GWYNNE, William Harry 1869 - 1883

GWYNNE, SMITH

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/20/2011 at 21:41:42

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, September 26, 1883
Page 3, Column 6

DEATH IN THE MINE.

Serious Accident by a Falling Roof in the Perlee Coal Works.

A most distressing accident occurred in the mines of the Jefferson County Coal Co. at Perlee, Wed. afternoon last. Lucius Snook, Hugh Allerdice, and John Mooney had been ordered to clear away the dirt from a "breakthrough," -- a narrow space between the entries which is a usual place of deposit for slack and dirt. Willie GWYNNE, a boy of fifteen, a "trapper" or gate tender, had left his place of work and was with them, as was also Samuel Crow, who was employed elsewhere in the mine. The men in their work loosened the support and a large piece of slate -- about eight feet long, six feet wide and a foot thick -- which made the roof fell upon them. GWYNNE, Crow and Allerdice were caught under the falling mass, the other men saving themselves by jumping out of the way. It was impossible to get the injured men out until help came -- GWYNNE lived but a few minutes, and was dead when assistance reached him....

(Obituary in Column 9)

"Go, let the burial rite be read,
The funeral song be sung;
A dirge for him the doubly dead,
In that he died so young."

William Harry GWYNNE was born in Llangatlock Parish, near Criek Howell, Breconshire, Wales, Feb 22 1869, but had lived the greater part of his life in Perlee..... The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock, at Antioch Church, Professor McCalla of the Presbyterian Church officiating.... Last resting place beneath the sod in Antioch cemetery.....

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Willie was a son of Henry and M.A. (SMITH) GWYNNE; all three are on one gravestone, along with a Charles SMITH who was Henry's cousin.