A Dying Miner’s Final Goodbye To His Beloved Wife In 1902
One letter from a man named Jacob Vowell was tragically found next to his body
The Fraterville Mine disaster in Tennessee was one of the worst in history.
The devastating incident killed over 200 miners in 1902, widowing around 100 women and leaving almost 1,000 children without their fathers.
At the time, 26 men survived the initial explosion, but tragically passed away after suffocating in a side passage of the mine.
Next to many of the men’s bodies were letters to their family. One letter from a man named Jacob Vowell was sent to his wife, Sarah Ellen.
In it, he discusses their children, one of which was with him in the mine and also died, and another who had previously passed away.
In the heartbreaking letter, Jacob asks Sarah to look after their children, adding that he ‘wished to be with her’.
“Ellen, darling, goodbye for us both. Elbert said the Lord has saved him. We are all praying for air to support us, but it is getting so bad without any air,” it reads.
“Ellen I want you to live right and come to heaven. Raise the children the best you can. Oh how I wish to be with you, goodbye.
“Bury me and Elbert in the same grave by little Eddie. Goodbye Ellen, goodbye Lily, goodbye Jemmie, goodbye Horace. We are together. Is 25 minutes after two. There is a few of us alive yet.
“Oh God for one more breath. Ellen remember me as long as you live. Goodbye darling.”
The letter read:
“Ellen, dear, good-bye from both of you. Elbert says the Lord has saved him. Do the best you can by the children. We are all praying for the air to help us, but it is getting so bad and there is no air. Horace, Elbert says put on his shoes and clothes. It is now half past one. Powell Harmon’s watch is in Andy Woods’ hand. Ellen, I want you to live right and get to heaven. Little Elbert says he trusts in the Lord. The bad air is closing in on us fast. Dear Ellen, I leave you in bad shape, but put your trust in the Lord to help you raise my little children. Elbert says you will all see him again in heaven, and all the children will find us both. Raise the children as best you can. Oh, how I wish I were with you. Good-bye to all, good-bye. Bury me and Elbert in the same grave as little Eddie. Good-bye Ellen, good-bye Lillie, good-bye Jimmie, good-bye Minnie, goodbye Horace. Oh God, just one more breath. Ellen, remember me while you live. Goodbye dear. It’s 2:25. Only a few of us are still alive.”