The Three Point Explosion of Sept.16, 1943

17 MEN TRAPPED IN THREE POINT MINES AFTER BLAST

RESCUE WORKERS MUST ESTABLISH AIR 5000 FEET

EXPLOSION CAUSE UNDETERMINED AS FEAR FELT FOR MINERS' SAFETY

Rescue workers were striving at mid-afternoon today to determine the fate of 17 miners trapped 5,000 feet underground in the mine of Three Point Coal Company, Three Point, followingan explosion of undetermined orgin about 8:30 a. m. The blast ripped away the mine's ventilating system, forcing rescue works to establishnew ventilation as they pushed toward the area in which the men are believed to have been trapped. That work, it was said, at 1:30 p.m. would take "several hours" The names of the missing miners were with held, pending a check of the list. Under the direction of James F. Bryson, veteran safety director of the Harlan Coal Operators Association, and Rufus Bailey and H. Hamlin, state district inspectors of the State Department of Mines and Minerals, rescue squads rushed their drive to the blasted area, identified as having occured in No. 12 left section. NO OTHERS ARE HIT No other section of the mines, in which approximately 160 work, was touched by the blast, it was reported through the office of George S. Ward, secretary of the Harlan County Coal Operators Association, who was keeping in close touch with the rescue work. All other men were reported safe. While there was restrain among mining officials concerning the outcome of the explosion, fear was expressed for the safety of the trapped group. When news of the explosion was received in Harlan…first at the associations safety department…Bryson organized rescue workers and rushed to the mines, approximately 10 miles south of Harlan. Members' of the State Highway Patrol also went to the scene to give assistance.PATTERSON ON WAR Moss Patterson, Lexington, chief of the State Department of Mines and Minerals, was reported enroute to Harlan County to lend a hand in the rescue work. The association and state mine officials were the first to enter the mine following the explosion, but they were forced back by the lack of air. Then they began directing the building of a ventilating system that would permit them to travel the 5,000 foot passage in the blasted area. How long exactly it would take to set up the system is only a guess. While the rescue work progressed, families of the missing men and other miners and their families gathered as close to the blasted pit as they were permitted. Many other persons from other sections of the county went to the mining camp, some to offer their assistance, and others to look on.

