North Egypt News

Senator Dale Fowler shared his experience at the Old King Coal Festival in West Frankfort, stating it was his "honor" to speak at the memorial ceremony. Fowler made this statement in a Facebook post on June 18.

"It was my honor to speak recently at the annual Coal Miner's Memorial Service, at the Old King Coal Festival in West Frankfort," said Fowler, Illinois State Senator (R), according to Facebook. "The ceremony recognizes those who were lost during the Orient Coal Mine disaster 73 years ago."

According to the official website, the Old King Coal Festival was held from May 9-12 in Downtown West Frankfort. The event included a midway with food, rides, and free music each day from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., a parade on May 11 at 2 p.m., and the Princess Flame Scholarship pageant, which saw Ella Horn named the 2024 Princess Flame. The memorial service that Senator Fowler referenced took place at Coal Miners Memorial Park on Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m.

Screenshot of Sen. Dale Fowler's June 18 Facebook post | Senator Dale Fowler's Facebook page

Fowler noted in his Facebook post that the Orient Coal Mine disaster occurred 73 years ago, on December 21, 1951. An explosion at the Orient No. 2 coal mine in West Frankfort killed 119 men, according to a WSILTV report from 2023 marking the anniversary. The report discusses findings from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Mines Region VIII, which stated that "a widespread gas and coal-dust explosion occurred in the Orient No. 2 mine at around 7:40 p.m. that night." That night, more than 250 men were working in the mine when it exploded; 133 made it out without injury. Four were rescued and taken to the hospital, and another was rescued after being trapped for 58 hours.

Senator Dale Fowler represents the people of the 59th Senate District. He served as mayor of Harrisburg before joining the state senate and is currently a business development officer for People’s National Bank in Harrisburg since retiring from the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice in 2012, according to his official Senate biography. His previous political and civic experience includes roles as a city commissioner and as a Saline County Board member. He also chairs the Midland Institute’s Saline County CEO program focusing on educating youths about entrepreneurial opportunities.