On May 23, 1902. the Fraterville Coal Mine blew up and 216 miners were killed. They left 150 widows and 1,000 children. Each family got $320 per death. It was the worst mining disaster in U. S. history. Yesterday relatives gathered to commemorate the disaster in Lake City, TN.
The cemetery where many of the miners are buried was being added to the National Register of Historic Places.
I never heard of the disaster until I read about it in the paper today. I was interested that many of the dying men left notes to their families. A very poignant note said, "Oh God, for one more breath. Oh, how I wish to be with you. Goodbye to all of you. Goodbye."
Wow! That makes you want to call your loved ones, doesn't it?
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