12 of 18 Trapped Miners Found Dead

Six Three Point Survivors Found Behind Barricade

VICTIMS OF COUNTIES SECOND WORST DIASTER KILLED BY BLAST, GASES; RESCUE WORKERS DRAW PRAISE

The bodies of 12 gassed and mangled coal miners were brought from the two-mile deep pit of the Three Point Coal Company early this morning, victims of an explosion whose deadly "after-damp" was escaped by six of their fellow-workers who were brought to the surface last night after rescue squads had worked 12 hours to drive a 5,000 - foot line of air to their barricaded area. The men died a sudden death, caught in the force of the blast and enveloped by gas.Only quick action in setting up the barricade saved the other six workers from a similar fate. The mine gave up the six living men and three of the dead companions about 10 o'clock last night, the victims torn and burned. The other nine bodies were found about 6 a.m. today, accounting for all men caught in the county's second worst diaster. The three were found more than a mile from the drift mouth. Beyond this group, almost a mile farther back in 12-Left, were found the six men who had saved their lives behind brattice cloth. 12 MEN KILLED The dead, with their age, addresses, survivors and periods of employment at Three Point follows: Merle Blanton, 27, Molus, nephew of Frank Gross, secretary-treasurer of the company, wife, two children, eight years employment. Carson Ramsey, 26, Three Point, wife, two children, two years employment. E.M. Morgan, 30, Three Point, wife, two children, two years employment. Mine Foreman Albert Bonza, 46, Three Point, eight children, 16 years employment. Fred Irvin, 23, Three Point, wife, two children, two years employment. Leander Cole, 40, Cawood, wife. 12 years employment. Dave Osborne, 40, Cawood, wife, seven years employment. Henry Ed Osborne, 25, Cawood, wife, two children, one year employment. George Helton, 39 , Three Point, wife, four years employment. Frank McKenzie, Cawood, wife, six children, seven years employment. Lawrence Jordon, 40, Three Point, wife, seven years employment. Marion Osborne, 43, Three Point, wife, seven years employment. Marion Osborne, 43, Three Point, wife, 13 years employment. SIX MEN SURVIVE Harvey Lasley, Three Point, the only single man in the group, who is in the Harlan Hospital for treatment. . Warren Pruitt, Three Point . Charles Bailey, Cawood . Shelly Farley, Three Point . Paul Helton, Three Point . Homer Osborne, Cawood In the casualty list Carson Ramsey and E.M. Morgan are brothers-in-law, and formerly of Middlesboro, Ky. Dave and Henry Ed Osborne are brothers. Broad smiles bedecked the survivors when they appeared from the mine darkness in a coal car. There was no shouting, no hysterics…just a silent liberation for which the men gave thanks to the rescue workers. There were no testimonals from the men who a few hours before were inwardly in prayer and outwardly jesting to soar their spirits. FAITH IN RESCURERS "We knew they ( the rescue workers ) would get to us in time," one of the surviving men said. The 160 man mine of the Three Point coal company, 10 miles south of Harlan on Martin's Fork, was shaken by the explosion at about 9 a. m. yesterday. The force of the blast ripped down ventilating system and left the 18 men behind a wall of gas. Two hours before about 160 men had entered the mine. Only 12-Left, was caught in the blast,and other workers came out unharmed. Rescue work was established with James F. Bryson, safety director of the Harlan Count Coal Operators Associaton in charge, with his right-hand man, Rufus Bailey and H. Hamblin, district mine inspectors of the Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals. Under the leadership of Bryson and the two mine inspectors, a rescue squad tackled the job of driving through 5,000 feet of bad air to the entombed men more than two miles underground. NEWS SPREAD QUICKLY News of the diaster spread like wildfire throughout the county. And into Three Point began to pour volunteers who wanted to take hand in the rescue work. Rescue squads from trained mine rescue exams in which Bryson has had a hand in instructing, took over the long work. Bryson, Bailey, and Hamblin led the rescurers into the mine and personally directed the carrying of fresh air to the stricken area. The local rescue leaders were joined by Moss Patterson, Lexington, chief of the Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals, and by members of the U.S. Bureau of mines from Virginia and West Virginia. ARMY POLICE HELP In the meantime, The Salvation Army, of Harlan, under the direction of Martha Ellen Britian and Capt. Maleva Baugh set up a coffee and sandwich table outside the driftmouth and served each squad of rescue workers as they came from the mines. Members of the Auxililary Police Unit, Harlan City-County Civilian Defense Council, under the direction of M.V. , commander, aided in the direction of traffic on the approaches to the mine and the Three Point community. Members of the State Police had charge of the traffic. Elmer Hall, president and general manager of Three Point Coal Company, was on the scene constantly while the rescue work was going on. In the office of the coal company Gross, secretary-treasurer stood by the company's one telephone line and directed the flow of telephone messages into and out of the camp. PHONE KEPT BUSY Relatives from many places telephoned the mining office seeking information about the blast. Coal mine officials from the four state areas offered rescue teams and other services, some of which was accepted and most of it was turned down, because of the organization already perfected by Bryson. The Three Point community, ordinarly a place with little movement of traffic, became the mecca for hundreds of persons through out; the day and night. A large crowd was on the mountainside near the mines when the report came this morning that the last of the bodies had been found huddled close together. Three members of the rescue squads "got down" with bad air during their shifts in the mine. They were stricken in the main entry when gas seeped through the barricades. After first aid treatment, they were brought to Harlan Hospital for observation and later released. They were Johnny Gosnell and Ted Brown of Three Point, and Mine Foreman Jack Huffman, of Straight Creek, Bell County. Pruitt, one of those saved, doubted himself in the dressing room shower a few minutes after breathing fresh air. AIR GOT BAD "We all decided to barricade ourselves in the room, the air got pretty bad toward the last, but we held out hope that the rescuers would reach us in time," he said. Farley a big strapping miner of 22 years experience in the Kentucky fields said the blast didn't make much noise. "Our bunch was about 700 feet away. It just sounded like something had deafened us," Farley said, as a fellow miner rubbed soap on his back. "We lived on what little air there was, each of us searching around the walls for air pockets. "We found them too. None of us was scared a bit and shucks we could have held out 15 hours longer if necessary. Some prayed a little and some said we'd better if we got out of this. JOKED, HUNTED AIR "But we joked too and kept looking for more air pockets." Farley, who has two sons in the service, looked mighty good to his 18 year son, Edward. Who lives in the village. Going to the mine mouth as a helper, young Farley kept saying bravely; "Gee, I hope Dad is one of those six . Dad was and when Edward saw him all he could say was "Well" The boy couldn't reach him up the tram. Only one of the rescued was hospitalized. Lasley was skirted away by ambulance. His buddies said he held out better than any of them inside. The mine entrance overlooked the little village. A neat group of houses surrounding the general store and office building. TWO ARE BROTHERS Two of the Osbornes, Dave and Ed, were brothers. All of the four Osborne boys were cousins. Paul Helton, taking his shower calmly remarked that his brother, George, was killed by the explosion. The jesting Farley reckoned he would go home and take some sleep. He figured, too, he and the boys would be back at work tomorrow after some rest and nourishments. MEN ARE THANKFUL As Paul Helton stood in his house this morning, with his four-year-old son holding his hand, he had little to say other than "I'm a happy and thankful man this morning." His wife and family waited through the night until he came home. Joy was written on their faces, but the realization that 12 others had lost their lives seemed to seal their lips. Helton and his group of six placed the time of the explosion at 9 a.m. Thursday. "Our ears felt like plugs had been driven into them" he said. All they felt was a gush of air, but heard no noise. A little smoke followed but the mine cleared in a few minutes. Charles Bailey, another one of the rescued, said "our safety training saved our lives." He asked his companions not to strike any matches an suggested building a barricade. Shelly Farley took charge of the trapped group and got them organized in barricade construction. They cut old air vents, splint mine timbers and used rocks to construct a safety zone for themselves. The built two such places but bad air never reached their place. TRAPPED MEN PRAY When asked what they did in there all those long airs .. Helton said, "We all prayed a little I guess, I did." Mr. Bailey said, Sure, I prayed . We had time and I figured we ought to pray. One of the rescue workers said the six owe their lives to using good safety judgement. The rescuers sighted them an hour before they could reach the trapped men, instead of starting toward the rescue crew when they were sighted, the six waited until the safety men reached them. They would have been killed sure the safety man said, for the entry was filled with gas. The Three Point diaster was the worst suffered in the county since December 9, 1932, when 23 men were killed in an explosion in "Zero" Mine of Harlan Fuel Company, Yancey. Bodies of the 12 men were taken to three funeral home. Carson Ramsey and E.M. Morgan were taken to the Cawood Funeral Home at Middlesboro. Dave, Henry Edd, and Marion Osborne are at the Anderson-Laws Funeral Home and the other seven are at Cumberland Hardware Funeral Home.

