Ritchie County, WV: Boat Explosion
*******************************************************************
USGENWEB NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in
any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or
persons.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,
must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal
representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb
archivist with proof of this consent.
*******************************************************************
Courtesy of:
THE RITCHIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Sept/Oct 1974 Newsletter  Vol. II  No. V

BOAT EXPLOSION

Boat Explosion in the Ohio River at Gallipolis, Ohio, September 23, 1907
(As told to Glenn A. Fowler by Carlie Moats)

Killed from Harrisville, WV; J. Willis Fidler, Postmaster J. C. Simmons,
Druggist, and Hobert Brake, Cashier, First National Bank;

Also killed: A Mr. Edwards, Gallipolis, Ohio;

Carlie Moats and Mr. ? Huff were sent from Harrisville to Gallipolis to
bring back the bodies.  The first body reported found at a spot about 10
miles below Gallipolis.  Mr. Moats secured a team of horses and drove to
this location, but found the body was that of Mr. Edwards from Gallipolis.

The next body found was near Kenova and Mr. Moats went there by train.  The
body proved to be that of Mr. Simmons and it was taken to an undertaker in
Huntington, WV.  There it was prepared to be shipped back to Harrisville
the next morning, in the custody of Mr. Moats.  The undertaker found that
Mr. Moats belonged to the Masonic Lodge and told him to send the money for
payment after he returned to Harrisville.

Mr. Moats then proceded to buy two train tickets, one for himself and one
for the body of Mr. Simmons, as was customary.  However, in the meantime
the body of Mr. brake was found up the river and had been taken to
Gallipolis.  Plans were made by telephone and Mr. Huff boarded the same
train the next morning with the body of Mr. Brake.

The body of Mr. Fidler was found shortly after Mr. Moats and Mr. Huff
returned to Harrisville.

During the early years of the 20th century, Harrisville had an excellent
brass band, comosed primarily of businessmen and leading citizens of the
community.  It is said that they practiced regularly, gave concerts
frequently, and played for Memorial Day, Fourth of July celebrations, lot
sales and many other public gatherings.

Mr. Simmons, Mr. Brake nd Mr. Fidler were members of the Harrisvile Band,
and at the time of the boat explosion, they were on an excursion trip down
the Ohio River; which is thought to have had a connection with a lot sale
or a celebration of some kind in Gallipolis, Ohio.

Mr. J. Willis Fidler had been appointed Postmaster at Harrisville, WV,
December 20, 1906, and was serving in this position at the time of his death.

***********************************************