ONE MAN KILLED, ONE INJURED AT NO. 2 SHAFT
Ed Ray Killed and Vest Patterson Seriously Injured by Falling Rock Thursday.    

    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.

Published by THE BONNE TERRE REGISTER, Bonne Terre, Missouri, Friday, July 18, 1913.

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.

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