MASS FUNERAL FOR BLAST VICTIMS

THREE POINT MINERS GET RITES MONDAY Joint funeral services for 10 of 12 men who lost their lives in the explosion at the mines of Three Point Coal Company Thursday will be conducted Monday at 12 noon at the Harlan Baptist Church, with the Rev. Roy Owens, pastor of Three Point Baptist Church, in charge of services. The Rev. W.J. Bolt, pastor of Harlan Baptist Church, will deliver the principal service and be assisted by the Rev, Roscoe Douglas, pastor of Pansy Baptist Church; the Rev. Joe Moses, pastor of Mountain Assembly Church of God in Cawood; the Rev. Onie U. Kays, pastor of Mary Helen Methodist Church. The Rev. C.B. Buckner of the Baptist Church, will lead in prayer. The Reverend Owens will read the Scripture. FOUND FRIDAY The men were brought from the mine about 10:30 a.m. Friday by rescue crews from Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, who worked ceasely at the task. The six rescued miners where found barricaded in their working place about a mile from the dead. They were brought from the mine about midnight Thursday, two hours after rescue workers had reached them. The accident was the second worst mine fatality in the history of Harlan County coal mining, the worst being Harlan Fuel Company in December, 1932; when 23 men lost their lives in the old Zero mine. The Three Point tragedy occurred at 9 a.m. Thursday within a few hundred feet of the Zero explosion in the same mountain . Property lines of the two companies join. The rescued miners are Harvey Lasley, Warren Pruitt, Shelly Farley, Paul Helton, all of Three Point; and Charles Bailey and Homer Osborne both of Cawood.

