you tubers playing music. You picked a good one and it goes along with those old black and white photos. Another great video guys.
thank ya so much, Robert, the music part is always tricky
Love that ❤️
Love your video, Thank you
The 'bad' joke made me snicker a little. I thought it was funny, and who's to say it wasn't the HG? :) enjoying the drive-along. thank you. and the interview was precious. what a nice shady porch. I could almost picture the younguns playing in front of his yard.
there iss A big tunnel in prince weest Virginia not to fare from here and got some nice videos of trains coming out and going in and was in side when train came about 10 years ago
My favorite of your videos... talking to a local icon made it magic... thanks...ed
Both of you walk through it. I did as a girl with my grandfather and father. It was cold inside and so scary . I miss the summers I spent there as a girl. My great grandparents lived in Bishop. I spent lots of time there as well.
What a treasure that gentleman is!!!!
Great videos
Great video!
Thank you for sharing. Wonderful video.
Thank you for watching and the kind words
Super job on the video as well as all the others. This is real history when you get the people stories in it. Thanks again to you both. Buy Melanie some flowers too. She does great research!
Glad you enjoyed it, yes, she does!
You forgot to say you'll see us on down the road. Is it crazy that that's what I hear in my head at the end of your videos? ~ Trish
Priceless!
My Dad worked at the Amonate mines for a while he then moved to Carretta mines . Carretta mines is where he worked for many many years.
Those were two of the best around so he must have been a good worker
You guys are adorable. Love your videos and especially the old building (interiors, too). The older gentleman was a real treat. God bless you.
God bless you too, thank you so much
I live where the blue Chevy is at the beginning of the video, across from mt Hermon. I had a lot of family and neighbors that lived in Amonate.
Great video, really loved the tunnels and old churches! We have a few trestles where I live that people used to run across too. I just filled a video on one that was said to be haunted.
I love all the trees and greenery 🥰🥰🥰
Really enjoyed the video. I was born in Amonate. My dad was tipple foreman up 31 hollow. [W.Va. side].
Glad you enjoyed it. It is a special place.
Look nice melody . You guys do good love watching
You both are fun to listen to! So enjoyed the elderly gentleman, he was Precious❤❤❤
Thank you so much!
A great and important document of the town.
Very cool...I live in WV... different lifestyle.. different breed of people...can't get any simpler than that...well done both of you.
awsome west virginia,thanks
As always…another great video! Shane needs to go through the tunnel..without a flashlight! 🤣
Fantastic fun video. The old man was great. That is how I picture the south, very friendly! Some if those houses reminds me of the houses that were near the railroad tracks. I pick Shane to go in the tunnel!😂😂
It’s been a few years since I moved out. Nice to see they repainted the Jesus statue. People talk about how sad it is when towns like this fade away, but really, the people in Amonate that I knew liked being somewhat cut-off from the world. Less people means less drama. I only left because it’s not an easy place to make a living.
Very cool
Wonderful, just wonderful, love ya,ll
I can only echo what Tall Dude said. Every time I say that you two have produced your best video yet, you go right ahead and top yourselves. Maybe I wasn't listening closely enough, but I have to ask: was that gentleman you interviewed *the* Pastor Barnett that you recalled, Shane? The one from the VBS (complete with hot dogs?) Or someone else?
His memory was remarkable and his attitude was even more so. Love the joke about "three 'O's" and the comment he tossed back at the doctors when they told him he had a 10% chance of not coming out of the surgery alive. "Doc, every time I went into that mine, I had a 10% chance of not coming out alive!" Talk about spunk! And I can't imagine being 17 years old and being in Korea.
I knew some Korean War veterans and that was one horrible conflict they ended up in. Sadly, it was largely ignored on the home front. One of the vets I knew of reported that he had gotten 3 purple hearts there. (I totally believe him on this, too.) They were all won on the same day! Yes. He got wounded 3 times in one day. After that he was at last medically evacuated back home. He lived to be about 85 as I recall.
Thanks for another terrific video.
That was the one and only Pastor Roger Barnett, of the hotdog fame speaking.
I could set on that porch listen to him all day ❤️
Tracks look like train doesn't run often.
Enjoyed the video and the interview with the gentleman. By the way the tunnel is nearly a mile long so it's a good thing y'all didn't try and walk through it.
Interviewing the locals increases your viewing audience.
This gentleman is the real ‘town’
There is no way I would ever walk through that tunnel but I bet there were many dares to go through at night time. It just looks creepy but what an interesting video! And who's the handsome gentleman on his front porch? 😃 I bet he can tell you stories for years! Thank you so much for sharing!
Best one ever.
That old guy reminded me of my own grandfather so much. Another great video!
Thank you!
awesome video... how did you know yellow is my fav color M. 😆
My good childhood friend greg sykes his dad C E SYkes grew up in council,va on northside of big A mountain. Man it is one tiny community. His grandma was a Leonard. There are lots of boyds and Pressly families living in that council community.
The interview was sweet and love the American flag reflection on that screen door