*** All information is public record, available on Find A Grave, in the Floyd County Times newspaper, Big Sandy News newspaper and Family Search

Coal miners are near and dear to my heart, a part of my very soul. My dad worked for McCoy Labs in Pikeville, testing water and soil samples on mining sites. His father drove a coal truck for the better part of thirty years. My mom’s dad was a diesel mechanic and coal truck driver; even now at age eighty-nine, he tinkers with old engines to keep busy. My maternal grandmother was the fourth of five daughters born to a coal miner with a fourth-grade education. Papaw Allard Johnson had to quit school at the age of ten to help support his mother and sisters after his father was killed.

Coal mining in Appalachia began in the Western Coalfields of Muhlenberg County in 1820. Back then, there were no safety rules or regulations, and any fatalities were just men who died under the mountains. As the years passed, state and federal policies were put in place, but this did not stop the flow of injuries and fatalities that occurred every year, but it slowed them a bit. Thousands of men and boys have lost their lives to keep this country going, whether that was heating our homes or fueling the Industrial Revolution with its many technological advances.

The search for information on my great-great-grandfather led to multiple dead ends and false leads. I always knew he died in a coal mine accident, but no one would share his story. Too close and raw was the tragedy that shattered the trajectory of my family. By the time I began researching, anyone who would have known anything had long since passed. I had Papaw Allard’s death certificate, so I knew his father’s name: Frank. Having an approximate time of his death based on when Papaw went to work for Island Creek Coal, I began to dig into the only surviving newspaper for the time: the Big Sandy Times out of Louisa. I found just a tiny, two sentence mention of him: ‘Frank Johnson, died 16 days after being injured in an explosion. Body returned to Pike County.’ I ordered his death certificate and learned Frank was injured in August 1918, succumbing 16 days later from third degree burns and infections when an explosion of blasting powder was set off too soon for him to reach safety. The trip from Island Creek, in lower Pike County, to Louisa and resulting stay must have been agonizing, battling pain and infection, knowing that he would not see his wife or children again. He was brought home and buried in a family cemetery. Due to the low pay at the time, his widow, my Papaw Allard’s mother Lou, could not afford a headstone. Frank lay in an unmarked grave until 2024 when I found where he was laid to rest. He will finally have a headstone, in the spring.

Searching for Frank and the circumstances of his death spurred me to see if there was a record of the men who died in mining accidents or because of their injuries. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has a list, but it is not complete, of course. The records of coal companies are slim as many of the old companies no longer exist in any form. I have made it my life’s mission to see that these men and boys (I have found two that were only eight years old) are not forgotten any longer. Their sacrifice, and that of their family in supporting them in one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, should not be left to the annals of history or left to rot in a dusty tome.

“How many men had walked into that mine through one portal…only to be carried out, bereft of limb or life, through the adjoining one? And what happened to their spirits, we silently wondered, when men died underground? Did the spirit follow the body outside, and wait for it to be returned to the earth for release? Or do the ghosts of men who met agonizing death under tons of rock still haunt those shafts, now sealed forever? Coal mines have always been battlegrounds, and battlegrounds are always haunted.”— Spirits in the Field, Bruce Hopkins 2003

Feature photo courtesy of Danny Tackett

Charley Slone was born May 11, 1892 in Big Rock, Buchanan County VA to James Henderson and Pricy Lester. Charley’s sister Mary passed away in 1916 at the age of 24 of tuberculosis, leaving four children 6 and under. His wife was Ella Estep who he married in 1911 and their children were Zuma, William Everett who died in 1918 aged 3 months 27 days of whooping cough, Vada Louise, Lillie Mae, Virginia Marie, and Dorothy who died 1926 aged 8 months of colitis. In the 1917 WWI draft, he was employed by Roberts Brothers Coal at Esco as a lumberman, medium height, slender build, brown eyes and black hair with no distinguishing features. While working on January 1, 1929 he was killed in a mining accident–I have been unable to find out what occurred exactly. Charley was buried in the Johnson Memorial Cemetery.

Robert Dixon Scott was born July 13, 1903 in Pike County to Florence Cillian ‘Dick’ Scott and Minnie Laura Pinson. Dick took his own life in September 1938 and is buried in Pikeville Cemetery. In 1924, Robert married Viola Francis Bodenheimer and they had one daughter, Barbara. On April 9, 1940 while working in Hardy, he was caught in a slate fall that broke his neck. He is buried in the Pikeville Cemetery.

A lot of information can be had for Lawrence ‘Tick’ Brewer. Born in Pikeville on April 30, 1895 to Benjamin and Dora Dye, he was working for Island Creek Coal in 1917, had a slender build, medium height, blue eyes and light brown hair. He married Louise Compton in 1916 and their children were Stallard, Richard David, Ulysses, Benjamin Franklin, James Freelin (died in 1924 age 2 months 22 days of jaundice), Beatrice Katherine, Dewey Edward, Myrtle, Billy (died 1933 age 1 year due to accidental poisoning), Roland Gene (died in 1935 age 1 year of acute indigestion), Lawrence and Harold. The 1942 WWII draft records he was employed by East Kentucky Beverage

Company, was 5’5” tall, 135 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair, light complexion. There was a nip out of his right ear. While a work for Island Creek Coal on June 6, 1943, he died as a result of ‘shock and hemorrhage due to fractured pelvis, urethra and bladder’. Tick was buried in the Peggy Sword Cemetery on Island Creek.

Roy Wright was born January 5, 1914 to Joseph H. Wright and Winnie Mullins. He wasn’t married. While at work on June 9, 1934, he was caught by a mining machine and suffered a traumatic amputation of his left leg leading to death. He is buried in the Joe Wright Cemetery in Beefhide. His brother, Garnett Russell Wright was born October 25, 1921 in Dorton. He was married to Aileen Bernice Sanders in 1941 but they had no children. He was a mining engineer for Consolidated Coal at Jenkins in 1942, he was 5’10” tall, 160 pounds with gray eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. June 26, 1944 saw him caught in a slate fall which led to him suffering multiple pelvic fractures, fractured right arm, fractured left femur, internal injuries, multiple lacerations to abdomen and groin and a traumatic left inguinal hernia. He died of shock five hours later. Burial occurred in the Joe Wright Cemetery at Beefhide.

Floyd Castle was a son of Leander and Julia Isabel Daniels, born June 23, 1889 in Johnson County. He married Flora Bickford in 1908 and their children were Floyd (died September 1979), Billie Sue, Jack Thomas, Gladys (died July 1996), Earl (died July 1979) and Arthur Blake died January 1996). In the 1917 draft, he was working for Allegheny Coal and Coke at Hellier, tall, medium build, blue eyes and light hair. By 1942 he was working for Inland Steel at Wheelwright, 5’8” tall 167lbs, blue eyes, blond hair and dark complexion. On June 10, 1946 the mine car he was riding wrecked, knocking down timbers supporting the roof and permitting slate to fall. He is buried in the Johnson Memorial Cemetery.

Robert Marshall Mills, Jr. was born July 1, 1916 in Pike County, his mother being ‘Pet’ Chaffins. He married Pearl Maynard in 1933 and I have been unable to find any children. In the 1942 draft registration he was unemployed, 5’11” tall, 153lbs, brown hair and eyes, light complexion with a scar on his stomach. By November 26, 1949 he was working for Harmon Coal Company in Biggs as an electrician. He suffered a cerebral contusion and compound fracture of his head when a boom from a joy loader fell on him. He is buried in Johnson Memorial.

Floyd Paris Music, Jr. was born April 28, 1897 in Matewan WV to Floyd Paris and Isabelle Spaulding. The WWI draft described him as working for Funk Coal at Sutton, medium height and build, gray eyes and brown hair. His wife was Lena Thacker who he raised a large family with, including James Floyd, Henry Francis (died in 1949 age 28 of a car accident in Detroit), Billie Louise, Dorothy Jane (died 1928 age 1 year 11 months of

milk fever), Victor and Juanita Elizabeth. In the WWII draft registration, he was working for Shelby Steam Coal, 5’8” tall 150lbs, blue eyes, brown hair with a light complexion. He was working in Shelbiana on June 12, 1950 when he suffered a crushed skull due to a slate fall. He is buried in Johnson Memorial.

Marlow Ward Stevens was born June 14, 1889 to Taylor and Mizella Ashby. A brother, Cecil, died in 1891 age 3 and is buried in Ohio where Taylor and Mizella rest. Marlow married Mary Bessie Childers in 1915 and their children included Violet Virginia, Curtis Fleming, Kathleen Elizabeth, Robert Howard, Gwendolynn, Nethlyn Gaye, Neva and Steven Blake. The WWI draft described him as tall and slender with brown eyes and hair. He did serve in the War but I am not sure in what capacity. In the 1942 registration, he is living in Kenvir, Harlan County, working in Hellier for Kentucky Fuel Company, 5’9” tall, 170lbs, hazel eyes, black hair and a ruddy complexion. According to the Lexington Leader, he was ‘electrocuted by a 2300 volt powerline while stringing wires near the tipple’ on September 27, 1950. ‘Found by fellow worker Johnny Childers, Marlow’s gloves were scorched, indicating he tried to save himself from a fall by grasping the line. He is buried in Johnson Memorial.

At midmorning December 23, 1950 in the Hellier Coal and Coke mine at Hellier, John Chester Akers was walking across the fire brick crown of a coke oven when it suddenly crumbled beneath his weight. The heat was more than 2500 degrees. Born May 7, 1909 in Louisa, Lawrence County to Henry and Mae Wilson, he was survived by his wife Bertha Childers and son John Kenis.

Darrell Edwin Hurley was born July 15, 1927 in McVeigh to Ferry and Katherine Hunt. He married Norma Fannin in 1945 and they had David Bruce, who was a Marine in Vietnam, and Larry. He was unemployed in 1946, 5’11” tall, 167lb with brown hair and eyes with a ruddy complexion. By February 24, 1951 he was working for Eastern Coal Corp #9 mine at Ransom when he was killed instantly in a slate fall. Burial occurred in the Johnson Memorial Park.

Wilson Sword was born February 27, 1922 in the Little Dixie section of Island Creek to Lucas Bee and Elizabeth Iricks. He married Viola Delores Wright in 1949. I haven’t been able to find if they had children. In 1942 he was working for Dale Roberts at Osborne, 5’3” tall, 135 pounds with blue eyes, blonde hair and a light complexion. By February 19, 1952 he was working at a coal mine in Coal Run when he received multiple skull fractures in a slate fall. He was buried in the Dye-Sword-Compton Cemetery at Nightingale Lane in Island Creek.

William Marion ‘Willie’ Lewis was born March 13, 1889 to John Cicero Lewis and Martha Jane Graybeal. He married Hattie Childers in 1915 and their children included Eileen, Herbert, Quinten, Billie Madelynn, Gwendolynn (died September 1917 of laryngeal diphtheria at age 1 month), Mildred and Vandolia. In 1942 draft registration he was working for Hellier Coal and Coke, 5’ 7.5” tall, 150lbs blue eyes, red hair, light complexion. June 10, 1952 saw him working for Kentucky Fuels at Hellier when he died due to ‘internal hemorrhage after being struck by a shuttle car’. He was buried in Johnson Memorial.

Bobby Gene Quillen was born June 9, 1931 to Charlie and Sylvia Cox. His wife was Emma Grace Halbert and they had one son, Bobby Ray. While working for Inland Steel at Price on November 11, 1952 he was caught by a coal car and rolled beneath it along the tracks. His neck and right leg were broken. Bobby was buried in the Johnson Memorial Park. One brother and 8 sisters survived him.

Not much is known about my third cousin 4 times removed, Edward Ratliff. I know he was born October 14, 1901 in Hellier to John and Madoria Francisco. He was married twice, first to Flossie Smallwood in 1927 then to Ella Mae Talbert. He had three children, Jules Edward, Adam and Don Verlin. He was working in the mines at Hellier on May 3, 1954 when a slate fall occurred, fracturing his skull and causing respiratory paralysis.

Arthur Pete Burke was born September 28, 1927 to Tolbert and Rosa Bell Johnson. His brother Pharoah died in 1946 aged 5 months of cholera. He married Letitia Jane Johnson in 1948 and I haven’t found any children for them. While working in Deane, Letcher County on August 19, 1955 he was dragged by a shuttle car, breaking his neck and crushing his chest. Burial was in the Johnson Cemetery, Long Fork Virgie.

Andrew Jackson Burke was also a son of Taulbee/Tolbert and Rosa Belle Johnson, born January 14, 1919. He had married Mary Bentley in 1946 and they had five children, Raymond, Paul, James, George Gary, Betty June, who died age 4 after being struck by a car. Jack worked for the Taylor Brothers tuck mine at Camp Branch in Letcher County when on April 9, 1956 he was ran over by a mining car, crushing his chest, breaking his arms and legs. Burial occurred in the Johnson Cemetery at Long Fork of Virgie.

Oliver Allen was a hard working family man. He was a coal miner for inland Steel at Price and he and his wife owned the drive-in restaurant at Melvin. Born August 14, 1918 in Floyd County to Melvin and Margaret Nolen, he and his wife Billie Louise Haywood (married 1943) were the parents of three children, Arthur Michael, Barbara Ann and Alice Lafaye. While working as a joy loader operator on July 27, 1958, he was killed when a piece of slate fell, crushing his head against the machine. He was buried in Johnson Memorial.

Carmel Mutter led a quiet life; not much can be found of him. He was born in Nigh on May 23, 1920 to Landon and Sarah Harrison. His wife’s first name was Bertha but I cannot find any other information on their life together. While working in Williamson, Mingo County, WV on September 25, 1943 as a coal loader, he was caught in a slate fall. Carmel suffered crushing injuries to his pelvis with multiple fractures, shock and internal injuries with hemorrhage. He passed away three days later and was buried in Annie E. Young Cemetery.

Garrett Oliver Casey was born June 1, 1917 in Lick Creek to John and Stella Good. Brother Wallace died in 1921 age 1 year of dysentery, brother Ollie James died in 1932 age 5 of anaphylaxis. Garrett married Margie Abshire in 1935 and they had three children, Geneva, James and Phillip. While working in McVeigh on May 8, 1943 he was crushed through his chest, receiving a skull fracture in a slate fall. He was buried in Annie E. Young.

There is a discrepancy in the dates of Phil Hunt’s death certificate and his headstone. They agree that he was born April 29, 1909 (to parents John William and Mary Beth Pugh) but his headstone says he died September 30, 1942 while his death certificate states September 20, 1941. He had married Thursa Fife and had one son, Phil, Jr. in 1940. He was working in Majestic when he was caught in a slate fall. Burial was in the Annie E. Young Cemetery.

Adam ‘Add’ Hunt, brother to Phil, was born February 29, 1921. Another brother, Howard, died in 1924 aged 19 of an infection in a gunshot wound and skull fractures. Brother Ona died in 1940 age 24 of a gunshot wound to his neck and lung. Add married Vada Ramey in 1939 and they had two sons, Add, Jr. who died in October 1946 at 10 days old from bronchial pneumonia and Jerry. He was a joy helper with 7 years experience who died August 20, 1946 while working for Feds Creek Coal. The accident occurred in the main heading pickup first right section. Add and joy operator Thomas Stiltner were cleaning some loose draw slate from a fresh shot cut of coal. The slate they were moving was about 9” thick and part of the main draw slate of 16”. Seven inches of draw slate supported by one safety post formed an overhanging brow. The section foreman and timberman both stated they had made a test of this room 10 minutes before and they judged the slate to be safe. Add and Thomas were working near the face when the motor brakeman saw the slate start to tear loose. He yelled to them and they jumped, but not far enough. The slate that caught Add measured 6’x4’x7” with Thomas’ measuring 7’x4’x8”. Thomas received a broken pelvis, both men were released from the falls within a few minutes, but Add passed 15 minutes after rescue. He was buried in the Annie E. Young Cemetery.

Harlen Damron was described as the handsomest man on Greasy Creek. Born April 3, 1906 to Jack and Alifair Robinson, he married Rissie Hopkins in 1929. They are the

grandparents of Bruce Hopkins, writer from Pikeville who chronicled his family’s history and the relocation of the Prater Cemetery at the head of Greasy. While working for Republic Steel at Greasy on April 18, 1940, removing steel from the old operations, a huge piece of slate fell fracturing his skull. He was originally buried in the Prater Cemetery in the head of Greasy Creek and when the new connection to US 23 was built, the cemetery had to be relocated. Harlen’s grandson, Bruce, was the one who spearheaded the operation. He pushed for an archaeologist to do it right and the graves were moved to Annie E. Young. When Harlen’s skull was excavated, the archaeologist told Bruce that it was the best looking skull he’d ever seen.

Perry D. Bishop was born March 13, 1873 to Emma Slone and William Bishop. He married Meda Shortridge in 1902 then Florence Farley in 1906. His children were Zella, Tressa, Keither and Alex Sidney. He was a private in Company B 1st Kentucky Infantry during the Spanish American War. Mustered into service in June 1898 in Lexington, KY, it originally consisted of 48 officers and 1251 enlisted men. Company B was ordered to Ponce Puerto Rico and they arrived too soon for the unit to find itself in action. They remained in Puerto Rico as part of the island’s occupation forces until December 5, 1898. The 1st immediately set out for Louisville KY, where they mustered out on February 24, 1899. During it’s term of service, they lost 27 men to disease, one suffered an accidental death, three deserted and Perry was discharged on disability. He received an Invalid Pension of $20 from P.J. Lockwood & Company which equates to $315.61 today. He was working in Wolfpit on April 2, 1926 when he was crushed under a slate fall. Burial took place in Annie E. Young.

Willie Skeens was born August 6, 1928 in Lick Creek to Burl Skeens and Nona Sawyers. The 1945 draft registration described him as working for his father, 5’8” tall, 140lbs, hazel eyes and brown hair with a ruddy complexion. He married Pebble Little in 1946 and their children were Gaynelle Kay, Sherry, Carol and Danny. Willie was caught in a slate fall on September 18, 1958 working for Big Branch Coal. He passed away from internal thoracic hemorrhage and a rupture of his right lung. Burial took place in Annie E. Young.

Ernest Roy Luster was born December 11, 1927 in Pike County to James Robert and Nannie Carter. He married Judy Thacker and their children were Ernest Lloyd, Teresa Lynn, Kathleen and Delena. In the 1945 draft registration, he was unemployed, 5’6” tall, 120lbs, brown eyes, black hair, sallow complexion with a scar on the right arm. While working on August 21, 1958 he was caught in a slate fall, passing away five minutes later from a crushed chest, broken back and skull fractures. He was buried in Annie E. Young.

Jonathan ‘John’ Coleman was born in the Fishtrap area of Pike County on September 20, 1896. His parents were Nathaniel and Isabel Slone. He had several siblings including Oliver Tivis, Rose, Sarah, DAvid, Jefferson, Hayes and Mertie Alice.

His wife was Maggie Hattie Thacker who he married in 1918 but I don’t know if they had any children. In the 1917 draft registration, he was working for McKinney Steel, medium height, slender build, gray eyes, brown hair. The 1942 WWII registration described him as working for Semik Salvey Coal, 5’9”, 190lbs, hazel eyes, brown hair and ruddy complexion. He was working for Hellier Coal and Coke on September 25, 1955 when he suffered a broken neck, crushed chest and multiple skull fractures in a slate fall. He was buried in Annie E. Young.

Herbert Dennis ‘Herb’ Williams was born to Montroville and Pricy Elizabeth Rowe Williams on May 16, 1899. In 1917, he was farming for his father Mont Williams at Lick Creek, medium height and build, blue eyes and brown hair. He married Cora Havanna Fields in 1918 and they had one daughter Wilga. They divorced in 1920. Herb married Zettie Fields in 1920 and their children were Ezel, Hasco (who died in 1944 age 21 in the French Invasion), Chester (died in 1934 age 8 of typhoid fever) Ollie, Alice, Allen and Pebble. Zetta died in 1944 age 44 of colon cancer. The 1942 WWII registration states he was working for Buchanan County Coal Corporation at Big Rock, 5’4” tall, 125 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion with a broken foot. Herb married Ethel Ashby in 1945 and they had no children. On April 7, 1955 at work for Kentland-Elkhorn Coal at Dunlap, he was struck in the back of the head by an iron bar thrown by a machine. Burial was in Annie E. Young.

Lawson Smith was born May 19, 1919 to John Smith & Rebecca Ellen Deskins. He married Goldie Williamson in 1944 and their children were Rose Ellen, Betty Lou, Patty Sue and Lawson, Jr. While working for Kentland Elkhorn #1 mine at Dunlap on April 22, 1955 he was caught in a slate fall and he passed from multiple pelvic fractures and emboli of the lungs and heart. He is buried in Annie E. Young.

Jonathan Christopher Justice had multiple professions during his life. Born July 15, 1897 in the Fishtrap region to Thomas Jefferson and Charlotte Chaney Justice, he was a school teacher before becoming a coal miner. In 1917 he was a schoolteacher, tall and stout, with blue eyes and dark hair. He married Nancy Blackburn in 1921 and they had three children, Lester, Chester and June. The WWII draft registration described him as working for Buchanan County Coal, 6’3” tall, 185lbs, blue eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion. While working at Biggs on January 24 1951, he was caught in a slate fall that fractured his femur. Lobar pneumonia set in and he died on January 27. He was buried in Annie E. Young.

Earl Compton was born December 12, 1900 to Noah and Sarah Alice Ramey. Brother Calvin died in 1910 at age 17, James Lionel died in 1923 age 20 in a mine accident, Victor died in 1912 aged 1 year of flux and dysentery. His wife was Louisa Coleman, marrying in 1926 and having James, Edith Jean and Earl Jr. Earl was working for High Point Elkhorn Coal Mine #1 on July 18, 1947 in room No. 3, 2nd right air course. The

machine crew cut the left break and were halfway across the face when a fall of draw slate measuring 15’x11.5’x3” came. His helper stated the top was not tested and that no safety timbers were inside. He was buried in the Annie E. Young Cemetery.

James Lionel Compton was born Valentine’s Day 1903. He wasn’t married. On October 30, 1923, he was crushed by mine cars. His death certificate states he was buried in the Wilson Cemetery at Draffin.

James Calloway Maynard was born May 17, 1878 in West Virginia to George and Jennie Frazier. He married Mary Molly Runyon in 1901 and their children were George (who died in 1918 age 16 when a mine motor ran over his foot, breaking the bones and causing sepsis), Bertha, Jennie and James Arthur. While working shooting and shoveling coal for Upper Elkhorn Coal on September 15, 1913, he passed away from exhaustion due to paralysis after a slate fall on May 14.

Newspaper articles for this area from the early 1900’s are rare, but we have two, albeit small, mentions of Robert Thacker. Born in 1894 to unknown parents, he wasn’t married. According to The Winchester Sun of October 16, 1913, he was from West Virginia and had predicted his death. The Courier Journal of Louisville, KY October 9, 1913 edition states ‘killed instantly by falling slate in mines at Shelbiana. Engaged in removing timber supports from the roof of the mine when the roof gave way. His neck was broken.’ I have not found his burial location.

Benjamin Charles is a distant cousin of mine; I am the 5th great granddaughter of his 2nd great grandparents, George and Christean Michael Charles who settled on Raccoon. Ben was born January 8, 1888 to William Riley and Mary Polly Burton Charles. His siblings included John, Daisy and Bessie. He wasn’t married. While working for Borderland Coal he touched a live wire and was killed instantly. I am not sure where he is buried.

Rush Gooslin was born in March 1894 to John Henry and Elizabeth Scott. His sister Margaret ‘Peggy’ died in 1918 aged 27 of flu and pneumonia. Brother Ambrose died in 1921 age 13 of unknown causes. Rush worked for Turkey Gap Coal when he passed away on June 26, 1911. I have not found the details of his death nor where he is buried.

Melvin Copley was born December 10, 1869 in Wayne County West Virginia to Thomas Jefferson and Mary Jane McNeely. He married Melissa Meade in 1898 and they had two children, Robert Wesley and Merlie. He was working for Thacker Coal on April 25, 1911 when he passed away, likely due to a slate fall. His burial location is unknown.

Oliver H. May was born January 29, 1886 in Pike County to Andron Andrew and Martha Jane Smith. His brother Henry passed away age 24, brothers Thomas and James Madison were each 20 when they died, deaths occurring prior to 1911 so no death

certificates available. Oliver passed away on June 24, 1914 when he was ran over by a mine motor. Burial was somewhere in Pinson Fork.

Floyd Roberts was born December 19, 1888 to Elliott and Mary Howard Roberts. His wife was Eliza McCoy who he married in 1909 and their children were Vernie, Earl, Melda and Grace. While working for the Burnwell Coal Company at Blackberry November 10, 1914, he was ran over by a mine motor. Floyd was buried in the McCoy Cemetery at Burnwell.

Immigrants helped not only build our largest cities, but helped tiny, rural communities flourish. Emilio Ishmael was born in 1876 in Romania. Who his parents were, if he was married and waiting to raise enough money to bring his wife over is unknown. He was working for a coal mine in Stone on January 19, 1915 as a coal loader when he was killed in a slate fall. His death certificate states he was buried in McVeigh but the exact location is unknown.

Adam Wright was born in Pike County in 1894 to Samuel Wright and Minerva Fleming. His siblings were Sarah, Christopher Columbus, Samuel Jr., Dixie and Drew. Adams wasn’t married when he passed in the Dumper Mine at Hellier on November 13, 1915 when a runaway car crushed him. Burial was in the Wilson Cemetery at Draffin.

Still in the ‘honeymoon phase’ of marriage, Lawrence McCoy and Virgie Tackett had only been married 9 months. Lawrence was born June 6, 1893 to Sanford and Demarse Hunt; he and Virgie married in March 1915 but they did not have any children. While working for Sharon Coal and Coke at Stone, he was crushed December 11, 1915 in a slate fall, dying of pneumonia two days later. Burial was in the Murphy Cemetery.

My great great grandfather, Frank Johnson, was born December 23, 1879 to Solomon Henry and Diana Osborne Johnson. Frank married Lieu Sherwood September 27, 1906 and they had four children, Jean, Maudie who unfortunately died in 1923 of dysentery at the age of 12, Allard who is my great grandfather and Eunice. Frank was described as tall, medium build with brown eyes and black hair in the draft registration of 1917. Papaw Allard was born in 1911 and after Frank was killed, he had to find work to help support his mother and sisters. He went to work for the mines near their home on Island Creek. My grandfather, Allard’s son in law, has pointed out a lot of the mines that he worked in, in and around the area of the YMCA, the mouth of Cedar Creek and even one across the river behind Pikeville High School. It’s possible Frank worked these same mines-no newspapers for Pike County exist for that time and I can find no record of what exactly happened on August 16, 1918. Frank’s death certificate states that he

received severe burns in a powder explosion and was transported to Riverview Hospital in Louisa where he passed away September 9, 1918. He is buried in the Dye-Sword-Compton Cemetery at the mouth of Nightingale Lane, Pikeville.

Benjamin Harrison Patton was born January 2, 1889 to John Wesley and Nancy Mullins. His wife was Olga Lou Emma Belcher, marrying in 1910, and they had Tessie May and Kermit Roosevelt. Ben was caught in a slate fall on October 4, 1918 while working in Hellier. He was buried in Elkhorn City Cemetery.

Marietta Mine Explosion-February 7, 1922

11 men were in the mine at the time, 8 discovered dead, 2 hurt and
one missing from a dust explosion. Altho timbers and coal were blown out, the Mine itself was not seriously damaged. One theory was a ‘windy shot’ ignited coal dust.

Oscar and Paul Nunnely were born to Charles and Nancy Perry. Oscar was born in 1893 and Paul in 1903. Neither were married or had children. They are buried somewhere on Pinson Fork.

Paris Adkins was born February 16, 1896 in Beaver, Floyd County to Andrew Jackson Adkins and Tamsey Jane Ratliff. He was married to Crissie Keen but I haven’t found any children. His burial location is unknown, but in McVeigh.

****These are the only two men buried in Pike County; the others are buried in other parts of the state or out of state.

James Thomas Looney was born September 30, 1889 to George and Melvina Owens. He married Mary Belcher in 1911 and they had one daughter, Effel. On February 10, 1922 he was crushed by a line of loaded coal cars. Burial occurred in the Wilson Cemetery at Draffin.

George Thacker was born March 23, 1892 to Green Harve and Rachel Kendrick. On April 29, 1918 he enlisted as a private in Company E of the 18th Infantry. They served extensively in France during WWI including Cantigny, Soissons, and the Meuse-Argonne. The 18th received the French Croix de Guerre for valor. Upon return from the war, some units participated in Victory Parades through New York City. George was formally discharged on September 24, 1919. He married a woman named Isabelle, but I cannot find her last name, nor if they had any children. On April 28, 1922 he loaded 3 shot holes with dynamite, and thinking 1 was a dud, he went to relight the fuse when it went off, killing him instantly. He was buried in the Bevins Cemetery, Pompey Branch at Millard.

Samuel C. Mullins was born November 15, 1898 to Tandy Wilson and Sabra Ethel Greer. His sister Ada Lillian died in 1919 aged 14 months. In the 1918 WWI draft registration, he is working as a sawmill worker in Myra, medium height and build with blue eyes and light hair. He married Delphia Collier in 1919 and they had two sons, Clyde and Creed. He was working in Jenkins, Letcher County on January 19, 1923 as a fireman at the power plant when he sustained burns over his entire body. Burial took place in the L.R. Greer Cemetery, Phillip Branch Road in Myra. Brother Thomas Alvin was living and working near Birmingham Alabama in 1940 when he registered for the draft. Sadly, he was also killed in a coal mine in 1942 at the age of 27. He is buried in the same cemetery.

Benjamin Franklin Coleman was born February 11, 1898 in Pike County to Joseph and Lavina Jane Rose. He enlisted in the Coastal Artillery Corp. on May 19, 1918 and was discharged April 18, 1919. He married Mae Wolford in 1920 and they had two children, Ormsby who died in 1957 of a slate fall (he will be discussed later), and Florine. While working in Ashland, Boyd County on December 14, 1924 as a machine operator, he was crushed in a slate fall. He was buried in the Buddy Ratliff Cemetery, Poor Bottom in Elkhorn City.

Valentine ‘Valie’ McPeek was born November 9, 1894 to Elisha and Nancy Ann Tackett. He married Sylvia Miller in 1911 and they had five children: Russell Eugene ‘Teddy’ who died in 1945 in Germany and is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery, Victor, Harold, Blanche Helen and Paul. In the WWI Draft, he was working for Edgewater Coal, tall with medium build, blue eyes and brown hair. While working in Coalgood in Pike County on March 26, 1925 he was caught in a slate fall. Burial was in the Lookout Cemetery, Poor Bottom Road, Lookout.

Caudill Robinson was born in Alka, Pike County October 30, 1904 to Harmon and Mary Kendrick. His sister Emma died in 1918 age 21 of a miscarriage caused by the flu. Her son, Edgar, died two days prior at age 1 from the flu. Another sister, Cindy died in 1926 age 26 of an intestinal obstruction. Caudill wasn’t married at the time of his death on April 13, 1925 while working in the Greasy Creek Mine. Burial was in the John Robinson Cemetery at Greasy.

William Whitt was born in November 1863 to William and Nancy Ann Blackburn. He had two siblings who died as toddlers: brother Henry age 6 and sister Jane age 5, both before 1860 as they are not listed in the census. William married Arminda May and had Thomas Jefferson, John and Thomas Burgess ‘Dock’. While working for Fordson Coal at Stone on July 6, 1925 a piece of slate fell, crushing his chest. He was buried somewhere in Pinson Fork.

George Washington Chapman was born February 26, 1907 to Samuel Jackson ‘Tilden’ and Mary Etta Varney. He wasn’t married. His brother Bobby Earl died in 1910 age 2, brother Harold Edward died 1923 age 5 of pneumonia. While working at the Bailey Mine on July 7 1925, he was ran over by an empty mine car. Burial was in the Varney Family Cemetery at Pinson Fork.

Brakeman Guy Rowe was born June 14, 1902 to William and Sarah Belle Ramsey. He wasn’t married but his siblings included Hasten, Liza, Lonnie, John, Sadie, Ossie, Charles, Addie and Elden. While working in the Greasy Creek mine on September 4, 1925, he was killed in a slate fall. Burial took place in the Mary Yates Cemetery at Pike County.

Roland Blankenship was born January 23, 1893 in Jamboree to Henry and Francis Blankenship. He was married to Sadie Mounts in 1916 and their children were William, who died in 1918 age 1 year of measles complicated by pneumonia, Hollie, Otis and Edna Mae. In the 1917 draft registration, he was described as medium height and build, blue eyes and black hair. He served as a Private in Company F of the 336th Infantry as part of the 87th Division (Golden Acorns), training at Camp Sherman, Ohio in 1918. The unit arrived in France in late September 1918 but did not see frontline combat; it functioned primarily in support roles. Many men suffered from the 1918 flu epidemic, many in Company E succumbed to bronchial pneumonia. Roland returned home and was working in the coal mines at Freeburn on September 24, 1925 when he was run over and crushed by a mine motor. His body was interred in the Mounts Family Cemetery in Freeburn.

Palmer Adkins was born November 10, 1907 to James Braxton and Eliza Gillespie. He wasn’t married or had any children. While at work on October 31, 1925, he was killed in a mining accident, but I do not know the details. He is buried in the Basil Robinson Cemetery in Greasy Creek.

Robert Baker was born March 2, 1888 in Buchanan County, VA but I do not know his parents. He was married to Polly Ann Triplett and their children were William Ira, Cecil Allen, Missouri, John Dewey and Arthurt Charles. In the 1917 draft he was described as a farmer, with a wife and 3 children, medium height and built, blue eyes and light hair. While at work on November 4, 1925 in Hellier, he was killed in a mining accident; details unknown. I also do not know where he was buried.

Alvin Duran Tackett was born January 31, 1906 to Oliver Tackett and Emaline ‘Lina; Hudson. He wasn’t married nor did he have children. His brother James Egbert died age 14 in 1918. While at work for Elkhorn Piney Mining in Hartley on November 28, 1925 he was killed in an accident. I am unable to find the details but he is buried in the Amil Little Cemetery in Pike County.

Louis Charles was born in 1878 to Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Cain. Thomas and my third great grandfather, Andrew Jackson Charles were brothers. While at work on December 31, 1925 for Big Shoal Coal, he died of cardiac arrest due to shock injuries to urinary bladder, fracture of pelvis and paralysis of ribs. He is buried in the Upper Joe’s Creek Church of Christ Cemetery, Left Fork of Joe’s Creek.

Fred Newsome was born October 16, 1897 to Greenville and Elizabeth Howell. He married Stella Howell in 1920 and they had one son, James. While working for Excelsior Coal on January 4, 1926 he was crushed by a slate fall. He was buried in the Howell Cemetery, Coon Branch of Island Creek.

George Washington Compton was born August 5, 1896 to Bird and Mary Ramsey. Brother Ezra died in 1946 in a slate fall. Half brother Whetzel died in 1921 age 17. He married Martha Ratliff in 1917 and their children were Merlin, George and Clancie Elbert. While at work on January 20, 1926 for Smith Company Mine he was in an accident that caused compound fractures of both of his legs. Tetanus set in and he passed away January 27. Burial was in the Compton Cemetery at Yeager.

Abraham Patrick Spradlin was born in Morgan County May 26, 1854 to Lee Spradlin and Nancy Holbrook. He married Francis Matilda Neff in 1874 and their children were Carrie, Flotilla Ann, Sarah Elizabeth, Henry Patrick, Ransom Lee, Minnie Mae, Fred Clay and Beatrice. He was working in Coaldale on Valentine’s Day 1926 (he was 71 years old!) when he was injured while trying to get out of the way of a runaway motor. He survived 18 hours and burial was in the Hellier Cemetery, Edgewater Road.

The burial location of Marvin Potter is unknown, but his parents lived in Elkhorn city at the time of his death so it’s likely he is buried there. Marvin was born April 21, 1905 in Wolfpit to Enoch and Bertha Martin. He wasn’t married and he didn’t have any children. He was crushed in the Wolfpit mines on March 1, 1926.

Frank Metris Clark was born December 10, 1904 to William Thomas and Georgia Ratliff. He wasn’t married and he didn’t have any children. While working for the Greasy Creek mine on April 7, 1926 he was electrocuted somehow. He was buried buried in the Clark Cemetery, Lykins Creek Road, Coal Run.

Beeb Blankus Blackburn (that is the name I found, he went by Bee) was born December 20, 1882 to unknown parents, he married Polly Varney and his children were Tina and Nicholas ‘Dock’. I am unsure as to what happened, but he died on May 2, 1926 and was buried in the Coeburn Point Cemetery in Huddy.

John Thomas Hogston was born October 3, 1891 to William & Mary Caroline Phipps. He was a private in Company C of the 1st Pioneer Unit of WWI. Formed in January 1918 at Camp Wadsworth SC, it incorporated 1500 men from Kentucky and Southern Indiana

via Camp Zachary Taylor in March 1918 to support combat operations. They were designed to work on roads, bridges and fortifications, often operating at the front lines to clear obstruction for the American Expeditionary Forces. John married Rissa Stalker in 1919 and their children were George, who was stillborn, Mary Gertrude, who died at one day old and Estil who survived. He was working for the Dunleary Mine on June 7, 1926 when he was killed in a slate fall. Burial was in the Wilson Cemetery at Draffin.

Lonnie Miller was born March 16, 1905 to John Richard and Caroline Louise Adkins. He married Augusta Kinney just nine months before his death on June 19, 1926 while working for Elkhorn Coal in Wheelwright, Floyd County. He was caught in a slate fall which crushed his neck. Lonnie was buried in the Potter Cemetery in Yeager.

Milroy Sanders was born February 27, 1892 in Whites Creek WV to Jacob and Mary Kelly. He served as a PFC in the 128th Infantry 32 Division from WV in WWI. He was of medium height and build, grey eyes and light brown hair. In the closing months of the war, the 128th Infantry participated in several major campaigns including Alsace, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne and Meuse-Argonne. For their fury in combat, the nickname “Les Terribles” or “The Terrible Ones” was given to them by the French. As they pierced the famed Hindenburg Line, the 32d Infantry Division became known as the “Red Arrow” Division – a name that has remained to the present day and is reflected in shoulder patch. Milroy married Malinda Damron and their daughter was Mary, who died in 1937 age 12 from spinal meningitis. He worked for Manco Mines on September 11, 1926 when he was caught in a slate fall. He was buried in the Blair Cemetery in Pikeville.

David Dalton ‘Dave’ Kelly was born January 24, 1881 to unknown parents. He married Viola Friend and their children were Homer, Earl Dalton, Burnis Ella who died in 1910 age 6 months of cholera, Raymond Delbert, Pearl, Marie, Russell, and Edward. He was working for Rockhouse Coal on November 15, 1926 when he was struck by a mine car. His burial location is unknown.

Whitton Coleman was born January 15, 1900 to William Riley and Elitha Deel. He married Clara Bentley in 1922 and their children included Dennis, Glemma and Avonelle. While working for Smith & Walther Coal in Millard on November 27, 1926 he was struck by a slate fall. Burial was in the Coleman Cemetery, Lower Pompey.

Charles Wesley Slone was born June 25, 1874 in Sip, Johnson County KY to William Harkman and Mary Jane Sexton. He married Calista Katherine Boggs in 1899 and they had a large family which included James Paris, Bud, who died as an infant, Herma, Mary, Juila, Walter Harman, Harlan, Joseph Wesley, John who died aged 2 years, and Curtis Mayo. While working for Elkhorn Coal at Garrett on November 30, 1931, a mine

motor drove over him. He lived for two hours after being hurt, and he was returned to lie in the W.H. Coleman Cemetery at Wolfpit.

John Lee Adkins was born April 30, 1885 to George Washington ‘Bud’ Adkins and Lucinda Ball. He married Hester Meade in 1908 and their children were Osie, Eulice, Birdell, Noah, Orville, Beverly, Lowell and Tommy. John was working for Utilities Elkhorn Coal at Boldman on the Floyd/Pike County line May 6, 1932 when he fell from the tipple, breaking his back and suffering multiple head injuries. He was treated and released home. He died September 2, 1932 and was buried in the Adkins-Justice Cemetery, James Street and Davis Road in Blairtown/Hurricane.

Perry Adkins was born August 15, 1896 in Lookout to Peter and Josephine Breeding. He married Nora Ratliff in 1915 and their children were Raymond, Nellie, Edward, Freeman and Edgel. In the 1917 draft registration, Perry was described as medium height, slender build with brown hair and eyes. He was a coalminer for Edgewater Coal in Marrowbone during the tumultuous decade of the 1930’s. Harlan County wasn’t the only county that was bloody. According to the Kentucky Advocate out of Danville, January 29, 1934 edition, 50-75 shots were fired as some of the miners began to enter the workings. None were injured then but Deputy Sheriff Marvin Williamson, in an attempt to get a rifle he had noticed in a schoolhouse, shot and killed Perry who jumped up and grabbed the weapon. Williamson then shot Avery Hill, who was expected to recover. Approximately 5,000 miners, also UMWA members, attended Perry’s funeral, his burial postponed so they could attend. Trouble was predicted for the day of the funeral but all was quiet. The following day, 16 members of the Pikeville National Guard were deputized to patrol Edgewater Coal. Twenty-one miners face charges resulting from demonstrations and disorders caused by the strike. He is buried somewhere on Rockhouse Creek.

Edison Bowling was born February 24, 1915 to Kenis and Dollie Francisco. He wasn’t married but his siblings were Vernon, Foster, Sue Ann, Sally Joyce, Nelle, Kermit, Russell, Jim Bob and Gusta Louise. He was working in Lookout on December 27, 1935 when he was caught in a slate fall, crushing his skull, chest, both femurs and lumbar spine. He was buried in the Bowling Fork Cemetery, Bowling Fork.

Lonnie Lee Compton was a single man at the time of his death. Born June 12, 1903 in Hartley to Linzy and Mary Tackett, his siblings included two brothers and three sisters. He had just finished his days work on May 26, 1938 as a coal loader for Koppers Coal in Weeksbury, Floyd County, and was talking to some friends. He leaned back, to rest himself and the back of his neck touched a trolley wire. He was buried in the Amil Little Cemetery, Buck Tackett Road, Long Fork Virgie.

Frank Woodward was born in Frenchburg, Menifee County to George Byron and Augusta Kinney. He married Grace Steele in 1926 and their children were Dorothy June, Oakie, Harold, Franklin and Claudette, who died aged 2 days in 1934 of ‘hives’. Frank was working for Big Lump Coal in Shelbiana on June 19, 1938 when the train ran over him. His right foot was amputated, he had several jaw fractures and other head injuries. He is buried in the Moore Cemetery, East Shelbiana Road, Millard.

Joy Loader helper Raleigh Cassel was born MArch 22, 1908 in Martin County to James Monroe and Mary Belle Smith. He married Vina Stiltner in 1935 and they had one son, Melvin James. While working in Majestic Collieries #5 mine, he was so severely injured by a fall of slate that he died 190 days later on December 20, 1938. He and a helper had cleaned up the left side of the play with the joy loader on June 13, 1938 and while the motor crew was changing cars they switched their loading machine over to the right side to clean up the remainder of the cut. It was necessary for Cassel to get on the right side of the machine and pull the cable back out of the way along the ribline. When the motor crew placed a car, he was still on the right side of the machine, holding the cable. The operator started the machine, and had loaded about a ton and a half of coal when a large lump came up on the loading boom and knocked out a crossbar, letting a piece of slate fall on Raleigh. He is buried somewhere in Majestic.

Martin Louis ‘Mart’ Cook was born June 27, 1912 to John Anderson and Marie Melissa Adams. He married Thelma Breedlove in 1933 and they had four children, William Donald, Elizabeth Ann, Violet Mae and Angelia who was stillborn due to a difficult delivery. Working in a coal mine at Hellier on February 1, 1939, he backed into a trolley wire and was electrocuted. Mart was buried in the Bartley Cemetery at Hellier. Violet was born just 20 days after her father’s passing. In the 1940 census, Thelma and the children were living with her parents, Marie and William Breedlove. Later that year she married James Edward Crum and they had six children.

Ervin Lynch, Sr. was born February 8, 1911 to Pid and Belle Scott. He married Garnet Marcum in 1933 and their children were Lois, Irvin, Jr. and Chalmer. He was employed as a brakeman on a motor in the Utilitis Elkhorn Mine at Buck’s Branch in Martin. Three hours into his shift, his machine backed into a trolley wire and he was electrocuted. He is buried in the Nan Weddington Cemetery, located on the hill by the Windmill Restaurant at Coal Run.

Earl Potter was born October 4, 1908. I am unable to find his parents, wife or children. He was working for Emperor Coal at Freeburn, a brakeman of 12 years, so seriously injured by a crossbar falling on him and knocking him off the motor that he died 10 1⁄2 hours later. He broke 7 ribs, punctured a lung and had internal injuries. Earl was riding backwards on the stirrup of the motor, probably heard the crossbar rubbing and thought

it was just coal dragging off as this was just about the lowest place in the entry. He was buried in the Taylor Family Cemetery, Highway 194 in Freeburn.

William ‘Willie’ Spears was born December 29, 1889 to George Washington and Henrietta Rowe. He married Louemma Branham and they had nine children, Cecil who died in 1925 of typhoid fever, Earl, Nora, Ira Corbin, Bert, Jessie who was in a car accident in June 1945 age 26 which led to his death from pneumonia and anemia of the brain, Eulah, Ann and Fred Olen. On October 10, 1939 while working for Kopper coal in Weeksbury, Floyd County, he was caught in a slate fall which broke his back. He was sent to Huntington for treatment who then sent him home. His family cared for him at their home in Dunleary until December 27, 1939 when he passed away. Burial took place in the Spears Cemetery at Dunleary/Belcher.

Gomer Hampton was born October 25, 1920 in Floyd County to Pleasant and Lena Tackett. His siblings were Forest, Cecil, Joseph, Archie, Hassell, Lillie Mae, Madge, Minerva and Helen. He had been married just three weeks to Bessie Tackett when he was crushed by a slate fall on January 9, 1940 in the Koppers Coal mine at Weeksbury. He lay injured for two hours before his brother, Forest who was working in a nearby room, found him. He was taken from the mine and first aid given. They wanted to take him to Huntington but took him to Martin first where he died minutes later. He is buried somewhere in Hartley.

Rufus May was born October 13, 1905 to Adron Andrew May and Columbia Stacy. He married Perlina Gannon in 1925 and they had seven children, Ruthie Mae who died in 1934 age 1 year from bronchial pneumonia, Loretta Sue died 1936 of an embolism at the age of 1 day, Cora Lee, Robert Gene, James Adron, Dorothy June and Phyllis Gail. Rufus was working for a coal mine in McAndrews on January 11, 1940 when he was caught in a slate fall which crushed his head. He was buried in the Gannon Cemetery in Kimper.

John Elkins was born May 4, 1903 in West Virginia to Albert and Louisa Jane Elkins. He married Goldie Porter in 1921 and their children were Walter, Elizabeth, Irene and a stillborn son in 1923. While working as a motorman for the Payne Barber coal mine in Fed, January 15, 1940, he came into contact with a trolley wire. He was changing the pole on the motor when he raised his shoulder. Prompt first aid was given but he did not survive. Burial was in a cemetery at Marrowbone.

William James ‘Willie’ Freeman was born October 12, 1913 in Damrontown (wherever that was) to James Marion and Rosa Dempsey. He married Edith Kovach in 1933 and they had one son, William Lowe. He married Annie Fay Dotson in 1937 and their children were Sheila Rose and James ‘Buddy’. His brother Carl died in 1911 age 1

from brain fever. Willie was working in Williamson May 29, 1940 when he was caught in a slate fall, crushing his pelvis and rupturing his bladder. He was buried in the Coeburn Point Cemetery in Huddy.

Floyd Coleman was born to Elexious and Betsy Ann Smith July 3, 1904 in Big Creek. He married Dixie Damron and they had two sons, James Edward and Thurman Lee. His brother, Scott passed away in 1937 at the age of 22 due to typhoid fever and a deformation of his colon. Floyd was working in McCarr when he came into contact with a trolley wire; he was killed instantly. Burial was listed on his death certificate as being in the Stafford Cemetery, Find a Grave has it as the Coleman-Adkins Cemetery on Long Fork of Kimper.

Curt Luster Johnson was born September 15, 1912 in Floyd County to David and Nancy Jane Caudill. Brother Bennie died in 1921 age 4 of spinal meningitis. Brother Haz died in 1923 age 3 of the Spanish flu and pneumonia. Sister Annie died in 1911 age 9 months of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis. He was married to Wanda Ratliff and it’s possible they had children but I can’t find a record of any. On June 26, 1940 while working in Martin, Curt slipped and fell beneath a moving coal car. He was a brakeman and suffered internal injuries as well as a broken hip, leg, jaw and collarbone. He is buried in the Lowe Cemetery in Broad Bottom.

James W. ‘Jim’ Williamson was born May 26, 1898 to Oliver and Rosa Lee Bell. He married Claudia Coleman in 1920 and they had seven children, Stearl, Lurlie, James, Jr., Everett, Charles, Ethel, and Rosa. A coal loader, he was caught July 15, 1940 in a slate fall in a coal mine at Stone. Burial was in the Williamson-Hatfield-Coleman Cemetery at Sand Camp Hollow, Blackberry on private property.

John Hall was born October 18, 1905 to Joseph and Rebecca Tackett. He was married to Alice Jones and they had three children, Nella Mae, Hester Marie and Mary Lou. His brother Leo died in 1926 age 4 due to unknown causes. John was working for Payne Barber Coal on July 17, 1940 when he was caught in a slate fall. He died several hours after being rescued from a brain contusion and skull fracture. He was buried in the Little Fork Cemetery, Robinson Creek.

Richard Lee Gray was born January 26, 1903 Pikeville to James William and Margaret Robinson. He married Daisy Compton in 1929 and their children were Chester, James, Elmer, Richard, Jaqueline and Emma Grace. Richard was working for Koppers Coal in Weeksbury October 1, 1940 when he was caught in a slate fall. He was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington where he passed away February 28, 1941, without returning home. He was buried in the John Mims Sword Cemetery on Left Fork Island Creek. Daisy died in 1942 age 22 of typhoid, which she battled for 6 weeks, and bronchial pneumonia which she suffered for 4 days. She is buried by his side.

James Albert Kirk was born November 5, 1898 in Martin, Floyd County to Thomas and Nancy Jane Maynard. He married Virginia ‘Virgie’ Conn in 1918 and their children included Willis, Paul who died age 24 in 1948 due to cirrhosis of the liver and terminal lobar pneumonia; he was a WWII veteran, Harold, also a WWII veteran, Morris Eugene, James Albert Jr. who died aged 2 from tuberculosis in 1926, Donald who died of dysentery aged 5 in 1936, Ellis Carl, Ed, Glennis, Lela Ruth and Faye. While working as a coal loader in Freeburn, he was crushed in a slate fall. Albert was buried in the Cline Cemetery in Freeburn.

Matthew Hughes was born November 30, 1918 to James Kelly Hughes and Nancy Niece. A brother, George Washington was found dead in 1916 at the age of 6 months. He married Chloe Mercer in 1938 and they had a daughter, Wilma Belle. According to the 1940 WWII draft, he was working for Consolidated Coal, 5’5” tall, 142 pounds with blue eyes, black hair and a ruddy complexion. At work on June 16, 1941 in Jenkins, he was crushed in a slate fall, living an hour. Burial was in the Elkswick Cemetery at Booker Fork of Caney. This Hughes line comes from Crittenden County and is not related to the Pike/Floyd County Hughes’. Chloe has Pike County connections through her mother; she is a great granddaughter of Jasper Case and Spicy Roberts. She is my 2nd cousin 3x removed.

Thomas Hurston Dotson was born September 21, 1919 to Willam Edward and Ida Cook. His brother Houston was a WWII POW and a soldier in Korea. He married Bonnie Mae Mullins in 1939 and their children were Arlie Hugh Gordon (adopted), Delores Dawn and Tommy Lou. In the 1940 WWII draft registration, he was working for Consolidated Coal at McRoberts, 5’9” tall 148 pounds, grey eyes, brown hair with a light complexion. Thomas died July 17, 1941 due to cerebral damage from a fractured skull in a slate fall. It is unclear where Thomas is buried. His death certificate reads burial at Lionhill in Pike County (hear Beefhide) but research in the cemeteries of that area have been unsuccessful due to Debra Hart Blackgrave Tyre, granddaughter in law of Thomas.

Eldon Horace Pruitt was born in 1917 in Alabama to Charles and Bea Ogle. He married Magdaline Estep and their children were Peggy Ann, Horace, Ralph Edward and Raymond David. In the 1940 WWII draft he was working for Majestic Collieries, was 6’4” tall, 180 pounds, gray eyes, brown hair with a light complexion. On August 26, 1941 he fell across a 2300 volt line while attempting to remove a broken bell signal wire which had fallen across a high tension power line. He died from heart and respiratory failure. Eldon was buried somewhere in Majestic.

Jacob ‘Jake’ Wolford was born August 17, 1888 in Jamboree to John and Rebecca Dotson. Jake’s brother Lewis died in 1878, sister Marietta died in 1886. He married Lillian Chaney and had one daughter, Mildred Ivory. In 1911 he married Ida Blankenship and they had Dewey, who died in 1920 age 5 of flu and pneumonia, Pearl

and Ernest Charles. In the 1917 WWI draft, he was tall, with a medium build, dark brown eyes and black hair. On September 30, 1941 while working for Majestic Collieries, he was caught in a slate fall. Burial was in the Blankenship Cemetery at Stopover.

Melvin Osborne was born March 20, 1900 to Preston and Eunice Victoria Calhoun. The 1917 WWI draft described him as farming for himself in Virgie, tall and slender, brown eyes and black hair. He married Elizabeth ‘Etty’ Bridgeman in 1919 and their children were Geneva who died in 1940 of hypostatic pneumonia, rheumatic fever and septic sore throat, Gladys, Blanche Opal, Billie Eugene, Kathryne, Mary Ella, Corrine, Douglas Allen, James Ralph, King Solomon. A trip of loaded cars plunged into a labor trip assisting another loaded string of cars on October 6, 1941 in the Payne Barber Coal mine at Clear Creek. It was reported that the labor trip, following the first string of loaded cars, stopped to help when the preceding motor failed on an incline. The following trip was sent out on the premise that the other trips had already reached the outside. Melvin was buried in the Ray Family Cemetery in Pike County.

