The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-05-20
in Mine History OF Tennessee.

Coal Greek, Tenn, May 1.-the
worst disaster in the history of Ten
nessee mining occurred at 1870 o'clock
this morning, when between ITS and 225
men and boys met instant death at the
Fraterville coal mine. two miles west
OF this town, as the result of a gas
explosion.
out of a large number of men and
boys who went to work this morning,
developments at 10 o'clock tonight
show that only one is alive, and he is
SO badly injured that he cannot live.
This man was William Morgan, an
aged Englishman, who was a road man
in the mine, and was blown out of the
entrance by the force of the explosion.
one hundred and seventv-five miners
we're checked in for work this morning
by the mine boss. In addition to these
were boys who acted as helpers and
drivers. road men and others to the
number of perhaps fifty.
Flames Shot From Entrance.
Fraterville mine is the old mine in
the Coal Creek District, having been
opened in 1870. 1t is fully three miles
from the mines opening to the point
where the men We're at work. They
had not been at work long before the
terrible explosion occurred. There
was a a fearful roar and then flames
shot from the entrance and the air
shafts. News of the disaster spread
like wildtfre, but as soon as possible
two rcscuing parties were started in,
one at the main entrance, the other
through Thistle mine, which adjoins
and in Which no men We're at work.
The Thistle party were unable to
make any Roadway as the gas stifed
the workers. The Fraterville party
went fully two miles under the earth.
until heavy fall of slate was en-
countered. At this barrier men work.
ed like demons, hoping against hope
that those beyond might be safe. The
scenes at the mouth of the mine while
Inc workers were within were beyond
description. Business had been sus-
pended in Coal Creek and all its mines
as soon as the news of the disaster
became known. and men, women and
children gathered around the Frater-
Vile entrance. Women whose husbands
and sons were within were wild with
grief All day long the rescuers toiled
at the slate distractions and not until
o'clock this evening did they force
an entrance through it. Up to that
recovered, and hope was still high
that many within were safe. The hopes
OF the living were doomed, however,
Tor when once the rescuers could enter
and proceed they walked through a
continuous tomb of death. There was
not sign of life. Every man had per-
lshed, they believed. although it will
De tomorrow morning before all the
rooms can be entered.
Eight bodies were first recovered and
these were sent to Coal Creek. Twen-
Y-siX more We're soon found They
We're not disigured beyond identifica-
uon and each corpse as it was borne
from the mouth Of the gigantic tomb
was surrounded by eager crowds of
relatives of the men who were entomb-
eu' The mine was not on fire, except
IN remote portions and all bodies per-
maps may be reached before daylight.
4 Few of the Victims.
A partial list of the victims, scarce
~ one-third. is as follows:
george Aikens, mine foreman, head
blown off; James Hightower. Robert
smith Robert Price, James Slower,
William Price, Roscoe Bradley, William
bradley, Thornton McGhee, Charles
Yahaegrift, w. J. Evans, Charles
MNahS' Charles Brooks, oscar
murray, William Murray, Mar
!H Wilson, Railey Wilson,
'4'Huy Weber. Carl Dis
Germ Samuel Discern, James White,
1Ohn White, Walter White, Bannie
'o"eu and two sons, Richard Mass
eNsill' Scott Hudson, James Written
ana n-year-old son; Ed. sorrelI anu
-0-year-old son; John Aikens and two
9o"s' James Strickland: Peter Chill
o'ess' William Childress; John Chill
a.eSs' Joe Smittey, Edward Smittey,
Cnarles Adkins. Boyd Adkins, Roscoe
,.''ler' Ben Sharp. Albert Goodman,
Hightower. Thomas Diseny.
me Fraterville mine is owned by
Goal Creek Coal Company of
H. HIch Mai e. C. Camp is president.
rv,- was IN Cincinnati and is now hur-
Ma, 10 the scene of the disaster.
inspector Ordered 10 scene.
SbISSsn1Nille, Tenn. May 19.-R. A.
b1s.'lt' state inspector OF mines. Is
Coz ing 10 the scene of the disaster at
Gov Creek, under instructions from
yes,,.Nc Millin TO make a thorough in
cety1," tlon. Inspector Shiflett also re-
Tho message from Supt Camp Of
conn. t"terNllle mine, urging him to
once Before leaving the city