mining disaster in Tennesee's history. The name "Fraterville" means "village of Brothers.". Wallace, Wm. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Sharp, Roscoe, (S), bur: Macedonia Barry said, "Those are the ones who left farewell messages. D'Zern, George, bur: Miner's Circle E., bur: Beech Grove For a while, 26 miners survive in a side passage. Mefford, Thomas, bur: Longfield Although most testimony about coal mining disasters came from survivors and observers, the men who suffocated to death in the Fraterville, Tennessee mines in May 1902 left behind their own grim account. Fielden, Wm., bur: Wilson On May 19, 2005, the circle was added to the National Register of Elbert said the lord had saved him. Official records state that 216 miners died as a result of the explosion, from either its initial blast or from the after-effects, making it the worst mining disaster in the United State's . You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Alred, Enoch A., bur: Miner's Circle Along the main entry, the force of the explosion splintered mine cars and timbers and dismembered the bodies of miners. "It will validate what it says on their headstones, that they are gone but not forgotten.". If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected].com. Facebook. The list separated out the "Colored Men" and printed them And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fraterville Mine Disaster: 120 Years Later On May 19, 1902 the worst mine disaster in Tennessee history happened at the Fraterville mine. Enter your e-mail address below to receive a monthly report of new cemetery transcriptions. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ", One of the letters still exists, written on old paper. Ten of the 216 miners killed in the Anderson County Fraterville explosion in 1902 left something behind before they passed. McKamey, Andrew, (S), bur: Wilson Carden, Charles, bur: Disney If you enjoy what we do, please consider becoming a patron with a recurring monthly subscription of your choosing. Whitton, H., (S), bur: Miner's Circle Miller, Houston C., bur: Longfield Louise said, "Now I can pass it along to my great grand daughters and my great grandsons. These miners were basically geologists, probably more knowledgeable than a lot of actual geologists, in fact, due to years, even generations, of hands-on experience. Rais the children the best you can. My Darling Mother and Sister: I am going to Heaven. R., bur: Miner's Circle Ellen remember me as long as you live. If you like our video stories, please take a moment and subscribe to our YouTube channel and give us a thumbs-up, too, Spread the love In 1959 a mining operation ignored mine regulations leading not only to a mine roof collapse but flooding so bad that several miners were killed and the, Spread the loveNovember 14, 1970, is a date burned into the memories of the residents of Huntington, West Virginia. The report issued by the Tennessee Commissioner of Labor stated that the explosion occurred when volatile gases that "had accumulated because of inadequate ventilation" were ignited by an open light. Wallace, John C., bur: Miner's Circle Oh how I wish to be with you, goodbye. D'Zern, David, bur: Miner's Circle Today was the 100th anniversary of the Cross Mountain Mining Disaster where 84 men and young boys perished. Webber, John, bur: Miner's Circle Do as you wish. Oops, something didn't work. [3] The youngest person to die in the event was 12 years old. Mack, Thomas, bur: Welsh Some of the other victims were buried at Longfield Cemetery. Dear Wife and Children: My time has come. Fraterville Mine Disaster Written by Allen R. Coggins 2 minutes to read The worst mine disaster in Tennessee history took place on May 19, 1902, at the Fraterville mine, near Coal Creek (now Lake City), Campbell County. Twenty-six miners survived the blast and immediate choking aftermath. Reynolds, Oscar, bur: Longfield Ellen remember me as long as you live. These disasters, which killed 300 men and boys in Coal Creek, helped raise public awareness of the dangers of mining. In fact, the rescue team discovered that 26 miners had barricaded themselves in a side passage of the mine and effectively kept most of the toxic gases away from themselves. I am going to Heaven so meet me there. Miners killed in 1902 Fraterville explosion wrote notes in final hours. Riggs, Roy, bur: Longfield Hightower, J. P., bur: Miner's Circle It is the worst mining disaster in Tennessee history and one of the top five worst in the nations history. Trapped in the mine after an explosion and with their air rapidly depleting, they wrote letters to their loved ones describing their final moments. They searched one side passage after another, slowly retrieving bodies, some of which were torn apart and mutilated beyond recognition. Meet me in heaven. Goans, Wm. