Left that Hell Hole in the late 60’s, when I was old enough to stick my thumb out and hitch hike out of there. Still have some family there. My mother passed away earlier this year and trying to sell her estate for what it is worth is trying.The only higher paying blue collar jobs is either what is left of the coal mines or one of the prisons in Chester or the Fed in Marion.
I understand. My dad is from West Frankfort and throughout my life that area has done little but deteriorate. Those mines killed three men in my family. Most of my remaining connection to Southern Illinois now resides in various graveyards. However, I do have a bit of living family scattered around there and it makes me sad each time I visit.