OSBORNE BROTHERS Dave Osborne, 40, of Cawood, is survived by his wife, Mrs Zonie May Osborne, seven children. Mrs. Georgie Johnson, Cawood; Mrs. Opal Ball, Harlan, Miss Ethel Osborne, Edna, Dave, Joe, Deloria and Billie Osborne of Cawood.

Henry Edd Osborne, 25, brother of Dave, is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bertha May Osborne, and two children, Charles Edd and Agatha. Other survivors of the Osborne brothers are three brothers. Roy Osborne, Cawood. Andie Osborne, Three Point, and Denver osborne, also of Three Point; and three sisters, Mrs. Rose Allen Osborne, Coxton, Mrs. Stella Nolan, Cawood and Mrs. Daisie Johnson, Cawood, and their father, Fayett Osborne.

Marion Osborne, 43, cousin of Dave and Henry Edd, of Cawood, is survived by his wife Mrs. Joanna Osborne, Cawood, and four children, Hazel, Febia, Lee Rose, and Margie, all of Cawood, four brothers, George, Charley, Will and Harrell, all of Cawood, and one sister, Mrs. Bertha Bruce , Cawood. A cousin of the three Osbornes, Homer, was among the six rescued. JOINT Joint funeral services will be conducted from the Yellow Creek Baptist Church near Middlesboro today at 3 p.m. for E.M. (Lige) Morgan, 28, and Carson Ramsey, 23, the Rev. William Johnson, pastor, and the Rev. James A. Lyle of Knoxville, Tenn. officiating. E.R. (Lige) Morgan is survived by his wife and two sons, Jackie Ray and Vancel Wayne, all of Three Point, and his father. He was a cousin to Henry Edd, Dave, and Marion Osborne. Carson Ramsey is survived by his wife, Edith Sing Ramsey and two children. Donna Faye and Johnnie Sue, all of Three Point; his parents Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Ramsey of Middlesboro, Ky. And two brothers, Moss Ramsey, Verda; and Forester Ramsey; Cincinnati O. He was a member and active worker of the Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church. ALBERT BONZA Albert Bonza, 46, veteran mine foreman for 18 years for the Three Point Coal Company, is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maggie Bonza and eight children. He has two sons in the army. He was born in Spain. Leander Cole,40, of Cawood is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lizzie Cole and two children. two of his sons are in the Army. George James Helton, 38, Three Point, is survived by his wife; Mrs. Mary Jane Helton, his mother Mrs Lula Lipscomb Helton, Pulaski county, nine brothers and three sisters. Frank McKenzie, 52, who was born in Italy, is survived by six children. Mrs. Elizabeth Noe, Mrs. Fastina Irvin, Joe McKenzie,Frankie, George, and Vinson, all of Three Point; three sisters, Mrs. Barbara Nettle, Philadelphia, Italy; Mrs Mary Ma-lie, Coalgood, and Mrs. Carmell Bushel of New Jersey. MERLE BLANTON Merle Blanton, 26, nephew of Frank Gross, secretary-treasurer of Three Point Coal Company, is survived by his wife, Mrs Rachel Blanton and two children. Brenda Joyce and Roger Allen, all of Molus: One brother Dexter Blanton, Massachusetts : five sisters, Mrs Robert Wells Totz; Mrs. William Blanton, Miss Mary Evelyn Blanton, also of Dayhoit, and Miss Beulah Blanton Cincinnati O. Lawrence Jordon, 40, Three Point is survived by his wife, Mrs Anna Mae Jordon and five children, Melba, Billie, Mae, Lawrence, robert and Kenneth, all of Three Point. Fred Irvin, 23, three Point, is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ann Wilson Irvin, and two children. Jane Ann and Virginia Louise, all of three Point, three brothers and three sisters.

