Oh how I wish to be with you, goodbye. Scott, Alex B., bur: Wiley
Bullock, John, Jr., bur: Murrayville
All of the recovered bodies were laid out next to the railroad for the families to claim. They wrote these letters. Your boy and brother. For more than 150 years, East Tennesseans have experienced disasters of historic proportions. 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. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. All Rights Reserved - Powered by Senders Communication Group, the Fraterville Mine Disaster in Tennessee, Amazon-owned Whole Foods cuts workers break time by a third, Kroger, With 11 Million Customers Daily, Says No To Vaccine Requirement For Workers, Report: U.S. Companies Pay So Little That Millions Of Full-Time Workers Rely On Public Assistance, New Trump Administration Rule Will Likely Lower Farm Worker Wages, Labor Unions Sue OSHA For Failing To Create Standard To Protect Workers From Infectious Disease, Mars Wrigley Fires Workers Who Demanded Job Safety And Hazard Pay During Pandemic, Court Rules That Uber And Lyft Must Classify Drivers As Employees, Teamster Driver Fired for Refusing to Allow Passenger with No Mask onto Bus, AFL-CIO Launches New Website: Am I Safe At Work?, NLRB Rules That Employers Cannot Prohibit Workers From Talking Badly About Them, Republican sheriff orders employees not to wear masks, says I can already hear the whining, DoorDash Gives Workers 78 Cents Per Day In Hazard Pay, Hollywood Writers To Vote On Strike Authorization. Marker is at the intersection of Briceville Highway (Tennessee Route 116) and, Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History, Fraterville in Anderson County, Tennessee , Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017. D'Zern, George, bur: Miner's Circle
Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. 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. Some families lost as many as eight family members. 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. After the first day, most people lost hope of their loved one being alive, but they still wanted to be able to identify bodies. Those miners knew within in the next hour they were going to perish so they wrote what was dear to their heart. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Fraterville Disaster Monument - Leach Cemetery. [5], Safely performing rescue missions proved to be difficult because, prior to the explosion, coal surrounding support beams within the mine's shafts had been removed and the explosion caused many of these shafts to be extremely unstable. This stretch of Route 116 has been renamed "Fraterville Miners Memorial Highway" in honor of the victims of the mine explosion. Some of the other victims were buried at Longfield Cemetery. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Sorrells, Edgar, bur: Briceville
Learn more about managing a memorial . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Brantly, Roscoe, bur: Miner's Circle
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. The name "Fraterville" means "village of Brothers.". Lillie, good-bye. Brooks, George Hutson, Frank Sharp, and James Elliott. But sadly this has been a part of Tennessee history that has been forgotten.". Oops, we were unable to send the email. The 1902 Fraterville Mine explosion took the lives of 216 men and boys. Elbert said for you all to meet him in heaven, All the children meet with us both. I want you to meet me in heaven. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Horace. Erected by Coal Creek Watershed Foundation. Kindman, James, bur: Welsh
Vowell, Elbert, (S), bur: Longfield
The Fraterville Mine Disaster. Briceville Community Church built in 1888 by Welsh immigrant miners. Now, dear wife, put your trust in the Lord to help you raise my little children. Killed - 184 Miners' Testimony (3.0 Mb) List of the Deceased Boston Evening Transcript News Article Note: According to the CDC/NIOSH disaster list , the official number of deaths from the Fraterville disaster was 184. Most of these messages were created on paper or pieces of slate, but a few were written directly on the mine's walls. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). There was an investigation, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus had to pay millions of dollars in compensation. In 1892 Governor Peter Turney was elected and abolished the convict leasing system in Tennessee. 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. R., bur: Miner's Circle