Charles Marion Pruitt was born August 8, 1894 in Ashland, Clay County, Alabama to John and Pernina Clark. He married Bea Ogle in 1910 and their children were Luther Marion, John William, Eldon who died in the same mine in August 1941, Charles Melvin, Beatrice Mae, Henry Thomas, Mildred Irene, Ruby Eulene, Eva who died in 1936 age 1 year of bilateral pneumonia and cardiac failure, and Clarence. The WWI draft of 1917 described him as a farmer, short, medium build with brown eyes and dark hair. In the October 24, 1941 edition of the Lexington Herald, It states that ‘less than two months after his son was killed in a mining accident, Charles Pruitt, 47, was injured fatally today at the Majestic Collieries. He was crushed in a collision of three mine motors. His son, Horace, 25 was electrocuted August 24 near the Majestic tipple. Witnesses said that while the elder Pruitt was riding one motor, another struck, knocking him off his seat and between the two vehicles. A third motor crashed into the two which first collided, crushing him. He is buried somewhere in Majestic.

Joe Dotson was born October 9, 1910 to Allen and Rhoda Jane Slone. Sister Minda died in 1918 age 18 of influenza which also caused a miscarriage. A brother John died in 1933 age 30 under suspicious circumstances. He married Elva Nancy Dotson and their children were Avery, Irvin, Glen and Irene. While working in a mine at Freeburn on November 9, 1941 he was crushed in a slate fall. He is buried somewhere in Freeburn.

John William Gentry was born December 24, 1903 to Jesse and Kizzie Yates. He married Bessie Hughes in 1934 and they had three children, Walter Simon, Charles and Susie Ann. He was working in Burnwell on November 16, 1941 when he was caught in a slate fall. Burial was in the McCoy Cemetery, beside his mother, Kentucky 292 in Burnwell.

Rupert B. Maynard was born August 31, 1916 to Christopher Rell and Nancy Lowe. He wasn’t married nor did he have children. His sister Dixie died in 1930 age 23 of tuberculosis of bowels. Rupert was working in Mingo County WV on January 3, 1942 when he was crushed in a slate fall. Burial was in the Apple Orchard Cemetery in Heenon.

Fred Cline Blair was born June 28, 1907 to Rufus Hayes and Elizabeth Coleman. He married Oma Coleman in 1927 and their children were Ronald Blake, Charles Everett, Bobby, Joyce Ann, Aline, Jarold, Johnny, Fred, Jr. and Gregory. He was working as a carpenter for Williamson Mining in Williamson on January 15, 1942 when he fell down an elevator shaft, fracturing his skull and jaw. He passed the next day and was buried in the Blair Cemetery, Frankie Fork Road, Harless Creek.

Arthur Potter was born February 19, 1904 in Hylton to George Washington and Emmeline Sluss. He had a stillborn sister in 1923, Emmeline became sick which caused a premature birth. Arthur married Anna Mitchell in 1923 and their children were Henry, who died in 1928 age 10 days for kidney trouble, Betty Lou, Patty, Eugene and Tony Allen. He was working as a machine man on March 3, 1942 in Henry Clay when his neck was broken in a slate fall. He was buried in the Childers (a/k/a Johnny Bear Cemetery) Elkhorn Creek Road, Ashcamp.

Charles Saki was born in 1880 to unknown parents. His wife was Mary Angeline Gooslin and their daughter was Ethel. The 1930 census has Charlie listed twice, first living with his daughter Ethel and her family, without Mary, and again with Mary in the home of their niece Eulene and her family in Freeburn. Charlie stated he was born in New York and his parents were Austria-Hungary immigrants.Charles was working on March 31, 1942 in a roof fall. He is buried in the Gooslin Bottom Cemetery, Highway 194 in Phelps. Mary passed away in 1947 of a fractured left hip.

Arlin Ross ‘Ollie’ Mullins was born February 28, 1902 Bowling Fork to James Anderson and America Bartley. Two brothers passed away as young men, Sterline in 1925 aged 23 and Troy in 1929 aged 24. His wife was Ida Elenore Sanders who he married in 1937 and they had one daughter, Reable Gaye. Ollie was working as a motorman for Ward Coal at Elkhorn City on April 22, 1942 when he was crushed by a motor. Burial was in the Lookout Cemetery, Poor Bottom Road at Marrowbone.

Howard Dougherty was born to Lazarus and Eliza Layne on May 6, 1902 in Jamboree. He married Sadie Fields in 1928 and their children were Jack, Robert, James, Ethel Mae, Innis, Della Rae, Magdalene. In the 1940 Draft Registration he was working

for Majestic Collieries, 5’6” tall, 150 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair and a sallow complexion. On July 13, 1942, he was caught in a slate fall which resulted in crushing injuries to his chest, fractured pelvis, femur and tibia. Burial was in G.G. Daugherty Cemetery, Solomon Howard Road, on private property, Jamboree.

Dave Estep was born April 11, 1912 in Jamboree to John Bogel and Nancy Prater. He had two siblings die as infants; sister Lizzie died in 1914 age 2 months 12 days of whooping cough, brother Robert died in 1919 age 9 months, the cause unreadable. Dave married Ethel Ashby in 1932 and they had five children: Aggie, Paul, Danny, Clifford, Geneva. The 1940 WWII registration describes Dave as working for H.E. Harmon Coal in Harmon, Buchanan County VA, 5’10” 145lbs, hazel eyes, brown hair, with a light complexion. He was working with Howard Daugherty on July 12, 1942 when they were caught in a slate fall in the Majestic Collieries. Burial was in the Monroe Hatfield Cemetery at Jamboree.

Luther James Blevins was born April 15, 1903 in Shady Valley, Johnson County TN to George Ray and Martha Elizabeth Cress. He married Lydia Ester Blackburn in 1936 and they had two sons, Harold Ray and James. He was electrocuted July 16, 1942 and buried in the Coeburn Point Cemetery, Pond Creek and Coburn Hollow, Huddy.

Willie Belcher is the son of William Green and Sarah Belcher, born April 1, 1902. He was married to LueElla Case in 1926 and they had a large family, including Doris Erma, Herman, Arnold, Alberta, Kermit, Opal Marie, Floetta and Rosetta. The Courier Journal out of Louisville stated on December 31, 1942 that ‘A 20 foot slab of slate fell in haulage way of the Number 214 mine of Consolidated Coal, located at McRoberts, killing 3 and injuring another. The accident ended a 37 month no-lost-time accident record held by Foreman Wallace Wells. Willie is buried either in the Lookout Cemetery at Poor Bottom Road or the Elkhorn City Cemetery; Find A Grave has listings for both.

Elijah Lowe was born July 25, 1903 in Thomas, Floyd County to George and Cynthia Julianna Nunnery. He married Callie Stanley and they had several children, Carl Lemuel, George Thomas, Guy Henry, Cynthia, Pearlie Marie, Sylvia Irene and Rose Lee. Elijah registered for WWII in 1942 and was described as corking for Cinderella Coal at Cinderella, WV, 6’ tall, 184lbs, blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. He was working in Hatfield in May 1942 when he was caught in a slate fall. He suffered several crushed vertebrae in his back. I am not sure if he was ever released home but he passed January 4, 1943 due to his injuries. Burial was in a cemetery on Long Branch.

Elisha Branham was born October 16, 1884 to Elisha and Usley Branham. He married Rissie Roberts and their children included Noah, Samuel, Jim who died in 1923 aged 2 years of measles, George, Roy who died in 1927, Spurlock and Gusta. The 1917 draft registration describes him as short with a medium build, blue eyes and black hair. He

was working on February 26, 1943 when he was caught in a slate fall, fracturing all of his ribs on the right side, puncturing his lung which set up pneumonia. He was buried in the Rissie Branham Cemetery, second right turn past Shelby Valley High School.

John B. Williamson was born January 25, 1900 in Stone to Artillis and SArah Emma Blackburn. He married Fannie Smith in 1929 and they had one son, Billy Leon. While working for Tierny Mining Company on February 26, 1943, he was caught in a slate fall that crushed his chest. He was buried in the Coeburn Point Cemetery, Pond Creek Road & Coeburn Hollow, Huddy.

Charles ‘Charley’ Stump was born in 1911 in Coleman to Jordan and Mary Dotson. He married Nora Coleman in 1934 and they had two children, Loretta June and Bobby. In 1938 he married Della Coleman and I am unsure if they had children. In the 1940 draft he was working for Red Jacket Coal in Mingo County WV, 5’11” tall, 176lbs with blue eyes, black hair and a dark complexion. He was working in Freeburn on March 13, 1943 when he was killed in a mining accident, likely a slate fall. Burial was in Coleman.

Nathan Whitt was born in 1908 to George and Ellen Wolford. He was married to Dolly Looney and they had three sons, James, Nathan Lonzo and Richard. While working for Majestic Collieries on March 22, 1943 he was caught in a slate fall. Burial was somewhere in Majestic.

Henry Newsome was born May 25, 1891 in Penny to Harrison and Mary Hall. He married Matilda Newsome in 1910 and their children were Dora who died in 1910 at a year old of unknown causes, John, Melvina, Eunia, Flossie who died in 1918 of the flu age 1 year and Wilson. In the 1917 WWI draft, he was a farmer, tall and stout, with brown eyes and black hair. He was working for Utilities Elkhorn Coal April 15, 1943 when he was caught in a slate fall. He was buried in the Newsom-Newsome Family Cemetery, Harrison Newsome Road in Pikeville.

Madison Branham was born November 1, 1902 in Penny to Leonard and Cynthia Little. He married Ella Mae McCown in 1926 and they had four children, Jolen who was stillborn in 1928, Chester who died in 1936 age 6 of paralysis, Norma Lou, and Stacy. In the 1942 draft, he was working for Utilities Elkhorn Coal, 5’7” 144lbs, brown eyes, black hair and a dark brown complexion. He had a small scar on his left cheek, one above each knee and one on back of head. The State Journal of February 16, 1943 ‘was killed with Henry Newsome in a slate fall, died before fellow miners could reach them.’ Madison was buried in Robinson Creek.

Samuel Alexander Gillespie was born in Sutton in October 25, 1897 to James and Frankie Blair. He married Lora Blackburn in 1914 and their children were Esta who died age 18 in 1934 of pulmonary tuberculosis, James, Elmer, Emmitt Howard, Oakley, Edith

Olena, Sammie, Leon, Etta, Glenn Dean, Douglas Alex, Ira, Otto and Arvil. He was described in the 1917 draft as working for himself, medium height and build, blue eyes and brown hair. Alex was described in the 1942 draft as working for Shelby Elkhorn Coal, 5’8” 140lbs with blue eyes, brown hair and dark complexion. June 12, 1943 dawned like all others, until an accident occurred; the death certificate illegible but he is buried in Greasy Creek.

Alphonso ‘Fonso’ Ray was born in 1879 to Jack and Lucy. He married Betty Maynard and they had a large family including Gifford, Minni, Albert, Letha, Alphonso, Rebecca, Perry, Frankie, Daisy, Hazel and Jesse. While working for Koppers Coal in Weeksbury, Floyd County, he was caught in a slate fall, dying within 15 minutes after suffering a skull fracture and internal injuries. He was buried in Osborne Family Cemetery at Dorton.

Not much is known about James Madison Damron. He was born May 25, 1910 to Joseph and Sarah Tackett. He married Emma, maiden name unknown and it’s not known if they had any children. He was working in Esco on July 21, 1943 when he died instantly in a slate fall. He is buried somewhere in Esco.

William Whetzel Justice was born April 18, 1919 to James Elisha and Aurora Sword. He was married to Fannie Gillespie in 1941 and their daughter Maxine was born October 1942. William was working in a private mine owned by Will Ray on September 22, 1943 when he was crushed in a slate fall. He was buried in the Justice Cemetery at Owsley. Maxine died in 1950 at 7 years old of 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 2⁄3 of her body, after her clothing caught fire from an open grate.

Raney Everett Williams was born May 12, 1905 in Pike County to George Washington and Mary Conley. A brother, Delmar Frank, died in 1933 age 21 from meningitis. He married Grace Younce in 1925 and they had several children, including a stillborn son in 1926, Donald, JoEtta, Lewell, Juanita and Treva. Raney was a machine helper in the Goose Creek Coal mine at Garrett on September 23, 1943 when he was crushed under several tons of slate. He was taken to Mossy Bottom Cemetery in Coal Run for burial.

John Ratliff was born April 4, 1904 in Regina to Hammond and Mollie Sanders. He married Rissie Coleman in 1931 and their children were Janice Marie, Lester Lee, Emery, Rosa Lee, Shirley Jean, Christine and Georgia Ann. In the 1940 draft registration he was working for Cornett Lewis Coal, 5’7” 135lbs, brown eyes and hair with a dark complexion. He was working for Semet Solvay Coal on October 20, 1943 when he was killed while operating a motor in the mine. The motor wrecked and when he jumped from it, he was thrown in front of it and fallen timber. He sustained a broken

cervical vertebrae, possible skull fractures, fracture of his left humerus and general contusions over his whole body. He is buried in the Yellow Hill Cemetery at Draffin.

Gilbert Walker and Allen Dutton were father/son who both passed away in the same incident. Gilbert was born March 18, 1888 in Dickenson County VA to John Wesley and Nancy Mullins. He married Synthia Ellen Moore in 1910 and their children were Dorsey, Nancy Jane, Orpha and Allen His brother, Benjamin Harrison was killed in a slate fall in 1918. Allen was born September 1, 1916 and he was married to Mazie Wallace and they had one daughter, Estella. Gilbert suffered a massive collapse of his lungs and possible pneumothorax. He was held down for over 10 hours then rushed out of the bad air too fast, he died within 5 minutes of being released from under the slate, as the circulation to the upper half of his body was compromised while he was under the rock. The accident occurred 80 feet back off the main entrance with no forced draft ventilation. Allen was a coal loader. They are buried in the Cook Cemetery, Marion’s Branch, Elkhorn Creek in Ashcamp.

McKenzie ‘Mack’ Spears Looney was born January 26, 1897 to Grant Looney and Laurie Spears. He used Looney and Spears at different times of his life. He was a miner for Elkhorn City Coal at Praise in the 1917 draft registration. He was of medium height and build with blue eyes and light colored hair. Mack married Lula Looney in 1919 and their children were Carvil who died in 1930 age 9, Arnold, Magnolia, Mazolia, Josie and Virginia Sue, who died in 1932 age 8 months due to influenza and bronchopneumonia. In the 1942 draft he was working for Clinchfield Coal in Clincho, Dickenson County VA, he was 5’11” tall, 170lbs, blue eyes, brown hair with a light complexion. He was noted to have a ‘coal mark’ on his left ear. In my research, this is described as a scar, black in nature from a mine accident. He was a machine operator for Cardill Ward Coal when he was caught under a heavy fall of slate. Mack suffered a broken back and internal abdominal injuries. He is buried in the Spears Cemetery in Belcher.

Thomas New was born April 7, 1907 to David and Elizabeth Fife. His sister, Permelia died in 1929 age 8 of pneumonia. Thomas married Lena Blackburn in 1923 and their children were Bobbie, James Otis, Willa Maw, Thomas, Jr., Jack Ray, Leonard Glen, Patricia Gail, Thurman Roger and Bonnie. On December 1, 1943 while working in Majestic, a coal car ran over him. He was taken to Williamson Memorial Hospital where he passed away the next day from a pneumothorax, bilateral fractured shoulder blades, multiple fractured ribs and a punctured right lung. He is buried in the Sanders Cemetery in Phelps.

Tavis ‘Dove’ Newsome was born January 28, 1896 in Robinson Creek to Elisha Newsome and Sarah Jane Akers. His brother Robert died in 1900 age 16, brother Sweet died in 1918 age 27 of flu and measles at Camp Taylor as a private in the US Army. He was short and stout, brown eyes with black hair. In 1916, Dove married Evangeline

‘Vangie’ McCray and their children were Millard, Edward, Grethel Mae, Raymond, Ballard and Grace. Dove was described as 5’8”, 135lbs with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion, working for Clear Branch Coal in the 1942 draft registration. He was working for Clear Branch on October 12, 1943 when he suffered spinal injuries in a slate fall. Death occurred December 2, 1943 and burial was in the Rob Newsome Cemetery at Virgie.

Cecil Music was born February 15, 1909 to James Franklin and Ella Mae Riffe. His brother Frank died in 1933 age 19 of typhoid fever. Cecil married Jenny Bertha Justice in 1929 and their children were John Wesley, Charles, Robert Ray, Ruth and Cecil, Jr. The 1940 draft states he was working for Inland Steel, 5’6”, 140lbs, grey eyes, brown hair with a ruddy complexion. While working on December 18, 1943 for Inland Steel at Wheelwright, he was caught in a slate fall that crushed his chest and fractured his skull. He is buried in the Justice Cemetery, Upper Pompey, Raccoon.

John Henry Tackett was born August 18, 1901 to Steve and Mary Jane Tackett. His sister Alora died in 1917 age 13, sister Alpha died in 1919 age 20 of shock from an abdominal operation. He married Rosanna Osborne in 1923 and they had one son, Ballard Lee. He married Victoria Slone in 1938 and they had one son, James Alfred. In the 1942 draft, John was unemployed, 5’6” tall, 140lbs, blue eyes, blond hair, light complexion and a scar on his left wrist. By January 7, 1944 he was working for the Dalton Mine in Pikeville when his skull was crushed in a slate fall. He was buried in Owsley/Hurricane Creek. Victoria died in November 1944 of nephritis and an acute hemorrhage. She is likely buried with John. In the 1950 census, James Alfred is living in the Greendale House of Reform in Lexington.

Russell ‘Rush’ Hunt was born May 13, 1884 in Welch, McDowell County WV to John and Elizabeth Isabelle Belcher. He married Myrtle Gilliam in 1907 and their children were George, Lark, Birdie, Mildred Pearl, James Monroe, Randolph, Freda, Billy, Melvin, Glenna, Jonah, Retta, Maury, Nora and Verlin who died in 1920 age 10 months of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis due to an abscess on his brain, he suffered 8 days. A sister, Rosa Belle, died in 1909 age 19. In the 1917 draft registration, he was working for Steele Coal at Mossy Bottom, described as tall with a medium build, brown eyes and black hair. While working for Sampson Elkhorn Coal at Drift on December 18, 1943, he sustained internal injuries in a mantrip wreck. He passed January 20, 1944 and is buried in the Mossy Bottom Cemetery at Coal Run.

Roland May was born February 22, 1901 in Ransom to Basil Blaine May and Dixie Hatfield Murphy. A sister, Verlina died in 1900 age 11 months. He married Cansas Ethel Sparks in 1921 and their children were Virginia Lois, Glenis Ailene and Kenneth Woodson. He worked for Eastern Coal at Hardy, part of the baseball team, when he was

crushed in a slate fall on February 4, 1944. He is buried in the Coeburn Point Cemetery in Huddy.

Bud Adkins was born January 10, 1919 to Mose and Nancy Adkins. His wife was named Gertrude, but I do not know her maiden name, when they married or if they had children. His brother Andy died in 1932 age 27 of shotgun wounds to chest, ruled a homicide. In the 1940 draft registration, he is unemployed, described as having a light complexion, 5’8” tall, 134lbs, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was working for Elkhorn Coal in Rockhouse on March 21, 1944 when he was caught in a slate fall. He sustained multiple internal injuries to his chest and abdomen, as well as a broken back. He is buried in the Mose Adkins Family Cemetery on Greasy Creek.

Lee Hunt was born October 24, 1907 to Albert and Elizabeth Phillips. His brother Marvin died in 1911 age 6, but I do not know what of. He married Grace Blackburn in the early 1930’s and they had one daughter, Dona Lee. He was working in Hardy on April 26, 1944 when he sustained crushing injuries to his head and chest due to a collision of coal cars. He is buried somewhere in Meta.

Julius Cline Davis was born May 3, 1914 to William Young Davis and Cora Keathley. Sister Caroline died in 1931 aged 9 years of diphtheria. He married Margie Hopkins in 1935 and they had one daughter, Mildred Kay. In the 1940 draft he was working for Koppers Coal in Weeksbury, 5’11” tall, 165lbs, blue eyes, black hair with a light complexion. While working for Inland Steel at Wheelwright on May 9, 1944, he was caught in a slate fall, fracturing his neck and crushing his chest. He is buried in the Potter Cemetery at Yeager. Margie remarried to my 1st cousin 3x removed, Jack Damron in December of 1944 they went on to have three more children.

Charles Bartley, my third cousin three times removed, was born February 24, 1920 to Orville Bartley and Mahala Hamilton. He married Beulah Tackett in 1939 but I am unsure if they had any children. Charles was a shuttle car operator on June 20, 1944 when he suffered a broken back and a fractured lumbar vertebrae. He lived just over an hour. Burial was in the Damron Cemetery, Rob Damron Road at Penny.

Andrew Jackson May was born in Dante, Russell County, VA to William Andrew May and Susan Lynn Jones on April 21, 1909. He married Mary Jane Varney in 1936 and their children were Phyllis Ann, William Asa and Larry Andrew. The 1940 draft registration lists him as working for Eastern Coal in McVeigh, 5’8” tall, 135 pounds, blue eyes, black hair, light complexion. He was a brakeman on August 14, 1944 when he was caught in a slate fall that crushed his abdominal cavity. He was set to be drafted but it was canceled due to his death. Andrew is buried in the Taylor Cemetery, aka Davis Memorial Gardens, in Stone.

Oliver Wright Wooten was born in Lawrence County August 20, 1899 to William and Francis Watkins. The 1917 draft states he was a miner for Greenough Coal, medium height and build, with black eyes and brown hair. He married Susan DeRossett in 1919 and they had a large family including John, Gladys, Ralph Randall, Mary, Elisha, Kenneth, Patsy Ruth, Jo Nancy and Barbara Sue who died in 1940 age 2 months, born very prematurely. The 1942 draft described him as 5’8” tall, 143lbs with brown eyes and hair with a ruddy complexion. The first finger on his right hand was scarred, and he was working for Inland Steel at Wheelwright. While working for Greenough Mine at Marrowbone on August 28, 1944, bad air and coal dust contributed to his death following his return to the face of coal after a shot. He is buried in Hellier.

Charlie Franklin Fleming Wimbish was born in Patrick Springs VA September 28, 1885 to Joseph Fleming and Sarah Elizabeth Shelton. He married Edna May Dawson and their children included Alma Christine, Myrtle, Raymond, Charles Franklin, William Thomas, Margaret Lucille, Blanche LouJane, Joseph Mack and Robert Harry who died in 1924 age 7 months of bronchopneumonia. In 1917, Charlie was a machineman for Pond Creek Coal at Stone. He was described as tall with a medium build, brown eyes, light brown hair and no distinguishing features. By 1942 he was working for Tierney Coal at Stone, 5’11” tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and eyes, a ruddy complexion and a blue scar on his nose. September 3, 1944 saw him caught in a slate fall which crushed his entire body. He was taken to Williamson Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He is buried in the Coburn Cemetery, Huddy.

Jake Bud Rutherford was born May 28, 1923 to Bud Rutherford, Jr. and Bessie Sarah Abshire. He married Eva Mae Tibbs in 1943 and they had no children. September 23, 1944 saw Bud go to work like any other day as a coal truck driver. He was involved in an accident somewhere along his route. Burial is somewhere in Pikeville. His sister Juanita took her own life in 1964 at age 19 by sitting in a parked car with the motor running.

Elmer Anderson was born in Venters February 17, 1911 to Grant and Guthrie Coleman. He married Lucy Blackburn in 1934 and their children were Emmitt, Fayetta and Edna. He was unemployed at the time of the 1940 draft registration, measured 5’6” tall, weighed 122 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair with a light complexion. On October 5, 1944 he was a motor brakeman for Semet Solvay Coal in Lookout when he was crushed in a slate fall. Burial was in the Blackburn Family Cemetery, Harless Creek Road, Marrowbone.

Lying in an unmarked grave in King Cemetery, Bill King Hollow Road on Town Mountain, George Washington O’Quinn was unmarried and had no children. Born October 10, 1924 to Charlie O’Quinn and Kate Caroline Stratton, he was 5’11” tall, 140 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair in the 1940 draft registration. By November 6,

1944 he was working for Ferguson Creek Coal in Elkhorn when he suffered severe head trauma and a severe concussion in a slate fall. He lived for two hours.

Clifford Stiltner was born in 1901 to Fred and Margaret Slone. He married Vicie Wolford and they had two children, Roosevelt and Mary. While working as a coal shooter for Majestic Collieries on November 3, he was struck by a slate fall and suffered a broken back. He lingered until November 21 in Williamson Memorial Hospital where he passed from his injuries and was buried in the Phelps Cemetery.

Emery Tibbs was born August 26, 1911 in Mossy Bottom to Ballard and Margaret Ann Ratliff. He married Alberta Hamilton and they had three children that I could find, Emery, Jr., Darline and Josephine. In the 1940 draft registration, he is described as 4’8” tall, 126 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and a light brown complexion. He was working for Big Shoal Coal on November 23, 1944 when he was crushed through his chest, with multiple fractures due to a slate fall. He is buried in the Mossy Bottom Cemetery, behind the Windmill at Coal Run. In 1958, his brother Denver also died in a slate fall but in Buchanan County VA. They are buried in the same cemetery.

Curry Milford Todd was born April 1, 1893 in Clay County Alabama to Napoleon Heflin Todd and Della Sides. He married Nola Lee Gaither in 1914 and their children included Mavis, Kathleen, Troy Elwin, Willie Ray, James Milford, Eleanor, Robert (Bobby) and Dorothy. The 1917 draft describes him as living in Ashland, Alabama as a farmer. He was tall and slender with blue eyes and dark hair. The 1942 draft registration lists him as working for Eastern Coal at Hardy, 5’10” tall weighing 132 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion. He was still working for Eastern Coal on November 28, 1944 when his whole body was crushed in a slate fall. Burial was in the Smith Cemetery at Canada.

Daniel Isaiah Coleman was my second cousin four times removed. Born May 26, 1885 in Carmen, to George Coleman and Mary Ball, our common ancestor is Peter Coleman, I descend from his wife Elizabeth Bentley and Daniel through his wife Charlotta Thompson. Daniel married Alice Jones in 1910 and their children were Gladys, Ival, Virgil, Florence, Jesse Viola and Larry. Alice died in 1938 of uterine cancer and in the 1940 census, Daniel had all his children living with him except Gladys, she had married William Whicker in 1931. The 1917 WWI Draft Registration states Daniel was a farmer, medium height and slender build, with brown eyes, black hair and a ruddy complexion. The 1942 WWII Draft Registration states he was working for Stewart Elkhorn Coal at Rockhouse, 5’10” and 150lbs, brown eyes, black hair and a ruddy complexion. While working on November 29, 1944 he suffered multiple skull fractures in a slate fall. He is buried in Carmen.

Not much information is known about Estil Yates. He was born sometime in 1908 in Grundy, Buchanan County VA to unknown parents. He married Lillie Fair Grizzel and they had seven children: Donald Freeburn, Thelma Pauline, Eugene, Claude Ervin who died as a child, Estil, Jr., Hazel and Freeman. In the 1940 draft registration he was working for Eastern Coal at Stone, 5’4” tall, 120 pounds with blue eyes, blonde hair and a light complexion. He was missing one front tooth and another was gold capped. He passed away sometime in December 1944 in a mining accident and is buried in the Davis Memorial Cemetery at Stone.

Ralph Puckett led a simple life. Born to Elzie and Carrie Alice Owens on August 21, 1921, he was a young man just trying to support his family. He married Helen Wright in 1938 and they had one son, Danny Ray. In the 1942 draft registration, he was working for Koppers Coal in Maitland, McDowell County WV while Helen and the kids lived in Praise. He was 5’9” tall, 135 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. He was working for Caudill Ward Coal on December 8, 1944 as a brakeman when he was caught by a motor, suffering crushing injuries to his chest, lumbar spine and ruptured bladder. His cause of death of shock and hemorrhage due to his injuries. He is buried in the Elkhorn City Cemetery.

Forest Sterling Tackett is my third cousin twice removed; we both descend from Sarah Branham, me through her husband Abraham Damron and Forest through her husband William Robertson. Forest was born October 6, 1920 in Virgie to Frank and Lula Hall. He was described in the 1940 draft registration as working for Koppers Coal at Weeksbury, 5’8” tall, 135lbs with brown hair and eyes and a light brown complexion. He married Bernice Hall in May 1944 and that December, while working for Inland Steel at Wheelwright, he was crushed in a slate fall. His cause of death was ‘circulatory failure due to shock and hemorrhage’. Bernice gave birth at 7.5 months gestation on February 21, 1945 to twins, Forest, Jr. who did not survive and Dorothy, who lived a long and meaningful life. Forest is buried in the Frank Tackett Cemetery on Burk Road in Long Fork of Virgie.

Julius Greenville ‘Green’ DeBoard was born December 27, 1882 in Johnson County to Jerry and Temperence ‘Tempy’ Wolford. He married Virgie Shepherd in 1927 and their children were Johnny and Morgan. Green and Virgie divorced in 1937 after Virgie was diagnosed with manic depressive psychosis. She was diagnosed with pneumonia August 26, 1938 then died September 1. Green married Syltana Hamilton Adams in 1939 and their children Joseph Franklin, Charles and Ollie. Morgan died of measles and pneumonia June 1938 aged 2. Charles died in 1943 aged 17 days of bronchial pneumonia. Ollie was being carried by Green in August of 1944 when they were struck by a hit-and-run driver. Ollie was knocked out of Green’s arms. She was 14 days old. Green died December 13 of bronchial pneumonia, fractured vertebra and paralysis below the hips after being injured in a slate fall on November 29, 1944. Johnny

died November 1946 age 12 on Chloe in a hunting accident. He suffered a broken neck and a skull fracture. All are buried in the Poor Farm Cemetery.

Harry Glenn Stultz was born July 4, 1888 Pocahontas, WV to Jubal Early & Virginia Josephine Peery. In the 1917 draft registration he is working for Pond Creek Collieries, medium height, stout build with blue eyes and brown hair. He was a Private in Company I of the 51st Infantry, 6th Division in WWI. The 51st Infantry Regiment was constituted May 15, 1917 at Chickamauga Park GA and assigned to the 6th Division on November 16, 1917. The division went overseas in June 1918 and saw 43 days of combat in the Geradmer sector, Vosges, France, September 3-October 18, during the Meuse-Argonne offensive November 1-11, 1918. Casualties totaled 386 (KIA 38, WIA 348). I am unsure if he married or had children, the 1920 census lists him as married, living with his parents but no wife listed. In the 1930 census, he is single, still living with his parents. He was killed January 5, 1945 and is buried in the Taylor Cemetery at Stone.

Glenn Ratliff was born May 19, 1898 in Belcher to James Ambrose and Rosa Sifers. Brother Lonnie died in 1932 age 20 of pneumonia and a cerebral hemorrhage. He married Helen Beatrice Belcher to Ray Edward, Lillian Ann, Alfred Clayton, Pebble Avonell and Opal Catherine. While working in Belcher on March 9, 1945 as a coal loader at Praise, he was crushed in a slate fall. Burial took place in the Honey Fork Cemetery, Highway 60 at Honey Fork Road Junction. Helen died in 1948 age 38 of a heart attack.

John Thurman Maynard is my 4th cousin three times removed. Our common ancestor is Sarah Sword; I descend from her marriage to Francis Strother Browning and John from her marriage to Jacob Jesse Syck. He was born February 28, 1917 to Richard Curtis and Florida Goble. He married Eula Muncy in 1938 and their children were Eunice May, Opal Joan, Richard Delman, Hannah Vivian and Patricia Dean. In the 1940 draft registration he was working for Big Creek Wingfield Coal, 5’8” tall, 140 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and dark hair. He was killed in a slate fall on March 14, 1945 while working for Cinderella Coal in Hatfield. Burial was in the Stepp Family Cemetery in Hatfield.

Brenzil Wrey Newsome was born April 17, 1918 in Wolfpit to Breckinridge and Florence Mella Damron. He and I share a birthdate, and we are 2nd cousins 3x removed, common ancestors being Spurlock Damron and Sarah Sally Trout. He married Emilie Wright in 1941 and they had two sons, Michael and Jerry Edward who died in 1947 age 3 of a crushed chest and skull fractures after he was hit by a truck. Brenzil enlisted March 28, 1944 and was sent to Fort Thomas. April 21, 1945 was a day like any other, until a slate fall crushed his chest. Brenzil is buried in the Elkhorn City Cemetery.

Stewart Richard Moore was born April 2, 1910 to Isaac Tilden and Cordelia Blane Phipps. He married Flora Ellen Bumgardner in 1934 and they had no children. Stewart

was working in Burdine on April 28, 1945 when his chest was crushed in a slate fall. He is buried in the Tackett Morgan Cemetery in Shelby Gap. Flora remarried November 1946 to Andrew Anderson and they went on to have three children.

Jack McCoy was born January 9, 1921 in Stringtown to James and Virgie Jude. He is a great grandnephew of Asa Harmon McCoy. His sister, Martha Leota died in 1917 age 13 days of bronchopneumonia. Jack enlisted in the US Army in January 1943, surviving to come home to his wife, Roxie and boys, Elliot and Jack, Jr. He was working in Aflex on May 8, 1945 when a coal dust explosion sucked all the air from the mine and Jack passed from anoxia. He is buried in the McCoy Cemetery, Lower Stringtown Road, Burnwell.

Lonzo Burke was born August 13, 1907 to Elizabeth Tackett and Duran Burke. His sister Draxie died in 1912 age 2 years of cerebrospinal meningitis. Lonzo married Maxie Casebolt in 1927 and their children were Fontella, Annie, Jerrel Dean, Lonzo, Jr., Patsy Ruth, Grover Herman, Dempsey who died in 1932 age 1, Orville, and Nolan who died in 1939 as an infant. While working for Elkhorn Coal at Yeager on June 9, 1945 he was electrocuted by a trolley wire. Burial was in the Greenville Burke Cemetery, Long Fork of Virgie.

Ballard Rowe was born in Lookout in August 1900 to Melvin Moore and Ida Belle Gibson. Sister Pearl May died in 1911 age 18 days of bronchopneumonia. Sister Florence died in 1918 age 7 of flu and bronchopneumonia. Ballard married Pearl Bingham and their children were Charles Evans, Herbert Hoover, Chester Allen, Ruby Faye, Warren Guy, James Burl, Don Bennett and Teddy Ray. The 1942 draft registration finds him unemployed, 5’9” tall, 165lbs with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. The third finger on his left had an enlarged second joint. He was the powder foreman for a mine at Praise when a blast of dynamite exploded on June 11, 1945, striking him in the face, neck and chest. He died the next day and was buried in the Honey Fork Cemetery, Highway 60 at Honey Fork Road Junction, Belcher.

Benjamin Varney was a joy operator with 22 years experience. Born September 20, 1908 in Kimper to Henry Clifton and Ollie Hensley. A brother, boone died in 1928 age 22 of typhoid. Sister Myrtle died in 1925 age 1 month of hives. Another sister, Lillie died in 1925 age 4 of pneumonia and hemorrhage of the bowels. Ben married Columbia McCoy and they had two sons, Albert Henry and Ronald Gene. August 13, 1945 he was working for Octavia Coal Corp #1 mine when he was killed instantly in a slate fall. He had loaded the right side of this heading out and had pulled his machine over to the center of the entry, when a piece of slate 12ftx7.5ftx8” fell on him. The place was not properly timbered, and the face foreman deemed it safe. Ben is buried in the Varney Branch Cemetery at Kimper.

Claude Preston Hackney was born October 3, 1912 to Landon and Josephine Hall. His brother Landon was stillborn in 1918. His wife was Minnie Bond who he married in 1933. They had one daughter, Vera Corrine. He was a machine man for Octavia Coal when he was caught in a slate fall on January 7, 1945. He died from a fractured spinal column and severed spinal cord. He is buried in the Hackney Cemetery at McAndrews.

Donald Logan Hackney was born March 26, 1915 to Landon and Josephine Hall. He married Grace Miller in 1930, Lucille Mildred Blackburn in 1938 and Lina Hardin in 1943. I have not been able to find any children. He was a dust loader with twelve years experience on August 14, 1945 for Octavia Coal #1 when he was killed instantly when his bare shoulder touched the trolley wire. Hack and his helper had loaded 11 cars of bug dust that shift. Don had removed his shirt and got in the motor and pulled the 11 cars to the third left so that he could pick up more empties to be loaded. While shifting these empties, the motor pole went off onto the wrong wire. In reaching up to replace the pole, Don let his bare shoulder touch the line. If the wire had been guarded at this point, which was a crossover where motors and men travel, it could have been prevented. He was buried in McAndrews.

George Burke was born December 30, 1915 to Marquis DeLafayette and Sarah Alice Hall. He married Lillie Mae Mullins and their children were Ovie, Audrey, Arville, Ollie Marie and Randall Eddie. In the 1940 draft registration, he was a farmer, 5’5” tall, 130lbs with brown eyes and black hair, with a light complexion. He was working for Utilities Elkhorn Coal #10 mine on August 29, 1945 as a joy helper with ten years experience, killed in a roof fall. There was some bad top discovered and the operator of the machine was helping the regular timbermen set some timbers for added protection. The shuttle car came back to be loaded and George got in the machine to load it. Just as he started the machine, there was a rock fall caused by a hidden hill seem that was undetected by the face foreman, who had inspected five minutes before. The rock was 36’ long, 10’ wide and 18” thick. George was buried in the Sowards Cemetery, Point of View Drive, Shelbiana.

Roland Clayton Wolford was born in Phelps on September 27, 1912 to David and Sarah Sally Wolford. He married Shirley Marie Wolford and their children were Della, Roland, Jr., Larry, Thomas Thurman who died in 1941 age 18 days, Vinson died in 1944 age 1 year. The 1940 draft registration lists him working for Majestic Collieries, 5’8” tall 156lbs with blue eyes, brown hair and dark brown complexion. He was a brakeman with 14 years experience, working at the Warfield #1 Mine of Majestic Collieries. He was gathering the motor on October 30, 1945 that had cleaned up all the loose coal in the main entry and was going into No. 27 Left to load. The motor crew pulled six empty cars out by the 27L to allow the loading machine to go in this place. Roland waited until the machine cleared the switch by a small margin, then threw the switch back and signaled to the motorman to come on back, having in mind to set three of his empty cars down

the main entry. He walked to a point about 4 foot in by the track frog and was standing with his hand on a cross collar which was across the main entry. There were 6 such cross collars set approximately 6 foot apart on the mains at this point, and there was one cross collar across the mouth of 27L. The injured miner stated that as the loading machine went in 26L the baking conveyor caught the left of the collar across the mouth of this entry and pulled it down. This in turn started a slate fall that rode out the five other collars on the main. Investigators opined that Roland, on seeing this collar start to fall and realizing he had signaled the motorman back, became excited and casting all caution aside, tried to get either to the other side of the track or up the main entry. Doing such put him right under the slate. Had he stayed put, he wouldn’t have been hit. He is buried in the Wolford Cemetery.

Grover Clarence Elswick was born July 10, 1900 to Lewis and Polly Staton. He and I both descend from John Elswick III and Susannah Radcliff. He married Emma Blackburn in 1921 and their children were Grover Lawrence, Robert Lewis, Floyd, Willie Fonzo, Sonny, Emogene, Ina Gay, Junior who died in 1937 of pneumonia, Bobby Leon who died of malnutrition in 1940. He was recently elected magistrate of his district and was working for Tierney Mining #1 on November 21, 1945, a trackman of 25 years, killed instantly when he was caught and rolled between a loaded mine car at the bottom. That day, Grover was braking on a swing tram motor, there being no regular brakeman used on this haul. The crew had pulled ten loaded cars from the mains and left them standing about 300 foot in by 10th Right. They then pulled 11 loads from the 10th right and were to backup for the rest of their trip. The motorman stated that Grover threw the switch and signaled back by rapping on the trolley wire and then signaled for him to stop which he did. Then for the second time, Grover signaled for him to come back. When he came to the point where he had last seen Grover’s light, he saw his cap beside the track. He made an investigation and found Grover dead under the side of the loaded car. Evidence showed that Grover, in some manner, was caught between the side of the trip and the gob (15 inches) and crushed to death. The track at this point was very dirty and there were several large blocks of bone coal lying beside the track which could have caused Grover to fall. He is buried in the Elswick Cemetery at Canada.

Lewis Roberts was born March 12, 1889 in Flat Gap, VA to James Alexander and Nancy Hampton. He married Cynthia Williams in 1908 and their children were Callie Elizabeth who died as a child, Jeanette, Cecil who died in 1915 age 5 months of diphtheria, Verner James, James Worlie who died in 1918 age 3 months of whooping cough, Everett, Volley, Raymond Lewis, Nellie, Charles and Hillia. In 1917 he was farming for himself, medium height, slender build, blue eyes and black hair. In the 1942 census he was living in Pound, VA and working for himself. He was working as a timberman for South East Coal #1 on January 10, 1946 when he was caught in a slate

fall. He suffered crushing injuries to his head, a broken arm and leg. He lived only a few minutes and was buried in Roberts Branch.

James Forest Christian was born April 22, 1907 in Majestic to Wallace and Phoebe Easter Mounts. He wasn’t married nor did he have children. His sister Osa died in 1936 age 23 of peritonitis with a urinary fistula contributing. He was a soldier during WWII. He was a car dropper with 17 years experience who was killed when caught between the drawheads of two railroad cars. He was working with 3 others dropping loaded cars from under the tipple. One car had been loaded on No. 1 track and dropped down and across a crossover switch to No. 2 track where it was stopped near the switch points with about 1⁄4 of the car extending back on the crossover switch. The next three cars were loaded on No. 2 track. The first car was dropped down it rammed the back of the car sitting at the crossover. The drawheads missed and ran beside each other knocking them out of line for coupling. It was of the opinion of investigators that James had tried to straighten the draw heads so that the cars could be coupled. The other workmen had released their brakes. No. 2 car had defective brakes, causing the cars to roll down and catch James. He is buried in the Mounts-Wallace Cemetery at Majestic.

John Wallace Compton was born July 5, 1894 to King Harrison and Elizabeth Osborne. He and I share common ancestors, Solomon Osborne and Hannah Bowling. John married Ida Belle Adkins in 1912 and their children were Cornelius, Nellie Lee, Margery who was stillborn in 1917, Melvin Woodrow, Elma, Bertha Jane, Hazel Beatrice, Adam Burl, Albert Estel, Franklin Delano and Verla Gilma. He was farming for himself in 1917, medium height and build, gray eyes and light hair. By 1940, he was unemployed, likely still farming, 5’8” tall, 128 pounds, grey eyes, black hair with a ruddy complexion. He was a timberman with 34 years experience, which is contradictory to his statement in the draft by March 21, 1946 when he was killed in a slate fall in the A.J. Dalton Low Ash Mine #9. He and another timberman were clearing a small fall when a larger one occurred. The other man was injured but survived. Investigation revealed that the roof at this point was very dangerous, composed of a black, rotten slate with numerous hill seams criss-crossing, water running from these seams. The span of the unsupported roof was 16 foot. John is buried in the Stevens-Irisk- McCown Cemetery of Keathley Fork in Hurricane Creek.

William Anderson was born September 26, 1892 in Mingo County WV to James and Parlee Dempsey. He married Kelsie Cochran in 1915 and they had four children, Thomas George, Leona Virginia and Jesse James. William was a conveyor man with twenty-five years experience, killed in a slate fall at the Eastern Coal Corp #8. He was one of four men working at the face. Upon arriving, they found that the preceding crew had started to cut the face. They had sumped the machine in the right hand corner and had cut a distance of about 15 feet on the face, which was 45 feet wide. The tail jack had been set up near the machine and about midway from panline to face. Witnesses stated that

Anderson picked up an ax, sounded the top across the face and remarked to the others that the roof was solid. The machine began to cut on across the face while the remainder of the crew was drilling holes and preparing to shoot. When the cut was complete the machine was pulled back to where the tail jack was set. The machine was then stopped and the operator started to take down the jack. After loosening the jack, a fall occurred, measuring 17’x5’x8”, catching Anderson and killing him instantly. The others were barely missed. Investigation revealed the roof to be of very treacherous nature, composed of gray slate which pulls from the sandstone above. Numerous fractures were also found. Section foreman, who was in the place the fall occurred, stated he had examined the top 30 minutes before but did not detect this loose piece of rock. Only 5 spots were set between the pan line and face, 3 of which were set near the head end of the face pan, 1 was 12 feet from the right rib and 9 feet from the face, one at the tail end of the pan line. No posts were set in the fall area.

Hezekiah Harrison was born May 8, 1912 in Mouthcard to Noah and Virgie Rowe. He married Bonnie Jean Kilgore and they were the parents of Robert Joseph (Bobby), Harold, Thurman, Deloris and Biddie. In the 1940 draft he was living in Conaway, Buchanan County, working for Jim Thornsbury at Mouthcard. He was 5’7” tall, 137 pounds, brown eyes, black hair with a dark complexion. Distinguishing features were a fractured skull and broken wrist, likely from a slate fall. On March 27, 1946 he was working for Sprigg Elkhorn Mine at Bosco, Floyd County when he was overcome by bad air. He was found 600 feet in the mine, after Bobby, who was 9 years old at the time, tried to drag his father out when he was overcome by the fumes. Bobby survived. Hezekiah is buried in the Hackney Creek Cemetery at Mouthcard.

Winfred Tackett was born February 5, 1920 to Sylvan and Rebecca Damron. Our common ancestors were Moses Damron and Aggie Owl. He had four siblings to pass away as children, sisters Lucela (age 6), Nellie (age 3) and Margie Marie (age 11 months) died in 1918 of ‘unknown causes’. Brother Daniel died in 1921 age 15 of cerebrospinal meningitis. He married Emma Johnson in 1945 and they had one son, Charles. On June 5, 1946 while working for Koppers Coal in Weeksbury, Floyd County, he was crushed under a two ton piece of slate. He is buried in the Sebastian’s Branch Cemetery at Virgie.

Earl Smallwood was born March 3, 1912 to James and Emmaretta Ratliff. He married Thelma Rowe in 1937 and they had one son, James Harvey. He is my second cousin 4 times removed, our common ancestors are Revel Bartley and Nancy Ramey. A brother, Andy, was born in 1937 without ears or hands, and he was listed as ‘badly deformed’. He lived three days. A sister, Fanny was born prematurely in 1940 due to an unknown cause. A joy operator for eleven years, Earl was crushed between the machine and rib, dying one hour later on June 11, 1946 in the Republic Steel Mine. He had served two years as joy helper and had recently been promoted to regular operator, working his second shift when killed. The machine was working in a pillar section, loading out of the

fourth cut from a butt off. Earl was in the act of loading the fourth shuttle car from near the right rib when he backed the machine out. In attempting to cross-cut, he moved the wrong controls, swinging the machine around in an unexpected direction, mashing him between the machine and rib. To remove him, it was necessary to remove cable nips from the power supply, as his body had wedged the power controls in an open position. Investigation revealed that Earl had very little experience as an operator and was operating his machine with the safety yolk up. This yolk limits the movement of the caterpillar controls and causes the machine to move more slowly. Also, his machine was about two feet from the rib. He is buried in Lookout.

Leonard Thomas ‘Tom’ Elswick was born April 22, 1917 to Ulysses Grant and Maggie Branham. He and I are third cousins three times removed on his mother’s side; we share David Branham and Elizabeth Little as common ancestors. We also share John Elswick III and Susannah Radcliff on my mother’s side. A sister, Cora May married a Mercer but died in 1929 age 28 of consumption. Tom married Pluma Lee Little in 1937 and they had one son, Jesse Gene. In the 1940 draft, he was working for United States Coal out of Gary, McDowell County WV, 5’4” tall, 128 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and light complexion. Tom was a shuttle car operator with ten years experience who was killed instantly when he was crushed between a shuttle car fender and the rib. He was operating a shuttle car and hauling from a joy loader machine. While the hoy was changing positions, Tom unloaded his car at the elevator. He then took a piece of candy and a cracker from his lunch pail and while eating it, started back to the loading machine with his back to the direction of travel. Going through a cross cut, the front of his car struck the left rib and he was advised of this by a machine crew who was eating lunch nearby. Tom then reversed his car and it is thought that his head was turned, looking toward the loading end. When he had traveled a distance of 5 1⁄2 feet, his head was mashed between the fender and rib. Investigators stated that had Tom been facing the direction of travel and had both hands free to drive, the accident wouldn’t have occurred. He is buried in the Elswick Cemetery, Booker Fork of Caney.

Michael Vary was born September 10, 1893 in Hungary to Joseph and Jenice Vary. He married Clara Kosta in 1925 and their children were Clara Mae, Pauline Ruth, Rosa Irene, Helen, Joseph, Marie and Virginia. On June 17, 1946 while working for Eastern Coal Corporation #7 mine at McVeigh, he was crushed through the chest, fracturing all his ribs and sternum in a slate fall. He survived 30 minutes. Burial was in the Davis Memorial Gardens at Pond Creek in Stone.

Walter Jefferson Coleman was born December 12, 1911 to William Riley Coleman and Elitha Deel. Brothers Whitten died in 1926 age 26 in a slate fall, Nathaniel died in 1931 age 27 of a gunshot wound. Sister Polly died 1930 age 25 due to drowning, possibly suicide. Common ancestors of ours are Peter Coleman and Abigail Jayne. Walter married Erma Bentley in 1932 and they had one son, Denver who died in 1934 age 2

months of spina bifida and resulting infection of the sac. Walter was a slate man with 15 years experience who died in a roof fall in the Big Sandy Elkhorn Collieries Mine #2, an abandoned truck mine. Four men were engaged in removing equipment and steel. A large fall had blocked off a mine car in the main heading. The crew had spotted a machine out by the fall and had pulled the car about 40 feet when it fouled against a rib. The superintendent had permitted Walter to take a pick, get in the car and dig off the rib that was fouling the car. When that was completed, he sat down to rest and the fall occurred. The mine foreman was out sick so the superintendent was supervising. Walter is buried in the Coleman Cemetery.

James Richard Blackwell was born August 18, 1897 in Meadow View, Washington County VA to David Walter and Mary Elizabeth Galliher. Our common ancestors are Capt. Nathaniel Brown from Vermont and Esther Mack from Connecticut. A brother, David Preston died in 1913 age 11 from dysentery and sister Katie died as a child before the 1920 census. James married Anna Mae McNew and their children were James Walter, who died in 1921 age 16 days from dyspnea and failure of the foramen oval to close, Jeanette, James Richard Jr. who died in 1956 age 28 of bilateral tuberculosis and Betty Bernice. James had already lost a leg in a mining accident and was employed as a check weighman for Semet Solvay Coal in the Henry Clay Mine. Workmen at the mine are hoisted up the hill but are not permitted to ride the car down. James, due to his disability and at the request of the mine committee, was lowered down the hill after finishing his days work. That day after finishing his shift, he climbed on the car, seating himself on the left side in about the middle seat facing down the hill. His left leg, which was artificial, was lying along the outer edge of the car and his right was inside. The engineer was signaled and the car started down the hill. After it had traveled 191 feet, the engineer stated he felt slack in the rope. He stopped the car immediately, went to the knuckle and looked down the incline where he saw the wrecked car with James lying behind it. The car had wrecked on the right side of the track where it crossed a rock ledge which was about 4 feet high and a ditch which ran parallel to the track, 28 inches deep. Investigations revealed that on the trip up the hill, the car had wrecked, injuring one man slightly. No defects were found on the car or track. Due to the long wheelbase, stiff axle and low places in the track, the wheels could lift from the rails, allowing it to swing right or left and wreck. James is buried somewhere in Lookout.

Virgil Thorn May was born November 15, 1919 to Abner May and Rosabelle Runyon. Brother Gwinluss died in 1918 age 3 of croup and sister Hazel Gladys died in 1922 age 10 months from bilateral lobar pneumonia. He wasn’t married or had children. Virgil was a loader or faceman for Eastern Coal Corp #3 with 9 years experience. He was so severely injured by a fall of slate that he died 5 hours later. He was loading coal on a tail piece conveying coal from a breakthrough to a ladle shaker. The breakthrough had cut into an abandoned airway which had been idle about 3 months due to an accumulation of water.

The roof had a kettle bottom and showed indications of being faulty in several places. At least 3 foremen had been in this place during the twenty-four hours preceding this accident. The foreman in charge stated that he had examined the roof and ordered Virgil and his two buddies to set sufficient timbers to make it safe. He then left to inspect other workings. The machineman stated they set 2 or 3 and started loading coal when the slate fell. Virgil is buried in a family cemetery in Pinson Fork.

Ezra Compton was born October 4, 1893 to Crittenden Cecil Compton and Mary Ramsey. He and I are 2nd cousins 4 times removed, sharing Hugh McCown and Camilla Rhea as ancestors. He married Sarah Hopkins in 1916. In the 1917 draft census he was farming for himself, medium height and build, blue eyes, brown hair and missing fingers on right hand. The children of Ezra and Sarah were Sollie, Fannie, Charles, Bobby Joe, Nannie Rae, James Kermit, Dewey and Ezra, Jr. The 1940 draft states he was working for Fon Johnson at Yeager, 5’6” tall, 140 pounds, blue eyes, gray hair and a light complexion. The first and second fingers, plus part of the third on his right hand were missing. Ezra was working on August 8, 1946 for Famous Elkhorn Coal Johnson #1 mine as a repair and wireman with 35 years experience. Accident occurred about 800 feet in by the mine portal on the main haulway. Ezra was going into the mine to hang some wire and was waiting for a motor crew to eat lunch. After they finished eating, they started into the mine pushing 12 empty cars. The brakeman was in the first car and Ezra got in the car next to the motor. He was sitting on the clearance side of the car facing the direction of travel. After they had traveled 800 feet, the motor man who was facing him stated that he saw a piece of slate fall and catch him. He immediately reversed the motor and jumped. The track at this point was on a slow grade and the weight of the trip pulled the motor on another 35 feet where a 2nd fall occurred of 30’x12’x18”. The roof was draw slate between 2-20” thick which gives way with little to no warning. Due to seasonal conditions, the top was sweating badly and several loose pieces were noted by investigators. Ezra was buried in the Compton Cemetery on Road Fork at Sookey’s Creek.

Johnie Adams was born August 11, 1916 in Fishtrap to Butler Adams and Lydia Thacker. Our common ancestors are Elisha Thacker and Judith Hall. Brother Revie died in 1920 age 2 days of hives. Johnie was farming for himself in Fishtrap in 1940, 5’9” tall, 135 pounds with gray eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. He married Eliza James and their daughter was Helen Faye. He was working for Republic Steel, Republic Mine on June 16, 1946 when he was removing timbers from along the main barrier pillar to be set as safety timbers to start a new lift on a room pillar. He had removed 4 posts and struck the 5th to knock it from under the roof when a piece of slate measuring 2’x5’x8”

fell. The slate rode the timber towards Johnnie, striking him in the abdomen. He died 37 days later on August 21, 1946, burial in the Bevins Cemetery, 986, Fishtrap Road at Millard.

