A gas explosion at the Fraterville coal mine in Coal Creek, Tenn., claimed between 175 and 225 lives, making it one of the deadliest mining disasters in Tennessee’s history. Rescue efforts continued as the community mourned.
Two Hundred Miners Blown to Eternity
COAL CREEK, Tenn., May 19, 1902. — The worst disaster in the history of Tennessee mining occurred at 7:30 o’clock this morning when between 175 and 225 men and boys met instant death at the Fraterville coal mine, located two miles west of town, as the result of a gas explosion.
Out of the large number of men and boys who went to work this morning, developments at 10 o’clock tonight show that only one is alive and he is so badly injured that he cannot live. This man was William Morgan, an aged Englishman, who was a roadman in the mine and was blown out of the entrance by the force of the explosion.
One hundred and seventy miners were checked in for work this morning by the mine boss. In addition to these there were boys who acted as helpers, drivers, roadmen and others to the number of perhaps 50.
Fraterville mine is the oldest in the Coal Creek district, having been opened in 1870. It is fully three miles from the mine’s opening to the point where the men were at work. They had not been at work long before the terrible explosion occurred. There was a fearful roar and then flames shot from the entrance and the air shaft.
News of the disaster spread like wild fire, but as soon as order could be brought out of chaos two searching parties were started in, one at the main entrance, the other through Thistle mine, which adjoins but in which no men were at work. The Thistle party was unable to make any headway, as the gas stifled the workers.
Worked Like Demons
The Fraterville party went fully two miles under the earth until a heavy fall of slate was encountered. At this barrier men worked like demons, hoping against hope that those beyond might be safe.
The scenes at the mouth of the mine while the workers were within is beyond description. Business was suspended in Coal Creek and all its mines as soon as the news of the disaster became known, and men, women, and children gathered around the Fraterville entrance. Women whose husbands and sons were within were wild with grief.
All day long the rescuers struggled at the barrier and not until 5 o’clock did they force an entrance through it. Up to that hour only five dead bodies had been recovered, and hope was still high that those inside were safe. The hopes of the living were doomed, however, for when once the rescuers could enter and proceed they walked along one continuous tomb of death. No sign of life.
Every soul had perished they believed, although it will be early in the morning before the rooms can be entered.
Eight dead bodies were first recovered, and these were sent to Coal Creek. 26 more were soon gathered today. They were not disfigured beyond identification, and each corpse as it was borne from the mouth of the gigantic tomb, was soon surrounded by eager crowds of relatives of men who were entombed.
The mine was not on fire except in remote portions and all bodies will perhaps be reached before daylight.
Source: The age-herald. (Birmingham, Ala.), 20 May 1902.
