Mining is such a rich subject fraught with meaning both metaphorical and actual. Mining is a metaphor for so many things, some of them opposites,womb, tomb, search, journey, riches, poverty, darkness, discovery, to name a few. Certainly mining was a considerable factor in pioneering, building and establishing the character of our nation. Stories of miners abound. Some historical figures have pursued mining to the limits of prosperity and back down to the depths of despair and poverty.
Horace Tabor when he died, told his wife, Baby Doe, to hold onto the Matchless Mine, a silver mine in Central City, at all costs. She did that for thirty-five years after the death of Horace and was found dead, some say her arms in the shape of a cross, in the mine itself. Some science fiction movies use mining and its darkness as a metaphor for hell.
The adventure abounds, and to my way of thinking nowhere more engagingly and agreeably than in the book, Orphan Boy, A Love Affair with Mining by H. Court Young. What is so compelling about this book is its real life hero, Herbert T. Young.
He did his duty in adversity; he followed his passion in his marriage and profession; he bestowed a legacy and example of loving inspiration for his descendants; and consequently he harbored no regrets in old age. Is this not what we would all like to be able to say about our lives?
Herbert had a childhood which was dismal because his father, after the depression, deserted his mother and his other nine siblings. Yet Herbert turned this catastrophe to victory excelling in everything he did. He held jobs to help his family.
In high school he participated in sports and held a record in basketball that had not been broken when he died. He did not really want to fight in World War Two, but he saw it as his duty, enlisted and served in the famous fighting 17th which flew very dangerous combat missions in the Pacific Theater for several years of the war.
He married the love of his life whom he met at college and pursued the profession of mining after the war, out of his passion and penchant for adventure. He shared with his son, Court, the author of this book, many actual mining experiences and many stories about the nature and character of being a miner. He did not flinch from duty, but also he never gave up his dream.
When I think about life I find that very often I do not live close to the passion in my heart and in my soul. I love to find stories of people who pursue their life dreams and talents until the end. Herbert did that. From Oprah we get the idea of being able to make the connection, perhaps between our outward selves and our souls.
It is always a wonderful experience to read about people who take risks, who pursue the dream, which is sometimes wild and wooly, cracked and fractured, albeit frequently graceful and stunning as a mountain peak. Herbert was such a person who experienced all the highs and lows of following his ardor for mining. He made the connection between heart and mind, between vision and action. I think of him as reconciling the outer and inner man.
This book contains much more than just the story of Herbert. It tells about mining itself and how it works, and it informs the tourist of the fun of exploring the area by hike, bike, ATV and Four Wheeler.
But for me, I love the story of a man of The Greatest Generation who turned his passion and his pain into joy and giving. He led a generous life to himself, to his family, his friends and business associates, a life which can enliven and invigorate us all to follow our dreams.