Eddley Newsome was born August 10, 1923 to Andrew ‘Andy’ and Arminda Newsome. His siblings were Annie, Lexie, Opal, who all died as infants, Virgie, Sterling who died age 11 of acute nephritis and pulmonary edema, Bertha, Estil, Chester, Ruthie, Mindy who died age 2 of unknown causes, Andy who died at 7 hours old enroute to the hospital, and Helen. Eddley married Meffie Tackett just over a year prior to his death on September 8, 1945. He was a shot firer who was killed almost instantly by falling slate. Accident occurred between #1 and #2 room on 5th left entry. On an 11 man joy section the pillars had been pulled back to the entry stump between #1 and #2 rooms on the 5th left entry and one cut had been taken from the entire face of the stump. Bad roof had been detected on the lower end and two timbers were set, one with half a header over it. While the prep crew were eating lunch, the foreman instructed them not to go beyond the timbers or under the loose rock. He indicated the place where the machine men were to sump their machine, also advised them that he was going for his lunch and would return immediately. The prep crew, after finishing their lunch, started to work. The machine man was setting bits and the drillers had drilled holes; the shot firer had advanced toward the face right up the right rib and behind two rows of timbers to a point beyond the face where he had crossed to the face underneath the loose rock when it fell. Eddley was discharged from the army just 3 months prior and was not very experienced. He is buried in the Newsom-Newsome Cemetery at Penny Road in Pikeville.

Personal information is scarce for Dorcie Parsons. What I do know is he was working for Low Ash Coal AJ Dalton #8 on September 24, 1946 as a coal loader with twenty years experience when he was killed instantly in a slate fall. Parsons had only worked two hours at this mine and the foreman who was in charge of two mines was not certified. The immediate roof consisted of a 6” layer of jack rock up to an 18” layer of coal. No. 2 room was driven in 81’ and was 17’ wide. There was an open cross cut on the left, 10’ back from the face. Dorcie and two others were loading the last car of loose coal in the cut when a fall measuring 6’x36”x6” came down. The place was timbered with straight posts which were capped occasionally. One row of timbers was set on each side of the track but none were set closer than 26’ to the face with no security posts. Recommendations from the investigators were that the mine be closed and the foreman be certified and one who will see that mining laws and safe practices are carried out. I am unsure where he is buried.

Thomas Isaac Charles was born March 2, 1920 in Zebulon to William Thomas and Sarah C. Plymale. His grandparents were Frederick Charles and Nancy Elizabeth McColley. I descend from another of Fred and Nancy’s sons, Andrew Jackson. Thomas

married Effie Maynard in 1940 and they had one son, Thomas Ellwood. In the 1940 draft, Thomas was described as 5’6” tall, 149 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair, with a light and freckled complexion. He served as a private in the 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division and was a survivor of the D-Day invasion. While working in Racoon on October 16, 1946, he was killed in a slate fall. He is buried in the Charles Family Cemetery in Zebulon.

Claude Mounts was born April 3, 1917 in Thacker, Mingo County WV to Rory Chilton and Viola Dotson. Brother William died age 5 months in 1919 of cholera, stillborn sister in 1927 and brother Hershell died in 1926 age 15 months. He married Pearl Hunt in 1938 and they had one son, William Roger. Claude was working for Emperor Coal at the Alma mine on October 22, 1946 when he was caught in a roof fall. He is buried in the Gooslin Bottom Cemetery, Griffey Bottom Road, Phelps.

George Archie Wallace, Sr. was born April 7, 1920 in Majestic to David Cecil and Mamie Hayton. His brother Isaac Thomas died in 1918 age 4 of influenza and cerebrospinal meningitis. Twin brothers James and Mitchell died in 1919 aged 21 days and 4 days respectively, of flu. Brother Robert Jackson was stillborn in 1933. Archie married Helen Blankenship in 1940 and their children were George Archie, Jr. and Josephine. Archie was part of the US Coast Guard during WWII. He was working for Majestic Collieries on November 12, 1946 as a coal loader with six years experience, dying 5 hours after being caught in a slate fall. Archie and his buddy Elliott Casey had loaded 2 cars of coal from a fresh cut and the timber crew had set a header and 2 safety posts at the face. Two surface seams were visible but due to excessive loose coal safety posts, could not be set on the right side of the place. Archie and his buddy then loaded 4 cars of coal when a slab of sandstone roof 11’x7’x15” fell. Casey was uninjured. Archie is buried in the Mounts-Wells Cemetery at Lewis Road in Majestic. His sister Virginia Constance died in 1947 age 23 when she fell from her porch resulting in a uterine rupture and detached placenta. She passed after a cesarean was done to save her and the baby.

William Paul Burke was born February 22, 1904 in Hartley, Pike County to Bailey and Rebecca Meade. A brother, Litley Burton was stillborn in 1898. He married Hazel Johnson in 1932 and their children were Corbin, Burton, Jeff, Clarence, Jeanette, Polly, Lucy and Verdancie. While working for the Koppers Coal mine at Weeksbury, he suffered skull fractures in a slate fall on November 13, 1946. He is buried in the Burke Cemetery at Virgie.

William Haskel ‘Billy’ Elswick was born February 18, 1912 to Samuel and Lucinda Little. His brother Johnny died in 1918 age 1 but no death was listed; its likely from the flu. Brother Estil died in 1936 age 20 and that same year Billy married Esther Tackett. They had three children, Gracie Norella, Glenda Joyce who died in 1937 age 4 days and

Gary. Billy is my 4th cousin 3x removed, sharing Solomon Osborne and Hannah Bolling as ancestors, as well as John Elswick III and Susannah Radcliff. While working for Utilities Elkhorn Coal Esco #10 mine, his head hit cross timbers in the roof of the mine on November 16, 1946. He is buried in the Frank Tackett Cemetery on Long Fork Road in Virgie.

Joe Gibson was born January 1, 1922 in Floyd County to William Harrison and Minnie Gibson. We share a common ancestor, Mary Claiborne, through her two marriages; I descend from her marriage to Edward Rice and Joe from her marriage to Robert Harris. He was married to a woman named Vivian but they had no children. Joe was a pony driver and coal loader with two months experience for Little Coal Co. #1 mine on December 27, 1946. The accident occurred at the face of the room on main entry. A truck rail mine was opened November 1, 1946 and a pair of entries were driven in 150’. The coal was 48” in height and was overladen with sandstone roof. No. 2 room had just been turned and at this point two hill seams 51” apart were encountered. One of these hills was visible and the other was hidden by a thin layer of cap coal. The loader had set 2 safety posts and Gibson had placed him an empty car. To assist the loader, Gibson had secured a pick and was digging coal from the face between the two hill seams when the fall occurred. The permanent timbers were about 20’ behind and even though 2 safety timbers were set, a closer inspection of the roof should have disclosed the 2nd hill seam. He is buried in the Duran Anderson Cemetery at Virgie.

Machine helper Walter Kaiser was born in 1901 to Jane Stewart. He had twenty years experience by January 18, 1947 while he was working for Williams & Lockhart Coal #4 mine. Walter and three others had prepared 7 charges in the face of #3 room. After they had lit the fuse, they went around into #4 room about 20’ from the face and sat down. The right rib hole blew through, throwing coal which struck Walter and a man named Warrix. Both were hospitalized and Walter died twelve hours later. Recommendations were to close the mine until a map made to comply with law. All 4 men suffered head injuries but walked out under their own power. Walter was the only death and he is buried in the Fishtrap area.

Theodore Roosevelt Belcher was born February 27, 1901 in Belcher to Ephraim Bartley Belcher and Martha Ellen Mullins. He married Della Mullins and their children were Mary who was stillborn in 1928, Sybil Ruth, James, June Marie, Ira Eugene and Betty Lou. In the 1942 draft registration he was working for Elkhorn Coal at Big Shoal, 5’10” 150 pounds with blue eyes, black hair and a ruddy complexion. He was working for

Marino Coal at Praise on January 18, 1947 when he died at the Methodist Hospital of back injuries received in a slate fall. He is buried in the Spears Cemetery at Belcher.

Grover Cleveland Tackett was born March 5, 1894 in Virgie to King Solomon Tackett and Martha Newsome. He married Dorsie Mullins in 1919 and their children were Charles Wellman, Elmer Phelps, Erma, Lum Hillard, Carl Spencer, Garnet Faye, Hatler and Arrol. He was unemployed in the 1942 draft registration, 5’3” tall, 140 pounds with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion. His right eye was ‘out’ but there are no details on that. While working for Semet Solvay Coal at Henry Clay mine on February 3, 1947, as a rockman with 30 years experience, he passed the day after he and Buell Tackett were sent to room #8 to take down loose rock reported by the fire boss. The men had previously cleaned up the rock in #5 and #6 rooms. On arriving in #8, they had set a timber on each side and saw a chance to bar the rock down. Buell asked Grover to hand him the rock bar. In doing so, the rock 57”x38” and varying in thickness from 4” to feather edge fell and caught Grover, striking him on the head and one foot. They did not think he was seriously injured although he complained he could not use his hands or legs. It was later determined his neck was broken and he died the next day. He is buried in the A.J. Stewart Cemetery in Pike County.

William Clifford Mounts was born July 25, 1926 in Majestic to Dewey and Myrtle Lake. He was married to Dessie Ferrell. On February 10, 1947 while working for Pond Creek Coal, he was caught in a slate fall and transported to Williamson Memorial Hospital. His injuries included a fractured vertebra and concussion of the brain. A laminectomy was performed but he sadly passed the next day due to respiratory failure. He is buried in the Mounts-Wallace Cemetery at Majestic.

Faris Hunt was born in Johnson County on January 27, 1917 to Elzie Hunt and Susanna Collins. In the 1940 WWII draft, he was unemployed, 5’8” tall, 145 pounds with brown hair and eyes and a ruddy complexion. He enlisted and was assigned to the 1302 Engineer General Service Regiment who held supporting roles for the Allied forces in the European Theater. These regiments were crucial for heavy construction, building, repairing and maintaining infrastructure like roads, bridges, and flood control structures, essential for supply lines and advancing troop movements. He married Dorothy Mae Stafford in 1942 and may have had children. While working for Anderson Hunt Coal on March 5, 1947, he suffered a fractured skull in a slate fall. Burial took place in the Ratliff Cemetery, Water Plant Road, Marrowbone.

John J. Elswick was born October 3, 1918 to Charles and Lucy Francisco. His brother Quinn died in 1930 at 15 years old. He and I share John and Susanna Radcliff as ancestors, we are 4th cousins 3x removed. He was married to Frances Chapman and it’s possible they had children. John was TEC 3 of the 384th Ordinance Tank Maintenance Company 41st Amphibian Tank Battalion during WWII. Nicknamed the Thunderbolts

and part of the 11th Armored Division, they served in the European Theater during WWII, participating in the Battle of the Bulge, crossing into Austria and capturing thousands of prisoners. While working as a driller with one year of experience for Pal Run Coal in Mingo County WV,, he was fatally injured in a dust explosion. John and two others had lit shots in the main heading and air course, and had come out of the mine. The mine being only about 225’. John was the 1st out of the mine but as they others came out, they stepped to the right of the drift and John stayed in line with it. The shots of black grain blew the coal dust tamping and lit the dust. The force of the blast caught John when he was about 25’ away from the mouth of the drift and blew him over the hill which was about 60’ high at that point. The fan was blown a distance of 130’. He is buried in the Williamson Family Cemetery at Meta.

Oscar Everett Hawkins was born to William Rufus Hawkins and Emmaline Sanders on September 30, 1907 in Elkhorn City. We share William Bentley Ramey and Susanna Anna Samlins as ancestors. He married Ella Clevinger in 1932 and they had two sons, Bennett and Carlton. While working for Republic Steel on March 10, 1947, his chest and abdomen were crushed in a roof fall. He is buried in the Elkhorn City Cemetery.

Riley Earl Keene was born July 17, 1926 in Buchanan County to John David and Elizabeth Davis. He wasn’t married and didn’t have any children. He was a joy helper with six months experience working for DJB Collieries #2 mine on March 19, 1947 when he was killed instantly in a roof fall. The accident occurred at the last open cross cut in #4 air course, off main heading. Riley and the joy operator had loaded out the left side of a cut of coal in the face of #4 air course heading and brought the joy back on the right side 25’ from the face to pick up and load some loose coal on the right rib. The operator stated he took down the safety post from the center of the working place at the start of the loading operation and had not placed it. This working place did not have sufficient permanent timbers and lacked sufficient safety timbers. They started to load the loose coal when a fall measuring 40’x25’x3” caught Riley. He is buried in one of the Wolford Cemetery’s located in Pike County.

Shade Smith was born March 31, 1907 in Ransom to James Harvey and Eda Catherie Smith. A brother, Charlie, died in 1927 age 18 of heart disease. He married Bertha Layne in 1929 and they had three children, Lillian, Janice and Charles Edward. Shade was a coal loader with 25 years experience when he was killed in a slate fall. The foreman was in this place just a few minutes before this accident. Both he and the two loaders knew this top was bad and the loaders had set 2 timbers in front of the car as they were afraid of that piece instead of the draw and the face which fell. Shade had cut a spragg at the right side of the room. The other loader was also on the right side but further back from the face. A piece of rock 12’x4’x10” caught Shade. He is buried in the Smith Cemetery at Sidney.

Edward Lee Dotson was born April 27, 1923 in Phelps to Adrian and Betty Dotson. Brother Earl died in 1944 as PFC of the 134th Infantry 35th Infantry Division. Brother Harold died in 1930 age 8 when he fell on ice and died a month later due to head injuries.Edward was a TEC4 in the 300 Port Co. IC. He married Beulah Daugherty in 1946 but they had no children. Edward was a coal loader with 21 months experience when he was caught in a slate fall. His accident occurred in room #8, 10th East pillar section. Four men were working in this place, two truckmen, one timberman Dotson and his father. One of the trackmen stated that he was looking at the coal loader (Edward) who was at the face when a bump came. Within the bump, rock measuring 11’8”x5’8”x13.5” fell. He is buried in the George Wheeler Dotson Cemetery, Dicks Fork Hollow, Feds Creek.

Milton Jeptha McPeek was born to Alexander and Octavia Ratliff on August 8, 1897. The WWI draft of 1918 described him as employed by KY Biprocut Coal at Dorton. In 1942 he was working for Consolidated Coal at Jenkins, 5’ 8.5” tall, 135 pounds, brown eyes, black hair with a dark complexion. He had a scar on his left leg. While working on May 23, 1947 for TR Coal Co. #1 Mine of Baker Coal as a machine helper with 25 years experience, he was caught in a roof fall. The incident occurred in section #3 of #1 mine. A prep crew of 2 machine men and 2 drillers were getting a place ready for a joy loader. The machine man had placed a rounding cut, 20ft in length and had pulled their machine from under the coal. The helper had pulled the tail rope to the caterpillar truck about 14’ away when the machine man heard the roof break and yelled for everyone to run toward the face. The rock caught Milton and the other couldn’t free him, they ran for help. It took an hour and 15 minutes for him to be freed. The rock that fell was 28’ long x 10’ thick and 12’ wide on one end and 42” wide on the other where it broke off. Milton was virtually decapitated but his brother, Beldon was not seriously hurt. He is buried in the Belcher Family Cemetery.

Clarence Smith was born October 21, 1921 in Canada to Perry and Ollie Stanley Smith. His sister Clara Elizabeth died at 15 days old in 1927 due to bronchopneumonia and persistent vomiting. He married Thelma Gail Reed in 1944 and I have not found if they had children. He was working June 13, 1947 for Eastern Coal Corp. #7 mine at McVeigh when he was crushed in a coal fall. He is buried in the Smith-Stanley Cemetery at Canada.

McKinley Mullins was born June 29, 1923 to Winfield and Laura Ann Wright. He wasn’t married or had children. He was an inside laborer with just 18 months experience for Spears Coal #1 Mine on July 16, 1947 when he died thirty minutes after a roof fall. The roof of the mine was of a ‘tender nature’. McKinley and another worker, upon entering the place, noticed some bad top and they abandoned the place and notified the foreman. Foreman had two cross bars set and thinking the top was secure, sent the men back to work. They had loaded one car of coal and were making preparations to load

another when the rock fell, almost hitting the other man. He yelled for McKinley to run when another piece measuring 5’x2.5’ tapering from 8” to 16” thick caught him. McKinley was transported to Jenkins Hospital where he died. He is buried in the Myra area.

Estil Coleman was born May 18, 1930 in Ransom to John Henry and Mazie Akers. Brother George died in 1929 age 1 months of nephritis. Brother Perry died in 1932 age 8 months of whooping cough. Estil was newly married to Delores Francine Huffman. On September 13, 1947 while working for the New Alma Coal No. 2 mine as a main line brakeman with two years experience (meaning he went to work at age 15), he was electrocuted. The accident occurred on the main haulway at the mouth of #1 right. Estil and his buddy had switched some cars at the tipple while it was raining and had gotten wet. His buddy warned him to be careful and watch the trolley wire since he was wet. They proceeded into the mine with a trip of 15 cars. They set off 10 cars at #1 left and left for #1 right with the other five. Estil ‘spragged’ the cars and uncoupled the motor. When he started to catch the motor, he came in contact with the trolley wire and was instantly killed. The wire was only 39” from the top of the rail. It had been guarded previously but the guard had been torn away and not replaced. He is buried in the Williamson-Hatfield-Coleman Cemetery at Sand Camp Hollow in McCarr.

Emmos Estil Bartley was born in Big Branch March 1, 1914 to John and Verna Bowling. He married Edith Williams in 1934 and they had three children, Joyce, Patty Sue and Warren. He was a machine helper for Semet Solvay Coal Henry Clay #2 mine with 15 years experience on September 16, 1947 when he was killed by a collision of 2 mine locomotives. The crews at this mine had motors on which to ride out when their shift was over. This particular crew was due at the outside at 9 pm. As they passed the dispatchers stating in by the place of the accident, another machine helper who had come in a timber hole and was waiting for his buddy to come by with the mother, told Emmos, who was running the motor, that the rock duster was out by the point and also the tram motor. The machine man, who was on the motor with Emmos, wanted to side track the motor and wait or go out the timber hole. Emmos wanted to go ahead and if they met the tram, to turn back or let the tram turn back. This motor started and ran into some of the rock dust which was still suspended in the air as the air velocity was strong at that point. This condition lasted a short way when the air cleared and they were able to see well again. However at a point between 3L and 4L, they suddenly ran into a heavy suspension of rock dust and in this cloud the locomotives hit. Emmos was running fast, the tram stopped 4-5 feet from the place of collision. Emmos reversed his motor and either fell or was knocked out as he was under the end of the tram. He is buried in the family cemetery at Big Branch.

Rufus Ison was born March 15, 1910 in Morgan County to John and Molly Skaggs. He married Bertha Whitt in 1931 and they had two sons, Milton and Briant. He married

Minnie Bostic in 1935 and they had no children. In the 1940 WWII draft registration he was working for Emperor Coal at Freeburn, he was 5’9” tall, weighing 155 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and with a sallow complexion. While at work on October 7, 1947 a coal car caught him against a rib of coal and he was killed instantly. Burial was in Ransom.

John Milburn Hicks was born August 19, 1894 in Scott County VA to Elisha and Alice Smith. He had a sister that was stillborn in 1890. He married Minnie Mae Crawford around 1913 and they had eight children, Alice Elizabeth, William Glen, Carmen Rose, Margaret Ann, Frances Gene, Arlie Kathleen, Harry Samuel and Tommy Roger. John was a machinist working in Shelbiana on October 28, 1947 when he was caught in a slate fall. His injuries included a crushed skull, thoracic and abdominal cavities. He is buried in the Elkhorn City Cemetery.

Kenneth ‘King’ Brady Dixon was born October 15, 1901 in Statesville, Iredell County NC to James and Minnie Morefield. A sister, Fernibelle, died in 1910 age 14 of consumption. He married Addie Marcum in 1925 and their children were Josephine, Bondalyn, Arthur, Charles Raymond, Kenneth and Addie. While working in McCarr on November 30, 1947 he was caught in a slate fall which crushed his chest. He is buried in the Buskirk Cemetery, Radio Station Hill and Stump Street in Buskirk.

John Wright was born September 14, 1914 in Myra to Joel and Susannah Johnson Wright. We are third cousins three times removed, sharing Isaac Burke and Nancy Johnson as ancestors. He married Flossie Newsome in 1939 and their only child was Betty Lou. He was caught in a slate fall on December 1, 1947 that crushed his skull and spine, causing a cerebral hemorrhage. He is buried in the Wright Cemetery at Myra. After his death, Flossie remarried twice, to William Johnson and Erval Howard Kessee.

Morgan Adkins was born February 19, 1900 in Wayne County WV to Ruebin and Polly Ann Simpkins. A brother, Lewis died as a toddler before his birth. He married Georgia Lyle Watts in 1919 and they had four children, Reuben who was a PFC in WWII, Benjamin Howard who was a SSGT in WWII, Cleo and Morgan, Jr. While working in McVeigh on December 9, 1947 he received crushing injuries to his abdomen and lower extremities when he was run over by a mine locomotive. Burial was in the Davis Memorial Gardens, Pond Creek Road, Stone. Georgia remarried to Harold E. Potter.

Benjamin Case and Amos Damron were first cousins killed in the same rock fall. Ben was born February 14, 1928 in Yeager to Maynard Case and Gracie Bartley.Ben is my great grand uncle, being the brother to my great grandmother, Nellie. Their other siblings were Katherine, Ella, Verna, Easter, Caroline, Edna, Phinis, Dennis, Cas Ander and Charles Epp who died in 1934 at 8 months old. Ben wasn’t married. In the 1946 draft registration, he was unemployed, 5’10” tall, 140 pounds, blue eyes, blonde hair with a ruddy complexion. Amos was the son of Reece Damron and Rebecca Case, born January 26, 1921. His siblings were Jack, Hatler, Thomas, Saleb, Crittenden, Dempsey, Sally, Martha, Myra and Nellie. Yes, there were first cousins named Nellie. Amos is my first cousin, three times removed; we share General Jackson Case and Martha Caroline Damron as ancestors. He was part of the US Army during WWII, surviving the beaches of Normandy then combat in the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was married to Vivian Blair in June 1946 but they didn’t have any children. While working for Cress Brothers Coal on December 22, 1947, they were both caught in a slate fall, passing away from brain injuries and suffocation. They are buried in the Damron Family Cemetery on Deadening Fork of Little Creek. The cemetery is on private property and is only accessible by 4wheel drive.

Edward Emmett Blankenship was born May 14, 1915 in Stopover to David and Rhoda Daugherty. He married Nancy Blankenship in 1937 but I didn’t find any children. They were divorced by the 1940 census. He married Hazel Griffey in 1943 and their son Elster Dean died as a child. In the 1940 draft registration, he was unemployed, 5’7” tall, weighed 148lbs, blue eyes, blonde hair and light complexion. He enlisted April 22, 1942 in the US Army for the duration of WWII. By February 5, 1948 he was working for Majestic Collieries as a trackman when he was caught in a slate fall. He is buried in the D.H. Blankenship Cemetery in Stopover.

Rosa Belle Johnson buried a husband, Taulby Tolbert Burke and two sons, Andrew Jackson Burke and Arthur Pete Burke due to slate falls in the coal mines of East Kentucky. Taulby was born in 1899 to Washington and Rebecca Ann Johnson. He married Rosa Belle in 1918 and their children were Andrew Jackson, Zachary, Lula, Pharoah who died in 1926 at 5 months old of cholera, Authur Pete and Franklin. Taulby was crushed in a slate fall that occurred on March 3, 1948 while he was working in Esco. He is buried in the Payne Johnson Cemetery at Virgie.

Jack was born January 14, 1919 and married to Mary Bentley in 1946. They had five children, Raymond, Paul, Jimmy, George and Betty June who died in 1959 age 4 after being struck by a car. She is buried in the Johnson Cemetery at Speight/Virgie. Jack was a WWII veteran working in a coal mine on Trace Fork in Colson, Letcher County April 9, 1956 when he was ran over by a mining machine. He suffered a crushed chest, broken left arm and right leg. He is buried in the Johnson Cemetery in Pikeville.

Pete was born September 28, 1927 and married Lettie Jane Johnson in 1948. While at work on August 19, 1955, he was dragged over the top of the mine by a shuttle car. He suffered a crushed chest and broken neck. Burial was in the Johnson Cemetery at Long Fork of Virgie.

Theodore Vernon Gannon was born May 26, 1908 in Zebulon to Jonathan Garfield and Hester Maynard. He married Pinkie Charles before 1929 and they had 8 children: Okie Willard, Imogene Elizabeth, Mervin who died in 1933 aged 2 months of flu, Rebecca, who died in 1934 age 3 months of whooping cough and pneumonia, Roscoe, Joe, Brewreidda ‘Bea’ and Bruce. In the 1940 draft registration he was unemployed, 5’8” tall, 162 pounds, brown hair and eyes with a ruddy complexion. While working for Wilson Coal on March 15, 1948 he was in an explosion that broke his neck. He is buried in the Pinson Cemetery, Bent Branch and Smith Fork Roads. Vernon and I both descend from the Ramey line and his wife, from our shared Charles lineage. Pinkie’s grandfather was Squire John Charles who was the brother to my great great grandfather Andrew Jackson Charles.

John Henry Bartley and his wife, Lillie Mitchell, are distant cousins of mine. John and I share Isaac Bartley, Sr. and Tabitha Boab and Lillie and I share Flemon Childers and Charlotte Charity Matney. John was born September 21, 1919 in Ashcamp to King Hiram Bartley and Victoria Cantrell. He married Lillie in 1945 and they had one son, Ivan. He was working for JB Elkhorn Coal on March 16, 1948 when he was crushed by a fall of slate, resulting in bruising to his lungs which led to pulmonary edema. He was buried in the Willard Bartley Cemetery, Bartley Town Road in Ashcamp.

Oliver Tivis Coleman, Jr. was born June 9, 1928 to Oliver Tivis and Lucy Jane Coleman. We are third cousins twice removed, sharing James Madison Ramey and Pricy Elswick as ancestors. He came from a large family, being one of fifteen children! His siblings were Howard, Nathaniel Herbert, Ireland, Curtis, Rina, Isabell who died in 1917 age 5 months, Riley who died in 1918 age 6 months of influenza, Bertha, Johnnie who died of pneumonia in 1923 aged 1 year, David, Maggie Alice, Hazel, Tressie who died in 1932 age 7 months and Mary who died in 1933 at one year old. Tivis married Cesterine Marie Worrix in 1947 but they had no children. While working in Carme on April 22, 1948 he was caught in a slate fall that crushed his chest. He is buried in the Coleman Cemetery, head of Lower Pompey.

Edd Pruitt was born December 19, 1923 to William ‘Bill’ and Stella Dotson. In the 1940 draft registration, he was unemployed, 5’9” tall, 125 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and a light complexion. He married Dell Dotson in 1944 and they had no children. While working for Majestic Collieries on May 3, 1948, he suffered severe crushing injuries to his chest and abdomen when he was ran over by a trip of cars. Burial was in the Old Dotson Cemetery, Abby Branch, Phelps.

Billy Eugene Bartley was born April 2, 1930 in Letcher County to Oel and Maxie McCown. On May 21, 1948 while working for OB Coal Company mine at Big Branch, he was found by his father in the mine he owned. Oel was making a routine inspection when he stumbled over the body. Billy worked part time, only 4-5 days since school had let out for the year; he was a star basketball player at Hellier. He was killed instantly when crushed by a mine car. Burial was in Big Branch.

Carl Hurley was born January 29, 1908 to Moses and Bitha Marcella Belcher. His siblings were Brooksie, Melcie Caroline, Roma Dixie, Teddy, who died in 1928 age 22, Junie, John who died in 1915 age 8 hours when the foramen ovale (a crucial part of the heart) didn’t close after birth. Carl wasn’t married. He was working in Feds Creek on May 31, 1948 when he was internally decapitated in a slate fall. He is buried in the Elkhorn City Cemetery.

Grover Lee Farley was born February 21, 1932 to Robert Lewis and Mary Elizabeth Charles. He and I share Frederick Charles and Nancy McColley as ancestors; we are 3rd cousins twice removed. Twin siblings, Burl and Eleanor, died in 1939 just days apart as newborns. Grover wasn’t married nor did he have children. While working on June 1, 1948 he was ran over by a mine car, suffering a ruptured trachea and lungs, fracture of his clavicle which resulted in subcutaneous emphysema and respiratory failure. He is buried in the Davis Memorial Gardens aka Mills Branch Cemetery on Pond Creek Road in Stone.

William ‘Bill’ Smith was born November 11, 1913 in Kimper to Ireland and Dolly Varney. He married Pearl Green in 1938. On August 15, 1948 while working in Huddy, he was crushed in a slate fall. Burial was in the Coeburn Point Cemetery, Highway 199, Coeburn Highway in Huddy.

Fred Charles and I are fourth cousins, twice removed; sharing George Charles and Christean Michael as ancestors. As do most, if not all, of the Charles in Pike County. He was born April 10, 1924 to George Washington and Syrelding Mitchell. His draft registration states he had brown hair and eyes, was dark complected, 5’7” tall and 125 pounds. While working in McCar on August 23, 1948, he was caught in a slate fall which crushed his spine. He is buried in the Buskirk Cemetery.

Overed Casey was born to Lewis Garrett and Martha Jane Hurley on May 17, 1922. He married Grace Ellen Abshire in 1942. Working in Feds Creek on September 3, 1948, he suffered a crushed abdominal cavity and internal injuries from a slate fall. He lived for 15 minutes, burial taking place in the Lick Creek Cemetery in Lick Creek.

Thomas William Huddle was born July 21, 1921 to John Edward and Emma Belle Farley. He married Nancy Elizabeth Ward in 1940 and the draft for WWII described him as working for Red Jackett Coal in Red Jacket, WV, 5’5” tall, 160 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair with a light complexion. While working in Mingo County on September 16, 1948, he was caught in a slate fall which fractured his skull. He is buried in the Anderson Hatfield Memorial Cemetery in McCarr.

William Henry Lowe was born February 23, 1928 in Martin County to Columbus Lowe & Mary Lou Stacy. He wasn’t married nor did he have children. In the 1946 draft registration he was working for Borderland Coal 5’6” tall weighing 150 pounds with brown hair and eyes with a ruddy complexion. On September 17, 1948 he was crushed in a slate fall. He is buried in Hatfield.

Grover Hadley Womack was born February 23, 1884 in Denton, Kentucky to George and Mary Bellew. He married Virgie Bond in 1913 and they had nine children, Hazel, Myrtle Marie, Mary Elizabeth, Dimple, Betty Jean, Charles, Logene, Patsy Ruth and Carolyn. He was working for Eastern Coal Corporation at Hardy for 32 years, and had over 45 years total experience. On September 24, 1948 he was mangled by a coal cutter and was buried in Hardy, Pike County.

Bogar Runyon was a distant cousin of mine born September 6, 1900 to Albert and Geneva Charles. He and I share Frederick and Elizabeth McColley as ancestors; he through their son Harvey George and me through their son Andrew Jackson. In the 1917 draft registration, he is a motorman for Sharon Coal and Coke at Sharondale, medium height, slender build with brown eyes and hair. Bogar married Hazel Glenda Huffman in 1924, then Amanda May in 1939 and had four children, Albert, Fred, Geneva and Daniel Webster. By 1942,he was working for Eastern Coal at Stone, he was 5’6”, 155 pounds with brown hair and eyes with a ruddy complexion. While working on September 24, 1948 he received a concussion in a slate fall. He passed on October 4 of meningismus; a condition that mimics meningitis without an actual infection in the meninges. He is buried in the Varney Cemetery at Canada.

Joseph Elmer Coleman and I share Peter Coleman as a common ancestor, I through his marriage to Elizabeth Bentley and Joe through his marriage to Charlotta Thompson. He was born December 29, 1907 to Oliver Coleman and Ida Adkins. Joe married Hazel Adkins in 1939 and their children were Irene, Harold, Howard, Evelyn who died age 4 months in 1936 of cholera, Lawrence who died Christmas Day 1943 of diphtheria age 5, Linda and Leonard. In the 1940 draft registration, he was working for Inland Steel at Wheelwright, 5’3.5” tall, 135 pounds, brown hair and eyes with a light complexion.

While working for Republic Steel in Draffin on February 11, 1949, he was crushed in a slate fall. Burial is in the George W. Johnson Cemetery at Marrowbone.

James Salem ‘Jim’ Curry was born April 12, 1907 in West Virginia to William Houston and Ella Ray. His sister Jeanetta died in 1923, age 1 year of measles and bronchopneumonia. In 1928 he married Hazel Blackburn and their children included Willia Marie, James Monroe, Bobby Carroll, Margaret Ann who died as an infant in 1937 and Larry Gene. The 1940 draft registration states he was working for C.C. Duff at Goody, 5’9” tall weighing 160 pounds with gray hair, brown eyes and a ruddy complexion. While working for Pond Creek Collieries in Turkey Creek on March 2, 1949, he was caught in a slate fall and suffered a skull and severe brain trauma. He is buried in the Old Turkey Creek Cemetery, South Williamson.

The parents of William Thomas Gibson buried five sons during the course of their marriage. William was born April 10, 1914 to Harrison and Martha Akers. His brother James died in 1929 aged 2 days due to prematurity. William married Roxie Branham in 1932 and their son Millard was born in 1933. In 1935, William’s brother Bennett died aged 11 months due to bronchopneumonia, brother Cleveland Ireland died aged 11 years of an intestinal obstruction and infection, brother Ed died in 1938 aged 1 year of bronchopneumonia. Son William was born in 1938, daughter Virginia Lynn in 1940, Ida Marie in 1945, Christine in 1947 and Lowell in 1949. As a motorman for Shelby Elkhorn Coal mine at Sim’s Creek on March 31, 1949 he was caught in a slate fall which crushed his skull. William is buried in the Potter Cemetery at Yeager. In 1952, his brother Russell Webb passed away due to a traumatic diving injury at the age of 24.

Willard Hopkins was born October 29, 1915 in Yeager to Benjamin and Marjorie Little. Brother Millard died in 1940 age 21 in a car accident when he was thrown from the car over an embankment. He suffered internal injuries and skull fractures. Willard married Lake Erie Prater in 1939. While working for Utilities Elkhorn in Esco on August 31, 1949 he was caught in a slate fall. Burial was in Yeager.

Asa Runyon was born September 10, 1907 in Red Jacket, Mingo County WV to Don and Agnes Dials. He married Nellie Coleman around 1927 and their children were Asa who died at birth due to a difficult birth, Lois, Philipe Gene who died in 1946 age 8 due to alcohol poisoning and acute pulmonary edema and a premature son who died in 1932 after being born at 6 1⁄2 months gestation. In 1940 Asa was working for Eastern Coal at stone. On November 10, 1949 he was working for the #8 mine of Eastern Coal when he was caught in a slate fall. Burial was in the Don Runyon Cemetery at Pinson Fork.

Henry Jackson Ford was born July 10, 1925 in McCarr to William and Nora Thomas. He married Fern Scott but information about their family is limited. The 1943 draft registration states he was unemployed, 5’2” tall, 155 pounds, blue hair, brown eyes with

light complexion. He was working on November 22, 1949 in Ransom when he was crushed in a slate fall. Henry is buried in the Buskirk Cemetery on Radio Station Hill.

Clayton DeRossett was born in Shelbiana on February 13, 1930 to Elijah & Francis Click. Sister Marie died in 1916 aged 9 days due to epilepsy neonatorum. Brother Chester died 1918 age 1 year of influenza. Sister Boothie May died in 1934 thirty minutes after birth due to bad health and weakness of Francis. Sister Sindy was stillborn in 1938 due to Francis having a fall. He wasn’t married nor had children. While working for Republic Steel on December 8, 1949 as a brakeman, he died of lobar pneumonia due to a punctured lung which happened after he was hit by a shuttle car. Burial was in the R.H. Ratliff Cemetery on Dry Fork of Shelby.

Anderson ‘Anse’ Mounts was born in Freeburn on May 11, 1893 to Jesse and Octavia Christian. The WWI draft states he was employed by Vulcan Coal and Coke in Mingo County WV. Medium height and build, brown eyes and light hair. His brother Vanover died in 1925 age 24 of typhoid. Anse married Zella Sargent and their children were Taylor, Georgia, Maggie, Bertha, Versie, Dorothy, Barbara and Lorine. He was working for Majestic Collieries on January 31, 1950 when a mine accident occurred. He is buried in the Mounts Family Cemetery in Barranshee Creek at Freeburn. His brother Wayne died in July of 1950 as well.

There is limited information about Carl Varney and his life. He was born January 26, 1922 to Landon and Maudia Williamson. He married Stella Williamson in 1943. He was working in Stone on February 1, 1950 when he suffered crushing injuries in a slate fall. He lived only ten minutes. Burial was in the Coeburn Cemetery in Huddy.

Oliver Lawrence Smith was born April 8, 1929 to Robert and Pearlie Maynard. He wasn’t married and he didn’t have any children. He was caught in a slate fall on February 8, 1950, suffering broken ribs and cervical vertebra. He lived half an hour. Burial was in the Johns Creek area.

Arnollis ‘Noll’ Daniels was born July 7, 1907 in Paintsville to Major Anderson and Barilla Meade. He married Margie Marie Hall in 1932 and their children were Barbara Sue, died November 2016, James Howard, Arnollis, Jr. died June 2016, Billy Ray, Donald, Hollis and Ronnie David. As a motor brakeman with ten years experience, Noll was working for the coal mines in Wheelwright, Floyd County when a motor split a switch and was derailed. Noll was thrown between the car and motor, crushed internally with a fractured neck and crushed chest. He is buried in the Tackett Cemetery on Cabin Fork Road in Dorton.

Arnett Bert Thacker and I are related twice; sharing General Jackson Case and Martha Caroline Damron on one side, and Frederick Charles and Elizabeth McColley on

another. Bert was born February 14, 1916 in Greasy Creek to Miles C. and Effie McCown. His brother Wesley died as an infant before 1920. Sister Dixie died 1916 age 4 years from bronchopneumonia. Effie died in 1923 and is buried in the Damron Cemetery at Robinson Creek. Miles remarried to Anna Laura May and a son was stillborn in 1936 due to hydrocephalus. Anna passed away from a uterine rupture. Bert married Ida Mae Charles in 1936, she and I also descend from Frederick and Elizabeth McColley Charles, and their children were Hattie Mae and Harry Reed. In the 1940 WWII registration, Bert was working for Kopper’s Coal in Weeksbury, was 5’6” tall, 140 pounds with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion. By March 15, 1950 he was working for Republic Steel in Draffin as a machine operator when his skull was crushed in a slate fall. He is buried in the Thacker Family Cemetery on Greasy Creek.

Hobert William Wolford was born May 22, 1914 in Phelps to John Emery and Nancy Sawyer. Willie and I share George Charles and Christean Michael as ancestors, being 4th cousins twice removed. His brother Ira, died in 1915 age 3 years 10 months of laryngeal pneumonia. Sister Goldie died in 1929 age 3 of influenza. He married Melda Scott in 1936 and their children were Frank Edward, Wanda, Patricia Ann and Nina. In the 1940 WWII registration, he was working for Majestic Collieries, was 5’9” tall, 148 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. By March 16, 1950, he was a night mine inspector for Emperor Coal in Freeburn. That night, he was caught between the top of the locomotive and the roof of the mine. He lived about ten minutes after the accident and was buried in the Wolford Family Cemetery, Bones Branch at Phelps.

David Joseph Potter and I share Abraham Potter and Lydia Stewart as our common ancestors, as do all of the Potter’s in Pike County. David was born March 1, 1906 to Roland Theodore Potter and Kisia Emily Short. His sister Gertrude died in 1919 age 25, Bessie died in 1898 at 13 days and Eva died in 1933 age 33 of tuberculosis. He married Lauda Alice Stepp in 1925 and their children were Jeweldene, Zane Lacy who died in Michigan in 1954, Jackson Lavear who died in Pike County in 1942, Janice Gray and Franklin Donnie. In the 1940 draft registration he was working for W.M. Ritten Lumber Company in Breaks, VA, he was 5’9” tall weighing 148 pounds with gray hair, brown eyes and a light complexion. By March 27, 1950 he was working for Big Branch Coal in Elkhorn as a truck driver. Two trucks collided that day and David suffered multiple skull fractures and abdominal injuries. He is buried in Elkhorn City Cemetery.

Wayne ‘Wall’ Mounts was born January 19, 1896 to Anderson Jesse and Octavia Christian. Brother Vanover died in 1925 age 24 of typhoid. He married Sister Eldridge in 1926 and their children were Beulah, Bullet, Hodge, Jake, Eddie, Irene, Gearles, Verlena, Maryline, Pear, Ruby, Erma, Mattie, Leanie, Lilly, and Elva. By July 24, 1950 he was working in Majestic when he was caught in a slate fall. He lived a few hours and was buried in the Mounts Family Cemetery in Freeburn. Wall and I are fourth cousins

four times removed, sharing Ambrose Mullins and Nancy Thompson as common ancestors.

John Pope was born May 24, 1917 in Penny to Duran and Virgie Newsome. His sister Lula died in 1931 at 10 months old. John was working for Inland Steel in Wheelwright in the 1940 draft registration. He was 6 foot tall, 147 pounds with brown hair and eyes, a light complexion and a small scar on his left cheek. He married Geneva Bartley, my second cousin three times removed from William David Coleman and Elizabeth Ann Cox, in 1941 and their children were Bobby Joe, Arnold Eugene, Leroy and Nancy Ann. He was still working for Inland Steel on July 23, 1950 when he was hurt in a slate fall. He was taken to Cabell Huntington where it was discovered he had a compression fracture of his 3rd lumbar vertebra with laceration of the cauda equina and paralysis of both legs. The next day,he was diagnosed with thrombosis of the left leg veins. July 25 saw him throw a pulmonary embolism which led to his death after 3 hours. He is buried in the Newsome Cemetery, Harrison Newsome Road.

Harold Joseph Mims was born in 1904 to Martin and Cordelia Johnson Mims. Not surprisingly, we are related, descending from John Elswick and Susannah Radcliff. Harold’s brother, Ermine Clinton, was a coal miner for Jewel Ridge Coal in Richlands when he passed away in 1927 at the age of 30 from diabetes with an acidosis coma as a contributing factor. Harold married Susie Freeman and they had one son, Franklin. He was a miner for Top Hat Mining at Orkney on August 7, 1950 when he was crushed by five tons of slate after shooting coal. He was buried in the Clevinger Cemetery at Coal Run.

Abraham Ray and I descend from Hugh McCown and Camilla Rhea; we are second cousins four times removed. Abraham was born October 22, 1890 in Virgie to William and Catherine Jones Ray. He married Minnie Newsome in 1912 and their children were Mallie, Willie, Allard, Naomie and Goldie. In the WWI draft registration, he is a farmer of medium height with a stout build, brown eyes and hair. In the WWII draft registration, he is working for Clear Branch Mining, is 5’6” tall, 130 pounds with gray eyes, red hair and a light complexion. He had been employed by Clear Branch at Ligon for twelve years by the time of his death on August 28, 1950. His head was crushed in a slate fall and he was buried in the Allard Ray Cemetery on Indian Creek in Virgie.

Arlon Oakley Justice was born June 3, 1915 to John Thomas and Rachel Caroline Branham. He was married but I don’t know his wife’s name. On December 8, 1950 he was ran over by a joy loader, crushing his chest. He is buried in the Justice Cemetery, Left Fork Island Creek, Phyllis.

Joel Don Ratliff was born November 25, 1894 to John Morgan Ratliff and Madora Francisco. He married Bertha Ethel Sanders in 1912 and their children were Raymond,

Eugene, Venita, Mona Allene and Robert Arnold who died in 1920 age 1 month of pertussis. Joel and I share William Ratliff and Martha Thornsbury as ancestors, and Bertha and I share Isaac Potter and Mary Houston. While working for Caudill Ward Coal in Hellier on December 29, 1950, Joel was killed in a mining accident. Burial was in the Francisco Ratliff Cemetery, Toms Branch at Ashcamp.

Johnny Dotson, III was born May 6, 1931 to John and Octavia Beatrice Wallace. He was married but I’m not sure to whom. His sister Lenore died in 1940 age 14 of a septic sore throat. Sister Shirley died in 1949 age 20 of heart and kidney conditions. Johnny was working for Emperor Coal in Freeburn on January 5, 1951 when he was caught in a slate fall. He is buried in the Dotson Cemetery at Phelps. We share George Charles and Christean Michael as ancestors.

Denver Allen was born September 28, 1919 in Shelbiana to Horace Allen and Nora Elkins. His sister Inas died in 1932 aged 4. He married Gertrude Hatfield in 1942 and they had one son, James Denver. While working for Eastern Coal Corp. #8 mine in McAndrews as a motorman, he sustained multiple crushing injuries to his body due to a slate fall. He was a WWII veteran from the state of West Virginia so was buried with military honors in the Ball Family Cemetery in Ball Fork.

Vernon Coleman was a PFC in the 26th Infantry during WWII. Born May 30, 1921 to David and Charlotte Katherine Stanford, he was part of one of the 36 liberating divisions to show the world the truth behind the concentration camps. The horrors he and others saw are unimaginable to us today. He returned home and went to work in the mines, like so many other men of his time. He married Jesse Evalee Mullins in 1945 and they had two girls, Frances Gail and Gloria Jean. While working for Republic Steel on February 3, 1951, my third cousin three times removed was crushed in a slate fall. He is buried in the Wilson Cemetery, Highway 460, Regina-Belcher Highway at Draffin. We share Peter Coleman as our common ancestor, Vernon through his marriage to Charlotte Thompson and I through his marriage to Elizabeth Bentley.

Thomas Daniel Parker was born October 10, 1913 to Berry Walter Parker and Vina Elizabeth Slone. A sister Effa died in 1919 at 7 months from an unknown cause and was buried in a ‘home service’ according to her death certificate, on land that was flooded to create Fishtrap Dam Vina died just a few months before of tuberculosis and is also buried in Annie E. Young after being moved. Thomas married Eunice Varney in 1936 and their children were Phoebe Jane who died in 1941 age 3 years of diphtheria, Grace, Polly, Ted and Charles. In the WWII registration, he is 155 pounds, 6 foot tall with

brown hair and eyes and a freckled complexion. The area they lived on was known as Jonican Creek in the Fishtrap area. He was working for a coal mine on Dry Creek in Marrowbone February 8, 1951 when he was caught in a slate fall, fracturing his skull, jaw and suffering chest injuries. He is buried in the Varney Branch Cemetery in Kimper.

Robert B. Caudill was born November 7, 1912 in Blackey, Letcher County to David and Millie Eldridge. He married Samantha Elizabeth Elkins in 1934 and they were the parents of four daughters, Mary Elizabeth, Katherine Sarah, Tamsie Marie and Armina who died in 1943 age 7 hours after being born prematurely at 6 months gestation. Robert was a US Army WWII veteran working for Big Branch Coal on March 4, 1951 when he was struck by a mine car. He suffered a fracture and dislocation of his spine which led to a pulmonary embolism in his left leg, leading to his death. He is buried in the Osborne Family Cemetery at Dorton.

A second cousin three times removed, Charles Childers/Childress was born September 17, 1906 to Albert and Nannie Adkins. He married Imal Coleman in 1936 and their children were Joyce Sue, Jimmy and Gordon who died in 1965 age 26 as a passenger in a vehicle crash. While working on March 7, 1951 he was caught in a slate fall at the Henry Clay Mine. Burial was in the Childress Cemetery, Little Card Road in Mouthcard.

Levi Mills Johnson, a third cousin three times removed from Isaac Burke and Nancy Johnson, was born July 11, 1911 in Hartley to Lorenzo Dow and Annie Johnson. He married Flossie Johnson in 1929 and their children were Smith, Verdell, Glenn Randall, Anna Lee and Shirley Ann. In the 1940 WWII draft, he was employed for Koppers Coal at Weeksbury, was 5’11” tall, 180 pounds with brown hair and eyes and a light complexion. He was working for Eastern Gas & Fuels at Weeksbury for sixteen years by May 7, 1951 when he died enroute to St. Mary’s in Huntington from injuries sustained in a slate fall. His injuries were intraabdominal hemorrhage, traumatic, crushing injuries, a broken pelvis, femur and shock. He is buried in the Tackett Cemetery on Island Creek.

Herman Akers was born June 25, 1930 to Andrew and Alva Roberts. There was a stillborn brother in 1924 who was born prematurely and in June 1945, his brother Edgar was shot in the face while eating at a restaurant in Pound, Wise County VA. A coal miner for Consolidated Coal, Edgar sustained a blast of No. 6 shot to his right cheek. Herman married Billie Marie Jones in 1948 and their son was born very prematurely, surviving only 2 days in 1949. He was working in the No. 8 mine of Eastern Coal at Pinson Fork when he was ran over by a mine motor and sustained multiple crushing injuries. He was buried in the Calhoun Cemetery at Robinson Creek.

Alfred Thomas Estep was born in Edgarton WV July 3, 1914 to Noah Columbus and Jane Ward. Sister Julie died in 1925 at 13 days old due to an unreadable cause. He

married Vonice Davis in 1934 and it’s possible they had children but I haven’t located any. Alfred was a brakeman for Feds Creek Coal at Biggs on August 14, 1951 when he was ran over by 13 cars. He suffered multiple fractures, depression of his skull, multiple fractures of his arms and legs, chest, back and lacerations of his brain. He is buried in the Blackberry Cemetery. Vonice remarried to LeRoy Justice and made her home in Lexington. She passed away in 1987 and is buried in the Lexington Cemetery.

Harrison Smith was born June 14, 1888 to David and Margaret Justice. He married Tabitha ‘Bytha’ Hackney in 1908 but I haven’t found any children. His half brother John Butler was shot at age 17 in 1931 in a case of mistaken identity, half brother Jesse died in 1916 age 18 days due to hives, half brother Willie died in 1920 age 3 months of flux and dysentery. Harrison enlisted in the US Army on September 2, 1918 and was discharged January 7, 1919, at least by the US Master List. He was a private in Co. 2 Battalion 159 DB. He was ordained a minister in the Primitive Baptist Church in 1932. While at work on September 12, 1951 he was caught in a roof fall. Burial was in the J. R. Smith Cemetery on Smith Fork Hollow in Phelps.

Walter Jimmy Bartley, Jr. was born July 3, 1924 to Spairel and Lucy Owens His brother Garfield died in 1927 age 4 months of diarrhea and enteritis due to improper diet. He enlisted on August 25, 1943 and was honorably discharged on March 13, 1946. He married Florine Adkins in February 1946 and they had one child, Suzanne. He was working in Venters on September 13, 1951 when he was caught in a roof fall. Burial was in the Bartley Cemetery at Penny. His family lost three of his siblings within five months: Hazel in June, Phillip in July and Myrtle in November of 1979.

Thurman Stump was a fourth cousin twice removed, sharing William Ramey and Susanna Samlins as ancestors. He was born in Coleman March 18, 1923 to Perry and Stella Hamilton. His sister Alta died in 1944 age 18 of a pelvic infection of three months. He married Mae Dell Coleman in 1946 and I didn’t find any children. He was working in Biggs at the Dunlap Mine of Kentland Elkhorn Coal on October 18, 1951 when he was caught in a slate fall that was attributed to improper timbering according to mine inspector Elmer Layne. Burial was in the Stump-Casey Family Cemetery at Smith Fork Hollow in Phelps.

Cousin John Elswick was born November 30, 1909 in Jonancy to Ulysses Grant and Maggie Branham. He married June Johnson (also a distant cousin) in 1932 and they had two children, Fayetta Jane and Susanna Gay. In the 1940 draft registration, he was working for Inland Steel at Wheelwright, 5’9” tall and weighing 130 pounds. He had blue eyes, black hair with a dark complexion and a small scar on the left side of his forehead. An electrician by trade, he was working for Clear Branch Mine at Ligon on December 8, 1951 when he died due to exsanguination from an internal hemorrhage. He lived about 2 and a half hours. Burial was in the Elswick Cemetery at Booker Fork of Caney.

Herbert Chafin was born January 7, 1923 in Ransom to James Carlos and Lurie Elizabeth Cole. His brother Clyde died in 1912 age 2, Claude died in 1944 in Belgium. Herbert was a US Navy veteran as well. He married Ada Marie May and they may have had children but I am not sure. He was working as a joy loader in McCarr on December 12, 1951 when he was caught in a slate fall. He is buried in the Anderson Hatfield Cemetery in McCarr.

Jeremus ‘Remus’ Tackett was born to Jerome and Stella Crawford on January 3, 1927. He married Lillian Smallwood and their daughter Arlene was born in 1949. Remus was working in Beefhide as a coal loader on January 21, 1952 when he was caught in a slate fall which crushed his chest. He is buried in the Smallwood Beverly Cemetery on Fleming Branch in Dorton. Brother James died in 1954 age 25 as the result of a car accident. Lillian remarried to James Pope and died in 2000 in Ironton, Ohio.

Paris Daugherty was born October 12, 1901 to William and Mary Coleman. His brother Anthony died in 1921 age 4 of bloody flux and dysentery. Sister Ella died in 1920 age 18 months of flu and pneumonia. Paris married Thursa Daugherty in 1923 and their children were Cecil, Betty Faye, Kenneth and James Ervin. Paris was working for Feds Creek Coal on January 21, 1952 when his skull was crushed in a slate fall. He is buried in the Daugherty Family Cemetery in Jamboree.

Machine operator George Marrs Ford was born February 19, 1922 in Zebulon to Thomas Jefferson and Polly Vance. His brother Edward Arthur died in 1925 age 9 of typhoid. His sister Lavina died in 1938 age 27 of homicide by unknown hands. Brother Henry took his own life in 1942 age 35. That same year George married Sue Mullins. While working as a machine operator in Goody on February 29, 1952, he was crushed by a mine machine and is buried in the Ford Cemetery in Meta.

Francis Marion ‘Frank’ Bowling was born July 26, 1928 to Dover and Daisy Crider.A marriage to Rosa Myra Elswick was performed on September 10, 1948 and the couple had no children. Rosa was the daughter of Dewey Elswick and Virgie Newsome. This Elswick line is independent of the Pike and Buchanan County lines; they are not related as far as I can find out. Frank was a slateman for Semet Solvay Division, Henry Clay Mine No. 2 on March 20, 1952 when he was crushed in a slate fall. He was buried in the Bowling Family Cemetery at Rockhouse. Dover was the informant and stated that Frank was single; I have not researched for a divorce record. Rosa passed away in 2021 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Louisville.

Monroe Colley was born July 13, 1918 to Noah Colley and Sarah Donna Mullins. A sister, Lottie Mae, died as a teen in the 1930’s, family lore stating she drank a tincture to

induce an abortion. Her grave is located somewhere near Elkhorn City. Monroe married Mandy Reathel Smith in 1937 and they had 3 sons, Carl Joseph, Charles Lester and Jasper Ezekial. In 1940 draft registration, he was working for Splashdam Smokeless Coal, 5’5” tall, 130 pounds with brown eyes and hair, dark complexion and a scar on the left side of his forehead. At the time of his death on April 8, 1952, he was a motorman/coal miner with 32 years experience. He passed away in a haulage accident and is buried in the Childers Cemetery at Bowling Fork.

