LITERATURE: Bluemer digs for a living
By Maria Borri
Apache Sports Editor
Ron Bluemer, part-time world history instructor, recently published "Black Diamond Mines," a history of coal mines in the Illinois Valley area.
The book covers the period of 1880 to the 1930s, focusing on the struggle between labor and management during those mining years. In his words, Bluemer's book "recreates the dramatic struggle of miners to make a reasonable living."
Three chapters are devoted to the operations in the Longwall District of Will, Grundy, LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam and Marshall counties. Highlighted descriptions point out the prominent businesses and community leaders during the mining years.
The book is illustrated with over 150 historic and modern photographs, charts and diagrams. Survey maps display the location of the mines.
"Black Diamond Mines" concludes with two of the major mining disasters in the Illinois Valley area: the flood at the Diamond Mine and the Cherry Mine fire.
Bluemer was raised in Chicago where he first heard mining stories and was taken to strip mines by his father.
He has a bachelor's in social science and master's in history, both from ISU, and additional graduate hours in geology from Western Illinois University. He has taught earth science as well as U.S. history, world history and sociology at Putnam County High School.
Bluemer is an active member of the Peoria Academy of Science, Geology Section, and the Putnam County Historical Society.
"Black Diamond Mines" is available for $15 from Grand Village Press, 134 Cleveland Circle, Granville, IL 61326.
Bluemer's first book, "Fate of the Phoenix," documents the history of one of the U.S. Navy cruisers that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. That book is also available from the Grand Village Press and in the IVCC Bookstore.