OBIT: Main Bros. Tragedy, 1948 - Knox Co The following story was headlines in The Barbourville Advocate, Friday, May 7, 1948. Thought it might be of interest to someone: TWO BROTHERS DIE IN CRASH OF THEIR PLANE FRIDAY Double Funeral Held Sunday afternoon for victimes of Fatal Plane Accident William Crooke Main and James McClellan Main, brothers, who have been operating the local airfield, and their own plane for several months, were fatally burned late Friday afternoon, April 30, when the Piper cub plane struck a high tension electric wire, burst into flames and crashed into a creek bed near KayJay on Brush Creek. The two young men were rescued from the burning wreck by Roy Hembree and others and immediately rushed to the Knox hospital where they were given medical aid. The boys were burned almost beyond recognition, but remained conscious until shortly before their deaths. William died about 8 p.m. and James passed away about an hour later. The brothers, sons of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Main, North Main St. were born and reared in Barbourville and graduated from the local high school. James was 24 years old and celebrated his birthday on April 29. william was 30 years of age. Both were members of the First Baptist church, from which the double funeral service was conducted Sunday, May 2, and Dr. H.C. Chiles, pastor officiated. Interment was in the Barbourville cemetery under direction of Miller & Ball Funeral Home. A military service for Lt. Main was conducted at the grave by the local National Guard, members of the company serving as pall bearers. Lieut. Main enlisted in the air corps. Feb. 23, 1943 and was discharged Oct. 18, 1946. He served as an instructor during the war and remained in the states. he attended University of Kentucky and at the time of his death was a junior at Union College. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include one brother, Paul Main, who returned from service in Japan in January this year; one sister, Mrs. Ed Jones of Cincinnati; their maternal grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Crooke. william was married and is survied by his wife, formerly Miss Rowena Foss, and two children, Marilyn and William Terry. From: Carolyn Kennedy Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998