Morning
In San Antonio, NM:
“Eight new coffins formed part of the express of a special train which was run from this place to Carthage…carrying U.S. Mine Inspector Jo Sheridan, William Lane, an undertaker of San Marcial and several trained nurses who will care for those injured in the explosion in the Bernal mine…” (AC 01.02.08 pg. 1)
In Carthage, NM:
“All of the coal mines in Carthage shut down…and will probably not resume operations before [Friday] after which most of the bodies will have been disposed of.”
“Several of the dead miners were buried at Carthage [today], with simple but impressive services. Others were embalmed and will be sent to their homes [tomorrow].” (AC 01.02.08 pg. 1)
Afternoon
In Fairmont:
Morris Beetle dies at Cook Hospital after illness of pneumonia which he contracted while aiding in the rescue work. “Mr. Beetle was another member of the Monongah rescue band to succumb to pneumonia.” He was a pit boss at Riverdale, 57 years old and is survived by his wife and children. (FWV 01.02.08 pg. 4)
Newspapers
Clarksburg Daily Telegram:
Bisbee Daily Review in Arizona:
Daily Arizona Silver Belt:
Arizona Republican:
San Francisco Call in California:
New Ulm Review in Minnesota:
“A half-century of progress and this is what we have to show for it! Is it strange socialism grows; socialism, which hurls its challenge in the face of the system that has given us this sorry product? Is it strange that, despite its fundamental fallacies, it appeals to the fathers and mothers of the poor when it can launch, with justice, the terrific indictment against a ‘capitalist civilization’ that’ the march of its conquest is stained with the blood of infants and paved with the puny bones of children?’ People were poor enough, God knows, in the dark ages of medieval ignorance and in the still earlier days of paganism; but never, till modern industrialism joined hands with Christian civilization, did they have to send their children to work as children are sent today. Ancient greed held its hand in pity or shame, and spared the child. The greed of today knows neither shame nor pity and in children it finds succulent morsels.” (NUR 01.01.08 pg. 4)
Omaha Daily Bee in Nebraska:
The Breckenridge News in Kentucky:
Morning Astorian in Oregon:
Topeka State Journal in Kansas:
Evening Star in D.C.:
Rock Island Argus in Illinois:
Evening Times Republican in Iowa:
The Adair County News in Kentucky:
“Life is cheap. If you doubt it look at the stories of disaster in the mines of this country during the past three weeks. Over 500 men have perished in the recesses of the earth as the result of explosions in three different coal mines. Can you think of what suffering that means? Five hundred men represent probably at least 2,000 dependent upon them, who are thus suddenly robbed of their bread winners, and whose homes are darkened with the terrible shadow of tragically sudden death.” (CAN 01.01.08 pg. 2)
“Life is cheap. It is probably true there will always be danger in mining, that risk cannot be wholly eliminated; but it is not conceivable that in this Twentieth century of invention and discovery it is necessary to supply the nation with coal at such tremendous cost. We are forced to the belief that many such disasters might be averted if proper precautions were taken, and all mines were properly equipped with the best safety appliances.” (CAN 01.01.08 pg. 2)
“Unhappily, while this is a century of invention and discovery, it is also a century of indifference to human life in the pursuit of the dollar. Life is cheap. It will be easy to find 500 more men to take the place of those who died at Monongah a week ago, and Monday at Yolande, near Birmingham, Ala. It is cheaper to hire new men than to install safety appliances and take the necessary care to prevent accidents.” (CAN 01.01.08 pg. 2)
“The Government ought to interfere, you say. The Government does interfere. It requires certain things to be done, and it appoints inspectors and officials to see that they are done; but the field to be covered is wide, and there are many ways of escaping from strict obedience to the law for the man who wants to. Not until the mine operators are made to feel their personal responsibility for the safety of the men whom they employ, will it be possible to secure a full measure of protection. That realization can only come in one or two ways. Either by a sudden development of the altruistic spirit to a degree not usually found in mine operators; or by a campaign of prosecution on the part of the law against all men on whose property accidents happen that can in any way be subscribed to negligence. The latter will probably prove to be the quicker and more effective under present circumstances. —Louisville Herald” (CAN 01.01.08 pg. 2)
Salt Lake Herald in Utah:
Bluefield Evening Leader in West Virginia:
Mt. St. Clair Advocate in Kentucky:
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
In Fairmont:
The Women’s Club of Fairmont hosts “At Home” at the Masonic Temple. Invitations were sent to members of the club with a card enclosed which announced that each member was entitled to bring 3 guests. “Omen’s Orchestra will furnish music throughout the evening.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 5)
“After the guests had passed the receiving line they were invited to the punch bowl.” (FWV 01.02.08 pg. 5)
A “delicious luncheon” was served in the dining room which was decorated in the “club colors of red and green… the table being very effective in its decorations of asparagus, fern and many red candles.” (FWV 12.31.07 pg. 5)
More on the Monongah Disaster of 1907
How Death Gloated!: A Timeline of the Monongah Disaster and Bloody December of 1907
Who is Guilty?: A Timeline of January 1908 and the Coroner’s Inquiry
Issues with the Monongah Timeline
The Monongah Disaster 