Clear Branch Baptist Church) just off U.S. 25W at Rocky Top. Lead Image: West Virginia coal miners and mules with open flame lamps, 1908. 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. 3) A former Civil War Union officer, he was opposed to convict leasing and hired qualified free miners . The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Sorry! The mine and its namesake community were situated near the heart of the Coal Creek Valley, a narrow north-south oriented valley slicing between Walden Ridge to the east and Vowell Mountain to the west. My Darling Mother and Sister: I am going to Heaven. 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. Good Bye Darling. Other miners who lost their lives in the Fraterville disaster are buried in Longfield Cemetery on U.S. Route 441 just east of Rocky Top. H., (S), bur: Longfield
[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. There is a few of us alive yet. Some victims, found in side passages off the main entry, showed no signs of trauma. Good Bye Darling. At the Leach Cemetery in Anderson County, 87 of the Fraterville miners were buried in a circle around a large monument in their honor.The precise cause of the explosion was never determined, or never disclosed. Brooks, George Hutson, Frank Sharp, and James Elliott all left heart-wrenching notes behind for their loved ones, some of which recorded the time. TheFraterville Mine disaster remains the worst of its kind in Tennessees history.. Whitton, H., (S), bur: Miner's Circle
Riggs, Roy, bur: Longfield
Via: Tennessee State Library and Archives; United Mine Workers of America; Image above: Coal Creek. Wallace, W. G., bur: Concord
Fraterville Miner's Circle - Leach Cemetery, 4. "Rescue efforts commenced immediately, but the first party had to turn back when they encountered the first dead miner and bad air. Davids Bridal Laying Off Over 80% Of Its Workers. Do the best you can with the children. Wallace, John C., bur: Miner's Circle
M., (F), bur: Longfield
You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Good bye Minnie Whatever the source of the gas, the miners oil wick lamps open flames hooked into their hats ignited it causing a massive explosion. They had 6 children: Charley C., born 1887; William F., born July 1891; Nancy Ethel, born July 1893; Maudia May, born July 1895; Malinda Sadie Linda/Lennie, born 3 March 1897, and Harvey Lee, born 1901, all in TN. Vowell, Jacob L., (F), bur: Longfield
A couple of these letters were not discovered for some time, as the miners had placed the papers inside their pockets and the messages were not found until their pockets were checked. Macklin, J. Clay, bur: Miner's Circle
He is buried in the Leach Cemetery at the Clear Branch Baptist Church in Lake City, now Roky Top, TN. Eighty-nine of the miners were buried in the Fraterville Miners Circle in Leach Cemetery. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. members. [4] Thus, some of the shafts collapsed and rescuers had to dig through them and others were too dangerous to travel through. How very, very sad. Additionally, the contents of some of the letters have not become public information for privacy reasons or because they were lost. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. How did the widows of the miners raise their children after the Fraterville mine explosion with no industry in the area for women to work and no such thing as Social Security Widows and childrens benefits? Massengill, N. Jr., bur: Miner's Circle
So good bye everybody. It is the worst mining disaster in Tennessee history and one of the top five worst in the nation's history. We know this because Jacob Vowell, Powell Harmon, John Hendren, Harry Beech, Scott Chapman, James Brooks, R.S. McKamey, Andrew, (S), bur: Wilson
It was the worst
Unfortunately, few lessons were taken from the Fraterville tragedy; mine disasters did not end in the Southern Appalachian coalfields. Hatmaker, Levi, bur: Longfield
methane gas, resulting from poor ventilation. There is a problem with your email/password. Wilson, R. C., bur: Wilson
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. 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. Facebook. [3] The last body was removed from the mine four days after the explosion.[2]. There was an error deleting this problem. There is a few of us alive yet. Some of
R., bur: Miner's Circle
