Dust to Dust Traditional Cache

Hope you help me keep it all together.

When mining was the main industry in Fremont County immigrants from all over Eastern Europe came pouring in to fill the void of workers.  They found it easy to leave hehind poverty and strife and start anew in the "land of opportunity."  Most of them neither spoke or understood a word of English.  Working conditions in those mines were deplorable.  Saftey precautions were unheard of,  they were maimed and killed without regard. Where your standing you can see the names and remains of those people.  Grief was a luxury no family could afford. They lived in company owned home and unless there was an able bodied worker, working at the mine, you got out.  Mothers had to send their sons, even as young as eight, to fill the position that had just killed or maimed their father.

Only the Knights of Pythias, an organization that was a precourser to the present day insurance company were known to give aid.  Central to that groups goals and ideals were" loyalty to God and Country, honor, friendship and brotherly love".  Their motto "Friendship, Charity, Benevolence" lead to many acts of kindness toward suffering miners families.  Their lodges were called 'Castles."  The Florence Castle was built in 1887 and is still very much in use, just not by 'them'.  It can be seen at 105 Main Street in Florence.