Afternoon
In Fairmont:
Middleton School in Lincoln District holds “Parents Day” and Christmas exercises. “Conspicuous near the door was a box bearing the inscription in large letters ‘For the Monongah Sufferers’ in which several presents had been placed.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“A number of visitors came in to enjoy the performance of the little ones, which consisted of motions, songs, and recitations appropriate to the season.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
The large pupils program: (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)
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- A Teacher’s Trial – Lizzie Collins and Walter Motter
- Bethlehem – Elsie Hall
- The Arrow and the Song – Beluah Jackson, Olgah Parrish, and Pearl Sandy
- Hymn of the Christmas Tide – Pave Tetrick
- Never Stop for Crying – Earl Wilson
- Ring out the Old, Ring in the New – Olgah Parrish
2:00 pm
At the Darr Mines in Pennsylvania:
71 bodies have been recovered. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
“Rescuers state that a number of the men were found on their knees, showing that they were praying when the black damp caused death.” (BG 12.24.07 pg. 7)
“Perhaps 50 percent of the dead will never be identified.” (BG 12.24.07 pg. 7)
“Two carloads of coffins arrived today and most of them will be piled in a room adjoining the company store. (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“W.R. Woodford, vice president of the Pittsburg coal company, today said that instead of 275 men being in the Darr mine at Jacobs Creek, as formerly stated, it is now certain that 228 men were killed. Mr. Woodford said the delay in ascertaining the exact number was due to the grief of a clerk whose duty it was to keep the record of those entering the mine. The clerk lost a brother in the disaster.” (BG 12.24.07 pg. 7)
Chief Engineer E.V. Taylor said that work of recovering and caring for the dead was moving nicely and that a few days would see all of the bodies removed and haulage established in many of the entires.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“During the day the mine horses balked and refused to be driven into the mine. The animals trembled as though frightened, and when their drivers tried to urge them with the whip they laid down. A number of the older horses were later driven in without difficulty.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
~3:00 pm
At the Darr Mines in Pennsylvania:
“In the midst of the gloom which has been hanging over this stricken community…a ray of hope was sent into sorrow-crushed hearts when shortly after 3 o’clock this afternoon a double rainbow hung resplendent in the sky for more than 30 minutes.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“Work about the Darr mine stopped for some minutes, the men dropping their tools to gaze, a thousand eyes, those which had wearily watched for days for dead bodies of their loved ones, were no longer focused on the black pit entrance, but instinctively turned in supplication toward the sign of hope. One overwrought woman dropped to her knees and in a foreign tongue prayed that she might be granted the body of her son.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“One after another followed and the scene about the morgue tent was one never to be forgotten.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“Shortly after the rainbow incident, it was announced that no more bodies would be brought out until tomorrow morning.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
At some point in the Afternoon
In Pennsylvania:
A special meeting of the Carnegie Hero Commission is called in the board room at Carnegie building. Secretary Wilmot has announced that his report on Monongah is complete and ready for presentation. (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“The action was taken under a deed of trust from Andrew Carnegie, which permits the hero commission to use surplus money for the relief of victims of disasters, the same deed which enabled the commission to tender relief following the San Francisco earthquake.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
Charles T. Taylor presided and the following were present: W.L. Abbott, Albert J. Barr, Taylor Allderdice, W.W. Blackburn, W.N. Frew, Dr. W.J. Holland, Thomas Lynch, T.N. Miller, Thomas Morrison, Frederic C. Perkins, Robert Pitcairn, J.H. Reed, W.L. Scaife, W.H. Stevenson and Secretary Wilmot. (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“Secretary Wilmot reported that he visited the mine Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14. He found many families destitute. Some of the wives and children were sick, many were hungry and all were apparently helpless.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“The secretary reported further that he found those organized for relief in two separate committees and working under difficulty. They were amalgamated and put on a business-like and systematic basis. They were sending out appeals for assistance all over the country and working hard, but an appropriation from the commission would by no means be superfluous.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“A discussion was then held as to the amount to be given.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
Paul Kellogg receives a letter from L.L. Malone, General Manager: “There never has been any gas in these mines and this has been more fully demonstrated than before the explosion and has been proved by the experts who have been making an investigation of its cause. So far as the safety of the mines or of our employees are concerned the question of cheapness in opening, constructing, and equipping our mines has never been considered, nor in the operation of the same. We solicit inspection and incite comparison with the bituminous coal mines of any other state in Union.” (Kellogg)
At the Darr mines in Pennsylvania:
“Officials of the company believe that the rescue work is well in hand in spite of the fact that it has given the appearance of moving slowly, and that all danger from a second explosion has passed. They also say there is no destitution among the families of the victims.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“A number of unknown persons, supposedly of Connellsville, have notified the stores here that they will be responsible for any debts contracted by the families of the victims for the necessities of life, so that things are in fairly good shape for the present, at least.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“Clarence Hall, of the United States geological survey, who came here from Fairmont Saturday to make a study of the mine for his department at Washington, has about completed his researches and will return to Washington tomorrow. Mr. Hall made no statement as to the nature of his report. Other experts will arrive tomorrow.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“The crowd of relatives of the victims and the morbid curious was smaller today than at any time since the explosion, but it was stolid and unreasonable and a cordon of constabulary and special guards are still on duty keeping the people outside the ropes.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“To avoid congestion in the tent morgue only 10 persons are allowed in at one time. The mud is nearly a foot deep where the ten is pitched, just in front of the company store, and before the coffins could be placed it had to be floored.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“The coal company has purchased an acre of ground adjoining the Olive Branch cemetery, a short distance from the mine mouth, and this acre will constitute the potter’s field in which more than 100 bodies will find their last resting place. A conference of the Catholic clergy, representing the churches to which most of the victims belong, was held today and it was decided inadvisable to conduct individual services for the unknown dead. This would require much time and by leaving the bodies longer unburied would menace the public health.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“Many funerals have been arranged for tomorrow and the clergy of the community will be busy all day. The funeral of Orton Lamaster took place today, the body being interred at Smithton. A dozen hearses will be brought here from neighboring towns tomorrow. The funeral of the Pargert boy will take place tomorrow.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
~5:00 pm
In Monongah:
“A long distance telephone message from Pittsburg this evening at a few minutes before five o’clock announced the fact that the Carnegie Hero Commission had given $35,000 for the sufferers at Monongah.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1 – extra)
“The money will be turned over to the Monongah relief committee and used as this committee sees fit. The award is made under the Carnegie deed of trust which designates that any surplus in the hero fund can be applied to relief work occasioned by great disasters.” (DP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“This will make the contributions to date fully $80,000 and will give the committee new heart in its great endeavor to get the amount needed which is estimated at $200,000.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 4 – extra)
“This will provide approximately $300 for each widow and $100 for each child under 16 years of age as well as provide something for the aged people who were dependent upon some of the victims.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 4 – extra)
“This handsom gift comes as a direct result of the visit to this city of Mr. Frank M Wilmot, manager at Pittsburg, and Mr. Geo. A. Campsey, Agent of the Commission.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1 – extra)
“…while the whole State of West Virginia will have a more kindly feeling than ever before for this man who said it would be disgraceful for a man to die too rich. If all our millionaires were as generous and wise as Andrew Carnegie how much better the world would be…shows that the money of Mr. Carnegie is not kept in the State of his adoption, but his generosity is as wide as the world.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 4 – extra)
More on How Death Gloated!
The Monongah Disaster 