Christ Episcopal Church holds their Christmas services. Following the church service the Sunday school will gather in the lecture room where a program will be rendered. The children have learned a number of pretty Christmas carols and a treat will also be a feature. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
Evening
TBG 12.27.07 – pg 3
In Clarksburg:
At First Presbyterian Church, the Christmas tree was, “laden with many nice presents for the Sunday school children and a feast of good things to eat, such as candy, nuts, fruits, and so on. Generously all of these were turned over to the children at Monongah, where a terrible mine horror recently occurred.” (CDT 12.26.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
The M.P. Church hold their Christmas observance with “an old fashioned Christmas tree” as the feature. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
“Santa Claus arrived during the entertainment and distributed and excellent treat of candy besides presenting each member of the school with a pretty souvenir glass.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“The part of Kris Kingle was taken by Mr. Harry Engle and a better man for that part could not have been found. He caused great amusement among the children and grown folks as well.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
The evening is “…a decided success in every way and was thoroughly enjoyed by young and old.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
Building “I” is M.P. Church according tot he 1897 map
7:30 pm
In Fairmont:
First Presbyterian Church holds their Christmas program which consists of songs and recitations and “a surprise is being arranged for the children.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
“At the close of a program of songs and recitations…Santa Claus made his appearance through a chimney built of bricks and caused no end of commotion among the children.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Later, when the chimney was torn down it was discovered that the bricks were but imitations and each was filled with candy and nuts, each child received a brick.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“A feature of the evening was the presentation of a handsome chair to the Sunday school superintendent, Mr. J. Barnes by the teachers of the school. Mr. Barnes has served as superintendent of the school for 18 years and the gift was the reward for faithful service.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
Night
In Gray’s Flats, WV:
Elijah Hannon and Dennis Gilmore are upstairs in C.H. Thankson’s house, alone in the same room. “Gilmore was working with a revolver. Hannon asked him the make and expressed a desire to see it whereupon Gilmore placed the gun on a table and pushed it toward Hannon.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“After Hannon had satisfied his desire in looking it over he placed the gun on the table and shoved it toward Gilmore and while in the act of pushing the pistol to Gilmore the revolver went off catching Hannon in the abdomen.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“It has been less than a month ago since Gilmore’s wife shot herself in Flemington. It was first thought that Gilmore was implicated in his wife’s death but the inquest determined it a case of suicide and nothing was done with Gilmore.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“The ambulance was sent immediately to Gray’s Flats for the man.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
“The report that the Carnegie Hero Fund had provided…was good Christmas cheer, but no act of charity or work of the relief committees has been more gladly received than the distribution of the many things that Santa Claus brought the little ones of Monongah.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
By night fall, the “committee of assistants to Santa Claus” (Mrs. C.W. Watson, Mrs. J.E. Watson, Misses Lucy and Elizabeth Watson, Miss Helen Tuttle and Miss Lucile Ruckman and Master Edwin Watson) had finished their preparations and the 300 plus packages were ready for distribution, which was in charge of Minnie Watson and Col. T.G. Price, with a delivery wagon. His journey was not by any means an easy one as the sections of Monongah are widely scattered over the hills and old Santa was late in finishing his visit to the last house.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
Minnie Owings Watson (Mrs. C.W. Watson)
“Red Row, Hill No. 3, Wahoo, West Monongah with its fifty odd houses where only two male survivors are to be found, were all visited and all shared in the hospitality of the charitably inclined people, who have in no way stinted the Monongah people.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“In addition…Mr. J.M. Hartley sent 30 baskets well-ladened with the best things the season affords, which added cheer to many of the homes.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“The Fairmont Coal Company also provided Christmas baskets for each of the families that suffered loss in the mines, each basket containing a chicken, oysters, cranberries, and everything that would tend to make Christmas dinner wholesome and inviting.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“No trashy toys were given but substantial ones that will be of benefit for some time to come. The dolls were all neatly dressed, the sewing being done by many of the ladies’ societies of Fairmont. Some of the dolls were 18 inches in length for the larger girls, while many smaller ones were given to the smaller ones, with rubber dolls for the infants.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“The abundant supply of Christmas goods was not all used and many buckets of candy and other present were left over and will be given out at New Years.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)
TEP 12.26.07 – pg 1
At the mines:
“Three more bodies were recovered from the Monongah mines today, making a total up to date of 346.” (AMJ 12.25.07 pg. 1) (SLH 12.25.07 pg. 2)
“Another body will be removed tomorrow.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 3)
