"Oh God, for one more breath" - TN coal miners' last words (living)

[kamoshika]

I came across this a while back while doing some related research, and thought it very poignant. There were no survivors of the Fraterville (Anderson Co.) mine explosion, one of the deadliest mining disasters in US history with over 200 killed.

Although most testimony about coal mining disasters came from survivors and observers, the men who suffocated to death in the Fraterville, Tennessee mines in May 1902 left behind their own grim account. Trapped in the mine after an explosion and with their air rapidly depleting, they wrote letters to their loved ones describing their final moments.
"Oh God, For One More Breath": Early 20th century Tennessee Coal Miners' Last Words

More info on the Fraterville disaster:
TN Encyclopedia: FRATERVILLE MINE DISASTER

On a related note: Local archaeologist helps restore Coal Creek War site

It might come as a surprise, but one of the last wars ever fought on American soil happened right here in East Tennessee. The Coal Creek War of 1891 centered around the miners of Anderson County. Now, more than a 100 years later, volunteers are turning the old battle ground into a historical site.
WBIR.COM - Local archaeologist help restore Coal Creek War site

Additional info on both the war & the mine explosion:
COAL CREEK: WAR AND DISASTERS

[gemkeeper]

Kamoshika, these are truly sad and moving accounts of the final minutes of these men and boys.

And, yet today, we still see that all around the world, miners are still dying. Many work under horrendous conditions risking their lives every day to earn a living.

I remember growing up in N PA and hearing the frequent reports of mine disasters in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazelton, Berwick, and so many other PA towns. It never came as a surprise.

I think it is commendable of any small, poor town to pay such homage to these brave men. It seems that the good people of Fraterville did just that.

Thank you for all of your research. We need to see someone without legs sometimes to stop feeling sorry for ourselves because we have no shoes.