MINE OFFICIALS BLAME MATCH FOR 12 DEATHS

THREE POINT BLAST INQUIRY COMPLETED; EVIDENCE FOUND

The lighting of a match to relight a flame safety lamp in an area heavily laden with methane gas was the cause of the explosion that took the lives of 12 miners of Three Point Coal Company September 16, it was revealed here today. The report was made by Rufus Bailey and H. Hamlin, district mine inspectors of Mines and Minerals and James F. Bryson, safety director of the Harlan County Coal Operators Association, who conducted an inquiry into the blast. Six men trapped in the mine after the explosion were brought to safety after a 12-hour entombment, during which time they had braddished off a "room" against the deadly "after damp" gas. Methane gas, the report said, collected in the mining area from a worked out area of the pit. Blame was placed on the match lighting in the local report which followed a closer investigation than the inquiry on which G. Moses Patterson, chief of the state department, drew conclusions in a report released at Lexington yesterday. In his report, Mr. Patterson was quoted as saying that gas " apparently was ignited by a match used in an attempt to light up a defective flame safety lamp or for smoking." The report here said that later investigation showed that the safety lamp was not defective, but that it had been taken apart to permit lighting by a match instead of by the automatic safety lighter attached. The report added that the smoking angle had been discounted after further investigation.

SEVEN KILLED OUTRIGHT Seven of the victims were killed instantly by violence of the explosion and the others died

as they attempted to flee from the mine, the report said. The investigators; hindered in their investigation by water the blast released from underground pool, said they found the safty lamp, box of matches and one slightly burned match stem near where the bodies were found. There were nine unlighted matches in the box. The report said there was conclusive evidence that the blame should be placed on the lighting of the match. The diaster was the second worst of its type in the county's history. A blast at the Zero mine of Harlan Fuel Company in December, 1932, cost 23 men their lives.

THREE POINT BLAST NOT FAR FROM AREA MINE IN WHICH 23 MEN WERE KILLED IN DECEMBER, 1932

Harlan countians watched silently through the night as rescue workers labored tirelessly to reach the underground room where 18 miners were trapped early yesterday morning in the mine of Three Point Coal Company--------------- fearful the coalfield's second worst diaster had struck. The blast that rocked the Three Point mine occurred only about 1000 feet from the area of the adjoining "Zero" mine of Harlan Fuel Company, Yancey, in which 23 men were killed on December 9, 1932, including six Massengille brothers of Tazewell, Tenn. The "Zero" tragedy was the worst suffered in Kentucky coal mining history. WILL BE FELT But despite the magnitude of the claim the depths of the mountain laid on the ranks of Three Point miners, the entombed miners families and friends looked on stoically through the night as rescue teams worked in shifts. The talking of the crowds gathered on the mountainside near the mine drift mouth was in subdued tones while now and then orders were barked through the dark by the rescue chiefs. There was no open display of emotions along the rows of homes of Three Point…the streets yesterday were Sunday-quiet…only noise coming from children who did not realize that perhaps one-tenth of the manpower of their mining camp had been snuffed out in the mining pit. The Three Point explosion will have its effect on every coal camp in the county for days. Such diasters always have a repercussion that is hard to shake off…as one mining official expressed it. "When things like this happen there is a jittery feeling in the field."

HAS GOOD RECORD Ironically, the Three Point Coal Company has a good safety record. The last fatal accident there occurred six years ago, in February 1937. " But this tragedy makes up for all the good record we have had," a company official said. There was no lack of skill in the rescue squads sent into the Three Point mine, for they were directed by James F. Bryson, a hefty Scot, a former major in the ranks of the famous Scottish regiment, " Ladies of Hell," of World War I . Bryson, a jovial veteran of the mining field, is a stern taskmaster in the face of suck work as he was "called to direct at Three Point. On the job, he knows no friends, he is oblivious to all things except the work of pushing rescue, to the men trapped underground.

EXPERIENCE ON HAND And there was no lack of experienced mine rescue men on which to call. George Ward, secretary of the Harlan County Coal Operators Association, said that mines from all sections of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia had called his office by telephone to offer the services of rescue squads and rescue equipment.

