: John uses his immense strength to hold up the sagging timber alone. He stays behind to ensure every one of his coworkers escapes the collapsing shaft.
: After his health crisis, he transitioned from "Big Smo" to simply SMO , shifting his focus from "whiskey and moonshine" to a message of faith and self-discipline. Big Smo - Big John
: John is buried in the final collapse. The mine is sealed, and a marble plaque is placed at the entrance, famously reading: "At the bottom of this mine lies one hell of a man – Big John" . Big Smo's Personal "Big John" Journey : John uses his immense strength to hold