This illustration from a February 1873 edition of Harper’s Weekly Magazine shows lunch-time in the mines of Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal fields.

The magazine correspondent described the scene:

“The happiest point… to the miner at least, is the dinner scene… Here at the hour of noon may be seen the little group of workmen busily refreshing themselves with the bits that they have brought with them from home, while close by them are the tired mules, who are also satisfying their hunger.”

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