~Midnight
At the Darr Mines in Pennsylvania:
“Up to midnight 50 bodies had been prepared for burial, while more than 30 are at the bottom of the slope ready to bring out.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“Work of exploration on the right of the main entry is practically completed and it is believed that most of the bodies have been located.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“Several of the hours were required to change the air currents so that the work could be carried into the left section. It is on this side that most of the bodies will be found.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“Scarcely had the change in air been effected when the men had to be called from the mine because one of the blades of the big fan became loosened. Telephonic communication has been established between the mouth of the pit and the rescuers and they were notified to come out immediately to wait for repairs.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
Morning
In Fairmont:
A “committee of assistants to Santa Claus” spends all day getting names and “over 300 packages, each package containing toys, dolls, mechanical toys, games, books, fruits, candies, nuts, and most everything else that would be appreciated by the children” ready for distribution at Monongah tonight. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“The work was too much for [Santa] so he had the assistance of Mrs. C.W. Watson who took personal charge of the distribution of the Christmas presents. Mrs. Watson was assisted in this work by Mrs. J.E. Watson, Misses Lucy and Elizabeth Watson, Miss Helen Tuttle and Miss Lucile Ruckman and Master Edwin Watson.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Mrs. A.J. Ruckman, who has been so deeply interested and so painstaking in her work of relief lent valuable assistance. She did not rely entirely on the census for the names of the needy ones but made a personal house to house canvass of the neighborhood to make perfect the list of names and with her precaution it is hardly probable that a single person was missed.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
10:00 am
In Fairmont:
The Fairmont West Virginian reports that the weather will be: Light snow or rain tonight and tomorrow. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
A meeting of Monongah Miners’ Relief Committee commences in the city council chambers. There is “…much work to do in the next few weeks and it is very important that proper plans for that work be laid out.” (FWV 12.23.07 – pg. 5 – extra)
“The report of A. Howard Fleming, secretary of the subscription committee, and the report of the executive committee were made and the work of the committees were applauded by the general committee and were urged to pursue the course that they have.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 8)
Hon. J.M. Jacobs introduces a motion directing that a letter be written to the head of each relief fund that is raising money and inform them to send the money received to Mr. Sands or place it in a bank to Mr. Sands’ credit so that he can draw on the bank for the amount placed in it. (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 8)
“Many suggestions were offered in the meeting as to how the future work of the executive committee should proceed…Rev. J.C. Bloomfield moved that a committee of three, composed of members of the present executive committee, should draft bylaws and rules to govern action of executive committee.” They also determined that “…the number to constitute a quorum of the committee was reduced from thirteen to nine.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 8)
They collectively agreed that this committee “should report at a meeting to be held in the council chamber on next Tuesday at three o’clock.” They also decide that the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 3:00 pm will be the regular time the MMRC will meet and report. (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 8)
The committee acknowledges that, “So far there has been no census taken of the number of dependents that will have to be cared for. This matter will be looked after. This work will largely be done through the priests and pastors of the churches.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 8)
“The name, age, nativity of each victim of the explosion will be taken; the name of the wife, the names and ages of the children whether in this country or in their native land will be taken. Also the future intention of the dependents as to what they will do or expect to do. This complete record is necessary so that the distribution of the funds may be done with the precision that it should.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 8)
Bishop Donahue is appointed to prepare a census form (blanks) “which will contain questions when properly answered will give all the information necessary without being a conglomerate mass. These blanks will be printed so that the work will be comparatively easy.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 8)
At some point during the morning:
At the Darr mines in Pennsylvania:
“Even though many of the widows have been left practically without money with which to buy Christmas present for their children, a number of voluntary contributions along this line in the form of candy and toys have been made. There will be distributed by the committee on Christmas morning. The last donation to be received was large pails of candy from a Pittsburgh confectioner, and it is said that several hundreds loaves of bread will be received tomorrow.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“That many a home which was to have had a Christmas tree will contain a coffin during the happy hours of yuletide was demonstrated today when Henry Grossman delivered but three of the 26 Christmas trees which had been ordered from him. Grossman came into town this morning to deliver his trees, but at almost every door he was met by a sad faced woman who countermanded the order.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
In Butler, WV:
Charles Simonel, aged 65, says, “I am going to spend Christmas with my God,” and kisses his small grandson goodbye. An hour later his wife finds him “dangling at the end of a rope from the attic. In a pocket she found a note which read: ‘Have not been at church for 32 years, but have made my peace with God and want to go to him.’ He leaves a widow and three children.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 5)
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