xt7kh12v6014_601 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7kh12v6014/data/mets.xml https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7kh12v6014/data/2008ms006.dao.xml Benham Coal Mines. (Benham, Ky.) 151.0 Cubic feet 302 Boxes The Benham Coal Company records (151 cubic feet, 302 Boxes; dated 1911-1973) focus primarily on the early years of Benham Coal through the 1940s, including office files, Employee Benefits Association records, files on accidents and safety, and photographs. archival material English University of Kentucky This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed.  Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically.  Physical rights are retained by the owning repository.  Copyright is retained in accordance with U. S. copyright laws.  For information about permissions to reproduce or publish, contact the Special Collections Research Center. Benham Coal Company Records African American coal miners--Kentucky--Harlan County Coal miners--Kentucky--Harlan County Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region--History. Coal mines and mining--Kentucky--Benham--History Company towns--Kentucky--Benham Tolbert, William Jr. text Tolbert, William Jr. 2015 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7kh12v6014/data/2008ms006/2008ms006_67/2008ms006_67_1/52356/52356.pdf 1948 1948 1948 section false xt7kh12v6014_601 xt7kh12v6014 r _
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mss/a

 June h, 19bG
Industrial Accident
C. G. Gregory, Manager
`FILLIAM TOLBEAT, JR. ‘
We wired you yesterday ae follows: "About eight thirty lest night
linht wire pole fell on home of employe William Tolbert house number
one hundred six. To1hert'a ten year old een was fatally injured.
Report will follow".
Subsequent investigation indicates that the accident occurred he-
tween 7:30 and 8:00 on the evening of Nay 31 and the hoy was admitted
to Benhem Hospital about 8:30 where he died at 3:20 the following morn-
ing, June 1, 19hB,
William Tolbert'e home, which is house #106, is situated south of
the highway and at e point just east of our overhead bridge, The front
u porch is on the north east corner of the house. There are six wooden
steps extending from the east end of the porch, down to fhe ground, The
north side of the lot, which extends in an east west direction, iz
approximately twenty-five feet wide. At the north edge of this lot is
e ditch extending east and west and beyono that is the eta*e highway.
Just inside the ditch there ie e hedge row. Just ineioe the hedge row
and et a 90 degree angle to the direction in which the steps face, the
light wire pole stood. The pole was sup orted by one guy wire extend-
ing from the cross arm to a steel rail anchor sunk in the ground some
ten feet due north of the haze of the pole. The pole was secured by
another guy wire extending from the croee arm to a point about twelve
feet due east of the base of the pole. The pole was what is commonly
known ae e "dead end pole"; that ie, it was on the end of the line of
wires supplying current to the five houses in this section. Three of
these houses were west of the pole, one was due south anu one south
east. It may be seen that the weight of the wires pulled the pole in
e westerly direction but that in fa1li¤H, the wire extending to the
house south east of the pole became taut as the pole fell; that, along
with the wire extending to house 106 located due south of the pole,
. resulted in its felling into house @106. It could not have fallen in
any other direction without breaking some of the light wires,
Examination revealed that the chestnut pole had rotted off at the
top of %he ground and both guy wires had rueted in two. One or two
strands might have been intact but we are not sure of that, Dirt frmn
the ditch between the hedge row and highway had been pileo on one of the
anchor poets concealing it for inspection.
There are ttree theories ee to why the polo nay have fallen just
when it did. First, there were about ten children playing ball in the
yard nhoui the pole and guy wires. Although our investigation indicates
that none of the children were pushing the pole or swinging on the wire,
it ie poseihle that, in view of the weak condition of both pole ono wire,
the least pressure against either might have caused it to fall.

