Kentucky is My Home! Coal Miners Memorial Page77
 




Coal Miner's
Memorial






Courtesy of Ellen Memmo

Courtesy of Ellen Memmo

Ordeal Shows in Faces of Eight Miners

Who Cheated Death

 

These eight miners came back from the dead. They lived through 53 hours of flames, black damp and fright. Rescuers found them battling their way through 24 fires and as many slate falls for two days. The miners, parat of 31 entombed by an explosion in the No. 1 mine of Kentucky, Straight Creek Coal Co. near Pineville, saved themselves by stopping up an entrance that kept deadly carbon monoxide fumes away. Bud Townes led the men in their fight for life. Ivan Philpot said a miracle – pure air that somehow poured into their tomb – saved them. Hugh (Huey) Miller said he prayed aloud for eventual rescue. Tom McQueen, shown in an oxygen tent avove, still fought for his life last night – a life that was all but gone when rescue squad snatched him from the blackened mine. These pictures were made in Pineville Hospital.

The Eight Miners pictured are:

McKinley Leath, Ivan Philpot, “Huey” Miller, Tom McQueen, Charles Lingar, Joe Hatfield, Bud Townes and Bill Branstutter.

 


Submitted by Ellen Memmo