~7:00 pm
In Fairmont:
The Ladies Auxiliary of Christ Episcopal Church puts on a musical at the Masonic Temple and, as promised, they give the proceeds to the Monongah Mine Relief Committee. (FWV 12.11.07 pg. 5)
“A large and enthusiastic audience greeted…at the Masonic Temple and the program rendered was fully up to the high expectations of the audience.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)
The soloist is Miss Franciska Kaspar, daughter of Anton Kaspar; “…her efforts fully deserved the applause which was accorded her. She poses a clear flexible soprano voice which she has under the most excellent control.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)
The pianist is Mr. Edwin Arthur Kraft: “His technique and expression were faultless and his selections were well chosen.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)
“Both Miss Kaspar and Mr. Kraft have studied under the old masters of Paris and Berlin…” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)
“…though the coming of these musicians to Fairmont had been advertised long before the Monongah disaster and was to benefit the treasury of the Ladies Guild of Christ Church. Later it was unanimously decided by the Guild to devote the proceeds to the Monongah sufferers.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)
In Shinnston:
This morning, Mayor L.J. Rowand “issued a call for the citizens of the town to meet in the M.E. church at 7 o’clock pm to organize for the relief of the distressed families of the Monongah disaster.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)
At the meeting, B.T. Harmer, Rev. Wayne K. Stalnaker, Geo. T. Randall, C.L. Watkins and Miss Linnie Monroe are appointed as “a committee to solicit cash and provisions.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)
“A contribution amounting to $117.00 and one barrel of flour was taken from those in attendance.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)
In Grafton:
Grafton Mayor John W. McClung calls a mass town meeting at the courthouse for the purpose of organizing a relief committee to solicit funds and other things necessary and to forward the same on to the relief committee at Monongah. “Arrangements will be made to have some of those who have visited the mines to speak and all those who attend will be expected to donate at least a small amount.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. 2)
In Clarksburg:
“The Grand Opera house was crowded to its full capacity Wednesday evening on the occasion of the benefit performance given by the Chester DeVonde company under the auspices of the Daily Telegram. The proceeds of the performance were for the Telegram’s relief fund for the Monongah mine sufferers.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)
“The receipts of the theater benefit…will add $150 to the fund.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)
“The following letter has been mailed to the ministers inviting their co-operation: ‘In our endeavor to make the relief fund as large as possible, we desire to get into close touch with the churches and assist them in every way possible. In cases where entertainments are to be held, we shall donate tickets and insert notices in the news columns of the Telegram. Will you kindly give us your cooperation?’” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)
“Tuesday, December 17, will be Parsons-Souders’ Day at the Bijou theater. All the theaters are giving benefit shows this week.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)
“Small donations will be acceptable. Little Ruth Souders starts a children’s fund with 5 cents and doubtless there are many girls and boys who will follow her example by giving something.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)
Night
In Wheeling:
I.V. Barton returns to Wheeling from Monongah and makes report to the Secretary of the Board of Trade, Mr. Naylor and talks about calling a meeting. “In a talk with a reporter regarding the effects of the disaster, Mr. Barton said, ‘After a few weeks the conditions in and about Monongah will be bad for a long time.’” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. )
“The Fairmont Coal Company is exhausting all efforts and means to care for the suffers and the churches and societies to which they belong are seeing that they do not want for anything. But the company and societies will be unable to see to this for any great length of time…Several appeals have been made to many towns and cities in the country and quick responses are being made, but a large amount will be needed.”
In Clarksburg:
John Brooks returns from Monongah, “where he has been at work since last Friday helping to recover the bodies of miners.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 8)
At the mines:
“As the mine has become cleared of debris the recovery of the bodies is becoming easier and it is expected that the work will progress more rapidly during the night and tomorrow.” (RP 12.10.07 pg. 1)
“Many of those engaged in the rescue work have not slept for several days and few of them have them have taken off their clothes in that time.” (RP 12.10.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
“Many sensational reports are being circulated in connection with the catastrophe. Prominent among these are rumors that the National Guard has quietly taken charge of Monongah; that additional explosions have further wrecked the mines and that the bodies of the dead miners are being robbed of all valuables. All these reports are without even frail foundations.” (MA 12.12.07 pg. 8)
“The Verdi Brass Band, of Monongah, composed mostly of Italians, will probably never again discourse sweet music on the streets of the mining town, for fully half of the membership was lost in the recent disaster.” (TA 12.12.07 pg. 1)
“Black Diamond Lodge Knights of Pyathis lost a large number of the members and other organizations have suffered terribly by the removal of the 370 miners from that city.” (TA 12.12.07 pg. 1)
“It is hard to realize the changed conditions of the mining town. Many of the very best citizens of the town were among victims of the explosion.” (TA 12.12.07 pg. 1)
“Probably as popular a man as there was in the town was John M McGraw, whose body has not yet been recovered, although it is reported that the relief men found the lantern he carried.” (TA 12.12.07 pg. 1)
“The change of the weather with an accompanying mud and snow has made conditions about the mines so bad that only those who could not possibly get away remained during the night. Officers of the company who had been almost constantly on duty also retired for much needed rest.” (MA 12.12.07 pg. 8)
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The Monongah Disaster 