Miners’ homes along Camden Avenue in Monongah
At some point during the afternoon
In Elkins, WV:
M.A. Kendal, who has been in the city for several days assisting in the work of burying the victims of the mine disaster, has returned to his home at Elkins. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
In Fairmont:
Extended family is beginning to take custody of some of the children in Monongah. “Winnie F Donlin is appointed guardian of William R Donlin, aged 15 years, and Nora Donlin, aged 9 years, infant heirs of Thomas Donlin, deceased. Bond given in the sum of $1,000 with John O’Day as surety. Willie F Donlin appointed administrator of the personal estate of Thos. Donlin, deceased. Bond given in the sum of $2,000 with Jon O’Day as surety.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
The Jenny Wren Club meets at Geneviene and Maria Haymond’s home at Shady Side. “The members are busy making Christmas gifts for the little orphans at Monongah…” (FWV 12.16.07 pg. 5)
“A number of Fairmont women who had been assisting in the Commissary at Monongah for the past week feel that the work of several colored men at the commissary was deserving of mention. They were Robert Robinson, Thomas Kelley and Daniel Harris. These men did excellent work and remained at the post until their services were no longer needed.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
Of all the reports of “newsmen” in and about Monongah, Dorothy Dale (correspondent for the United Press) has reported some of the most intimate accounts about the children of Monongah as well as some of the most condemning articles against the coal company. After visiting with several of the “little mothers” in Monongah, like Faustina Davia, she and her photographer work less and less on reporting these events to the world and become more focused and active in the local relief work.
During the afternoon, she and her photographer, L. Van Oeyen, turn over $2,800.00 in donations to J.E. Sands. “Miss Dale has been here for several days and realizes the needs of the families at Monongah.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
John Neary arrives from PA and offers aid in rescue work. (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 1)
“In addition…Miss Dale and Mr. Oeyen will this afternoon give toys and presents of different kinds to the children and mothers at Monongah. It is their purpose to look after the needs of the individuals and brighten as many homes as possible.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 1)
~3:00 pm
In Fairmont:
The consolidation of the Monongah Relief Committee and the General Relief Committee are put into effect at Mayor Arnett’s office in Fairmont. (FWV 12.16.07 pg. 1)
The committee is officially enlarged and a subscription committee is appointed. “The committee which now embraces all committees is to be known as the Monongah Mines Relief Committee.” (FWV 12.16.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
R.T. Cunningham has finished checking the community census and “the number of miners missing is 344”. (FWV 12.14.07 pg.1)
~3:30 (Press Time)
In Fairmont:
300 funerals have been handled by 3 establishments in one week. “A feature…about which not very much has been said has been the hard work of the local undertakers in burying the dead.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
“As soon as it was learned that a large number of people had lost their lives in the explosion Mr. C.W. Watson…called in the local undertakers and asked them to take charge of the work of caring for the dead.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
“The Jenkins establishment in the First Ward was given 20 funerals and the remainder was divided equally among three on this side, E. Musgrave & Sons, R.C. Jones and R.L. Cunningham.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
“Up to date 322 bodies have been buried, so that each of the three have had approximately 100 funerals.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
“The local firms employed some assistants and one of the undertakers today said that probably about 30 men had been engaged in burying the dead.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
“Only those connected with this work realize what a strain this has been and how much anxiety it has caused. The work has been done well and the local undertakers are deserving much credit for their faithfulness during this trying period.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
In Monongah:
J.H. McDermott publishes a statement:
“I have myself made a careful inspection at Monongah, going there immediately after the disaster. The information I received there first hand will, I believe, enable me to handle intelligently any phase that may develop before legislature.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)
“I was much amused by the newspaper correspondents dubbing me lieutenant governor, an office which we do not have in this state, though the president of the senate performs much the same duties. I did not go to Monongah as the special representative of the governor as has been inferred by many but asked the governor myself for authority to make the inspection which he granted.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)
“The inspection I made for my own knowledge, though incidentally I made a sort of informal report to Governor Dawson which will not be made public unless he gives it out.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)
“In my report to the governor I suggested to him the necessity for the founding of a school of mining in this State. Not a small affair, but one upon a large scale upon which there should be no lack of money lavished. This school could be maintained through a special tax or revenue from the coal interests which I believe these interests would find in the results profitable to pay.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)
“At the last session of the legislature I asked for a hundred thousand dollars for the purpose, but I failed. In the light of recent events, I believe the legislature will see the light and this should be one of the important matters before the body.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)
“I was down in the mine and believe from my personal observation that the cause of the explosion may be traced to the runaway trip…this I believe created a current behind it that sucked in coal dust and other explosives and when the trolley wire broke it ignited the mass. This explosion, I believe, traveled on in the direction the trip was going and continued through the connection into No. 8, passed along it and finally emerged from the mouth of that mine.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)
“It gathered force as it progressed, I believe. That is only my opinion but it seems to be borne out by the condition of the bodies recovered. The report of the mine inspector will, however, be the official report to the governor.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)
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The Monongah Disaster 