Fraterville Disaster
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.
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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 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.
2. For One More Breath: The Fraterville Mine Disaster. (Submitted on April 4, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
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 1,755 times since then and 84 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.
