The town of Nemacolin AKA Buckeye

Nemacolin, Pennsylvania 15351, has a rich and detailed history spanning from at least 1917 to present, encompassing its people, the school, and a significant coal mine. Its history is documented through various records, including an Honor Roll, information on the Buckeye Coal Co., obituaries, the 1930 Census, Social Security Death Indices, a comprehensive timeline, and details about the Cumberland Township Class of 1962, specific places, families, and individuals.

The Nemacolin Mine and Buckeye Coal Company

A central part of Nemacolin's history is the Nemacolin Mine, operated by the Buckeye Coal Company, which served as the fuel-producing organization for the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. This mine, located about 80 miles from Pittsburgh on the west bank of the Monongahela River, was developed to extract 800 acres of the Pittsburgh seam of by-product coking coal. It was strategically situated three miles from Carmichaels and was among the earliest mines developed in the Greene County field, which at the time represented the largest undeveloped block of Pittsburgh coal. The location was highly advantageous due to the Monongahela River providing unlimited transportation opportunities and the extension of a railroad from Crucible to Nemacolin.

By March 1920, the Nemacolin Mine was described as one of the most modern mines in Western Pennsylvania, showcasing advanced mining and mechanical engineering. The Buckeye Coal Company also played a role in the town's infrastructure, owning the building that housed the Nemacolin Post Office and the company store. The company maintained strict rules, with officials not permitting bosses to frequent businesses on "Jew Hill" to avoid dismissal, and company police routinely confiscated alcohol from community bootleggers.

Jew Hill: A Vibrant Crossroads and Contested Past

A significant area outside the main community, often referred to as the suburbs, was known as Jew Hill. This area predated the construction of many houses within Nemacolin and provided essential services such as food and gasoline to the surrounding farm residents. Huston's School, a one-room building heated by a coal-fired pot-bellied stove and operated by the Cumberland Township school board, was also located there, providing education to local farm residents. Early pictures from 1922 suggest that various businesses existed on Jew Hill even before 1917.

Before 1922, the area was bustling with various establishments. On the right side of the road heading west towards Carmichaels, one would find Dominick's Store, Joe Bellini's Pool Room, a building owned by Mary Lazzuri (likely a speakeasy), Sam Krovecheck's home, and a two-story building formerly operated by Dominic Antonini as a store. On the left, there was a two-story frame store owned by Harry Ruttenberg, a two-story store operated by Mr. Toth, the Komat's building, and Mrs. Pumper's residence. Other establishments recalled by older residents included Jack Pezzoni's Confectionary Store (in Mrs. Pumper's building), John Pumper's Soda Grill and Pool Room, Joe Popovich's Store, and Krivosky's and Krol's taverns. The Krivosky Tavern, for instance, was operated as early as 1927 by Mike Blackie Medved, who faced charges for selling liquor to boys. The Alexander Building, which once housed a skating rink and the VFW, still stands but needs repair, and John Kurilla operated a shoe repair shop in the basement of what is now the Tony Bocchini residence.

Jew Hill served two primary functions for Nemacolin's residents. First, it provided competition to the Buckeye Coal Company Store, with residents purchasing goods from establishments like the Ruttenbergs, Dominick's, Rapchak's, Popovich's, Ackerman's, Marmelstein's, Pearlman's, and Enrico Bertugli's grocery store. Second, it was a source of entertainment, particularly for men, as there were no drinking establishments within Nemacolin itself. Miners frequented Jew Hill for alcoholic beverages, even during Prohibition (1920-1933) when the sale and production of alcohol were illegal. Although Jew Hill didn't hold a monopoly on bootlegging, many businesses sold hard liquor, and numerous Buckeye Coal Company employees were involved in making or transporting booze, often resulting in fines from Justice of the Peace Porter and car confiscations.

The history of Jew Hill is also marked by several fires, some of which were considered planned. In 1924, Harry Ruttenberg's store and the Toth Building were destroyed by fire, though the Toth Building was immediately rebuilt. In November of the same year, the store and residence of Mary and Wassil Lazzuri burned down, with evidence suggesting oil was used to start the fire; the loss was estimated at $10,000, though the accused, Ignatz Karputs, was released due to insufficient evidence. Another fire on April 15, 1925, destroyed a one-story frame building owned by Wm. Bellent (?), which housed a confectionary and a dance hall.

