"We had had several mine disasters where workers, some of the workers were rescued. It was, you know, who was lucky and who weren't. Some would find the air pockets But, in this one, bam, it was just, everybody was gone and it greatly depressed the state"

The quote from Richard Grimes paints a poignant and somber picture of a tragic mine catastrophe, highlighting both the randomness of survival and the pervasive impact of loss on a neighborhood. Grimes begins by referencing previous mine disasters where, in spite of the intrinsic dangers, some workers were lucky adequate to be saved. These rescues were often contingent upon possibility, the existence of air pockets for instance, which allowed some miners to survive until assistance showed up.

However, Grimes contrasts these previous incidents with a specific disaster that led to the overwhelming loss of life. His usage of the word "bam" recommends an unexpected, devastating occasion where there was no time at all for escape or rescue, highlighting the ruthless and indiscriminate nature of such disasters. The abruptness caught in "bam" shows both the physical collapse within the mine and the psychological shock experienced by those connected to the employees.

The statement "it was simply, everybody was gone" exposes the large scale of the disaster and the outright nature of the loss. It is not just a declaration of truth but communicates an emotional reality-- the stark finality for households, good friends, and fellow employees. The word "everybody" highlights a cumulative disaster, impacting an entire community instead of separated individuals.

Grimes concludes by describing the results of this disaster as having "significantly depressed the state". This talks to the far-reaching impact beyond the instant circle of those directly included. The destruction penetrates the more comprehensive neighborhood and possibly even the entire state, suggesting the centrality of mining to its economy and identity. The state of mind is somber and heavy, showing a neighborhood facing the magnitude of the loss and feeling the deep lack left by those who died.

Overall, Grimes's quote encapsulates the unpredictable nature of mine disasters, the suddenness of tragedy, and the profound, lingering emotional and mental toll on a community.