The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-03-17
LETCHER COUNTY
AND WHITESBURG.
What is Happening in this
Rich Coal Territory
of Kentucky.

WHITESBURG, KY, March 15.-One
Of the most heart-rending tragedies en-
acted in the county in years took place
on Shea's Fork of Boone near McRob-
erts in the coal fields at an early hour
Wednesday morning when the little
home OF JEFF Wright, a young farmer
of Shae's Fork was destroyed by the
ravages OF the flames and the little
three-year- old son cremated therein.
The mother was cleaning away the
dishes in the dining room adjacent
while the three year old and the one
year-old were alone in another room a
log house. In some manner the horse
got on fire. Screams were heard to
come from the house, and mother Inl
burning up came childish voice. The
mother ran. She braved smoke and
flames through the home, but could
find nothing OF the three year old. Lift
ing the little one year old from the bed
she carried it to safety, although ooCh
the mother and child received VIVA;
were considered fatal burns about the
head, face and arms Every whit Of
hair was burned from the mothers
head. The father who was a short dis
lance away feeding the stock, heard
the wife's screams and ran just in time
to see the falling walls crumble to tie
earth. Later the charred and unr6c-
ognizable remains OF the three year
old were found The sympathy OF the
entire community is centered upon the
stricken family. JEFF Wright is a son
of Uncle Sol Wright, ,one Of the coun-
tvs oldest and best known citizens.
Mine No. 215 Of The Consolidation
Coal company at McRoberts burned for
three or four days last week, having
caught, it is said, by an explosion on
Monday afternoon. The first reports
stated the fire was caused by an cleo
trio wire Much damage was done to
timbers, trackage. machinery, etc, be-
sides great quantities of coal went up
in smoke. Several cars of loaded coal
and large quantity of lumber is said
to have been destroyed. also Every
ecort to check the flames ravages PROV
ed futile for a time hut at length the
fire was put out Company officials re-
port the damage extremely heavy, and
ii will be sometime before the mine can
be put into condition for mining work
to resume. Before the fire, No 2l5 was
turning out more coal than any Of the
other mines there, from twenty-five to
thirty cars daily, and about $50 men
were employed. They were put out Of
work. Ii is expected that the whole
damage can be safely placed at thirty
to forty thousand dollars.
fttt
AS proof conclusive of the effective
work being done by revenue officers.
with John NJ Riddle U. s. Marshal at
the head, within the past few months
in Letcher-co., especially in the coal
fields section about two hundred peo-
pie. witnesses and those charged with
and bookkeeping left here
Monday morning Or Frankfort to be
ready for the March term of the U. 5.
Court which convened Monday. A
large percent OF the cases had been
set down for Monday and Tuesday.
Several women, charged with peddling
and bootlegging whiskey, compose the
large number of the accused. 1t is
hoped that the strong efforts being
made by the Government will lend a
"damper" to the great evil OF strong
drink that is sweeping nearly every
county in the mountains, causing much
lawlesness and crime as "A result, The
day is dawning when the bootlegger
and the moonshiner will be forced to
give up his illegal tfpilc.
Agreeable TO promise over the tel
ephone Emory Hall OF the headwaters