FREE: Dear America, A Coal Miner's Bride

The listing, Dear America, A Coal Miner's Bride has ended.

Hardback book in brand new condition. There is some writing in pencil on the very first page.

This is the diary of Anetka Kaminska of Lattimer, PA, 1896.


Sadowka, Poland
Midnight, After The Rooster's Crow

The words in Tata's letter grip my stomach like a fist. Tata isn't coming home. He wants us to come to America! Tata told me about a coal miner named Mr. Stanley Gawrych who wants a young bride from the old country. So Tata told this Mr. Gawrych that I am young and strong and fit for marriage. I have had good family training and know all I need to take care of a house and a husband. So now Mr. Gawrych has agreed to marry me. Tata promises that we will make a good match. In return, Mr. Gawrych has paid for our passage to America.

"Oh, Babcia," I cried. "How could Tata have done such a terrible thing? I don't want to be a coal miner's bride...I don't want to go to America...to marry a man I do not love.