A particularly significant fire occurred on November 13, 1931, when the Charles Ruttenburg Department Store burned down, resulting in the death of Ruttenberg's 17-year-old nephew, Herman Zimmerman. Charles Ruttenberg was subsequently charged with arson and murder. After the fire, he opened a clothing store in Wheeling to avoid extradition to Pennsylvania, but he was arrested in Pittsburgh in April 1932 and indicted in Greene County Court. The trial, heard by Judge Sayers in June 1932, involved testimony from Victoria Slenkish, who claimed Ruttenberg ordered her to pour carbon oil over the floor and promised her $400 for her silence. The jury, after 20 hours, delivered a verdict of second-degree murder on June 23, 1932, a case that was unprecedented in Pennsylvania since the legislature made burning one's property arson in 1929. However, due to legal technicalities, the guilty verdict was set aside on June 22, 1933, though the bond was forfeited. Charles Ruttenberg continued to operate his clothing store in Wheeling, which reportedly also caught fire at least once. An intense business rivalry existed between Charles and his brother Harry Ruttenberg, especially after Harry opened a competing business across the street from Charles's department store. One anecdote recounts Charles giving Struntz Mudry peanuts to break and throw the shells over Harry's store. In July 1936, the Louis Antonini Building on Jew Hill was also damaged by fire.

Nemacolin Post Office Fire of 1962

On the evening of February 7, 1962, a fire destroyed a one-story frame building in the center of Nemacolin that housed the Nemacolin Post Office. This building, owned by the Buckeye Coal Company, had previously served as the company store. Although the entire building was gutted, with the roof caving in, Postmaster Mike Rechichar and two clerks, Mrs. William Schimonsky and Carol Mahle, along with spectators, managed to save most of the mail, inventory, equipment, money, stamps, and post office records. No one was injured, and Postmaster Rechichar quickly arranged for operations to continue in temporary quarters at the Union Hall across the street. Fire chief Ellis Burnette indicated the fire likely started near the center of the Post Office, which was heated by a stoker-fed coal furnace, and an investigation was planned. The alarm was first raised at 8:15 p.m. by a high school student, James Boggio, and a second alarm was turned in by William Forsythe. The Carmichaels Volunteer Fire Company assisted Nemacolin Firemen in controlling the blaze. Notably, 10-year-old Robert Joy, Jr., saved the post office flag.

Our Lady of Consolation Church

The Catholic community in Nemacolin recognized the need for a place of worship amidst the town's growth. Our Lady of Consolation Church was founded in 1923. Initially, Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered several times a month in the summer of 1923 by priests from Masontown and Leckrone, using an old school building on Jew Hill as a temporary church. In the fall of 1926, Bishop Hugh C. Boyle appointed Rev. F. C. Felicko as pastor, who lived in quarters provided by the Buckeye Coal Company.

In February 1928, Rev. John E. Martin took over the pastoral duties. He promptly had plans drawn for a new church, and the Buckeye Coal Company offered a clear deed to the present church site. Land for the new church was purchased on December 30, 1928, and construction began immediately. The first Mass was celebrated in the unfinished church on Christmas Day 1928. The cornerstone was laid on February 22, 1929, and Bishop Hugh C. Boyle dedicated the completed church to Our Lady of Consolation in May 1929. Father Martin, who served for five years until August 29, 1933, significantly contributed to the parish with permanent buildings, trees, and spiritual uplift.

Rev. Joseph S. Altany succeeded Father Martin on August 29, 1933, and served for three and a half years, leaving a deep impression with his energetic leadership. During his time, Nemacolin saw its first regular Catholic Catechetical Instructions by Sisters, with a small convent built by parishioners in 1934 to house three Sisters. The Vincentian Sisters of Charity, including Sr. M. Regina (1936), Sr. M. Scholastica (1938), Sr. M. Lucretia (1940), Sr. M. Rupert (1941), and Sr. M. Elizabeth of St. Francis (1943), served as Superiors for these instruction courses. In October 1936, St. Marcellus Church in Mather, Pa., was added as a mission, requiring priests and sisters to serve both locations.

