Bluefield Daily Telegraph McDowell Co. WV BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH COALFIELD DEPARTMENT January 11, 1905 IAEGER · John Kennedy of Jackson's Flat came into town Sunday morning brandishing a revolver and whooping like a wild Indian. He was accomopanied by some of his friends and although there was a peace officer among them, nothing was done toward an arrest or disarmament. The town police made their escape. It is a lamentable fact that in a town the size of Iaeger there was not to be found a man of sufficient strength and moral courage to take in the low offenders against the law, even though they are from Jackson's Flat and filled with bad liquor. · Hon. Harvey Hagerman, delegate from McDowell County, of Bradshaw passed through here on Sunday on his way to Charleston to be present at the meeting of the legislature Wednesday. · William Payne of Bradshaw, who succeeds himself as justice of the peace in his district, was in town yesterday on his way to Welch to take the oath of office and to give bond. · W. W. Reid of Welch has moved into the Christian home opposite the depot. This property was recently been purchased by L. F. Jordan, formerly proprietor of the Riverside Hotel. He will take possession the first of the next month. Mr. Reid will get the Starnes property. · P.. C. Harper of Frost, W. Va., is now running the Riverside Hotel, just vacated by Mr. Jordan. There are now three hotels here. · Iaeger Lodge No. 223, I. O. O. F., at their meeting Saturday night installed the following officers: . L. Auvil, N. G.; D. L. Auvil, V. G.; F. C. Shrewsbury, Secretary; Treasurer-elect C. E. Given was not present. ****************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph Jan 11, 1905 McDOWELL DEPUTY SHERIFFS QUALIFY Following are the deputy sheriffs of McDowell County, under the new sheriff, B. C. Bailey. All of them appeared before the county court at Welch Monday, qualifying and giving bonds: A. C. Davis, Eugene Robertson, John Kennedy, F. S. Payne, D. S. Payne, J. W. Waldron, J. E. Parsons, J. F. Stacey, B. H. Powell, R. L. Morris, and S. J. Hensley. All these gentlemen are well-known, all of them having served in an official capacity previously, and with the exceptions of one or two were deputies under the retiring sheriff, E. T. Sprinkle, and it is an assumed fact that the offenders will be promptly taken after by them. Mr. Bailey is to be congratulated upon his choice of deputies. **************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph, January 11, 1905 WELCH IS TO HAVE AN ICE FACTORY, TOO Though an infant in years, Welch is fast becoming one of the hustling little cities of our state, and with its proximity to the great coal fields, being more centrally located than any other town in the productive area, too much cannot be predicted for its future. In addition to the large brewery which is to be established within its limits and the probable locating of one of the leading packing houses of the country, there comes the announcement that there is to be an ice factory. D. J. Howell, through whose efforts, principally, this town has one of the best electric light and water systems in the country, of which he is secretary and treasurer, is the main leader in the new movement amd purposes to organize a stock company, he himself contributing a large share of the necessary funds for the project. From present indications, by summer the people of that town can be using homemade ice and getting their meats from a packing company located in their midst. **************************************************** ZENITH NEWS NOTES, Bluefield Daily Telegraph February 11, 1905 * James Patton and Charlie Stinson, of Giatto, were visiting friends here Thursday. * H. W. McCall, formerly with the Zenith Company at this place, in the capacity of mining engineer, but who has been at Williamson for a few months, has returned and resumed his old position with the above company. * One of the social events of the season was the masquerade ball given by the order of Pocahontas last night at Renn Hall. A large number of young folks were present and the costumes donned were unique in the extreme. * The "city daddies" held a call meeting Wednesday afternoon to act upon important matters which came before it for consideration. At this meeting A C Davis was elected town