Thomas ‘Tom’ Blackburn was born June 3, 1895 in McCombs to James Harvey and Julia Burchett. In the draft for WWI, he was described as being of medium height and build with grey eyes and brown hair. He served as a private in Company C of the 28th Infantry during WWI. Tom married Vada Boyd in 1919 and their daughters were Lucille and Doris. While working for Oceana Mine in late June 1952, he was crushed in a slate fall. He passed away July 6 of a cerebral embolism caused by multiple fractures. He is buried in the Alex Blankenship Cemetery at McCombs.

Chester Albert Ball was born December 10, 1913 in Pinson Fork to Thomas and Nancy Jane Hatfield. He married Julia Ann Mosley in 1936 and their children are James Edward, Loretta and Janice Faye. The 1940 WWII draft registration has Chester described as working for Teirney Mining at Stone, 6’4” tall, weighing 145 pounds with blue eyes, blonde hair and a light complexion. He was working in Pinson Fork on February 6, 1953 when he was hit by a fall of slate, suffering traumatic injuries to his abdomen with internal hemorrhage. He passed away 4 hours after being struck, doctors at Williamson Memorial trying to save his life. He was buried in the Williamson-Hatfield-Coleman Cemetery at Sandcamp Hollow, Blackberry.

Eugene Bowling was born in 1930 to Henry Clarence and Goldie Anise Justice. His sister Vada died in 1935 at 8 years old of diphtheria. Eugene married Joyce Stevens in 1949 but I don’t think they had any children. He was working for Kentland Coal at Dunlap on June 10, 1953 when he was struck by a 5x9ft piece of slate that was 3” thick. He is buried in the Henry Bowling Family Cemetery in Calloway Hollow at Phelps.

Henry Harrison Davis was the son of Stanton Davis and Pricy Childers, born February 24, 1910. His mother’s Childers line is from Lawrence County and there is no known connection to the Pike County line at this time. Henry’s sister, Lucille died in 1913 aged 11 months of pneumonia. He married Dixie Butler in 1943 and they had four children, Daryl, Gloria, Daniel and Connie. While working for Kentucky Fuels at Allegheny on August 12, 1953, he was caught in a slate fall. Burial occurred in the Hellier Cemetery, Edgewater Road.

Willard Ballard Griffey was born August 28, 1899 in Steele to David McClellan and Fannie Elizabeth Jones. He married Charlotte Ivory Rose in 1926 but I am unsure if they

had any children. Sister Sarah died in 1929 age 36 as a young mother to three daughters. Her exact cause of death was listed as undetermined but notes on the back of her death certificate state he had rheumatism after contracting a cold and died from ‘smothering spells’. She also left a 6 month old baby, Fannie Elizabeth. Ballard passed away August 25, 1953 while working for Emperor Coal at Freeburn after being crushed in a slate fall. Brother James Roscoe died March 10, 1953 and they are both buried in the Jones Cemetery at Feds Creek.

Like most families of the time, Dewey Kinney and his wife Angela Wolford (married 1928) was large. Dewey was born a twin May 21, 1907 to Butler and Myrtle McCown. His brother Thomas Oscar passed away July 29, 1939 of a peptic ulcer and gastric hemorrhage. Dewey and Angela’s children were Ilene Agnes, Austin, Myrtle Faye, Samuel Kyle (US Marine, thrown from a car in 1964 and passed from his injuries), Rose Ellen (died at two days old in 1948 due to prematurity), Loyal, Joan, Harlen, Allard Ray, Dewey, Jr. and Mary. Dewey supported his family by working for the Johnson & Baker Mine at Freeburn, when on September 29, 1953 he was killed in a slate fall. Burial was in the Roberts Cemetery at Sookey’s Creek.

Cousin Lem Charles (we share Frederick and Elizabeth McColley) was born April 3, 1904 in Zebulon to John and Clerinda Duty. He married Lula Charles (a cousin) in 1924 and their children were Pearl, Lem, Joseph, John, Archie and Greenville. In 1942, he was working for Eastern Coal at McVeigh, was 6’2” tall, weighed 182 pounds with blue eyes, black hair and a light complexion. Courier Journal (Louisville) of October 2, 1953, he was crushed on September 30 ‘when a coal car went out of control, pinning him against the face when another car crashed into the first, crushing him even more. His death was the first fatal accident at the time since its opening in 1941.’ He is buried in the Morris Cemetery, Raccoon Road, Raccoon.

Robert Cantrell was born May 29, 1917 to John Hiram & Hannah Keeton. He married Belva Coleman in 1935 and their children were Joyce Glema, Cecil and Willa Jo. He was ran over by a mine car on October 30, 1953 in a coal mine near Phyllis. He sustained multiple lacerations to his abdomen, dying of hemorrhage and shock quickly after. He is buried in the Coleman Cemetery on Rockhouse Creek Road.

(William) Leonard Stephens was born October 14, 1915 to Albert Stephens and Alpha Adkins. His brother William Albert died in 1914 age 1 month after being found in bed. Leonard was working in Grundy, Buchanan County VA on December 14, 1953 when he was caught in a slate fall. He suffered compression fractures and dislocation of his lumbosacral spine, paraplegia due to transverse myelitis. Leonard passed away on December 22, 1953 of a massive pulmonary embolism. He is buried in the Stephens Cemetery on Hurricane Creek of Elisha Fork.

Ralph Coleman’s father buried more than his, or anyone’s else’s share of family members. Andrew Paris Coleman married Charlotte Smith in 1910, their daughter Laura was stillborn in 1916, then she passed away in 1917. Their son Andy, Jr. died in 1918 age 2 of ‘stomach trouble’. Paris married Elsie Thornsbury in 1918, their son Charles Hughes died in 1919 age 3 months of ‘bold hives’, twins Nora Tennessee and Willie died in 1926 of pneumonia age 2 years. Elsie died in 1927. Paris then married Missouri Coleman in 1928. His daughter Oma died in 1929 age 7 years of diphtheria. Son Lonnie died in 1949 age 19 hours of a congenital heart defect. In 1940, Ralph was working for JR Haimer Lumber, was 5’3” tall, weighed 135 pounds, blue eyes, black hair and a light complexion. He was a WWII veteran. Ralph married Nellie Fern Coleman in 1946 and their children were Danny, Geraldine, Irene and Christine. While working for Kentland-Elkhorn Coal on March 3, 1954 he was caught in a slate fall which fractured his skull. Paris was a Baptist minister, pastor of the John’s Creek Church for decades. He passed away in 1956 and the entire family is buried in the Coleman Cemetery, Long Fork Hollow in Kimper.

Otis Irvin Davis was born October 27, 1894 in Paintsville, Johnson County KY to John A and Martha Laura Gibbs. When he registered for the 1917 draft, he was farming for himself, described as slender, medium height with black hair and eyes. He had a dislocated ankle. Irvin married Flora Austin in 1917 and their children were Dorothy, Otis Irvin, Jr., Cleo, Nowana and Martha Jane. By the 1941 registration, he was working for Eastern Coal, 5’7” tall, 140 pounds with brown eyes and hair, a ruddy complexion with a scar on his left wrist. Work on May 25, 1954 was likely just any other day at Pond Creek Collieries, until a slate fall occurred that fractured his femur and skull causing cerebral contusions and lacerations from which he could not recover. Burial was in the Taylor Cemetery in Stone.

Raymond Paul White was born May 3, 1902 in NC to John and Celia Bolden. His brother Lester died in 1923 age 26 from a car accident. Not much information is available for Raymond but I do know he married Pearl Dotson. He was injured in a slate fall on July 22, 1954 while working in Freeburn. He was taken to Williamson Memorial Hospital for treatment of multiple compression fractures of his lower spine, paraplegia and pneumothorax. On July 31, he suffered a massive atelectasis (collapse) of his left lung which proved fatal after 30 minutes. He was buried in the George Dotson Cemetery, Abby Bridge Road in Phelps.

John Kelly Roberts was born January 1, 1905 to Joseph and Melvina (Vina) Ward. He married Lillie James in 1928 and their son Delmer was born 1929. According to The Courier Journal of November 25, 1954, ‘the father of two children died today of injuries received last night in the Republic Steel mine at nearby Road Creek, where two other miners were injures in two additional accidents. John received a broken leg and internal injuries when caught between a mechanical loader and a side of the mine.’ He is buried in the Justice Cemetery, Elisha Fork Road and Hurricane Creek.

George Washington Damron and I share John and Nancy Branham Damron as ancestors. He was born May 12, 1917 on Caney Creek to Basil and Katherine Akers. When he registered for the 1940 draft, he was working for Joe Keathley at Harold, was 5’5” tall, weighing 136 pounds with brown eyes and hair, ruddy complexion and a scar on the little finger of his left hand. George married Myrtle Adkins in 1940 and he enlisted in 1943 in the 8th Infantry. Their children included Roy, Larry and Ricky, Linda, Sue and Pauline. Son Billy Ray died in 1952 age 3 days of congenital rubella, aged 3 days. Daughter Sharon Kay died in 1953, age 11 months of toxicity due to diarrhea. He was working for the Bartley Mine at Esco on February 15, 1955 when he suffered a broken neck, crushed chest and abdomen in a slate fall. He is buried in Rissie Branham Cemetery at Shelbiana.

Freelin Senters was born September 9, 1904 in Draffin to Henry and Caldonia Dell May. He married Maggie Davis in 1925 and their children were Gordon who died in 1928 at 20 days old of pneumonia, Harold Gene, Gaye and Ray. He was a member of the Pond Old Regular Baptist Church. While working for Republic Steel in Elkhorn City on February 22, 1955, he was crushed by a shuttle car while working alone. He was found by a fellow worker. Burial occurred in the Wilson Cemetery, Route 460, Regina/Belcher Highway, Draffin.

Martin Ratliff and I share Gabriel Hughes and Nancy Potter as common ancestors; he from Margaret Malissa Hughes and I from William ‘Bill’ Hughes. Martin was born September 7, 1905 in Letcher County to James and Elmyra Margaret Malissa Hughes. He married Learlie Smallwood in 1926 and their two children were Troy and Learline. In 1940, when he registered from the draft, Martin was working for Consolidated Coal in Jenkins, 6 foot tall, 162 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. Troy’s registration in 1946 states he was working for the gas company for Consolidated Coal at Jenkins, 5’11” tall, 156 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair and a light complexion. On March 31, 1955, Martin sustained multiple crushing injuries to his hips, chest and skull when the motor crashed in the mine. He is buried in the Rob Ratliff Cemetery at Shelby Gap of Elkhorn City.

Edgar Clinton Tackett was born August 9, 1930 in Robinson Creek to Elmer Tackett and Arizona Bryant. He married Lila Pearl and they had two daughters, one named Virginia. His sister, Geraldine died in February 1946 age 17 days of bronchial pneumonia. On September 9, 1955, while working for Cove Fork Coal in Bowling Fork, Edgar was caught in a slate fall which crushed his chest and broke his neck. He was buried in the Damron Cemetery at Robinson Creek. He is my husband, Eric Wallen’s fourth cousin, sharing William Tackett and Sarah Elizabeth Caudill as ancestors.

Roland Griffith was born January 18, 1901 to William and Nancy Jane Taylor. A sister named Lethie passed away in 1919 age 28 of puerperal septicemia. He married Chloe Estep in 1940 and their children were Kathryn, Elizabeth, Wes and Peggy. In the 1942 draft registration, he was working for Roland Rowe in Feds Creek, 5’5” tall, 135 pounds with hazel eyes, brown hair and a light complexion. He had a scar on the second finger of his left hand and a scar in his right leg. Roland was crushed in a slate fall on September 20, 1955 in Mouthcard. He is buried in the George McClelland Miller Cemetery on Motley Fork of Feds Creek.

Garley Church was born March 9, 1908 in Canada, Pike County to James Washington and Rebecca Jane Church. His brother Truman died in 1926 at the age of 14 of tuberculosis, brother David was stillborn in 1934 after Rebecca fell a few days prior. Sister Margie Rena died in 1935 age 5 months of pneumonia. Garley married Ida Thacker in 1929 and their children were Viola, Naomi, Nanette and Willie James who was stillborn in 1931. While working for Belfry Coal Company on January 17, 1956, he was crushed in a slate fall and buried in the Blackburn Family Cemetery at Meathouse Fork in Canada.

Arnold Ferrell was born September 10, 1956 in Stopover to William Anthony and Hannah Blankenship. His brother Jesse died in 1925 age 32 of a gunshot wound that was deemed homicide. Brother Ezekial died in 1934 age 30 but I have not found his cause. Arnold was working in Majestic on March 5, 1956 when he was ran over by a bulldozer that was struck by a runaway mantrip. He was buried in the Ferrell Cemetery at Stopover.

Robert Justice was born July 11, 1933 in Owsley to James Elisha and Aurora Sword. He married Gracie Howard in 1951 and their daughter Christine was born in 1954 and died at age 9 in 1964 of pneumonia and whooping cough complicated by cerebral palsy. While working for the Tackett Mines in Osborne, Floyd County on July 26, 1956, he was electrocuted by a short circuit in a mine shuttle car. He is buried in the Justice Cemetery in Owsley.

Harry Blake Hopkins was born July 29, 1928 to Dolph and Jennie Tucker. He was SP3 in the US Army during WWII, 6 foot tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and eyes and a ruddy complexion. He married Faye Thacker in 1947 and their daughter was Wanda Jo. He married LouAnna Newsome in 1956 and their son was Bradley Blake. Harry was working on Upper Chloe August 13, 1956 when he was electrocuted by a short circuit in the mine motor he was operating. He is buried in the Huffman Cemetery of Red Creek.

Estil Ray Swiney was born December 21, 1936 in Draffin to Cecil and Buena Stalker. He wasn’t married nor did he have children. His siblings were Lloyd Harold and Clifford. While working for Hawkins Brother Coal on December 7, 1956 his pelvis was crushed in a slate fall. He is buried in the Wilson Cemetery in Draffin.

Willie Blair was born March 23, 1903 in Penny to Margaret Blair, his father is unknown. He married Emma Coleman in 1924 and their children were Victoria, Elizabeth, Thomas who died in 1930 age 1 year of pneumonia, Rose Marie, and Alvin Jackson. While working for Ratliff Bartley Coal in Esco on March 4, 1957 he was crushed in a slate fall. He survived thirty minutes, then was buried in the Newsom-Newsome Cemetery, Harrison Newsome Road.

Floyd Preston Varney was born in Kimper on May 17, 1927 to Levi and Betty Honaker. His sister Emma died in 1920 age 6 years of fever, brother Ralph died in 1932 age 3 of croup. He married Thelma Ruth Williams in 1949. Floyd was working for Hamilton Coal at Kimper for May 19, 1957 when he came in contact with a high voltage line while working on a coal mine pump. He was buried in the Varney Cemetery, Sunshine Lane in Kimper.

Bobby Tilden Mullins was born in 1938 to Chester and Margie Nora Belcher. His brother James died in 1937 age 16 months of cholera.Sister Doris Jean died in 1954 as an infant. Lexington Herald Leader July 24, 1957: The State Dept of Mines and Minerals today investigated the collapse of a coal tipple which brought tons of coal crashing down on four miners Tuesday, killing 2 brothers and injuring two others. Raymond See, director of dept bureau here, said that witnesses, including one survivor, would appear at the hearing in his office. Killed when a chute under which they were working gave way were Jesse William 19, Bobby, 18 of Belcher. Injured were Hubert Belcher, 42 and Charles Lamb, 40. See said the portion of the chute which gave way was constructed of weak material and the men were attempting to shore up sagging timbers when the accident occurred. He said that apparently the weight of the coal and the condition of the structure caused the accident. They are buried in the Wilson Cemetery, Route 460, Regina-Belcher Highway in Draffin.

Raymond Ward was born December 4, 1918 to John Thomas and Sarah Lucille Norman. Brother Marion died in 1906 age 3, Clifton in 1909 stillborn, Jarvie died in 1929 age 19 ‘killed by lunatic’ gunshot victim. In 1937 he married Pearlie Church and they were the parents of Christine, Willie Gene, Roger Lee, Gratho and Avelene. The 1940 draft registration has Raymond listed as unemployed, living at Edo, 5’6” tall 156 pounds, with blue eyes and blonde hair with a ruddy/lightbrown complexion. While working for Kentland Coal in Dunlap on November 8, 1957 he was crushed in a slate fall. Burial was in the Ward Cemetery, Prichard Fork at Kimper. News of his accident was

listed in several newspapers, even in Shreveport, Louisiana. Roger and Avelene died in 2024 just months apart.

Charles Clinton Stacy was born April 20, 1902 in Stacy, VA to Harvey and Alice Maynard. He married Ethel Mae Ramey in 1926 and their daughters were Elaine Lois and Mary Alice. The 1940 draft states he was working for Buchanan County Coal at Big Rock, was 5’8” tall and weighed 142 pounds. He had brown eyes, black hair and a light complexion. He was hurt April 19, 1957 in a mining accident and was treated by Dr. William Hambley for anoxia due to crushing mine injuries, cerebral and spinal cord degeneration for nine months. Charles was diagnosed with lobar pneumonia November 11 and died two days later. He is buried in the Wilson Cemetery, Draffin.

Ormsby Coleman was born March 25, 1921 in Lookout to Benjamin Franklin Coleman and Mae Wolford. Benjamin died in a mining accident in 1924. He married Goldie Marie Trusty and their children were Roger, Doyle and Ermal. While working in Stewart on December 14, 1957 he sustained crushing chest injuries in a slate fall. Burial was in the Buddy Ratliff Cemetery, Poor Bottom, Elkhorn.

Arnold Anderson was born April 12, 1935 in Regina to Kie and Opal Hylton Anderson. Sisters Faye and Tilda were born prematurely in November 1939. Faye died two days later, Tilda 9 days after birth. Sister Eloise died in 1949 age 8 months of lobar pneumonia. He married Bertha Lee Bartley in 1957 and their son Jerry Lee was born in June 1958. Arnold was working for Big Branch Mine #2 of Cove Fork Coal at Hellier on August 20, 1958 when he died instantly in a slate fall. Jerry died three months later of a bronchial obstruction and cardiac arrest. Burial was in the Bartley Cemetery, Bowling Fork.

Earl Edgar Vanhoose was born May 17, 1906 in Louisa, Lawrence County to Perry and Mary Edwards. Sister Virginia died June 1947 in a car accident aged 34. Brother Walter died November 1947 in a mining accident. Earl married Daily Beulah Sellards in 1926 and their daughter was Stella Marie. The New Camp Mine of Osborne Mining at Goody was busy on September 20, 1958 when Earl, a motorman, was electrocuted while trying to put out a motor fire. He was buried in Mountain Memory Gardens at Huddy.

George Adam Johnson was born July 1916 to John Martin and Francis Elkins. He married Bertha Caudill and their children were James Martin (who died in a car accident in 1979), Emma, Mary Elizabeth, Wanda, Albert, JoAnn, Georgene and Victor. He was working for Bethlehem Mine Company No. 20 mine in Burdine, Letcher County on October 27, 1958 when a motor trip burned in the mine when caught between cars and the face of coal. He died from shock caused by internal hemorrhage, crushed pelvis, right arm torn and multiple compound fractures of both legs. He is buried in the Three Mile Cemetery at Dorton.

William Henry Lawson was born July 9, 1937 to James and Elsie Sesco. His siblings were Clyde Willard, Eskmon, Maxine, Susan and James Louie who died in 1954 age 7 months of dysentery. William was working for the Dalton Mine #6 on December 17, 1958 when a motor crushed him against the side. Burial was in the Thompson Cemetery, Brushy Creek Road, Varney.

Cummins Estil Ramey was born to Grover Cleveland Ramey and Octavia Hunt on March 8, 1911. A stillborn brother was born in 1931 due to a placenta previa and hemorrhage. Octavia survived. Estil enlisted in the US Army during WWII, enlisting in 1943. He married Delia Charles and I can’t find children but it’s possible they had some. Estil was working in South Williamson on December 19, 1958 when he was crushed between two coal cars, suffering extensive pelvic fractures, pelvic vein ruptures, anoxia and anemic shock. He is buried in the Charles Cemetery a/k/a Frozen Creek Old Regular Baptist Cemetery, Zebulon. Delia is the great granddaughter of my fourth great grandparents, Frederick Charles and Elizabeth McColley. Estil is my second cousin three times removed, sharing James Madison Ramey and Pricy Elswick as common ancestors.

Adron Ray was born July 31, 1920 to Johnie Ray and Roxie Ratliff. Brother Millard Jackson died in 1952 age 25 of pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia. Brother Edgar died in 1955 age 33 in a mining accident in West Virginia. Adron was working for Blevins Coal on September 18, 1959 when he suffered multiple fractures in a two ton slate fall. He was buried in the Thomas Cemetery, Left Fork Island Creek. Adron and I share Benjamin Cox and Sarah Coleman as common ancestors.

Orrison Runyon was born September 24, 1929 to Ernest Beckham and Stella Smith. He married Juanita Varney and they had five children, Linda Carol, Cynthia Jane, Larry Gene, Denise, Ricky and Gary. The day before his birthday in 1959 while working for Susie Ann Coal at McCarr, he touched a 250 volt wire as he left the mine at the end of his shift. He is buried in the George Hatfield Cemetery, Blue Springs Branch, Ransom.

Albert Hubert Rowe was born May 13, 1921 in Belcher to Roy and Arveline Bailey. He married Bonnie Owens and their son was Paul Morris. In the 1942 draft registration, he is unemployed, 5’4” tall, 110 pounds with blue eyes, blonde hair and a light complexion. He suffered a broken neck and thoracic injuries in a slate fall on October 2, 1959. He was buried in the Wilson Cemetery at Draffin.

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Legend of Mathias Harman

Storyteller is Mathias Harman

The province on Mathias Harman is not of the usual story and is based on the 1787 contract with one John Preston, John Smith, Henry Skaggs, and me Mathias Harman to settle in what was then Mason County, originally Bourbon and then Floyd County after 1799. Images shown in the following illustrates where Mathias Harman’s Plantation Bottom was located based on future litigations involving the 400 acre tract. In the winter of 1821 Pike County was established.  

Mathias Harman, a man of small physical structure, but the Indians dreaded seeing Mathias Harman because he was known as a fierce fighter, a man forged by the rugged landscapes and the untamed wilderness, is a name synonymous with adventure and exploration. His story is deeply intertwined even long before the early beginnings of Pike County history and the surrounding regions.

But I was long gone by then.  

In the early days, Mathias Harman and his companions faced numerous challenges as they navigated the formidable terrain and established their settlement. The initial contract signed in late of 1787 was a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of their arduous journey. Their relentless efforts and unwavering spirit led to the successful establishment of a new thriving territory.

Mathias Harman’s legacy is characterized by his indomitable spirit and his contributions to the development of the region. His knowledge of the land and expertise as back woodsmen and a surveyor were instrumental in transforming the rugged wilderness from a hostile inhabitable lands, in a country  that is enjoyed by several thousands of generation that has followed his paths to Eastern Kentucky, Alongside Henry Skaggs, Charles Skaggs and Daniel Harman, Harman’s dedication to exploration and settlement laid the foundation for what would eventually become Pike County.

The establishment of the fort in 1789 marked a turning point in their endeavors. The fort provided a sense of security and stability, allowing the settlers to focus on the development of a new outpost community. Their extensive surveying efforts ensured that the lands were meticulously mapped, creating opportunities for future growth and prosperity.

Mathias Harman’s story is one of perseverance, bravery, and a deep connection to the land. His contributions to the region are celebrated and remembered, as they paved the way for the establishment of Pike County and the thriving communities that followed.

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Mathias Harmans quest to establish a plantation on the Louisa Fork is told in his own words, testimony as it follows the courthouse cases within the Floyd, Wythe, Tazewell, and Pike Counties. 

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I was born in 1736. The son of Heinrich and Louisa Harman, from the anglicized name of Hermann, and German heritage. I was married to Lydia Skaggs and she bore me nine children. Every one of which a man can be proud.

I’ve always been a hunting man, a wayward sort I suppose. Living off the mountain land while making a few silver coins on furs and ginseng.

I’ve also been known as a surveyor. This is what brought me to this new place, just a few poles above Mud and down steam from Cowpen Creek. My brother Daniel Harman, with Charles and Henry Skaggs, one day, was approached by John Smith and John Preston of Wytheville, two men who trusted our knowledge of the Kentucke side of the Valley. Knowing we had traveled and hunted this area since young’uns. Where I got my wandering ways.

      Now, those men approached us under the guise of the Loyal Land Company, which I had numerous dealings with over the years. 

Our deal was struck, Daniel, Charles, Henry and I would survey all the lands on the Sandy River and its tributaries, from Paintsville and towards the present day Virginia State line. Our agreement was created in 1787, and this deal gave us adventurers a small part of the surveyed lands, on which to live and start a new settlement.  We wrote and surveyed up the patents and trusted Preston and Smith to warrant them in Kentucke and Virginia, which they did, as was our deal. 

We all settled on Sandy, on a nearby crick, (actual stream) I named crick after my giving last name and erected a fort there in 1789, on more or less than four hundred acres. Took us two years to erect this settlement while surveying.  Just a couple years before, George Lewis deputy surveyor for his boss James Garrard, surveyed a large tract of land on the East side of the Sandy River, two big cricks overrun with wildlife called Otter Run and Bear Creek, just West of the Station Bottom. We were the first adventurers to settle here in this area. 

My ventures took me to various places, but settling in Sandy River Valley was one of the most strategic choices I made. With the aid of my brother Daniel Harman, Charles Skaggs, and Henry Skaggs, we explored and surveyed the land extensively. Our knowledge of the terrain and its resources was unmatched, leading to the successful establishment of our settlement. We engaged with the Loyal Land Company, securing our rightful portions of the surveyed lands. In 1787, our agreement was solidified, granting us a chance to build a new life on the lands we had painstakingly mapped out.

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Our efforts bore fruit as we laid the foundations for a thriving community. I recall vividly the laborious days spent marking boundaries, preparing homesteads, and fostering relationships with fellow settlers. The establishment of Pike County in 1821 was a testament to our relentless pursuit of progress, even though my time there had long passed. The courthouse cases that followed within Floyd, Wythe, Tazewell, and Pike Counties were a testament to the enduring legacy of our pioneering spirit.

However, the beauty of the land was often marred by conflict. One such heart-wrenching tale was that of Mrs. Jenny Wiley.

Up by Louisa a man named Charles Vancouver tried his hands in settling a plot near the Tug and Levisa Forks (Louisa), but the Indians drove him off.  They took all his horses and pack.  A man by the name of Hanks stayed for a while, tried to make a go of it.  It took some time for others out of Virginia to come to settle because the Indians became a problem.  In the summer of 1888, they killed old Cornelius Roberts, and three others name of Elam while picking Ginseng, minding their own business.  My family was not afraid of them redskins and found them troublesome with many of rendezvous. 

I remember well the lady named Mrs. Jenny Wiley. Her husband being Thomas Wiley and there was some children.  The Indians weren’t so kind to her and killed those children, all but one at the time.  Those renegades took her and that babe from over in Virginia, off Walker Mountain in October of 1789.  Them Indians, a rogue bunch, tried to take her across the Ohio, but the rains had other plans.  While on her trace across Virginia, they killed her baby by bashing its head on a tree to quiet its hunger.  Instead of taking her into Ohio, they took her into Kentucke and held her until she one day escaped.  Brave woman that Mrs. Wiley.  While in captivity, she gave birth to a baby, which they took from her.  She never seen that baby again.  One day, Mrs. Jenny hearing there were white men in the area made her escaped, making her way down to the Big Sandy River, she run into some of Vancouvers men, who happened to be near one of my surveying cabins up that way.  I was up at Vancouvers looking for Whiskey, our men had run out.  When Vancouvers men brung Mrs. Wiley back up to Vancouvers Station, they made plans to get her back to Virginia.  I took her home.  Later years she and her husband made Kentucke home. 

In 1789, my family and I settled on Station Bottom, being one of the first to do so.  We planted a large garden and many peach trees.  Just up the Sandy from here., I had new neighbor, who just moved across from Sandy Ridge Territory by the name of Silas Ratliff.  I later sold my land in 1803 to William McGuire of Tazewell County, and he in return sold it to John F. Hackworth.  Old man John Preston had issues back in Virginia before the sale of land, and even though Preston had two claims by warrants, he never sent us adventurers our legal claim to the settlement lands.  Though, we had the contract and a survey of which our land was shown.  Later young John Graham, making a name for himself, had caused us a large legal battle over our Harman Station land.  We Harmans never take a fight on our backs and won that legal battle.  A few years later after helping Graham and others to settle Prestonsburg, our families moved back to Tazewell where I suppose I would die. 

Testimony in the case of Harman vs McGuire tells us the Harmans and Skaggs men were the first adventurers and that their land was in what is now Pike County.  Mathias Harman died on April 2, 1832.  His son Mathias Harman Jr had settled his estate. 

End

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Big Sandy is know far and wide for her rich and prolific coal beds, or seams, and numerous operations are now in progress mining this product to be shipped to citizens in a less fortunate portion of the country; where coal fields are unknown. Of the many mines that are being work in the valley, none take precedence over the North-East Coal Company. The main offices of this company are located in Paintsville, occupying the entire second floor of The Paintsville National Bank Building. These offices are the most modern and convenient in the valley.

At Thealka the operations consist of three large openings where a large number of men are employed at good wages and where local conditions are ideal. The men are well paid, well housed and given the best of treatment in every way. Thealka, Ky., is a model mining town, made up entirely of local people, no colored or foreign labor being employed. A large store supplies the needs of the people with everything to eat and ware at most reasonable prices.In fact the prices are lower than the miners can get the same goods for with cash at other stores. The miners are happy and prosperous.

Schools and churches are two things that go hand in hand with the operations of the North-East Company Coal. The management figures that good schools and churches, with well paid and contented miners are valuable assets to their towns and business.

Mr. A. DW. Smith is President of this company and spends a considerable portion of his time in this section. Mr. Smith is well liked by all his employees and is ever ready to assist and help those working under him.

R. C. Thomas is Superintendent of the operations at Thealka. He has had experience in the considerable expert coal business and is a favorite with not only but with all his employe’s, but who know him.

In addition to being a good coal operator he is an ideal citizen and finds time from his many duties looking after the operations of his company help out in all worthy causes. He resides at Paintsville and is a progressive, popular citizen.
At Thealka the company operates a machine shop where all its work is done by the latest improved methods. Experienced men are in charge and in addition to their own work a considerable amount of work for others is done. It is said to be the best machine shop in the Sandy Valley and is a valuable asset, not only to the company but the public as well.

Mr. A. DW. Smith has long been connected with extensive coal interests in the Sandy Valley. Indeed he holds a conspicuous place amoung the pioneer coal operators, of Eastern Kentucky. The North-East Coal Company of which he is President, was among the first of the important operations developed in the valley; and under his efficient management the company has grown until it is the second largest producer on the line of the C. & O. Railway in Eastern Kentucky. His training and experience gives him a place among the really great – coal men of the State, having been engaged as a mining engineer in private enterprises and in the service of the United States Geological Survey..

His interests are not confined to this valley, as he is also at the head of a company which has acquired valuable coal property in Letcher County on the L. & N. Railway and the development of that property re-fleets the same proficient management as characterizes the North-East properties on the Big Sandy River.

The property in Letcher County is on the Kentucky River with operations and mining towns at Seco, Millstone and LaViers. The North-East Coal Company have operations at Thealka in Johnson County and Auxier, in Floyd County.

Mr.A.DW. Smith standing in center

Mr. Henry LaViers is the Manager of the North-East Coal Company’s operations at Thealka, Ky., in Johnson County, and Auxier, Ky., in Floyd County; also. Manager of the South-East Coal Company’s operations at Seco, Ky., and LaViers, Ky.; the latter place having been named after him.

Mr. LaViers came to the Big Sandy Valley in 1906, thoroughly qualified by experience to develop the coal properties put in his charge. Prior to his coming to Paintsville he had worked as a miner and in all departments of mining service and had served an important Ohio mining company as their mining engineer continuously through a period of thirteen years. His broad and matured knowledge of mining is in evidence in the properties that have developed under his management. Not only. do the plants of these companies present the most substantial and most practical facilities for the production and preparation of coal, but the mining towns built by them show conclusively that the welfare and best interests of the employees have had a large place in the consideration and plans of Mr. LaViers and his companies.

As a coal man his advice and counsel is sought on all mining problems of this valley and as a citizen of our town he is held in the highest esteem. He is a leader in community welfare movements and gave active enthusiastic support to our recent Red Cross membership campaign. He is President of the North Eastern Kentucky Coal Association. He has also served as President of Kentucky Mining Institute.

Mr. LaViers is a resident of Paintsville and finds time to help out in every movement for the good of the town and county and the valley.

At Thealka the daily output is 2,000 tons from three mines. This is also is an excellent quality of coal.

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Salt was a vital commodity in the Western Virginia Frontier long before Kentucky had became a State. Long Hunters and Early Settlers had the ability to preserve food in an era long before refrigeration ensured its high demand. As important as salt was in the Colonies of North America , it was even more important on the frontier, where access to meat was more limited. Fortunately, salt deposits were quite common on the Eastern Kentucky frontier.

Several  large Mineral and Salt Licks were widely noted in Virginia and Old Kentucky land patterns. One of Merry Walker’s surveys dated April 23, 1787, assigning a 5000 acre tract to Rev. John Graig. This patten covered part of Beefhide Creek of Shelby Creek, the long narrow fork was called Lick Branch, a befitting name.  Another major Salt Lick was located Salt Lick Branch of Right Beaver Creek, called Fowlers Lick, named after James Fowler in 1775.

However, finding salt reserves (often in ground surface springs called “licks”) and then rendering the mineral into a usable form was as tedious process. In organized operations, when workers located a salt lick, they first drilled through the mud and sand in a nearby creek bed until they struck the salt water. Extracted through pipes, the water was pumped by either man or horse power into large salt kettles. Weighing up to 90 pounds, the kettles were boiled in wood-fired or coal-fired furnaces built on the ground. As the saline water boiled, it evaporated, leaving salt residue behind. This long-drawn-out process often produced an average of 25 to 50 pounds of salt per 1,000 gallons of salt water.

Early Kentucky salt deposits were often found in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern part of the state. Large operations such as the Goose Creek Salt Works in Clay County provided nineteenth century Kentuckians with the vital product. The area around Lick Fork of the Left Fork of Middle Creek know as Boone’s Salt Spring, was eventually settled by James Young who opened a salt mining business. Salt making was the first industry of Perry County. A road survey court order of January 28, 1817, mentions salt works on the North Fork of the Kentucky River.

Youngs Salt Works

The original discovery of the Young’s Salt Works: As the story have been told, Daniel Boone at the age of thirty-three, Daniel Boone made his first trip to Kentucky, arriving in the Big Sandy Valley in the winter of 1767-1768 with his brother, Squire Boone, and William Hill. Boone’s venture into the Big Sandy Valley was his first of many trips to Kentucky, but he wouldn’t return to the Big Sandy until about 30 years later. He told his children that he first heard of “Kanta-ke” while serving as a teamster with Braddock’s army in 1755. He had been influenced by the talk of fellow soldiers especially by James Findley-about the bounty of the western lands. In 1753, Findley had made a trading expedition to the “Blue Lick Town” of the Shawnee located on a fertile plain near the large salt licks that gave the Licking River it name. Findley reported that other Pennsylvania traders were also in the region at that time.
The Boone party crossed the Appalachian ridge to Russell Fork of the Big Sandy and followed the river’s northwestern course, which they reasoned, must eventually lead them to the Ohio. They passed the rim of the “Breaks of the Sandy” and followed a buffalo trace over fifty miles to a large salt lick at present-day David, a few miles west of Prestonsburg. 30 While they were camped at the lick, Boone is said to have killed his first buffalo, and feasted on its liver and roast hump. Daniel’s son, Nathan, later wrote, “they ware ketched in a snow storm and had to Remain the Winter.” Boone and his companions returned to their home in North Carolina in the spring of 1768, disappointed that they hadn’t found the “land of cane and clover” promised by Findley.

The operation finally became known as Middle Creek Salt Works. The salt mined from this location was sold to early pioneer settlers and was later used by both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.

Nathan Boone Visit

According to Nathan Boone, Henry Lee commissioned Boone to survey a large tract of land on Blaine Creek in October 1796. They left their cabin with some chain carriers and were joined by two young men from nearby Paris who wanted to go along for an excursion in the woods. The party traveled up to Limestone where they hid the canoe and proceeded several miles up the creek to begin their survey. It took a few days longer When they returned to the canoe, they enjoyed having some apples and a bottle of Old Monongahela they had purchased from a boat on their journey up the Ohio. Nathan humorously added that their traveling companions “ate plentifully of the green apples with a generous amount of old Monongahela and got quite sick.” No record has been located in the Kentucky Land Office of this survey by Daniel Boone.
Later in the fall of 1796, Nathan headed up Licking River on a bear hunt with his father, Flanders Callaway—husband of his older sister Jemima-and a few others. They rode their horses as far as Burning Springs at present-day Salyersville and headed over the mountain towards the Big Sandy. After killing only one bear, two of their companions got discouraged and returned home. The party continued on to a settlement with three or four families and a few work hands at Young’s Salt Works— present-day David at Lick Fork on the Left Fork of Middle Creek. They also stopped a few miles downstream at what Nathan call the lower settlement on the river—present-day (West) Prestonsburg. They didn’t venture far up the Big Sandy but did meet a man that told them bears were on a creek about nine miles down the river. They went there and killed about forty bears by the end of December 1796 on a stream that became known as Greasy Creek. They saved the bear skins and smoked the meat, then made a large canoe and floated it down the river to Limestone. Daniel and Nathan returned by land with the horses. The meat was hauled over from Limestone to Bourbon County, where they learned it was more valuable if rendered into oil. An adult bear carcass would yield ten to twenty gallons of oil that would sell for a dollar per gallon.”

How the Young’s Salt Works started, its beginning starts with Virginia Treasury Warrant No. 9912 issued to Elias Edmonds in December,1782. Elias Edmonds held the title Lieutenant Colonel, in the Continental Army during The Revolutionary War. For his war efforts Elias Edmonds was given a Treasury Warrant for a bounty of land for his choosing providing a land survey would later accompany warrants. But instead, Elias Edmonds chose to assign Treasury Warrant to fellow Patriot Col. John Green from the Virginia 6th Regiment. Both Lt. Col. Elias Edmonds and Col. John Green would fight under George Washington’s command.

This next section explains how Treasury Warrant No. 9912 was broken into four surveys. Information and Research provided by Fred May ” Surveying the Big Sandy”.

In January 1796, Henry Lee sent Samuel Plummer up the Big Sandy Valley to survey four tracts of land for John Green.44 The family of James Young resided in the area, so Plummer enlisted him as marker for the surveys and James Young, Jr. and Patrick Young as chain carriers. The first two surveys (OK-1610 and OK-1611, for 1,000 acres each) are dated January 4, 1796. They note painted trees in the area, name early routes running through the area, and OK-1610 became the subject of subsequent court actions. The descriptions in the surveys makes their exact locations problematic. However, a study of other documents places them on Middle Creek—west of present-day Prestonsburg-and gives evidence that OK-1610 • contained what became known as Young’s Saltworks. Plummer’s description of the survey makes no mention of the salt lick, but other evidence places it near the northeast corner of the tract in present-day David.

Another survey OK-1611 begins at: “an elm tree painted black at the fork of the Shawnee road, one of them leading to Clinch and the other to the Cherokee Nation, about 20 miles from the Big Paint Lick.” OK-1610 is about 6 miles upstream from OK-1611 and begins: “at the forks of a creek on the left hand road leading from Sandy to Clinch at a beech in the forks of the creek…

Plummer’s next two surveys (OK-1612 and OK-1613, for 1,091 acres each) are dated January 12th. They begin about 15 miles south of OK-1610. Both are described as: “being in the County of Mason on the waters of Sandy and a branch called Bevor Creek.”
These are the first surveys known to mention ‘Bevor’ (Beaver) Creek. Other records credit James Fowler for naming the creek in 1775.* Eleven surveys had been run on the creek as early as 1785, which is described as “a larger South fork of Sandy that heads nearly with the head of Licking.” A study of the survey descriptions places these two tracts near the southern tip of present-day Floyd County in the vicinity of Melvin and Weeksbury, where the road leading from Sandy to Clinch crosses the mountain to Indian Creek in Pike County.

About three months prior to the dates of the surveys, John Green assigned rights to the entries for all four surveys to James Young. The assignment was again certified by Green in March 1796, when Young assigned half to John Breckenridge. Patents for three of the tracts excluding OK-1610, as explained below-were issued to James Young and John Breckenridge in November 1796.

Robert Johnson was in the area during the same time Plummer and his crew were running their surveys. He made a survey dated January 13, 1796 for Benjamin Netherland (OK-1715 for 192 acres). This tract begins near a salt spring “on Salt Lick Fork, a branch of Big Sandy Creek.” On May 23, 1796 Netherland filed a caveat against James Young and John Breckenridge for their survey of 1,000 acres (OK-1610) run for John Green on January 4, 1796 and assigned to Young and Breckenridge. The Netherland survey was made by virtue of an entry in Fayette County dated November 29, 1782—predating Green’s entry by about two weeks. Netherland asserted that his survey was within the boundary of their survey and was valid because it had the earliest entry date. On June 17, 1796 Netherland assigned half of his survey to Johnson On August 24, 1796, “in pursuance to an order from the worshipful Court of Mason County,” a party of men met at the supposed site of the Netherland tract to depose William Thornton, who was called to give testimony: “to establish the beginning of an entry made in the name of Benjamin Netherland of one hundred and ninety two acres which entry calls for to include a lick called Fowler’s Lick.”

Fowlers Lick on Saltlick Creek

Thornton a noted Long Hunter, said he first visited this site in December 1775 while on a bear hunt with James Fowler and William Pitman: “Mr. Fowler came first to the lick and told us that he had found a lick and we came up and looked at it and at that time Fowler called it his lick as he was first at it.”

Thornton was questioned by two attorneys, Robert Johnson and John Breckenridge-both principals in the case. The place where they met was:”a salt lick on a branch of Sandy called Fowler’s Lick and now occupied by James Young.” Johnson asked a few questions confirming the distance Thornton had traveled to the lick in 1775 and the names of other men that had come from Clinch who knew it by the name of ‘Fowler’s Lick.’ Thornton also confirmed he was aware of ‘Big Paint Lick near Sandy’ being about 20 miles from the location of the Young and Breckenridge surveys, and that he had never heard of it being called Fowler’s Lick.

Then John Breckenridge began to ask for more details. Thornton told of being with a few other men at the lick in March (1796) to get salt and that his bear hunting trip with Fowler and Pitman was made: “about the first of December 1775 and we returned back again the day before Christmas.” He explained that their route started from home at Castlewood on Clinch River—: “and came out through Little Paint Gap … and came down Shelby Creek … then took an old Indian track and kept along under the dividing ridge on the waters of Sandy, then left the trail and camped on a creek that Fowler called Beaver Creek. “

Saltlick Creek, which flows into Right Beaver at present-day Bosco-Hueysville P.O.—about seven or eight miles upstream from the confluence of the main forks of Beaver Creek at Martin. This is the location of a saltlick mentioned earlier in this chapter regarding the controversy over the location of Fowler’s Lick. William Thornton and Philip Roberts are known to have been there on a hunting expedition as recent as March 1796, making salt for settlers at Castlewood on Clinch River. Skinner assigned the survey to Ralph Morgan, who was familiar with land in the area since he had run surveys there in the mid-1780s—as a deputy surveyor in Fayette County-for George James and John Tompkins.

William Johnson, deputy surveyor of Mason County, went to the lick in October 1797 to re-survey the tract for Benjamin Netherland (OK-3875 for 192 acres) ‘on Salt Lick Creek, a branch of Big Sandy. ‘ It was run on the same entry as the one used for OK-1715, with only minor differences in a few calls. No patents are filed in the Kentucky Land Office with either of these surveys for Netherland. However, OK-1610 was patented to Young and Breckenridge on April 4, 1798, so the caveats were apparently resolved in their favor.

A small square survey—80 poles on each side—was run along the creek in late October by Andrew Woodrow for George May (OK-4965 for 40 acres) and was patented to him in June 1801. Samuel McMillen, Esq., was the “Marker, Pilot & Director of the Survey,” and the chain carriers were Wm. Axier and Samuel Thumbmer. This survey was run on the first entry made for land in the Big Sandy Valley: “…on a Southwardly branch of Sandy Creek to include a very large Sulphur Salt Lick on the west side of said creek very much frequented by Buffaloes.”
There were at least two known licks on Right Beaver Creek. One was on Saltlick Creek as noted above. It is assumed that George May’s tract is the one a short distance upstream from present-day Maytown-about halfway between Martin and Garrett.

Facts still surrounding these surveys add to the unresolved mystery of the location of Fowler’s Lick today. The first record of a lick with that name is denoted on John Filson’s 1784 map of ‘Kentucke’ on Gr. Sandy Cr. The map shows the lower end of the Big Sandy at its mouth on the Ohio River, and Fowler’s Lick is the only landmark on the stream. The 1796 deposition of William Thornton and information in surveys and caveats filed by James Young and John Breckenridge place Fowler’s Lick on a fork of Middle Creek. At the time of the deposition, that site had become known as Young’s Saltworks. Thornton said he knew the location of Big Paint Lick and never heard of it being called Fowler’s Lick.

Scalf wrote that high up on a mountain on the old Allen farm on Gosling Fork of Right Beaver Creek is
‘Daniel Boone Rock, inscribed ‘D.B. 1775. If this is an authentic date, Boone would have been there very early in the year since on March 10t he began blazing a trail along the ‘Wilderness Road’ over Cumberland Gap to the Bluegrass of Kentucky.’ The farm was owned by George and Cynthia (Patton) Allen Scalf also tells a story about James Fowler, William Thornton and William Pittman discovering a salt lick near present-day Hueysville on Right Beaver Creek He credits Fowler with naming the creek for the abundance of beavers along the stream. Other accounts of the location of the salt lick these men visited place it on the Left Fork of Middle Creek at present-day David explained. Henry Scalf, also aware of information in William Thornton’s deposition, agin concluded that Fowler’s Lick was located at present-day Hueysville on Right Beaver Creek—not at David on Lick Fork of Middle Creek, just a short distance from the home of Reuben May, the brother to Thomas May Sr. of Shelby Creek. This local establish town is known today as Maytown. Reuben May married the daughter of George and Cynthia Allen, shown living Floyd County Census in 1830

Goose Creek Salt Works

Clay County, Kentucky was formed in 1806 and established in /1807 from parts of Floyd, Knox and Madison Counties. A number of accounts of the history of the county, written over the past 150 years, relate the significance of salt making to the early development of this remote section of Southeastern Kentucky.

In 1847, historian Lewis Collins wrote of Clay County in his History of Kentucky!
“Clay County lies on the south fork of the Kentucky River. The face of the county is generally hilly and mountainous —the principal products, corn, wheat and grass. Coal is abundant and is used by the inhabitants for fuel. Salt is manufactured at fifteen furnaces in the county, producing from 150,000 to 200,000 bushels per annum, and of the best quality. About nine miles from Manchester, there is a spring which produces an abundant supply of gas.

Goose Creek Saltworks

Early Goose Creek Saltworks one of the earliest accounts of manfacturing salt on Goos Creek are found in three articles reprinted by Jess Wilson in small pamphlet obtained from the Clay County Genealogical and Historical Society; “Salt Making in Clay County, Kentucky: The Rise and Fall of our First Industry

A 1927 article published in the Filson Club Quarterly tells some colorful stories of the end of the Eighteenth Century when James Collins crossed over from Virginia into Eastern Kentucky with a party to hunt in the region of present-day Clay County.’ On a creek later known as Collins Fork of Goose Creek, Collins chanced to find a spring whose waters were unusually salty. He returned to Virginia to organize a pack train of men and mules to haul food and other supplies, along with a number of large cast iron kettles, into the remote region and soon began to manufacture salt. Ingredients used in the process included crushed lime and the blood of hogs and cattle which were added to the boiling kettles when the brine was being finished to insure proper texture and whiteness in the finished product.? The salt was packed in casks made of oak staves and hauled by pack mules to scattered settlements in Kentucky, Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia. Merchants from Lexington and Knoxville and smaller settlements also came by ox-drawn wagons, bringing flour, dry goods and other merchandise to exchange for a precious cargo of salt. An old ledger was referenced in the article, with entries of hides, furs, skeins of thread, flour, whiskey and other commodities being traded for Clay County salt.
As it became apparent that the Collins’ business was profitable, other men came into the region to claim land with underlying salt water, drill wells, and enter into their own enterprises, competing very vigorously with Collins and each other. The article goes into detail about the methods for drilling wells to reach the veins of salt water deep below the surface and tells of huge wooden pumps that drew the water into troughs made from halves of yellow poplar logs, then sent through drilled cedar pipes to evaporating pans. Furnaces were built on site in a trench lined with stones and mortar, forming a horizontal chimney that was fed on one end with a fire of wood —and later coal.
Transportation of salt to Central Kentucky was facilitated by freight boats running down the Kentucky River. During low tide the boats could only be moved down the shallow tributaries of the river with poles pushed from a walk-way along the sides of the craft.
During high tide, very little poling was required and long oars served to steer the boats downstream, but particular attention had to be given to shallows and sharp bends. A treacherous shoal on Redbird Creek, known as The Narrows, was said to have been the scene of many disasters.
A 1952 article by Roy R. White adds to the above account, telling that James Collins’ saltworks were located at the mouth of White’s Branch on Collins Fork of Goose Creek some time before 1790.’ White relates that Collins’ site wasn’t a “regular” establishment until it passed into the hands of Alexander Outlaw some years later and asserts that Samuel Langford was the first man to start the salt-making industry in Clay County at his lick near the present site of Manchester. He states that “Collins made salt only for his own use, whereas Langford manufactured it for sale.” About the time Langford was building his salt works, a furnace was established at Collin’s Lick by Alexander S. Outlaw. Soon afterward he sold it to John Ballinger, who in turn passed it on to Colonel James White of Abingdon, Virginia2 3 In 1802 the Kentucky Legislature directed that roads be improved to reach Langford’s Lick and Outlaw Salt Works.
Additional research shows that on February 6, 1804, John Ballinger sold a fourth interest in 400 acres on Collins fork of Goose Creek plus full interest to another 400 acres to James White, a merchant in Abingdon, Virginia. Payment of about $1,550 was made to Ballinger in merchandise from White’s store. The first tract included the “salt works now occupied by Alexander Outlaw, Sr. & John Ballinger. . . and all kittles, buckets, troughs, oxen cart, etc.” In 1806 James Kincade (sic) sold a tract of land to James and Hugh White for $250. The deed —with a note that Hugh White was living on the land at the time— wasn’t filed until Oct 9, 1822 Ballinger and his partner were in business and he was willing to sell his interest in the business for credit in Abingdon, a southwestern outpost in Virginia that was a trading center for settlers of the remote Eastern Kentucky valleys. For many decades the names of Ballinger, White and Kinkead appeared in subsequent deeds along the creek. Hugh White, a brother of Colonel James White, came to Kentucky to take charge of the Outlaw furnace and later bought it outright.
Later he turned it over to his son, Alexander, and established another furnace near his home. Two more sons of Hugh White, James and Daugherty, and their descendants, continued to own salt furnaces four miles up the East Fork of Goose Creek as late as 1885. This property was once owned by Reuben May.
Mrs. Bessie White Hager, daughter of Daugherty White’ and granddaughter of Hugh White, wrote another account of salt making in Clay County? She claims that James Collins came to the region in 1798 and first became aware of salt on Collins Fork in 1800. She adds that her grandfather’s brother, Col. James White, was quartermaster of the army of General Cox of Tennessee, who was responsible for protecting white settlers of the frontier. The Colonel learned of Collins’ salt springs while in Lexington securing supplies, purchased some land in Clay County, and formed a partnership with Hugh in 1804. She claims that the salt furnace built by her grandfather was the first in Kentucky and adds that Col. White paid for the property with merchandise delivered to Barboursville from Baltimore, Maryland.
Hugh White operated a number of salt furnaces in the county during his lifetime.

Salt Manufacturing Ventures of Reuben May

The May Historians and Clay Countians know about Reuben May’s ventures in the business of manufacturing salt in Clay County from a number of deeds and pleadings of law suits filed in the county over a period from 1850 to 1867. When Reuben arrived in the county in 1849, he must have had a significant amount of money —and even better credit— to invest. Before he committed to move his family from Pike County, Reuben apparently had made arrangements to invest in the salt business with a few other investors. He became the managing partner of operations on a large tract of land on the southeast fork of Goose Creek —about eight miles from Manchester— and resided at Mt. Welcome. About the time Reuben arrived in the county he entered into the partnership of Blackburn, May & Kinkead. Soon afterward he formed Apperson, May & Co. with Richard Apperson and Judge William B. Kinkead. Churchill J. Blackburn resided in both Knox and Clay Counties; Kinkead in Kenton County, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati; and Apperson in Montgomery County.
In order to better understand Reuben’s business ventures in the 1850s, it is beneficial to study the difficulties that prior owners and managers had faced. The first partners to invest in the salt business where Reuben settled were John C. Wilson and Gustavus B. Quarrier.
A summery of the experiences of the Wilson & Quarrier partnership, beginning in 1832, is given in the Appendix. By January of 1841 Wilson & Quarrier were in arrears on mortgage payments to the partnership of Blackburn & Kinkead ($2,500) and to other creditors represented by Frank Ballinger ($15,000). The Clay County Sheriff was authorized by Clay County Circuit Court to seize the properties.

It was stated that Reuben May borrowed money to keep salt works operational from his father Thomas May. Below a promissory note dated Oct 29, 1856, Reuben May received a loan for $1600.

The Image in the Floyd County Court Order Book shown below is not placed out of order, but is clearly shows a public road maintained by one of the Hamilton boys. A name that is shown highlighted besides Thomas Hamilton is George Tackitt. This George Tackitt is possibly the natural brother of William ( Preacher Billy) Tackitt. Preacher Billy Tackitt is found living on Shelby Creek in the 1820 Census, and noted as well in in Lawsuit between Patrick Johnson and Micajah Collier, Floyd County Court Records 1817. Patrick Johnson purchased this property originally from Corbin Thompson, clearly Thompson did not have clear title when he conveyed the land tract to Patrick Johnson, then Patrick Johnson conveys the Robinson Creek tract to Micajah Collier Also noted in Depositions from this particular land dispute, it discusses property boundaries that Micajah Collier purchased from Patrick Johnson clearly overlap land owned by George Tackitt from a previous sale from Richard Damron. Noted in the deposition was the improvement originally purchased by George Tackitt, was a Grist Mill, house, fence and orchards. Lawsuit was finally settled by Patrick Johnson having give back Micajah Collier’s $50 and a horse. After appeals court ruled against Patrick Johnson and sent back to Floyd County Court.

