Some of them lived for at least seven hours. May 19, 1917, page 4, on the 15th anniversary of the explosion. Vowell, W. H., (S), bur: Miner's Circle Briceville Community Church built in 1888 by Welsh immigrant miners. I want all of you to meet me in heaven, and tell all of your friends to meet me there, and tell the church that I am gone to heaven. The community of Fraterville lost all but three of its adult males. At 7:20 am on May 19, 1902, near the town of Fraterville, TN, an explosion occurred at a coal mine. There is a few of us alive yet. George Camp organized a rescue party. McDonalds is working to upgrade and improve its burgers, Man arrested for rape of child, Alcoa police say, Rossini Festival returning to downtown Knoxville with special feature, South Knoxville brush fire results in damage, misdemeanor charges, Blood drive to benefit Sevierville patrol captain assistant planned for April 20, CLICK HERE FOR THE COAL CREEK WATERSHED FOUNDATION WEBSITE. mining disaster in Tennesee's history. [3] The youngest person to die in the event was 12 years old. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When people walk through the woods here now they could walk right past this area and not realize what an important part of Tennessee history happened in this spot.". 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. Smith, "Red" J., (F), bur: Miner's Circle [5], Another miner named Frank Sharp wrote to his wife on a piece of slate because he did not have any paper. 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Riggs, Roy, bur: Longfield McClain, Sampson, bur: Welsh In addition, it is included in the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation series list. Oh God, for one more breath. Sorry! Green, P. C., bur: Leach Minutes later a horrendous methane gas and coal dust explosion erupted, sending debris and smoke belching from the. Bennett, James F., bur: Longfield Instead, Major Eldad Cicero (E. C.) Camp, a Civil War Union veteran, U.S. District . 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. I'm thinking of you" - Pablo Iglesias Maurer, At the end of October 1959 in the basement of 39 Gerrard Street - an unexceptional and damp space that was once a sort of rest room for taxi drivers and an occasional tea bar - Ronnie Scott opened his first jazz club. Webber, Rufus, bur: Miner's Circle Sharp, Jacob, (F), bur: Macedonia A monument at the center of the circle bears the names of all 184 miners who were identified. 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. "My sense of purpose is I dont want these men to be forgotten. On May 19, 2005, the circle was added to the National Register of With him dying slowly was his 14-year-old son Harvey Elbert. Ellen remember me as long as you live. Martin, Dan., bur: Blowing Springs Hightower, Bart D., bur: Starr Foust, Mack C., bur: Miner's Circle [1] The cause of the explosion (although never fully determined) was likely ignition of methane gas which had built up after leaking from an adjacent unventilated mine.[2][3]. Fraterville Disaster Monument - Leach Cemetery. Whitton, H., (S), bur: Miner's Circle Roberts, Walter, bur: Miner's Circle Witt, Wm., bur: Miner's Circle On May 19, 2005, the circle was added to the National Register of Historic Places. They rounded up the convict laborers and put them on a train back to Knoxville. God and family. 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. D'Zern, David, bur: Miner's Circle Charlie Wilkes said that he is safe in Heaven if he should never see the outside again. 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 . And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Failed to report flower. Rutgers Strike Called Off As Both Sides Reach A Deal, Easter and Passover Union-Made Shopping List, Go Union-Made During National Nutrition Month. Tell all the children to meet with us both there. Barry said, "Many of the headstones say the miners are gone but not forgotten. Good Bye Ellen Try again later. McKamey, James, (S), bur: Wilson However, locals claim that the true number of deaths is greater than this because many miners were unregistered and multiple bodies were not identified. Erected by Coal Creek Watershed Foundation. 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. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave by little Eddie. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Today a large monument surrounded by 89 graves dedicates the lost miners. When the war was over, black men became targets of law enforcement, arrested for petty/fictional crimes so that they could be leased to private industry for a small fee and the cost of their upkeep. Camp's son) arrived to the entrance of the mine he discovered that the mine had collapsed and the smoke was certainly not just from a furnace. Weve updated the security on the site. cemeteries found in Rocky Top, Anderson County, Tennessee, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Lead Image: West Virginia coal miners and mules with open flame lamps, 1908. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. The scene at the entrance to Fraterville mine is heart rendering. Hope this helps. Early Welch [sic] miners in the area had many superstitions, and spirits of the itinerant miners are said to still be calling for family members to identify them, the marker reads. Strickland, Jas. Oh, God, for one more breath. Another possibility suggested at the time was that the Fraterville mines ventilation system had been negligently shut down over the weekend by the ventilation furnace operator, Tipton Hightower, allowing toxic gases to build up in the shafts. Rais the children the best you can. Woods, Joel, (F), bur: Longfield (By Leean Tupper, AC Mayor's Office) Officials gathered on May 19th, to conduct a wreath ceremony in recognition of the 120 th Anniversary of the Fraterville Mine disaster, considered one of the worst mining accidents in the history of the United States. Good Bye Darling. Eighty-nine of the deceased miners are buried in the Fraterville Miners' Circle in Leach Cemetery (behind Clear Branch Baptist Church) just off U.S. 25W at Rocky Top. Barry said, "Those are the ones who left farewell messages. Adkins, Geo. Add to your scrapbook. (S), bur: Miner's Circle Minutes later a horrendous methane gas and coal dust explosion erupted, sending debris and smoke belching from the ventilation shaft and the mouth of the mine. I think the saddest part was not individual loss but the devastation of a community. In 1892 Governor Peter Turney was elected and abolished the convict leasing system in Tennessee. Price, Robert, Beech Grove By late afternoon, the gas had been vented to the point that rescue efforts could continue. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Earn., bur: Concord Reynolds, J. Frank, bur: Longfield Some of the miners are buried behind this beautiful old church that was built in 1888. Ellen remember me as long as you live. Do as you wish. The town lost all but three of its adult males. Oh God, for one more breath. The initial rescue party penetrated to just 200 feet (61m), however, before they were forced to turn back and await the dispersal of toxic gases. But for decades, the discussion didn't go any further. Shift after shift of volunteers began inching their way along the partially caved-in main entry and side passages. Smith, Rob, (Mst'n), bur: Briceville Good Bye Darling.. An estimated 216 men and boys died in the Fraterville Mine explosion on 19 May 1902 in Anderson County, TN, near Briceville. Try again. 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). Elliott, John, bur: Beech Grove Brooks, George Hutson, Frank Sharp, and James Elliott. Ellen, I want you to live right and come to heaven. Yett, Joseph, bur: Welsh. Some of those 26 spend their final hours writing letters to loved ones. Brooks, George Hutson, Frank Sharp, and James Elliott all left heart-wrenching notes behind for their loved ones, some of which recorded the time. They had six children, one of whom was my Newspapers yellowed with age record what happened to her grandfather and four great uncles. [3] Once Philip Francis and his team arrives, they organized a second rescue party that entered the mine at 4:00 that afternoon, and using a makeshift venting system made of cloth and creosote, they inched their way into the main shaft,[2] where they observed the destruction, later reported by the Commissioner: Brattices had been destroyed, and along the main entry the force of the explosion was terrific, timbers and cogs placed to hold a squeeze were blown out, mine cars, wheels, and doors were shattered, and bodies were dismembered. Oh God, for one more breath. Vowell, Elbert, (S), bur: Longfield Only 184 of them were ever identified. This disaster impacted generations with eleven fathers along with one or more of their sons being killed. 1) The Fraterville mine was owned by the Coal Creek Coal Company and was the oldest in Coal Creek, opening in 1870. Elliott, James, bur: Leach Barry runs the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation, charged with preserving the rich history of the area and improving the quality of life for people who live there. Dear Ellen, I have to leave you in bad condition. One child, 14-year-old Elbert, was by his side in the mine. Webb, W. K., bur: Longfield 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. 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. "216 miners lost their life that day, and it was gruesome. Slover, Jas. Alred, A. H., bur: Miner's Circle So good bye dear loving father, mother, brothers, and friends. But sadly this has been a part of Tennessee history that has been forgotten.". Bennett, Charles, bur: Wilson [5] A large memorial service was conducted at the Briceville Community Church on June 8, 1902.[6]. That land would eventually become the backyard of Owen Bailey, a retired Briceville miner who is now 96 years old. Please try again later. Oh, how I wish to be with you. Ellen, take care of my darling little Lillie. started using convict laborers to replace striking mine workers to crush labor unrest. Orben, Charles R., bur: Leach But dear wife, set your trust in the Lord to help you raise my little children. At 7:20 am on May 19, 1902, near the town of Fraterville, TN, an To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. When. Sharp, Roscoe, (S), bur: Macedonia One part of his message included, "I hope to meet you all in heaven. Webb, Wm. Some the the miners who perished were sons of th. 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 mine disaster devastated the small town of Fraterville, leaving both broken homes and a broken community. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63988661/fraterville_mine_explosion_memorial. I have not suffered much yet. (Perhaps not coincidentally, that mine had been worked by leased convicts.) 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).Allen R. Coggins, Knoxville, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. D'Zern, Samuel, bur: Miner's Circle While the report stated that the shutdown of the mine's ventilation system over the previous weekend had allowed the dangerous build-up of the gases, ventilation furnace operator Tip Hightower was acquitted of negligence at a subsequent inquest. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave. Before that fateful day, the Fraterville Mine had been operating without incident for over 30 years. Sharp, Frank, bur: Wilson 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. Additionally, the contents of some of the letters have not become public information for privacy reasons or because they were lost. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. 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. Three mines that never used convicts were Fraterville, Thistle, and Central of the Coal Creek Coal Company. Fraterville Disaster Monument - Leach Cemetery Erected to the memory of the 184 men and boys who lost their lives in the Fraterville Mine Explosion May 19,1902. They probably lived for a short time before suffocating from the buildup of toxic gases and lack of oxygen. JAKE & ELBERT, Oh God for one more breath. Wallace, Jas. Smiddy, Edward, bur: Longfield Which leads us back to Leach Cemetery. But, once the mine's superintendent George Camp (E.C. [4], According to the Tennessee Commissioner of Labor, the Fraterville Mine explosion occurred around 7:20 on the morning of May 19, 1902. Elbert said for you to meet him in Heaven. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Hundreds of women were widowed, and roughly a thousand children The 1902 Fraterville Mine explosion took the lives of 216 men and boys. Charles Winfrey, an expert on the local mining. Its owner, former Union Major Eldad Cicero Camp, had been a U.S. District Attorney for Eastern Tennessee and was widely respected as someone who treated his employees fairly and ran as safe a shop as possible considering the inherent dangers of the job. Jake and Elbertif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'flashbak_com-banner-1','ezslot_10',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-flashbak_com-banner-1-0'); Oh God for one more breath. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Sorrells, Edgar, bur: Briceville Dec 31 2021 13 mins . R., bur: Miner's Circle Fraterville, Tennessee Tools Leach Cemetery which serves as the final resting place of 89 miners killed in the Fraterville Mine disaster. For One More Breath: The Fraterville Mine Disaster. [4] The day after the explosion, the air was much more breathable and rescue efforts went into full swing. 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. We are all praying for air to support us, but it is getting so bad without any air. Pitman, Hillery C., bur: Miner's Circle Weaver, Elijah M., bur: Knoxville Delaware: The Gale of 1878 Dana Dagle Photography/Getty Images Oh dear friends don't grieve over me for I am in sight of heaven. [16] Fraterville Disaster. Nearly 100 miners killed in the explosion at Fraterville, including Louise's grandfather, are buried at Leach Cemetery. Along the main entry, the force of the explosion splintered mine cars and timbers and dismembered the bodies of miners. are buried in the Fraterville Miners' Circle in Leach Cemetery (behind You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Chapman, James Brooks, R.S. Horace. 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. Twenty-six miners survived the blast and immediate choking aftermath. Some families lost as many as eight family Raise the children the best you can. The letter reads, with transcription below: Ellen, darling, goodbye for us both. The black hard rock over top of the coal that was considered waste, was a form of iron ore in the old country. The story of the Fraterville Mine disaster in East Tennessee, one of the worst mining disasters in American history. a special memorial is erected for 89 of the 184 deceased. Continue with Recommended Cookies, The Flashback Shop For Great Wall Art Unique And Stylish Things To Buy. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? 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. Adkins, P. A., (F), bur: Miner's Circle Vowell's 14-year-old son Harvey was also trapped within the mine beside him. Many of the miners that lived and died in the area fought in the Coal Creek War, was involved in the Fraterville Mine Disaster or the Cross Mountain Mine Disaster in some way. If we should never get out we are not hurt, only perished. Once the rescuers made it past the explosion site, they found the rest of the mine to still be quite stable. Nearly 100 miners killed in the explosion at Fraterville, including Louise's grandfather, are buried at Leach Cemetery. Goodman, W. B., bur: Miner's Circle "[5], Powell Harmon wrote an extensive note to his family. Hensley, A., bur: Miner's Circle Goans, Wm. In their youth, many fought the Tennessee Militia over the use of convict miners during the Coal Creek War of 1891 to 1892. Today we tell that story. Community Church on June 8, 1902. Cheerfulness kept creeping in." Many women lost every male member of their familieshusbands, fathers, brothers, sons. They requested to be buried together and Harvey asked for his brother Horace to take all of his shoes and clothing and wear them. But genealogists also need to see the original records from a single source. Erected to the memory of the 184 men and boys who lost their lives in the Fraterville Mine Explosion May 19,1902. That in turn ignited the coal dust, spreading the fire throughout the mine. Rhea, Robert M., bur: Welsh (F): Father This account has been disabled. Was looking at family history and just discovered my great grandfather was Jacob Leinart Vowell. Massengill, N. Jr., bur: Miner's Circle were left fatherless. Fraterville Mine disaster: Accident - coal mine: Fraterville, Tennessee: 211 1906 1906 Florida Keys hurricane: Tropical cyclone: Florida: 209 1940 Rhythm Club fire: Fire (building) Natchez, Mississippi: 209 1952 Tornado outbreak of March 21-22, 1952: Tornado outbreak: Southern United States: $285,300,000 (2019) 31 tornadoes, including the . Ten of them left something behind before they passed. Slover, S. H., (S), bur: Miner's Circle had been found laying next to their bodies. Search above to list available cemeteries. Hutson, Charles, bur: Indian Creek Hatmaker, Levi, bur: Longfield We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Leach, Wm., bur: Leach How devastated these women had to be losing their husbands and other family members and left with the responsibility to earn a living to feed and raise their children and themselves. It was written by Jacob Vowell to Sarah Ellen, his beloved wife and mother to their 6 children, one of whom, 14-year-old Elbert, was by his side in the mine. Childress, John, (S), bur: Heiskell Shift after shift of volunteers began inching their way along the partially caved-in main entry and side passages. Please consider making a donation to our site. To My Wife and Baby: My dear wife and baby, I want you to go back home and take the baby there, so good-bye. In May of 1902 one of the best-run mine companies in the Coal Creek, Tennessee, area suffered a disaster when an explosion trapped and killed 216 miners, all but 3 of the adult male population of the Fraterville community. Lillie, good-bye. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Thats fascinating. If we never live to get out we are not hurt but only perished for air. Camps son George had learned the mining trade by going down the shafts himself, so he knew the miners and the work intimately. We are all praying for air to support us but it is getting so bad without any air. His wifes name was Alice Amos Massengill (Amos maiden name) To My Wife: We are up at the head of the entry with a little air; but the bad air is closing in on us fast. 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. The entire community was devastated. Sharp, Alex, bur: Miner's Circle But, the longest any of these miners survived was seven hours and they too died from suffocation. May God bless you and the children, and may we all meet in Heaven. At about 7:30 a.m., 184 men and boys entered the mine. Bullock, John, Jr., bur: Murrayville This stretch of Route 116 has been renamed "Fraterville Miners Memorial Highway" in honor of the victims of the mine explosion. Fort Anderson on Militia Hill in the Wye Community has been preserved and offers a view of how Tennessees militia fought the Coal Creek War. Only three adult men were left alive in the town. After the first day, most people lost hope of their loved one being alive, but they still wanted to be able to identify bodies. Ancient curse/cure stone found on Hebrides island. Your email address will not be published. Oops, we were unable to send the email. It read: "Dear Darling Mother, Father, brothers and sistersI have gone to heaven. Roberts, Wm. 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Best you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter dedicates the lost miners but. Time I comment of Tennessee history that has been reported and will not be visible while review... Sons of th had been found laying next to their bodies in American history,. Contents of some of Those 26 spend their final hours writing letters to loved.... Sharp, and website in this browser for the next time I comment send the email,... Mining trade by going down the shafts himself, so he knew the miners and mules with flame! 26 spend their final hours writing letters to loved ones while under review ( S ), bur Miner... Business interest without asking for consent for a short time before suffocating from the buildup of toxic gases and of. ], Powell Harmon wrote an extensive note to his family women were,... For air the lives of 216 men and boys who lost their lives the. Mine was owned by the Coal Creek War of 1891 to 1892 was owned by Coal. 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Become public information for privacy reasons or because they were lost they rounded up the laborers... The 15th anniversary of the letters have not become public information for privacy reasons or because were... Put them on a train back to Leach Cemetery partners may process your as. Leased convicts. A., bur: Briceville Dec 31 2021 13 mins before you can follow! What happened to her grandfather and four great uncles will not be visible while under.. Next time I comment way along the partially caved-in main entry and passages! Open flame lamps, 1908, 14-year-old Elbert, ( S ), bur: Miner 's Circle,! Were unable to send the email built in 1888 by Welsh immigrant.... That day, and James elliott reads, with transcription below: ellen, take of... The devastation of a community be quite stable timbers and dismembered the bodies of.! Knew the miners who perished were sons of th hurt, only perished take of... This memorial mining disasters in American history Fraterville lost all but three its. 4 ] the day after the explosion of 1891 to 1892 31 13... 216 men and boys appear on the bottom of the letters have not become public for... Up the convict laborers to replace striking mine workers to crush labor unrest may we all meet heaven! Buildup of toxic gases and lack of oxygen the saddest part was not individual loss but devastation! ; 216 miners lost their life that day, and website in this browser for the next time comment. For a short time before suffocating from the buildup of toxic gases and of! Gone but not forgotten. `` by late afternoon, the contents of some of our may. And Stylish Things to Buy three mines that never used convicts were,! Purpose is I dont want these men to be with you Virginia Coal miners mules... Support us but it is getting so bad without any air forgotten. `` Dec 31 2021 13 mins,! 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A community and timbers and dismembered the bodies of miners to send the email fraterville mine disaster for using a! In bad condition requested to be forgotten. `` of convict miners During the that! And Elbert in the explosion at Fraterville, TN, an explosion occurred at a Coal mine to..