sergeant. ********************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph February 17, 1905 NORFOLK AND WESTERN WILL STRAIGHTEN TRACKS FROM VIVIAN TO NAUGATUCK BY CONSTRUCTING TWO TUNNELS No better illustration of the value of straightening railway lines and reducing curves and grades is afforded than in the case of the West Virginia and Ironton Railroad, a corporation chartered by the State of West Virginia, which has just been granted permission by the Virginia State Corporation Commission to run its lines into the old Dominion and out again. The line is contolled by the Norfolk and Western. It proposes to straighten its tracks from Vivian to Naugatuck, a distance of ninety-two miles. The railway line now follows the sinuous boundary line of the State for miles, and the plan proposed is to tun the railroad into and through a corner of the State of Virginia for 1800 feet, thus saving miles of distance and some sharp curves. The straightening of the line will necessitate the construction of two tunnels, one six hundred and the other six hundred and fifty feet. ********************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph February 28, 1905, page 1 Subject: Fatality List, Grapevine Shaft, Wilcoe, Feb. 26, 1905 The quiet of Sunday was broken by a fearful explosion that jarred the mountains and sent six, probably seven, men to their long home between 12:00 and 1:00 o'clock. . . They} were killed by an explosion of gas in the Grape Vine Shaft of the United States Coal and Coke Company at Wilcoe Sunday afternoon. The Dead: LAWRENCE HYDEN, white, HUNGARIAN MIKE PETERSHETE, white, HUNGARIAN UNKNOWN HUNGARIAN THOS. MINNIS, Colored TOM JEFFERSON, Colored JOHN WOODFORD, Colored The men were employed in laying track and removing slate at the lower seam of this operation, known as the Pocahontas seam, 152 feet within the earth. A number of men who were engaged in the same work eighty feet above the victims of this terrible catastrophe were shocked by the concussion, but none were injured. The dead men were horribly mutilated, their bodies being badly torn, and one had his entire clothing blown from his body and was as nude as when he was ushered into the world. During the week days there are nearly one hundred men employed in mining coal from this seam, and while it is unfortunate that the men were engaged in this work on the Sabbath, whether they were laboring of their own free will or were requested to by the company, it is fortunate that the explosion occurred on that day, for had it happened while the full force were engaged the loss of life would have been appalling as not one of the unfortunate men who were in the shaft were left to tell the story. As a consequence of all their lives being instantly snuffed out, it is a matter of conjecture as to how the gas was ignited, whether by lamp or from a shot of slate. Great excitement prevailed around whether another victim will be found, as it is reported that seven men entered the mines, though it is not known whether the missing man was white or colored or even who he was. The force of the explosion completely unroofed the frame which sheltered the mouth of the shaft. Submitted by June White ************************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph February 28, 1905, page 1 The quiet of Sunday was broken by a fearful explosion that jarred the mountains and sent six, probably seven, men to their long home between 12:00 and 1:00 o'clock. . . They} were killed by an explosion of gas in the Grape Vine Shaft of the United States Coal and Coke Company at Wilcoe Sunday afternoon. The Dead: LAWRENCE HYDEN, white, HUNGARIAN MIKE PETERSHETE, white, HUNGARIAN UNKNOWN HUNGARIAN THOS. MINNIS, Colored TOM JEFFERSON, Colored JOHN WOODFORD, Colored The men were employed in laying track and removing slate at the lower seam of this operation, known as the Pocahontas seam, 152 feet within the earth. A number of men who were engaged in the same work eighty feet above the victims of this terrible catastrophe were shocked by the concussion, but none were injured. The dead men were horribly mutilated, their bodies being badly torn, and one had his entire clothing blown from his body and was as nude as when he was ushered into the world. During the week days there are nearly one hundred men employed in mining coal from this seam, and while