Subject: KFY: Mt Vernon Signal Newspapers, 1906 - Rockcastle Co FROM LONG AGO Submitted By: Ray E_v_a_n_s ray.evans@worldnet.att.net Mount Vernon Signal September 28, 1906 (Note: This information has been re-typed from the microfilm. The re-typed material has been subjected to a computerized spelling check. However, an effort has been made to preserve the English usage and spelling of that period.) DYNAMITE EXPLOSION On last Friday morning at 7:43 o'c;ock, there occurred an explosion of a car of dynamite at Jellico, Tenn., which destroyed property to the amount of nearly half a million dollars and more than a score of people lost their lives. On the switch was a car of containing about twenty thousand pounds of dynamite, and near this was standing J. M. Cook, Master Mechanic for the L & N R. R., (See Resolution that follows) Joe Sellers, an engineer, and Walter Rogers, Agent for the East Tennessee Brewering Co., when the great catastrophe came and a foot and part of the skull, which was identified as being that of Mr. Cook, was all that was found of the three men. Of the others killed, which number between ten and twenty (the reports are conflicting) lost their lives by falling timbers and caving in of the houses. The writer reached the terrible scene about ten hours after the great disaster to witness the wreckage and turmoil of what only a few hours before was a thriving prosperous little city, everybody on the hustle and everything going well, but alas, almost in the twinkle of an eye was reduced to ruins, such as could almost be compared to that of the great San Francisco disaster. The Kentucky side was almost a total wreck, while the large brick structures on the Tennessee side were either destroyed or so badly damaged that they were rendered unsafe for occupancy. Just how the accident occurred is a question that no one has been able to solve, as there was no one who was present left to tell the story. However two possible causes have been assigned, one that Mr. Rogers, one of the victims was shooting at a target on the car, which contained the dynamite and another is that a car loaded with pigiron was pushed against the car so heavily as to cause the explosion, but that is only speculation as no one can state positively that either took place. The argument has been presented by some that it was caused by spontaneous combustion, the exact cause we will probably never know. On the spot where the car stood, a hole was dug in the ground more than thirty feet in diameter and thirty-five feet deep. It is a miracle that more people did not lose their lives than did. Work of repairing the town has already begun. RESOLUTIONS Whereas: Our brother John M. Cook was called from labor here on earth to refreshments in that Lodge on High in that unfortunate explosion that occurred at Jellico, Tenn., on the morning of Sept. 21st 1906, that caused the destruction of so much property and the loss of more than a dozen lives. Brother Cook was born and raised in this county, and attained the age of 48 years, was a member of the Christian church, having joined at the age of eighteen and has been a devout member ever since, lending his energies to all that was for the upbuilding of the community. Brother Cook left this county ten years ago, during which time he had been in the employment of the L & N R. R. At Jellico, Tenn., as foreman of the mechanical department. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his employees. He was ever ready to assist deserving young men, and through his efforts there are now several young men from this county enjoying lucrative positions, Therefore be it resolved: That in the death of Brother Cook, his wife has lost the affection of her husband, his children a kind and indulgent father, the church a devout member, and the community an upright citizen and the Fraternity an honored and true member. That, we deplore the loss of our Brother and extend to the family our heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement. That, we have no greater comfort to offer them for consolation than to refer them to Him who promises to be a husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless. That, this lodge wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. That, a copy of these resolutions be spread on the minutes of lodge, a copy be sent to the family of the deceased,, a copy sent to the Boston Lodge NO. 593, at Jellico, Ky of which Brother Cook was a member, and a copy sent to the Advance Sentinel at Jellico, Tenn., and the Mt Vernon Signal, Mt Vernon, Ky., for publication E. B. Cox A. B. Furnish John H. Coffey BRODHEAD NEWS Mrs. Lou Storms, of Keavy, KY is visiting Mrs. William Adams and Mrs. James Owens. -- Mrs. Egbert Owens and sister, Miss Mae Spoonamore, are here from Corbin visiting Mrs. Per Shelton. -- The protracted meeting of the M. E. Church under the tutorship of Rev. W. H. Durham, of Chicago, Ill., is still in progress and he is a preacher of marked wonder. Rev. Durham is a ex-resident of Brodhead having left here about 15 years ago. The largest crowds ever seen at the M. E. Church are seen attending nightly and he is reaching the hearts of several who were never known to attend church before. Old sinner wake up.. -- The wedding spoke of in the Sept. 21, issue of the Signal where A. C. McClary and Miss Maude Forbes were the principals, was a only a farce and not a true wedding. -- Jno. Robins is having the house torn down where Jake Johnson lived and one in its stead is having a nice five room cottage erected which will add greatly to the looks of upper main street. -- J. C. Wilhoite of Monteray, Ky. is here attending the bedside of his brother, Dr. A. D. Wilhoite, who is confined to his room with typhoid fever. -- W. T. Evans and son John Evans were in Louisville first of week. -- Mrs. J. W. Tate has returned from a weeks visit in Lexington. -- Miss Etta Cable has returned home from Paris where she spent five weeks as the guest of Mrs. Dave Thompson. -- Miss Nola Keisling spent Sunday in Cincinnati. -- Mrs. J. M. Clark is numbered among the sick this week. -- B. R. Wilmont is at home confined to his room with rheumatism. -- Mr. And Mrs. J. W. Hutcheson have returned from a weeks visit to Mr. And Mrs. M. B. Salin at Mt Vernon. -- Mr. and Mrs. J. Thos. Cherry have returned from a weeks visit in Lexington and Lancaster. -- Master of Trains W. W. Wright, clerk W. H. Benton, H. D. Mcgee and Pete Drummond of Livingston were all down between trains last Monday. -- Mrs. Granville Owens is visiting relatives at Pongo. -- Mrs. Amelee Geizer, of Crab Orchard visited her mother , Mrs. W. J. Dickerson last Tuesday. -- W. H. Barnes spent Sunday in Cincinnati. -- W. C. Swinford attended the circus at Mt Vernon Tuesday. -- R. L. Collier and wife will return to Brodhead about Oct. 1st after having spent the summer at Crab Orchard springs. -- Mr. And Mrs. J. F. Watson and son spent Sunday in the country. -- Wm. Watson and wife of Paint Lick visited his brother J. F. Watson first of the week. -- United States court was held in Brodhead Wednesday. -- W. Sheridan Cass is on the sick list. -- J. M. Ballard was in Stanford Monday on business. -- Wednesday was big court day.. C. C. Williams from Mt Vernon was here attending Judge Frith's court. -- Roy Bastin of Lancaster is here repairing the Bastin Telephone Lines. -- Wm. T. Brooks was here with homefolks Sunday. SPIRO NEWS Mr. Albert Owens has been very sick for the last few days. -- Mrs. Fred Hahn visited here daughter Mrs. Monk, near Crab Orchard, Tuesday. -- Mr. Joe Sowder, of Garrad county, and Mrs. Ellen Mahaffey, of Brodhead visited at Mrs Rilla Owens last Sunday. -- W. H. Owens, G. W. Brown, Ed Gentry and Sam Savers attended church at Brodhead Sunday evening. -- Rev. Thomas Smith preached to a large crowd at Freedom Sunday. ******************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. 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