In referring to the work of the of the rescue squads, the association secretary commented: "Sure" we are proud of the safety department of the association." But, he added, it should be pointed out that L.P. Johnson, of Crummies

Creek Coal Company, and R.W. Creech Sr. Of Creech Coal Company, Twila, took an early lead in wanting a strong safety and mine rescue organizations. Next to the praise for the serious and vital rescue work, those who witnessed the tragedy's aftermath had praise for the thoughtfulness of the Salvation Army in preparing and serving coffee and sandwiches to he workers. Members of the Harlan Auxiliary Police under Major Hudson were Lieut. A.A. Stokes, Lieut. R.H. Stark, Sgt. B.Shorter, Sgt.D. Pursiful, Sgt. A. Royston, Corp. C. Johnson, Corp. C. Pfc. C.Whitcomb, Pfc. G. Williams, . L. Phillips, Pfc. T. Moore And Corp. W. Dailey. More than three score men worked through out the night and until 10 a.m. today. Addresses of the workers were not recorded on the list at the head house. Working crews were composed of: Bob Carmack, Herbert Cox, Rufus Bailey, Hurshel Bargo, H.L. Lewellyn, Bill Barton, Fred Loving, Julius Toliver, Henry Hamblin, Arthur Guthrie, Alex Moore, R.D. Brock, T.R. Buckner, Rice Carroll Herbert Payne, J.H. Mosgrove, Lee Hardin, F.E. Bunch, A.J. Pridemore, M.L. Davis, J. D. Bradburn, Henry Green Jr., G.M. Patterson, J.F. Bryson, Bill Jones, Dewey Collins, Sam Stewart, Ham Shope, George Bruce, Lolas Wattenberger, William Coldiron, Robert Chumley, Virgil Blackwell, Taylor Hansel, Luther Lumpkins, Ewell Napier, Ezra Nichols, Jim Hansley, C.P. McClung, A.D. Slick, T.M. Cossell. Taylor Parker, Steve Bosh, Jimmie Admans, Luther, Keith, B.H. Mill, Loyd Manning, T.E. Bunch, Thurman Jenkins, Henry Shackleford, Chester Day, John Cope, Andy Soske, Bradly Mills, Carl Weaver, Roscoe Ramey, Everett Williams, J.C. Dawson, R.C. Dizney, Ray Green, Walder Arvin, Mat Fuson, Leonard Carroll, A.J. Pridemore, Lee Hardin, Lynn Fowler, Elmer Baramlett, Walter Burkhart, Ardell Smith. George Short, Bob Carmack, Pat McGinnis, John Gosnell, Turner Arvin, Mick Short, Ed Peace, Ralph Huffman, Jack Anderson, Milt Johnson, Fred Day, Floyd Hall, Ted Brown, Roy Short, P.M. Osborne, Eli Craig, Hubert Cox, Floy Hayes, Bill Barton, Julius Tolliver, Herschel Bargo, W.S. Ettingham, C.M. Keen, J.E. Bradburn, M.L. Davis, F.E. Bunch, Rice Carroll, Herbert Payne, C.F. Tieche, Alex Moore, Elmer Bramlett, Tom Christian, Walker Arvin, Bob Mason, A.C. Arvin, Charles Hart, Jim Osborne, Jess Rose, Charles Helton, H.L. Green, Price Brumbach, Leonard Carroll, W.H. Tomlinson, M.C. McAll, Dr. W.R. Parks, H.F. Rodes, L.W. Huber.

Hundreds Attend Miners' Funeral Mass funeral services for nine of 12 men killed in the mine explosion at Three Point Coal company were conducted today noon at Harlan Baptist Church, with the Rev. W.J. Bolt, pastor, officiating. The Rev. Roy Owens, pastor of Three Point Baptist Church, was in charge of the services. Assisting the Reverend Bolt were the Rev. Roscoe Douglas, the Rev. Joe Moses, the Rev. Onie U. Kays and the Rev. C.B. Buckner. Hundreds of friends of the miners throughout this area filled the large church to overflowing and others stood on porches of nearby houses and on the sidewalks to pay their last respects. Flowers were banked high about the caskets and onto the floor. Men for whom the last rites were conducted were Dave Osborne, Henry Edd Osborne, Marion Osborne, Albert Bonza, Leander Cole, Frank McKenzie, Merle Blanton, Lawrence Jordon and Fred Irvin. Burial services for Dave Osborne, Henry Edd Osborne, Marion Osborne and Leander Cole were conducted at Cawood cemetery. Merle Blanton, Lawrence Jordon, Fred Irvin, Frank McKenzie and Albert Bonza were buried at Rest Haven. Funeral services for George James Helton were conducted at Whitley City, Ky., with burial there. Services for E.M. (Lige) Morgan and Carson Ramsey, the other two killed in the blast, were conducted Sunday at Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church with burial at Middlesboro.

