This is a multi-part message in MIME format. If you can read this line, your email software does not support this format. --MyFaMiLyMiMeBoUnDaRy02292000 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Grave markers memorialize Eccles disaster The Register-Herald, Monday, October 9, 1995 "Echoes of the Eccles disaster are frequently heard these days." So said the May 28, 1914, issue of the Raleigh Register when it told of how J.C. Wiseman, described as "a fine old gentleman from Matville," was in Beckley buying Material to fence in a burial plot on his farm. The story told of how this plot was needed because Wiseman had lost a son, a grandson and a nephew in the Eccles mine explosion, which had occurred on April 28, 1914. His family members included E.A. Wiseman, Leslie Cottle and Albert Wiseman, all buried on "his place." Remnants of the old fencing wire and the posts are still there on that small burial plot, located in a sharp curve on the narrow unpaved upper Sandlick Road, which has always run past the old farm. The only grave marked is that of Erastus A. Wiseman, who was born Jan. 1, 1880, and died that fateful April day. The other graves alongside him just bear native stones. In a small adjoining graveyard is the lone burial site of Penina Jane Rorrer, who died Feb. 7, 1920. It appears from the old posting that her plot was separated from the three mine explosion victims. The small cemetery is just a few feet off the road on an embankment but its so overgrown it is not visible. When Wiseman fenced those graves that day in May 1914, I suppose he always had in mind that the plot would always be well cared for. It was said on the day of the explosion that :many pathetic scenes were enacted about the mouth of the No. 5 shaft where women and children, fathers and mothers and wives were gathered day and night." Stories told of how the day following the explosion the coal company telegraphed for 200 coffins, which arrived by train from Cincinnatti. The mine machine shop was converted into a morgue. When the bodies were brought out of the mine, many had been buried beneath cave-ins and what was described as twisted debris. Many were just buried "up on the hill" in unmarked graves because some were not even identifiable. This cemetery "up on the hill" was called the Polish Cemetery and later was moved to make way for a refuse coal dump. The old Clay Cemetery, also near the mine, bears the bodies of several of those miners and the graves are marked. Several are buried in the old Harper Cemetery, near Eccles. The body of an insurance man killed in the mine was shipped to Charleston. It was neccessary to use dynamite to clear some of the debris, history tells us. And it also tells that many mules kept underground in the No. 5 shaft were victims of the explosion. The public service commission administered the compensation department at the time and 85 widows and more than 100 children under the age of 15 years received benefits. The widows were given $20 a month and the children $5 a month each until they reached the age of 15. If the widow remarried, her benefits were cut off. And $50 was paid for each funeral. One of the victims was buried in the St. Sebastian Cemetery in Beckley by mistake and his family had him reinterred and placed in the Wildwood Cemetery. He was E.O. Ellison. He was buried beside his father. A jury of six ruled that the contractor in the mine was blamed for the "Eccles Horror." It was found that the explosion undoubtedly originated in the southern and eastern sections of the mine. It was revealed that a small barrier of coal had been left between two entries to protect the air current and permit a thorough circulation of air until an overcast could be constructed to make a split. The jury found that some miner had placed a shot in the barrier, blowing it open and causing a short circuit of air. This interfered with the proper circulation of air, and because the mine was gaseous, the gas readily accumalated and was ignited by the open lamps used. Fire bosses who examined the mine the morning before the explosion testified that the barrier was intact when the men entered the mine. And not one man in the No. 5 mine survived. Some did in the adjoining No. 6 mine, which is another story. Restrotation of the small Wiseman Cemetery with an appropriate historical marker is in order. A good project for the United Mine Workers? Special Note: Penina Jane Rorrer was the second wife of John Henry Rorrer. She was the daughter of Drucilla CLAY and George William Cantley. There is a picture of her stone in the article but it didnt copy very well and I did not include it with this email. The dates on the stone are: Penina Jane Rorrer Born: Jan. 26, 1843 Died: Feb. 7, 1920 _____________________________________________________________________ Get your own family web site at at www.MyFamily.com! --MyFaMiLyMiMeBoUnDaRy02292000--