By Noah

On March 15th, Mr. Charles Wesselman told his story to the students at Coalhurst Elementary. This 87 year old man, told 5/6H and 1/2L about the mine explosion and many other things.

Mr. Wesselman’s father worked at the Coalhurst mine in the 1920’s and 30’s.  He worked above ground.  Mr. Wesselman went to the mine the day of the disaster.  He was only 11 and he didn’t really understand what happened.  People were gathered around waiting for news about those who were working underground. Later he worked as a miner himself in Shaugnessy and other places.  He was 19 and he got $4.20 a day.  Later he made $12.80 which was a lot of money back then.

Mr. Wesselman was not a fan of school  He got the strap a few times.  He attended school until grade eight and then quit.  Back then there was a Low School and a High School in Coalhurst.

Did you know there was a slag pile?  It was a pile of waste coal and shale from the mine.  Mr. Wesselman and his friends played on it in winter.  They used cardboard or even a car door they found in the dump to slide down.  They also liked to climb the water tower and find bird eggs.  They enjoyed hayrides and picnics, too.

Mr. Wesselman’s dad bought a farm after the mine closed down.  They grew gladiolas.  He lived on the farm for 52 years.  Lots of people remember being hired to pick the gladiolas when they were ready.  In the 1990’s Mr. Wesselman and his wife moved into Lethbridge for health reasons.

Grade 5/6 teacher Miss Hubber said, “Our classes were really honored to hear Mr. Wesselman talk about his life here as a child during the 30’s.”