Three Point Inquiry Delayed By Water Lexington, Ky., Sept. 22--- Inability to pump water out of the pit is delaying an investigation to determine the cause of an explosion which killed 12 workers in the mine of Three Point Coal Company near Harlan last Thursday. G. Moses Patterson, chief of the Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals, said yesterday. Patterson said a report on the disaster might be completed late today, if work progressed satisfactorily.

Trapped Miners Saved By 'Grace of God' After Building Model Gas Barricade Underground (The following story of the Three Point Coal Company mine explosion of September 16, in which 12 of 18 trapped miners died, was prepared by James F. Bryson, safety director of the harlan County Coal Operators Association, who directed the rescue operations that saved six men. Mr. Bryson requested that it be explained that techinal terms have ben left out of the story in order to make it clearer for the layman.

By James F. Bryson

Six men are alive today by the grace of God and not by the stupendous efforts they put forward on their own behalf. A gas explosion occurred in the No. 1 mine of the Three Point Coal Corporation Thursday, September 16 at 9:12 a.m. Twelve men's lives were cut off, four by fumes, three by violence from the explosion and five were overcome by carbon monoxide, that insidious creeping poison gas that is generated following a mine explosion. The six men referred to were some 25000 feet from the orgin of the explosion. They heard and felt the concussion from the terrific blast that tore along rooms and entries taking its toll of lives as it went, causing damage to ventilating apparatus and other pieces of equipment. Tried To Walk Out The explosion had occurred between these six men and the mine entrance. To reach the out side portal they had to walk through the explosion area. After some thought, two men attempted to get to the outside. They walked 1500 feet and in their own words it was "too" hot for them to go further, so they returnedand a conference was held. They were guided by an older and wiser man so they decided to build a barricade. They had heard stories of men in an explosion being saved by this means. Then first thought was to place the barricade across the entry. They would be required to build another barricade across the air course and theythought they did not have enough material to build both. They selected a single entry, that had been driven and used as a place to answer nature's calls for workman. The place selected was five feet in height,20 feet wide and 70 feet deep. The barricade was erected across the mouth of this entry. The barricade itself was one that any man or men should be proud of; it was composed of ties and post built on top of each other. The outside covering of the barricade was vent tubing, split and hung over these ties and posts. Not a nail was used in the construction.

Barricade Substantial It was substantial and had sealed off 266 cubic yards of air, or sufficient air for each man to live 44 1-3 hours had it been necessary for them to have been in the mine that long. Fortunately, they were out of the mine in less than 12 hours. While these men built a "very substantial and effective barricade", we cannot claim the barricade saved their lives. (They were saved by the grace of God. The barricade as built would have stopped the on-creeping insidious poisonous gases of the explosion provided the men had been behind it. However, would they know sufficient to build a barricade to protect themselves they did not avail themselves of that protection. They had the mistaken idea that many miners have----that you can smell carbon monoxide. No man can smell the gas. It is tasteless and odorless. They left a small hole at the right-hand corner of the barricade so when they smelled the gas they would get behind the barricade. While the ventilating system was knocked out and these gases could not be carried on the ventilating current, yet the diffusion of the gases into each other continued. Had the rescue parties not got down to these men in such fast time, it would have taken only a little while longer for the carbon monoxideto have reached the imprisoned men and we would have had six more victims.

Praise, Condemnation The men are to be commended highly for their forethought in building such a fine barricade, but they can be condemned equally as well because of their thought, that they could smell the carbon monoxide before attempting to use the barricade. The grace of god was with them. Men's lives have been saved by barricades used after explosions. They can be built of almost anything-brattice cloth, clothing, goo piles. The United States Bureau of Mines claims that only 10 per cent of the men killed in an explosion die by flame or violence. The other 90 per cent die from carbon monoxide. If men escape the violence of the explosion and have to pass the explosion area to reach the outside, they had for better get back and build a suitable spot and build one or two barricades and sit down to wait for rescue parties.

