Group, I hope this isn't too lengthy, but I found it most interesting. Earnest Carol Ray is my gr-grandfather, Lala Ray Beaman is my grandmother. from Graves County, Kentucky, Newspaper Genealogical Abstracts, Volumes 1-51, Don Simmons, Simmons Historical Publications, Melber, KY [My notes in brackets – Brenda Beaman Parker] Monday, September 30, 1901 Ray brothers of Sedalia are erecting a new flouring mill at Sedalia. The building has been completed and part of the machinery has been received and when completed will be one of the best roller mills in this section of the country. (Vol. 24, p.41) Monday, February 20, 1905 – Terrific explosion at Sedalia. Boiler gives way at Ray Bros. Rolling Mill with disastrous results. One of the most destructive boiler explosions that has occurred in this county in recent years happened Sat. at 1:30 o’clock at Sedalia when the engine at the mill of Ray Bros. blew up. One was killed outright and five others badly injured and death may result to Bud Ray as he received a wound in the back near the left hip from a flying fragment of the engine. Zolan Ray, the 16 year old son of Tom Ray, was so badly injured that it is thought he will die. Mr. George Lambert, a 65 year old farmer, had brought his wheat to the mill and was just preparing to leave for home. Every bone in his body was broken, being killed outright. James Wyatt, a well known farmer, was outside arranging his team to leave for home and when the explosion came the concussion was so great that he was hurled a distance of several yards over a fence and on to a pond of ice. He had a miraculous escape and only received slight injuries. One of his horses was struck by a flying fragment and killed. The side of the mill composing the engine room and office was almost a total wreck. The entire loss is estimated at $2,000. The two children who were injured are the children of Mr. Tom Ray, one of the proprietors who makes daily visits to Mayfield with a transfer wagon with flour and bran. Earnest Ray, one of the proprietors seriously hurt and doubtful recovery. Zolan Ray, son of Tom and fatally hurt. Miss Effie Ray, ten year old dau of Tom, badly burned, but not seriously. There are more details. (Vol. 12, p.34) [Lala Ray Beaman, in 1980’s, told of being burned when she went across the road to the lumberyard and climbed up to reach the telephone mounted on a pole. She said she spent three months in a hospital and almost died. The mention of Effie Ray in the article possibly should have been Lala Ray, ten year old dau of proprietor Earnest Ray. Ernestine Ray Black, after being read the newspaper article in 1999, remembered her father (Earnest Ray) coming home at noon for lunch and telling that there was a leak or something wrong with the boiler and he was concerned about it. She remembers that Lala went after lunch to the mill to get a scuttle of coal; she couldn’t remember where Lala was hospitalized or how long, but said she was burned badly and in the hospital for a long time. She did not remember Earnest being injured that badly, so maybe that is an overstatement. Ernestine said she was standing at the window and saw the explosion. The mill was on the same side of the road as the house and to the east.] Friday, March 3, 1905 Dr. M.W. Rozell went to Sedalia Thursday to see Zolan Ray who was so badly injured in the mill explosion. One of his eyes is entirely out, but the other one can be saved. The boy’s condition otherwise is extremely critical. Mr Bud Ray is improving and it is thought he will recover. (Vol. 12, p.40) Saturday, June 3, 1905 Bud and Zolan Ray who were injured in the explosion of Ray Bros. Mill some time ago at Sedalia are improving slowly. They are able to walk a few steps with the aid of a cane and crutches. Bud Ray is better than Zolan. Zolan was burned all over the body. His body is yet almost a solid sore. (Vol. 13, p.7) Friday, June 25, 1909 E.C. Ray and two sons Deary and Prentice, of Sedalia, were in the city Friday enroute to Paducah. Mr. Ray took the son Deary to have a glass eye fitted.(Vol. 44, p.22) [Ernest Ray’s son Winston Gary Ray was said to have put his eye out with a knife while cutting string at the mill when he was five years old, as told by Lala Ray Beaman. Another daughter of E.C. Ray had no knowledge of Gary being called Deary - likely the newspaper editor mis-heard the boy's name.] Thursday, October 28, 1909 Sedalia – Tom Ray happened to the bad accident of getting his right foot bruised very bad last Tuesday morning at the sawmill by a saw log rolling on it. (Vol 48, p.3)