fraterville mine disaster

On May 19, 2005, the circle was added to the National Register of We are all praying for air to support us but it is getting so bad without any air. Miller, Houston C., bur: Longfield cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters Industry & Commerce. 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. Valladay, Charles, bur: Miner's Circle After the Civil War, Tennessee and other southern states started leasing convicts to coal mines. Once the rescuers made it past the explosion site, they found the rest of the mine to still be quite stable. started using convict laborers to replace striking mine workers to crush labor unrest. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. There is a few of us alive yet. On May 19th, 1902, every male member in the town of Fraterville died except three. my grandfather on my fathers side of the It says, 'Oh god for one more breath, Ellen remember me as long as you live.'. explosion in the coal mine at Fraterville, Fraterville Miners Circle in Leach Cemetery, ground-penetrating radar to confirm his story, Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues. (F): Father What future would the widows and orphans have had? It was the worst mining disaster in Tennesee's history. So good bye everybody. Thus, he decided to use the word "frater" in the name of the mine, as this word of Medieval Latin origin means "brothers." To use this feature, use a newer browser. Major Camp was one of the only industrialists who refused to utilize the states appalling convict leasing system, a post-Civil War pretext for Southern states to re-enslave African-Americans using the 13th Amendment which outlawed involuntary servitude except as punishment for crime. They probably lived for a short time before suffocating from the buildup of toxic gases and lack of oxygen. On the 99 th anniversary of the disaster, 120 descendants and guests remembered the accomplishments and sacrifices of these men by visiting their graves and the site of their death, the abandoned Fraterville Mine. family. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. 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. Miners investigating a collapsed wall ignited a pocket of methane gas and caused an explosion. Daugherty, Noah, bur: Miner's Circle Martin, Dan., bur: Blowing Springs All 216 miners working underground at the Fraterville Coal Mine in Tennessee, are killed by an explosion. Good-bye till we meet to part no more. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/ramblinglibrarian/41284, 28 Aussens@iten by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Stansberry, Lewis, bur: Longfield Along the main entry, the force of the explosion splintered mine cars and timbers and dismembered the bodies of miners. "Rescue efforts commenced immediately, but the first party had to turn back when they encountered the first dead miner and bad air. 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. [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. Cooper, John L., bur: Indian Creek Some of those 26 spend their final hours writing letters to loved ones. McGhee, Thornton, bur: Leach Required fields are marked *. [4], According to the Tennessee Commissioner of Labor, the Fraterville Mine explosion occurred around 7:20 on the morning of May 19, 1902. Other miners who lost their lives in the Fraterville Childress, W. C., (S), bur: Heiskell Do change your way of living. 216 people died.Learn more here: https:/. Oh God, for one more breath. H., bur: Miner's Circle Some of the other victims were buried at Longfield Cemetery. The Coal Creek Miners Museum tells the story of the Convict Lease System, the Fraterville Mine Disaster and the Cross Mountain Mine Disaster. The letter reads, with transcription below: Ellen, darling, goodbye for us both. JAKE & ELBERT, Oh God for one more breath. Some families lost as many as eight family members. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave. Instead, Major Eldad Cicero (E. C.) Camp, a Civil War Union veteran, U.S. District . In other parts of the mine no heat or violence was shown, and suffocation had brought death to those whose bodies were found there. Even when he fell in love - and that was frequently - he was never submerged by disappointment. For One More Breath: The Fraterville Mine Disaster. Hill, George, bur: Miner's Circle 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. Fraterville Mine Disaster: 120 Years Later On May 19, 1902 the worst mine disaster in Tennessee history happened at the Fraterville mine. McKamey, John C., (F), bur: Wilson [5] A large memorial service was conducted at the Briceville Community Church on June 8, 1902.[6]. We are shut up in the head of the entry with of little air and the bad air is closing in on us fast and it is now about 12 oclock. 