Appalachia’s Coal Miners Killed on the Job
By Tabitha Wallen
Something near and dear to my heart, a part of my very soul, are coal miners. 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 88, he tinkers with old engines to keep busy. My maternal grandmother was the fourth of five daughters born to a coal miner with a 4th grade education. Papaw Allard Johnson had to quit school at the age of 10 to help support his mother and sisters after his father was killed.
*** 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
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.
