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Each month, The Kentucky
Explorer magazine receives literally scores of letters from
our faithful readers. Whenever possible, we try to publish as
many of them as possible in the 12 pages we have set aside for
"Letters to the Editor."
Here are actual letters from July-August
2009
Mine Collapse In Floyd
County
Dear Editor:
I am hoping to find someone who knows about a mine collapse ca.
1925 in or around Floyd County, Kentucky.
Gilbert Fletcher, my uncle, was about 16 years old at the time
the mine either exploded or fell in. I would like to know if
he was buried inside the mine or if his body was recovered and
where he is buried.
Gilbert was the grandson of Joseph and Jenny Fletcher.
Grandfather told that when the man came to him to tell of Gilbert's
death, he had had a premonition and he told the man that he knew
his son was dead.
I would like to visit Gilbert's grave.
Any help would be appreciated.
Cleo Fletcher Webb
1241 W. Toto Road
North Judson, IN 46366
Natives Of Martin County
Dear Editor:
I am not a Kentucky native, but my husband, Ernie, was born and
reared in Martin County, Kentucky. His ancestors for several
generations were native Kentuckians. Several years ago, after
the death of his parents, Ernie and I began researching family
genealogy and local history in several areas of the state. We
spent most of three summers in Letcher County, and some time
in and around Pikeville, Jenkins, Louisa, Martin, and a few other
towns. One of the most fascinating towns to me is Maysville,
Mason County, Kentucky.
The area of Maysville is where Ernie's first ancestors probably
entered Kentucky, having traveled southward on the Ohio River
from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, traveling overland previous to
that on the road then known as Nemicolin's Trail (Route 40) from
Cumberland, Maryland.
In 1804 Daniel Collier had settled in Adams County, Ohio, after
living for a time on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. I have
pictures of the double-log house he built in Adams County in
1804 (this house still stands in a suburb in Cincinnati). Daniel
is buried in Adams County, but his son, Richard (direct ancestor
of my husband) and others of his children traveled along the
glens and streams from Maysville to Pikeville, and then on into
the mountains of Letcher County.
Ernie and I have collected many stories and legends concerning
the Collier family (and others) in Letcher, Pike, and Martin
counties of Kentucky. We met many kind and gracious individuals
and feel we made a lot of friends.
The area around Pine Mountain between Letcher County, Kentucky,
and Virginia has some of the most majestic mountains in the Eastern
section of the United States.
Thanks to the staff of The Kentucky Explorer for a wonderful
magazine. I look forward to its arrival each month.
Emily G. Collier
RR 1, Box 173
Ripley, WV 25271
Stories Have Helped
In Family Research
Dear Editor:
I have enjoyed every issue of The Kentucky Explorer. I have found
so much information on my family tree through other readers'
stories and research.
Thanks to a Mr. Caudill, I was able to finish my Baker line from
England.
There are so many Howards, but my line goes back to "Old
Samuel Howard." Thanks to all who contribute to the magazine.
I'm not so lucky with research on my dad's side of the family.
I can't find information on my great-great-grandfather's dad,
Tilman H. Moore. He was born in Tennessee in 1831, served in
the Civil War, and died in Casey County, Kentucky, in 1907.
Thanks for all the great stories and help.
Sara Siemering
3775 Moorhill Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45241
These are just samples
of the many letters in each issue of The Explorer.
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