<p>Charlie May entered the one-room schoolhouse, hung his coat on a peg and went to his seat, shaking off the chill. It was just before Christmas of 1931 and there were several inches of snow on the ground outside.</p>
<p>He had walked to school, of course. It was only a few miles from home and besides, he was all but a man. Fifteen years old and in eighth grade - his last year of school - he'd soon be leaving books behind to join the rest of the men in Gowan City, Schuylkill County, in working for the Reading Coal Co.</p>