I was born in 1909 in Corbin. My father was a coal miner in Corbin and Michel. I worked underground in Corbin, Blairmore and finally in Coleman. I had tough jobs like timberpacking in the mines.

After the mines, I worked 17 years as an electrician for the Coleman Light and Water. I would go crazy if I had to work in the mines today
- Ernie Montalbetti

I was born in 1893 in Italy. I lived most of my life in Corbin and Fernie. I was intimately involved in the coal industry through my husband, family and friends.

Corbin was a nice little coal mine town. My husband ran the roundhouse to turn the coal trains around. - Venuta Baratelli