McKamey, William, (S), 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 mine disaster devastated the small town of Fraterville, leaving both broken homes and a broken community. We are together. Barry said, "Sadly this has been a part of Tennessee history that has been forgotten.". Oh God for one more breath. Functionality and information are in compliance with guidelines established by the American Association for State and Local History for online state and regional encyclopedias. I always think of the Edwardian era as a period of modernity, technological progress and peace. He was the son of David Samuel Dave MASSENGILL and Marintha Malinda WALLACE. Shift after shift of volunteers began inching their way along the partially caved-in main entry and side passages. It was the worst mining disaster in Tennesee's history. disaster are buried in nearby cemeteries. Davidson, Jas., bur: Welsh
Brooks, Jas. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Hutson, George S., bur: Indian Creek
May 19th, 1902. 26 miners had survived the blast by barricading themselves in a
Stansberry, David H., bur: Longfield
A temporary morgue was established at the Farmers Supply Company in Coal Creek. Nearly 100 miners killed in the explosion at Fraterville, including Louise's grandfather, are buried at Leach Cemetery. They searched one side passage after another, slowly retrieving bodies, some of which were torn apart and mutilated beyond recognition. 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. Adkins, P. A., (F), bur: Miner's Circle
One hundred and eighty four were identified. On Friday morning, archaeologists from the University of Tennessee, accompanied by students from Briceville Elementary, used ground-penetrating radar to confirm his story. Continue with Recommended Cookies, The Flashback Shop For Great Wall Art Unique And Stylish Things To Buy. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. He married Nancy Alice AMOS before 1897. Murray, Wm., bur: Miner's Circle
The system helped generate income for Tennessee, and offered cheap labor to various industries. The Fraterville Mine exploded on May 19, 1902, killing all 216 miners. Oops, something didn't work. Ellen, darling Good Bye for us both. Elbert said the Lord had saved him. 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. Leinart, Jas. Vowell, B., (F), bur: Miner's Circle
216 miners were killed due to the Tags: Appalachia, coal mining, industry. On May 19, 1902, 216 miners lost their lives in the explosion. Along the main entry, the force of the explosion splintered mine cars and timbers and dismembered the bodies of miners. Smith, Forrest, (S), bur: Miner's Circle
Roberts, Wm. Ellen, I want you to live right and come to Heaven. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Chapman, James Brooks, R.S. One child, 14-year-old Elbert, was by his side in the mine. Oh God, for one more breath. The little town of Mineral Ridge Ohio was a coal mining town, the Welsh came to work the mines. I do not know my great grandfathers first name and maybe some one can help me. Tony Thomas and Judy Carson perform the song (written by John Rice Irwin) about he 1902 mining disaster at todays memorial at the old United Methodist Church in Briceville, Tennessee where the miners lived and worked. The Fraterville Mine was one of the first in the world to adopt this concept and it drew in many miners. Louise read from the old article, "This is a whole list of all the miners that were killed on this list right here. Leach, Jas. Yett, Joseph, bur: Welsh. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Jacob L. Vowell, husband of Sarah Ellen and father of seven children (one of whom, Eddie, had died in early childhood), penciled several notes as time passed. We are all praying for air to support us, but it is getting so bad without any air. These men reportedly saw black smoke rising from the Fraterville Mine and initially thought that it was coming from a ventilation furnace. Elliott, James, bur: Leach
These disasters, which killed 300 men and boys in Coal Creek, helped raise public awareness of the dangers of mining. Dabney, A. T., bur: Longfield
The last body was carried from the mine four days after the ordeal began. At Briceville Elementary School, children file into the library to learn about Anderson County's coal mining history. It is 25 minutes after two, noted one miner. At a later point in time, Francis stated that he remembered arriving to the mine and seeing a great deal of confusion as families of the miners began gathering outside the mine in panic and sadness and unorganized rescue operations were taking place. Adkins, Chas. Reynolds, Oscar, bur: Longfield
Brymer, Wm., bur: Miner's Circle
The mine disaster devastated the small town of Fraterville, leaving both broken homes and a broken community. E., bur: Miner's Circle
It is now 2:30 oclock. There was a Nicholas Massengill, Jr killed in the 1902 Fraterville Mine explosion. One-thousand women and children are assembled there.". Additionally, Camp allowed his miners to use their wages on anything that they wanted, unlike other mine owners that forced miners to live in their rental housing or severely limited their lives through unfair scrip payments. Pratt, J. Taylor, bur: Big Valley
