O God for one more breath
Trapped below ground, a miner writes one last letter to his family
The following letter, written on this day in 1902, is a devastating read. It can be found in the updated edition of the Letters of Note book; the audio below the transcript, featuring a reading of the letter by Ferdinand Kingsley, is taken from the audiobook.
On the morning of 19th May 1902, a huge explosion ripped through Fraterville coal mine in Tennessee, its devastating power instantly killing most of the 216 miners who were below ground. For the 26 who survived the initial blast, a side passage of the mine proved to be a safe haven, but not for long: when rescuers eventually reached them, all had suffocated. Found next to a number of the 26 bodies were letters to loved ones, including this one. It was written by Jacob Vowell to Sarah Ellen, his beloved wife and mother to their six children, one of whom, fourteen-year-old Elbert, was by his side in the mine. (‘Little Eddie’ was a son they had lost previously.)
All but three of Fraterville’s adult men were killed that day; over a hundred women were instantly widowed; close to a thousand children lost their fathers. The Fraterville Mine disaster remains the worst of its kind in Tennessee’s history.
We are shut up in the head of the entry with of little air and the bad air is closing in on us fast and it is now about 12 o’clock. Dear Ellen, I have to leave you in bad condition. But dear wife, set your trust in the Lord to help you raise my little children. Ellen take care of my little darling Lily.
Ellen, little Elbert said he had trusted in the Lord. Chas. Wood says that he was safe if he never lives to see the outside again he would meet his mother in heaven. If we never live to get out we are not hurt but only perished for air. There is but a few of us here and I don’t know where the other men is. Elbert said for you all to meet him in heaven. All the children meet with us both.
Ellen, darling, Good Bye for us both. Elbert said the Lord had saved him.
Do the best you can with the children.
We are all praying for air to support us but it is getting so bad without any air. Horace, Elbert said for you to wear his shoes and clothing. It is now half past one.
Powell Harmon’s watch is in Andy Wood’s hand. Ellen, I want you to live right and come to heaven. Rais the children the best as you can. O how I wish to be with you. Good bye all of you, Good bye. Burry me and Elbert in the same grave by little Eddy. Good bye Ellen, Good bye Lily, Good bye Jimmy, Good bye Horace.
We are to gether.
Is 25 minutes after two. There is a few of us alive yet.
Jake and Elbert
O God for one more breath. Ellen, remember me as long as you live Goodbye Darling.
He is somehow living on with your sharing of his last moments, and we are honouring him and all those who died with our fresh tears.
“O God for one more breath.” Beautiful and heartbreaking. This letter reminds me of Sullivan Ballou’s letter to his wife before perishing at Bull Run. Thank you for posting this. It’s a good reminder that life is but a vapor (James4:14).