Floyd County Court Order Book B, Pg. 232

You will notice there is an entry in the Floyd County Court Order Book dated September 2, 1813 appointing Thomas Hamilton survey a road from Floyd County Courthouse to Young’s Salt Lick on Middle Creek. Actually a road survey consist of hard labor, working long hours to maintain a good navigation for Floyd County County Road System. A George Tackitt is noted in survey, this could easily be a brother of William”Preacher Billy” Tackitt, because George Tackitt the son of Preacher Billy Tackitt would only be around 10 years of age.

John Graham was deposed in this lawsuit, question by the defendant: Do you know the land that Thompson lived on that lies on Roberson Creek Ans: about the year as 1 can recollect of 1812 I surveyed the land Corbin Thompson lived on. … I was employed to survey the land by Richard Damron and Moses Damron who said they claimed the same by purchase… 2″ day of May 1820 came Moses Damron before me James Roberts.

The George Tackitt tract on Robinson Creek was sold to Thomas May May 20, 1823.

Alexander Patrick’s Salt Works

The first post office in Perry County was located at Alexander Patrick’s Salt Works in 1822. In a mortgage of 1832-1834 he mentions his “bored salt well and 55 kittles” on it. The court records show that in 1833 he had a grist and saw mill on Troublesome Creek. In the November term of court in 1836 it was ordered that a road be surveyed from Patrick’s salt works to the mouth of Troublesome Creek and in 1836 he received land grants on Lost Creek, Lost Fork, Caney Creek and Troublesome Creek. Therefore, from the above information his salt works must have been located near the mouth of Troublesome Creek which was then Perry County. A settlement was already on Troublesome Creek when Perry County was formed and it is reasonable to believe that the post office and the salt works were both located at that point.
It is fairly certain that Henley Haddix owned the works on Troublesome Creek which were situated one and one-half miles upstream near the mouth of Lost Fork, since the Haddix family has always lived in the area surrounding the mouth of Lost Creek. A motion was made in Perry County Court in November, 1832, to change the road to run from the mouth of Troublesome Creek to Henley Haddix’s Salt Licks “as it would be a great convenience to the people traveling there to get salt.” In 1838 this well had a daily capacity of ten bushels. The brine obtained at 240 feet produced a bushel of salt from 100 gallons of water. This is probably the establishment referred to in the census of 1840 as in Breathitt, with a production of seventy bushels and three men employed.
In September, 1833, the court ordered that a road surveyed from the mouth of Troublesome to George Calimeese’s salt furnace. This was to include all the land from the mouth of Francis Branch, and all the land on both sides of the river, to the upper end of Joseph Spencer’s field.
In 1836 the Kentucky House Journal (3) refers to a number of salt works then operating in the Kentucky River Valley, among which were two located near the mouth of Lick Branch and one near the mouth of Troublesome Creek.
Also mentioned in the 1836 House Journal was one salt works at the mouth of Leatherwood Creek and a well partly bored at Hazard. Elijah Combs owned the well at Hazard. It was located where the Central Hotel now stands and the furnace and kettles for boiling it down were in the lot beside the hotel. An excellent brine was obtained at 400 feet, yielding a bushel of salt from 85 gallons of water but “the manufacture was short-lived because of local competition.”
The works at Leatherwood were opened in 1835 by General White and Colonel Brashear and for a time produced 250 bushels a week, which was considered ample for local demand. In 1838 there was a capacity of fifty bushels a day and sufficient water for a yield of three times that amount. In 1840 it represented a capital investment of $18,000. Eleven men were employed and there was an annual output of 7,000 bushels.

Brashear’s Salt Works

In 1854 salt was reached at the mouth of Leatherwood at 100 feet, but not very strong; the borings were afterwards sunk by Brashear to 410 feet, at which depth a fine brine was yielding, when economically worked, a bushel of salt from 65 to 70 gallons of water. (4)
W. J. Cope owned and operated one on Troublesome in 1860.

Mr. Ward and Wiley O. Davis went to Lost Creek in Breathitt in 1860 and made salt. Mr. Ward sold his interest to Mr. Davis and went back to Virginia, as talk of war began. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Nichols had salt works on Leatherwood about this time.
These establishments on Leatherwood and Troublesome were opened occasionally until the railroad came into the valley, but the production was never more than sufficient for local demand. Until the railroad reached Jackson, the price of salt in this section was at times one dollar a bushel.

[History of Perry County]

SHELBY CREEK SALT WORKS

Not long after the murders of Col. David Morgan and his son William Morgan. The Court appointed trustees and guardians of the Morgan’s children, started piece milling the massive lands the Morgan’s had accumulated, including David’s living widow Anne. Anne Morgan would later take comfort in arms of Jesse Adkins and later marry him. They would reside near the mouth of present-day Greasy Creek, not too far from the Forks of the Levisa and Russell River.

On January 29, 1818, on of those Heirship Tracts of William Morgan would be sold by Willian James Mayo the Guardian of his esate to benefit his Heirs. The result of the sale would make Meredith Collins the proud new owner of a 30 acres tract of land on the upper end of an old John Preston survey. This would be part of the 260-acre survey on Shelby Creek. Jonathon Mayo was the Deputy Surveyor, chain carriers were Abram Beavers, Lazarus Damron and Map Maker is none other than Richard Damron.  

Sixth day of August 1819 Meredith Collins and William Tackittt had entered into an Agreement.  This agreement stipulates that said William Tackitt and Meredith Collins were bound by a signed contract to bore for Salt Water and the said Meredith Collins both bind himself and heirs to lens one good constant hand and to work at said business during the time of the working at said business also to furnish said Tackitt with all spare provisions that he can spare from his own farm by use and to furnish said Tackitt with one-half iron and steel that may necessarily require about the Lick (Salt Lick) for his part for a supporter the said Tackitt to carry on the said business and the said Tackitt both himself and his heirs and company to go with the securing business himself and to superintend and carry to the occurring business on a moderate scale of expenses as possible and to continue boring at all convenience opportunities and to continue till Salt Water is got of both parties agree to quit then both parties to -any up equal parts in all expenses which may occur to preparing and manufacturing Salt and Company, and both parties to go equal parties in all precepts which may arise from the manufacturing of Sale and neither part to sale more take in a partner with our consent of the other parties for the true performance. Both parties bound themselves with a payment to the partnership for the sum of Ten Dollars.

[Floyd County Court Clerk Deed Book B, page 65]

Twelfth day August ,1819, Meridith Collins would convey his land holdings of 30 acre salt tract on the Shelby Creek to William Tackitt for $30.

[Floyd County Clerk, Deed Book B, Page 66]

By a Legislative Act, Chapter 127, 1825, page 123. The Commonwealth Kentucky General Assembly. This Act prohibited the appropriation of a part of the vacant in this commonwealth. That it shall not be lawful for any person to appropriate any part any part of Two Thousand Acres of land on Shelby Creek in Pike County, around the spot where William Tackett (spelled), Jesse Hamilton, and Meredith Collins are boring for Salt Water, the lines are to run to the cardinal points, until after the first day of January, On Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty, under or by virtue of any law of this state for the appropriation of vacant lands. Provided however, that nothing in this act shall prohibit appropriating the aforesaid land, or any part there. 

   Approved, December 21, 1825.

March 27, 1828… After nearly ten years producing an unknown numbers of bushels salt at the Old Shelby Creek Salt Works, up steam, just a little above Bartley Hollow. William Tackitt up in years decides he does not want to be the biggest salt supplier on Shelby Creek anymore. The new potential buyer is none other than Thomas May. Thomas May is buying one of the best, salt producing wells in Pike County, Kentucky.    The 30-acre tract the well property set on; its description is not hard to follow. Beginning at two sugar trees on the most Northardly (spelled) bank of said crick (creek), thence South 13 degrees; West 40 poles to a Cedar under a cliff, South 88 degrees, West 38 poles to Two Beeches branded B. South 50 degrees, West 10 poles to a Beech, South 34 degrees, West 162 poles to a Beech, Maple and an Ash. Thence Southward by crossing the creek on a direct line to a Spruce Pine, North 3 degrees, West 100 poles to a stake, thence crossing said creek, down with the different demanders (meanders) of said creek, to the Salt Well, thence six poles to a stake; thence down with the different demanders (meanders) center of said Crick (creek) opposite to the beginning; thence Northhardly a direct line to the beginning

                                                                                                       Signed: William Tackitt

[Pike County Clerk, Deed Book A, Page 332]

This indenture made and enter into this 14th day of May between Henry B May and Thomas May of the County of Pike and the State of Kentucky of the first part and Leonard Kinney of the County of the state aforesaid of the other part. Land located of Pike on Shelby Creek and bounded as follows to wit Beginning at two sugar trees on the most Northerly bank of Shelby Creek thence S.13’W.40 poles to a cedar under a cliff, thence S.88W.38 poles to two beeches branded B thence S. 50 w.10 poles to a beech S.34 W. 162 to a beech, maple & ash, thence Southward and by crossing the creek on a direct line to a spruce pine S 3 w. 100 poles to a stake thence crossing said creek down with different measures of said creek to the Salt Well thence W. 6 poles to a stake thence down with the said opposite to the begging.

[Pike county Deed Book A1, pg. 259, dated August 7, 1832]

The First Kentucky Geological Survey made by David Dale Owens, one portion conducted during the years of 1854 & 1855. The report was published in 1856. David Dale Owens extensively discusses the time conducting coal measures on Upper Kentucky River and Upper Louisa (Levisa) River. David Dale Owens while studying the confluences where the major heads of both rivers joined at Sounding (Pound) Gap, Owens apparently enlisted the consultation of Capt. May who constructed the road through Sounding Gap. Most locals had spoken of Thomas May as a large land owner on Shelby Creek and a business entrepreneur in Pikeville as well. One of the discussion Owens had with Thomas May was about a two-foot coal bed that was on fire just above the creek on Shelby, the fire had burning for two years, the smothered combustion had produced a kind of natural coke. Owens noted that he had taken samples from this coal bed, he commented on its worthiness and was comparable the natural coke of Virginia.

During this investigation David Dale Owens while in conversing with Thomas May. Efflorescence of salt had shown themself for several miles on Shelby From of the Big Sandy River; this, together with stories of noted Buffalo Licks, led to belief from earlier settlers that salt could be optioned by boring deep into the licks. Boring for salt waster was attempted for nearly 40 years, starting the Tackitt, Collins and Hamilton ventures on Shelby Creek. Several attempts were probably made by Thomas May in search for heavy salt water. The last attempt was noted by Owens, stated by May. After reaching a Dept of 100 feet and forty feet the auger started getting fast, and boring was discontinued.

USGS TOPO PRINT 1916

Sandy Valley & Elkhorn Railroad Right Of Way Map 1913

Lick Branch located just below the Mouth of Caney Creek

This Lick Branch located 1/8 of mile above Shelby Creek Salt Works

Natural Gas Wells Near Pike County School District No. 13

Gas Well Drillers Log 60324

Gas Well Drillers Log 60325

Warfield Salt Works

During 1858 and 1859 David Dale Owens Kentucky Geological Survey Crew were surveying parts of Lawrence and Pike County. Owens noted the farms were quite small, lying in narrow valleys extending along streams; often embracing the sloping land at the foot of the hill, Owens’ valued flat land at $10 an acre and hill side at fifty cent to $1 an acre. Procuring and rafting saw logs is extensively carried on in many places. Wagon roads are almost unknown, yet the country could be traversed in many directions by roads which could be made at a small cost.

Salt making has been carried on for a short time at Warfield, on Tug river, from which point the salt is distributed either by pack horses through the country, or in canoes on the river.

Additional research on the Warfield Salt Works was done by a popular Civil War Historian, Marlitta H. Perkins was noted in post on East Kentucky Civil War Blog. One of the larger salt enterprises in Eastern Kentucky belonged to a Confederate general but, ironically, his salt works never contributed an ounce of salt to either army. Warfield was established in Lawrence County, now Martin, in the early 1850’s as a coal, salt and lumber community by George Rogers Clark Floyd and John Warfield of Virginia. It is located on the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River, some sixty miles above Catlettsburg. On March 3, 1857, George Rogers Clark Floyd deeded all the Warfield property to his brother John B. Floyd. On May 23, 1861, Floyd was commissioned brigadier-general in the Confederate Army and subsequently had command of the “Virginia State Line,” which operated mainly in western and southwestern Virginia. Upon his departure, Floyd left agents in charge to look after the welfare of the property. Great quantities of salt were made at Warfield before the Civil War which were transported by boat to Catlettsburg but at the beginning of hostilities production ceased. On January 21, 1862, Floyd’s vast Warfield property of 15,000 acres came under a sheriff’s sale and was acquired by two Kentucky Union officers and their spouses, Colonel Laban T. Moore and wife Sarah, Col. George W. Gallup and wife Rebecca, as well as Joseph Tromstine, a Cincinnati investor and his wife Bertha. Thus the Warfield salt works remained in Union hands throughout the war and out of reach of the Confederacy. The production of salt was resumed after the end of the Civil War.

On July 2, 1867, the Warfield Coal and Salt Co. was deeded to Sallie B. Floyd, conveying all of Warfield, under general warranty to her.
[Lawrence Co. Deed Book I, pp. 245-247 ? /285-287]. On the same day, Robert W. Hughes was appointed her Executor and Trustee
[Lawrence Co. Deed Book I, p. 284-285

The post EASTERN KENTUCKY SALT WORKS appeared first on Pike County Historical Society.

The Pike County Historical Society has recently been allowed from a local collector to photograph a local Native American collection. All items came from an area in and/or immediately adjacent to Pike County. The bead necklace has been restrung and the stone axe rehandled.

The majority of this collection originated from an approximate three-square-mile area and came together over the course of three decades.

The post Native American Presence From The Clinch Trail appeared first on Pike County Historical Society.

The Building Of Consolidation City

Before any Modern City can be built, there is a massive amount of planning and set up in what’s its ulitmate purpose. In this particular story the planning for Consolidation City, it started 144 years ago when a venture seeking engineer by the name of Richard Broas started exploring the upper reaches of Elkhorn Creek, what was then still located in Pike County, Kentucky, in the year of 1883. At this particular era in mineral exploration Richard Broas was well financed by Simpkins’ from the Northeast. Working at least a couple survey crews or maybe three. While opening up several large coal prospect channels across Upper Kentucky River, Shelby Creek, Beaver Creek and Elkhorn Creek, Broas caught the attention of the cash strapped Kentucky Geological Survey Crew. Their leader was Albert Crandall, Assistant to the Director of KGS. But Richard Broas had the money and man power to explore any coal seam. A .R. Crandall’s crews were limited to an old coal bank open by local residence, those coal banks were far and few in between. Crandall had originally meet Richard Broas earlier in 1881 down on Daniels Creek, a tributary on Johns Creek near the Johnson / Floyd County line. One of the coal openings Crandall and the KGS had assisted Richard Broas on happen to be a rectangular block of coal excavated and ship down river to be presented at the Southern Exposition at Louisville in 1883/84.

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The first Kentucky Geological Survey headed by then Director David Dale Owens made an observation the Elkhorn Coal Seam in the same geographical area of present day, Eastern portion of Letcher County, noted by only thick coal bloom at the Head of the Kentucky River, Owens would be the first Kentucky employed official to note the footage in elevation height from an a point at Laurel Fork on the Kentucky River, to the center of the state road in Lonesome Cove Gap. The crude method obtaining footages was probably measured earlier concept of a earlier type of hand level.

The Southern Exposition in Louisville is what got National attention, highlighting the Elkhorn Coal Field in 1883. Richard Broas would eventually tie up a massive amount of coal reserves in Letcher and Pike County for the Simpkins’ over the next several years. Richard Broas would ultimately secure 16,000 acres for the Simpkins’.

The year was 1888, a young man with a teacher’s salary started to enter the picture, his name was John CC Mayo. Over the next the 5 years John CC Mayo would a mass several thousands acres of Mineral Reserves that would end up involving a sale of valuable mineral sale to Merritt’s of Minnesota. The Merritt would fail financially because short comings involving John D Rockefellow. John D Rockefeller would take full possession of the Merritt’s valuable Mesabi Iron Range, but for some reason John D Rockefeller was not interested in Merritt’s valuable coal lands purchase from F.A Stratton in Marshall Branch, near the present day Letcher and Pike County line. John CC Mayo was interested, eventually picking up the Merritt’s mineral near the heart of the Elkhorn Coal Field on Sheriff sale.

John CC Mayo would continue in picking up thousands of acres of mineral deeds and options in Eastern Kentucky over the next 7 years. With John CC Mayo financial backing was always max out, he was fortunate enough to land some investors from Sharon, Pennsylvania, which ultimately formed a wonderful friendship and the beginnings of Northern Coal and Coke Company.

1900 the mineral business was starting to explode regionally around the Triangle of Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia. L & N Railroad had made its way up the headwaters Powell and Clinch River. N & W Railroad had forged its path the Mouth of Pond Creek and Lexington and Eastern Railroad had landed in Jackson, Kentucky. Kentucky was getting ready to be over run by the thousands of Surveyors, Engineers, well dressed Lawyers, and Bankers from Philly, Boston and New York City. Fancy well spoken Geologist, Assayers and Chemists from Chicago, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Steel man from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

In the beginning of the century newspapers are the most popular source of who is selling and who’s buying in the virgin coal fields of Eastern Kentucky. In the summer 1901 the Ohio & Big Sandy Land Corporation, the business arm of Northern Coal and Coke with going around from farm to farm offering at that time more money than most Eastern Kentucky People had every seen in their lifetime. B.F. Johnson and G.B. Vaughn were going all over Shelby Creek, the head of Elkhorn Creek, Left Beaver and Rockhouse Creek, packing the personnel check book John CC Mayo. Usually BF Johnson a commissioned land agent for Mayo, would pay 10% down on a total agreed price, providing their land title checked out alright. The balance was normally paid out in 6 month according to Broad Form Deed Contract.

Even Local Story Tellers and Book Authors were getting in on the action as well, telling of great riches that was being invested in Kentucky, many rumors floating around from the lower reaches across the Virginia State line, in the growing city of Big Stone Gap, most forks still called Mineral City.

Great speculation is being discussed about The Big Sandy Railway, starting soon, dreams of hearing the distant screams of steaming jack hammers chiseling their way up the river from Buchanan to Shelby, a distance of 95.5 miles. The cost and milage estimates were projected by John C C Mayo’s engineer and long time dear friend, J.F. Prindible.

Shown below inter company statement from John C C Mayo’s personal check book to Northern Coal and Coke Company. There are more than 350 check entries from August, 1901 through June, 1902

Building of Consolidation City has been a wonderful research project, plenty of detailed history. Tons of drama had taken place even long before investing partners decided to build Consolidated City. Part of this historical addition to the “Building of Consolidation City” would partially or Indirectly involve the Fox Brothers, and their quest looking for that ultimate piece real estate on the Kentucky, Virginia boarder. The Fox Boys were from Stoney Point, Kentucky, near Paris . They all seem to join together on certain investment ventures, from the middle 1880s to the latter part of the 1890s were not very profitable for the Fox family. Investments into coal and land, and the resultant headaches and monetary responsibilities that such ventures incurred, frayed the nerves of every family member. It was not necessarily bad judgment on their part that caused them the most trouble. More than anything else, it was simply bad luck, and perhaps not enough monetary capital to see them through the difficult times such investments required. The Proctor Coal Company at Red Ash, Kentucky, on the northern edge of Jellico, was one of those investment in 1880s and 1890s. James – John Jr.’s half-brother — was a director and sometimes salesman for the company along with about six others. John worked in the offices, taking care of the paper end of the coal business, and he was young, and it is not unlikely that he felt the importance of his position all out of proportion to his actual status, and although John Jr. did not appear on the company’s letterhead in any capacity, he probably felt responsible for his brother’s business when James was not there, which was often. In any event, trouble, possibly brewing long before John Ir. arrived in Jellico, broke out between himself and the store keeper, Joe Wilson, who, by the way, did appear on the letterhead of the company, which in the pecking order of such things, seemed to give Mr. Wilson a little more status. There were multiple disagreements that started to develop with the top of tier management. In January 1889 the Fox’s next big move to relocate to Big Stone Gap, to cash in on the expected boom in real estate there would come next year, but for the time being, preparations had to be made to make their family’s move more accommodating for every-one, especially their mother and father. So, in the meantime, things went on much the same as they had before in and around Paris. John found himself once more teaching with his father, and hated it, not just for the teaching, but for the sheer boredom of classroom work. He hated it with such a passion, that he was unable to keep his feelings from his brother James, but he apparently was able to conceal those feelings from his father. Just seven years before John Fox Jr. was finishing up his Harvard education with finical assistance from James. Leaving Paris was coming to ahead when John Jr’s. brother Horace had already taken a surveyors job at the Big Stone Gap, John Fox Jr. sent a letter to Horace to tell him to buy a house, the rest of the family was coming during spring. Soon after the Fox brothers got settled in at Big Stone Gap they started taking interest in buying town lots.

Big Stone Gap, Virginia, then as now, is a community hemmed in by mountains of the steepest sort. John would write incessantly about the isolation of the mountaineer and what that isolation denied those people he wrote about. This time, he neglected to imagine that a town could become as isolated as the people who lived there before the Foxes and all the rest of the newcomers had arrived. He had forgotten, or refused to think about, the first three universal rules of business: location, location and location. The simple truth was that the Gap was not in a good, accessible place. It was hard to get to. Roads were few and primitive. More than once, John would write of seeing mules trapped in the mud holes in the street, and drowning there. The railroads would eventually build to the town, but even that could not negate the fact that Big Stone Gap, despite all the promotional brochures, was simply a mountain town, and was almost certainly predestined for trouble and failure. But they all tried hard to bring civilization – at least their conception of civilization to the Gap, and for a time, they succeeded. With the advent of the first railroad to reach the town, life became somewhat easier for them all.

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The Fox brothers – James, Horace and John Jr., started looking for a more profitable venture and opened an office in Big Stone Gap, and by the end of January 1890, John was able to write to James to tell him that there are lots for sale within the city limits, when they found one lots were selling for as much as $2,500 each, and the Fox’s made their very first town lot purchase, they turned it around overnight and cleared a $250 on one lot.

The Fox Boys would struggle after their first profitable sale trying turn a profit in Big Stone Gap, for the most part the city lots they bought in Big Stone were purchased at or near market price. when the real estate market dip, they struggled even to pay interest. Seldomly we find the Fox Gang venturing in Kentucky trying to turn dollar. John Fox Jr. had a gift for writing and really enjoyed the outdoors, fishing was his favorite pass time.

John Fox Jr’s first short story “Mountain Europa”was released September 15, 1892

1900: Published Crittenden, his novel based on the Spanish-American War. Published by Scribner’s who had become John Jr’s publisher after his leaving Harper’s.1900: Publishes “Down the Kentucky on a Raft” for Scribner’s magazine for June, “Man Hunting in the Pound” for Outing magazine for July and “To the Breaks of the Sandy” for Scribner’s magazine for September. While John Fox Jr. was serving as War Corespondent in Cuba is most likely where he met Fess Whitaker and Morgan T Reynolds from Letcher County while fighting with Teddy Roosevelt.

1901: Wrote “The Southern Mountaineer” for Scribner’s magazine for April-May,
“The Hanging of Talton Hall” for Outing magazine for October, and “Christmas Eve on Lonesome” for Ladies Home Journal for December. John Fox was even on Guard duty during Talt Hall’s murder trial at Wise, Va.

1901: Published Bluegrass and Rhododendron which included “The Southern Mountaineer,” “The Kentucky Mountaineer,” “Down the Kentucky on a Raft,” “After Br’er Rabbit in the Bluegrass,
” “Through the Bad Bend,” “Fox-Hunting in Kentucky,” “To the Breaks of Sandy,” “Br’er Coon in Ole Kentucky,” “Civilizing the Cumberland,” “Man Hunting in the Pound.” “Christmas Eve on Lonesome” was not included in this volume.

John Fox Jr. dedicates his book, “Blue Grass and Rhododendron,” to “The First Three Captains of The Guard.” They were Joshua Fry Bullitt (Jr.)., Henry Clay McDowell and the brother of John Fox, Horace Ethelbert Fox. The Blue Grass and Rhododendron is written from part of a collection published in 1900 and several stories are base in conjunction withe Pine / Cumberland Mountain territory from Pound Gap down to the Breaks. fishing and enjoying the outdoors with Joshua Fry Bullitt, Henry Clay McDowell and William is John fox Jr. brother, Horace Fox. Fox also writes about the narrow shale flats trail just wide enough for wagon. This would be the same narrow path that Kentucky Route 80 runs high above a couple hundred feet above the Russell River today.

The Fox brothers were men that came to the area to enrich themselves with coal properties around the vast natural resources of Wise County and Kentucky through out Letcher, Knott and Pike County. John Fox Jr. and his family wanted to be heavily invested in the coal, timber and iron business in Virginia and Kentucky.
His brother, Horace Ethelbert Fox and John Fox Jr. himself were members of The Guard which was a self appointed police force consisting of those men who came to Kentucky to exploit its resources for personal gain. With all bases covered including among them, lawyers, judges, engineers, John William Fox Jr. a Harvard graduate and a writer could manipulate the media, I’d say they had it all tied up in a pretty little bow. One has to ponder why a lawyer with L & N Railroad Stock, plus representing the coal companies had to establish a self appointed police force.
While living at Big Stone Gap, Wise Co VA, John Fox Jr. along with two dozen or more other what he called “college bred men” engaged in timber and mining. He took part in organizing a vigilante or self imposed police force which John Fox sometimes called a “volunteer police-guard” in that area. John Fox Jr. told a reporter in 1900 that “I have known members of the force to protect a Negro from a mob while he was on territory in which they were sworn to preserve the peace,” and join the mob in lynching him after he was taken beyond our jurisdiction where the oath had no binding effect.” In his articles and books, he often portrayed himself and his cohorts as superior to the locals and took much credit for “civilizing” the area with “The Guard”. The Guard provided security over Talton Hall during trial and waiting for him to be hanged at Wise, Virginia.

John Fox, Jr. was one of many guests at Mayo Mansion and while he visited there he worked on one or more of his manuscripts. Fox was gearing up for more exciting novels and short stories about life in the Kentucky Mountains and Bluegrass area, including The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come and The Trail of the Lonesome Pine. This was noted in the National Registry of Historical Places. The Fox boys were present during several photo op sessions with John CC Mayo.

Who are the real life characters in The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine was peopled with characters from real life, as was the best of his writings before 1908. Not that they were all living, breathing people on whom his characters had been based — though many were – but they were believable enough most of the time, and to the readers of Lonesome Pine they became real, and made the book a success.

The people and places, and the time of Lonesome Pine, provide perhaps a clearer picture of what life was like for the Fox family after their move to the Gap in 1890. John had written about their misadventures before – several times, in fact – but it is in the fictionalization of those people and times that seems most real. The story of lack Hale and June Tolliver, the Gap and a huge towering pine tree, that god-like, was given power of protection over the star-crossed lovers, captured the hearts and imagination of readers, and quickly made the story a favorite and again placed the name of John Fox, Ir, on the best-seller lists.
Much of the novel’s unromantic content had been previously published in Bluegrass and Rhododendron (1901). “The Red Fox of the Mountains, “The Hanging of Talton Hall,” and “Civilizing the Cumberland” were all used, sometimes transcribed directly into the storyline.

Strangely enough, as popular as the human characters of the novel were, it was the third principal character of the book that garnered as much attention as Jack Hale and June Tolliver and the rest including Devil Judd Tolliver is the Winchester caring feudsman Devil John W Wright . Even thought Talton Hall was hung at the end of a rope at Wise County, Virginia September 29, 1892 he was very much part of this story, he was portrayed as Bad Rufe Tolliver. Talton Hall was a very close friend to Devil John W Wright. The Gap above Lonesome Cove, is known as today Pound Gap. The Red Fox character living in the Gap was Marshall Benton Taylor, enemy of Devil John W Wright, was hung October 27, 1893 for the murder of Ira Mullins, his wife and gang at Killing Rock, just past the Gap on the Virginia side. both Taylor and Hall was guarded by the “Guard” John Fox Jr. and brothers.

Even the hotel that had been spoken about in “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine was the Old Hotel of Jerry Osborne, later owned by John D Bentley.

The Brick Plant, Boarding House was written into The Trail of the Lonesome Pine because John Fox Jr. saw first hand Survey Crews with Northern Coal and Coke were already laying out engineered plats for Consolidation City. John Fox Jr.: John Fox writes about how Lonesome Cove is cut off from communication from the outside civilization.

Now let us try to out figure out who are the characters Jack Hale and June Tolliver. Several writers over the years have had their opinions on who were the real life Jack Hale and Devil Judd Tolliver daughter June. RC Ballard Thruston in a couple paragraphs written in the Towering Pine is quoted knowing the characters Jack Hale and June Tolliver. In a interview with Ballard states I had purchased for the Interstate Investment Company, of Louisville, Ky., a lot of mountain lands along both sides of the Kentucky and Virginia state line in Lee and Wise Counties, Virginia, and Harlan County, Kentucky. At a certain time I employed Mr. James M. Hodge, born in Plymouth, Mass., a graduate of Boston Tech, a member of the Kentucky Geological Survey for some years and afterward a resident of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, to do certain prospecting in the coal veins on our property. There was a little girl, the daughter of a man named Morris, living on our property. Hodge thought that she was a very bright girl and wanted to educate her. She became the character, June, in the work, but the mountaineers got it in their heads that Hodge was educating her to become his wife, and he had to abandon completing her education. Fox, however, did not stop the story there but carried it on through.
“The character Hale was a composite one, and almost every incident that Fox mentions in this book was an actual incident that occurred in the life of one of the three persons whose characters and experiences went to make up the character Hale in that work.” They were Henry C. McDowell, Jr., late Judge of the US District Court for the Southern District of Virginia; Mr. James M. Hodge and myself.

“The name of the book was obtained from a pine tree that stood in the yard of a man named Moore, the only such tree between Pine Mountain on the north and Cumberland Mountain on the south in that section.”

Mr Moore’s daughter married a man named W. S. Palmer, who came to the Gap in Boom days. and later was the agent of the company I represented, looking after our lands and possessions and paying taxes. The number of people who went to his home to see that ‘lonesome pine’ was annoying, so much so that Mr.
Palmer had the pine cut down. I think Mr. Palmer is still living, and living in the old Moore house near Keokee, Virginia. He and I are probably the only two survivors who were at all active in the boom days in Big Stone Gap territory.

On a fishing trip John Fox Jr. become very ill, quickly develops into pneumonia. taken back to Big Stone Gap were he died July 8, 1919. an article written in the Freeling, Virginia Newspaper. The death of John Fox Jr. , which occurred at his home at Big Stone Gap, Virginia, during the past week calls to mind vividly the sense and characters of his stories, some odd which along to , virtually,, to the past generation, are, therefore, beginning to be forgotten or at least, are not so well known to the younger novel readers as. of his earlier works.

The best known story from the pen of the noted author in this section (his home) “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine”, for the reason that the scenes are laid out here, and the characters for the most part drawn from real personage, while the others lack stimulus. The other scenes of this story is laid out on big Elkhorn Creek, just across the Virginia, Kentucky border, or Jack Hale meets June Tolliver, then a mere lass and her bare feet, also her father, David Judd Tolliver. The original of Devil Judd is known as to be John Wright, in-by on days referred to as “Devil John.” He who designates by the chief executive of the state of Kentucky to handle the Klu-Klux-Klan situation, which threatens the welfare of Letcher County in 1900.

From the manner in which he dealt with the laws element, he was given this name. As to June Tolliver, she is somewhat mythical, so far as being the daughter of the regional devil Judd, he live in only with one daughter known as Myrtle right. Scarcely had existence been thrust upon her when the events from which material for the story was drawn transpired, she, however, likes to claim the distinction of being the original June Tolliver. Hall, the desperado who was executed at Wise, Virginia, in 1892 for the murder of policeman Hylton at the city of Norton, was the original bad Rufe Tolliver.

The old log house Devil Judd lived is now the site of present day Jenkins, the most noted mining town in all the area covered by the Elkhorn Coalfield. The scene of the story alternate between big Elkhorn Creek and the Gap. Some past comments think storyline is talking about Big Stone Gap, but no the main scenery portrays Lonesome Cove and “The Gap” known as Pound Gap today. Doubtless many may have read the story and have the book tucked away, need to draw it from it’s resting in place, dust away the particles of years from its cover and refresh their faded memories of the imaginary scenes along the Trail of the Lonesome Pine, since the author has passed to that born from whence voyager ever returns.

Almost immediately any readers that begins searching for “the” lonesome pine that figured prominently in the story.

Northern Coal & Coke Company undersigned lease from WT & NT Huffman / Huffman Brothers October 20, 1902, Pikeville Central Office

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March 6, 1903 Pikeville Independent Newspaper

The Northern Coal & Coke Co., is making extensive improvements in their ground floor offices in the Huffman Block. New floors and large rear windows have been put in. The wood work has been repainted and the walls beautifully papered. In the rear a large two-story fire-proof brick vault has been constructed. In it will be stored the immensely valuable maps, plates and other papers of the Company. The first floor will be occupied by the Engineering and Drafting Department, in charge one of the personal was Chief Engineer Burlingame. The second floor will contain the general offices as at present.

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April 28, 1903

The Big Sandy News, September 4, 1903 reports J.J. Johnson heads up abstracting department of the Northern Coal and Coke Company in Pikeville, Kentucky. He is assisted by D.W. Gardner, Charles Atkinson and John F. Prater of Salyersville, Kentucky.

June 1, 1906

The Northern Coal & Coke Company, a West Virginia Corporation, Capital Stock $2,500,000, fully paid, with no water, owns 270,000 acres of land in eastern Kentucky by deeds for each several tracts averaging about 100 acres to the tract. Of this amount probably 25,000 acres is in fee; the remainder is in mineral, being deeds conveying the coal and all tother minerals, with extensive privileges, railroad rights of way, use of timber, mining outfit, and everything necessary to mine, ship and coke the coal. The actual capital stock June 1, 1906, cash value of Assets was $2,504,122, 63. This included stock in Sandy Valley & Elkhorn Railway Company, Interstate Telephone & Telegraph Company and Pikeville Ice Company.

Of this 270,000 acres about 100,000 to 125,000 are situated on the head waters of Beaver Creek, Shelby Creek and Elkhorn Creek which are tributaries of the Big Sandy River and the head waters of the north fork of the Kentucky River, including Boone, Thornton, Millstone, Rockhouse and the main head of the river in the Counties of Pike, Floyd, Knott and Letcher. The remainder of the 270,000 acres are either in some of the counties above named or in other counties. While these 100,000 to 125,000 acres are not in one absolve compact body, a person could walk over 90% of it without getting off the Land owned by the Company. Upon this 100,000 to 125,000 acres, which I will designate as the Elkhorn Field is situated what 1st known as The Elkhorn Coke and Coal Bed No. 3, underneath which are the veins l and 2, each about four feet thick on which are hard splint coals and not coking coal.
These two beds, Nos. 1 and 2 are persistent over the entire field and cover a much larger area than No. 3, but Nos. 1 and 2 do not always exist at the same place, but No. 3, or the coking seam, is persistent over the entire field.

This photo was taken on Camp Branch on Rockhouse Creek, the three men standing from left to right: Holding white cloth James Fox Sr., Anderson Hays & James Fox Jr., the year 1903. James Fox is the half-brother to John Fox Jr., Camp Branch was very much part of the Elkhorn Field.

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The Doc Mason Farm sold to Northern Coal & Coke

A story written in the Mt. Sterling’s Richmond Climax. Northern Coal & Coke Co. has just purchased the Doc Mason Farm on Camp Creek, Letcher County. October 1905. The property contains several thousand acres and is on the Lexington & Eastern Railway’s Future extension plans. It is the purpose of the company to build several coke ovens and open new mines. A few years ago these lands were offered for sale at $2 per acre. This purchase gives the Northern Co. the cream of the famous Elkhorn Coal Fields.

In August 1906 The Big Sandy News reported Col. James (Jim) W Fox Sr. having made a quiet tour of the Upper Sandy in search of the facts pertaining to the natural resources of the country.

August 17, 1906 James W. Fox a brother to John Fox Jr was making his tour of the Upper Sandy Valley searching for facts on its coal resources has finally returned home. Big Stone Post

The Elkhorn Field No. 3, the Coal Seam Bed is from 4 feet 6 inches to 9 feet thick, the thickest part being at the extreme heads of the various streams above mentioned, decreasing in thickness as you recede from the height of land. This variation in thickness is not irregular but is gradual from the thickest to the thinest. The Northern Coal & Coke Company owns inside of this area, including as above stated, from 100,000 to 125,000 acres, about 80% of the entire territory and can make arrangements to acquire practically all of the remainder if so desired. To develop this 100,000 acres of land would require the building of about 30 miles of railroad from the mouth of Shelby Creek at the Big Sandy branch of the Chesapeake and Ohio, up Shelby to its head through a low gap requiring no tunnel to Elkhorn Creek about half way between the head and the mouth of the Elkhorn; thence up the Elkhorn to its very head, which is the heart of the field. But it would require two tunnels on Shelby Creek
The present stockholders of the Northern Coal & Coke Company desire to develop this 100,000 acres. To accomplish that purpose they propose the plan shown in details on the accompanying papers.
Accompanying this statement, in addition to said papers, are also several reports showing the character of the coal, cost of mining, etc. In reading these reports eliminate all property therein referred to as the Peter Creek property, consisting originally of about 45,000 acres which the Company two years ago sold and does not now own, and by this sale reduced its acreage to the 270,000. Is to assist the financing of this proposition, the remaining holdings of the Northern Coal & Coke Company, to wit: about 170,000 acres are to be used; that is to say, The Northern Coal & Coke Co. is to underwrite part of the preferred stock which is to be sold to raise the $1,350,000 referred to in this statement.

All this 270,000 acres, and of course this including the 100,000 acres, have been purchased, paid for by and deeded to the Northern Coal & Coke Company and upon which there is no lien whatsoever nor bond issue of any kind. Because of question as to the title to certain interests in certain tracts there may have been some of the considerations with-held, the total amount of which, however with respect to this 100,000 acres will not exceed $100,000 for extra considerations.

The above statement is made to be presented solely to Picands, Mather & Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not they would desire to become interesting in the financing of the proposition along the lines indicated in the accompanying papers, or to become associated with the new company in regard to selling in regards to selling the output in the territory or territories to be later laid open.

Over the next three years Northern Coal & Coke Company would pickup addition lands, most of future lands that would come through stock and mineral swaps involving John CC Mayo taking on many different investing partners, involving numerous Mineral Holding Companies that John CC Mayo intently held from Northern Coal & Coke Co. (Corporate Records)

Thursday, June 24, 1909 John Fox Jr. is shown resting at the Mountain View Hotel in Whitesburg on Monday night. Heading to the direction of Kingdom Come. Preparing to write another book.

Call for Stockholders Meeting
Northern Coal & Coke Company.

November 10, 1909

And the following named persons by proxy, to-wit: John CC Mayo 155 shares. E.O. Young 10 shares.

Proxy J.N. Camden, J,W,M, Stewart

Total in person and present by proxy- 1945 1/2 shares.

Thereupon the President announced that more than a quorum being present, the meeting was ready for the transaction of business.
The President directed the Secretary to read the call for this meeting and notice thereof sent to the stockholders, which the Secretary accordingly did in words and figures as follows:

Meeting of the Shareholders of Northern Coal & Coke Company is hereby called, and the Secretary of the Company is here by directed to issue notice therefor, to be held at the office of the Fairmont Coal Company, at No. 1 Broadway, in the City, County and State of New York, on Monday the 22nd day of November, 1909, at 12 o’clock noon. The meeting is called for the purpose to elect Board of Directors, and the purpose of transacting any or all business that might come before and be acted upon the directors in regular annual session duly called and held; and especially to consider and act upon proposition to consolidate its holdings of the Beaver Creek and adjacent fields with the holdings of the Beaver Creek Coal & Coke Company in the same territory, conveying same to a new company to be known as The Beaver Creek Consolidated Coal Company; the new Company to issue stock therefor, or otherwise arrange as to consideration as may be agreed upon by stockholders; and also to consider promotion to exchange with Beaver Creek Coal & Coke Company certain properties of the two Companies on the waters of Beaver Creek and adjacent territories , but not within the territory, but not within territory to be controlled by beaver Creek Consolidated Coal Company.

Board of Directors Meeting Northern Coal and Coke Company

New York – November 22, 1909

At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Northern Coal & Coke Company held at the office of the Fairmont coal company at No. I Broadway, in the City, County and State of New York on Monday, the 22nd day of November, 1909 at twelve o’clock noon, there were present:

C.W. Watson, President presiding.
J.W.M.Stewart, Secretary.

and the Directors hereinafter named.
Thereupon the President directed the Secretary to read the call of this directors meeting and notice thereof, which was accordingly done, and which call and notice are in words and figures following, to-wit:

Call for Directors Meeting

Northern Coal & Coke Company

Meeting of the Board of Directors of Northern Coal & Coke Company is hereby called, and the Secretary of the Company is here by directed to issue notice therefor, to be held at the office of the Fairmont Coal Company, at No. 1 Broadway, in the City, County and State of New York, on Monday the 22nd day of November, 1909, at 12 o’clock noon. the meeting is called for the purpose to elect officers, and the purpose of transacting any or all business that might come before and be acted upon the directors in regular annual session duly called and held; and especially to consider and act upon proposition to consolidate its holdings of the Beaver Creek and adjacent fields with the holdings of the Beaver Creek Coal & Coke Company in the same territory, conveying same to a new company to be known as The Beaver Creek Consolidated Coal Company; the new Company to issue stock therefor, or otherwise arrange as to consideration as may be agreed upon by stockholders; and also to consider promotion to exchange with Beaver Creek Coal & Coke Company certain properties of the two Companies on the waters of Beaver Creek and adjacent territories , but not within the territory, but not within territory to be controlled by Beaver Creek Consolidated Coal Company.

November 10th, 1909

(Signed) C.W.Watson. President

Notice Meeting Board of Directors

Northern Coal Company

To the Board of Directors of the Northern Coal & Coke Company:

By direction of the President, a meeting of the directors of this Company is called and will be held at the office of the Fairmont Coal Company, at No. 1 Broadway, in the city, County and State of New York,
on Monday, the 22nd day of November, 1909 at 12 o’clock.

The meeting is called for the purpose of electing officers and for the purpose of transacting any and all business that might come before and be acted upon by the directors in regular annual session duly called and held; and especially to consider and act upon proposition to consolidate its holdings in certain parts of the Beaver Creek and adjacent fields with the holdings of the Beaver Creek Coal & Coke Company in the same territory, by conveying same to a new company to be mown as the Beaver Creek Consolidated Coal Company; the new cOmpany to issue stock therefor, or otherwise arrange as to consideration as may be agreed upon by the stockholders; and also to consider proposition to exchange with the Beaver Creek coal & Coke Company certain properties of the two Companies on the waters of Beaver Creek and adjacent territory, but not within the territory to be controlled by the Beaver Creek Consolidated Coal Company•
Ashland, Kentucky. November 10, 1909.

(Signed) J.W.M.Stewart. Secretary

That Board meeting did occur at Fairmont Coal Companies office on Broad Street on the 22nd day of November, reads as follows .

The Secretary thereupon presented this meeting copy of action of the stockholders of this Company this day held with respect to election of a Board of Directors, showing the election of C.W. Watson, J.N.Camden, S.D. Camden, F.H.Buhl, H.Crawford Black, George A. Baird, J.H. Wheelwright, R.R.Govin, and John. C. C. Mayo as directors hereafter.

Whereupon the President directed the Secretary to call the roll to ascertain who were present, and the roll being duly called, the secretary announced that the following named directors were present, viz:

C.W. Watson
F. H. Buhl
J.N. Camden
S. D. Camden
R. R. Colin
Absent-
H. Crawford Black
J.H. Wheelwright
John. C. C. Mayo
George A. Baird.

Thereupon the President announced that a quorum was present, and the meeting ready for the transaction of business. The President also announced that it was in order to elect officers of the Company.

Thereupon an election for President was held, and Watson received five votes, being the vote of all the directors present, and was thereupon duly declared elected as President of this company and of the Board of Directors thereof, to serve as such the ensuing year and until the due election and qualification of his successor.
It was thereupon announced that it was in order to elect a Vice-President, and George A. Baird being placed in nomination and an election being duly held, resulted in election of George A. Baird as Vice-President, to serve the ensuing your and until the due election and qualification of his successor.

It was thereupon announced that it was in order to elect a Secretary and Treasurer, and J.W.M. Stewart being placed in nomination and an election being duly held resulted in the election of J.W.M. Stewart as Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, to serve the ensuing and until the due election and qualification of his successor.

The President thereupon announced that it was in order to elect a General Manager, and J.W.M.Stewort being placed in nomination and an election being duly held, resulted in the election of J.W.M.Stewart as General Manager of the company, to serve as such until the due election and qualification of his successor.

Thereupon there was presented to the meeting copy of the resolutions and actions thereon and other actions taken by the stockholders of this Company at a meeting thereof this day hold, special attention being directed to the election of the stockholders relative to the exchange of certain properties of this Company for certain properties of the Beaver Creek Coal & Coke Company, and then a conveyance by this Company and the said Beaver Creek Coal & Coke Company to the Beaver Creek Consolidated Coal Company of the properties of said territory.

A recap on what is taken place, since Northern Coal and Coke Company’s formation starting in the late spring 1901 to get to this point. There were several factors involve for Northern Coal and Coke Company to excel as quickly as the Company. there were several hundred personal work at the same, in different locations across the Eastern Kentucky landscape. Ashland, Kentucky where Northern’s central office was established. Northern’s regional field office’s was located Pikeville. Pikeville was the center command for all crews working in Kentucky and Virginia. There was nearly 300 personal that were working out of the Huffman Block block in Pikeville.

Photo was taken in 1901, location B.F. Johnson coal bank.

Robert Neil Dickman standing on the left knew more about the quality of Coke the Elkhorn Coal Field than any other person in the coal and steel industry. After Merritt’s lost the Mesabi Iron Range to John D Rockefeller. Dickman did investigate Elkhorn Coal Field by the request of Charles W. Wetmore a associate of John D Rockefeller in late 1893, early 1894 in a Young and Lane Report. Robert Neil Dickman did make a report on 200,000 acres in Eastern Kentucky territory about the same time Charles W Wetmore was being deposed in the Merritt lawsuit against John D Rockefeller at the same time, it was never brought to John D’s attention.

Robert Neil Dickman had work extensively for John CC Mayo and Northern Coal & Coke Co. proving to world what the Elkhorn Coal Field had offer. This Image was taken on Cane Branch on Elkhorn Creek in 1903.

Near the Mouth of Little Elkhorn Creek, less than 40 feet above the creek. An open at Devil John W Wright’s coal bank, a coal sample was taken by J.J. Hillsman. Men shown in image listed from left to right: Horase Fox, James (Jim) Fox, John CC Mayo, J.J. Hillsman and young boy unknown.

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“The Coke Oven”

In an article that ran in a January 1903 Pikeville Independent Newspaper, the Northern Coal & Coke Company has recently completed construction on a Coke Oven on Upper Elkhorn Creek. The Coke Oven is located near Pound Gap on land purchase from “Devil” John W. Wright, and in close proximity to the finest seams of coking coal in the world. The Coke Ovens was constructed by W.W. Rickard and his brother, a master brick mason, both of men are from Blairsville, Pennsylvania, one of the largest oven builders in the Keystone State. John T. Jones of Iron Mountain, Michigan, one of the most prominent members of Northern Coal & Coke is now conducting experiments with the Coke Ovens. The construction of the Coke Ovens started prior July, 1902, A.S. McCreath is running samples at Coke Ovens taken by E.V. d’Invilles and Joseph Sillyman There is plenty of documented evidence that a Beehive Coke Oven was constructed in the head of Elkhorn Creek. Several coal samples coal sample were taken from the Elkhorn Coal Bed, from several coal banks in the neighborhood noted by the Manufactures Record Publication.

Samuel King’s wagon teams carried supplies to the coke oven on Elkhorn Creek as well as to other isolation camps during the prospecting and surveying of the Elkhorn Coal Field.

Sampling the No. 3 Elkhorn , Left to Right: John CC Mayo, Andrew S. McCreath a highly respected Analytical Chemist from Pennsylvania Steel Country . Sharon Steel Group highly sought his opinion. John T Jones. Sharon Steel Company’s all-in-one ground man before group sold to J.P Morgan, traveling all over United States representing the interest for Kimberly and Buhl, working in and around Elkhorn Field 1901 through 1903.

The Big Split

The Stockholders of Northern Coal and Coke and Beaver Creek Coal and Coke had already been decided several years ago, eventually this day would come to divide mineral assets into two mega Companies to get a return the stockholders investments. With the formation of Beaver Creek Consideration Coal Company, it brought more satellite mineral holding Companies into the picture. These Companies held mineral assets in Pike County, Letcher County, Floyd County, Knott County and Magoffin County. One company was Laclede Coal Company, stockholders were Isaac Mann, W.F. Hite, S. A. Taylor, C.L. Ritter, George Miller. Montrose Lands and Mining Company, its stockholders were John CC Mayo, W.F. Hite, A.M. Kelly and C.L. Ritter. C. L Ritter was a major timber man from Huntington, West Virginia. John W. Ensign brother-in- law to W.F. Hite W. F. Hite was a wealthy man with great ties to C & O Railway in Huntington, West Virginia, and a son-in-law to Ely Ensing, the owner American Car Foundry and a person friend to Collins P. Huntington. B.F. Johnson a commissioned land agent for Northern Coal and Coke, and first stockholder in Pikeville National Bank.

Gibson Coal Company, Montrose Lands & Mining Company, Leclede Coal & Coke, Cuyuga Coal & Coke Company, Collins and Mayo Collieries, Kentucky Coal Land Company, Long Fork Coal Company and Shelby Coal & Coke Company, a couple of these companies like Collins & Mayo were assigned mineral. All these stockholders of these Company meet the following day November 23, 1909, assigning mineral assets of these companies and some hard already been done months and days before the November stockholders and directors meeting. Taking stock option in Northern Coal & Coke Company and Beaver Creek Consolidation Coal. This organized event filled the majority of gaps in mineral bounds and property lines. Two major components was accomplished from creating a separation of Mineral assets. “Future Plans” to set in motion two extremely large mining companies, Consolidation Coal Company and Elk Horn Coal Corporation.

One of Mayo’s Caravan’s meandering up Shelby Creek to inspect future site of Consolidation City.

The Head of Elkhorn Creek, Mullins Coal Bank

October 8, 1910

The Consolidation Coal Company Board of Directors, at a meeting held October 8, 1910, recommended, and the stockholders, at their meeting held December 12, 1910, approved the purchase of 100,000 acres of coal lands, at $45 per acre, in Letcher, Pike and Knott Counties, in the State of Kentucky, known as the “Elkhorn Field.” In payment of this tract it was arranged with the vendors to take at par $4,400,000 of the capital stock of your Company, participating in dividends declared after July 31, 1912.

This tract of land has been examined by the engineers of your Company, as well as by many prominent mining engineers and geologists, and the unanimous opinion of all is that it is the most valuable tract of undeveloped coal land in this country. One of the most prominent of the engineers has stated that the Elkhorn Field acquired by this Company will contain in the several seams germane (relevant) to it, at least 12,000 tons per acre; that the coal which this tract may be reasonably expected to yield becomes more significant when it is realized that all of it will come from practically self-draining mines and fully 600,000,000 tons of the highest grade of coal may be mined from one seam alone. For coking and by-products it is not excelled by any known coal at this date.

Since this Company took over this tract, additional prospecting, both by diamond drills and crop openings, has demonstrated at least one of the additional seams will produce coal of similar character and quality as the main seam, which will increase the quantity of mineable coal of this grade at least 50 per cent., or to a total of 900,000,000 or probably 1,000,000,000 tons of coal of this quality.

The Consolidation Coal Company has had several corps of engineers in its Elkhorn Field since last fall locating mining plants, and the actual work of opening its mines, with a capacity of 4,000,000 tons per annum when completed, will be commenced by May 1st, 1911, and the Company will be prepared to ship coal from these mines, by the time the two railroads that are now being built into this field, which will furnish ample transportation facilities for this large tonnage, are completed. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company is building an extension of their line from Jackson, Kentucky, a distance of about 100 miles into the Southwestern, or Kentucky River side, of this, our Elkhorn Field. The construction of this road was commenced in October, 1910, and is being rapidly pushed to completion.

The Sandy Valley and Elkhorn Railway Company have let a contract for the construction of a railroad approaching this field from the Big Sandy River and through the heart of the property, a distance of thirty miles. This road will connect with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway at its northeastern terminus and with the extension of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad on the southwestern or Kentucky River side. The contract calls for the road to be completed within one year.

The Consolidation Coal Company Board, at a meeting held November 28, 1910, recommended, and the stockholders, at a meeting held December 12, 1910, adopted the recommendation to increase the capital stock of the Company from $20,000,000 to $25,000,000. Of the $20,000,000 heretofore authorized, there was remaining in the treasury undisposed of $974,000.Of the $5,000,000 additional stock $600,000, together with the Treasury stock referred to, amounting in all to $1,574,000, was offered to the stockholders of record December 15, 1910, at par, this stock to carry dividends declared after January 31, 1911. The remaining stock, $4,400,000, was deferred as to dividends declared until after July 31, 1912. Both offerings were taken.

The Consolidation Coal Company Board, at its meeting held on November 28, 1910, recommended to the stockholders that in order to provide for the payment, discharge, redemption, exchange or acquisition of the outstanding bonds secured by lien upon the properties owned by this Company, and its subsidiary Companies, and for the improvement and betterment of the properties of the Company and its subsidiary Companies, the acquisition by this Company of additional property, and for its other lawful corporate purposes, this Company do make and issue its bonds, to be known as The Consolidation Coal Company First and Refunding Mortgage Forty Year Sinking Fund Gold Bonds, to an amount which shall not in any event exceed in the aggregate the principal sum of $40,000,000 at any one time outstanding. Said bonds to bear date the first day of December, 1910, and be payable on the first day of December, 1950, and to bear interest at the rate of not exceeding five per cent. per annum, payable on the first days of June and December in each year. This recommendation was adopted by the stockholders at their meeting of December 12, 1910, and the execution of the mortgage and the issuance of the bonds authorized. Under the terms of the mortgage, $4,000,000 par value of the bonds have been issued to the Company since the close of the year 1910 in exchange for a like amount of bonds held in the treasury of the Company. $9,000,000 of the bonds have been disposed of since the close of the year 1910 to the National City Bank of New York and Kuhn, Loeb & Co., the proceeds of which under the terms of the mortgage will be used, so far as may be required, in the redemption of the outstanding bonds of the Somerset Coal Company, the Clarksburg Fuel Company and the Kentucky First Mortgage of your Company, and the remainder in the development of the Elkhorn Field. $6,000,000 -additional bonds are specially reserved for the development of this property. $10,876,000 are reserved for the redemption of the following outstanding bonds:
The Consolidation Coal Company First Mortgage 4½%———- $ 413,000
The Consolidation Coal Company Refunding Mortgage 4½ %—-$5,141,000
Fairmont Coal Company 5 %————————————$5,232,000
Briar Hill Coal and Coke Company 5% —————————–$90,000

The remainder of the issue, $10,124,000, are reserved for future uses of the Company.
All balances due the various Sinking Funds at the close of the year, as shown by the respective Sinking Fund Accounts, pages 6 to 9 inclusive, have been paid on the dates required by the terms of the various Mortgages.
The balance sheet and other statements of the Company will be found upon pages 16 to 21 of this report.
By order of the Board.
J. H. WHEELWRIGHT,
President.