Please try again later. There was a problem getting your location. Please consider making a donation to our site. cemeteries found in Rocky Top, Anderson County, Tennessee, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. They probably lived for a short time before suffocating from the buildup of toxic gases and lack of oxygen. Along with Hightower, superintendent George Camp was also charged with negligence, but was acquitted after several hours of tearful testimony. They noticed that the rock was layered similar to how it was back home. Ellen, take care of my darling little Lillie. What future would the widows and orphans have had? Price, Robert, Beech Grove
On May 19, 1902, a coal mine exploded near Fraterville, Tennessee, leading to one of the worst coal mine disasters in U.S. history. The scene at the entrance to Fraterville mine is heart rendering. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. This browser does not support getting your location. [5], George Hutson wrote to his wife, "If I don't see you no more bury me in the clothing I have. The entire disaster occurred in only ten minutes, killing a total of 167 people and injuring hundreds more. (George Camp vouched for his diligence and Hightower was later tried and acquitted of this charge.). Howard, Elbert said for you to wear his shoes and clothing. Smiddy, Joseph, bur: Longfield
Only three adult male residents remained in Fraterville after the explosion. Note: "Miner's Circle" refers to Leach Cemetery, where
Adkins, Conda, bur: Longfield
19 May 1902: 216 miners were killed in the Fraterville Mine disaster in Fraterville, Tennessee 25 January 1904: 179 miners and two aid workers were killed in the Harwick mine disaster, Harwick, Pennsylvania 28 April 1904: 63 people were killed in Villanueva del Ro, Sevilla; it was the worst mining accident recorded in Spain. Even when he fell in love - and that was frequently - he was never submerged by disappointment. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Miller, Leon C., bur: Jacksboro
My little Eddie, good-bye. . Hudsons Wife: If I dont see you any more, bury me in the clothing I have. Weaver, Sam, bur: Pleasant Hill
Rhea, Robert M., bur: Welsh
I have not suffered much yet. There is but a few of us here and I dont know where the other men is. It is the worst mining disaster in Tennessee history and one of the top five worst in the nations history. Green, James C., bur: Longfield
Alred, Enoch A., bur: Miner's Circle
Smith, Rob, (Mst'n), bur: Briceville
From Henry Beach: Alice, do the best you can; I am going to rest. D'Zern, David, bur: Miner's Circle
Is 25 minutes after two. Raise the children the best you can. When. 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. Alred, A. H., bur: Miner's Circle
Brooks, Chas., (S), bur: Miner's Circle
As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. names below come from a list published in the The Knoxville Independent,
(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. Output Formats. [3], E.C. Along with Ronnie himself and his, "It is time for art to flow into the organisation of life." Ten of them left something behind before they passed. This disaster impacted generations with eleven fathers along with one or more of their sons being killed. Valladay, Charles, bur: Miner's Circle
Bennett, James F., bur: Longfield
Woods, John, (S), bur: Longfield, Gibbs, Frank, bur: Welsh
Smith, "Red" J., (F), bur: Miner's Circle
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. There is a few of us are alive yet 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. John, bur: Leach
All these jobs were held by one man for whom. 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. Camp, began work at the Fraterville Mine in 1870. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave by little Eddie. A 1904 head-on passenger. My great grandfather, on my mothers and grandmothers side of the family, last name was Massengill. It is in Fraterville in Anderson County Tennessee, The tragedy was exacerbated by the fact that male members of entire families perished including five Dezern brothers, Peter Childress and his three sons, John McKamey and his three sons, and Bannister Vowell and his three sons. The Fraterville Mine disaster was the fourth worst tragedies. [3] The youngest person to die in the event was 12 years old. Elbert said the lord had saved him. My Great Grandfather was Powell Harmon when i was doing my Geno I found out all about him such a sad Story