Fraterville in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Fraterville Disaster

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

1. Fraterville Disaster Marker

Inscription. The Fraterville Mine exploded on May 19, 1902, killing all 216 miners. Poignant farewell messages were found on the bodies of Jacob Vowell, Powell Harmon, John Hendren, Harry Beach, Scott Chapman, James Brooks, R.S. Brooks, George Hutson, Frank Sharp, and James Elliott.

The tragedy was exacerbated by the fact that male members of entire families perished including five Dezern brothers, Peter Childress and his three sons, John McKamey and his three sons, and Bannister Vowell and his three sons. Only three adult males were left alive in the town and it remains the South's worst mining disaster.

Erected by Coal Creek Watershed Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 1902.

Location. 36° 12.317′ N, 84° 10.033′ W. Marker is in Fraterville, Tennessee, in Anderson County. It is at the intersection of Briceville Highway (Tennessee Route 116) and Andy's Ridge Road, on the left when traveling north on Briceville Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rocky Top TN 37769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee and in Greater Knoxville. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Itinerant Miners' Cemetery (here, next to this

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marker); Village of Brothers (here, next to this marker); Militia Hill (approx. 0.7 miles away); Breastworks (approx. 0.7 miles away); American Chestnuts (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fire on Coal Creek (approx. 0.7 miles away); State Coal Mine (approx. 0.7 miles away); Siege on Fort (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fraterville.

Also see . . .
1. Fraterville Mine Disaster. (Submitted on April 1, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. For One More Breath: The Fraterville Mine Disaster. (Submitted on April 4, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

2. Fraterville Disaster Marker

Marker is on the right.

Fraterville Miner's Circle - Leach Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

3. Fraterville Miner's Circle - Leach Cemetery

Fraterville Disaster Monument - Leach Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

4. Fraterville Disaster Monument - Leach Cemetery

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

5. Fraterville Disaster Monument - Leach Cemetery

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

6. Fraterville Disaster Monument - Leach Cemetery

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

7. Fraterville Disaster Monument - Leach Cemetery

Erected to the memory of the 184 men and boys who lost their lives in the Fraterville Mine Explosion May 19,1902.

Leach Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

8. Leach Cemetery

Longfield Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

9. Longfield Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,745 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 1, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 7, 8, 9. submitted on April 4, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.