Ed Ray of East Bonne Terre was killed in No. 2 shaft by falling rock on Thursday afternoon, and Vest Patterson, who was working with him, had his leg broken and received other injuries, but seems to be getting along nicely at the hospital where he was taken immediately after the accident.
The facts brought out at the Coroner's inquest on
Friday morning showed that the back or roof of the mine had been inspected by those whose
duty it is to do that work and it was pronounced safe only a short time before the
accident occurred. Ray was helping to load a car and was stooping over to pick up a
rock when a piece of rock about eight feet long, four feet wide and four inches thick fell
and killed him instantly.
Mining work is always dangerous and such sad accidents cannot always be
prevented, although it is the policy of the company not to limit the number of men
employed to see that the roof is kept safe.
Ray was about twenty-two years of age and a young man of good character. He leaves a mother, Mrs. Totten, of East Bonne Terre.
THE BONNE TERRE REGISTER, Bonne Terre, Mo., Fri., July 25, 1913.
EDWARD LEE RAY.
We know that this world is not our permanent
home. We expect old people to die and we are in a measure prepared for their going from us
when the summons comes but we expect the young and strong to remain with us for many
years, and if they are suddenly called from us the shock is so great that it seems we
cannot bear it and we find it almost impossible to reconcile ourselves to our long
established belief in the goodness of God and to submit uncomplainingly to His will not
ours being done.
A few days ago Edward Lee Ray, a strong young man, went to his work in
No. 2 shaft, enjoying health and strength, swinging his dinner bucket as he went along and
apparently having many years of useful life before him in this world. A large piece of
rock broke from the roof of the mine above him and falling, crushed his physical body so
it could no longer be of use to him, and he went out of the dark mine and away from his
companions into the mansion that had been prepared for him by Him who said, "In my
Father's house are mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a
place for you". And "That where I am, there ye may be also."
He was born near Hazel Run, June 30, 1890 and died July 17, 1913. The
son of John and Minarca Thompson Ray. His father died when he was eleven years old and he
lived with his uncle Joe Thompson several years and then became the support of his mother
and a younger brother and sister, until his mother married Mr. Totten. He worked in the
mines for five years and was well liked by all who knew him, and it has been said that he
was always good to his mother and kind to everyone, which disposition will give him a
place in his new home that is more satisfying and enjoyable than could possibly come from
having great wealth or a more notable history regardless of how they were gained. Nothing
that can be done now will make a difference with him but the thoughts that are awakened in
us at such tragic events should make us realize the insignificance of many things for
which we struggle and strive and that when the call comes to us whether we are in the mine
or the workshop, the field or the office, the store or the home, it must be obeyed
immediately and there is nothing that we take with us except that which all have an equal
opportunity to develop, the real self.