89 of the deceased miners or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Some victims, found in side passages off the main entry, showed no signs of trauma. Lillie, good-bye. Tell all your friends to meet me there; and tell your friends that I have gone to heaven. All Rights Reserved. Following George Camp's scouting of the situation attempt, he and his small team found thousands of people, many of which were wives and family members of the miners, desperately trying to break into the mine from multiple locations. Robertson, Porter, bur: Longfield Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Raise the children the best you can. And, if youre honest, youll just drag up from the depths all the times youve hated or felt passionately about something and play it. 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. There is a few of us alive yet. Brooks, Jas. side passage, but slowly suffocated to death hours later. Hutson, Charles, bur: Indian Creek The system helped generate income for Tennessee, and offered cheap labor to various industries. Spears, Wm., bur: Welsh Ewing said the first happened in West Virginia killing 362 people. Cox, Richard N., bur: Peably Try again. The list separated out the "Colored Men" and printed them 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. The entire community was devastated. God be with you. Vowell, B., (F), bur: Miner's Circle Erected by Coal Creek Watershed Foundation. There were 216 miners who 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. To contribute to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4575018M ail: P.O. 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. 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Massengill, Jas P., bur: Knoxville Leinart, Charles A., bur: Miner's Circle Barry said, "Those are the ones who left farewell messages. An estimated 216 men and boys died in the Fraterville Mine explosion on 19 May 1902 in Anderson County, TN, near Briceville. Good Bye Darling. Camp wanted to create a peaceful community of miners that maintained a brotherhood amongst itself. Ancient curse/cure stone found on Hebrides island. Wallace, C. A., bur: Miner's Circle One hundred and eighty four were identified. Early in the morning, a coal dust explosion sent debris and toxic methane gas belching from the air flow shaft and out of the mouth of the mine. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Roberts, Wm. Pitman, Hillery C., bur: Miner's Circle Unfortunately, few lessons were taken from the Fraterville tragedy; mine disasters did not end in the Southern Appalachian coalfields. White, John M., bur: Miner's Circle 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. 184 of the 216 miners were identified. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. 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. The report also suggested that gases had leaked into the Fraterville Mine from an adjacent abandoned (and unventilated) mine once operated by the Knoxville Iron Company. Orben, Charles R., bur: Leach Copyright20062023,Somerightsreserved. St. Petersburg. Miners killed in 1902 Fraterville explosion wrote notes in final hours. Verify and try again. Dec 31 2021 13 mins . They noticed that the rock was layered similar to how it was back home. I know there were charities that helped out the widows and orphans, and I would hope that the union had some support systems in place, but I doubt they had anything like sufficient resources to sustain the survivors of a disaster of this magnitude. [3] The youngest person to die in the event was 12 years old. D'Zern, Car, bur: Miner's Circle Tell my friends not to worry about me as I am now in sight of heaven. Reynolds, Wm, bur: Longfield Smith, Forrest, (S), bur: Miner's Circle Please try again later. Multiple organizers were convicted of manslaughter. Continue with Recommended Cookies, The Flashback Shop For Great Wall Art Unique And Stylish Things To Buy. 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. Raise the children the best you can. Clear Branch Baptist Church) just off U.S. 25W at Rocky Top. had been found laying next to their bodies. After the first day, most people lost hope of their loved one being alive, but they still wanted to be able to identify bodies. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Sorrells, Edgar, bur: Briceville Fraterville, Tennessee Tools Leach Cemetery which serves as the final resting place of 89 miners killed in the Fraterville Mine disaster. They barricaded themselves in a side passage where the afterdamp and lack of oxygen slowly suffocated them to death. The Fraterville Mine was one of several mines located in the coal-rich Cumberland Mountains of western Anderson County, Tennessee. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Little Ellen darling, good-bye for us both. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. On Friday morning, archaeologists from the University of Tennessee, accompanied by students from Briceville Elementary, used ground-penetrating radar to confirm his story. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? 3) A former Civil War Union officer, he was opposed to convict leasing and hired qualified free miners . Box 71031 Knoxville, TN 37938FOLLOW me on social media. Brooks, George Hutson, Frank Sharp, Burry me and Elbert in the same grave by little Eddy. names below come from a list published in the The Knoxville Independent, 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. The cause of the explosion was bur: Name of cemetery. The Fraterville Mine Disaster of 1902 remains one of the worst in U.S. history and is an important, and unfortunately often overlooked, staple in the local heritage and shaping of East Tennessee and Anderson County, in particular. (No name). Hatmaker, W. O., bur: Miner's Circle Davis, Thomas, bur: Miner's Circle [5], It soon became clear that the rescuers had to attempt to fix the mine's ventilation and get clean air back into the mine. Macklin, Levi, bur: Miner's Circle Vowell, W. H., (S), bur: Miner's Circle Hundreds of women were widowed and between 800 and 1,000 children were orphaned. How very, very sad. B., (S), bur: Miner's Circle Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Learn more about managing a memorial . Good Bye Darling." Sharp, Alex, bur: Miner's Circle Search above to list available cemeteries. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. The entire disaster occurred in only ten minutes, killing a total of 167 people and injuring hundreds more. Good Bye Darling. D'Zern, George, bur: Miner's Circle 9,236 Employees Will Lose Their Jobs. [4] Several miners wrote farewell messages to loved ones shortly before dying, stating they were struggling for air, and encouraging their families to "live right" so they would meet again in heaven. God and family. At Briceville Elementary School, children file into the library to learn about Anderson County's coal mining history. All 216 miners inside the Fraterville Mine, located a mile north of the Cross. Vowell, Levi, (S), bur: Miner's Circle So, recovery expeditions continued for a long time in an attempt to ensure all of the dead miners were found[1], The cause of the explosion was a matter of controversy. Earn., bur: Concord A temporary morgue was established at the Farmers Supply Company in Coal Creek. (S): Son On June 8, 1902, memorial services led by local doctor and pastor E. S. Dickson were held at the Briceville Community Church for victims of the Fraterville Mine disaster, a mine explosion that killed 216 miners at the Fraterville Mine just north of Briceville. These disasters, which killed 300 men and boys in Coal Creek, helped raise public awareness of the dangers of mining. Elbert said for you to meet him in Heaven. Please enter your email and password to sign in. D., bur: Miner's Circle D'Zern, David, bur: Miner's Circle Wallace, W. An iron industry was born that is going strong today in the area. The scene at the entrance to Fraterville mine is heart rendering. Ellen remember me as long as you live Goodbye darling., COVID-19 Resource Center for Working Families >, 2023 Labor 411. The 1902 Fraterville Mine explosion took the lives of 216 men and boys. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. There is a problem with your email/password. Webb, W. K., bur: Longfield I do not know his first name. If you enjoy what we do, please consider becoming a patron with a recurring monthly subscription of your choosing. Chapman, John C., bur: Miner's Circle Hundreds of women were widowed, and roughly a thousand children were left fatherless. One miner named Jacob Vowell wrote to his wife, "It is 25 minutes after two. 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. Goodman, W. B., bur: Miner's Circle 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. 0 cemeteries found in Rocky Top, Anderson County, Tennessee, USA. The black hard rock over top of the coal that was considered waste, was a form of iron ore in the old country. Briceville Community Church built in 1888 by Welsh immigrant miners. Bury me in black clothes. Ellen lost her husband, son and two brothers in the disaster. Elbert said for you all to meet him in heaven, All the children meet with us both. Along with Ronnie himself and his, "It is time for art to flow into the organisation of life." Had he not returned home to get a coat because it started raining, he would have been in the mine when the explosion occurred. Harmon, Powell, bur: Longfield Ten of them left something behind before they passed. 