In early West Virginia coal mining, most mines were drift mines, built into hillsides, which were cheaper and easier to dig than deep vertical mines. Miners used a method called "room-and-pillar," where tunnels were dug in a grid pattern and blocks of coal were left to hold up the roof. Once most coal was removed, miners carefully took out the pillars last, which was the most dangerous part.

Ventilation was a big challenge. Early mines used natural airflow or fire furnaces, but later used fans. Still, bad air with gases and coal dust made conditions unsafe. Miners worked in pairs, using picks and explosives to break coal loose, then loaded it by hand into carts. Mules and later small engines hauled the coal out, and young boys called trappers worked doors that controlled airflow.

Mining was tough, dangerous work that required skill and experience. Hand mining stayed common into the 1930s, even as machines slowly took over parts of the job.