Early Hours
At the Darr mine in PA:
“Foreign miners who escaped the disaster made the night hideous in the little village. They had suspended work because of a holiday and most of them followed the usual holiday custom of drinking to excess. All night long there was carousing and disorder at the mines bordering upon rioting.” (CDT 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“So far little trouble has been encountered on account of gas or lack of air by the rescuers. While the officials and rescuers have only the faintest of hope that any of the men may be living, all work is being carried on…the theory that some may be found in places of safety and every point of the workings will be exploited at the earliest moment.” (AR 12.20.07 pg. 4)
5:30 am
In Grafton:
Rolly Grim, 47 year old boss driver for Hamilton Coal and Coke Co, goes into work to feed the mules in the mine. “He entered the cage and signaled that it should drop. The order was misunderstood and Grim in his efforts to get out fell down the shaft, a distance of 165 feet. Every bone in his body was broken.” He is survived by a wife and 7 children. (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
Morning
At the Darr Mine in PA:
“The blacksmith shop has been fitted up as a temporary morgue and a number of physicians are in waiting to tender any service that may be required of them.” (LAH 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“Six members of the state constabulary arrived here this morning from Greensburg to assist in preserving order.” (CDT 12.20.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as: Snow, slightly warmer tonight; Saturday snow or rain (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
Today is the last day of public school before closing for a two week vacation. “During the vacation all the buildings will be cleaned and renovated and put into good order for the remainder of the term.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“All of the teachers in the schools who do not reside in the city will go to their homes tomorrow where they will spend their holiday vacation in rest and recreation. Many of the home teachers will take advantage of the recess period to visit friends in other places and to take some recreation trips.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“This has been the best year so far in the history of the schools in point of enrollment, interest, and general work.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“Most all of the different rooms are having Christmas programs and general exercises appropriate to the season.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“The 5th ward school there will be a general program in the auditorium of the building consisting of choruses and recitations of a Christmas character.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“At the Fleming school the boys and girls will be given a Christmas tree and present of a pleasing nature through the kindness of Miss Elizabeth Watson, whose custom it has been for a number of years to thus remember the pupils of this school.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“There is much interest in the series of basketball games that is to be played in the High School gymnasium during the holidays between the regular team and the alumni team.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“The foundation for the new Barnesville school building has been completed and work will be suspended until next spring, when the contract for the erection of the building will be let.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
Mrs. Annie Borduh, 80 years old, dies at her home in Monongah after an illness from a complication of diseases. “Funeral services will be held on Sunday, the hour having not been decided on. Interment will be made in the Shaver cemetery. Undertaker R.L. Cunningham in charge.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
In Washington D.C.:
Representative Lehahan, of Wilkes Barre, introduces a bill to the house for a tax of one cent per ton on all coal. The bill calls for $1,000 to be paid out of the fund to each family made dependent by the death of a miner or his injury. “There is a proposition for the establishment of a Bureau of Mines and Mining under the department of Commerce and Labor.” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 8)
9:30 am
At the Darr mine in Pennsylvania:
6 bodies have been recovered from Darr mine. The fire boss and mine foreman were among the number. Fans are now going, the fire is out and the work of recovering the bodies is a matter of a few hours. 10 inspectors are on the scene. (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
6 members of Troop A of the State constabulary have arrived from Greensburg to take charge of the police arrangements immediately. (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 1)
~11:00 am
At the Darr mine in PA:
“Up to 11 o’clock today but six bodies had been recovered from the Darr mine. Many more had been located and as the work of the rescuers is progressing well and the fans working and with no fire in the mine, it is thought the recovery of all the bodies is merely a matter of hours.” (CDT 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“The exact number of men entombed is still uncertain, but there is no reason to change the earlier estimates of at least two hundred.” (CDT 12.20.07 pg. 1)
More on How Death Gloated!
The Monongah Disaster 