Note: Many churches which were present in 1907 have either moved location, merged with other churches, or are simply not in the area anymore. For research and educational purposes, I have included snapshots from a Vintage map of Fairmont and Palentine from 1897 which is available online for view and/or purchase and I highly suggest referencing this map with this Timeline, rather than using modern maps. If there is a modern counterpart to this map image, it will be included though accuracy is not guaranteed for various reasons. (Ex: First Baptist Church in the vintage map versus its location today. The current First Baptist is on what was once Fairmont Farms, owned by the Watsons in 1907. According to the 1897 map, First Baptist was closer to downtown around the turn of the century.)
In Fairmont:
2:00 pm
Presbyterian Church – Junior Christian Endeavor Society (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
Diamond St. M.E. Church Junior League (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)
First Baptist Church Sunday School meets (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
2:30 pm
M.P. Temple Church Junior endeavor with Mrs. R.C. Jones in charge (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
First M.E. Church Junior League meets, Miss Nettie Bartlett, Superintendent (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
First Baptist Church Sunday School meets (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
3:00 pm
Presbyterian Church – Intermediate Society (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)
Diamond St. M.E. Church holds class (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)
Palatine Baptist Church – service at Calvary (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)
During the afternoon
In Grafton:
Ed. Rankin, a “tramp” from Kaneville, OH is riding in a freight car when he gets caught between some lumber and crushed to death. (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 7)
“Lumber was stacked up in the car in two separate piles and when the train reached West Union it came to a rather sudden stop with the result that the lumber piles, between which Rankin was riding, were thrown together with a force that instantly crushed the life out of the unfortunate traveler.” (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 7)
“Benjamin English, another tramp of Glocester, OH who was riding with Rankin, narrowly escaped with his life. It is he who identified Rankin. Rankin’s remains were lifted from the car and taken to an undertaking establishment at West Union where they were prepared for burial and the interment was made at West Union in the potter’s field.” (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 7)
At the mines in Monongah:
At some point, John Graham Smyth sends notes to the surface asking for more rubber boots; the leather boots of the workers are not lasting. Smyth also requests more lye for sprinkling on stock as it is taking more than 5 pounds per head. Smyth argues with those on the surface that the cotton gloves supplied are inadequate and rescuers need rubber gloves and a solution to wash with after handling each body. Ultimately, E. Scott declines his request – citing the cost of rubber gloves. (McAteer)
More on How Death Gloated!
The Monongah Disaster 