PROGRAM
for
MEMORIAL SERVICES
In Memory of those who lost their lives in
FRATERVILLE MINE EXPLOSION
Coal Creek, Tennessee
on Monday, May 19th 1902
STATEMENT

On the morning of Monday, May 19th 1902, at 7:30 just after all the men had entered Fraterville mine, there occurred in that mine one of the most disastrous mine explosions that has ever occurred in America. Out of all the men and boys who were then in the mine, numbering somewhere from 180 to 200, not a single person escaped with his life. Some were killed instantly, some were shut-up in small passages and rooms and probably lived but a short time, while a goodly number were able to escape to the headings and entries in parts of the mine away from the explosion, and there exist for several hours, until death came from suffocation and after damp. Probably the longest any lived was from seven to eight hours, while most of the men died within a much shorter time. The presence of unbearable heat and of after damp in the mine, prevented the escape and caused the death of all those who were not injured in the explosion. 

The list of dead hereon printed, and statements herein made are in no way to be considered as official nor as having the sanction of the employing company, nor of any labor union, but is the statement gotten up by the program committee of the citizens meeting held on the evening of May 23rd, and is published by said committee as the most correct list which they have been able to procure from all available sources.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE 

R. B. ADKINS, 

E. F. FOSTER, 

REV. J. W. CARNES,

PRICE, 10 CENTS 
ADVANCE PUBLISHING COMPANY, JELLICO, TENN

MEMORIAL MEETING

At a meeting of citizens, surviving miners, business men and ministers of the gospel, held at Coal Creek, Tenn., on Friday evening, May 23rd, 1902, for the purpose of considering some suitable plans for paying a last tribute of respect to the many noble men and boys who lost their lives in the terrible mine disaster at Fraterville mines, Coal Creek, Tenn. After due consideration, the following was adopted:

RESOLVED FIRST: That the second Sunday of June next, which will be the 8th day of the month, be designated and set apart as a day on which memorial services are to be held in memory of the deceased and that on that day the survivors of the families, the relatives and friends of the deceased, and the public generally are hereby requested to assemble at the various places of religious worship below designated, at the hour of 10:30 o'clock a. m., and there hold a religious service in memory of the deceased.

SECOND: That the friends and relatives of those buried nearest each place of worship take charge of the exercises at said place of worship, secure the most available minister to conduct the services, and in every way have full control and management of the same.

THIRD: That at each service held the full list of the names of the deceased hereon printed, be read for the reason that this service is to be considered a service in memory of all those who died, and not of those only who are buried in any particular cemetery.

FOURTH: That the program of Memorial Exercises printed on this paper is recommended as a suitable and fit form of service, but those in charge of the various services are fully empowered to change or modify the exercises to suit the time and occasion.

FIFTH: The Memorial Services herein directed is in no way to be considered or construed to be a funeral service for the deceased, nor to take the place of any church or lodge Memorial Service that these organizations or the friends of the deceased may wish to have held for the deceased on account of their connection with any church or fraternal society. 

SIXTH: That if the condition of the weather or other unforeseen circumstances should render it not feasible or practical to hold these said Services at any point upon the day and hour above designated then those in charge of the service may Postpone the same until the following Sunday which will be the third Sunday in June at 10:00 a. m.

On the above date and hour it is recommended that these Memorial Services be held at Beech Grove Baptist church, colored Baptist and colored Methodist churches at Coal Creek, Baptist and Methodist churches at Briceville, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches at Coal Creek, Longfield, Macedonia, Indian Creek, Blowing Springs, Clinch River, Pleasant Hill, and the churches at Clinton, Heiskell, Jacksboro, and at any other places near which any of the deceased may have been interred.

SEVENTH: That upon this day and hour it is recommended that Memorial Services be held in any and every place of religious places of worship or church of any and every denomination, religion or sect in the State of Tennessee, who may feel it their duty to do so in keeping with the plan herein stated. 

