Unwanted Recognition

 by Dr. Allan Patton

     At the turn of the 20th Century, coal was a commodity that was foreign to Franklin County.  That is, some coal was mined south of the borderline in Williamson County, and some was dug west in Perry County, but within the confines of Franklin there was no mining, only agriculture and merchandising.  However, that state of affairs was soon to change with the sinking of Joseph Leiter’s Zeigler mine in 1902. 

     On June 8, 1904 the first of 40 million tons of Zeigler coal was raised to the surface of the earth.  This event marked the beginning of the Franklin County coal era - polluted air, railroad smoke, booming population, full employment, and the promise of a bright future for native and foreign born miners.  Eventually the coal age was reflected in 28 mining facilities distributed throughout the county.

     However, on April 3, 1905, shortly after the day shift crew reported underground at the Zeigler Mine No. 1, a historical event transpired - an explosion.   This incident marked the first mine blast in Zeigler and Franklin County, as 38 miners were killed.  Most of those who lost their life were veteran coal miners from Europe, especially Croatia.  As was the custom of the time, the men came to America seeking jobs, secured employment, saved their money, and then sent the money home to be utilized to acquire passage to the U.S. for their wife and children.  However, the early occasion of the explosion preceded the arrival of most family members.  Consequently, few of the foreign coal diggers that were killed in the first explosion had spouses, children, or families living in the United States.

     When word of the deadly detonation was received in Europe, the grieving families were without means to come to the United States to bury their loved ones or collect their personal effects.  However, after a period of time, the Austria-Hungary government agreed to assist their citizens in their time of need.  The Consulate in Chicago was directed to file claims against the Zeigler Coal Company on behalf of their deceased citizens in hope of gaining some monetary compensation for the loss of the family wage earner.

    Now, 100 years later, this story is submitted in honor of those who gave their lives while digging coal in the dark and damp environment found 500 feet or more below the surface of the earth.  In that atmosphere, as in a war zone, a life could be snuffed out in a heart beat.   Below are the names of those Zeigler miners who were the victims of that historical blast.

Michael Kovacs                  Frank Kostik                       Janos Hotra

Andre Kostik                      Joseph Szerenyi                  Anton Rabby

Balint Kovacs                     Paul Bablinesak                  Stephen Sabolic

Michael Babinesak              Johan Fedorko                    Imre Dudas

Michael Suka                      John Dudas                        Kappy Casky

Ivan Maraz                         Blaz Lovrek                       Mijo Rasianec

Valentin Hajdukovic            Franz Mikisec                     Oscar Mackee

Frank Perryman                  John Graham                      Dave Moretti

John Nolan                         Harry M. Withrow              Ivan Kovacevic

Ladislaus Sazemivan            John Santala                      George Vinar

Josef Szloh                         John Caski                         Stefan Dvsake

Ivan Dombaj                      Giovanni Sartore                 David Tinan

Joseph Roper                      Robert Davis

Many of the pictures on this site are located on books
and CD's located on the Zeigler's Memorabilia page

Thanks to those who have contributed pictures and memorabilia that is viewed on this site.