By: George "Eddie" Archer
New! Share your stories of the explosion for the book's sequel
Do you have a story that you remember hearing told by your family regarding the Jellico explosion of 1906? It might have been your parents or grandparents telling you something of interest about the tragic event. If you do, please contact Eddie Archer at govols21@bellsouth.net He would like to discuss the possibility of having your story printed in his planned Personal Accounts of the Jellico Explosion of 1906: Stories From Those Who Lived Through It.
The Day the Earth Shook: The Jellico Explosion of 1906 is now available. George "Eddie" Archer's new book details the tragedy that claimed lives and destroyed sections of Jellico when 11 tons of dynamite let go in the railroad yard just across the stateline on Kentucky side. It also describes how the strength of Jellico's people remained steadfast throughout the ordeal.
From the back cover: The Twentieth Century had dawned favorably on Jellico and by 1906 everything was in place for this Appalachian town straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky state line to make even greater strides as one of the busiest, opportunity-laden places in the entire region. A variety of businesses had discovered the economic possibilities of locating in Jellico, at the time barely two decades old. Coal had led the way and with two major railroads vying for larger and larger chunks of the markets the future couldn't have looked any brighter.
However, on the morning of September 21, 1906, everything changed in the blink of an eye. The progressive march into the new century came to a sudden and disastrous halt when twenty-two thousand pounds of dynamite exploded in the railroad yard unleashing a havoc that ended lives, practically distroyed one section of town and sent an entire population into a state of shock and disbelief.
This book tells the story of the Jellico explosion of 1906 and subsequently, how the citizens coped with the calamity that would forever change their lives.
About the Author: George "Eddie" Archer was born and raised in Jellico and has long been interested in the history of the region. He completed his undergraduate work at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky and recieved his graduate degree from the University of Tennessee. He presently teaches English at Jellico Elementary School.