The Great Depression and prolonged coal strikes significantly impacted the parish, with First Communion classes decreasing from 60-70 children in 1929 to just 12 by 1934, indicating a rapid numerical disintegration. Despite these challenges, the zeal of the pastors remained strong.

In February 1937, Rev. Paul J. Simko was appointed pastor. Under his leadership over the next seven years (leading up to 1944), the church underwent improvements, becoming more comfortable and liturgical, the convent more homelike, and catechetical instructions more adequate, thanks to increased contributions and support from the Bishop. In 1938, two more missions, Sacred Heart in Rices Landing, Pa., and St. Mary’s in Crucible, Pa., were added. This expansion led to the appointment of Rev. Adam Jurczyk as the first Assistant Priest for the county on April 28, 1938. Subsequent assistants included Rev. Francis A. Kozak, who fell ill with tuberculosis, and Rev. George J. Goralka, who was replaced by Rev. William J. Hutnik due to health. To cover the extensive territory and four parishes, the Slovak Franciscan Fathers of Avalon also provided assistance. The first young man from the parish to enter the priesthood was Father Clement Kovacsik, ordained in May 1944, and two young women, Sr. M. Magdalene Jurik and Sr. M. Aquinas Cihon, entered religious life.

On December 30, 1961, a fire struck the church, but it was quickly extinguished, saving the building, and Mass was celebrated the following day. Over the years, the church building saw changes, including the addition of a steeple, and it continues to serve the Catholic community. On August 28, 1992, St. Mary, Crucible, and Sacred Heart, Rice's Landing, were merged with Our Lady of Consolation, with all three churches remaining open. Monsignor Joseph Altany, a former pastor, passed away in 1986 at the age of 83.

Greene County Citizens' Club

The Greene County Citizens' Club, now located in what was formerly the Holloway Building, was originally established in John Bowleg Mancini's Building. Its specific purpose was to educate foreigners on the requirements for obtaining American citizenship papers. During the Depression, aliens were considered "second class citizens" and faced deportation if they sought relief. The club met regularly on Sunday evenings, with members contributing funds for food and drink, and used a pamphlet titled "Our Nation" as their primary study resource. By early July 1936, the club was situated in the Louis Antonini Building on Jew Hill. In 1936, three teachers, under the supervision of Mr. Keister, conducted classes, leading to over 168 residents receiving their citizenship papers. "Boley" Potrebih was instrumental in the club's formation and served as a teacher. The building that became the Citizens' Club was built after 1922 and was identified as the Holloway Building in 1934 when Carmelo and Rose Colaianni moved in. Additionally, the site of the current Citizens' Club was once home to Pete Bulgarian's gambling house.

Other Notables

The Nemacolin Hotel Building housed a dentist's office. Frank Vavrek, Sr. served as a night patrolman on Jew Hill and later operated a beer distributorship after Prohibition was repealed. John Bowleg Mancini built the present Hill Top Restaurant (Colaianni Building) as a repair garage, financed by the Hotkos, before his death in a hunting accident. Carmelo and Rose Colaianni later operated a business there. Sam Barrie and Joe Guierra ran a shoe repair shop in a small building near the Nemacolin hotel, with Joe Guierra later moving his business to Carmichaels. Auggy Angelini subsequently opened an appliance repair shop in that same building.

It's been a long time, since I been home.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
And I a'int goin soon
No, I a'int goin back soon.

I was born in a coal camp, stars at my head 
And mountains as far as I could see.
Got to work every day
And I made a big pay
There was honey in the horn for me, 

And the coal dust blows, like a dark summer snow,
but I don't hear the roar of the tipple any more
or the whine of the trucks on the line.

Now the town's all gone, 
It's gone away.
The town's all gone,
It's gone away.
Now the town's all gone, 
It's gone away.
The people are straw, the wind has blowed away.

I was born in the holler that was lonesome and long,
And the sun didn't shine all the day
But the banjoes in the night and the stars big light
Was pleasures that I wanted to stay.
How could anybody know ?
That the next year or so,
We would all be a wanderin over mountain and plain
Tryin to plant our roots again.

It's been a long time, since I been home.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
And I ain't goin soon;
No, I ain't goin back soon.