Carthage – The Monongah Disaster

Morning

In Pittsburgh, PA:

Steve Duma and Mike Hazugo were arranging to fill the powder flasks for the days work, when a spark from the miner’s lamp held by Duma was dropped into the keg of powder. Powder explosion wrecked 2 houses. “Both men were lacerated and burned…brought to hospital in serious condition.” (FWV 12.31.07 pg. 4)

In Fairmont:

Earl Fluharty, the 15 year old son of Jefferson Fluharty of Monongah, dies in Cook’s Hospital after an illness of typhoid fever. “He came to the hospital on Saturday of last week and at that time his condition was serious.” His remains are taken to Cunningham’s morgue. (FWV 12.31.07 pg. 4)

~11:50 am

In Carthage, New Mexico:

“Carthage is a small town on a branch line, twenty miles from San Antonio, on the Santa Fe railroad…” in Socorro county New Mexico. (AC 12.31.07 pg. 1) (TSJ 01.01.08 pg. 1)

It’s time for lunch break at the Bernal coal mine in Carthage, New Mexico which is owned and operated by the Carthage Fuel Company. “The greater part of a force of fifty men” begin to leave the mine for lunch while several others stay behind and continue to work. (AC 12.31.07 pg. 1)