 Page i
William Tolbert, Jr.
Second, since the day had been rather warm and the pole fell shortly
after sun down, it is possible that contraction of the wire was sufficient
to break the reuainind strand or strands of the guy wires. The Coroner
suggested this possibility.
Third, we were told by reliable people that a brisk wind, lasting
for just a few seconds, occurred about the time the pole fell. However,
there was no overcast and we are not certain if there was any wind in
this particular vicinity. At this time of the year, the cold air rolling
down the long hollows just after sun down does create some air turbulence
and it is reasonable to think such a condition could have put just enough
stress on the pole to fell it.
The child was sitting on the third step from the bottom. His body
was caught between the cross arm and the pole as indicated by cross mark
on the enclosed pictures. Wire, which became entangled about the porch
and steps supported pole and cross arms in such a manner that it probably
prevented crushing injuries causing instant death. The father of the
child, William Tolbert, Sr., was away from home at the time. Neighbors,
Cecil Johnson and Henry Lee Rogers, removed the child from under the
pole. As the father put it, "They worked with him awhile," after which
time they removed him to our hospital. Neither Johnson or Rogers were
witnesses and inquiries among the children indicated that the pole fell
suddenly and without apparent cause or warning.
We reported this matter to Mr. Sampson June 1. He advised that,
since we apparently have all the facts, we make proper record of sane and
await developments.
E. D. Sturgill
sus/ta
Enos, 5
CC: R, E. Galbreath
J. W. Mowat
J. S. Sampson

 Juno li, 19148
Industrial Accident
C, G, Gregory, Nnnagcr _
`YILLIAH TOLHEAT, JR. "
'We wirod you yesterday as follows: "About eight thirty last night
light wire pole fell on homo of crployo William Tolbert house numhar
one hundred six. To1bart's ton yuar old son was fatally injured.
Report will follow".
~ Subsequent in~msti;;a1bion imiicates that tha accident. occurred be-
twoen 7:30 and 8:00 on the cvening of Hay 31 and the boy Was admitted
to Bonham Hospital about 8:30 whore hc diéd at 3220 the following morn-
ing, Juno 1, 19hB. c
William T0lbert's homo, which is house #106, in situated south of
tho highway and at a point just east of our overhead bridge. Tho front
porch is on the north aaai corner of tho house. There nrc nix wooden
steps cxtcnding from the cast and of the porch, down to the ground. The
north side of the lot, which extends in an east west direction, is
apnroximntcly tw nty-five foot wide. Ai tho north cage of this lot is
a ditch extending oasw and west and beyond that is the state highway,
Just inside the ditch bharo is a hedge row, Just inside the hedge row
and at A 90 degree angle to the direction in which the stops Baca, the
light wirc pole Stood. The nola was sup orted by one guy wire extend-
ing from the cross arm to a stool rail anchor sunk in the ground some
ten fact duo north of the base of the polo. The pole was secured by
onoéhcr yuy wire cxtanding from the cross umn to a point about twelve
fact due east of une base of the pole. The pole was what is commonly
known as a "dcad and polo"; that is, it was on tha and of the line of
wires supplying current to the five houses in this section. Three of
these houses were must of the polo, one was due south and ono south
cast. It may be scan that ikm weight of the wires pulled the polc in
a wectorly direction but .Hnt in falling, the wire extending to the
house south cast of the polo became iaut as the polo fall; that, along
with the wire extending to house 106 located cue south of tha polo,
resulted in its falling into house ¥lOo. I, could not have fallen in
any other direction without breaking soma of the light wires,
Examination rovnclcd that the chestnut polo had rottcd off at the
top of *ho ground and both guy wires had rushed in two. Ona or two
strands might hava been intact but wa are not sure of that. Dirt from
the uitch between the hedge row und highway had boon pilcc on one of the
anchor posts concealing it for inspection.
Thorn are ilree Choorian as io why tho polo may have fallen just
when in din. First, chore were about ten children playing bull in the
yard about the polo and guy wires. Although our investigation ingicates
that none of the chilMran worn pushing the polo or swinging on the wire,
it in possible ihat, in vicw of the weak condition of both polo and wire,
the least pressure ngainni aithor might have caused it to fall.