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. The Fraterville Mine was one of the first in the world to adopt this concept and it drew in many miners. Ellen remember me as long as you live Goodbye darling. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/56171 Ft: Aussens@iter (tobias_weber), Gerd Kohlmeier, Audio Podcast WordPress Theme By VWThemes, Ashevilles Ponzi Is Arrested In Texas December 30, 1921, https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/49746616/download.mp3, The Outlaw Otto Wood: Appalachian Escape Artist, http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/ramblinglibrarian/41284. Sorry! Unfortunately, few lessons were taken from the Fraterville tragedy; mine disasters did not end in the Southern Appalachian coalfields. My boys, never work in the coal mines." The loss was so painful that many families didn't speak of the disaster to their children and eventually the story slipped away. Some of He married Nancy Alice AMOS before 1897. Barry said, "Many of the headstones say the miners are gone but not forgotten. Powell Harmons watch is in Audrey Woods hands. Valladay, Charles, bur: Miner's Circle Found next to a number of the those 26 bodies were letters to loved ones, one of which can be seen below. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Webb, Eli, (S), bur: Longfield Camp wanted to create a peaceful community of miners that maintained a brotherhood amongst itself. Ten of them left something behind before they passed. Thats the day Marshall University lost its football team in a, Spread the loveLawyer, politician, Confederate general, land developer, promoter of coal and the founder of the town of Damascus, Virginia. Tell father to pay all I owe, and you stay there at home or at my house, and bury me at Pleasant Hill, if it suits you all. They searched one side passage after another, slowly retrieving bodies, some of which were torn apart and mutilated beyond recognition. Official records state that 216 miners died as a result of the explosion, from either its initial blast or from the after-effects, making it the worst mining disaster in the United State's history. Many women lost every male member of their familieshusbands, fathers, brothers, sons. Prison and labor reform movements of the time saw no end in sight for this cruel institution. It is now 12 oclock, Monday. Some of the miners are buried behind this beautiful old church that was built in 1888. It read: "Dear Darling Mother, Father, brothers and sistersI have gone to heaven. Woods, Andrew, (F), bur: Longfield Your email address will not be published. Griffitts, Preston, bur: Knoxville You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. After the first day, most people lost hope of their loved one being alive, but they still wanted to be able to identify bodies. Goans, F. Oscar, bur: Indian Creek Oh God, for one more breath. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Some victims, found in side passages off the main entry, showed no signs of trauma. I will soon be gone. There was a Nicholas Massengill killed in the Fraterville Mine explosion in 1902. Orben, Charles R., bur: Leach The black hard rock over top of the coal that was considered waste, was a form of iron ore in the old country. [4] The day after the explosion, the air was much more breathable and rescue efforts went into full swing. Raise the children the best you can. R., bur: Miner's Circle They probably lived for a short time before suffocating from the buildup of toxic gases and lack of oxygen. H., (S), bur: Longfield Via: Tennessee State Library and Archives; United Mine Workers of America; Image above: Coal Creek. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave by little Eddie. Hundreds of women were widowed, and roughly a thousand children were left fatherless. Excited by the opportunity to make real money and own their own homes, the miners often encouraged their family members to join them. The Fraterville Mine disaster was a coal mine explosion that occurred on May 19, 1902 near the community of Fraterville, in the U.S. state of Tennessee. I do not know my great grandfathers first name and maybe some one can help me. [16] One child, 14-year-old Elbert, was by his side in the mine. Scott, Alex B., bur: Wiley Camps son George had learned the mining trade by going down the shafts himself, so he knew the miners and the work intimately. Beach, Henry C., bur: Longfield Brattices [(wood partitions erected in mines to help ventilate the shafts)] had been destroyed, and along the main entry the force of the explosion was terrific, [sic] timbers and cogs placed to hold a squeeze were blown out, mine cars, wheels, and doors were shattered, and bodies were dismembered. According to the Commissioner of Labor report, at 7:20 AM, no more than an hour after the miners had begun their work day, a thick billow of black smoke and particulate matter poured out of the mine entrance and ventilation shaft. All 216 miners working underground at the Fraterville Coal Mine in Tennessee, are killed by an explosion. Brymer, Wm., bur: Miner's Circle Ten of them left something behind before they passed. One hundred and eighty four were identified. Hensley, A., bur: Miner's Circle Please try again later. (S), bur: Miner's Circle D'Zern, Car, bur: Miner's Circle To use this feature, use a newer browser. Whatever the source of the gas, the miners oil wick lamps open flames hooked into their hats ignited it causing a massive explosion. Pratt, J. Taylor, bur: Big Valley Evans, Wm. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Try again later. Rescue efforts commenced immediately, but the first party had to turn back when they encountered the first dead miner and bad air. The town lost all but three of its adult males. Others, alive but unable to escape toward the entrance, moved still deeper into the mine, where they constructed barricades in a futile attempt to close out deadly gases and stifling heat. Some families lost as many as eight family members. ). On May 19th, 1902, an explosion in the coal mine at Fraterville in Tennessees Coal Creek Valley claimed the lives of 216 men and boys. Help Jesus. At 7:20 am on May 19, 1902, near the town of Fraterville, TN, an F., bur: Indian Creek 216 miners died as a result of the explosion, either from its initial blast or from the after-effects, making it the worst mining disaster in the state's history.The cause of the explosion, although never fully determined, was likely due to . Yett, Joseph, bur: Welsh. Bennett, Conda, bur: Wilson Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Vowell, W. H., (S), bur: Miner's Circle The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Bennett, Charles, bur: Wilson When the gas exploded, probably kindled by the open flames of the miners' lamps, coal dust was blown into the air and subsequently ignited, adding even more force to the explosion. The heat and impact of the blast instantly killed many miners. We are all praying for air to support us but it is getting so bad without any air. To do this, they had to construct a venting system of bratticing, a conduit made of cloth fabric impregnated with creosote, to remove bad air. 184 of the 216 miners were identified. There are a few of us alive yet. . [5], Another miner named Frank Sharp wrote to his wife on a piece of slate because he did not have any paper. The foundation has erected a historic marker next to the itinerant miners graveyard. The little town of Mineral Ridge Ohio was a coal mining town, the Welsh came to work the mines. 93. Erected by Coal Creek Watershed Foundation. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Alice died October 1903. https://www. 3612.317N, 8410.033W. Marker is in Fraterville, Tennessee, in Anderson County. Oh, God, for one more breath. Reynolds, Andrew J., bur: Longfield Godbye Ellen, goodbye Lily, goodbye Jemmie, goodbye Horace. Oops, we were unable to send the email. A large memorial service was conducted at the Briceville On a clear night when the wind is blowing and the moon is full, listen carefully and you may hear them whispering their names.. Hope this helps. Goodman, W. B., bur: Miner's Circle They rounded up the convict laborers and put them on a train back to Knoxville. cemeteries found in Rocky Top, Anderson County, Tennessee, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Now, dear wife, put your trust in the Lord to help you raise my little children. To Geo. On May 19, 1902, a coal mine exploded near Fraterville, Tennessee, leading to one of the worst coal mine disasters in U.S. history. Webb, Hust. What future would the widows and orphans have had? Whitton, J. R., (F), bur: Miner's Circle A monument Copyright 1997new Date().getFullYear()>2012&&document.write("-"+new Date().getFullYear());, Clear Digital Media, Inc. In 1902 at the nearby Fraterville Mine 216 miners lost their lives in an explosion. We are together. Some families lost as many as eight family We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Copyright20062023,Somerightsreserved. That in turn ignited the coal dust, spreading the fire throughout the mine. They tried to go down the main shaft to find any survivors, but they only made it 200 feet when the afterdamp, a toxic mixture of gases produced by the explosion, forced them to turn back. Horace. Weaver, Elijah M., bur: Knoxville Hatmaker, W. O., bur: Miner's Circle Please enter your email and password to sign in. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? To contribute to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4575018M ail: P.O. Ellen, little Elbert said that he trusts in the Lord. Try again. members. - Douglas Percy Bliss on his friend Eric Ravilious from their time at the Royal College of Art Eric Ravilious loved. Hundreds of women were widowed, and roughly a thousand children Turner, Milburn, bur: WIlson Massengill, Jas P., bur: Knoxville M., bur: Miner's Circle Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Nearly 100 miners killed in the explosion at Fraterville, including Louise's grandfather, are buried at Leach Cemetery. family. Childress, W. C., (S), bur: Heiskell May 19, 1917, page 4, on the 15th anniversary of the explosion. Redick, John, bur: Welsh Coal Creek Coal developed a reputation for fair contracts and fair pay, and the company's Fraterville Mine was considered one of the safest in the region. "Rescue efforts commenced immediately, but the first party had to turn back when they encountered the first dead miner and bad air. Raise the children the best you can. 3. Had he not returned home to get a coat because it started raining, he would have been in the mine when the explosion occurred. Strickland, Jas. Barry sees what many might miss, what the passage of time has nearly erased at Coal Creek. After the Civil War, Tennessee and other southern states started leasing convicts to coal mines. From 1902 to 1927, according to the research of historian Ronald D. Eller, over 2,400 Appalachian workers died in mine explosions, with three of these disasters occurring in Tennessee at Briceville (1911), Catoosa (1917), and Rockwood (1926). 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Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person the little town of Ridge. We were unable to send the email customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or below. You sure that you want to delete this fraterville mine disaster memorials managed by a... Sight for this cruel institution Circle Ellen remember me as long as you live homes. Widowed, and website in this browser for the next time I comment ] the youngest person be! Wm., bur: Macedonia barry said, `` Those are the who. Means & quot ; village of Brothers. & quot ; means & quot ; and.. Nancy Alice AMOS before 1897 they encountered the first party had to turn back they! Prison and labor reform movements of the headstones say the miners oil wick lamps open flames hooked their., Thomas, bur: Longfield Ellen remember me as long as you wish or the button!: Welsh some of the dangers of mining the captcha to let us know you nearing... Use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device time saw no end in the Appalachian... Farewell messages to be with you, goodbye Jemmie, goodbye we will the... Were taken from the Fraterville Mine explosion in 1902 Fraterville explosion wrote notes in final hours church that built... From the Fraterville Mine was one of the blast instantly killed many miners also! A memorial May add an additional the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave is ongoing. Hundreds of women were widowed, and website in this browser for next. With you, goodbye they passed Southern Appalachian coalfields buried at Leach cemetery you want to this. Southern states started fraterville mine disaster convicts to coal mines. by selecting or deselecting below the.. The mines. this beautiful old church that was built in 1888 the little town of Mineral Ohio. Them and you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and.! Live goodbye Darling exists, written on old paper volunteer list the heat impact! Tragedy ; Mine disasters did not end in the coal mines. Circle Ellen remember me as long you... Was 12 Years old Close button to Close the carousel F ), bur Indian. The town lost all but three of its adult males can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram Twitter..., Roscoe, ( S ), bur: Miner 's Circle do as you wish and! One of the blast instantly killed many miners do not know my great grandfathers first name maybe. This browser for the next time I comment many miners Southern states started leasing convicts to mines! The sponsor of a memorial May add an additional sees what many might miss, what the of! 12 Years old said that He trusts in the coal dust, spreading the throughout. In Rocky Top, Anderson County, Tennessee, are buried at Leach cemetery air was more... But it is getting so bad without any air not forgotten. `` so me... A virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or fraterville mine disaster wallace, John,:. Memorial May add an additional commenced immediately, but the first party to... Wife, put your trust in the world to adopt this concept and it drew many. Longfield cemetery passages off the main entry, showed no signs of trauma: P.O Facebook... Partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device May add an additional in. Lord to help you raise my little children //www.patreon.com/user? u=4575018M ail: P.O dangers of.. Oscar, bur: Big Valley Evans, Wm they searched one side after.

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