Knox Mine Disaster Hero Dies at Age 101

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FEATURED Knox Mine Disaster hero dies at age 101

By Denise Allabaugh Sta Writer Nov 9, 2020 Updated Nov 9, 2020 Comments

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Barton, Michalene Bill Hastie looks at old photographs from the Knox Mine, where he was on the rescue team 60 years ago Birthday celebrant Bill Hastie, left, listens as Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown proclaims May 28, 2020 Buy Now Bloss, Betty when the Knox Mine Disaster happened, during an anniversary event in 2019. ‘Bill Hastie Day.’ TIMES-SHAMROCK FILE SEAN MCKEAGBonczek, / STAFF Lillian PHOTOGRAPHER Shemanski

Brown, Elsie R. Bill Hastie, the last living employee of the Knox Coal Company and a hero who Bussacco, Romilda R. (Tomassoni) helped save 69 miners, died Saturday at the Community Living Center at the Carey , Lucille Vancosky Department of Veterans Aairs Medical Center in Plains Twp. He was 101 years old. Chesnaik, Gloria

Hastie, a West Pittston native and World War II veteran, was o shift when the Knox Culver, Emily G. (Killian)

Mine Disaster occurred Jan. 22, 1959 in Jenkins Twp. when workers were ordered to Dunbar, Bill "Hillbilly Willy" dig illegally under the Susquehanna River. He was one of the rst to respond to the Fiorani, Mary A. tragedy and assist with the rescue. Fixl, John

Robert Wolensky, adjunct professor of history at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, said Hastie was the rst to nd miner Amadeo Pancotti, who had just climbed up and Local Obituaries escaped through the Eagle Air Shaft and was walking along the Lehigh Valley Each day's obituaries, delivered to your inbox. Railroad tracks. Enter email address Hastie immediately called for rope so that the other men at the bottom of the shaft could be pulled to the surface. He later nominated Pancotti for the prestigious Sign up Carnegie Hero Award.

Twelve miners died when the Susquehanna River ooded the underground mine while 69 others escaped.

Wolensky worked with Hastie to publish mining history articles and they co- authored “Anthracite Labor Wars,” which focuses on the area’s labor management and labor clashes during the rst half of the 20th Century.

“In these eorts, I was like so many other local history researchers who have beneted from his extensive knowledge and kind mentorship,” Wolensky said.

Wolensky said Hastie was a dear friend and colleague and “perhaps the last of the old-time mineworker-scholars.”

“Despite his fantastic memory and deep understanding, he was never one to brag or show superiority. His humility was as apparent as his steadfastness,” Wolensky said. “The local history community will mourn the loss of one of its giants but we can also celebrate a long life very well lived.” Uncensored History

Iconic Vintage Photos Prove Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown proclaimed May 28, 2020 “Bill Hastie Day” when Not Suited For All Viewers he celebrated his 101st birthday.

In honor of his birthday, the medical center organized a parade for him and emergency vehicles from Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre Twp. and Plains Twp. participated to show their support for him.

Brown said Monday he was sad to learn of Hastie’s death but he was thankful to have had the honor of celebrating his 101st birthday.

“He will be remembered as a hero for his service during World War II and then for aiding in the rescue of 69 miners during the Knox Mine Disaster,” Brown said. “He contributed his knowledge of the local mining industry throughout his life and preserved the memory of the Knox Mine Disaster for generations to come. I extend my condolences to his family and friends as they honor his life and legacy.”

Wilkes-Barre Councilman Tony Brooks, who also is past president of St. David’s Society of Wyoming Valley, said Hastie was the “epitome of a great American.”

“He personied the Wyoming Valley where one’s ethnic heritage blended together to create what America stands for,” Brooks said. “I will miss his true grit as a coal miner and be forever grateful for his handing down of Welsh culture to the present and future generations.”

Bobby Hughes, executive director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, was good friends with Hastie for more than 25 years and he said he had been an anthracite history mentor for him.

They worked together to create the 135th anniversary commemoration of the Avondale Mine Disaster in Plymouth Twp. and Hughes said Hastie’s Welsh singing and both of their connections to St. David’s Society helped bring “beautiful” Welsh hymns to the event and program.

They also worked together on many other projects such as documentaries about the Knox Mine Disaster and the Huber Breaker in Ashley.

“His role in the Knox Mine Disaster saving lives was signicant,” Hughes said. “He was an iconic gure of anthracite mining history throughout the Wyoming Valley and I truly enjoyed our time together to learn from him and absorb any knowledge he was willing to share.”

Contact the writer: [email protected], 570-821-2115, @CVAllabaugh

Tags Department Of Veterans Afairs Medical Center Knox Coal Company Knox Mine Disaster West Pittston World War Ii

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