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Royalton North No. 1 Mine Explosion

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Coordinates: 37°53′5″N 89°6′45″W / 37.88472°N 89.11250°W / 37.88472; -89.11250
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Royalton North #1 Mine
Location
Royalton is located in Illinois
Royalton
Royalton
StateIllinois
CountryUnited States
Coordinates37°53′5″N 89°6′45″W / 37.88472°N 89.11250°W / 37.88472; -89.11250
Production
ProductsCoal
History
Opened1907 (1907)[1]
Closed1952 [1]
Owner
CompanyFranklin Coal & Coke Company

The North #1 mine is a closed coal mine that was located in Royalton, Illinois. The Big Muddy and Carterville Coal Company opened the North #1 mine in 1907. Franklin Coal & Coke Company took over this mine in 1910, and along with its mine south of Royalton, operated two mines in Royalton.[2][3] At its peak, the #1 mine (sometimes also referred to as the #7 mine) employed over 600 miners. In 1949 Lyda B mine, was opened however it closed in 1952.

Explosion

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On October 22, 1914, an explosion killed 52 miners. This was the worst mine disaster to date in the coal fields of southern Illinois.[4][5] Many of the miners killed in the explosion were European immigrants.[3] 13 of the dead miners were parishioners of the Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Church Royalton IL, a Russian Orthodox church in Royalton.[6][7] There is a memorial at the church, and many of the miners were buried in a cemetery dedicated to the disaster.[8] The mining company donated land north of Royalton to bury the miners, and became St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Cemetery.[9][10] Each year, on October 27 a panachida is celebrated in remembrance of the thirteen parishioners who were killed.[11]

The North #1 mine operated until September, 1951.[12]

Miners Killed in the 1914 Explosion

B. Orlenti Will Bater Berti Barto B. Merigildo John Varga Virgil Bondi Dom. Ogolini W. D. Williams Louis Julius Dom.Lutanski Tony Borzoni Neal Mullen Pete Holupko John Barclay Guy Mozzellia Steve Bolinski Philip Parrott Pete Cornella Russell Harris James Johnson Alex Holodinak Pete Bovnezono I George Horuary Charles Bellonyv -Geopce Hayonech A. Sholler Pete Krelo Alex Marce John Smith Felix Cetric Sam Smiddie Peter Young John Babich Harry Litkas George Balis Jack Kovich Louie Sakaly Adam Maleski Joe Tradonas Mike Fricosky Joe Harnalich Dom. Lorentro Joe Antonacci Tony Plusnich Philip Micildeth Steve Shanders Louis Benciniza Charles Petrone Martin Grachino Anton Alabanskas George Dronovich

1918 Explosion

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Another explosion occurred at the mine on September 28, 1918 killing 21 men.[13][14]

Miners Killed in the 1918 Explosion

John Lee John Hynd Tony Farlih A.E.Kapstick James E. Beck Grover Capps W. M -Holland Anton Heberer Wy . A. Ditterline John Elejavanezk W Al Vis E.Mccleary Theo. F.Helm W. J. Boatman Robert Watts Jettie Harris Archie Storrie John Dickerson John Karloveck Harry Mclaughlin Warren Leo Stroud

References

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  1. ^ a b Homan, John (Jun 9, 2008). "Mines are long gone, but Royalton residents' spirits burn bright". Southern Illinoisan.
  2. ^ "The Royalton Mine Explosion". The Colliery Engineer. XXXV: 203. 1914.
  3. ^ a b Paul, J.W.; Smith, H.I.; Powell, G.T. General Report on Explosion at Royalton #1 Mine (PDF).
  4. ^ "Franklin Coal and Coke Company Royalton North No. 1 Mine Explosion".
  5. ^ "Mine Explosion at Royalton, Ill.", Coal Age, Vol. 6, No. 19 (November 7, 1914); pages 753-757. Includes several good photos.
  6. ^ Malkovich, Becky. "Royalton church an edifice to Christ, sacrifice". Retrieved Oct 25, 2009.
  7. ^ "Royalton Church Observes 101 Years Since Fatal Mine Disaster". Southern Illinoisan.
  8. ^ Hale, Caleb. "Royalton church remembers those lost in 1914 mine explosion". Retrieved Oct 27, 2009.
  9. ^ ""Shadows of the Motherland"". Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  10. ^ Allen, John (Jul 30, 1964). "The Longest Way Around". Alton Evening Telegraph. p. 8.
  11. ^ "Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Church". Archived from the original on March 24, 2016.
  12. ^ "Mine Index 0057 Franklin County Coal Company, Royalton No. 7 Mine". ILMINES WIKI.
  13. ^ "Memorial Services for Mine Disasters to be Held Friday". Carbondale Free Press. Oct 25, 1939. p. 1.
  14. ^ "Franklin Coal and Coke Company Royalton North No. 1 Mine Fire and Explosion". Mine Disasters in the United States.
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