"My great-grandfather was a coal miner, who worked in Pennsylvania mines when carts were pulled by mules and mines were lit by candles. Mining was very dangerous work then"

This quote by Tim Murphy speaks with the hard work and dangerous conditions of coal mining in the past. His great-grandfather was a coal miner in Pennsylvania, a time when carts were pulled by mules and mines were lit by candle lights. This was a time before the development of modern-day technology, when miners needed to rely on manual labor and primitive tools to do their work. The work was exceptionally hazardous, with the danger of cave-ins, explosions, and other mishaps. The miners were brave and hardworking, and their efforts assisted to power the commercial transformation. Regardless of the threats, they continued to work in the mines, providing a valuable resource for the country. The quote functions as a reminder of the sacrifices made by these miners and the significance of their work.