it is unfortunate that the men were engaged in this work on the Sabbath, whether they were laboring of their own free will or were requested to by the company, it is fortunate that the explosion occurred on that day, for had it happened while the full force were engaged the loss of life would have been appalling as not one of the unfortunate men who were in the shaft were left to tell the story. As a consequence of all their lives being instantly snuffed out, it is a matter of conjecture as to how the gas was ignited, whether by lamp or from a shot of slate. Great excitement prevailed around whether another victim will be found, as it is reported that seven men entered the mines, though it is not known whether the missing man was white or colored or even who he was. The force of the explosion completely unroofed the frame which sheltered the mouth of the shaft. ***************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph March 1, 1905 MINERS' HOSPITAL NEWS There are now a total of forty-four patients under treatment at the Miners' Hospital at Welch, a large majority of whom are rapidly improving and will soon be able to rturn to their homes. During the week ending February 26, four were admitted and seven discharged. No deaths are reported. There are seven private patients. Milton Flack was caught by falling slate at Hemphill February 21 and sustained contusions of the arm and leg. George Williams, colored, who was shot almost three weeks ago in the chest at Williamson, was admitted February 28 with pneumonia. He is in a very critical condition and fears are entertained as to his recovery. Albert Hatch is a private patient from Panther, admitted February 24. He is suffering with chronic dysentery and was in serious condiion when admited, but is now improving. Sam Poston was received from Lick Fork last Saturay and will be operated upon for fiatula. John Robinson, of Panther, who was received week before last suffering with gunshot wound of rectum was operated upon Saturday, left languinal colostomy being done. Cornelius Merchant, the colored patient who was admitted week before last from Keystone suffering with injury to foot was operated upon, his leg being amputated at the knee joint. NOTE: The state of West Virginia established in 1899 three Miners' Hospitals for miners and railroad workers who worked in West Virginia. Towns within areas competed for the hospitals to be located within their communities. Welch, for example, argued its case to host Miners' Hospital No. 1 because of its number of miners; Bluefield wanted the hospital there because of its railroad workers. On Jul 16, 1899, the Telegraph noted that "Bluefield is the terminal of three branches of the N & W Railway, and the end of three divisions, thereby making it necessarily the home of an army of railway men." Both communities covered advantages each community offered before a panel of commissioners who located the hospital. No one disputed the need that laborers had for medical services. After listening to each community's arguments, the Commissioners then voted upon their choices. In Southern WV, Welch gained Miners' Hospital No. 1 within its community. Bluefield's railroad workers also had access to the Welch hospital, of course. All miners and railroad workers in the area could receive treatment at the hospital in Welch or at one of the other two hospitals. The Board of Miners' Hospital No. 1 in Welch consisted of S. F. Morris, Chairman; L. E. Tierney, Treasurer; C. S. Forrberg, Secretary; H. D. Hatfield and J. T. Johnson. The hospitals, then, had the support not only of the legislature but also of the coal operators. ************************************************** ZENITH NEWS NOTES, Bluefield Daily Telegraph March 17, 1905 * Mrs. W G. Hunt and Mrs. Hall, of Welch, returned Wednesday after a visit with their daughter and sister, Mrs. W. F. Belcher. They were accompanied as far as North Forkby Mesdames J. H. Tabor, W. F. Belcher and G. W. Belcher. * Miss Lacy, the assistant postmaster at McDowell, is again able to look after the office after being confined to her room on account of illness. * Floyd Lusk, who is engaged in business at Thacker, is visiting his family here. ************************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph, March 24, 1905 Note, the community of Zenith lay close to both