“Had the company so ordered the men would have stuck to their picks until they dropped over overcome, but the officers did not so will it. In their eyes one single human life, even that of a Bohemian, Hungarian or Slav, is of infinitely more value than the bodies of the dead, however desirable it may be to recover them for the last tender glance of the women yet wailing about the guard lines.” (MJ 12.13.07 pg. 6)
Evening
In Kingmont, WV:
In Monongah:
“Tonight the officials received information which slightly increases the estimate of the total dead.” (BDT 12.14.07 pg. 1)
Night
Frank Zook who had been employed in the morgue at Monongah, returns home to Wheeling. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
In Fairmont:
Undertaker R.L Cunningham returns to his home and while much better, he is still confined to his house. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
At the Fairmont Normal Auditorium, the Athletic Association assisted by the Student Association puts on a small Shakespeare production in which: “The best and most interesting parts from Othello, Julius Caesar, and the Merchant of Venice will be presented.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. )
“The public is urged to attend this entertainment and we feel sure that we have something that will please you. Admission, 25c. The entire proceeds of a collection taken this morning by the Students Association will be turned over to the Monongah sufferers. The collection was taken during Chapel exercises, and amounted to $17.10.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. )
In Chicago:
Nobles of Medinah Temple give a grand charity concert for the “widows and orphans of great Monongah disaster”. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 1)
“The best musical talent of Chicago was employed.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 1)
“There was no contribution taken up at this meeting but a bushel basket was placed at the door and each man, woman and child were requested to drop in a dollar or more. This fund will be forwarded to the general relief fund.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 1)
“Olney Boaz Stuart, a former West Virginia boy but now a leading lawyer of Chicago, gave an address in which he portrayed the conditions as they exist…” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 1)
O.B. Stuart sends a card with this information to his uncle, Mayor Arnett in Fairmont. (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
$204.60 is raised (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
Efforts begin to be made to record the location and count of bodies. Now that the community census is considered to be complete, the company would no longer try to make an estimated guess but would rely on the information taken and provided by Robert Cunningham.
“The results of a house census shows that 338 men are missing in addition that a number of contractors and hired men are believed to have been in the mine when the explosion occurred.” (LET 12.13.07 pg. 1)
“A total of 320 bodies has been recovered, leaving eighteen in the mine, according to the company’s figures.” (LET 12.13.07 pg. 1)
The Monongah Disaster 