Our Blood Runs Black

In Episode 5 of Our Blood Runs Black, we talk with Norman Lewis, a miner and mine rescue team captain who responded on the night of the McClure explosion. Norman shares a detailed account of: How the mine was structured and how different sections functioned The brotherhood among miners and why that bond runs so deep This episode offers a deeper understanding of life underground — not just the work, but the relationships, responsibility, and faith that held miners together. 🖤 Our Blood Runs Black is a podcast honoring the people, the faith, and the coalfield legacy that shaped generations.

Tonight’s episode features Ronnie Mann, who was working at McClure No. 1 on the day of the explosion — a day that would change his life forever. Just days earlier, Ronnie had moved to a day-shift locomotive operator position. On June 21, 1983, he completed his shift, went home, ate supper with his family, and prepared for bed — only to receive a late-night phone call telling him the mine was being evacuated. The job Ronnie had recently left was now held by Mary Kathleen “Cat” Counts, who was killed in the explosion. Friends Ronnie had worked beside were still underground. As the night unfolded, he realized how narrowly his life had been spared — and how deeply the loss would stay with him. This episode is about timing, faith, survival, and the weight carried by those who walked away when others did not.

Inside the Rescue — A Rescuer Remembers In tonight’s episode of Our Blood Runs Black, we sit down with Wayne Fields, a mine rescuer who had been underground earlier that same day — noticing small details that would later weigh heavily on him. That night, the call came. The explosion. And the urgent return underground with the Dante Mine Rescue Team. Wayne shares what it was like entering the mine after the blast, the conditions they faced, and the responsibility they carried as they began the difficult work of recovery. He reflects on how rescuers were taught to treat the miners with respect, what they found near the face of the mine, and the moments that have stayed with him ever since. He also honors who he believes were the true heroes that night — the three coal miners who risked their own lives by going into the mine before it had been cleared to help rescue the three survivors. This is a story told by someone who lived it. And it deserves to be heard.

This is Our Blood Runs Black — a podcast honoring the people, the faith, and the coalfield legacy that shaped generations. In this episode, hosts Marsha and Becky sit down with Danny Mann, a mine rescue team member who responded to the call on one of the darkest nights in coalfield history. Danny shares what it was like to arrive after the explosion—what he witnessed underground, the urgency of the rescue, and the moments that stayed with him long after the shift ended. His story offers a rare and deeply personal look into the courage, sacrifice, and brotherhood of the men who answered the call when lives were on the line. This episode goes beyond history. It speaks to faith under pressure, the strength of coalfield communities, and the lasting impact these tragedies have on families and rescuers alike. 🎙️ Our Blood Runs Black is dedicated to preserving these stories—so they are never forgotten. 🗓️ New episodes every Thursday at 5:30 PM 🖤 Honoring the past. Telling the truth. Carrying the legacy forward. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to help us keep these voices alive. 🔔 Subscribe for more coalfield stories and conversations that matter.

In this first episode, authors of Our Blood Runs Black and hosts Marsha and Becky are joined by Benny Yates, a Mine Engineer Assistant who worked in the slope of hard rock mining. Benny explains in detail how the mines are set up, offering firsthand insight into the underground world that shaped so many coalfield families and communities.