Northfork and Keystone. Later editions of the Telegraph suggest that folks from Zenith shopped by excursion in Keystone. "The regular pay excursions (chartered trains) from Zenith and Coaldale are scheduled for Saturday evening and the merchants are making preparations for the reception of the crowds as expected." ****************************************************** NOTES FROM MCDOWELL COUNTY Bluefield Daily Telegraph March 24, 1899 · William Spencer, general manager of the Bottom Creek Coal and Coke Company was up (to Bluefield) from Vivian. · A committee composed of Engineers T. F. Weaver and J. S. David; Conductor R. B. Lowder; Fireman C. H. White; Elwin Mann, president of the First National Bank; A. H. Land, city treasurer; and H. I. Shott, editor of the Telegraph; left on No. 3 last night for Charleston, where they go to call on the governor in regard to the appointment of a committee who will locate the Miner's Hospital which will be erected in this section and to set forth the advantages of Bluefield for the building. · Jarius Collins, general manager of the Louisville and Greenbrier Coal and Coke Companies was up from McDowell yesterday. · The Jewish Feast of Passover, in Hebrew Pesach, which comes on the 14th day of Nis-an, will fall on next Sunday, 28th instant. It is the spring festival of the synagogue as Easter is of the Church. The Church has been associated with the Ressurection, and that of the Synagogue with the Exodus. NOTE: The Pocahontas Coalfields had a very vibrant Jewish Community within it. Pocahontas, VA, for exampl,e had an active synagogue which leaned toward orthodoxy. Even today, the building which housed the synagogoue is still standing in Pocahontas and is in good enough shape that civic clubs meet there from time to time. Even today, there are faint signs that reveal its past as a synagogue. The Jewish communities within the Field maintained connections among themselves and were not discrete, isolated entitites; at the same time, their presence within the communities wove a richness into the coalfield tapestry. *************************************** ZENITH NEWS NOTES, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, March 25, 1905 * L. Simpkins, a night clerk at Hotel North Fork, was a Zenith visitor yesterday. * A colored minstrel aggregation showed in the Renn Hall here Wednesday night to a good crowd. The performance was good. * The friends of Percy Woods, who was formerly with the Zenith Company here, will be glad glad to know that the rumor that he was a victim of the mine explosion in Thurmond is untrue. The man killed there by the same name was colored. * L. B. Blevins has resigned his position in the store of C. W. Ellison and accepted a place with W. F. Belcher. W. F. Blevins succeeds (sic) L. B. as clerk for Mr. Ellison. * Miss Stella Whittaker, who has conducted a music school here for some time,has returned to her home near Oakvale, much to the regret of her many friends. * P. C. Peters is in Roanoke, VA, where he will undergo an operation for an ear affliction. * Dr. J. H. Ballard is visiting friends in Roanoke, VA. * Ex-Senator James F. Beavers of Welch and W. E. Stuart of Keystone were here Tuesday in route to their respective homes, after a business trip across the county several miles. * The revival services being conducted here by Rev. Bramlet, of the Methodist Church, are proving very successful, and many souls are being reclaimed. * R. H. Williams was visiting friends in Davy Sunday. * J. H. Peters was in Welch and Davy yesterday looking after his business interests. * J. N. H. Hays has accepted a position as clerk in the store of C. M. Cox and Company. * D. H. Dyer, of Lambsburg, VA, was visiting friends here Wednesday. Mr. Dyer is well known in this section, having been in the mercantile business at Davy at one time. * Engineer McCartney of the North Fork passenger trains whose illness was reported last week has recovered sufficiently to go to Bluefield to recuperate. * Miss Annie Divers of Rocky Mount, VA is the guest of Miss Byrd. ZENITH NEWS NOTES, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, March 31, 1905 * Dr. J. H. Ballard has returned from a business trip to Roanoke, VA. * A very enjoyable affair was a dance and ice cream supper at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Effler Tuesday night. * J. K. Lambert