Pay Record Price

Perhaps the limit in price in mountain lands was reached when the Consolidated Coal Co.’s representatives paid Sam L. Ison, $12.000 for less than thirteen acres of level land lying along Elkhorn creek near its headwaters, where the company expects to build a big mining town.
The company owns the mineral on the property. The company also gave John D. Bentley $5,000 for less than one acre of choice property near the residence of John W. Wright, which It proposes making the center of its operations. Fabulous prices are being offered for property all along Elkhorn and Boone’s Fork in the coal fields, though but few owners have so far accepted.

“Lonesome Pine” No Longer Lonesome.

Mountian Eagle, Whitesburg, Ky.-The scenes are rapidly changing on the “Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” for the Consolidation Coal Company’s model city on Elkhorn Creek. Is being built where the closing scenes of John Fox, Jr.’s, story, “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” is laid. The primitive log house in the “Shadows of the Cumberland,” in which is the heroine of the story was married to Hale, the engineer, has been torn down, and where it stood, new offices will built for the company. Here one will occasionally meet an ancient character, whom he will half suspect as being “Uncle Beams,” the Justice who performed the marriage ceremony on the porch of the old house that was once stood the home of John W. Wright, the famous detective, and which has stood the storms of almost a century. But if Hale, the engineer, did bury every bottle and tin can, and take away every sign of civilization from “Lonesome Cove,” as he promised his bride he would do, the spell cast over it has been broken and soon the whistle of the locomotive will proclaim civilization to the one-time haunt of “Bad Rufe Tolliver.”

The new mining town on Elkhorn Creek, Kentucky, is situated on the spot where the closing scenes of John Fox Jr’s story, “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” is laid. The primitive log house in the shadows of the Cumberland Mountain in which the heroin of the story was married to Hale, the engineer, has been torn down, and where it stood a start of newly constructed office of Consolidated Coal , and a Bank Building and Temporary YMCA is currently being built as-well. One will occasionally meet an ancient character who he will half suspect of being “Uncle Billy Beams” the Justice of Peace who preformed marriage ceremony on the porch of the old house. But if Hale did bury every bottle and tin can, and take away every sign of civilization from “The Lonesome Cove'” as he promised his bride he would do, the spell thus cast over it had been broken and soon the whistle of the iron horse will proclaim civilization tooth one-time haunts of “Bad Rufe Tolliver.”

Most of the characters written into The Trail of the Lonesome Pine were setting on this log beside the old state road on Little Elkhorn Creek known as Lonesome Cove. The well dressed man on the Buckboard Wagon has a likeness resembling S.E. Baker, this could easily be Hon. Sam Budd listed in The Trail of the Lonesome Pine. The dark complexion man second from the left, could be Black Tolliver, Mary Bentley’s brother John D. Bentley, nearly all Bentleys have real dark complexion.

The Newspapers stated when Consolidation Coal Company tore down the Old Cabin of Devil John and Mattie Wright lived in, they moved down to his property next a Hotel on Elkhorn Creek, near John D. Bentley. Seen south of Hotel is a Splash Dam. This is one of two Splash Dams, Devil John and Kinky Haired Samuel Wright used to float timber past Shelby Gap.

Little Elkhorn Creek basin looking towards the mouth. The future site for Elkhorn Lake is being cleared of trees and under brush. The Management at Pike County Historical Society apologize for the quality of image, but It does shown accurate timeline of construction.

Looking up Little Elkhorn Creek, you will notice smoke in the center towards Coldwater Branch, the future site for Elkhorn Dam.

Getting ready to install temporary powerhouse near the Mouth of Little Elkhorn Creek

Future Reservoir site for Consolidation City, the Kentucky State Road shown meandering down Lonesome Cove as it was portrayed in “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.”

Big Stone Gap Post writes an article about Narrow Gauge Railroad finally being completed from Pound on the North Fork to Rocky Gap Holler on Pine Mountain just on the other side of Pound Gap. the Rocky Gap Depot was sage adjacent to the Old Fincastle Trail cross over Pine Mountain taking needed building supplies to Consolidation City in the head of Elkhorn Creek.

Looking up towards Pound Gap

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Indian Creek Narrow Gauge Railroad / USGS Topographical Map

No. 1 Sawmill

Consolidation Coal Company was estimating in the original construction plans to build nearly 2000 houses in the town and the Nicola building company of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, which has been charged of the building operations, will be erecting more than 100 of them. A clubhouse for the officers and engineers of the newly been built coal company. Town is well underway, a clubhouse for the officers and engineers of Consolidation City will be built to accommodate several two-story building buildings of attractive appearances. Foundations have been completed for the central store, the business of which is now been conducted and temporary quarters, a bank and a post office building and office Buildings for Consolidation Coal Company employees. The building of company does everything in connection with the construction and dwellings and other structures in this new city. The company is cutting its own timber from adjacent forest around the Elkhorn Creek area, saws, and planed into lumber, and thus able to get most of the material on the ground, it been only necessary to purchase the meal work such as windows and doors, and also roofing nails and paint. There is also a brickyard that has been constructed at Consolidation City, and is equipped with a steam dryer, so the brakes can be manufactured in the winter. The yard is run by electricity from lighting plants, is already in operation. There are three sawmills total on Elkhorn Creek and a large band mill on sport. A sister city of Consolidation City itself all of them have planers and dry skins, and the lumbering is done under the direction of an experience Forrester, so that no waste is permitted. Even limbs of the trees are used for montages. The best poplar timber is been stored for sale after the railroads, and the newly being constructed Sandy, Valley, and Elkhorn Railroad will running from Consolidation City down to Shelby, Kentucky, On the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. Even a town bank is being established and has been under construction for several weeks now taking shape and has a national charter.

Mule Team pulling boiler from Ash Camp

No.2 Sawmill

Consolidation City would require millions of board feet of lumber to build its great town.

Wrights Fork Sawmill

Newly constructed Bungalow, construction crew were building a road above house. while using dynamite to blast rock. accidentally shot part of the roof off when a piece of rock tore through roof of Bungalow. It was always said this house was built for Devil John W Wright’s

Oxen Team Hauling Power Plant Boiler To Projected Mine Site 206

Oxen Team entering future site of Mine 206

Mule Trains bringing supplies up from Ash Camp. Supplies were transported by rail up to Hellier Depot, the supplies were loaded onto wagons, transport through Gap on the Left Fork of Brushy Branch at Edgewater’s mine, then down to Ash Camp, then up Elkhorn Creek to the future home of Consolidation City.

Elkhorn Creek near the mouth of Little Elkhorn

Future Main Street looking up Elkhorn Creek

Having a good a road base and sturdy building foundations requires several thousands ton of rock. A rock crusher was shipped in small manageable pieces and reassembled on the point between Little Elkhorn and mean Elkhorn Creek.

Constructing Road Base and leveling up Grade on Main Street.

Construction of Boarding House near the site of the Old Coke Oven on Main Elkhorn Creek.

Construction on Club House

Club House is taking shape.

New home construction on Lonesome Cove Branch

Langhorne & Langhorne Railroad Construction Crews Near Joe’s Branch, Making Grade

Early on Northern Coal & Coke Co had plans for the building of a large community in o the Head of Elkhorn Creek. A couple of newspapers would call this unknown town Consolidation City long before the final deal was signed transfer ownership of one hundred thousand acres from Northern Coal & Coke Company to Consolidation Coal Coke Company. In this particular sale the right hand had known what the left hand thinking because the majority of the stockholders in Northern Coal & Coke Co., was the persons that owned stock in Consolidation Coal, same goes with the transfer of mineral assets to Beaver Creek Consolidation Elkhorn, nearly a portion were stockholders in the above mentioned.

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Appalachian Arts and Crafts/ Cumberland Gap TN.

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The Class of 1928, 1st thru 8th Grade

Vonnie Horne Childers – Teacher

One Room Schoolhouse, Heated by a pot bellied stove. Drinking water from a well from the home of Albert and Bertha Childers. This picture was given to me (Lawrence E. Cook) by my Mother’s sister, Burtis Moore Mullins, who attended this school from 1* to 8″ grade. My Mom, Lula Moore Cook, also attended this school and enjoyed it so much that she repeated the &”” grade. Eighty years after this picture was taken (2008) Burtis is still living. This school was located in the small bottom near where Lester Cantrell and Tommy Silcox live at this time.

Standing Back Row Left to Right
Elmer Childers – Cloie Potter – Maxie Potter – Opal Potter – Liza Moore – Ruby Childers
Edna Mullins – Tressie Crank – Cora Potter – Everett Potter – Elva Childers – Vonnie Horne Childers – Nola Childers – Zollie Cantrell – Alvin Potter

Standing Second Row Left to Right
Mable Childers – Catherine Childers – Goldie Potter- Hester Mullins – Maxine Childers
Mattie Childers – Jeheniah Childers – Pearl Childers – Gwendolyn Childers – Burtis Moore
Julie Mullins – Mae Childers – Dixie Moore – Arlene Mullins

Sitting Third Row Left to Right
Dave Wiley – Flem Childers Jr. – George Potter – Creed Vanover – Ted Ramey – Garnett Potter – Veneda Crank – Lora Vanover – Glen Ramey – Freeman Kelly – Julian Ramey – Thomas Sanders – Adam Childers

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This would have been a better picture if the photographer had gotten the middle row farther to the left. When enlarging this photo Arlene Mullins was left off. She later married Adam Childers. Cloie, Opal, Cora and Everette were sisters and brother. Children of Enoch Potter. Maxie, Goldie, Garnet and Alvin were sisters and brother. Children of John Morgan Potter. Nola, Gwendolyn and Catherine were sisters. Children of Albert Childers. Burtis and Dixie Moore were sisters. Children of Melvin Moore. Adam, Mable and Jcheniah were brother and sisters. Children of Biven Childers.

The three Ramey boys must have been brothers from their resemblance. Look at the dresses of Maxic, Goldie and Garnet Potter. Same bolt of cloth and same seamstress I would guess.
I hope you folks enjoy this picture as much as I do.

Courtesy of Lawrence Cook

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The Hatcher Hotel in Pikeville, built in 1931, contained 106 rooms, all equipped with ice-cold running water. It was erected at a cost of $250,000 and was managed by Hatcher himself. In its spacious lobby was a small museum displaying ox-yokes, ancient hand-made furniture, weapons of bygone days, a huge, old-fashioned fireplace, and utensils used by early Pike and Floyd County settlers. The walls of the lobby were covered with Pike and Floyd County historical data, favorite mottos, and philosophical sayings. In one room of the hotel Hatcher kept on display his own coffin, which had been fashioned out of a walnut tree that had once stood on the hotel’s lawn.

By: Robert Perry

James Hatcher

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Emma Katherine (Gudger) Langley

1888-1948

Katherine Gudger was born near Marshall, North Carolina, on February 14, 1888, to James Madison Gudger and Katherine Hawkins.* Gudger graduated in 1901 from the Woman’s College in Richmond, Virginia, and went on briefly to Emerson College of Oratory in Boston. A short teaching job in speech in Tennessee ended when she left for Washington, D.C., in 1904 to become her father’s secretary when he was elected U.S. House of Representative from North Carolina on the Democratic ticket.

Katherine (Gudger) Langley story begins with her husband, John Wesley Langley.

John Wesley Langley was born January 14, 1868, near the close of the Civil War in Floyd County, Kentucky. He was a descendant of the Langley family of North Carolina and the Robinson family of Virginia, both of Revolutionary tradition.

On his mother’s side came the strain from the Salmons and Click families of Virginia and Kentucky. His maternal ancestors were Edith MacAlpine, who married Archibald MacGregor, and Edith’s daughter, Ann MacGregor, who married Captain Henry Connelly. John’s descent, therefore, traces from the MacAlpine Clan, the first of the famous Scottish Highland clans. Through John’s mother’s line he inherited a considerable element of German blood.

The far-off days of his youth were tough ones, and it took nearly 50 years for John W. Langley to get an education. John remembers, as a barefoot boy, trudging down the road to the little country school in the in the Kentucky hills. He recalls sitting up into the early morning hours at home pouring over his lessons until he got them perfect and reading every book he could lay his hands on.

At the age of 16, John W. Langley was granted a teacher’s certificate in Floyd County, receiving the highest rating in the county. He taught school for three years and in 1882, received a clerkship in the Pension Office in Washington, D. C. After returning to Kentucky, he was twice elected to the Legislature of that state (1887-89). At the beginning of his second term, he received caucus nomination of his party for Speaker of the House, constituting minority leadership. 

After those early arduous school days came brighter times, when John took first honors in the National University Law school at Washington, which he attended at night while spending days on duties in one of the Government offices. From that city’s famous seats of learning he came away with the degrees of A.B., LL.B., and LL.M., Doctor of Civil Law and Master of Diplomacy, the highest working honors conferred by any university in the country.

In 1890 he was honored with a membership in the Board of Pension Appeals at Washington. He attended the law department of the National, Georgetown, and Columbian (now George Washington) Universities in Washington, D.C., for an aggregate period of eight years.

John W Langley

Once more, in 1895, John returned to his native state and resumed the practice of law. In 1896 he received the Republican nomination for Congress but, contesting a district overwhelmingly Democratic, was defeated by less than 1,000 votes. In 1899, the position of Appointment Clerk in the Census Office was conferred upon him and later combined with the office of Disbursing Clerk at a $500.00 increase in salary. He held these consolidated posts until his second nomination for Congress in 1906-when he was triumphantly elected.

John W. Langley served in the State House of Representatives from 1886 to 1890.

At the end of Langley’s term in the Kentucky State Legislature, U.S. Congress was kicking around the idea of a Federal Flat Rate Income Tax. By 1894 Congress passed a 2 percent tax on incomes above $4000 annually, which the Supreme Court shot down as unconstitutional.

Langley was Examiner in the Pension Office, a member of the Board of Pension Appeals, Law Clerk in the General Land Office, and from 1899 to 1907, Distribution and Appointment Clerk of the Census Office.

Wedding Day

John W. Langley was elected to the U.S. House of Representative, serving in the Kentucky 10th, on March 4, 1907, as a Republican to the Sixtieth, and to the nine succeeding Congresses where he became known as “Pork Barrel John.” He served as chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds (Sixty-sixth through Sixty-eighth Congresses).

Theodore ( Teddy ) Roosevelt, Very Trusted and Close Friend of John W. and Katherine Langley

Photo Credit Library of Congress, Teddy’s Younger years. Color Accents added by the

Pike County Historical Society

It is not strange, nor was it John W Langley’s happy experience, that during his long incumbency in the halls of Congress and elsewhere at the Capitol, he should have the good fortune to know, both as acquaintances and intimates, many of the most celebrated personages gracing the last three decades of our national history.

Perhaps the closest and dearest friendship was that of the late President Theodore Roosevelt, known affectionately to thousands by the diminutive “Teddy.” John would use one of his friend’s memorable phrases as the sub-title of his book. In his tempestuously brilliant career Teddy came to be both loved and hated, as is the lot of many great figures. From his knowledge of Roosevelt, John would say that even with his faults, and no one was more willing to admit them than himself, he was a loveable person. He enriched our English speech with many phrases that fall from men’s lips today and his dynamic vigor seems without parallel in American public life. His every word and action resonated with a febrile virility. Although he admonished the macho attitude in one of his immortal catchphrases, he seldom walked softly himself—but always “carried the big stick” of his overwhelming personality and Niagara-like eloquence.

The first time John Langley laid eyes on Roosevelt was in 1884 at the Republican National Convention when Blaine and Logan were nominated. John had just attained his majority; his first vote having been cast for this ticket. He was seated in the gallery and, being a Blaine rooter, felt quite antagonistic to those opposing his nomination.

In the seat next to John was an old gentleman, thought to be from Maine, with whom he made acquaintance. Noticing in the New York delegation a sprightly looking young man who seemed to be very active in his opposition to Blaine, John inquired of his new acquaintance: “Who is that youngster making so much noise down there against Blaine?” He replied, “Why, that is Theodore Roosevelt, who is a member of the New York Legislature. Haven’t you heard about his wonderful record there?” John had to confess that he was ignorant of the importance of either the measure or the man. Little did John dream at that moment of the personal contact he was to have later with Teddy or the idolatry in which John was to hold him.

In 1893 when Cleveland began his second term as President, John was a member of the Board of Pension Appeals. Knowing that when the Democratic administration began, he would be removed from his job, John sought transfer to a classified roll. Roosevelt was at the time a Civil Service Commissioner and John made his argument before him, claiming eligibility to this switch. Roosevelt promptly approved his argument; the transfer was made and that was the real beginning of their friendship. John was not thrown into closer relations with him, however, until the Republican National Convention at Philadelphia. Roosevelt, then Governor of New York State, was chairman of his delegation. Senator Bradley of Kentucky and John W. Langley were seated together just across the aisle from the New York contingent. Roosevelt always arrived before the convention was called to order, and each time, John would cross the aisle and shake hands with him, always receiving a cordial greeting.

John reminisces about the gavel his father sent him just prior to the Convention, cut from a cedar tree under which Joseph had seen General Garfield standing during the Civil War, watching his troops through his field glasses. These glasses, John might incidentally remark, were then in possession of an old Kentuckian near his home and naturally possessed a peculiar historical importance. The glasses had been forgotten by Garfield on the river steamer, “The Big Sandy” upon which he returned after the battle of Middle Creek, March 1862.

On one occasion when Langley conversed with James Rudolph Garfield, he told him where the glasses were. He urged John, if possible, to secure them for the Garfield collection at Mentor, Ohio. John finally, was able to help carry out his wishes.

Getting back to the subject of the gavel which John presented to the permanent chairman, Senator Lodge, he got a chance to show it to Governor Roosevelt but did not let anyone else know anything about it, not even Senator Bradley who was his desk-mate. John told Roosevelt of something he was thinking about saying concerning the gavel. He was soon addressed and recognized by the permanent chairman.

With the gavel in his pocket John sprang into the center aisle. As he began speaking, he reached into his pocket for the gavel. Amid a chorus of uncontrolled laughter one of the New York members cried: “Look out! That Kentuckian is going to pull a gun!” The scene may be better imagined than described.
Senator Chauncey M. Depew of New York, who was sitting near John, threw his head back and roared with laughter until he almost slipped from his chair. Some others close by began shouting: “Platform! platform! John, glad to escape embarrassment, strode immediately to the rostrum and was greeted and introduced by Chairman Lodge, whom he already knew. Naturally John felt very nervous, but before he had finished his first sentence, he regained his self-possession. On reaching the part of his remarks that touched upon what he had previously indicated to Roosevelt, he was greeted with many rounds of applause, in which Teddy actively joined.

Following is the verbatim report of John W Langley’s speech from the printed minutes of the 1900 National Republican Convention:

“Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention: Up among Kentucky’s mountains, in the valley of the Big Sandy, there is a humble country home, wherein dwells an old man—a soldier of Republicanism who has spent his life in battling for the redemption of Kentucky from the thralldom of Democracy. He lives at the foot of the hill upon whose summit the great Garfield won a general’s star. (Applause.) That home is my home; that old man is my father.
(Applause.) He has asked me, Mr. Chairman, to present this gavel to you. It is an unpretentious offering from a modest man, but to me the request bears the potency of a sovereign’s decree. It was carved from the tree beside which Garfield stood during the battle of Middle Creek, Kentucky, and beside which he is said to have knelt and asked the God of Battles to give the victory to the Union arms.
Some of Indiana’s soldier boys were in that battle (applause), and they displayed the same heroism and the same courageous devotion to duty that are now being displayed by Indiana’s great Governor (applause) in giving asylum and protection to him who is the rightful Governor of Kentucky (applause), and who is an exile from his native State today, because if there he could not have enforced the constitutional guarantees of life, liberty and due process of law. I do not mean by this to assert that love of liberty is dead in Kentucky, for it still lives in the hearts of all true Kentuckians (applause) and is being suppressed only by unworthy leaders of the people. It will be strengthened by the news of the re-nomination of McKinley. (Applause.)
I present this gavel to Mr. Chairman as a token of our continued devotion to Republican principles, and as a pledge that Kentucky’s electoral vote will be next November for McKinley and Roosevelt.” (Applause.)
THE PERMANENT CHAIRMAN: “The Chair extends the thanks of the Convention to the gentleman from Kentucky, who has presented to him this most interesting gavel.”

It was then and there that John blurted out what he had not planned to say-about giving Kentucky’s electoral vote to McKinley if the Convention would place New York’s eminent Governor on the ticket with him. The meeting received the suggestion with tumultuous handclaps, but Roosevelt’s attitude seemed one of discomfiture. It was, however, the first and only mention of his name for Vice-President, and so that declaration on that rostrum, originally made by John himself, is one he always remembered with inexpressible pride.

A delegate sitting near John later remarked, “You had your nerve to propose Roosevelt for Vice-President with Lieutenant-Governor Woodruff (an active candidate for the honor) and Mrs. Woodruff sitting in the box with you him, not 20 feet away.”

During the session a resolution was proposed to reduce southern representation in the Republican National Convention. Senator Bradley among others of his political faith from the south had indicated vigorous opposition to the proposition. One of the floor boys came to John saying that Senators Platt and Quay wished to see him and John found these notables awaiting him. Senator Quay remarked that John “seemed to know most of the southern delegates,” and that they appeared to be almost unanimous against the resolution to reduce southern representation in the Republican National Convention, Senator Bradley having just finished a very strong speech opposing this. “We will help you defeat this resolution,” said Quay, “if you will help us put Roosevelt on the ticket with McKinley. The Senator here, (referring to Senator Platt) wishes this done to get Roosevelt out of New York politics and John W. Langley wants it done because Hanna is opposed to it.” It will be recalled that Senator Hanna had prevented Quay’s seating in the Senate, to which he had been appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania.

John unqualifiedly assented to Senator Quay’s double proposition, and after adjournment was invited to visit the Kansas Delegation, which was all for Teddy. John was elected an honorary member and decorated with an artificial sunflower as big as a hat, this being the Kansas emblem. And later in the evening John was parading the streets for Roosevelt with this delegation. Their route included the hotel where he was a guest, and John assumed Roosevelt must have seen them from the window. At any rate, a bellboy approached saying that Roosevelt wanted to see him.

John went immediately to Roosevelt’s room. On entering he saw that Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt were saying good-bye to a caller. They both greeted him most cordially and then Teddy called him aside and said: “Brother Langley, while I appreciate your partiality and good-will, I hope you will desist in this effort to boost me for Vice-President. It would be a great honor, of course, but I feel that I can be of more use to my party and country by serving another term as Governor of New York.”

In reply John told him of the overwhelming sentiment for him in the convention, but Roosevelt raised his hand deprecatingly and shook his head. John naturally evaded further solicitation at that time, and immediately resumed his march with the Kansas delegation.

It is now a matter of political history that during that night there was a long-distance conversation between Senator Hanna and the White House when it was agreed that the convention was almost unanimously for Teddy’s nomination. When John reached his seat the next morning, the Governor was already surrounded by friends tendering their congratulations. John extended his hand to the governor. He held it silently for a moment and in his characteristic manner, exclaimed: “Well, old man, you struck it right after all.” Before the roll call and the Vice-Presidential nomination were concluded, some of the members decided to catch the earliest train for Washington. Before leaving, John hopped across the aisle, seized Teddy’s hand and said, “Well, Governor, you will be elected beyond a doubt, and the next time we’ll run you for President.” Roosevelt made no response, but extracting from his pocket his convention ticket, and writing something on it, said: “Here, give this to your father.” Across the top he had written in pencil: “Theodore Roosevelt.” That card has always been a treasured heritage of the Langley family.

When Teddy Roosevelt returned from his South African tour, and a reception was being prepared for him at New York, John got a letter from Mr. Loeb, Roosevelt’s secretary, saying that if anyone was entitled to be one of the greeters he certainly thought it was John. He sent two of the best grandstand tickets for John W. and Katherine Langley.

What a scene it was! In New York harbor and along the triumphal route of the parade were cheering thousands! Katherine and John Langley were seated on the reviewing stand before Teddy arrived. As the governor climbed the steps he chanced to see John. Waving his hand, he called out in his old familiar tone: “Hello, Kaintuck!” An unfriendly Kentucky paper awkwardly tried to ridicule the incident by insinuating that John had expected to be embraced instead of hailed by Teddy. As a matter of fact, John thought it was a wonderful compliment to be discovered and greeted in that vast assemblage as the great man elbowed his way through the throngs.

John was the proud possessor of many telegrams and letters from Roosevelt, but we’re able to find space for only a few of them here. A page or so further on John will refer to the most striking of all his letters, of which he has made a reproduction.

John was delighted to accept Roosevelt’s invitation. Upon his arrival he met a number of House members, most of them his intimates. Certain friends were giving Colonel Roosevelt a midday luncheon “across the Rhine,” a very packed affair. Other members besides himself took seats at the far end of one of the large tables. Until then John had not spoken to the Colonel, assuming that Roosevelt was not aware of his presence. Soon, however, a uniformed attendant came down the aisle. “Is Congressman Langley here?”
Presently John was found, and the young man announced himself as Teddy’s aide, and that the Colonel wished John to come and sit with him at the head of the table.

Arising proudly, John facetiously remarked to some members nearest him: “Now, you poor white trash, sit here and eat your grub, I am going to sit with the heroes at the head of the table!” When John reached Roosevelt, he was warmly greeted and seated at the colonel’s right hand. In the ensuing conversation Roosevelt remarked: “Of course you are coming up to Nick’s this afternoon?” and John told him he was. When John reached the Longworth home that afternoon, he glimpsed the Colonel, the center of a group on the lawn. Once more he heard the old-time salute, “Hello, Kaintuck (Langley)!” Presently he took John by the arm saying, “Walk over this way, John.” He then explained that he had some important letters to write, had to get back to New York that afternoon and that John was helping him to make a tactful exit from the party.

At the kitchen door of Nick Longworth’s beautiful residence, Roosevelt paused and remarked: “You don’t know how sorry John, I am that I could not come down to your district and make that speech for you. Next time you run, let me know earlier and I will come. Meanwhile, isn’t there some other way I can help in your campaign? Would a letter from me do you any good?” John Langley assured him that such a letter would be a very great service. Nest day the letter was sent to him from New York City. John Langley reproduces this letter, facsimile, on an adjoining inset. The very same year, and again a year later, Langley used a photo-engraving of this letter to great effect on a campaign sheet.

Not long after he had succeeded the lamented McKinley, Roosevelt held an informal reception at the White House for his more intimate friends and supporters. When the president entered, John Langley stood between him and the window and realized Teddy could not see him distinctly. Shading his eyes with his hand, Roosevelt exclaimed: “It seems to me that I have seen that face before.” Someone interrupted: “Why, Mr. President, don’t you remember the little gavel at Philadelphia?” “Oh, perfectly, perfectly,” he replied, and warmly gripped John’s hand.

John Langley saw Roosevelt repeatedly while he occupied the presidential chair. Numberless were the instances of his unflinching loyalties to friends, particularly his beloved Rough Riders. One instance vividly occurred to John. Sitting late at his desk, John received a call from the president’s secretary, Mr.Loeb, who said he was sitting beside the president who wished to inform me tell that a friend of his was coming to meet me the next day. He said that his friend was a man of limited education, but a Rough Rider, and he wanted him appointed to a place in the Census office. John Langley readily assented. When the visitor arrived the next day, John had his director approve the selection. Langley made him one of the assistant appointment clerks. He remained an employee of the Census office until his death.

John W. Langley, Republican for Congress endorsed by a democrat James Click

John W. Langley, Republican candidate for Congress in the 10th district, was rapidly gaining ground, and his election seems practically assured. His opponent, F. A. Hopkins, had become personal in his speeches and taken Mr. Langley to task about his kinsfolk and his plea for their support. Hopkins also charged him with taking care of his skin in a political way, and also having a post office established for his afflicted father. In order to show the reason for Hopkins’ unwarranted ridicule of Langley‘s relatives and his appeal for their suffrage, we provide the following facts:

James Click, the grandfather of honorable John W. Langley, died at the remarkable age of 106 years. A short time before his death, he signed the following statement: To my kindred of all political parties I have watched with pride, the care of my beloved grandson, John W. Langley, and his noble efforts to educate himself; and I have been indignant at the persecution heaped upon him by those who seek to break him down. If I ever run again for Congress, I want all of my relatives to give him their support. I do not want them to change their politics, but I want them to help him. As a life-long Democrat, who has voted the ticket for 85 years, I make this my dying request of them. Signed James Click.
Witnesses:
A.J. Chris
Alex Click

John W Langley beats F.A. Hopkins for Congress

Not long after John Langley was first elected to Congress in 1906 and sworn in March of 1907, perhaps the most cordial congratulatory message he received was from his dear old friend Teddy Roosevelt. John often went to the White House to see him on official business and every time the president caught sight of him, no matter how busy or who was present, he would invariably stop to address John with his favorite salutation, “Hello, Kaintuck (Langley)!” On one occasion when he was ready to receive a delegation John accompanied, Roosevelt came smilingly to the door exclaiming, “Now you Kentuckians, please leave your side arms outside before you come in.” This remark was overheard and given rather wide publicity by the newspapermen.

In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt tried to reintroduce the income tax, proposing a progressive rate system that would tax each income class according to its means.

In John’s early incumbency in Congress, while Roosevelt was still president, he introduced and the House unanimously passed, a bill providing for a term of Federal Court to be held at Jackson in Breathitt County, his own state. However, the bill met with bitter opposition in the Senate. John was given to understand that the federal judge of the district, John Cochran, disliked holding court in such a remote and wild territory as he regarded Breathitt County. Although Langley used every argument and courtesy he could with individual senators, the bill still stuck in committee.

Finally, John Langley told President Roosevelt of his solicitude concerning the measure, and that he was going with Mrs. Langley to see him. The president very generously assured John and Katherine of his goodwill and help. In spite of the bitter protests of Judge Cochran, the bill promptly passed the Senate.

Eagle’s quill pen with which President Roosevelt signed the bill for a Federal Court at Jackson, Ky., which he presented to the people of that city through the author.

It was understood that John W. Langley was to receive the pen with which Teddy signed the bill, and to have the honor of witnessing his autograph, therefore Secretary Loab made the appointment. Having in his possession a quill from the wing of a massive bald eagle which the late Senator Carter of Montana had presented to the Director of the Census, John made it into a pen, with a striking tricolored ribbon, for the President’s use on the occasion. In the presence of most members of the Cabinet which had assembled for a meeting, John Langley placed the pen in the hands of the president. Teddy hastily jabbed it into the bottle of ink and started to write, but the pen did not work at first. When John started to apologize, the president said, “Oh, never mind, I can write with a stick.” The postmaster general, standing by, humorously added, “The trouble is, Mr. President, that no one can read it when you write.” John often wondered what this remark really meant. At any rate, the president finally scribbled out the words, “Approved, Theodore Roosevelt,” and the bill became a law.

Not long afterwards, Langley presented this same pen (shown above) to the citizens of Breathitt County, at a record-breaking meeting in the Court House yard. He later had the satisfaction of securing erection of a fine government building on the site where the court now regularly convenes. Not long ago, John Langley saw this historic pen beautifully framed and hanging in the residence of his beloved life-long friend, Hon. M. S. Crain, then a resident of Breathitt County, but now a prosperous merchant of Lexington, Kentucky, who sent him this photograph.

When discussion began as to the Republican nominee in 1908 as Roosevelt’s successor, and while Teddy’s attitude was still unknown, John Langley received a message from Secretary Loeb, while he was visiting in Asheville, North Carolina, stating that the President wished to see John Langley. John took the next train to Washington and was immediately admitted to the President’s private office. After a few moments of desultory conversation, Teddy abruptly asked: “Who is your choice, John, for the nomination as my successor?” John’s reply was, “Mr. President, I did not obey your instructions at Philadelphia, now I wish to reverse matters and support whoever you want.” “Well,” Roosevelt replied, “I think Mr. Taft (using the broad A) is the best man to carry out my policies.” “All right,” John said, “I am for Mr. Taft.” He immediately left the White House and gave a lengthy interview in support of Taft. Alas! for once Roosevelt’s intuitive judgment apparently was at fault.

1908

On November 24, 1908, John W. Langley bought his little piece of heaven here in Pikeville, overlooking the Levisa River and Peach Orchard Bottom Point. Here history has been forged ever since the Ratliffs settled its fertile bottoms in 1796. The 45-acre farm was located on the Old James Ferguson Patten.

The Construction of John W. & Katherine Langley’s Home at the Mouth of Ferguson Br.

INJUSTICE TO INDIAN DESCENDANTS, LANGLEY MAKES HIS POINT

Special to Courier-Journal: Washington D.C. February 13,1910. During the discussion of the Indian appropriation bill in the house today representative Langley of Kentucky spoke on the subject of the administration of the estate of five civilized tribes. He referred particularly to the case of the descendants of the Choctaw, Chickasaw and Cherokees, who had lived in his congressional district. He reviewed briefly the legislation on the subject, and contended that injustices had been done the tribes, not only by acts of Congress common, but by the actions of executive officers and all the government, excluding from consideration a number of roles on which he said appeared the names of the ancestors of his constituents. Mr. Langley called attention to the bill which he introduced recently, providing these claimants the privilege of establishing their rights in court. He insisted that such legislation ought to be promptly enacted, in order that the whole controversy, which he termed discretible to the U.S. Government, might be settled once and for all.

Upon conclusion of Mr. Langley‘s address, Vice-President elect Sherman, chairman of the house committee of Indian affairs, who was in charge of the Indian appropriations bill in the house, proceeded to take issue with Mr. Langley on some of his statements. A rather sharp and interesting colloquy issued between them. Mr. Sherman said that Mr. Langley had criticized the administration and the committee of Indian affairs while Mr. Langley insisted that his remarks had been misunderstood by Sherman as far as the application of his criticism. At the same time, he reiterated his assertion that the record show that injustice had been done to many claimants. Mr. Sherman conceded that some injustice had been done but argued that it was not sufficient gravity to justify reopening the whole subject of enrollments of these Indians. The colloquy was of interest in that it indicated that the question of distribution of the estate of the five civilized tribes be made subject of further consideration in Congress. Mr. Langley conceded that legislation on the subject can be secured at this session, but says he expects to continue the fight in the next Congress.

John W Langley, a Junior Congressman from Kentucky is a standout in the National Press Newspapers 1909.

Cincinnati Enquirer, Washington, April 6, 1909. Representative John W. Langley of the Kentucky Tenth District, has taken the leading part in the fight in the House for a more equitable distribution of the nonprotective features of the Payne Bill (later known as the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act.) Langley made a speech in the House from the standpoint of the Southern Republican, which attracted a lot of attention. He called attention to the fact that the leading industries of his section of Kentucky are either placed upon the free list or given inadequate protection. He referred more especially to lumber, coal, iron ore, hemp and flour, and contented that the provisions of the bill regarding these industries are not in harmony with the doctrines of the Republican Party and is heretofore expounded by the Republican Party.

The reason Langley was adamant about protecting the Timber Trade Tariff Revenue, was because when he was 13 years old in 1881, his father was engaged in the timber business. The Langley logs were floated to the mouth of Mill Creek and a raft floated from there to the Catlettsburg, Kentucky, Market, guided by what John called a “bow and stern” oar. There were about a dozen, requiring a man for each one. John handled the bow oar of one of the rafts, receiving his orders from the steel hand at the rear. It took John and his father three days to get to Catlettsburg. They would tie up about sundown and stay at a nearby farmhouse, and start again, bright, and early next morning. The last day they floated logs, was cold with drizzling rain when they reached Catlettsburg. John was very passionate about putting revenue back in the community of the 10th District. Living very close to the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River, he had seen massive amounts of timber resources being harvested from his Congressional District.

Cartoon from 1909

He argued for the retention of the “Dingley Act of 1897” duty of $2.00 (The Actual Number was $2.52 under the 1897 Act ) on lumber sold, the Tariff Rate set under the 1897 Dingley Act ($5.04 P.ct.) Langley believed the duty should be increased rather than decreased since it was the purpose of his party to give proper protection to this industry. His discussion of the lumber question was especially pointed. He showed that lumber is the the second largest industry in the United States and more important than the iron and steel industry, in the sense that ownership of timber is more diversified, embracing almost every State in the Union. Any legislation that would tend to injure this industry would injure a great number of people than adverse legislation touching any other industry in the country. He said that he was an operably opposed to taxing tea and coffee, which are two of the necessaries of life, and added that a tariff on these articles could only be for the purpose of raising revenue, as they did not need protection, and declared that he was in favor of putting an additional tax on beer and whiskey. He did not say that he would vote against the bill but warned the committee that if the bill was defeated, it would be due to the fact that it had not been framed in accordance with the Republican platform nor the traditional doctrines of the Republican party.

Even before Langley was elected to U.S. Congress, the 10th Congressional District was organizing into the largest timber producing region on the Big Sandy River Region. By November 1909 Yellow Poplar Lumber Company was gearing up to send several thousand trees through John Langley’s 10th Congressional District, including Elkhorn Creek and tributaries above Praise on the Russell Fork.

William Burnside Johnson from 1906 until his death in 1914 was the largest timber contractor for Cole & Crane. He had a close relationship and was personal friend of John W Langley.

The John May Splash Dam standing ready for nearly a hundred thousand trees floating the Spring and Winter Tides on Shelby Creek. This Splash / Mill Dam was located between present day Willie & Pearl Riddle Farm and Branham Heights above Shelbiana, Kentucky. Just out in front of the Splash Dam you can find evidence of the Ole Mill Dam, gray faded logs bottom left side of Shelby Creek.

Favorite photograph of Theodore Roosevelt, presented to Mrs. Katherine Langley and John Langley by Teddy, March 3, 1909, the day before he retired from the Presidency. His cordial greetings, not shown, were written at the foot of the photo. Color Accents added by the Pike County Historical Society

March 1910

March 1910

CONGRESSMAN AS SEEN BY THE PRESS

A Good Friend From Kentucky of the Veterans

(Washington, D.C., May 26, 1910.) Hon. John W. Langley, of Kentucky, who is now serving his second term in Congress, has a final record of friendliness to the veterans. He was born in Floyd County, Kentucky, received his education there, and then began teaching school. He studied law and received the prize in two universities, and the degrees of Bachelor of Law, Master of Law, Dr. of Civil Law and Master of Diplomacy. He next excepted a position in the Pension Bureau and became a member of the Board of Appeals but left to become Disbursing and Appointment Clerk of Census Office. He also served a term in the Kentucky State Legislature and was twice delegate from Kentucky to the Republican Nashville convention. Therefore, he is an unusual well equipped all around, man, familiar with public business, and a valuable representative both for his abilities in Congress and his capacity to serve his constituents.

Since he has been in Congress, he has been looked up on as a steadfast, reliable friend of the veterans, one to whom they could appeal for employment and appointments. Since he has been in the house, he has introduced a great number of pension bills, and among them the national tribune pension bill; grand pensions to veterans of the Spanish war, and their widows, children, and dependent parents; granting pensions to military men who were disabled in service; granting a pension of $.50 a day to the widows of any officer or man who died or shall die by reasons of wounds or disabilities contracted in the service; granting two dollars a day for each day of confinement to those who were in rebel prison; granted a pension of one dollar day to everyone who has served 90 days in the Civil War, in addition of Shumer and private pension bills. He has made very effective speeches in the present session of Congress and supported these bills. Such is the popularity of Mr. Langley and his district that his majority has increased wonderfully every time he has come up for reelection.

Roosevelt endorsement for John W Langley, Sept 20, 1910

September 20, 1910

Colonel Roosevelt was to lecture at Cincinnati, in October of 1910. John received the following telegram from that city at his home in Kentucky.

“In the absence of Mr. Longworth I invite you to be a guest at our home on next Thursday afternoon at a reception to be given in honor of my father.”
(Sgd.) ALICE LONGWORTH.

The Williamson Enterprise, March 23, 1911

The Daily Telegram, Clarksburg, West Virginia, May 12, 1912

Clinch Valley News November 8, 1912.

Teddy Rosevelt goes down to defeat in the Presidential Election of 1912 to Woodrow Wilson

Oyster Bay, N. Y., Nov. 5: Shortly before midnight Roosevelt issued a statement conceding the election of Wilson. He sent Wilson a message of congratulations. Roosevelt said: “I accept the result with entire good humor and contentment,” adding that the Progressive cause must in the end triumph.

December 1912 Congressional Directory

In 1913, 36 States ratified the 16th Amendment to the Constitution, giving the federal government power to directly levy income taxes.

Photo taken September 1913, soon after construction of the unincorporated town of Weeksbury, Kentucky. Campbell Bascom Slemp, second from the right, was touring Left Beaver Creek in Floyd Co., in John W Langley’s 10th US Congressional District. Slemp was elected to his father’s old Virginia 9th District from Big Stone Gap, serving from 1907 until March 3, 1923. CB Slemp was in partnership in several Mineral Holding Companies with John CC Mayo in Letcher, Knott and Perry Counties.

Campbell Bascom Slemp, a major stockholder in Elk Horn Fuel Company August 14, 1914

Preferred Shares…875, Common stock 1975 Shares

Inner company memo from 1915

The Sunday Telegram, Clarksburg, West Virginia, April 18, 1915

John W. & Katherine Langley’s Home at the Mouth of Ferguson Br. The location for the home was shown on 1916 USGS Top Map

Pike County Mortgage Book

October 15, 1914, indenture between John W Langley & Katherine Langley first part, and Christopher H. Pope and Milton J. Lambert Trustees of Washington D.C. The party of the second part loaned the party of the first part Six Thousand Dollars evidenced by three(3) promissory notes of Two Thousand Dollars, each due and payable at the Muncy Trust Company, Washington D.C., two years from date with interest at six (6) percent.

Pike County Deed Book L, Page 428

The Levisa / Big Sandy Flood of 1918

The National Prohibition Act, 18th Amendment: On January 19, 1919, the 66th United States Congress ratified the 18th Amendment, banning the manufacture, sale and transport of alcoholic beverages. However, there were no provisional funds for anything beyond Token Enforcement.

18th Amendment Splits the Country – Everyone is forced to choose – you are either a “dry” in support of Prohibition, or a “wet.” But one thing’s clear, Prohibition is having little effect on America’s thirst. Underground distilleries and saloons supply bootlegged liquor to an abundant clientele, while organized criminals fight to control illegal alcohol markets. The mayhem prompts the U.S. Department of the Treasury to strengthen its law enforcement capabilities.

On October 28, 1919, Congress passes the Volstead Prohibition Enforcement Act which delegates responsibility for policing the 18th Amendment to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Department of the Treasury. Both legislations become effective on January 16, 1920. The Prohibition Unit is created to enforce the National Prohibition Act from 1920 to 1926. Men and women are hired to serve as prohibition agents and are themselves referred to as “Dry Agents,” by the public.

Organized criminal gangs illegally supply America’s demand for liquor, making millions and influencing the country’s largest financial institutions. Vast criminal fortunes corrupt enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, juries and politicians.

The Bourbon News. November 21, 1919

Prohibition came into force at 12:00:01 am on January 17, 1920

But getting there was a major Challenge

SECO MAKES APPEAL TO U.S. CAPITAL FOR DOCTORS

The Big sandy News February 13, 1920

Washington. – Representative John W. Langley has asked the Public Health Service to send aid to Seco, Letcher county, where most of the physicians are ill with either meningitis or influenza and where both diseases are said to be epidemic.

The Hartford Republican, August 13, 1920

The Adair County News, October 3, 1920

WOMEN IN BOTH PARTIES AGREE

While Opposed In Political Campaign They Are United On Kentucky School Problems

Mrs. John W. Langley, Chairman when serving on Republican Campaign Committee, gave her correspondent the following interview concerning the new school laws and the coming election of the County Board of Education in November:

“To my mind, the greatest forward step that has been taken in the direction of higher standards of education was the ratification of the 19th amendment to the federal Constitution, placing the ballot in the hands of women, and for the reason that her influence is essential and more constantly wielded than that of the men in whole life of the children, which is the formation of their character and the most enduring part of it.

“This is not because women realized anything more fully than men doing the vital importance to the future of this nation. I’ve a good clean SKU system, but because, as the history of the civilization from its beginning to the present shows, the mother’s influence is greater than the father’s over the children of their household. It therefore follows as a matter of course that this added power to aid in consummating her ideals will be exercised to the maximum.

“No one will seriously maintain that better education will affect the political alignment of the people. It will only better equip them for deciding how intelligently they cast their votes on any political question. They will continue in the future, as they have done in the past, to entertain divergent views as to what characters of legislation and administration is best calculated to advance the interest of the state and the nation. The point I wish to make is that the question of education should be exalted above political questions, and entirely divorced from them.

“We must secure a deeper interest on the part of all of our people in this greatest of all movements, for after all has been said and done, we cannot fully prepare the children of today for the duties and responsibilities as citizens unless we succeeded in getting public sentiment crystallized behind all strong school movements,”

Mrs. John W. Langley believes this is now being accomplished by the recent legislation, which has been put into the action and that good results of these laws will continue to grow as time passes.

Mrs. John W Langley sincerely believes that the good women of our state are going to put their whole hearts, their minds, and their strength into this movement and use the ballot accordingly. If they do, success is certain, and we will have a happier, brighter, and better Kentucky.

CONGRESSIONAL VOTE. Kentucky was rather proud of her vote in Congress, but one of the eleven representatives from Kentucky voted against the Federal amendment. Kentucky suffragists can easily remember back to the time when in both houses of Congress Kentucky could muster but one vote for the Federal Suffrage Amendment, that of the Hon. John W. Langley. Of her two Senatorial votes, she had gained one, that of Senator George B. Martin, who succeeded Senator Ollie James. Senator J. C. W. Beckham backed by Big Coal and Railroad Corporations remained firm, however, in the wrong, and continued to the end to cast his vote against the amendment, a fact which Kentucky women are not likely to forget. Shortly after this victory, we were obliged to give most reluctantly an honorable discharge to our Congressional chairman, Mrs. Julia Duke Henning, who had done most excellent work for us.

19th Amendment: Women’s Right to Vote had finally passed through the U.S. Senate on June 4, 1919, Ratified by 36 States February 1920. But Battle for Ratification started in the beginning of 1920 when two states, Rhode Island and Kentucky, crossed the finish line first. The states across the finish line on January 6, 1920, had been wrestling with women’s right to vote for decades. Rhode Island, the first with a statewide suffrage organization, voted nearly unanimously to ratify the 19th Amendment. Later that afternoon, the vote in Kentucky to ratify was much closer but still decisive. Women had been voting in school elections in rural areas of Kentucky since 1838, ten years before the Seneca Falls Convention. Decades attempts to fully enfranchise women in both states has fallen short so far. With these two ratifications, women in Rhode Island and Kentucky, women’s suffrage moves closer to the finish line. The November Election in 1919 gives the Republicans control over State of Kentucky House and Senate, and votes needed for ratification.

John W. Langley and the historic champion of woman suffrage, Susan B Anthony, had previous history long before the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The first meeting started in the spring of 1883 when Langley was a clerk in the Pension Office. One night John Langley was in the room of Congressman John D. White of Kentucky, addressing garden seeds to the home folks. The attendant brought in a card, whereupon White turned to John and said: “Now, John I am going to introduce you to the smartest woman in the United States.” Presently a lady entered, and he said: “Miss Anthony, this is young Mr. Langley of my district.” Raising her glass a little she remarked, “Oh, this is one of your mountain scrubs, is it?” Langley felt deeply insulted and without a word returned to his addressing work. Several years later when John was in the Legislature, Anthony heard that John believed in woman suffrage. John was surprised one morning as he sat at breakfast, to receive a call from Susan B. Anthony, who was accompanied by Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Mrs. Lew Wallace, mother of the author of Ben Hur.
They wanted John to get the Kentucky House to pass a resolution authorizing them to use the legislative chamber that night for a women’s rights meeting. During the conversation, John reminded her of the garden seed incident some years before. It took him quite a while to get in a good humor with her, but finally, they were able to have a merry chat about the happening. John was in such a hurry to carry out the resolution matter that he forgot all about his breakfast.

John Langley would always remember with pride that the first woman member of Congress gave him all she had left (at least 15 minutes) when they were discussing the women’s rights bill, although many were clamoring for a part of that time, including Miss Jeanette Rankin of Montana. Incidentally, John stated that he had considerable correspondence with Anthony and had in his possession a number of her autographed letters from years past.

1920

Big sandy News, May 7, 1920. Langley for Senator

The Bourbon News, May 11, 1920

In the same week in the Bourbon News Richard P. Ernst make his bid to run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky. The Citizens from Covington are excited.

Senator Richard P. Ernst: Library of Congress

The Big Sandy News, Oct 29, 1920

John W Langley Jr. & Dad

Presidential Election of 1920

By 1920, World War I was over. The wartime boom had collapsed. Diplomats and politicians were arguing over peace treaties and the question of America’s entry into the League of Nations. Overseas there were wars and revolutions; at home there were strikes, riots and a growing fear of radicals and terrorists. Disillusionment was in the air.

The giants who had dominated the political scene for a generation were gone — Theodore Roosevelt died in 1919 and Woodrow Wilson was a broken invalid living in seclusion. Even so, the presidential election of 1920 continued the debate between the nationalistic activism of Roosevelt’s presidency and the global idealism of Wilson’s administration.

THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 1920

On June 9, 1920, an Ohio political insider named Harry Daughtery begins promoting Warren G. Harding’s nomination for president. Alvin Tobias Hert was pushing Lowden, Lowden started faltering. Harding endorsements started getting traction from A.T. Hert with the Republican National Committeeman and Chairman, the big boss of the Republican Kentucky delegation. Mrs. Katherine Langley was also committee woman with the Republican Kentucky delegation. This left A.T. Hert with more political clout with the future President Elect, and a lot of future Presidential promise from Harding, if elected. There was still a National Election to win and Mrs. Katherine Langley had a large field of black voters in her following.

On June 12, 1920, the Republicans nominated Warren G. Harding, an Ohio newspaper editor and United States Senator, to run for president with Calvin Coolidge, governor of Massachusetts, as his running mate. The Democrats nominated another newspaper editor from Ohio, Governor James M. Cox, as their presidential candidate, and thirty-seven-year-old Franklin Delano Roosevelt for vice president.

The presidential election of 1920 was the last election campaign made accessible to the public solely through the use of record albums. By election night, November 2, 1920, the “election campaign by phonograph” was a thing of the past, superseded by the first commercial radio broadcast coverage of election returns.

As the 29th President of the United States of America

Warren G. Harding took office March 4, 1921

Campbell Bascom Slemp

CB Slemp was a high-ranking Virginia Republican Congressman for the Industrial Southwest portion of the State. CB was one of the owners of a Huge Mineral Interest in Virginia and Kentucky. Slemp even had a town named after him.

Slemp was a close advisor to President Warren G. Harding, especially on the issue of patronage in the south.

The Citizen Newspaper Article, Recap from January 10, 1918

Former Rough Rider Is In Jail

Fess Whitaker, who marched beside Theodore Roosevelt up San Juan Hill, and who has made himself remarkable in other ways, has taken over the office of jailer of Letcher County and become a resident of Whitesburg. Upon his recent election by an unusually large majority, Colonel Roosevelt wired Whitaker his congratulations.

After a hotly-contested election Richard P. Ernst Elected for U.S. Senate

The Mount Sterling Advocate: November 9, 1920

Letcher County Officials Assume Office

The new County officials enter upon their duties Monday. Those taking office were County Judge Samuel Collins; Sheriff, James Tolliver; Jailer, Fess Whitaker; and E B. Hale, County Superintendent of Schools.

The Big Sandy News, November 19, 1920

The Big Sandy News: December 28, 1920

John Langley To Have Opposition

Few people today know the relationship between Fess Whitaker and John W Langley, so now Samuel Collins is going to be properly introduced. In his Bio, Langley officially noted he had known Samuel (Sam) Collins starting in 1916, but the Pike County Historical Society has determined it may be earlier. Fess Whitaker indicates in his Bio that he had a close relationship with Sam Collins, personally and politically. On one occasion Fess tells of coal companies coming up North Fork of the Kentucky river, and talks about two managers of Southeastern Coal Co. (Seco) and Elkhorn Coal Co.,
Mathews and McClure, of Covington, Ky. He says the one called Mack always gets mixed up in politics. Fess speaks of resigning from Kentucky River Coal Corporation and announcing his run for Jailer in Letcher County. At the height of the campaign season, he is moving from Fleming Neon to Haymond, the next holler over, to give a speech to 400 workers, some of whom are black. Everyone is treated to a large supper and a barrel of fine beer.

President Woodrow Wilson

Among the bills Wilson signed on his last day in office was an act for an appropriation of $18.6 million for the construction of federal hospital beds for World War I veterans, a topic that was soon to figure prominently in the life of Charles R. Forbes. However, this 1921 law, the first Langley Act (Public Law 66-284), named after the Congressman John W. Langley whom Forbes had met in Hawaii, was passed long before Forbes became responsible for veterans hospitals.

The Public Ledger: May 12, 1921

Richmond Daily Register: June 2, 1921

ALVIN TOBIAS HERT DIES IN WASHINGTON D.C.

The Hartford Republican: June 7, 1921

Washington, June 7, 1921: Colonel A.T. Hert, a man loved and honored by thousands is dead. His death comes as a great shock to friends throughout the United States, as well as in his home state of Kentucky. Death came so suddenly that several friends who were with him at the time were still chuckling over one of his good-natured jests. He turned pale, his eyes closed, he breathed deeply, gasped two or three times and was gone. Apoplexy was the cause, the hour, 4:15 o’clock this afternoon. Colonel Hert was reclining on a bed in his suite of rooms at the new Willard hotel, talking of politics and matters relating to tomorrow’s meeting of the republican national committee when he died. A gasp was the first warning to those with him, which included E. T. Franks, former postmaster of Owensboro, Kentucky; Cat Chilton, of Louisville, J.M. Robinson and Kentucky congressman J. W. Langley. In Mr. Chilton’s words,”He gasped and rolled over on the bed. We rushed to his assistance. There was another gasp, and then he was gone.”

Laughing just before the stroke.