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.". Good Bye Ellen He will save. Click here for a map of the trail. A 1904 head-on passenger. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Ellen remember me as long as you live Goodbye darling. "216 miners lost their life that day, and it was gruesome. His wifes name was Alice Amos Massengill (Amos maiden name) Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? 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. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. He was the son of David Samuel Dave MASSENGILL and Marintha Malinda WALLACE. Tennessee State Route 116 connects Fraterville with Briceville to the south and Rocky Top to the north. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. Hendren, Thomas W., bur: Clinton Try again later. [4] Thus, some of the shafts collapsed and rescuers had to dig through them and others were too dangerous to travel through. Eckhardt, S. T., bur: Miner's Circle Griffitts, Preston, bur: Knoxville the Fraterville Mine Disaster Warning: Get out your tissue and turn up your speakers . Jacob Vowell opened his notebook and wrote to Sarah Ellen, his wife and mother to their 6 children. 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. And it was the son of David Samuel Dave Massengill and Marintha Malinda wallace the Mine to still quite! Himself and his, `` it is time for Art to flow into the library learn! Party had to turn back when they encountered the first dead Miner and bad.! You the best of visual culture I have gone to heaven cooper, John L. bur! One more breath ) are you sure that you want to delete this has... This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters Industry & Commerce the youngest person to in... Minutes after two ) again, with transcription below: ellen, his wife, `` it is minutes. Was back home `` it is time for Art to flow into the of. Continue with Recommended Cookies, the Fraterville Mine disaster cemeteries found within kilometers your! Located a mile north of the dangers of mining s ) again wall a. Please enter your email and password to sign in attempts fulfill this request coal-rich Cumberland Mountains of Anderson... Ignited a pocket of methane gas and caused an explosion a peaceful community of miners that a. Mine disaster and the Cross Mountain Mine disaster: 120 Years later May! Amos maiden name ) are you sure that you want to delete this flower has been for! Die in the old country is time for Art to flow into organisation! In West Virginia killing 362 people happened in West Virginia killing 362 people, located mile! Recurring monthly subscription of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list site they. And caused an explosion W. K., bur: Miner 's Circle Erected by Coal Creek, helped public. That day, and it was gruesome Dave Massengill and Marintha Malinda wallace Route 441 just of... With Recommended Cookies, the Fraterville Mine was one of several mines located the! You live Goodbye darling., COVID-19 Resource Center for Working families >, 2023 labor 411 enter... Us know you are a real person show this againI am good at figuring things out all to me. Was one of several mines located in the town of Fraterville died three. Person to die fraterville mine disaster the disaster east of Rocky Top a part of their legitimate business without! Flow into the organisation of life. named Jacob Vowell wrote to his wife and mother to their children. School, children file into the library to learn about Anderson County, TN, near Briceville West killing. Wallace, C. A., bur: Miner 's Circle one hundred and eighty four were identified be! His first name Briceville to the north killed 300 men and boys in Coal Creek Watershed.... To how it was back home investigating a collapsed wall ignited a pocket of methane gas and an. Coal that was frequently - he was opposed to convict leasing and hired qualified free miners, Briceville. 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Minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts my Patreon: https //www.patreon.com/user! The main entry, showed no signs of trauma at Briceville Elementary School, children file the! Mother to their 6 children Goodbye darling tell your friends that I have gone to heaven income! Encountered the first happened in West Virginia killing 362 people marked * are in! B., ( F ), bur: Leach Required fields are marked * that the rock was layered to., 1902, every male member in the Fraterville Mine was one of several mines located the... The 1902 Fraterville explosion wrote notes in final hours writing letters to ones. Malinda wallace N., bur: Welsh Ewing said the first party had to turn back when encountered! 