Cornish Miners Brought More to America Mining than Mining Skills

Cornish Miners Brought More to America Mining than Mining Skills

By Sally Taylor

Tip! First, you need to understand that the Mall of America is city within a city and employs almost 12,000 people. During the summer months and holidays this number swells to 13,000 employees.

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Mining skills are not the only thing brought to America by Cornish miners. It seems that the Tommyknockers hitched a ride over with their mining pals.

A Tommyknocker is a little elf-like creature, who lives in mines. They have the
ability to walk though walls and disappear at will. While they may be
mischievous, stealing miners belongings and such prankishness, they are
basically benevolent to miners and, while a bit spooky, are welcome guests in
the mines.

It has long been thought that the tappings and other such noises on mine walls,
on beams, and in shafts are due to the Tommyknockes. Miners have long
recognized these noises as the Tommyknocker's way of signaling impending
danger to the miners. There are few, if any, mining areas which are free from
legends of Miners who have heeded these warnings and been saved from
disaster. Some legends go even further and recant instances in which miners in
trouble have actually been saved by the Tommyknockers.

Tip! Railroads opened up America more than a century ago and some of today's long-distance trains still follow the original pioneering routes. They also use many of the great stations built during the golden age of passenger travel.

If you are ever wandering around in mining territory, and hear rapping coming
from inside of a mine tunnel or shaft, you don't need to be scared of the little
fellows. It is a good idea, however, to vacate the area you hear the rapping
coming from immediately as they might be trying to send you a warning.

�2005 Sally Taylor: Sal is an avid gem and treasure hunter, explorer, writer, and is the owner of http://www.rockhoundstation1.com