Coal region author Maxim W. Furek conducted a book signing on Sunday in conjunction with the No. 9 Coal Mine's Miners Heritage Festival in Lansford.

Furek discussed his latest work, "Sheppton: The Myth, Miracle & Music," during a special appearance.The book investigates themes of the miraculous and supernatural that occurred during the 1963 Sheppton mining disaster that claimed one life."I believe a miracle happened," Furek said.The book describes how the rescued miners said that Pope John XXIII, who was canonized in 2014, saved their lives. Numerous Vatican researchers and scholars have cited Sheppton as one of the pope's miracles.The book also explores the Sheppton rescue technology later used to save 33 miners in a Chilean copper mine. That saga was documented in the 2015 film "The 33."Furek said that Sheppton remains Pennsylvania's forbidden urban legend and the coal region's last remaining mystery.