returned Wednesday from Crane Creek where he had been attending to business matters. * Miss Jennie Warden has returned to her home at Kimball after a visit with Mrs. J. T. Garrison. * A. Addler, of Charleston was visiting friends here yesterday and looking after the trade. * A. D. Milam, one of the pioneers of this place is confined to his home with an affliction to his eyes, and it is feared his sight is endangered. * Mr. Ferrell has returned to his home in Blufield after visiting his sister, Mrs. J. T. Garrison. * Walter Montgomery was assessed $1.00 and costs making $3.60 for being drunk and disorderly. John Horkiup became enraged at one Will Katus and proceeded to knock him in the head with a beer bottle. He was fined $5.00 and costs and producing the necessary collateral was released * A number of traveling men have visited the trade here this week, among whom were R. * Elsinger with Sig and Sol H. Freiberg, Cincinnati; F. T. Hutson, Hoster Brewing Company, Keystone; Mr. Cohen, Paul Garret & Co., Norfolk, VA; Mr. Boyer of Bluefield Brewing Company; W. E. Stuart, West Virginia Brewing Company, Keystone. * The revival services. commenced three weeks ago at the Methodist Church, continue and much good is being accomplished for the Cause. * P. C. Peters has returned from Roanoke , VA, where he spent several days with friends. * J. W. Helton, of the Spring Coal and Mining Company, was a Zenith visitor yesterday. * Dr. J. B. Ballard of Peterstown has located here and will look after the sick folks on the operation Zenith Coal and Coke Company. * Pay day passed off very quiet with only two being arraigned before Mayor Sizemore. ******************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph June 18, 1905 NORTH FORK GERMAN CLUB GIVES DANCE AT HOTEL NORTH FORK One of the most delightful dnces ever given by the North Fork German Club took place Friday evening in the dancing room of Hotel North Fork. The Colombia Orchestra, consisting of four pieces, furnished the music and the condition of the floor was all that could be expected. A delightful lunch was served by fine host Overstreet at midnight. Dancing was kept up till 2:00 a. m. The following couples were present and took part: Mr. O'Keefe with Miss Killey; Miss Barber of Bay City, Michigan, with Mr. Kent; Miss Ratcliffe of Panther with Mr. Food; Miss Keister of Hallsville with Mr. Toney; Miss Gordon of Worth with Dr H. Stone; Mis Kealing of Eckman with Mr. Dyer; Miss Tipton with Mr. Campbell; Miss Francis with Mr. Mallory; Miss Lenning with Mr. Parker; Miss Angel with Mr. Morrison; Miss Kingsbury with Mr. Huddleston; Miss Robertson of Blacksburg with Mr. Hoge of Bluefield; Miss Hopkins of Tazewell with Mr. Jacobs; Miss Flannagan of Glen Alum with Mr. White; Miss Calloway of Peterstown with Dr. Cook; Miss Flannagan of Glen Alum with Mr. Elliott; Mrs. Roy Zack with Mr. Zack; Mrs. A. Stone; Mrs. Jenkin with Mr. Jenkins; Mrs. C. S. Angel with Mr. Angel; Mrs. J. A. Gaines with Mr. Gaines; Mrs. J. C. Angel with Mr. Angel. The following gentlemen danced as stags: S. H. Goodloe of Vulcan; Mr. Henritze of Welch, Geo. D. Vaughan of Bluefield, C. V. Wright, T. W. Chambers, Geo. D. Vaughan of Bluefield; C. V. Wright, T. W. Chambers, Geo. J. Jenkins, E. W. Smith, S. H. Nunn, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Moore, J. C. Kelley, Dr. Taylor and E. W. Davis. The chaperones were Mrs. C. S. Angel and Mrs. D M. Jenkin. ****************************************************** BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH July 6, 1905, Page 1 HORRIBLE WOUNDS OF UNFORTUNATE MEN WHO WERE CAUGHT IN TERRIBLE EXPLOSION: TWO ARE DEAD; SEVERAL CANNOT LIVE AWFUL MINE CATASTROPHE OCCURRED AT TIDEWATER (VIVIAN) YESTERDAY Yesterday morning rumors gained circulation that the Flat Top Field had suffered another disastrous explosion in one of its mines and that several had been killed and many injured. Visions of the awful scenes attendant on such catastrophes were recalled. The explosion occurred in a mine of the Tidewater Coal and Coke Company and its results were frightful, two having succumed to their horrible injuries and seven more expected to die. There were about 100 men in the mine working in the vicinity of the eplosion, which occurred in the 3rd cross entry shortly after work commenced yesterday morning, and that more were not killed or