Remember for every cubic yard of air you barricade off, a man can live one hour.. Walked Into Death In almost all explosions it can be seen where men lived after the blast and walked right into the heart of it , dropping and dieing right there. Even in this disaster five men traveled 400 feet and died there. Had they remained in the working place and thrown up a barricade, they would have had a better opportunity to survive than they had by trying to come out. It is said they would have lived had they done this. Perhaps they would have had insufficient time to build their barricade, but they would have had a better opportunity than they had when they walked into the products of the explosion.

There are two pictures showing the barricade.

FIRST PICTURE Here is a picture of the barricade six miners built in the Three Point Coal Company mine after their path to the outside had been blocked by deadly gas that followed an explosion. Here is shown the barricade outside of which the men stood while awaiting rescue. It has been called a model by mining experts. SECOND PICTURE Here the barricade is shown with parts of it torn a way to give a view of its construction. It was tight and substantial and capable of warding off the deadly mine gas that was creeping slowly toward the imprisoned men. ( Photos by Wade Stanfill, of Star Studio )

Robert Osborne Killed In Mine Robert Osborne, 34-year-old miner of Yocum CreekCoal Company's No. 2 mine at Draper was killed beneath a slate fall yesterday. A native of the county, Osborne has been working at the Yocum Creek Coal Company mine for six months. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Hazel Osborne; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fate Osborne, five brothers. Dave and Edward Osborne, Cawood. Andy, Roy, and Denver Osborne, Three Point, and four sisters, Rosella Osborne, Coxton; Stella Nolan, Daisy Johnson and Zona Mae Osborne, all of Cawood. Funeral services will be conducted from the home at Draper Sunday at 1 p.m., the Rev. Joe Moses officiating . Burial will be in Resthaven cemetery.

Notes; Robert"Bob" Osborne born January 18, 1911, Harlan Co. Ky. He died July 15, 1943 Harlan Co. Ky. At Draper. Bob Osborne married Hazel Lowe in Harlan Co. Ky. On August 02, 1930 by Charlie Mitchell Wittness were Green Day and Gladys Poe. Her father is listed as W.W. Lowe. Source of dates is from Bob's headstone at Resthaven. As far as I know there were no children from this marriage.

Mine Mishap Fatal To Osborn Cawood Man Hurt At Three Points

Homer Osborne, 41 , Cawood, died at Harlan Hospital yesterday, only minutes after he was taken there fron the Three Points Coal Corp. mine at Three Points where he suffered injuries in a slate fall. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Daisy Osborn; his father Hiram Osborne, Cawood, seven sons, Elmer, Henry, James Franklin, Douglas MacArthur,Adrion, William Clay and Charles Edward Osborn, all at home; two daughters, Misses Opal, Louella and , all at home; a brother Ray Osborne, Cawood; five sisters, Mrs. Martha Griffey, Mrs Nannie Griffey and Mrs. Laura Meade, all of Cawood; Mrs. Lydia couch, Pine Mountain, and Mrs. Lizzie Green, Smith. Burial will be at Cawood but other funeral details are pending.

Slate Fall Kills Two Miners At Three Point

Third Man Injured, Two Others Dodge Huge Death Slab

Two men were killed and a third was injured beneath a large slate fall that barely missed two other men in the mine of Three Point Coal Company yesterday afternoon. The dead men are Emmett Carmack, 28, and John Nolan, 37, conveyor loaders. Ray Osborne, loader, is in Harlan Hospital suffering injuries. The slab of slate, more than 51 feet long, and 17 feet wide and weighing tons, was dodged by two men. The accident was investigated by Rufus Bailey, Harlan, district mine inspector of the State Department of Mines and Minerals, and James Bryson, safety director, Harlan County Coal Operators Association. Mr. Nolan, a resident of Cawood, is survived by his wife, Mrs. Stella Nolan; mother, Mrs. Margaret Nolan; three brothers, Adern Nolan and Archie Nolan, Brookside, and William Nolan, Loyall, and five sisters, Mrs. Jim Johnson, Mrs. Homer Osborne and Mrs. Roy Osborne, all of Cawood; Mrs. Ernest Freeman, Evarts, and Mrs. Julia Clark, Kenvir. He was a member of the Holiness Church, and had been a resident of Harlan county for 13 years. Funeral services will be conducted from the Cawood Church of God Saturday at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the Cawood cemetery. Carmack had been an employee at the mine for only a short time. He was not married. Funeral arrangements were incomplete today.