Morning
In New York:
A tenement house catches fire. Frederick Koenig, a tenant, reached the street safely, but then returned to help his sister and her family when he went down with a falling floor and died. Fire Chief Poling was “probably fatally injured”. He felt the stairway collapsing under him and plunged through a window three stories to the pavement. There were many other narrow escapes. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as: Rain tonight and Tuesday; colder tonight (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
August Belmont wires C.W. Watson asking permission for French experts to visit the Monongah mines “in order that they might study the conditions of the mines here so that whatever they may be able to acquire in the way of knowledge that will be beneficial in reducing the danger in mining may be applied to the mines operated in their country.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 1) (DFP 12.24.07 pg 6)
The request was “cheerfully granted”; “President Watson signified his willingness for the French scientists to investigate the conditions here.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 1) (DFP 12.24.07 pg 6)
“Joseph A Holland, chief of the United States geological survey and Prof. Lord, chief chemist of the survey, are here now.” (DFP 12.24.07 pg 6)
“The coroner’s inquest will begin January 2. The number of bodies recovered up to this time is 344.” (DFP 12.24.07 pg 6)
More on How Death Gloated!
The Monongah Disaster 