Descendants of Slaves Hold Out Against Coal Mining

DIRGIN (AP) — A Texas family descended from slaves is fighting to keep a mining company from taking over land once owned by their ancestors. For three years, Luminant Mining Co. has tried to purchase the 9-acre plot in Dirgin, in Rusk County. The company already owns more than 75% of the parcel but can’t mine it because of a complex inheritance arrangement and the refusal of some family members. Ida Finley, who is nearly 102, could lose the land worked by her husband and his parents, who were slaves. Luminant says it has offered more than the land’s appraised value, plus compensation to Finley and her granddaughter for their homes. Now the company has sued some of the heirs and asked a court to divide the land or force a settlement.