 Page 2
William Tolbert, Jr.
Second, since the day had been rather warn and the pole fell shortly
after sun down, it is possible that contraction of the wire was sufficient
to break the remainind strand or strands of the guy wires. The Coroner
suggested this possibility.
Third, we were told by reliable people that e brisk wind, lasting
for just e few seconds, occurred about the time the pole fell. However,
there was no overcast and we are not certain if there was any wind in
this particular vicinity. At this time of the year, the cold air rolling
down the long hollows just after sun down does create some air turbulence
and it is reasonable to think ouch s condition could have put just enough
stress on the pole to fell it.
The child was sitting on the third step from the bottom. His body
was caught between the cross ern and the pole as indicated by cross nerk
on the enclosed pictures. Wire, which became entangled about the porch
and steps supported pole and cross urns in such a manner that it probably
prevented crushing injuries causing instant death. The father of the
child, ?illiam Tolbert, Pr., was sway iron home at the time. Neighbors,
Cecil Johnson and Henry Lee iogers, removed the child from under the
pole. As the father put it, “They worked with him awhile," after whech
time they removed him to our hospital. Neither Johnson or Rogers were
witnesses and inquiries among the children indicated that the pole fell
suddenly and without apparent cause or warning.
We reported this matter to Hr, Sampson June l. He edviseo that,
since we apparently have all the facts, we make proper record of sane and
await developments,
E. D. Sturgill
me/+~.
Enos, S
CC: R, E, Galbreath
J. W, Howet
J. S, Sampson

 June la, 19).48
Imiuetrial 1Lcc:i.¤ {ent
C. G. G1··o;jory, 1mrm{;e;•
"s'j[LLIALi ?`OI..HE.i'X‘, Jfi. v
Tie wlmli you yesterday as follows: "A`¤out oi;_;ht thirty lust night
ligzht wire oole fell on home of employe Yiilliarrn Tolbert house number
one Enmdred six. 'l`O].l)8l`*·b'Z3 ten year old son was fatally injured,
ileport will follow".
Subsequent Lrxvestlgation ineilootee that: the accident occurred he-
tween 7:30 and 8:00 on the evening of Bia? 31 and the hey was aczmitted
to Bonham Hocnitnl about 8:30 where he   at 3:20 the followlng morn-
ing, June 1, 191.18.
William T0lhert‘a home, which is hoxme #106, in situated south of
the ’z;Lr;hwny and at a point just east o1' our overhead hrl=h;o, The fmnt
porch io on the north east corner or? the house. There are nix wooden
etepe exteny one guy wire extenti-
inp; from the cross arm to e steel rail anchor sunk ln   ground some
ten feet due north of the bnee of thc polo. The pole was secured by
:anoaher guy wire extemiingg from the croee um to a point ohout twelve
feet due east of the bose of the pole. The pole woe what is commonly
known as n "dead end pole"; that is, it was on the end of tho line of
·wi.ree supplying current to the five houeess in this section. Three of
these houees were west of the pole, one was one south and one south
cnet. It may be seen that the weight of the wires pulled the pole in
zz westerly direction but Limt in falling, the wire exten—¢1i,ng to the
house south east of the pole became ieut as the pole fell; that, along
with the ?fj.1‘G ezcicenolimg to house 105 located clue south of the pole,
resulted in its felling; into house “lO6. It could not have fallen in
any other tl1rect5.<>n wjsihout breaking; some of the light wires,
Exnmztnntion revealed that the chestnut pole had rottecl off at the
top of the ;;1·oun¢i ami both guy wires had rustcd in two. One or two
e’:.:·enri¤ might have been intact but we are not sure of that. Lirt i‘;··om
the ditch between the zedg;0 row ameri highway had heen piled on one of the
anchor poets concealing; it for inspection.
There are Urea thcorioss as to why the polo may have fallen Just
when it did. I·‘;1:·et, there were about ten ch5.1<€1·en playing hall in the
yard ohouit. the pole one guy wlree. Although our 1Il"J'68l-j.g`;é17·lO¤ inoicnteo
the?. none of the children were push;3.n;; the pole or ewlngging on the wire,
it isa posmihle that, in view of the weak coneiltion of both pole and wire,
the least ;>reeeure ng_;:z;1.zmt either mzlght have mused it to fall.

