Previously I posted a picture of the BREAKER BOYS in the Reader. Breaker boys are young underaged boys employed at the Breaker mines. Their childhood ended very young in that location and in those times.

I got this picture from a site that really intrigues me. It is called SHORPY, and it features pictures and stories from our distant past. I have communicated with them and they agreed to let me show some of their content from time to time. Please check them out and also read the story connected to this picture of the Breaker Boys. http://www.shorpy.com/node/6

I decided to look a little bit more into the laws protecting our children and found out that coal mining is an occupation now prohibited to be engaged in until the person is 18 years of age. If you are interested here is a site that lists those occupations that are no-no's until a person is of age. http://www.stopchildlabor.org/USchildlabor/fact1.htm