2:00 am
In Pittsburg, PA:
A simple frame dwelling occupied by two families at Bryant street catches fire. Leopold Wollack is “aroused by the cries of the children, hurried to the room and found it a mass of flames.” Wallack, “seized the children and carried them down the stairs safely, despite the fact that both were suffering from measles. All were cared for by neighbors.” (FWV 12.30.07 pg. 8)
Early Morning
In Clarington, OH:
Edward Hutchinson, B&O railroad agent, is overpowered, robbed, murdered, and the train station burnt to the ground. “Hutchinson was overpowered, bound and gagged and valuables taken from his person, then the money drawer was broken and the contents taken. Hutchinson was left on the floor and fire was set to the station. He was left helpless.” (FWV 12.30.07 pg. 1)
“The murderers escaped with a considerable sum of money.” “No clue has been obtained to the perpetrators of the triple crime.” (FWV 12.30.07 pg. 1)
Morning
Near Monongahela, PA:
At the Ellsworth Mine, a young Slav, John Omillian, is released from being trapped underground and comes out “a raving maniac”. He is taken to the county home in Arden. Omillian last Thursday, Dec. 26, set off a blast which “blocked effectively all exit from the room where he was working.” (FWV 12.30.07 pg. 8)
“Yesterday a number of mine officials who were inspecting the mine accidentally found Omillian and dug him out. They were astonished to find him completely mad with hunger and thirst. He knocked two men down but was overpowered and cared for.” (FWV 12.30.07 pg. 8)
~6:00 pm, News Hour
In Fairmont:
Frank Higginbotham is at James Higginbotham’s house. The coal fire is “being replenished with a fresh bucket of fuel when an explosion occurred driving a short tack into the eye” of Frank Higginbotham. Frank was taken to Cook’s Hospital where an operation was performed in which the eye was removed. (FWV 12.31.07 pg. 3)
Fairmont West Virginian:
The Col. A. Howard Fleming Lodge No. 595, B. of R.T., donates to Darr mine sufferers (FWV 12.30.07 pg. 1)
Clarksburg Daily Telegram:
Washington Times in D.C.:
Cumberland Evening Times in Maryland:
The Dayton Herald in Ohio:
Pittsburgh Daily Post in Pennsylvania:
More on How Death Gloated!
The Monongah Disaster 