Dear Ray,

My name is Tom O'Shea and John Flood was my Great Uncle. As you probably know, he was known as the Scotch Merchant in Cherry at the time of the disaster. He was in his store when he heard the whistles blowing and rushed to the mine. Thinking his brother Jim was trapped, he went down on the cage three times bringing up miners, and burned to death on his third attempt (I have a copy of his death certificate that states death due to burning). His brother Jim was not in the mine at the time and survived, however; there is indication that his other brother, Thomas Flood my Grandfather, was down there at the time. I have a Post Card printed for the 85th Remembrance of the Disaster with the quotation "The Flames Caught Us" -Tom Flood-Miner. I'm in my late seventies and Tom Flood died in the Great Flu Epidemic in 1918, a few years before my birth. I don't ever recall hearing, thru the years, that he was one of the survivors. I don't know if you have a listing of the survivors, which would really help solve this question. We always thought John's brother Jim was the only one in question. I would appreciate hearing from you. Your Website is GREAT.

Thanks, Tom O'Shea

John Flood's Death certificate along with a copy of the Carnegie Medal awarded to him for his heroism are here below.  Thanks to Tom for sending these precious items.