“Little did we dream that Mr. Hert was to be taken by death within a few minutes as we sat chatting and joking with him,” said congressman Langley. “His death came with such suddenness that we scarcely realized what had happened.”

One of Colonel Hert’s last acts was to sign his name to a letter to President Harding for endorsement of Samuel Collins of Whitesburg, for State Probation Officer of Kentucky. Col. Hert had told George Lund that Hert was in good spirits and laughing with his friends about ten minutes before the stroke.

Senators Richard P. Ernst and A.T. Hert had very close ties when it came to political dominance. A.T Hert had everyone’s attention, including President Warren G. Harding. A.T. Hert was a mover and shaker in the business world. His companies provided products that were widely used by railroads and bridge construction companies and provided creosote used to preserve underground timbers in mines across Eastern and Western Ky., as well as Indiana and Illinois. When it came to political appointments on the Federal level, A.T. had President Harding’s ear. Hert was also a referee between John W. Langley and Senator Richard P. Ernst. After the death of Alvin Hert, John Langley’s influence over the course of the next two years with President Harding was starting to diminish, although he was very helpful to Harding getting some major bills passed through Congress after Hert’s death. John Langley was still a future threat to Senator Ernst, especially after butting heads with Ernst on Sam Collins’ appointment. Another threat to Senator Ernst was John Langley’s passion towards the Citizens of the 10th Congressional District. The Kentucky Governor’s election and U.S. Senate race between Ernst and Beckham were happening at the same during Harding’s run for President. The Statewide Kentucky Election of 1919 gave the majority of its votes to Warren G Harding for President, Richard P. Ernst for U.S. Senate and Edwin P. Morrow for Governor. Senator Beckham and candidate for governor, Cox had big vote numbers in John Langley’s 10th District but lost statewide. The 10th District Citizens overwhelmingly loved John Langley, but they loved Katherine Langley even more. Katherine Langley’s power lay with the women, black Vote and her voice with the National Republican Committee. Katherine’s popularity was not just in Eastern Kentucky, but statewide. The Langley team was a major threat to any Republican seeking a higher office in Kentucky. The Langleys were Progressives in a Conservative leaning state.

Bio

Alvin Tobias Hert (1865-1921) and his wife Sallie Aley Hert (1863-1948) were two of many owners of the property of Hurstbourne Farms, located in Louisville, Kentucky.  Indiana-born Alvin was a traveling salesman and served as a warden of the Indiana Reformatory in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which later became the Colgate-Palmolive Plant.  Following his resignation from the penitentiary in 1902, Mr. Hert moved to Louisville where he made his fortune with the establishment of the American Creosoting Company in 1904.  He represented Kentucky on the Republican National Committee, was a director of the National Bank of Kentucky and a member of “My Old Kentucky Home” Commission.  Mr. Hert got started in politics when he was elected as mayor of Brazil, Indiana in 1895.  He later helped manage the presidential campaign of Charles Evans Huges, assisted in securing the presidential nomination of Warren G. Harding and was a head adviser to Will H. Hays, Harding’s campaign manager.  In 1921, Mr. Hert suddenly died.  Mrs. Hert, upon her husband’s death, assumed the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors of American Creosoting.  She was a Kentucky member of the Republican National Committee before becoming its vice-chair.  In addition to her Hurstbourne residence, she maintained an apartment in Washington, D. C. and homes in Palm Beach, and Mackinac Island, Michigan.

In 1915, Alvin Hert and his wife purchased Hurstbourne Farms and several adjacent farm tracts.  Under the Herts’ ownership, Hurstbourne Farms thrived, with land holdings in excess of 1,000 acres.  It stretched from Oxmoor on the west, crossing Shelbyville Road, to Funk’s Lane, now known as Hurstbourne, on the east, and to the Hoke farm on the south.  The property had 62 separate buildings including its own water tower and a ten-room house for the superintendent.

A.T. Hert was President of American Creosoting Company / 1926 add.

Richmond Daily Register: June 11, 1921

Samuel Collins’ from Whitesburg was officially appointment to fill the position of Prohibition Director for the State of Kentucky, this occurred on June 18, 1921.

Recap of Fess Whitaker

Article written on Appalachian History in 2018. The New York Times reported that sometime around 1921 Fess Whitaker participated in a street fight, a disturbance of the peace that led to his incarceration in the very jail he supervised and earned him the nickname “The Jailed Jailer.” While imprisoned, Whitaker continued his campaign and was eventually elected. In 1922, Whitaker was again jailed, this time for possessing and transporting whisky for illegal sale. the New York Times reporter was just a little off on his timeline, because the above newspaper article was published November 19, 1920.

Summer Motor Car Trip, The Summer of 1921

During June of 1921 while serving in Washington D.C., John Langley was attending a funeral of his dear old friend of the Republican National Committeeman, Mr. Hert. During the funeral precession he made the acquaintance of Walter B. Carey, who seemed to be trying to create a special bond with Langley. A partnership had begun earlier that year with M.E. Huth, T.G. Finn and Walter B. Carey, leasing Belle of Anderson Distillery Company from G.B. Harkins. The original distillery company was founded by S.J. Greenbaum producing whiskey under the brand name of Belle of Anderson and Bell of Lexington, both destined to become a big part of Kentucky’s whiskey history. By 1883 S. J. Greenbaum was distilling whiskey at Midway, Kentucky. He died in 1897 leaving the distillery to be operated by his son, 38-year-old Morris. Morris Greenbaum would become one of the largest whiskey distillers in Kentucky, producing 47,000 barrels until August 1908, when the distillery was completely destroyed in the largest massive fire ever seen in Central Kentucky. The U.S. Government estimated the loss at 2 million dollars, when only 1 million was available in insurance. Never again would Morris Greenbaum hit his peak whiskey production, distilling a mere 40 barrels a day. In 1912, Morris changed the name of the firm to Belle of Anderson. In 1920, when the National Prohibition Act rolled into America, Belle of Anderson went into bankruptcy and was acquired by G.B. Hawkins.

Walter B. Carey stayed in close contact with Langley over the next several weeks. Later in 1921 Langley was experiencing some type of illness requiring a good Louisville doctor. He was staying at the Seelbach Hotel when Carey met him by chance and introduced him to Schwartzkoff, Eichenburg and Ellias Mortimer, who represented the banking firm of Kuhn, Loeb & Co., of New York. Because of his illness at the time John was not coherent enough to have a serious conversation with the three men. He listened as Elias Mortimer told Walter Carey that his wife was a niece to President Harding. He also professed to Carey that he was on intimate terms with leading men in Washington D.C. Mortimer also entered into discussion with Carey about having problems with the Volstead Act (The Prohibition Act of 1920), concerning the new lease acquisition of Belle of Anderson Distillery. Belle of Anderson wanted to transport liquor by truck to New York which was in violation of the Act. Mortimer persuaded Carey that Anderson Distillery needed permission from the newly appointed Prohibition Director of Kentucky, Mr. Sam Collins, and other Kentucky Prohibition officials in Washington D.C.

Mortimer had made several attempts previously to entertain Sam Collins, the new Prohibition Director of Kentucky. He had talked with Collins about moving liquor by truck to New York, but with no luck. Finally, Mortimer and Carey decided to swing by Louisville and pick up Langley, while he was visiting French Lick Springs, Kentucky. Ellias Mortimer invited John to accompany them to Lexington, to meet some friends. John could not turn down Mortimer’s invitation to take a trip by Motor car. Langley was one of the first champions of congress to provide Federal Aid in construction of Turnpikes and Roads. The national newspapers nicknamed him “Turnpike John. ” Mortimer and Carey had not mentioned Sam Collins to Langley at this time. While traveling from French Lick Springs the motor car group stopped in Louisville where a telegram was being forwarded to John Langley from French Lick. The telegram concerned the mortgage due on his house and urged John to come to Washington D.C. to raise the necessary funds. Langley told Mortimer and Carey that in view of the telegram he would have to cut his trip short.

When John W. Langley was elected to congress in 1906, $235.00 was all the money he possessed. He was financing his campaign on borrowed money. When Katherine and John went to Washington, he sold his campaign horse to raise enough money to make the trip. They lived in one small room with bath during that winter, and used the same room for his congressional work until the house office building was ready for occupancy. While still owing money from his first campaign, he borrowed money for two succeeding campaigns. He took what money he could by giving advance checks on his salary until the end of his previous term. Needless to say, John was heavily in debt most of his political life. Dozens of his friends, in and out of Congress, endorsed notes for him at different banks. It was John’s custom in the years when he was not a candidate to give financial help to friends in his district who had helped him when he was running. Now, many of them were returning the favor.

John remembered one year, 1912, when he had practically no opposition. His affidavit filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives showed a campaign expenditure of nearly $3,500.00. In 1920, when he was unanimously renominated and had no opposition from either party, John not only made speeches in different sections of the state but went to practically every county in his own Congressional district to raise funds for the ticket. Frequently heading the subscription list, his contributions totaled nearly $1,000.00.

Before John Langley entered the congressional office, he supported his father, who had been an elder in the Christian Church for about forty years, and a helpless invalid during the last twenty years of his life. In John’s words, “I supported him out of my small salary, until his death in 1910. I did likewise for my invalid mother.”

Mortimer asked Langley how much money he needed to make his mortgage payment, and John told him 2000 dollars. Ellias Mortimer told John he would loan him the money on the note. Mortimer took Walter Carey aside and arranged to borrow the funds temporarily. Carey gave the money to Mortimer after a man named Mr. Afghan cashed a check for him.

With John Langley’s house mortgage temporally satisfied, Carey, Mortimer and Langley drove to Lexington and stopped at the famous Phoenix Hotel in Lexington Kentucky. They made arrangements for supper in their rooms after a long day’s journey. Just when supper was about to be served, Mr. Mortimer suggested to Langley that he call Mr. Sam Collins and have him join the dinner party. After Collins arrived, he called John in another room. Later Mortimer was called, and the question rose about using Mortimer’s withdrawal papers. Langley and Sam Collins had some sharp words in the hallway between the rooms, with Collins saying the whiskey would get in the hands of bootleggers. Collins refused permission to remove the liquor trucks, still claiming it was irregular, and that he was afraid it would be used illegally.

Arthur B. Rouse was the United States Congressman representing District # 6 in Midway, Ky, where Belle of Anderson Distilleries was located in 1921. The Question is why Bell of Anderson group didn’t ask for help from Arthur B. Anderson, its U.S. House Representative.

Later in 1921, after the meeting between Collins and Langley, the partners of Bell of Anderson Distillery, Mr. Huth, Mr. Finn, Mr. Carey, and Albert F. Slater, and Hiram W. Benner were indicted for the illegal transportation of whiskey.

As Noted in John W. Langley‘s book, Mortimer had no knowledge even of the existence of Sam Collins before he was appointed to probation Director of Kentucky.

Big Sandy News December 11, 1921

Kentucky Urge Home For World War Veterans

The Big Sandy News: January 13, 1922

Senator Ernst Voted Against Langley’s Bill

The Public Ledger: February 24, 1922

Langley’s Bill Passes Senate

The Big Sandy News: April 21, 1922

Kentucky May Get Two Hospitals

May 31, 1922: Kentucky May Get Two Hospitals

State May Get Hospital

The Public Ledger: September 01, 1922

In the Winter of 1922-23 John Langley received a letter from Warren G. Harding while he was in the Presidential Chair. Langley was very popular with the majority of House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats alike. He benefited from being the Chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds and stumping for Harding during President Election. Harding sought changes in the Presidential Office enabling him to go direct to the Major and Superintendent of the Police of Washington D.C. to secure changes in White House grounds.

Secret Service is made up of two primary divisions –the Uniformed Division and the Special Agent Division. The primary role of the Uniformed Division is protection of the White House and its immediate surroundings, as well as the residence of the Vice President, and over 170 foreign embassies located in Washington, D.C. Originally named the White House Police, the Uniformed Division was established by an Act of Congress on July 1, 1922, during President Warren G. Harding’s Administration. Thanks go John W. Langley for pushing this Bill through the committee he chaired.

–

The White House police force which donned their new uniforms today, lined up for inspection by their Chief Major 0.M. Ballinger on the South Lawn of the White House, 2/17/23.

After John W. Langley introduced the Uniformed Division bill, it was passed without delay, through both Houses. Langley telephoned the president from the capitol advising him of his success, and that the bill was being enrolled for his signature.
Harding was profuse in his thanks for hurrying it through and once more repeated, “It was really Mrs. Harding’s bill,” and that he would advise her at once of its passage. The next time John saw Mrs. Harding she acknowledged him most graciously. He could never stop wondering, however, what particular thing it was that Mrs. Harding had been worried about. He intended to query the president about this supposed danger but never did. Maybe it was a delicate subject.

I do not think it agrees with these reminiscences to refer more than briefly to the many stories whispered of the continued liaison alleged to exist between President Harding and a schoolteacher from his own state named Nan Britton. However, this secrecy within the Harding Administration would change forever the Capital Police Force and the Secret Service.

The government hospital at Pikeville drawn by the engineer of the Veterans Bureau and approved by General Hines.

Charles Forbes, head of the newly established Veterans Bureau, was accused of accepting kickbacks from contractors building veterans’ hospitals and illegally selling surplus medical supplies. Forbes resigned in February 1923 after an irate Harding reportedly grabbed him by the throat when he learned about the charges.

Warren G. Harding died in office, August 2, 1923

The promises for a Regional Veterans Hospital in Pikeville, treating disabled and injured soldiers in a Medical Facility in Eastern Kentucky was fading fast. President Harding was Pikeville’s last hope. Veterans Hospital had a major pushback from Senator Ernst.

The American Veterans really loved the efforts John W. Langley put out for them.

November 15, 1923

The Indictment of John W Langley

ON the 7th day of April 1924, in the U. S. District Court, at Covington, Ky., over 200 miles from John W. Langley’s home at Pikeville, an indictment was returned and filed against Congressman Langley. It alleged a “conspiracy to violate the Prohibition act,” on three different counts. After a number of adjournments on motions, the case finally came to trial in the U. S. District Court at Covington, before presiding Judge, Hon. A. M. J. Cochran, on the 6th day of May 1924. John Langley’s defense attorneys were Henry E. Davis, John W. Price, W. A. Burkamp and W. T. Fowler.

Named in the indictment with John Langley were M. E. Huth, Walter P. Carey, Albert F. Slater, Hiram W. Benner and another. Named in the alleged violation, but not included in the indictment, were one Gus Schwarzkopf, one Jacob Eichenberg, one Elias H. Mortimer, and one James L. Brady. Benner’s removal from Philadelphia was successfully resisted by him, and only Huth, Carey, Slater, Langley and another were put on trial.

Incidentally, one of the affidavits in John W. Langley’s possession asserts that several of the jurors frequently remarked they’d be glad to acquit Slater if it was needed to convict John! There was a “hung jury” on Slater, and his case was dismissed later on motion of the prosecutor.

In the drab courtroom at Covington stood this prosecuting attorney, Sawyer Smith, and lo and behold! by his side no less a dignitary than Mrs. Mabel Walker Willebrandt, Assistant Attorney General of the United States.

Filled with holy fervor, the great protagonist of the dry forces had journeyed down to Covington to see to it that if John W. Langley stayed out of jail it would be over her dead carcass. On May 10th, after twelve witnesses had been examined, Huth and Carey withdrew their pleas of not guilty and pleaded guilty. Remaining defendants then severally moved that all the testimony heard up to this point was evidence against only the withdrawing defendants. This motion the Court overruled, saying in effect that no defendant could be shown to be a party to the conspiracy charge except by evidence as to what he himself said and did.

John W. Langley should explain that defendants, Huth, Carey and Finn had already been tried and convicted upon the same issues inherent in his case, but his own name was not even mentioned throughout their trial. Their case was reversed on appeal and Smith and Willebrandt gave immunity to Finn so that he could be a witness against John, Huth and Carey, certainly a peculiar artifice. Finn’s evident effort in the witness chair was to favor John, although he had been willing to become our witness, we distrusted his offer and refused it. The indictment is a lengthy document, but a clear conception of its contents will be conveyed by the following summary. Let it be noted that the Court eliminated the first of the three counts:

SUMMARY OF INDICTMENT (Counts 2 & 3)
From September 17 to November 18, 1921.
(1) Langley was a Member of Congress.
(2) Collins was a Federal Prohibition Director for Kentucky.
(3) McConnell was Federal Prohibition Director in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Collins and McConnell were charged with enforcement of the provisions of the National Prohibition Act, designed for prevention of withdrawal, transportation and use of whisky for beverage purposes;
(4) Slater was a United States employee with authority to approve applications for permits to purchase whisky and to sign the name of McConnell as Prohibition Director to permits at the office in Philadelphia;
(5) Benner was a Federal Prohibition agent in said office with the duty of approving such permits for certain parts of Pennsylvania, Slates and Benner having immediate control of blank permits for said purpose;
(6) Brady was storekeeper-gauger at Belle of Anderson Distillery, Kentucky, Charged with the enforcement of the Internal revenue laws, designed for the prevention of withdrawal, transportation and use of whiskey for beverage purposes upon which revenue tax had not been paid.
(7) Mortimer, Schwarzkopf, Eichenberg and another were engaged in the business of procuring liquors, including whisky, for use for SUMMARY OF INDICTMENT (Counts 2 & 3).(8) Huth, Finn and Carey, owners of whisky in the Distillery, were desirous of selling the same for beverage purposes and of having the same transported from the Distillery by motor vehicle and by truck for beverage purposes.

(8) Huth, Finn and Carey, owners of whisky in the Distillery, were desirous of selling the same for beverage purposes and of having the same transported from the Distillery by motor vehicle and by truck for beverage purposes.
To put the charge in brief words, the prosecution rested upon only three points:
(1) That John had borrowed money from Elias H. Mortimer construed as a bribe.
(2) That at different alleged “conferences” in hotels at Louisville and Lexington, Ky., John W Langley had tried to intimidate Sam H. Collins, Prohibition Director, into giving official consent to the removal by truck of 1,400 cases of whisky from the Belle of Anderson Distillery in that state.
(3) That in the money paid to John by Mortimer there was a certain $2,000.00 transfer in a roundabout way for which no note was given. To back up these charges the sole and only evidence at John’s trial was that secured from Mortimer and Sam H. Collins.
The prosecution placed on the stand, about twenty witnesses ranging from Brady, the keeper of the seals of Belle of Anderson Distillery, up through Post Office Inspectors, certified public accountants, bootleggers and Volstead officials-all the way through to the star witness, Elias H. Mortimer, the man whose testimony if believed would John W Langley think have convicted even the Savior of Mankind.
Before going farther with the story let us get a line on Mortimer’s character—let us glance at the documented “record” of this glittering ornament of the witness chair.
In the U. S. District Court, for eastern division of northern district of Illinois, four indictments were returned on February 29, 1924, as follows: Charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States ELIAS H. MORTIMER and three others.
No. 12,228 (Sec. 37, Criminal Code) charges conspiracy of ELIAS H. MORTIMER, with a number of others indicted.
No. 12,229 (Sec. 17, Criminal Code)
An indictment against one Forbes for receiving a bribe from ELIAS H. MORTIMER and others.
No. 12,230 (Sec. 39, Criminal Code) An indictment against one Thompson for giving a bribe, although it is charged that the bribe was given by ELIAS H. MORTIMER and two others.
Indictment in May 1923 in the Southern District of New York, together with two other defendants for conspiracy in violation of the Prohibition act.
(He was at that time using the name “John Mortimer.”) He was released on $5,000.00 bail.

The migratory Mortimer, who seems to be a devoted patron of the Cook tours, evidently must have had his signature on almost every hotel register in the United States. Moreover, John’s counsel find him not only visiting New York and sharing in its pay night life, but also living there at different times. On one of these globe-trotting visits he turned up among the guests of the Empire Hotel, 63rd St. and Broadway, where the obliging manager cashed for him a check for $50.00 which was later revealed as being made of rubber. Mortimer was arrested and held in $500.00 bail.

John W. Langley hastens to add that the above is about all John could definitely find in filed criminal court proceedings against the weasel-like Mortimer. But reports in John’s hands furnish sinister comment on his other trails of divorce, forgery, mendacity and plunder. The trouble in securing information on the devious operations of this gentleman is that his apparent fondness for aliases made him about as elusive as an eel.

However, with the aid of a nationally-known detective bureau, John Langley discovered many curious facts concerning Elias H. Mortimer. Mortimer, we must remember, was the star witness against John. It was his lying testimony that the jury heard and apparently believed; he brazenly admitted to his record on the witness stand; moreover, his whole attitude towards Langley was one of bitter spite and contempt.

So far as that jury was concerned, and as John Langley shall show by irrefutable affidavits and other evidence, their demeanor was such as to create, with all unbiassed spectators, the impression that they were ready to convict him without hearing a syllable of evidence. But they did hear this evidence of Mortimer’s, and they must have fully and unreservedly believed or pretended to believe it; and they did bring in their verdict of guilty upon it, thus saving the face of the prosecution.

John now quotes fully from the reports of the Investigation Agencies covering Mortimer:
April 23rd, 1924.
Hon. John W. Langley, Frankfort, Kentucky.
In re: ELIAS H. MORTIMER.
Dear Mr. Langley:
We acknowledge receipt of your telegram of April the 21st, 1924, as follows: —
Referring to your letter and my wire please get all data available quickly as possible and send
to Hon. Henry E. Davis attorney at law, Fendall Building, also copy to John W. Price, Southern Building, both of Washington, D. C. Am writing you tonight.
In reply will say that all we know of the party in question is in a general way but will endeavor to ascertain something specific. From his activities generally, John W. Langley and counsel are convinced that Wm. J. Burns has had him looked up extensively and his files would at once give you all the information you might require to break down his testimony. If you knew some influential member of the other side of the House who was friendly to Burns, you should be able to secure the desired information, saving considerable time and expense.

There are several suits pending here and John W. Langley and counsel should immediately get behind these transactions and forward the reports as directed.

Mr. J. W. Thompson,
1101-3 Boatmen’s Bank Building,
St. Louis, Mo.
In re: ELIAS H. MORTIMER.
Report covering investigation as to record of Elias H. Mortimer.

In connection with your instructions to go to Minneapolis and get information relative to Elias H. Mortimer, I beg to advise that I proceeded to Minneapolis, Monday, April 14th, arriving at Minneapolis the following morning, Tuesday, April 15th, at 9 A. M.
I immediately got in touch with Mr. Nicholas V. Lux, with whom you had had some correspondence and long-distance communications relative to his being able to supply information regarding this party and was able to make an appointment with Mr. Lux for two P.M. of the same day. In the meantime, however, proceeded upon information which you had previously furnished me, viz: copy of telegram dated Minneapolis, April 1st, signed John C. Benson addressed to S. K. Joice, Cumberland Hotel, New York; telegrams between A. N. Jacobs and Col. C. R. Forbes and James Easby-Smith; memorandum supplying name of Anson B. Jackson, New York Life Building, Minneapolis, reference Peyton Gordon, United States Attorney, Washington, to the effect that Mortimer had been indicted for conspiracy, and had turned state evidence in Minneapolis; and also a Mr. Vandanaker, who addressed a communication to Col. Charles R. Forbes from St. Paul, Minn.

In an interview Mr. Anson B. Jackson, who I found to be an attorney with office in New York Life Building, he informed me that the party whom he thought was Mortimer, was in fact a party by the name of D. R. Morrow, who was indicted together with a party named James J. Wise and another party named Harry J. Tremaine. This indictment was returned at Willmar, Kandiohi County, Minnesota, with the sale of in connection stock in the Sterling Securities Company, and in this case D. R. Morrow turned state evidence, the other two parties being tried in a connection with which trial the jury disagreed and there never was a retrial. These indictments were returned September 8, 1924, and the trial came off October 21st to 30th. On account of the description given, I followed several leads and interviewed several other parties who were acquainted with Morrow and, while in appearance and personal habits there was a great deal of similarity, I found that it could not have been possible for Mortimer to have gone under the alias of D. R. Morrow as they were two different men.

Mr. John C. Benson is also an attorney with offices in the Security Building, but was out of town and would not return for several days, and as his telegram referred to a local investigator, upon referring to the City Directory I found Mr. A. N. Jacobs who is listed as local investigator for the United States Veteran Bureau, and upon interviewing him, found that he was the party referred to by Mr. Benson.

Mr. Jacobs advised me that he had known Mortimer since he was a boy, but that he had had no business relations with him and referred me to a Mr. A. S. Dowdall, Jr., who is also an attorney, with offices in the Plymouth Building, and the matter referred to in Mr. Jacobs’ wires to the effect that Mortimer had perjured himself in a case for the Minneapolis Street Railway Company, involving an automobile accident in which a party was killed. A friend of Mr. Dowdall was attorney for the heirs of the deceased in a claim for damages against the Street Railway Company, known as the Transit Company. I learned that this accident happened in front of Mortimer’s house where a party was in progress at the time and upon hearing a commotion outside, Mortimer and others ran out to see what had happened and there-upon learned that the party who was injured was an acquaintance of Mortimer.

The attorney for the heirs of the deceased in looking about for witnesses to the accident had asked Mortimer if he had seen same and he assured them that he had not and he was therefore not further considered as a witness in the case. Later, however, it appeared that the Street Railway had gotten hold of Mortimer and the supposition was that for a consideration he had agreed to testify in favor of the Street Railway Company to the effect that he had seen the accident when, as a matter of fact, it was well known that he had not, and in refutation of his testimony the attorney for the heirs of the deceased subpoenaed Mortimer’s mother and she testified at the trial that Mortimer was in the house at the time the accident occurred and could not have been a witness thereto. As judgment was rendered in favor of the claimants against the Street Railway Company, no action was taken by the attorneys for the claimants against Mortimer on the perjury incident, but I understand that later an indictment was returned against Mortimer by the Grand Jury, but that he could never be found, and indictment was never pressed. I arranged to have parties in Minneapolis look up the records in connection with this case, also the District Attorney’s office, to verify the fact that an indictment was returned, and this information will be obtained later.

In connection with the letter from Mr. Vandanaker addressed to Col. Charles R.Forbes, John was unable to find this party in St. Paul the day that he was there but have left the matter in other’s hands to interview him and forward any information gathered.

Mr. N. V. Lux is the President and General Manager of the St. Paul Cornice, Roofing and Ornament Company and was formerly local manager for the Berger Company. In his capacity as Manager for the Berger Company, in 1915, he employed Mortimer as a salesman and sent him to the home of the Berger Company at Canton, Ohio, for the purpose of acquainting himself with the line of goods manufactured by them. He reports that Mortimer was so wild while in Canton, getting on sprees, having wild parties and escapades, using funds for his own use that had been supplied to him for necessary expenses while in Canton, that it became necessary for Mr. Lux to recall him to Minneapolis and forthwith discharge him. In connection with this, Mortimer gave a check to one N. P. Wright for $25.00 drawn on the First National Bank of Minneapolis, dated January 16, 1915, which was protested for non-payment by reason of the fact that Mortimer carried no account in the First National Bank of Minneapolis. Mr. N. P. Wright was a friend of Mr. Lux and as Mortimer had been sent to Canton by Mr. Lux, he felt obligated to reimburse Mr. Wright for the amount, which he did, and now holds the check and protest papers in connection with this transaction a photographic copy of which I have secured.

John W. Langley also learned from Mr. Lux that a contractor in Minneapolis by the name of Schumacher loaned Mortimer $100.00 for which he was given Mortimer’s note and that sometime later when Mortimer seemed to be in fairly good circumstances he called upon Mr. Mortimer for payment. Mortimer agreed to pay him $50.00 on account and gave him a check on one of the banks of Minneapolis, receiving credit for same on the note, but that subsequently the check was returned to Mr. Schumacher unpaid with the notation that the account had been closed. Mr. Schumacher holds this note and check, and Mr. Lux has promised to secure a photograph of these papers as soon as possible and forward to me for our record.

John Langley also learned from his interview with different parties in Minneapolis that Mortimer had gone through bankruptcy in the United States Court and Langley had secured a certified copy of his petition and discharge, showing schedules of his assets and liabilities. The petition was filed the 17th day of October 1916, and the discharge was dated November 3rd, 1917. Mr. A. S. Dowdall, Jr., with whom he had already advised Langley that this petition in bankruptcy was to prevent Mr. Dowdall from collecting a fee for legal services, he having represented Mortimer in a claim against the National Material & Supply Company, of which Mr. A. Huhn was the proprietor. This claim grew out of a transaction involving commissions which Mortimer claimed against the National Material & Supply Company on business procured for them and upon which a settlement was agreed for $1,000.00. This $1,000.00 was payable through their attorney, Mr. F. H. Stinchfield, by two checks for $500.00 each, one payable as of date issued and the other payable in six months, or dated six months ahead, which date carried October 28, 1916. It seems that the agreement between Mortimer and Mr. Dowdall was to the effect that Mortimer was to receive the check for $500.00 payable at once and he, Mr. Dowdall, was to accept the postdated check for his services in connection with the settlement, but that Mortimer secured possession of both of these checks and refused to turn same over to Mr. Dowdall, and as same was postdated and could not be payable until October 28, 1916. Mr. Dowdall filed a garnishment on the Northwest National Bank of Minneapolis and thereupon held up payment. This postdated check is the only asset scheduled with the bankruptcy, and to recover Mr. Dowall filed a claim and was finally allowed the amount. This proceeding is all a matter of record in the bankruptcy case, which is No. 2979 of the United States District Court, District of Minneapolis, Fourth Division. The total liabilities listed amount to $3,705.03, upon which no payment was made, with the exception of the Dowdall claim, which was proved to be preferred claim by reason of the check for $500.00 being in evidence, which Mortimer got hold of by misrepresentation.
Among the claimants in the bankruptcy proceedings is one W. O. Hartig of the W. O. Hartig Electric Company, address 312 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, which is represented by a judgment for $603.50.
Mr. Hartig claimed that this was money Mortimer borrowed from him in advance of commission which would be allowed him for securing work for the W. O. Hartig Electric Company, but which was never secured, or ever produced, therefore no commissions were ever earned by Mortimer.

In addition to the above, John Langley employed the services of the Trotter Detective Bureau, of which Mr. Charles F. Trotter is President, Mr. Trotter has agreed to get Mortimer’s record complete and will furnish it with detailed information from time to time as the same is gotten, and particularly in connection with Mortimer’s employment by the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company, whom Mortimer represented for a number of years prior to his leaving Minneapolis. John Langley’s information has finally reached the point where the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company had to discharge Mortimer, as he was continually in trouble by giving bad checks which the Company had to make good, and even went so far as to collect customer’s accounts, hypothecating such funds for his own use; and in some instances customers were required to pay their accounts twice, and other delinquencies which made it embarrassing to the company.

Mr. Lux and the Trotter Detective Bureau will cooperate in securing and compiling definite information on these transactions and will secure the names of parties who are willing to testify as to their transactions with Mortimer.

I have already supplied you with a copy of the Twin City Reporter dated February 22, 1924, which carried an article in connection with one of Mortimer’s escapades at the Radisson Hotel. The Trotter Agency will interview all creditors listed in bankruptcy schedule for further information, and any others whom he may get a line on and whom he knows. Mr. A. N. Jacobs, Mr. A. S. McDowdall, Jr., Mr. W. O. Hartig, Mr. Nicholas V. Lux, whose addresses are known, have already specified their willingness to testify as to Mortimer’s reputation for truth and veracity and fair dealing, which they have admitted is very bad, and will also testify to the transactions which each have had with Mr. Mortimer, either by deposition or as a witness in Chicago.

Edward C. O’Rear was John W. Langley’s Chief Counsel during trial.

April 24, 1924.
In re: ELIAS H. MORTIMER.
Report of
Principal (S)
In making an investigation in reference to the above party we learn that he was very active in and around Philadelphia during the Summer and Fall of 1923, stopping principally at the Rittenhouse Hotel, Chestnut Street, and is accredited by those with whom he came in contact with as being a bootlegger. He is married, having married Miss Katherine Bulkley Tullidge, but his wife was not with him in Philadelphia at the Hotel, tho she may have been living at the home of her parents Dr. and Mrs. George B. Tullidge, 2226 Delancey Street, Philadelphia.

While at the Rittenhouse Hotel he passed numerous checks principally on the Mt. Vernon Bank in Washington, D. C. a number of which were returned without sufficient funds but were subsequently made good. Upon one occasion, when offering a check, he was asked by the Auditor of the Hotel, Mr. Colgan, to fill out an identification card, but in lieu thereof he handed Colgan a business card representing himself to be Vice-President of the Campbell Corporation, an anthracite coal company doing business at 1027 Real Estate Trust Building. John’s counsel called upon the Campbell Corporation for information but ascertained that Col. Campbell who was most familiar with his transactions was out of the city and a conference was arranged for at 5 P.M. Friday April the 25th. From a subordinate legal team we learned that Mortimer had really never been connected with the Corporation and was now being sued by them in the Municipal Court for a check for $500.00. Thinking that Mortimer had misrepresented his connection by having the cards printed as referred to, we asked how it was, and the information obtained was to the effect that he was allowed to use the cards to give him standing. From another source of information, our legal team has learned that Mortimer was introduced by a friend to Congressman Edmonds of Pennsylvania and by him to someone else and then to a liquor dealer in this city. In a strictly legal proposition about liquor permits, in which it was desirable to expedite matters, the liquor dealers gave Mortimer $2,500.00 for the purpose of using same in Washington. The matter fell through, and Mortimer kept the money. The liquor dealer swore out a warrant for his arrest and Congressman Edmonds saw Mortimer in Washington and forced him to make restitution.

Further investigation revealed the fact that Mortimer was arrested in this City July 30th, 1923, on the charge of surreptitiously removing an automobile from a garage while owing some $300.00. He was locked up in the 5th Police District for several days, finally furnishing bond in the sum of $400.00. He was granted a hearing before Magistrate Chas. P. Rooney, 11th & Sansom Streets, on August the 7th, continued until September the 11th, at which time all damages having been paid the charges were withdrawn. Mortimer is now in Philadelphia under the escort of the Department of Justice men and will have to appear on Friday, April the 25th, before Judge Thompson in the United States Court. The action is for the removal under indictment of two men, one Benner and the other unnamed who are indicted with clients in the Kentucky matter. Benner is represented by McAvoy and Brande, North American Building, and the other by Wm. A. Gray, Heymann Building.

In an interview with Mr. Brand in reference to the matter of the further hearing tomorrow, he stated that both these men deny they are the men mentioned in the indictment and Mortimer is brought here for the purpose of identifying them. It is the expressed purpose of counsel to force testimony in the opening, the same as that presented before the Grand Jury in Kentucky. Knowing that Brenner is in no way connected with the matter, it is confidently expected Mortimer may perjure himself. Counsel considers this hearing of such importance that we shall have a representative present to furnish us with a synopsis of the proceedings which will be promptly forwarded.

Mrs. Mortimer is now suing for divorce, and it is our purpose to interview her as she is reported as being very bitter against her husband owing to his testimony before the investigating committee of the Veterans Bureau, when Mortimer linked her name with that of Forbes. We have also learned that Mortimer gave a check for $75.00 to a woman whom we can locate. This check was dishonored and to sum up our investigation so far, we find: —

1. Several suits pending civilly against Mortimer.
2. He has a police record as given above.
3. He has frequently passed checks.
4. He is under several Federal indictments.
5. He can be prosecuted in Pennsylvania for passing at least three, possibly four bad checks, a separate charge to be made in each case.
   The matter of his arrest here, however, is a matter of judgment for counsel.
   The prosecutors live here and to avoid any danger of the complaints being satisfied, we would have to intimate to the complainants that while no settlements would be allowed they would in the end lose nothing. We would have to be assured of this. We could in following this action have bail fixed according to our judgment and conviction would follow. This would certainly discredit his testimony. After Friday Mortimer will probably leave our jurisdiction in which case should we proceed upon these lines we would have to immediately move for indictments so that extradition would be expedited in case of arrest. In the absence of our client we talked briefly with his secretary, briefly outlining the above and informed him that a copy of this report would be forwarded to Mr.
   Price where he could obtain same to forward to Mr. Langley. We also talked to Mr. Henry E. Davis who informed us that he was leaving for New York City at midnight and would not be in his office on Friday. He was informed that this report as well as other information obtained would be forwarded to his office and that we would await further instructions.

April 25, 1924.
In re: ELIAS H. MORTIMER.
Report of Principal (S)

Further investigation regarding the above party, developed the fact that at one time he made his hangout in the offices of E. J. Gardner in the West End Trust Building and interviewing Mr. Gardner we have been informed that Mortimer is a man devoid of all principle, is considered a rat and under no circumstances would he believe Mortimer under oath. When asked whether or not he would take the stand and testify to the fact he claimed he was perfectly willing to furnish any information possible and would bring his influence to bear upon others to do as we would wish, but he personally would have to remain in the background.

From several other sources of information legal counsel have been told by those in a position to know that the proper query would be as to where Mortimer is getting his money as he is known to owe everybody he can and was broke, but still seems to be able to travel in a rapid manner. It is further said that he was some relative of President Harding and were it not for the President’s demise he probably would still be riding high.

We have been trying to get in touch with Col. Campbell for firsthand information and also with H. Horace Dawson, an attorney 1535 Chestnut Street, who we are informed went on the bail of Mortimer when he was arrested on the automobile case. We shall also endeavor to ascertain the names of some reputable people who will be willing to qualify and testify to the effect that they would not believe Mortimer under oath. This report will be followed by further information.

April 26, 1924.
In re: ELIAS H. MORTIMER.
Report of Principal (S)
Continuing the investigation we have had a long conference with Col. Campbell of the Campbell Corporation and while he is very much down on Mortimer for reasons best known to himself, he would hesitate to appear against him in court. As previously reported Mortimer represented himself as being Vice-President of the Campbell Corporation and while he was in New York his wife called upon Col. Campbell to ascertain her husband’s interest. She was informed that he had no interest and no connection with the Corporation outside of receiving a commission on any sales that he made. Other personal information was furnished and as a result she wrote to Mortimer in New York. This incensed him and he wrote to Col. Campbell accusing him of trying to date his wife and threatening to get him for it. John’s counsel understands these threats to have been made to offset any action by Col. Campbell to recover monies learned. There is no truth in this accusation but there is a feeling of hesitancy upon the part of Campbell to come to the front. He further informed us that upon one occasion Mortimer was cursing and damning about some notes that our client had given him, payable $650.00 a month and had stated that he did not see how he was going to get the money as that sum equaled his salary in Washington.

Upon another occasion a Department of Justice Agent came into the office and demanded Mortimer’s personal file. Unknown to the corporation he did have some of his correspondence in a separate file which consisted of correspondence with the Senate Committee in reference to the Veterans’ Bureau. This leads us to believe that the Department of Justice Agent was seen recently with him in New York City, ostensibly acting as guard. Campbell is willing to help but is unable to furnish us with anything concrete.

John’s legal counsel also has interviewed J. Joseph Frank, druggist at 13th and Girard Avenue, and while Mortimer gave him a bad check for $27.00 and while he has sued civilly, he feels even that action was a mistake, because he knows that Mortimer is a frame and might cause him trouble that would cost more than taking this loss. He however furnished us with information that a young woman had said to him she would like to see Mortimer for she had a pocket full of his bad checks. He could not recall the lady’s name but said she was a friend of a Mr. Dickson, with an insurance business on Walnut Street, and through him we may be able to trace her.

We have also received information that Mortimer was intimate with a woman separated from her husband Bill Homer, the woman now going under the name of Mrs. Forks, now occupying an apartment at 1813 Spruce Street. We shall endeavor to interview her, as she is reported as holding a bad check for $75.00.
We are enclosing a clipping from the Public Evening Ledger under date of April the 25th.

This account is fairly accurate as reported by Principal (R) and the only reference to our client was as stated in the article. We are making an effort to secure a transcript of the evidence for your further information.

At the continued hearing Saturday A. M. L — was held under $5,000.00 bail for appearance in Kentucky and Benner and Slater were held for a further hearing. Further information will follow. The reference in the newspaper article to our client was to the effect that Thomas J. Finn, Columbus, Ohio, admitted giving A. M. L- $30,000.00. He said on the stand he paid the money after a conference in a Louisville Hotel at which John W. Langley, a Kentucky Congressman was present. Langley was indicted in the case.

April 28th, 1924.
In re: ELIAS H. MORTIMER.
Report of Principal (S)
Nothing further can be added to previous reports other than we have been assured by one of our client’s acquaintances in this city that he thought he could produce a man on Thursday who would swear out warrants for Mortimer’s arrest on a charge of passing worthless checks and possibly for forgery, but he was not quite sure as to the latter charge. We will get this warrant if possible and hold same waiting further instructions. Enclosed please find clippings appearing in the Sunday “Philadelphia Inquirer” regarding the court proceedings here. It is a comprehensive statement. Our client in his telegram stated that he had written to us to kindly inform his secretary that we have received no letter and to acquaint his principal of the situation here. John W. Langley has mentioned the fact at this point, that “Elias H. Mortimer” that even in this name carried an alias, one he seemed to have used on the majority of occasions. His real “handle” is said to be Muscovitz.

Katherine Tullidge Mortimer

During the trial period he was separated, but not divorced, from his wife, and this deprived me under the Kentucky statute of the great advantage of making Mrs. Mortimer my witness, which she was most anxious to be. She undoubtedly would have unfolded a tale of the most damaging character. About a year after the trial, I was told she obtained her divorce in either Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. John W. Langley might further explain that trial venue doubtless was hastily switched from Washington to Kentucky, so that Mrs. Mortimer, who would have testified most damagingly against her husband, and Mrs. Langley, whose testimony would have been incalculably valuable to me from her conversance with all the facts, would both be restrained by the Kentucky state law forbidding a married woman to take the witness chair either for or against her husband while they could both so testify in Washington.
All doubts concerning Mrs. Mortimer’s attitude are quickly removed by the exhibits following. On the occasion of my parole from Atlanta in 1926, she addressed to Mrs. Langley the following telegram:

MILFORD, CT.
DEC. 19, 1926.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.’ MY HEART IS TOO FULL TO EXPRESS WORDS. LOVE.
KATHERINE MORTIMER
On another occasion she wrote Mrs. Langley:
52 Broad Street, Milford, Conn.
Dear Mrs. Langley:
It is with the greatest pleasure that John Langley learns of your successful fight to fill the seat left vacant by the terrible and unwarranted persecution of him. The joy of knowing that his constituents still believe and trust in him is shared by us all.
Since our meeting at Covington and the terrible consequences resulting, it has been my daily prayer to see such a man of honor and integrity as Mr. Langley vindicated in the eyes of the world, as your election has done.
My dear child, please know that my heart beats with yours in the hope that he will soon be restored to his loved ones and friends.
Cordially yours,
KATHERINE TULLIDGE MORTIMER
(Originals of both letter and telegram were in John W. Langley’s possession.)

Katherine Tullidge, the daughter of George Bowler Tullidge was highly regarded, well connect Philadelphia physician. George Tullidge
had Warren G Harding’s attention.

Philadelphia Bulletin, March 9, 1925

Returning to Mortimer, it would appear from the records, that he had been an occupant of several witness chairs for nearly all the spare time of his adult career. Independent of his rather ludicrous appearance in John’s own case, Elias Mortimer testified at one time before the Senate Committee investigation of Charles R. Forbes, head of the Veteran’s Bureau. John W Langley had met Charles R. Forbes in Hawaii long before Woodrow Wilson signed the Langley Act.

Charles R. Forbes

–

A Senate investigation in 1924 found that Forbes and his associates stole more than $200 million (nearly $2.8 billion in current dollars) from the bureau. The following year, Forbes was sentenced to two years in prison for fraud, conspiracy and bribery.

Charles Robert “Bob” Forbes, b. 1877, an immigrant seeking his place in the world.
Sarah “Sadie” Mabel Markham, his first wife, m. 1898, later worked as a “forelady” (foreman) in a shoe manufactory.
Two children, Mildred and Russell.
Kate Marcia McGogy Goodwin, his second wife, m. 1909, writer. Daughter Marcia “Awa.”
Katherine Bulkeley Tullidge Mortimer, his third wife, married 1925, former lab technician; later a federal civil servant.

Later Mortimer testified before the Congressional Committee investigating one, Thompson, and another for violation of the Prohibition act. Still later, with his witness chair halo still fresh, he appeared before another Congressional Committee investigating charges of violation of the Prohibition act by Representative Zihlman of Maryland. In this particular case, the amazing Mortimer seems to have utilized the witness chair partly as a confessional, for with the most brazen candor he admitted repeated violations of the Volstead law in several states. However, in the Zihlman case, his traitorous aspirations were foiled, for Zihlman was completely exonerated.

Perhaps one of the most humorous incidents of Mortimer’s checkered career occurred in the Empire Hotel bad check case. When he was arrested in his New York office on this charge he loudly protested: “This will disgrace me, and ruin me in my business.”!! He also told the police that his wife was a niece of President Harding, a story which he had repeated throughout the country. He had continually boasted that he bore a charmed life, and that “my testimony always goes where the most dough is.”

Mortimer’s destructionist complex extended even to mothers-in-law. During a session of one of the Congressional Committees in Washington, the newspapers reported his arrest on a charge of hitting his mother-in-law over the head with a shovel! This complex extended to his favorite recreation of also beating up his wife, to which painful fact that estimable but unfortunate lady will bear witness.
Nothing could seem more significant than the setting of my trial at Covington, 200 miles distant from my home, and in a politically hostile district, despite the motions and protests of my attorneys that I could not get justice there. It was also the amazed belief of all my friends, my attorneys and also many others that I was tried and convicted before a “packed” jury at Covington. It is far from my desire to appear in print with an accusation that those “twelve good men and true” were either “packed” or half-packed. It is indeed quite possible that if I were kicked by a mule, I might possibly think it was a tomcat. But I can truthfully say that the impression made upon the defense and its friends by the jury was one of extreme bias. However, all I want to do is to present five affidavits and these must speak for themselves. And the reader must draw his own conclusions.

Johnny Marcum, a reputable citizen of Louisville, Ky., was, prior to my trial, evidently considered good enough for the job, laboring manfully on the staff of Sawyer Smith, prosecuting attorney in my case.
I never had met Marcum, never heard of him before, did not know him at the trial. The first I had ever heard of him was in 1925, after the trial, and I was at home ill. I got by registered mail from the Notary concerned, his affidavit reproduced herewith. But as it turned out, the name, Johnny Marcum, represented a young Kentuckian with a pretty decent conscience.

Langley did later recall, that during the selection of the jury a young man, (who it later developed was Marcum) was sitting beside Mabel Willebrandt and District Attorney Smith, with a sheet of foolscap before them, which they were continually checking. Of course, at that time Langley had not the faintest idea as to what they were doing, except he was curious as to the incident. But, presto! John Langley was destined to discover less than a year later, the thrilling operation upon which they were engaged, and so that the matter may be perfectly clear, he has photo-engraved the sheet containing a typewritten list of the names of the talesmen, upon which their busy pencils were at work, and it is inserted opposite this page.

It was this same sheet of foolscap with all the check-marks intact, that fortuitously came into John’s for all who care to examine it, along with all the original affidavits he reproduces herein.

MARCUM AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky, Fayette County
The affiant, Johnny Marcum, says that he is 27 years of age, a resident of Louisville, Kentucky, and that for more than sixty days prior to April 15th, 1924, he was on the Prohibition Force working under P. Green Miller, Division Chief of Kentucky and Tennessee: that on or about the 21st day or April 1924 while in the service of the U.S. Government aforesaid he was detailed and directed by P. Green Miller, Division Chief to report to Hon. Sawyer Smith, United States Attorney for the Eastern Federal District of Kentucky, at Covington, Ky. and subject to the orders of the said District Attorney’s Office.

That pursuant to said assignment he did on or about the 21st day of April 1924 report to said District Attorney in his office at Covington, Ky. and there met one Mr. Kennard another enforcement officer under said Miller, Div. Chief, and that said Sawyer Smith, then and there delivered to the said Kennard and affiant a list of names and addresses which he stated a jury would be drawn to try the case of the United States against John W. Langley, et al, and directed the said Kennard and this affiant to take the said list and investigate the men whose names appeared thereon and procure information regarding each man from bankers, ministers, neighbors, members of churches and all and every possible source and report back their findings to the said Smith as to whose who might be lenient or easy jurors or favorable to defendant, Langley, and especially report the names of the men whom they might find by these investigations and inquiries that would convict defendant, John W. Langley—

Affiant further says, that the other defendants who were indicted jointly with the said Langley were not
mentioned, and that those jurors who were Democrats, and what kind of Democrats, active or passive, and if Republicans what kind of Republicans, were to be ascertained and reported and, also if they were hard-jurors and against violation of the Prohibition Laws; that from these instructions and the directions and conversations with him with reference to his said findings he understood that any man or men whose name or names appeared on said list, ft any, whom he could ascertain that would convict the said John W. Langley under said indictment were to be reported and specially designated.

The affiant further states, that on or about May 1st, 1924, he with the said Kennard, was given another list of names by the said District Attorney’s Office, and that the same kind of investigation with reference to the men whose names appeared thereon was to be made respecting the conviction, as he understood it, of the said John as to the violation of the Prohibition Laws Generally.

The affiant further states that he worked with the said Kennard in said investigation, except a few men in Trimble County, and that he made an investigation of these men by himself. That he talked personally with some three of the men whose names appeared on the said lists relative to Prohibition violations.
That after they had made this investigation and reported the politics, kind of jurors and other findings from these investigations, which original list and findings, is here fled and made part hereof, he was present at the selection the jury trial of said Langley, and aided and help said Smith select the same, that his duties in so doing was to see that no man got on the jury whom he had reason to believe would not convict the said John W. Langley under said charge. The affiant further says, that at the time of the selection of said jury to try the said Langley, et al, he noted on the back of said list, which was used by him, the names of the jurors so selected, their politics by letters, D-for Democrat, R-for Republican, and the word “active” where such juror was an active politician to which he refers and makes part of this affidavit.

The affiant further states that he makes this affidavit voluntarily, of his own free will and accord, and that justice may be done the said John W. Langley. That he was directed to keep the said findings secret during the said trial, and did not reveal or inform the said Defendant, Langley, or anyone else of his investigations, until a few days ago-since January 1st, 1925.

Johnny Marcum.
Subscribed and sworn to before me by Johnny Marcum, this January 13, 1925.

My commission expires 8th day of March, 1926.
N. P. HOWARD
Notary Public, Fayette Co., Ky.

As a matter of fact, all the overt acts charged against John W. Langley as set forth in the indictment revolved almost entirely about certain meetings which took place in the Seelbach Hotel at Louisville, Ky., on the 17th, 21st, and 27th, of September, 1921, and at the Phoenix Hotel, Lexington, Ky., September 21st, on which day we had gone over there from the Seelbach for dinner.

As Langley had already intimated, the prosecution alleged in effect that these meetings represented the maturity of the bribe alleged to be inherent in Mortimer’s loans to him and that at such of these meetings at which Sam Collins was present he tried, in vulgar parlance, to “put the screws on him,” to release 1,400 cases of whisky from Bell of Anderson Distillery, by truck, which was to be accomplished by his supplementary order on a permit which had been secured by bootleg interests. Of this original permit it was not contended by even a scintilla of testimony that John Langley knew anything, or that he had the faintest participation in securing it. All that was charged, and what seems to be John’s entire alleged culpability, is that John Langley was to use pressure on Collins to secure his approval of the removal of the liquor by truck.

The testimony of Collins from first to last, as to John’s complicity, is of the vaguest character, although he was eager to set forth that he refused his alleged “pleadings.” Collins never accused John, either by insinuation or innuendo, of the smallest effort to coerce him into a violation of law! In order to completely cover his entire official contacts with Collins, John will tell the detailed story of same from 1916 to 1922 inclusive. In the year first-named, Collins approached Langley seeking the appointment of United States marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky, contingent upon the election of the presidential nominee. He replied that he was willing to do so and so advised him afterwards in writing. However, the nominee Governor Charles E. Hughes was defeated which temporarily prevented any further action. Some two years later, Collins again appealed to John asking if his original promise was good in the event that we elected a Republican president in 1920. Langley’s answer was that he never allowed the statute of limitations to run on his personal promises, and that he would once more back him for the job. The carbon copy of the letter containing that assurance was, to Langley’s regret, stolen from his files.

Let us return to the subject of the marshalship by recounting John’s close acquaintance with Senator Harding as well as Harry Daugherty, his campaign manager, so that John may explain why the marshalship did not pass to Collins. As a matter of fact, the half-brother of the man who finally got the job was a life-long friend of John, and knowing his personal relations with Harding and Dougherty had asked him in Chicago to give him a personal note of introduction to both of these gentlemen. This John did, and in perfect good faith, saw them both, unaware that he had already promised the place to Collins, but got a promise for his half-brother Roy Williams. John W Langley should add that this individual who secured the promise was a district delegate to the convention and turned out to be the “original Harding man” of the Kentucky delegation, and this promise compelled John to accept for Collins the post of Prohibition Director for Kentucky.

US Attorney General, appointed under Harding Administration, March 4, 1921 to April 6, 1924.

HARRY DAUGHTERY

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Harry Daugherty, a political operative who was appointed attorney general after engineering Harding’s presidential nomination, stood trial twice for conspiracy of selling illegal permits and pardons but was never convicted. Daugherty’s private secretary, Jess Smith, committed suicide in May 1923, a day after Harding informed him of his pending arrest for corruption in a White House meeting.

Here John Langley was a little ahead of his story. On a visit made to President Harding on May 28, 1921, Langley urged Collins’ appointment as marshal. The President’s reply was that there existed a tentative arrangement to give the Marshalship to another, adding, that the only man who might be able to change the post to Collins was Col. Hert, and he suggested that John go and see him. This he did, repeating the President’s words. It was then that Col. Hert suggested that it might be arranged to confer upon Collins the post of Prohibition Director in lieu of the Marshalship. John replied that he would have to wire Collins to see if that would be satisfactory to him, which John immediately did. Collins notified him that this job would be entirely satisfactory to him but added that he did not want John embarrassed in any way, since he had been the best friend he ever had in the whole Kentucky crowd.

Sam Collins was appointed to the position on June 18, 1921.
These facts confirm John’s testimony that no one whatsoever had suggested to John or influenced this appointment in any way. And in view of the above facts the most ludicrous part of the lying testimony of Mortimer, was that in which he said, that he was generally familiar with the incidents antedating Collins’ appointment, and it was made with his cooperation and in collusion with him for ulterior purposes.
John never even saw Mortimer after Hert made the suggestion of the Prohibition Director switch, until Collins was actually appointed, assumed office and came to Washington for instructions.

