Evening
Near Barrackville:
Mr. M.D. Toothman walked to the cut near Barrackville which has been made by the street car company and, in some manner, slips and falls 25-35 feet down an embankment. Toothman sustained serious injuries but no bones were broken and he managed to remarkably narrowly escape instant death considering the distance he fell and the fact that his head missed two big rocks but by a few inches. (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 1)
In Clarksburg:
“The legislative mine investigating committee called by Chairman Thomas Gartlan to meet here today to investigate the mine horror at Monongah has not yet come together, the members not having arrived.” (CDT 12.17.07 pg. 1)
“Judge D.E. Matthews, of Charleston, assistant attorney general, and John Marshall, of Parkersburg, committee clerk, arrived last night and today and Senator Gartlan this evening from Grafton but the majority of the members of the committee have not arrived.” (CDT 12.17.07 pg. 1)
“It may be the meeting will be called off until next week as the coroner will not begin his work until next week according to advices of the hour.” (CDT 12.17.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
Irene Meyers & Company opens at the Grand Opera House with “Ruled Off the Turf”. (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 1)
During the first week of the disaster, a regular performance of “The Arrival of Kitty” had been cancelled early and rescheduled for the spring on account of low attendance. This low attendance wasn’t due to the quality of the show, nor directly to the disaster, but rather due to the venue’s delay in offering to contribute some of their proceeds to the relief fund; patrons had chosen to spend their time and money at other venues through the week which were donating to the fund.
“Mr. J.E. Powell, manager of the Grand Opera House, and Mr. Will H. Meyers, manager of the Irene Meyers Stock Company, have kindly volunteered to contribute to the relief committee 10 per cent of the gross receipts on the week, and also the entire gross amount of a special matinee to be given on Friday afternoon.” (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 1)
“The theater management and Mr. Myers requested the committee to have someone present to look after its interests and Col. W.H. Brand has kindly offered his services in this capacity.” (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 8)
“The theatre goers of Fairmont will be given opportunity of not only witnessing first class plays produced by an unusually good company, but will be contributing their mite to a good and needy cause.” (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 1)
“…all who were present were a unit in agreeing that Miss Myers is entirely worthy of all of the good things that were said about her in advance of her coming.” (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 8)
“Her style is highly pleasing and the role of jockey which she assumed last night was interpreted in a most intelligent and natural manner. Besides her really clever acting she sang some good songs which were enthusiastically encored.” (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 8)
“Her supporting company is the strongest ever seen here in a repertoire organization.” (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 8)
J.E Lessig, the heavy, came in for much favorable criticism. Marty Woodworth furnished some good comedy while Joseph Lawrence was very clever as was also Miss Edna Macbeth. “Notwithstanding the excellent cast the vaudeville features were highly entertaining.” (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 8)
“The Century Comedy Four was the best male quartette ever heard on the local stage…” (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 8)
“…the Marvelous Vade, the magician, put on some exceedingly clever tricks which were done with a neatness that is rarely seen.” (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 8)
“Marty Woodworth’s black face specialty was also very good.” (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 8)
Night
In Monongah:
“No bodies were recovered today and with the two taken out last evening late, the number recovered to date is 336. Those taken out last evening were beyond identification.” (CDT 12.17.07 pg. 1)
“The carcasses of several horses and mules have been brought out of the mines during the past few days. There was a report current that no horses or mules had been found, but that was false.” (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 1)
Rescue crews work but find no new bodies. (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 1)
More on How Death Gloated!
The Monongah Disaster 