PENNSYLVANIA: Under Maryd

As bootleg coal miners, the 500 residents of the town of Maryd, Pa., did not like it when the new Maryd Mining Co. began legal digging in the hill under their town. When the company tunneled back 100 feet into the hill and its shafts threatened to undermine Maryd’s homes, Maryd took action. One night last week, Maryd’s menfolk marched down the hillside to the mine opening, dragged out the watchman, machinery, tools. As Maryd’s womenfolk stood back looking on, they set off 36 sticks of dynamite, blew the new mine clean out to the sky. Maryd shook slightly, settled down. Maryd Mining Co. had nothing left but a big hole. “If we arrest anybody,” shrugged Sheriff Fred Holman, “we’ll have to arrest the whole community.”