Names Of persons authorizing this Memorial Service: 

E. L. FOSTER, CHAIRMAN, FOR BUSINESS MEN
E S. DICKSON, FOR METHODIST CHURCH
C. A. WATERS, FOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
REV. JOHN HENDERSON, F0R LONGFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH
WM. TUTTLE, FOR BEECH GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH
DR,. B. ADKINS, FOR PHYSICIANS
REV. J. W. CANINES
J. E. HIGHTOWER
E FOSTER, SECRETARY
J. W. HOWE, FOR UNITED MINE. WORKERS 
RUEBEN JOHNSON, COLORED CITIZENS

Letters Written in Fraterville Mine

Letter from Jacob L. Vowell 

"We are shut up in the head of the entry with of little air and the bad air is closing in on us fast and it is now about 12 o'clock. Dear Ellen, I have to leave you in bad condition. But dear wife, set your trust in the Lord to help you raise my little children. Ellen take care of my little darling Lily. Ellen, little Elbert said he had trusted in the Lord. Chas. Wood said he was safe if he never lives to see the outside again, he would meet his mother in heaven. If we never live to get out we are not hurt but only perished for air. There is but a few of us here and I don't know where the other men is. Elbert said for you all to meet him in heaven, All the children meet with us both." 

For Harry Beech.

"Alice, do the best you can. I am going to rest. Good bye Alice.  

Elen, darling Good Bye for us both. Elbert said the lord had saved him. Do the best you can with the children. We are all praying for air to support us but it is getting so bad without any air. Horace, Elbert said for you to wear his shoes and clothing. It is now 1/2 past 1.

Powell Harmon's watch is now in Andy Woods hand. Ellen, I want you to live right and come to heaven. Raise the children the best you can. Oh! how I wish to be with you. Good Bye to all of you Good Bye. Bury me an Elbert in the same grave by little Eddy. Good Bye Elen Good Bye Lily Good Bye Jimmie Good Bye Horace. We are together. Is 25 minutes after Two. There is a few of us are alive yet JAKE & ELBERT. 

Oh God for one more breath. Ellen, remember me as long as you live. Good Bye Darling

From Scott Chapman.

I have found the Lord. Do change your way of living God be with you Good Bye 

From James A. Brooks.

MY DEAR WIFE AND BABY

I want you to go back home and take the baby so good Bye. I am going to heaven. I want you to meet me there. JAS. A. BROOKS

From Geo. Hutson.

To Geo. Hutson's Wife--If you dont see me no more bury me in the clothing I have. I want you to meet me in Heaven Good Bye Do as you wish.

From John Hendren.

DEAR DARLING MOTHER, BROTHERS, AND SISTER:

I have gone to heaven. I want you all to meet me in heaven. Tell all your friends to meet me there and tell the Church I have gone to heaven. Oh dear friends, don't grieve over me for I am in sight of heaven. Oh dear stay at fathers or your fathers and pay all I owe if possible. Bury me at Pleasant Hill if it Suits you all. Bury me at black. This is about 1-1/2 o'clock. So good bye dear darling father, mother, Brother and friends. I have not suffered much yet, your boy, your brother JOHN HENDREN.

From Powell Harmon.

DEAR WIFE AND CHILDREN:

My time has come to die. I trust in Jesus. Teach the children to believe in Jesus. May God bless you all is my prayer. Bless Jesus it is now 10 minutes till 10 and we are all almost smothered. Don't know how long we will live but it is our time to go. I hope to meet you all in heaven. May God bless you all wife and children for Jesus sake good bye until we meet to part no more. POWELL HARMON. 

My Boys, Never work in the coal mines. Henry and Condy be good boys and stay with your mother and trust for Jesus sake. 

Program for Memorial Services 

1 SONG--"Rock of Ages."

2 SCRIPTURE READING--90th Psalm.  

3 PRAYER. 

4 SONG--"Nearer my God to Thee".

5 READING NAMES OF DECEASED. 

6 SONG--Selection. 

7 SCRIPTURE READING--1st Cor. 15 Chapter. 

8 MEMORIAL SERMON. 

9 SONG--"God be With You."

10 CLOSING PRAYER.

11 BENEDICTION.

The above program may be changed as provided for in sectlon 4, of Resolutions printed on previous page. 

List of Names of Deceased and Place of Burial

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