The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
VIM, |, ROGERS IS
 DEAD IN ENSLEY State Mine Superintendent
 Passes Away WAS ILL FOR MANY MONTHS MT. Rogers Had Been Closely identified With Mining Interests of Ala bama for Over Twenty
 Years.
WAS ILL FOR MANY MONTHS

William L. Rogers mine superinten- dent for the state died Friday evening at 7:25 at the Cunningham innrmary' Ensley after a lingering illness Of comph- cation of stomach troubles
 Since the premature explosion at flet Top just one year ago from last Thurs day, In which MT. Rogers sustained se- rious injuries he has been a constant sut- ferer from acute indigestion and his death was not a surprise to his relatives and friends. who long since prepared themselves for the shock that was ln- evitable. While In the pursuit of his duties as state mine superintendent at Flat Top MT. Rogers was injured by an explosion in the mine.
 In brave effort to save the life of his companions whose clothing were ig- nited by the flames MT. Rogers hands were badly burned and permanently de- formed. It is also supposed that he in- haled some of the flames of the burn ing gas.
 He was carried to private inhrmary at Birmingham where he was confined ASA SCf1Ao oi AAAOhlhSs At hAiAANS 5A1f0 VT prehensions were felt for his ultimate re- covery and at periods it was thought that he could not recover sufficiently to resume his official duties.
 Health Was Undermined.
 Last spring, however, he was dismissed from medical care and it was hoped by his friends that he would shortly come to his old time strength and vigor. Be fore he had been "in harness long, how ever, 1t was seen that his one-time healthy and active physical manhood had been undermined.
 On advice of his physicians Mir. Rogers retired from active business life. First he went to Blount Springs, then to Tate Springs and later to French Lick Springs Ind. His spark of vitality, however, only continued to grow weaker and weaker and in the summer he went to his ole home at Speigners, completely wrecked in health. A few weeks ago he was brought to Cunninghams infirmary where he was given the most skilled medica attention. All this availed nothing, the aggravated stomach trouble tended tC bring about locomotor ataxia and for the past two or three days he has beer sinking rapidly, being in a condition oi inconsistencies, until the end peacefully came at 7:25 o'clock last evening.
 Born at spelgners.
 MT. Rogers was born at Speigners, thii state A years ago. His early boyhooC l days were spent at his fathers home al Speigners. When 22 years of age he cam, to Birmingham and accepted a position with the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Rail. road company. He forged himself to tn, front rapidly and in few years was ap 1 pointed warden at mine No 1 of the Pratt division. Later on he was made superintendent of the Blue Creek division of the Tennessee company and afterward: was given the superintendency of tn, Blocton mines, in which capacity h, served until appointed state mine super intendent by Governor Jelks in January 1903
 Mir. Rogers, being a practical mining man, took hold of the convicts of thu state, and 1t was mainly due to his ef forts that the new convict project wal worked out with such great success
 When Governor Jelks told the lessees of the convicts that he would not renew the contracts to work the state con victs in their mines, 1t was looked upor as a bold departure from the old system but when he announced that William Rogers would have charge of the convicts all doubt as to the success of the ven ture was dispelled and time has prover that the step of the governor was a wise one.
 Survived By Relatives. Mir Rogers is survived by three broth CTS, P. J. Rogers of Ensley, superinten- dent of mines for the Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad company; J. T. Rogers warden for the Tennessee company, and A. c. Rogers. a planter at Speigners; and three sisters, Mrs. William E. Smith oi Birmingham; Mrs w. K. Atkins of Nash ville Mrs. c. w. Rogers of Speigners. The remains will be carried to Spein- gers this afternoon at 3:30, on the Louis vile and Nashville and the funeral vii take place Sunday morning at ten o'clock.
 At Pratt City and Ensley where MT, Rogers was known best his death is being universally mourned. MT. Rogers while stern disciplnarian was at all times gentle and kind to those with whom he was associated He was the open, frank whole souled fellow that makes a congenial companion and friend upon whom one feels though he can lean at times when a friend is most needed He was a consistent member of the Methodist church and well informed on Masonic work.