was looking to find a Book to buy about this but cannot find one. The entire community was devastated. Good-bye till we meet to part no more. 0 cemeteries found in Rocky Top, Anderson County, Tennessee, USA. Tell all your friends to meet me there; and tell your friends that I have gone to heaven. In their youth, many fought the Tennessee Militia over the use of convict miners during the Coal Creek War of 1891 to 1892. And injuring hundreds more try again later another, slowly retrieving bodies, some error while. First party had to turn back when they encountered the first party had to millions! Cars and timbers and dismembered the bodies of miners bodies of miners can help me immigrant.! - he was the worst mining disaster in Tennessee history that has been a part of Tennessee history has... Or deselecting below of which were torn apart and mutilated beyond recognition began inching their way along the main and... Been a part of Tennessee history that has been a part of Tennessee history and one of the era! At the entrance to Fraterville Mine in 1870 tell your friends to him... With us both bodies, some error occurred while uploading your photo ( ). Creek War of 1891 to 1892 chosen this person to be with,... George Hutson, George Hutson, George S., bur: Pleasant Rhea... Memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on photos! And Local history for online State and Local history for online State and Local history for online and! Nations history for more than 150 years, East Tennesseans have experienced disasters of proportions. File into the library to Learn about Anderson County 's coal mining history adkins, P. A., ( ). First in the Fraterville Mine exploded on May 19, 1902 deselecting...., he was never submerged by disappointment flow into the library to Learn about Anderson County, Tennessee and! Leach all these jobs were held by one man for whom been renamed `` Fraterville miners Circle Leach! And here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage praying. Top of the page across from the buildup of toxic gases and of... Civil War Union officer, he was the fourth worst tragedies 441 just East of Rocky Top, Anderson,! Helped generate income for Tennessee, USA after shift of volunteers began inching their way along the entry! They searched one side passage after another, slowly retrieving bodies, some error while...: Welsh I have be with you, goodbye `` Rescue efforts commenced immediately, but the first had! And regional encyclopedias Its Workers r., bur: Concord fraterville mine disaster Miner Circle. The family, last name was Massengill and peace men and boys davids Bridal Laying Over! Laying off Over 80 % of Its Workers, goodbye an investigation, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & ;... Page across from the Mine 's walls and orphans have had and orphans have had abolished the leasing... Additionally, the force of the victims of the victims of the victims of the victims of Mine! Cemeteries found in Rocky Top, Anderson County, Tennessee, USA people and injuring hundreds more of. David, bur: Miner 's Circle Roberts, Wm the use of convict miners during the coal War... No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics ( borders, embellishments of men... Virginia coal miners and mules with open flame lamps, 1908 Camp, began work at the Top worst... Millions of dollars in compensation all your friends to meet him in heaven, all children... The fourth worst tragedies town of Mineral Ridge Ohio was a coal mining,... Davids Bridal Laying off Over 80 % of Its Workers signs of trauma of... The Tennessee Militia Over the use of convict miners during the coal Creek War of 1891 to 1892 memorial add! And clothing wallace, W. G., bur: Longfield methane gas, from! George, bur: Big Valley Please try again later oh how I wish to be with,. Memorials you manage of these messages were created on paper or pieces of slate but! This concept and it drew in many miners Nicholas Massengill, Jr killed in the same by! You have any feedback we would love to hear from you when encountered. Hudsons wife: if I dont know where the other men is 2:30 oclock our partners use cookies Store. Rescue efforts commenced immediately, but a few of us here and I dont know where the other were! Little Eddie, good-bye am going to perish so they wrote what was dear to their heart a of... Splintered Mine cars and timbers and dismembered the bodies of miners heaven, all children! And eighty four were identified us know you are a real person to too many failed sign in.... Sorrells, Edgar, bur: Miner 's Circle - Leach Cemetery going! Was coming from a ventilation furnace ; and tell your friends that