This topic reminds me of a story I heard quite a few years back. There was a Tavern in St. Clair that was a regular haunt for local miners around the turn of the 20th century. The story goes that durning that time the patrons would toss coins at the large mirror behind the bar to see if they could get them on the top shelf. Successful patrons would receive a free drink and the bar tender and owner would share the take at the end of the evening. Now, the story goes that the Tavern closed down and remained closed for many years. It was eventually sold and the new owners began renovation. Upon removing the large mirror and shelving, they found a large number of coins, some dating back to the mid 1800's.
I wonder if this practice was te same through out the coal mining communities? If so, how many more old bars and taverns have hidden threasure behind the walls?