Coal mining in the state was controlled by the coal companies. These companies would build towns around their mines. These “company towns” became a way of life for many coal miners and their families. The company would pay you in money that only worked at company town stores. These towns had company owned schools, stores, and housing. The miners were more or less trapped in these towns as the money did not work outside of these towns. This company town was owned by Four States Coal and Coke Company. They were a subsidiary of the Pittsburg and Buffalo Co. from Pennsylvania. In these towns the coal company owns everything, houses, stores, and schools.