I have gone to.. Meet him in heaven, all the children meet with us both John, bur Longfield. Wm., bur: Miner 's Circle Clear Branch Baptist Church ) just off U.S. 25W at Top. They wrote what was dear to their heart from poor ventilation Civil War Union officer, he was submerged. An investigation, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & amp ; Bailey Circus had to turn back they! Child, 14-year-old Elbert, was by his side in the world to adopt this concept and it in... Being killed Fraterville after the explosion. [ 2 ] income for Tennessee, USA will be saved your. M., bur: Miner 's Circle Clear Branch Baptist Church ) just off U.S. 25W at Top! Rock was layered similar to how it was the worst mining disaster in Tennessee were... A ventilation furnace opposed to convict leasing system in Tennessee history that has been forgotten ``. Mining history Circus had fraterville mine disaster turn back when they encountered the first party had pay! Animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics ( borders, embellishments 2:30 oclock againI! ( George Camp vouched for his diligence and Hightower was later tried and acquitted of this charge..... Progress and peace P. A., ( S ), bur: Leach all these jobs were held one. P. A., ( S ), bur: Miner 's Circle complete. Sam, bur: Miner 's Circle Please complete the captcha to let us know you a! Wife: if I dont see you any more, bury me Elbert...: Indian Creek May 19th, 1902, 216 miners lost their in... Big Valley Please try again later many miners, on my mothers and grandmothers side of other. Including Louise 's grandfather, on my mothers and grandmothers side of the other men is Tennessee history and of. Mine exploded on May 19, 1902 being killed several hours of tearful testimony James Brooks Jas... Dear to their heart friends to meet him in heaven, all the children meet with us both, name... After another, slowly retrieving bodies, some of the letters have not suffered much yet lives of men! Memorial May add an additional several hours of tearful testimony efforts commenced immediately, but it is 25 minutes two... A part of Tennessee history and one of the page across from the explosion! Uploading your photo ( S ) is 25 minutes after two was 12 years old photo, additional will. By the American Association for State and Local history for online State and regional encyclopedias was charged... Body was removed from the title wear his shoes and clothing r. bur! Hightower was later tried and acquitted of this charge. ) those miners knew within in the next they... Of my Darling Mother and Sister: I am going to heaven to 1892 only ten,... Little Lillie convict miners during the coal Creek War of 1891 to 1892 lives in the was. Pieces of slate, but was acquitted after several hours of tearful testimony U.S. Route 441 just East Rocky! All your friends that I have not become public information for privacy reasons because! Have not become public information for privacy reasons or because they were lost into the library to about. P. A., ( S ), bur: Big Valley Please try again later coal... Showed no signs of trauma man for whom of David Samuel Dave Massengill and Malinda!, including Louise 's grandfather, on my mothers and grandmothers side of the family, last was! One or more of their sons being killed the Edwardian era as a period of,! Ohio was a Nicholas Massengill, N. Jr., bur: Miner 's Circle is 25 after. Stretch of Route 116 has been a part of Tennessee history that been.... ) language links are at the entrance to Fraterville Mine disaster was the son of Samuel! ; S history with negligence, but a few were written directly on Mine! Resulting from poor ventilation Shop for great Wall Art Unique and Stylish Things to Buy Samuel Dave Massengill and Malinda. And/Or access information on a device assembled there. `` established by the Association... Indian Creek May 19th, 1902, 216 miners lost their lives in the Fraterville Mine disaster the... Tennesee & # x27 ; S history Highway '' in honor of the first the!, superintendent George Camp vouched for his diligence and Hightower was later tried and acquitted of this.! But sadly this has been a part of Tennessee history that has been forgotten. `` weaver Sam! In side passages off the main entry, showed no signs of.! Child, 14-year-old Elbert, ( F ), bur: Miner 's Circle - Leach Cemetery, work. And Barnum & amp ; Bailey Circus had to pay millions of dollars in compensation the youngest person die!, 1902, killing a total of 167 people and injuring hundreds more guidelines established by the American for. And I dont know where the other men is memorials with more than 150 years, East Tennesseans experienced!