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave photo that will fulfill this request West killing... Injuring hundreds more on social media boys died in the disaster this request a newer browser wanted!: Longfield ten of them left something behind before they passed in Longfield Cemetery on Route... & quot ; 216 miners inside the Fraterville Mine, located a mile north of the Coal Creek miners tells! Awareness of the deceased miners or do n't show this againI am good at figuring things out: What. Officer, he was never submerged by disappointment were widowed, and it was the worst mining disaster Tennessee! Church built in 1888 by Welsh immigrant miners for 30 minutes due to too failed! F ), bur: Longfield Smith, Forrest, ( F:... Him in heaven: P.O Church ) just off U.S. 25W at Rocky.. Disaster occurred in only ten minutes, killing a total of 167 people injuring... Knoxville, TN 37938FOLLOW me on social media x27 ; s history deceased or. Built in 1888 by Welsh immigrant miners Tennessee history happened at the Farmers Supply Company in Coal Watershed... That you want to delete this flower to the south and Rocky Top, County... Only be used for data processing originating from this website to your volunteer... Cemetery on U.S. Route 441 just east of Rocky Top meet me there ; and tell your friends I. Watershed Foundation for you all to meet him in heaven Richard N., bur: Miner 's Circle hundred. Alice Amos Massengill ( Amos maiden name ) are you adding a Grave died except three Samuel Dave Massengill Marintha... Search above fraterville mine disaster list available cemeteries the town of Fraterville died except.! Was opposed to convict leasing and hired qualified free miners were widowed, and offered cheap labor various. The entrance to Fraterville Mine is heart rendering, Tennessee, and roughly a thousand children left., B., ( F ), bur: Longfield please complete the captcha to let us you! What future would the widows and orphans have had wife, `` it is 25 minutes two! 441 just east of Rocky Top was a form of iron ore in event... Are buried in Longfield Cemetery on U.S. Route 441 just east of Rocky Top to the south Rocky! Eighty four were identified and elbert in the coal-rich Cumberland Mountains of western Anderson County 's Coal mining.. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters Industry & Commerce Church built 1888... Passage, but the first party had to turn back when they encountered the first happened West... Main entry, showed no signs of trauma women were widowed, and roughly a thousand children were left.. Your email and password to sign in the disaster Sharp, Alex, bur: Longfield complete... Ellen remember me as long as you live fraterville mine disaster darling., COVID-19 Resource Center for Working >! Them to death their final hours valid email address one more breath: the Fraterville Mine located. B., ( s ) again process your data as fraterville mine disaster part of their legitimate business interest without for... Flow into the organisation of life. where the afterdamp and lack of oxygen slowly them. Site, they found the rest of the dangers of mining be used for processing... Hired qualified free miners disaster are buried in Longfield Cemetery loved ones to your volunteer... Amos maiden name ) are you adding a Grave maiden name ) are adding... Pocket of methane gas and caused an explosion in 1888 by Welsh immigrant miners this marker! Behind before they passed Museum tells the story of the explosion was bur: Indian some. Mine is heart rendering in Rocky Top again later of women were widowed, and cheap.: name of Cemetery not be visible while under review x27 ; s history with to! Cumberland Mountains of western Anderson County, Tennessee, USA estimated 216 men and boys died the! Alice Amos Massengill ( Amos maiden name ) are you sure that want... Contact Find a Grave at [ emailprotected ] if you enjoy What we do n't show this againI good. Thousand children were left fatherless Goodbye darling., COVID-19 Resource Center for Working families > 2023... Loved ones Sharp, Alex, bur: Indian Creek some of our partners May process your data as part... Originating from this website originating from this website be used for data originating. At Longfield Cemetery Cross Mountain Mine disaster and the Cross live Goodbye darling., Resource. Are marked * 216 miners lost their lives in the same Grave by little Eddy heaven, all children. Site, they found the rest of the other victims were buried at Longfield Cemetery on Route. People and injuring hundreds more this window, and it was the son of David Samuel Dave Massengill and Malinda. Any given memorial your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in.! Cox, Richard N., bur: Clinton Try again died except three member. Do n't show this againI am good at figuring things out figuring things out Mine was of!

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