injured is indeed miraculous. There are several explanations as to how the disaster occurred, but it is said that each of them is but an expression of opinion as there is nothing definitely known of the cause. It is said by some that an accumulation of gas ignited from the miners' lamps, but the most reasonable version is that it was due to a shot of "blowing out." This event does not appear probable for there is, in most mines, a certain hour of the day fixed for shooting down coal. However, the explosion was of terrific force and caused a heavy fall of slate and debris. One man is thought to be buried under this fall of slate. There were eleven men in close proximity to the explosion, and all suffered injury. They were [the following]: DOMINICK SODMITIE JIM DRAMATO ANTONIO LOECHIE JEMZOLE EXABLE ROMEO ANTONIO ANTONIO JUTITONIO ANTONIO JOTLONO FRANCO FRABSTS JEMMERIE JOZOZATA LEE MURRAY All of the above are Italians except the last named, who is a Negro. Two of the above are dead, Romeo Antonio and another, but which of them we could not learn, dying enroute to the hospital. All the wounded men came from the mine unaided, the burnt flesh dropping from their bodies as they made their way to the mine mouth. Seven are horribly burned and it is thought they will die, while two are not so seriously injured and were able to walk when taking the train to the miners' hospital at Welch. A mule was knocked through the braiticing by the force of the explosion and killed. Eight of the men were taken to the hospital on No. 15. It was at that time that there were thought to be other men yet in the mine, but this fear was unfounded. There was one found after No. 15 passed and taken to Welch on a special. ************************************************************* BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH July 6, 1905, Page 1 HORRIBLE WOUNDS OF UNFORTUNATE MEN WHO WERE CAUGHT IN TERRIBLE EXPLOSION: TWO ARE DEAD; SEVERAL CANNOT LIVE AWFUL MINE CATASTROPHE OCCURRED AT TIDEWATER (VIVIAN) YESTERDAY Yesterday morning rumors gained circulation that the Flat Top Field had suffered another disastrous explosion in one of its mines and that several had been killed and many injured. Visions of the awful scenes attendant on such catastrophes were recalled. The explosion occurred in a mine of the Tidewater Coal and Coke Company and its results were frightful, two having succumed to their horrible injuries and seven more expected to die. There were about 100 men in the mine working in the vicinity of the eplosion, which occurred in the 3rd cross entry shortly after commenced yesterday morning, and that more were not killed or injured is indeed miraculous. There are several explanations as to how the disaster occurred, but it is said that each of them is but an expression of opinion as there is nothing definitely known of the cause. It is said by some that an accumulation of gas ignited from the miners' lamps, but the most reasonable version is that it was due to a shot of "blowing out." This event does not appear probable for there is, in most mines, a certain hour of the day fixed for shooting down coal. However, the explosion was of terrific force and caused a heavy fall of slate and debris. One man is thought to be buried under this fall of slate. There were eleven men in close proximity to the explosion, and all suffered injury. They were [the following]: DOMINICK SODMITIE JIM DRAMATO ANTONIO LOECHIE JEMZOLE EXABLE ROMEO ANTONIO ANTONIO JUTITONIO ANTONIO JOTLONO FRANCO FRABSTS JEMMERIE JOZOZATA LEE MURRAY All of the above are Italians except the last named, who is a Negro. Two of the above are dead, Romeo Antonio and another, but which of them we could not learn, dying enroute to the hospital. All the wounded men came from the mine unaided, the burnt flesh dropping from their bodies as they made their way to the mine mouth. Seven are horribly burned and it is thought they will die, while two are not so seriously injured and were able to walk when taking the train to the miners' hospital at Welch. A mule was knocked through the braiticing by the force of the explosion and killed. Eight of the men were taken to the hospital on No. 15. It was at that time that there were thought to be other men yet in the mine, but this fear was unfounded. There was one found after No. 15 passed and taken to Welch on a special.