Coal Miner Obits

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Miner Killed By Live Wire

Whitesburg, Ky- Bud Salyer, 50, a farmer, employed by the Rockhouse Coal Company near Blacky, was electrocuted when his body came in contact with a live wire while walking through one of the passages of the mine. His lifeless body was found some time later by other workman. He is survived by his widow and several children.

The Paintsville Herald  February 3, 1927 Thursday

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MINER KILLED AT THEALKA MONDAY

Dow Castle, Age 55, Dies Instantly Under Slate Fall

Dow Castle, age 55, was killed Monday, September 11, in the mines of the North-East Coal Company at Thealka. He was crushed to death by a slate fall in the room where he was working. Death, it is said, was instantaneous. Mr. Castle had been an employee of the North-East Coal Company since the company began operations at Thealka thirty years ago. The company has had few fatalities at the Thealka operations and Mr. Castle's death is deeply deplored by company officials as well as citizens of that community. Besides his widow Mr. Castle is survived by eight children in addition to numerous other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at the home at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning. The services were in charge of Rev. Scott Castle and Rev. Millard VanHoose. Burial was made in the family cemetery on Road Branch in charge of the undertaking department of the Paintsville Furniture Company.

Paintsville Herald

Thursday

September 14, 1939

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Ed Castle, 55, Passes Shortly After Going To Work Monday Ed Castle, an employee of the Consolidation Coal Company, at Van Lear, died suddenly shortly after entering the mines Monday afternoon. Mr. Castle had been in his usual good health and had worked the morning shift. Shortly after entering the mine during the afternoon shift he became ill and was brought to the outside where he died within a few minutes. The exact cause of his death is unknown. Mr. Castle had resided at Van Lear for several years and was prominent in social and lodge circles. He was a member of Van Lear Lodge No. 885, F. & A. M., an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. He served two years as a member of the Van Lear police force. Mr. Castle was 55 years of age, having been born March 23, 1884. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., at the Van Lear M. E. Church. The body was then taken to Garred Chapel in Lawrence county, where short services were also held. Burial followed in the Wilson Cemetery 3 miles south of Louisa. Mr. Castle had no children. Besides his widow, Mrs. Ida Wilson Castle, he is survived by two brothers and three sisters, Harry and Walter Castle, Mrs. Julia Bowe, Mrs. Nevada Cochran, and Mrs. Lou Abshire.

Paintsville Herald

Thursday

September 28, 1939

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Former Johnson County Man Is Victim Of Slate Fall

Vernon Castle, 57, was killed instantly early last Saturday morning by a slate fall at the mine in which he was working at Letcher, Letcher County, Ky. Castle, a native of Johnson County, had spent twenty-two years at Estill, Ky., and last fall had moved to Letcher. His body was returned to Estill for burial Monday. A son of William and Lydia Daniel Castle, of Thealka, he had been converted some time ago and had joined the Freewill Baptist Church at the mouth of Rush. Surviving are his mother, his wife, the former Maudie Castle of Thealka, and children, Earl Castle of Estill; Mrs. Dorothy Haywood, Wayland; Mrs. Reece Meadows, Estill; Mrs. Florence Isom, Bristol, Tenn.; Eimon, of the U. S. Army, who came from his post in New Jersey for the funeral, and Richard at home. Two brothers, Jim of Thealka, and Ballard, Paintsville, also survive. Mr. Castle is a member of the large Castle family of this county. Because of his absence he was unknown to some of the younger generation of the family. Mr. Castle served as a peace officer in Floyd County for many years, and was known as an efficient and fearless official.

Paintsville Herald

Thursday

June 18, 1942

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LACY PUCKETT KILLED IN MINES
Prominent Thealka Miner and Ball Player Loses Life in Slate Fall Thursday
                Lacy Puckett, age about 30 years old was killed last Thursday afternoon at Thealks, one mile of Paintsville, when caught by a falling piece of slate which pulled loose from the roof of the mine in which he was working. Mr Puckett was a coal cutter and was operating a coal cutter machine when the accident occurred. Two other men were working with Puckett at the time but were able to escape injury. The peice of slate broke the neck of the unfortunate man and he died within a few minutes. It was five feet in length by four in width and 18 inches thick.
                Mr Puckett had been an employees of the North-East Coal Company at Thealka for several years. He was a very popular young man and well liked by a number of good friends. He was a member of the Thealka baseball team was took an active part in all activities of the club.
                He is a son of Mr and Mrs Will Puckett and besides hid father and mother and several brothers he is survived by a wife and two children.
                The bosy was laid to rest in the cemetery in Bridgeford Addition and was in charge of the Oddfellows.
The Paintsville Herald
July 28, 1927