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It was March 5,
1968, at approximately 11:30 p.m., when fire engulfed the shaft
of the Bell Isle (Cargill Salt, Inc.) Salt Mine. Trapped 1200
feet below,
were twenty-one miners, just completing their work shift, and
their only way out was engulfed with in flames.
With the fate of the miners unknown, the U.S. Bureau of Mines
contacted the Pittsburgh and Midway Coal Company's No. 9 mine at
DeKoven, Kentucky, and six miners from Madisonville for
assistance.
At the time, the Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals
sponsored yearly rescue competitions, which kept rescue teams
fit and in a state of readiness. There were no mine rescue teams
specifically trained for salt mine rescue at that time.
On March 8, the rescue workers found the bodies of the
twenty-one miners. According to the coroner's report, on March
6, at approximately 6:00 a.m., twenty of the miners had
succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning, while one miner died of
head injuries.
On March 12, the bodies were retrieved, after a fresh air base
was established and rescue workers could safely retrieve the
bodies.
As a result of the Bell Isle disaster, salt mines established
and implemented very aggressive safety standards and trained
rescue teams.
The cause of the fire was never determined.
Of the 21 miners in the 1968 accident, five were from our home
town of Grand Marais, including, my father - Dallas
Olivier, uncle (and
godfather) - Luke Milton Boutte, and cousins - Alcide & Arthur
Olivier and Louis Frilot. It was truly a
sad time for our community. |
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"HOPE"
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of graphics car
The Daily Advertiser:
March 8, 1968
Albertha Olivier, my mother, clutches her rosary as she prays,
awaiting word on the fate of her husband.
News Articles:
"Cargill
News" 1968 Magazine Article
"The Advocate - 2008 (40th Anniversary
1968 salt mine disaster claimed 21 miners, devastated
surrounding communities
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Building a memory. . . .
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A memorial monument, modeled
after a salt miner, was erected on a beautifully
landscaped site. The Monument is located at the
St. Mary Parish Tourist Commission Visitor Center in
Franklin, LA, on U.S. Highway 90.
Our uncle, Arthur J. "Art" Olivier, Sr., who also lost a
son, and 2 nephews in the tragedy, was used as the model
for the image. (Art passed away May 26, 2003.) |
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Memorial Dedication . . .
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On March 14, 1998, the West
St. Mary Chamber of
Commerce officially dedicated the memorial
monument to . . . .
Twenty-One salt miners who perished in the Bell Isle
disaster in 1968..
Other miners who lost their lies, and . . .
Rescue teams who tried to save the lives of their
fellow miners.
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Community Spirit &
Support
In the Spirit of this worthy
occasion, family, friends, community leaders and
businesses, joined resources and raised $75,000.00 for
the memorial monument.. |
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The
Memorial wall plaque and monuments are on
display at the West St. Mary Office of
Tourism located on Highway 90, Franklin, LA.
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 Thank you Cargill.
The families of the deceased miners recently petitioned
Cargill for financial assistance to restore the gravesite
of the five miners. Cargill Deicing Technology
generously agreed to provide up to $10,000 towards the
restoration project!
On Father's Day, the
family gathered at St. Nicholas' cemetery, to pose for a
picture to send to Cargill, expressing our deep
gratitude. Our family is truly blessed by
Cargill's gift of kindness and the gratitude they
brought to our hearts. "Ask and you shall
receive."
Click to Enlarge
(slick here for slide show) |
Dallas Olivier, 38
Alcide Olivier Jr, 22
Arthur Olivier Jr, 20
Luke M. Boutte, 28
Louis Frilot, 28 |
The Brave Miners...
"In Loving Memory"
1968 Accident
Clifford James Benoit
Michael Joseph Boudreaux
Luke Milton Boutte *
Roy P. Byron
John Henry Christensen, Jr.
Louis Roy Frilot *
Paul J. C. Granger
Wilbur Garfield Jenkins
Minos J. Langlinais, Jr.
Alcide Olivier, Jr. *
Arthur J. Olivier, Jr. *
Dallas Anatole Olivier *
Percy Joseph Peltier
Hilton Joseph Primeaux
Dennis T. Romero
Leroy Sanchez
Burnice Homer Smith
Harris Joseph Touchet
Harry J. Touchet
Leroy Trahan
Chester Joseph Vice
1979 Accident
Paul Richard Collins *
Donald Mayon, Sr.
Amedee Chares Olivier *
Adam Sampay
Herman Zimmerman
Accidents Other Years
Rigsby Babineaux - 1975
Joseph M. Culter - 1969
Wilson Jones - 1974
David Marks, Jr. - 1981
Earl Dennis Schannette - 1969
* - Denotes family members from
Grand Marais
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Click to enlarge
pictures. |
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Belle Isle Salt Mine aerial
photograph. |
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Daily Iberian: March 7, 1968
Family vigil is maintained by wives and children of trapped
miners. |
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Wednesday, March 13,
St. Nicholas Cemetery
Five family members from Grand Marais were laid to rest.
Louis Roy Frilot, Arthur J. Olivier, Jr., Dallas A. Olivier,
Alcide Olivier, and Luke Milton Boutte. |
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Wednesday, March 13,
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church - Abbeville
Services for six miners.
Paul Granger, Leroy Trahan, Harris Touchet and his twin
brother, Harry Touchet, Michael Boudreaux and Roy Byron. |
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