 Page 2
William Tolbert, Jr,
Second, since the day had been rufher warm and the pole fell shortly
after sun down, it ie possible that contraction of the wire was sufficient
to break the renainind strand or strands of +he guy wires. The Coroner .
suggested this possibility.
Third, we were told by reliable people that a brisk wind, lasting
for just e few seconds, occurred about the time the pole fell. However,
there wan no overcast and we are not certain if there was any wind in
this particular vicinity. At this time of the year, the cold air rolling
down the long hollowe just after sun down does create some air turbulence
and it ie reasonable to think such a condition could have put just enough
stress on the polo to fell it.
The child was sitting on the third step from the bottom. Hiskxvhr
was caught between the cross arm and the pole as indicated hy croee mark
on the enclosed pictures. Wire, which became entangled aoout the porch
and steps supported pole and cross urns in ouch a manner that it probably
pmwmmmimnmdmghUmimsmmmngimmmm:Ltal about. 8:30 where hc died at 3120 the follmvingg mom-
5.11;;, June 1, l‘>!;B.
`ifillimn "`olber·t':a hone, z·.·jci<:h is house #106, in nimuxted scouizh of
the ‘·i;vhway and at ea point jusf east of our overhead briaiggc. The front
porch in on the north muzi. corner- o ~` the house. Them are aix wooden
steps ¢:::¤T.en¤*.§.n;; from ofho 011::%, end of the porch, uown to ‘ho {jrozmu. The
north side of the lot, which e::*en»:&s in an east wom; ·,:i.mc¢.1on, is
ap:»rox;Lmauoly ’cwent.y-five fem, wide. At tho north erigge of t.h:3.s lot in
za ditch ezamxxriing; mmf. and went and beyond that   thc etzrsc higghway.
Just inside the ditch there   zz hedge row. Just inside the Ezoeiggc row
and at a 90 deggrco zmglc to the dimction in wi ich the stops Yacc, the
lig;h’r. wire polo stood. "he uole was sup ortezl by one guy wire e::mm!—
ing; from the cross; arm io :1 steel rail anchor sunk in the g:·oun;i sono
ten fuer. due north of the heme of who polo. The pole mus secured by
iiI\()"!lG3` guy wire €Z*JCT.8Il—'{f.Ii;Q from the cross emu zo as. ooint about mwolve
feet duo oust. of? rho bane of the polo. 7`he polo was what in cozmonly
known as ez "·.%ea=.l enc! polo"; that is, it was on the onvl of ·;`.o limo of
wires mxppl;/ing cu2·2··ent. to ihe Tivo houses: in this section. '7`hmc of
these houses were wossi of the pole, one was ciuc zsouih mxei one south
cast. It may be seen that The w¤e1;:ht of the wires pulled the polo in
a weeiorly riirection but iimt. in i`all;1.ng;, the wire exizcndixxg to the
house south oust of the pole bocamc nut am the polo fall; that, along
with the wire e2;—;‘emif.11g; to house 105 1<)CLl'LBO·Q}l gm; wiros had zmsstod in two. Dna or two
sa‘iruni1*Z. the pole ami guy wires. Al+.hou;;h our ixrmss*·igerrion in.:€.<:a€;0e
that nono of the chilairon wore pus?w;Ln;: the polo or a·ving;1ng on <:§ e wire,
it in ;.>o:¤:>f.b1o ·zh0.t, in view of thc weak condit.ion of both pole and wire,
the least. ;>rc:mu:·e z1g:¤;i.msf, elthor migzhi. have czmsea.1 it. to fall.

 Page 2 A l Wl ,
William Tolbert, Jr. '
Second, since the amy had been rather were and the pole fell shortly .
_ after sun down, it is possible that ooxutraction of the wire mus sufficient
to break the reneinind strzmo. or strands of the guy wires. The Coroner
euggeated Qhi.:2 poeeibility.
'?hi:·d, we were told, by reliable people that e brisk wind, leeting
for just e few eeconda, occurred. about the time the oole fell. However, ,
there me no overcast and we are not certain if there wee any wind in
this particular vicinity. At this time of the year, the cold air rolling
dom the long hollom: just after eun ciowm does create some air turbulence
and it le meeonable to think auch a condition could have put just enough
etmee on the pole to fell it.
The child was sitting; on the third step from the bottom. Elie body
wee caught between the cross arm and the pole ee indicated by cross mark
on the enclosed pzicturee. Wire, which isecmne entangled about the porch
and steps eupportod pole and crcme emo in auch. e manner that it probably
prevented cmmhim; injuries cameing inetent deatlx. The father of the
child, Yfztllztamz Tolbert, Fr., mm away from home at the time. Neighbors, c
Cecil Johnson and Henry Lee vbgera, removed the child from under the
pole. Ae the father gmt it, "They worked with him e·eh5.1e," after which
time they mmoveci him to our hospital. Eleither Johnson or Rogers were
witnesses and inquiries among the children indicated inet the pole fell
suddenly and without apparent cause or xmrning.
We reported this matter to Mr. EEeam;$e