Ex-miner recalls Sago: 'It was a hellhole' By Robin Acton TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, January 6, 2006 SAGO, W.Va. - When you work in West Virginia's nonunion coal mines, one of the first things you learn is to keep your mouth shut. You don't talk about the knee-deep water or the mud or rocks falling onto your helmet. You sure don't complain about old equipment, or tell people that you're worried about safety.