It is well worthy of mention here that in the last personal conversation, John Langley had with Collins after the alleged quarrel with him at Lexington, John told him that as soon as he reached Washington he would see Col. Haynes and see if he could get him to agree to Collins’ request that he combine the office of legal adviser with the assistant Prohibition Directorship and make the salary $4,000.00 which would justify Judge B. J. Bethurum, Tax Commissioner of Kentucky, in resigning the position of Circuit Judge and taking this place. It will be noted in Judge Bethurum’s letter, reproduced elsewhere, that he says he met Collins on Sunday morning in Lexington and Collins said, “Judge, where have you been? John W Langley looked all over Lexington last night to show you a telegram from him to the effect that it had been arranged for you to be assistant Prohibition Director at a salary of $4,000.00.” Judge Bethurum replied, that he had a similar telegram from me which he had just received,” Bethurum then expressed his wonder that John Langley would be doing so much for him outside the district. Collins replied that Langley was doing it in part for him, but that they had a suspicion that John was going to run for the Senate next time.

Collins testified that he did not remember a single thing as to any exchange of wires with John about his appointment. Let us examine the facts. When Collins reached Washington, Col. Haynes had left his office for the day, but early next morning he went up and discussed the matter with him, and he expressed himself favorably towards Collins’ proposition. Then he said for me to get a wire from Collins indicating his approval of the proposition. I said, “Shall he send this wire to you or to me? and he said, “let him send it to you and you bring it up here to me.” Langley immediately sent Collins an elaborate wire telling him of the arrangement and of Col. Haynes suggestion that he, (Collins) send the wire direct to John Langley and John would bring it up to him. John W Langley got the wire from Collins next morning, embodying what Col. Haynes had suggested that he say to me. He took Collins’ wire to Col. Haynes, who called in his assistant, Mr. Jones, and told him to make out the order for the appointment of Bethurum. Could anyone believe that after all these circumstances, Collins could not remember anything whatsoever concerning them?

Recently John got a certified copy of this telegram from Collins, but it disappeared from his files, and he was convinced that along with many other missing papers it was stolen. After some correspondence with the new Prohibition Commissioner, John finally succeeded in getting a new certified copy of the Collins telegram, and here it is:

HOUSE CORRIDOR CAPITOL BDG.
PHONE M-3120 BRANCH 251
RECEIVED AT
49 W MY 33 1 EX GOVT
LEXINGTON KY 1024A OCT 3 1921
CONFIDENTIAL
JOHN W. LANGLEY
M C WASHINGTON, D. C.
RE TELEGRAM OCTOBER FIRST AGREEABLE WITH ME TO ABOLISH LEGAL ADVISOR AND APPOINT JUDGE BETHURUM AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WITH ADDED DUTIES AS SUGGESTED AT A SALARY OF FOUR THOUSAND EFFECTIVE OCTOBER FOURTH.
SAM COLLINS / DIRECTOR
1207 Р
Any reader of this book must realize that when Collins showed such a woeful and mysterious failure of memory on the witness stand concerning the wires exchanged, he was, in view of the proofs here presented, either seeking to evade the facts or swearing to a deliberate falsehood. Indeed, Langley never ceased suspecting during the trial, that there was a “nigger in the wood pile” somewhere.

As a matter of fact, John Langley’s private files extending from 1920 to the end of 1922 are filled with telegrams and letters exchanged with Collins exhibiting the greatest friendliness and cooperation on his part despite the fact that Collins was supposed, according to Sawyer Smiths’ declaration, to have had his sense of rectitude mortally shattered at the “conference” at the Phoenix Hotel in September 27, 1921, by John’s alleged threats and coercions. But, contradicting this gratuitous assertion there does not appear in either Collin’s wires or letters before or after this date, a single shadow of spite or resentment. A little way back I have quoted the October 3d 1921 telegram from him, together with extracts from several of his letters of late autumn 1921 and spring of 1922, displaying the most amicable attitude.

In addition to the telegram already quoted, Collins, on November 3, 1921, only a little over a month after the alleged quarrel at which Sawyer Smith stated, that “Sam cried like a baby,” he addressed a very cordial letter to Mrs. Langley at Republican Headquarters in Louisville, dealing with certain official matters. Again, on March 20, 1922, writing on Treasury Department stationery from Lexington, Ky., he wrote John a letter which opened with the familiar greeting; “Dear Mr. Langley.” Once more on April 9, 1922, from Lexington he sent another cordial letter beginning with the salutation, “Dear Langley” begging him to keep his communication “absolutely confidential. This correspondence certainly does not look like that of a man harboring either a grudge or a resentment. Only a short time after this last letter, on learning that a movement was afoot to nominate another man in his place, Collins voluntarily undertook to scrutinize and combat this propaganda, keeping John advised of his operations. He eventually notified Langley that the insurrection had come to naught.

As John Langley has already said, perhaps the bitterest of all the bitter blows he received at his trial was the appearance against him as a government witness, of this same man Collins, the man he had known for half a lifetime as a supposed friend. Collins was assuredly the last man with whom John would have connected the act of a Judas. Sam Collins knew then and knows now, that John Langley was entirely innocent of any conspiracy, or of any attempts to coerce him. Yet, tied to John by an ancient friendship, and what should have been an eternal gratitude for many benefactions, and knowing well the nature of the words he spoke in the witness chair he was pretending to forget facts that must have been indelibly imprinted upon his memory. His offense against John was the ancient one of suppressio veri. John leaves it all to Collins’ conscience, that can never give him any peace so long as he lives.

It is only proper to add, however, that Sam Collins was not always unwilling to extend gratuitous favors. In a letter to John, about 1921, Sam offered to bring to John at Whitesburg a quart of fine old whisky, and he made the proviso in his letter that, should John not be there, he would leave the booze in care of Judge Moore, then police magistrate of Jenkins in the same county.

Apparently resolved to permit no limits on his generosity, and still prior to his appointment as Prohibition Director, he wrote John again expressing keen regret that John had not taken up the whisky. And assuming John would attend the meeting of the Republican State Central Committee at Louisville, he would be sure to have what he always called in his correspondence, “IT” for John W. Langley!
This writer has often wondered whether the wisecrackers of 1928 didn’t steal from good old whisky-gifting Sam, the famous term, “IT,” concerning the quality which the famous movie actress Clara Bow is supposed to possess!

So that the reader may be certain about old Sam’s generosity, John shall first reproduce part of one of his “whisky” letters and another in its entirety. (Originals in John W Langley’s possession) :

REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
LOUISVILLE, KY.
February 23, 1921
Dear Friend Langley:
I (Sam) was very sorry that you and Mrs. Langley could not attend the Lincoln Banquet, but of course I (Sam) know that it was impossible for you (John) to be there. You (John) had the “message” to deliver, but since you were not there you (John) were holding same, as I feel sure that it will keep, however it may not age very much in glass).
SAM COLLINS.

HOTEL DANIEL BOONE
Whitesburg, Kentucky.
Jan. 24th, 1921.
Dear Friend Langley:
Your letter which was addressed to me (Sam) at Frankfort stayed there several days and has just reached me. I (Sam) was indeed glad to get the copies of all the letters, but I (Sam) am sorry you are having so much to contend with. I (Sam) know it is enough to run a man almost crazy, but I (Sam) hope everything will work out O. K. and that in the future I (Sam) will be able to repay you for all this untiring effort on your part to try to help me land this job.

Before I (Sam) received your last letter, I (Sam) had made arrangements with Charlie Harris who lives in the head of Ky. River about two miles from Jenkin’s to get a G- of good and keep it at his house until you call for it. He is willing for you to send Oscar Blunis of Jenkins for it. Oscar knows this man and will go any time you to send note or call on him. I was only telling John Langley this in case you should ever run up home and not be able to get in touch with me. Of course, when I (Sam) got Consolidated Coal at Jenkins, I thought John would be glad to have some way out in case you could not find me. If John should come to the Lincoln-Banquet at Louisville, I could bring you some there. Let me know just when you think you can be in Ky. and I will arrange to get it to you some place. Nothing interesting in Political lines at the present. Best wishes to you and Mrs. Langley, I beg to remain, your friend,
SAM COLLINS.

As the Volstead act was then in force Collins could no longer have been under the tutelage of his Honor John Langley. In fact, John neither wanted nor did he accept Sam’s liquor despite of all his pleadings and would have refused it had he brought it personally to him. It appears from certain data in John’s possession that Sam Collins was full of concealed animosity toward him.
John’s explanation that the job Collins refers to at the end of first paragraph was that of Marshal, a position which John tried hard to secure for him, but which went to another.

The late Felix G. Fields, of Whitesburg, Ky., wrote John a long letter, supplementary to many personal reports. Langley quotes from his dead friend’s communication: “I saw both Kinnaird and Marcum about the investigations of the jurymen, which Kinnaird admitted making, but would not disclose methods. He went direct to Sawyer Smith and told him that I had asked him about it and also told Marcum about my asking him. Smith told him not to talk about the subject and to caution Marcum. I was told the investigators had inquired from neighbors and acquaintances of the jurors and were finding out the leanings of the jurors and whether or not they were ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ and what they thought of the Prohibition act and enforcement!

“Fields was with Collins and Langley part of the time on September 27, 1921, a day on which Collins swore he never saw John, and during their talk John said to Collins: “Sam, I do not want you to do anything contrary to law, or your instructions or your own judgment!” After I left Collins and Fields together on this occasion Collins’ remarks to Fields confirmed all John stated elsewhere relating to his request to me to get the posts of Assistant Prohibition Director and Legal Adviser combined so he could give Judge Bethurum more salary, and that Bethurum had decided not to resign as Circuit Judge, unless he could get more than $3,000.00, also that Collins told Fields he had a wire from me at Washington, stating the arrangement. This was October 4, 1921, seven days after the alleged quarrel between Collins and me!”

Fields told John that Mortimer had promised him help in Letcher Co. for both himself and Collins, and that Collins knew it and was anxious about such assistance. Collins repeated to Fields that he “knew nothing against me”— making this assertion not only to Fields but to Mrs. Langley, Judge Price and others.

Fields said to John again and again, that while he was in the Assistant Prohibition Directorship under Collins, Sam “treated me like a dog.” Meeting Fields one day on the way to my train, he volunteered to give me upon my return a written statement covering all I have quoted above, and much more. But, unfortunately, before my return he had suddenly died.

Referring to Mortimer’s offer of assistance to Fields, it was the prosecution’s emphatic contention that it would be perfectly absurd to suppose that Mortimer could have any earthly interest in Kentucky local politics. Yet on page 219 of the Transcript of Record, we find Collins testifying, under direct examination by Sawyer Smith as follows: Q. Tell what occurred there between you and when Mortimer came alone to Collin’s office? A: He Said that he was going to, or willing, to contribute to the campaign fund.

John also quoted from Felix G. Fields’ testimony from pages 376-377 Transcript of Records : A I reminded Mr. Langley that Mortimer had talked to me extensively about the political situation in Kentucky. He said he was a representative of some big interest in the south, had plenty of money to help me in a financial way in any campaign going on in my neighborhood.

Elias H. Mortimer

It is proper that John should clarify matters at this stage by explaining that during his entire period as Congressman, he was in desperate financial straits, due to pressing past obligations, the heavy expense of his election campaigns, and the frightful burden of maintaining a proper social status at Washington. John owed large sums of money and was frank in stating that he did not know what he could have done had Mortimer not offered him the loans at the time described. After all, it was not so strange that despite all his efforts to take up the notes, a repayment of $2,800.00 on same was all John was ever able to accomplish, except the money amounting to about $3,000.00 which he gave John for campaign purposes, not for John but to help friends of his to whom he had made promises.

This John did with the understanding that they were to settle up when they got back to Washington, and that John was to pay Mortimer in cash whatever balance was due him. John refers to the notes of hand a little farther on.

It is indeed significant that there is not one word of direct testimony from which the most attentive reader could infer that John, at any time in any place, or by any expression, gave any hint that John was endeavoring to full fill the alleged purpose of the alleged bribe paid John by Mortimer in the form and substance by these of hand.

Despite the tragic environment, John could not repress a feeling of amusement as he heard the prosecution charge that he had banked “in time” $115,000.00 in Washington. John might mention that the prosecution had present in the courtroom the representative of seven or eight different banks to every one of which he was indebted, in Pikeville as well as in Washington!

By Sawyer Smith, prosecuting attorney:
“We will show you that Langley had plenty of money; that he got $7,500.00 as a congressman. We will show you that in time he put in the bank on that salary of $7,500.00, $115,000.00. We will show you that by the bank records, either in his name or his wife’s name. Then we will tell you how he told those fellows down at the Seelbach he needed some money.”

The Court excluded this statement from the record, and well might the court do so, since its implications were so preposterously false. It was lucky for the “accountants,” whom Sawyer Smith professed to have, that they were not permitted to testify to the despicable, innuendo contained in the charge which no doubt had its intended effect on the jury.

Why might John have had $5,000,000.00 as credibly “in the bank” during the “time” referred to? What the prosecution failed to mention, and what happens to numberless men overwhelmed with pressing debts as John was, is this: They deposit money in a bank for safekeeping and to be able to pay it by check, the money may not remain in a bank over 24 hours! Thus, it was in John’s case. Bank records will show that John was forced to check out my deposits for obligations almost as soon as they were made. During all his years of service at Washington, I do not now recall that I was able to maintain, longer than a single week, a balance in any bank exceeding $500.00. So that was the horrifying “mare’s nest” the “able”
Sawyer Smith discovered!

John had many more things to charge against Sawyer Smith than mare’s nests. He charged him with being a party to “packing” the jury at Covington against him. He charged Smith, among many other false statements, that Sam Collins would testify that he and John had had such a violent quarrel at Lexington that Sam broke into tears and left the room. The testimony will show that Sam Collins did not so swear even by insinuation. John ridiculed his statement to the jury that he would prove that Collins, his wife, his brother Ernest and his wife were Mortimer’s guests at the prize fight in Jersey City, in 1921. John pointed out to the jury that he would bring out certain evidence, never thereafter presented. John called “reckless” Smith’s statement to the jury that he would prove that he had no business in Kentucky at the time of the conferences except “helping these fellows.” This was the beginning of a new administration, and John was there frequently on urgent official business and the hotel meetings forced upon him, were simply an incident of his trips.

John also knew it was common talk that he and Ernst, aided by Mrs. Mable Willebrandt, deliberately shifted his trial venue to Covington to perfect the certainty of his conviction. John had offered to be tried at any one of five courts near his home, but Justice Department refused this request, making the following statement: “You may as well try John W Langley at Pikeville as one of these places, and of course you could not convict me.” He knew how well known and respected he was at those places.

MABEL WALKER WILLEBRANT

Willebrant was appointed as Assistant United States Attorney General fro the Justice Department by Harry Daughtery. John W Langley dreaded looking into the eyes of Mabel.

John had often wondered whether Sawyer Smith’s virulent attitude was not caused by the fact that in 1921 he had besought to aid him in securing the position of U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Kentucky. John might explain that it was impossible for him to do this, as he could distribute only one leading appointment in his district, and he had continually promised the marshalship to Sam Collins from the year 1916 until June 1921 when he was finally given the Prohibition Director’s Post.

Sawyer Smith’s hatred towards John is well illustrated by the following authentic report. A few days after my trial Smith was up at Lexington, Ky., strutting around with an exultant air over having secured my conviction. He remarked to a group about him that this victory would elect him Governor of Kentucky. Someone interjected: “John wonders how and where you expect to get your votes? You can’t get them from the mountains where John Langley was born and reared and where everyone has known him from his cradle up as an honorable upright citizen! ” All those present gave unmistakable evidence of their approval of this statement.

THOSE “CONFERENCES”
There was a mass of confused and contradictory testimony by Mortimer as to the famous hotel “conferences” at Louisville and Lexington. In one instance where the conversation related to the trucking permit between Mortimer and Collins, Mortimer swore that John was present, but Collins gives him the lie by swearing that John was not. Mortimer swore that a few days later he asked me to go to Lexington to see Collins again about the trucking permit, and that we went and discussed it with Collins.

To give a specific idea of the character of this descendant of Ananias, occupying the witness chair, please note the following extract from the Transcript of Record:
Q. (By defense attorney) John will ask you if you stated before that time, under oath, that “we had Collins in Kentucky, had McKean in Pennsylvania, had Budnitz in Maryland, those are the three key states.” Did you make this statement?
A. I think so.

Mortimer’s testimony is so studded with contradictions, evasions and reckless or deliberate lies throughout, that it would take twenty pages of this book to quote and expose them. However, I shall find room for a few samples. My eye first catches pages 295-296 of the Transcript of Record. The arch-fabricator is under cross-examination by one of the attorneys:

Q. I ask you, Mr. Mortimer, if you had any unlawful transactions with the withdrawal of whisky from the Edward Robinson Drug Co. of Baltimore and if you ever received any money from Mr. Robinson in connection with that illegal liquor transaction?
A. Yes, I got $7,000.00.
Q. How was the thing done?
A. I was just to collect the money.
Q. What did you give the money for-for the purpose of bribery?
A. Absolutely.
Q. You mean that?
A. Yes, absolutely.
A little farther down on page 296:
Q. Mr. Mortimer, is there any indictment pending against you now in any part of the United States?
A. Yes, sir, Southern District of New York.
Q. Are there any other indictments pending against you in any other part of the United States?
A. There are none.

As a comment on this astounding statement, the reader is referred to the compendium of indictments against Mortimer and to the Detective Agency’s reports on preceding pages.
Let one significant truth be credited to this paragon of mendacity. John set forth clearly herein, that Mortimer had no knowledge even of the existence of Sam Collins before he was appointed Prohibition Director of Kentucky, and his contention is supported by Collins himself, who testified in the following words: “John didn’t recall having seen Mr. Mortimer before he was appointed.” Nevertheless, the record tells a different story.
Q. Mr. Mortimer, can you fix the time when you made some arrangement with Mr. Langley concerning the appointment of Mr. Collins?
A. I was down in Mr. Langley’s office very nearly every day.
Q. Please try to fix the time.
A. I cannot give a definite date. I was down there nearly every day, and we talked the matter over.
THE COURT: Had Collins ever agreed with you that he would do anything?
A. Absolutely not, no.
Here John recalls that, sometime during the winter of 1921-2, (the exact date he could not recall) a distinguished Kentuckian came to Washington and told him that Mortimer had been instrumental in securing whisky from the Belle of Anderson Distillery through forged or expired permits. John told Mortimer on his return to Washington, that the report had distressed him because he had introduced him down there as a gentleman and was very sorry to hear this. He said that a lot of d–d Jews had pulled off something crooked down there in Kentucky, and that only a few days ago he met one of them on the streets in Philadelphia and, was told about it. He added that Mortimer’s share of the profits was in some bank, the name of which John cannot recall, and Mortimer could go and get it if he wanted it. Mortimer told John that he said in reply to this offer that he did not want the money, he did not propose to be mixed up in any such affairs as that! One of John’s attorneys, Judge Davis, told John some months afterwards that he made a great mistake in not telling him and his associates about it, so that at the trial, he could have interrogated one of them concerning it. John replied to Judge Davis that he had been so distressed over the perjury at the trial that he forgot all about the other incident.

With regard to loans from Mortimer, John wished once and for all to make the following statement of fact:
One of the notes, for $1,200.00, John paid in full, together with protest fees, to a Mr. McDonald, then in Washington, but said to be a native of the coast, who advised that he had bought that note and another for $2,500.00 from Mortimer. John told him that his understanding had been that the $2,500.00 note was to be renewed, but as he was a disinterested party on that point, he said, and needed the money, he would have to insist on payment. John asked him to wait a day or two and he would see what he could do. In two- or three-days John was able to borrow some money by hypothecating one of his life insurance policies with a Washington bank and he thereupon paid McDonald $1,000.00 on the second note, telling him he would pay the balance as soon as he could raise it. He later put an additional mortgage on his home and paid $600.00 more on the note.

That was the last John Langley heard of McDonald, except learning in a roundabout way that McDonald was a fellow of the same stripe as Mortimer but could not prove it.
Mortimer wrote John he had sold these notes and could not renew them. Having sworn he had sold them, he, on cross-examination admitted he had not sold them but was simply employing McDonald to collect them.

Should not this heroic effort, in John’s almost impoverished condition to clear off the notes due Mortimer, be a sufficient and crushing proof in the eyes of any fair-minded man, that his dealings with Mortimer were legal and righteous?
Let John emphasize-for it is the very core of his vindication-that all the much-stressed hotel “conferences” were wholly and solely to discover from Collins if removal by TRUCK of any lots of whisky was permissible at that time under the rules and regulations of the Volstead act. Moreover, as appears in the testimony, it was several months before John saw Sam Collins again, following the final “conference” at Phoenix Hotel, Lexington, on September 28, 1921.

It was after this final meeting in the Phoenix, however, that Mortimer sought out Collins and, as revealed in the testimony, personally tried to bribe him to release the whisky by TRUCK. That attempt is understood to have failed. In this connection, let John quote from the Brief for Plaintiff in Error, prepared by his distinguished counsel, Hon. Henry E. Davis:

It results, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that Langley never had any relation whatever to the conspiracy charged by the indictment, and that that conspiracy was new and original with the abandonment of effort to influence Collins. What a flood of light might have been thrown upon this by Eichenberg who, although omitted from the indictment, was not put upon the witness stand! It is not clear as fact can make it that John, indeed, had “no relations whatever to the conspiracy charge” and whatever relations existed between Collins and Mortimer or between either and anyone else named in the indictment PRECEDED THE CONSPIRACY THEREBY CHARGED! My own efforts were confined entirely to the endeavor to ascertain the general attitude of Collins towards TRUCK shipments, even though this endeavor arose at the more or less and totally unsuspected instance of Mortimer, with his possible or probable personal interest in the matter. And whatever exertions John made in his behalf were frustrated at the outset by the positive stand of Collins, which abruptly and finally eliminated him from further consideration!
John was very anxious to reproduce here part of a letter, original in his possession, signed by one of the most eminent citizens of Kentucky. It is at his request that he omit his signature. Let John add that the writer told him he is willing to furnish many other damning details, if the occasion should ever arise for them:

••• Immediately after that Grand Jury investigation in Washington City, in which some reflection was attempted to be made upon you, Senator Ernst hurriedly left Washington and came to Covington for conference with Sawyer Smith and returned to Washington taking said Smith with him, and while there, Smith laid the groundwork for your prosecution at Covington. Now, you can with safety, charge Ernst with being at the bottom of the whole diabolical scheme to overthrow your power at Washington by using discredited and disreputable crooks as witnesses.

One of the reasons why John quotes from this letter is that he wants to describe the part which ex-Senator Richard P. Ernst of Covington has played in his case. Ernst and John have never been special friends. Ernst was a candidate for the Republican National Committeeman in 1908; three Kentucky Republicans, one of whom is dead and the other two who are still living, were so bitter against him that they told John that if he did not use the power he had to help defeat him for that place, they would oppose me him reelection to Congress, even though John was the Republican nominee. This meant much to him in view of the fact that John’s district was so heavily Democratic, that John could hardly hope to win with these three powerful Republicans against him. John did defeat him, using all honorable means to do it. That is the only wrong John ever did Senator Ernst. Ernst did not speak to John for six years after that. In 1914 when John was in Ashland, Kentucky, and Ernst was a candidate opposing ex-Governor Willson for the Republican nomination for U. S. Senator, he came up to John and shook hands at a Republican conference there. John then said to him, if he would forget about what he did six years before, and call it all square, he would support him for the nomination. He laughingly and heartily assented. John did support him, but he was defeated. Although Ernst was then and still is a multi-millionaire, he contributed to the campaign fund the sum of only $50.00. He took hay fever and went west where he remained until after the election. He has never been John’s friend since. When he realized that Mrs. Langley could testify in Washington, but not in Kentucky, he used every desperate means to shift the venue to the latter place. That was why he came to Covington and conveyed Sawyer Smith back to Washington, and following that, hastily drew a new indictment in Covington where they felt they could erect a nice comfortable gibbet for John and remove him forever from their path.

After using all his machinations against John, Ernst did some things which John or any other honorable man would have scorned. In 1920 he was nominated by the Republicans and elected U. S. Senator. Mrs. Langley and John both did everything in their power for him in that campaign. In 1926 he was renominated for the Senate. There were hundreds of men in the district who were declaring that they would not support him because of his treatment of John.

Langley sat in prison at nights working sometimes into the morning hours, writing letters to these anti-Ernst republicans, they having sent a list to him from the 10th District, and outside counties. Many of them replied that, although they detested Ernst, they would support him on his account, while others said they would do any other favor for John in the world, except vote for Ernst. John asked them to support him because we needed two republicans from Kentucky, in the senate.

John was due to be paroled in September. John had since learned from Mrs. Langley herself, that Ernst came to her and finally persuaded her to agree to let him remain in prison until after the election, for fear his release before then might defeat him for the Senate. As a matter of fact, John’s release, with Ernst taking the credit for it, might have assured his election. Be that as it may, he utterly failed and refused to take any steps in John’s behalf. When Ernst was telephoned in Washington by a certain congressman that a delegation was to see the Attorney General about John’s parole, and asked him to go along, he exclaimed: “I’ll be damned if I do!” I firmly believe that Ernst’s refusal led to an additional three or four months of incarceration at Atlanta for John Langley.

Perhaps the good old senator’s unfriendly acts might be partly explained by the fact that John went to the president in 1923, over Ernst’s head, and got the approval of an order for the Government Hospital at Pikeville, because John remembers that only a few days thereafter Ernst said to him: “There is one thing about it, I am in the senate for two years yet, and I am reminded, that John now has been out over two years and the name of Langley is still on the Congressional roll.

John had already revealed the character of Mortimer (originally Muscovitz) forger, passer of worthless checks, trickster, wife beater, professional informer, chronic “immunity” witness and inveterate criminal.
It is, whether right or wrong, a rule of Federal procedure that no matter whether a witness be “saint or sinner” he may still be heard, and his credibility left to the determination of a jury. So, Elias H. Mortimer sat in the witness chair and full rein was given to his lying proclivities.

In John’s trial, either one of two things happened. The jury was an impartial one and believed him, or the jury was prejudiced, “packed” panel as the foregoing affidavits would tend to show, didn’t believe him, and would have convicted him anyway.

There is no escape from the horns of this dilemma. Under either set of circumstances the spectacle was a sad one. For John, it was a situation full of inexpressible helplessness and tragedy.

John now presents his own and P. W. Day’s affidavits, which speak for themselves:
State of Kentucky
County of Pike
John W. Langley of Pikeville, Pike County, Ay., being duly sworn deposes and says that some time ago he was told by a prominent lawyer and citizen of Eastern Kentucky, whose name he is not for the moment at liberty to give, that Sawyer A. Smith, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, approached him and said, calling his first name:
“I did not think you ought to be saying the mean things I have heard of you saying about me. We ought to be friends.”
To this the man replied: “I am your friend.” Smith replied: “I know what is the trouble with you. You do not like the way I prosecuted John Langley.” To this the man replied: “No, I do not think you did right in sending out men to find out how the men whose names were on the jury list to see whether these men were for or against Langley.” To this Smith replied: “I have a right when I am prosecuting a man to find out that the men who are against him before I allow them to go on the jury.” To this the man replied: “A man who would thus try to set up a jury who is to try a man charged with a felony is nothing but a common criminal and if you did that you ought to be sent to the Federal penitentiary yourself for the balance of your life.” I met this same man at the Kentucky Capitol building on June 25, 1929, and we both witnessed together the taking of the oath of Jas. A. Scott as State Highway Commissioner. Mr. P. W. Day of Pikeville, Ky., came up at the moment and John said, “Pete, I wish you would listen to what this man is going to tell me.” The man repeated almost word for word the conversation above set out. He then said: “I have reasons for preferring that my name be not used just now in this matter, but I authorize John to state it in his book and dare Smith to deny it. If he does you may say that I will come out in an affidavit and tell the facts as I have stated them to you here.”
JNO. W. LANGLEY
Subscribed and sworn to before me by John. W. Langley, this the 2nd day of July 1929.
Earl Scott, Clerk
Pike Circuit Court
By E. B. Blackburn, D. C.

Samuel Collins born in Letcher County, Kentucky, on October 9, 1880. He died August 28, 1962, of Prostate Cancer. Sam Collins was married to Jessie Stamper Collins born in Howard County, Texas, December 15, 1897, and died Oct 25, 1985, in Whitesburg. In 1910 Samuel Collins was shown live with IB Fields as boarder, working as Deputy Collector under Commissioner S.E. Baker. He was appointed Postmaster in Whitesburg May 25, 1903.

Sam Collins Obituary

May 12, 1924: Rep. John W. Langley (R-Ky.) is found guilty of liquor trafficking conspiracy by a federal jury. The next day he’s sentenced to two years in prison for the scheme linked to a corrupt Harding appointee. He refuses to resign and will run for re-election as he appeals.

Letter from Thomas S. Haymond

ELK HORN COAL CORPORATION
Incorporated
Elk Horn Coking, By-Product, Gas, Steam & Domestic
Thomas S. Haymond, General Manager
Fleming, Ky.
August 31st, 1924.

Hon. C. Bascom Slemp, Secretary to the President, White House, Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Slemp:
I desire to take this occasion to advise you of the general conditions, the temper of the people and the stand they have taken on the question of Honorable John W. Langley.

Irrespective of party affiliations practically every man stands back of Mr. Langley. The Primary Election wherein he beat Mr. Duff for the nomination on the basis of more than twelve to one is enough to show what they think of Mr. Langley, his past, and they are satisfied to let him continue in Congress as their representative.
This is not only so of the Republican Party but extends into the rank and file of the Democratic Party. These people in the Tenth District watched the trial of Mr. Langley; read the evidence in the paper, talked to people who were there and they will not be convinced that the evidence of Mortimer given under the circumstances, really in self-defense, is to be compared with the evidence or word of John W. Langley. In other words our people do not believe that John Langley is guilty of the crime he was convicted of; that it is a frame up and that Mortimer, to save himself from prison, was trying to sacrifice the honor of Mr. Langley.

Personally, from here say and general information gathered before this matter connecting Mr. Langley to it came up, I learned from men high in the council of the Republican Party that they were not satisfied with Sam Collins as Enforcement Officer; why they were not I do not know nor can I imagine, because Collins, in his official capacity in office or out, has always been an honorable straight-forward gentleman and is held in the highest esteem by his friends. In summing up, the evidence has not been considered in any way, shape or form; therefore, as stated above, you will find the people of the Tenth District have come to the conclusion that Mr. Langley’s evidence in his behalf was not considered and the only evidence considered was that of Mortimer, and that he was convicted upon his evidence, which is wrong, and they do not believe that he is guilty. Langley is progressive, has worked hard for the Tenth District and Kentucky; he is satisfactory to the business interests of the district and particularly so to the coal industry, which is by far the largest industry in the district.
I therefore give you this information, hoping that you may act upon same in such a way that it will be a help to Mr. Langley and that he be relieved of this strain put upon him by some faction for some reason to his detriment as well as to the citizenship of the Tenth Congressional District of Kentucky, and that you may, and will, use every honorable means to assist Mr. Langley in clearing his good name as we really believe he has and will be.

With kindest personal regards, I am,
Yours very truly,
THOS. S. HAYMOND,
H/b General Manager.

Pictured above is Campbell Bascom Slemp being sworn in as Secretary to the president Calvin Coolidge. President Calvin Coolidge appointed Slemp as his secretary on August 14, 1923. Slemp served as Secretary under Calvin Coolidge September 4, 1923, until March 4, 1925

C.B. Slemp knew the negative impacts that John W. Langley could deliver with his Progressive Republican ideals, his impact would not set very well the Conservative Democrats running the large a corporation and being a Conservative Republican from Virginia’s 9th District and Kentucky Corporate investments, and then a sitting U.S. Congressman. John Langley had a strong bond with the common man that fueled the labor force in Eastern Kentucky. The bottom-line was that John W Langley would cut into corporate profits with his Progressive thoughts.

Just a short time before John Langley was found guilty, he had his photo taken in front of the Historical Garfield House in today’s City Park. The famous Garfield House was to be destroyed by city ordinance in 1926 while John Langley was serving a prison sentence. Pike County News ran an article April 30, 1926.

During John W. Langley’s Court of Appeals Hearings Process, the Honorable Edward O’Rear never took the chair representing John during the Appeal Hearing because of sever illness had overcome him, other junior partners in Edward O’Rears firm represented him. In November, 1925, the Court of Appeals at Cincinnati, affirmed John’s conviction in trial. again John’s attorney’s made a motion for rehearing by that Court Body, but denied on January 11, 1925.

News Press release January 11, 1926

John W. Langley resigned on January 11, 1926, after being convicted of illegally selling alcohol. Langley had deposited $115,000 in his bank account over a three-year period despite earning only $7,500 a year as a congressman. He had arranged for “medicinal” alcohol to be released to New York-based bootleggers during prohibition. He also tried to bribe a prohibition officer.

His wife Katherine, then ran for his seat and won in the next election, declaring that her husband had been the victim of a conspiracy and resolved to clear his name. She also won the next election. Langley was paroled from the Atlanta Penitentiary in 1929, and with Katherine’s intervention, President Calvin Coolidge granted John Langley a pardon on December 20, 1928. He sent out a Christmas message to his wife’s constituents and a week later declared his intention to run for office (even though the President had stipulated his clemency was predicated on never running for office again).

He self-published a book They Tried to Crucify Me (1929) hoping to gain back his political clout. He resumed the practice of law in Pikeville, Kentucky, where he remained in good favor with his former constituents. Polly V. Hall, a Republican who was 98 years old in 1987 when she was interviewed, could remember his name (though not his wife’s), and she stated emphatically that “… he was a good man … never heard nothing bad said about him.” John Langley died on January 17, 1932, from pneumonia. He was interred in Floyd County, Kentucky.

Andrew Jackson Kirk, succeeded John W. Langley by special election on February 13, 1926, to finish out his term in the Sixty-Ninth Congress, after John W Langley resignation in 1926. Kirk served in Congress from February 13, 1926, to March 3, 1927.

Andrew Jackson Kirk

A.J. Kirk is Special Counsel for Consolidation Coal Company

Big Sandy News, April 15, 1921

The Republican Primary for U.S. Congress, Kentucky 10th of 1926

Kirk and the Corporations

The enemies of Congressman Kirk are saying that just because he is a splendid lawyer with a large number of clients among corporations, he should be nominated. This is only more proof that he is a good, honest lawyer because no corporation will employ as counsel a man who is not honest and who has not the ability to take care of their business. There is not a high-class lawyer in Pike County who does not represent some corporations. Lawyers count it an honor and regard it as a recognition of their ability to be able to take care of the business of a corporation, which leads us to the question as to what a corporation is. It is a number of individuals who each put in a certain amount of money for the purpose of carrying on some line of business. It is not likely one man would have enough money to build a railroad or operate a coal mine, but a number of men, each with enough money, can pool their resources and form a corporation. And did you ever stop to think that there would never be a coal operation or a railroad if it were not for the corporations. Without corporations working men would be without jobs. When a lawsuit is brought against individuals who have put their money together for a legitimate purpose, it is not a crime to represent them in court.

Does labor fall out with Congressman Kirk for taking a fee from or representing the corporations who have been sued? We should say not. Listen to what the President of the American Federation of Labor has to say about Congressman Kirk as a friend to the laboring man.

The News July, 1926 Pikeville, Kentucky

Mrs. John W. Langley Wins By 5,885 Votes

Katherine Langley defeated her husband’s successor and won election to the House in a “vindication campaign” designed to exonerate her disgraced spouse.

Following John W. Langley’s departure from Congress his dear wife, Katherine Langley, as is well known, was elected in John’s stead in the 10th District, and has carried the ticket to victory once again since then. She has followed faithfully John’s traditions and policies of understanding, loyalty to trust, conscientious honor and devotion to the interests of their beloved state. John Langley boasts with a clear heart and soul that his private and public life, throughout all his thirty-seven consecutive years of service at Washington, was always an open book, that friends and enemies alike can read. Indeed, John Langley felt that little more was needed here in that regard, than the bare chronology of his legislative acts.

The News, November, 1926

The News, November, 1926

The News, December, 1926

Photo Credit from the John Doug Hayes Collection 1949/1950

The career of Congresswoman Katherine Gudger Langley illustrates a highly unusual route to Congress.

Mrs. John W. (Katherine) Langley is shown from a press photo dated Nov. 16, 1927.  Wife of John Wesley Langley and daughter of James Madison Gudger, Jr., she was a Representative from Kentucky; born near Marshall in Madison County, N.C., February 14, 1888; attended the common schools; was graduated from the Woman’s College, Richmond, Va.; attended Emerson College of Oratory, Boston, Mass.; taught expression at the Virginia Institute at Bristol, Tenn.; moved to Pikeville, Ky., in 1905; vice chairman of the Republican State Central Committee of Kentucky 1920-1922; served as the first chairman of the Kentucky Woman’s Republican State Committee in 1920; alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1920 and delegate in 1924; chairman of the Pike County Red Cross Society during the First World War; elected as a Republican to the Seventieth and Seventy-first Congresses (March 4, 1927-March 3, 1931); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1930 to the Seventy-second Congress; railroad commissioner, third Kentucky district, 1939-1942; died in Pikeville, Ky., on August 15, 1948; interment in Johnson Memorial Cemetery.

Mrs John W. ( Katherine) Langley from a press photo dated Nov. 16, 1927. 

December 1927

Senator Ernst, Katherine Langley & Senator Sackett, January 8, 1927

John W Langley, Pardon : December 22, 1928

The Langley Home during the Flood of March, 1929. Katherine Marooned for Two Days and Two Nights.

Associated Press photo dated 11/29/29 from my personal collection entitled: “BOTH ONCE CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS ” THEY CELEBRATE SILVER ANNIVERSARY”
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Langley as they appeared on the celebration of their silver wedding anniversary at their home in Pikeville, Ky. Mrs. Langley is a Congresswoman from the 10th Kentucky Congressional District, having succeeded her husband after he was charged with violation of the prohibition laws. At left are their two daughters, left to right: Miss Susannah Langley and Mrs. Katherine Bentley.

Press photo dated Dec. 5, 1927. MRS KATHERINE LANGLEY, CONGRESSWOMAN FROM KENTUCKY, HAS DAUGHTER SECRETARY.  Mrs. Katherine Langley, elected to Congress from Kentucky to succeed her husband, John W. Langley, at her desk in the House Office Building dictating to her daughter, Mrs. Catherine Bentley, who will serve as her secretary.

Press photo dated Dec. 7, 1927. “THE LADY FROM KENTUCKY,” An informal photograph of Mrs. Katherine Langley, ‘The lady from Kentucky’, elected to the Seventieth session of Congress to succeed her husband, John W. Langley.

In 1928, Andrew J. May ran for Congress against Katherine Langley in a heavily Republican district and lost. Two years later he ran again and won in the 1930 election defeating Langley. May was elected as a New Deal Democrat to the Seventy-second Congress and to seven succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1931 – January 3, 1947). He was Chairman of the powerful Committee on Military Affairs during the Seventy-sixth through Seventy-ninth Congresses, and a consistent supporter of the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration.

Andrew Jackson (AJ) May

Andrew Jackson May, born June 24, 1875. Langley, Ky. Admitted to bar in Tennessee and Kentucky in 1899. Practices law in Prestonsburg, Kentucky

MAY & MAY Law-firm ( American Bar Association 1919 )
General practice. Firm consists of the Twins: May William H. May & Andrew J. May

William Harvey May, born at Langley, Kentucky., June 24, 1875; admitted to Bar, 1899, for Tennessee and Kentucky., educated in Floyd County, Ky. Law degree Southern Normal School., at Huntington, Tennessee. Commonwealth prosecuting Attorney for 31st Circuit Court, District composed of Pike Co., Letcher Co., Floyd Co., Magoffin Co., and Kentucky State Bar Association

Andrew Jackson May, born at Langley, Kentucky., June 24, 1875; admitted to the American Bar Association, 1899, educated in Public Schools, Prestonsburg and Floyd County, Kentucky., Law Degree from Southern Normal School University., Huntington, Tennessee. County Attorney,. 1902-1910.

Attorneys for Consolidation Coal Co., Standard Elkhorn Coal Co., of Garrett,Ky., Pike Floyd Coal Co., First National Bank of Jenkins, Bank of McRoberts, First National Bank of Whitesburg, First National Bank of Prestonsburg

Consolidation Coal Company had a company home reserved for May & May firm/ called the W.H. May’s home at the Jenkins Lakeside.

In 1946 Andrew J. May Questioned About War Profiteering Allegations

In 1946, US Senator James Mead began conducting investigations into war profiteering. Sometime shortly before or during the U.S. entry into World War II, May became involved with Murray Garsson and Henry Garsson, New York businessmen with no prior arms manufacturing experience who sought lucrative munitions contracts then being awarded by the U.S. Government. May was known to frequently telephone army ordnance and other government officials on Garson’s’ behalf to award war contracts, obtain draft deferments, and secure other favors for the Garsons and their friends. So numerous were these interventions that one ordnance official referred to them as “blitz calls.” After the war, a senate investigating committee reviewing the Garson’s munitions business discovered evidence that May had received substantial cash payments and other inducements from the Garssons. The Garssons weren’t sympathetic characters to the public because they made a lot of money on the war, and they were Jewish. Representative May got tied in with them in the public image and they all sort of got tarred with the same brush as people who somehow made out while people were dying, and illegally so. May had started a business called the Cumberland Lumber Company to build crates for the shipment of the Garson’s munitions. The government’s case was based on precept that the money that came to May as a result of the Cumberland Lumber Company was not really that. It was really compensation for making the phone calls to the war department. Ultimately the jury agreed.

Following news reports of irregularities concerning his conduct in office, May was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1946 to the Eightieth Congress. The bribery scandal was intensified by testimony of excessive profit-taking in the Garsson munition business, and the fact that the Garsson factory produced 4.2-inch mortar shells with defective fuses, resulting in premature detonation and the deaths of 38 American soldiers. After less than two hours of deliberation [15] May was convicted by a federal jury on July 3, 1947, on charges of accepting bribes to use his position as Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee to secure munitions contracts during the Second World War. Murray and Henry Garsson also received prison terms. May appealed his verdict all the way up to the Supreme Court, which refused to hear his case. May was sent to prison at the age of 74 and served nine months. However, he continued to retain influence in Democratic party politics, and President Truman decided to grant May a full pardon in 1952. Unable to revive his political career, May returned home to practice law until his death. Andrew J. May died in Prestonsburg, Kentucky on September 6, 1959, and is buried in Mayo Cemetery.

The Real Smoke Screen

The Public Ledger: August 29, 1922

John W. Langley had known Sam Collins for 8 years, or maybe even longer. Letcher County was part of John’s 10th District, plus Langley probably did some stump speaking in Letcher Countyh for Teddy Roosevelt and Howard Taft. John was telling a story in his Bio about the time he had spent with his Grandma Langley. John notes how his Granny would have him cite the 23rd Psalm and write, even though he was just learning to write. When Grandma Delilah Langley died in 1878 an old friend of the family, Rev. Elijah W. Baker preached her funeral sermon. Elijah was a Circuit Rider Preacher for the Methodist Church and lived in the head of Millstone in Letcher. In the late 1800’s Elijah Baker had a son that was Letcher County Judge in Whitesburg, named Solomon Emery Baker. In 1900 S.E. Baker would resign as Judge to become Commissioner of Revenue for the US Government in this region. Samuel Collins was his U.S. Deputy Collector of Revenue. S.E. Baker resigned his U.S. Commissioner Revenue seat. Sam Collins resigned as Deputy Collector of Revenue to become U.S. Commissioner in December 1913.

In 1916 Samuel Collins approached John Langley seeking the appointment of United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky, contingent upon the election of our presidential nominee. John replied that he was willing to do so and advised him afterwards in writing. However, the past 36th Governor of New York, Charles E. Hughes, was defeated in his 1916 Presidential Bid against Woodrow Wilson which temporarily prevented any further action. Some two years later, Samuel Collins again appealed to Langley asking if his original promise was good in the event, providing we elected a Republican president in 1920. John’s answer was that he never allowed the statute of limitations to run out on his personal promises, and that he would once more back him for the job. The carbon copy of the letter containing that assurance was, John regrets to state, stolen from his files.

John W. Langley Honors His Promise To A Dear Friend

We return to the subject of the Marshalship by recounting John’s close acquaintance with then Senator Harding as well as Harry Daugherty, his campaign manager, so that John may explain why the Marshalship did not pass to Samuel Collins. As a matter of fact, the half-brother of the man who finally got the job was a life-long friend of John’s, and knowing his personal relations with Harding and Daugherty had asked John at Chicago to give him a personal note of introduction to both of these gentlemen. Unaware that Langley had already promised the position to Samuel Collins, he got a promise for his half-brother Roy Williams. Langley added that the individual who secured the promise was a district delegate to the convention and turned out to be the “original Harding man” of the Kentucky delegation, The promise he secured compelled John at the last moment to accept for Collins, subject to his approval, the post of Prohibition Director for Kentucky.

Here John was a little ahead of his story. On a visit made to President Harding on May 28, 1921, he urged Samuel Collins’ appointment as Marshal. The President’s reply was that there existed a tentative arrangement to give the Marshalship to another, adding that the only man who might be able to change the post to Samuel Collins was Col. A. T. Hert, and suggested that John go and see him. This John did, repeating the President’s words. It was then that Col. A.T. Hert suggested that it might be arranged to confer upon Samuel Collins the post of Prohibition Director in lieu of the Marshalship. John replied that he would have to wire Collins to see if that would be satisfactory to him, which John did immediately. Collins notified John that this job would be entirely satisfactory to him, adding that he did not want him embarrassed in any way about it, as Langley had been the best friend he ever had in the whole Kentucky crowd.

As written above, Samuel Collins was appointed to the position on June 18, 1921.

These facts above confirm that in John’s testimony no one whatsoever had suggested to him or influenced this appointment in any way. And in view of the above facts the most ludicrous part of the lying testimony of Mortimer, was when he said he was generally familiar with the incidents antedating Collins’ appointment, and it was made with his cooperation and in collusion with John for ulterior purposes. As a matter of fact, John never even Mortimer after Col. A.T. Hert made suggestion of the Prohibition Director switch, until Samuel Collins was actually appointed, assumed office and came to Washington for instructions.

It is well worth mentioning that in the last conversation John had with Collins after the alleged quarrel with him at Lexington, John told him that as soon as he reached Washington he would see if Col. Haynes would agree to Collins’ request that he combine the office of legal adviser with the assistant Prohibition Directorship and make the salary $4,000.00. This would justify Judge B. J. Bethurum, now Tax Commissioner of Kentucky, resigning the position of 28th Circuit Judge and taking this place. It will be noted in Judge Bethurum’s letter, reproduced elsewhere, that he says he met Collins on Sunday morning in Lexington and Collins said, “Judge, where have you been? Bethurum looked all over Lexington last night to show Samuel Collins a telegram from John Langley to the effect that it had been arranged for you to be assistant Prohibition Director at a salary of $4,000.00.” Judge Bethurum replied that he had a similar telegram from John which he had just received,” Bethurum then expressed his wonder that John was doing that in part for him, but that Samuel Collins had a suspicion that John W Langley was going to run for the Senate next time.

Collins testified that he did not remember a single thing as to any exchange of wires with John about his appointment. Let us examine the facts. When John reached Washington, Col. Haynes had left his office for the day, but early next morning John went up and discussed the matter with him, and he expressed himself favorably towards Collins’ proposition. Then he said for John to get a wire from Collins indicating his approval of the proposition.

John Langley said, “Shall he send this wire to you or to himself?” Haynes said, “let him send it to you and you bring it up here to yourself.” John immediately sent Collins an elaborate wire telling him of the arrangement and of Col. Haynes; suggestion that he, (Samuel Collins) send the wire direct to John and he would bring it up to him. John got the wire from Samuel Collins next morning, embodying what Col. Haynes had suggested that he say to him. John took Samuels Collins’ wire to Col. Haynes, who called in his assistant, Mr. Jones, and told him to make out the order for the appointment of Bethurum.

Could anyone believe that after all these circumstances, Collins could not remember anything whatsoever concerning them?

Soon afterwards, John got a certified copy of this telegram from Collins to him, but it disappeared from Langley’s files and John was convinced that with many other missing papers it was stolen. John eventually got another certified telegram copy, dated October 3, 1921.

The rumors of John W. Langley’s possible bid for U.S. Senate were causing some major concerns on two political fronts. Sitting, Democrat Augustus Owsley Stanley, an anti-prohibitionist and Progressive Conservative, an attorney from Fleming County who served on the Committee on Mines and Mining, that had jurisdiction over the Bureau of Mines and Geological Survey, a very powerful U.S. Senator that could influence the everyday operations of the Coal Corporations Industry in Kentucky. His term started as U.S. Senator on March 4, 1919, and ended December 3, 1923. He was defeated by Fredrick Mosley Sackett a Republican.

Augusta Owsley Stanley

The second U.S. Senator threatened by Langley’s rumors for bid for Kentucky U.S. Senate was Richard P. Ernst, up for re-election 1927. A life-long resident of Covington and former United States Senator. Richard Pretlow Ernst was born on February 28, 1858, in Covington. His parents were William Ernst and Sarah Butler Ernst. William Ernst was a past president of the Northern Bank of Kentucky and president of the Kentucky Central Railroad. Richard Pretlow Ernst was educated in the public schools of Covington and at the Chickering Academy in Cincinnati (graduated in 1874). Ernst earned a bachelor’s degree from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky in 1878. He received a law degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1880. That same year, he began practicing law in Covington and Cincinnati. He was a member of the Firm of Ernst, Cassatt & Cottle. Ernst married Susan Bent in 1886. The couple had two children, William Ernst and Sarah Ernst Darnell. Richard Ernst’s first venture into politics occurred in 1888, when he was elected to the Covington City Commission. He served in this position until 1892. In 1896, Ernst ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the United States Senate on the Republican ticket. He successfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 1920. He served in that position from March 4, 1921, to March 3, 1927. His bid for re-election in 1926 failed. Ernst returned to Covington in 1927 and resumed his law practice. He was active in many fraternal and professional groups in the Greater Cincinnati area. Ernst was chairman of the board of directors of Liberty National Bank in Covington; a member of the Hamilton County and Cincinnati Bar Associations; and a member of the Queen City Club of Cincinnati, the Covington Industrial Club and a 32nd degree mason. Ernst also served on the boards of Centre College, Danville; the University of Kentucky in Lexington; Pike County College, Pikeville, Kentucky and Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio. Ernst was a dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church of Covington.

The Grand Jury Indicted John W. Langley in Washington D.C., the big question is why Langley was not tried in the District of Columbia.

Transcribed from a letter sent to John W. Langley August 24, 1928

State Tax Commissioner Of Kentucky

Hon. John W. Langley,
Pikeville, Ky.

Dear Mr. Langley:
I have your letter of recent date. In accordance with your request, I am giving you the following facts as I remember them. In September, 1921, while I was occupying the position of Circuit Judge of the Twenty-Eighth Kentucky District, a position I had held for almost twelve years, I was selected by Mr. Collins, State Prohibition Director of Kentucky, as his legal adviser. I doubted the wisdom of my resigning my position as judge to accept this position with Mr. Collins, and in order to satisfy myself fully concerning the same, I went to Lexington, the headquarters of Mr. Collins, and stayed something like a week, in order to acquaint myself with the duties of the office so as to definitely determine what course I should take.

While I was there looking into the matter, you visited Lexington, the 28th or 29th of September 1921, having come from Washington to Kentucky in connection with other appointment matters, as you frequently did. By this time, I had about made up my mind not to accept the position of legal adviser, and had so informed Mr. Collins. I talked with you about the matter and the insufficiency of the salary, and Mr. Collins also talked with you on the same trip, as he afterwards stated to me.

In discussing the matter of my salary, you expressed the opinion that you might be able to get Colonel Haynes, the Prohibition Commissioner at Washington, to combine the duties of legal adviser with those of assistant director, so that I could be appointed to the latter position with an increase of salary from $3,300.00 to $4,000.00, which would justify my resigning from the bench.

After this conversation, you went on from Lexington to Washington with the understanding that you would see Colonel Haynes about the matter, and wire both Mr. Collins and myself as to the result.

Within a day or so, both Mr. Collins and myself received a wire from you, advising that the matter had been arranged. My telegram was received in Lexington Saturday night, but was not delivered until the following morning. On that same morning – met Mr. Collins, who remarked to me, “Judge, Where have you been? I looked for you all over Lexington yesterday evening, to show you a telegram I received from Mr. Langley, in which he says that Colonel Haynes has agreed to appoint you Assistant Director, combining with it the duties of legal adviser with an annual salary of $4,000.00.” Thereupon he showed me your telegram.

I then told Mr. Collins I would accept the place and ‘phoned Governor Morrow that I was mailing to him my resignation as Judge to take effect the following Tuesday and I went on duty with Mr. Collins the following Wednesday.

Previous to this conversation, I had had some flattering offers in the legal profession, and was seriously considering resigning from the bench, and moving West. Not understanding your activity and interest in my behalf, I said to Mr. Collins: “I assume that Mr. Langley is doing this solely as a favor to you, as I am not even a resident of his district, which he tries so hard to get everything for,” to which Mr. Collins replied: “It is due in part to his desire to serve me, but I have a suspicion that he is thinking of making a race for the Senate in 1924.”

I recall the interview that I had with you and Mrs. Langley at the Phoenix Hotel in Lexington, while your trial at Covington was impending. You thought that, in view of the matters above referred to, that I would be a material witness for you upon your trial. I told you and Mrs. Langley substantially what I have above stated but added that I hoped that you would not summon me as a witness because I had resigned my position as assistant director and was a candidate for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate, and did not wish to appear to be taking sides in this case.

Mr. Collins and myself always agreed on the enforcement of the prohibition law while I was associated with him in the Government Service and, when I resigned, he gave me for publication a letter heartily endorsing my faithfulness and service as assistant director. So far as I remember, the foregoing embodies all of the material facts, within my knowledge, about which you wrote me.

Sincerely yours,
B. J. BETHUREN

BJB: MSB

The Tea Pot Scandal was a server blow to Warren G Hardings legacy. Most writers compliment Warren G Harding’s Presidency, he had some wonderful programs, but his untimely death ended his rein. Harding’s biggest problem, he put to much faith in his administration staff, and John W Langley’s major setback, he loved the programs the Tea Pot Gang Gang made self gained profit off of. Calvin Coolidge wanted to shut the door to keep from tarnishing his legacy. John W Langley was his Pawn.

John W Langley always denied any wrong doing he was indicted on. But there is one lingering thought that still exist , what would Eastern Kentucky and Pikeville be like today if John W. Langley was able to continue holding office in the US House of Representatives or maybe winning US Senate seat. Eastern Kentucky most likely would have the largest Regional Veterans Hospital in the country and other Earmark Funds to make Pikeville a more vibrant economical center than any other part of Kentucky, or maybe major several US Route crossroads intersecting Pikeville and Pike County in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Everyone loved Pork Barrel John, except the ones that were afraid of John’s wanting to take a higher office. Or maybe John W. Langley was too Progressive for the very Conservative Coal Companies in Eastern Kentucky. Who knows, John W. Langley could have become President of these United States.

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