Midnight
In Monongah:
“The customary religious services were held at the Monongah churches and midnight mass was observed as usual at the Catholic Church on Christmas eve, but the sad eyes and sunken cheek gave evidence on the face of the mourning congregation that this observance of mass was different from any other ever witnessed before and it is the prayer of every Christian throughout the land that no such calamity may ever be visited upon another community in the future.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1 & 8)
Interior of Our Lady of Pompeii Italian Catholic Church in Monongah
Miss Belle Jeanette and her party arrive as scheduled on train No. 14. It was planned that “immediately after the arrival…she will be brought to the Times office in the Franklin car of Mr. Daniel Annan, Jr., kindly driven by Mr. William Wilson.” Rather, she met up with these men at her hotel. (CET 12.24.07 pg. 8) (CET 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Loading the papers and accompanied by the circulation manager of the Times, Mr. Hill, and one of the Times newsies, a quick run will be made to the Windsor Hotel, where a light lunch will be taken. After this Miss Jeanette will be her best to make up for lost time.” (CET 12.24.07 pg. 8)
“The party, which included Miss Jeanette, Mr. Wilson, Miss Jeanette’s manager, and Mr. R. Mason Hill, of the Times, started out at once and produced down Baltimore street, all along being given and ovation, as far as the Times office. Here Mr. William Wilson obligingly relieved his father as chauffeur, and a run was made to South Cumberland, where the party was enthusiastically received. After canvassing Virginia avenue, the parry then returned uptown and a little later finished the run in front of the Maryland Theatre…” where she and the company will play to crowded houses both matinee and night performances on Christmas day in the play, “A Child Shall Lead Them”. (CET 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“She will not work long time, but tomorrow will devote from 12 to 1 to meeting the people on the Baltimore street and selling her papers for the needy.” (CET 12.24.07 pg. 8)
Illustrated Monthly West Virginian offers subscription books “for one month are the property of the people of Monongah.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 2)
“We ask, however, the privilege of retaining 35 cents on each yearly $1.00 subscription to partly cover the cost of mailing, preparation, etc.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 2)
“Subscriptions will be received by the Red Cross Society of America, 500 Fifth Ave, New York City, also the local committee at Monongah.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 2)
“The next issue of the Monthly West Virginian will be the Fairmont number and will contain a complete and finished write up of the disaster, fully illustrated.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 2)
The joke column was one of the first spaces sacrificed for the Monongah disaster. They return for Christmas: (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 2)
FWV 12.24.07 – pg 2FWV 12.24.07 – pg 3
“How different the feeling when a philanthropist like Mr. Carnegie passes off the stage of action from that felt when a miser like Russell Sage crosses over. The one uses his large means in helping mankind and thereby adds to his own happiness, while the other selfishly tried to appropriate his riches to his own use and only added to his misery.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“The West Virginian has adopted the rule of issuing no paper on the great national holiday, July 4, and on Christmas day, therefore no paper will be issued tomorrow. We wish all our patrons a Merry Christmas.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“Mr. Sturgiss is deeply impressed with the Monongah mine disaster and he is desirous of preventing future disasters by endowing the colleges sufficiently that they can give scientific training make mine investigations and report to the bureau.” (CDT 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“In addition to this Governor Dawson is urging the United States senators from West Virginia to take steps for government inspection of coal mines.” (CDT 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“Such a plan as is suggested by Congressman Sturgiss and Governor Dawson would bring to the country a new department of government and there would be constant search and research and examination and re-examination until the protection of miners and mines would be an active science.” (CDT 12.24.07 pg. 4)
Evening Star in D.C.:
ES 12.24.07 – pg 5
Washington Herald in D.C.:
WH 12.24.07 – pg 3
Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier in Iowa:
“The relief committee has been formed by prominent citizens headed by Governor Dawson, to solicit subscriptions to aid the stricken families…” (OTC 12.24.07 pg. 3)
Twice a Week Plain Dealer in Iowa:
TWPD 12.24.07 – pg 2
“State Mine Inspector Paul of West Virginia made a thorough examination of Mines Nos. 6 and 8 Friday. Until Mr. Paul concludes his investigation all other work at the mines has been suspended.” (TWPD 12.24.07 pg. 2)
Topeka State Journal in Kansas:
“Gasps of horror fill the air throughout the land over the terrible slaughter that has been wrought during the past few weeks because of explosions in coal mines in various parts of the country, and especially in the twin tragedies at Monongah and Jacobs Creek.” (TSJ 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“Slaughter it surely was for neither of these disasters were mere casualty. They are crimes and can be called nothing else.” (TSJ 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“But there is no question in these two latest disasters of the mysterious laws of nature. The laws whose neglect fell thus upon the innocent are known laws and the price of obedience is small.” (TSJ 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“Yet such is the greed and callous indifference of man that even that small price was begrudged. Grim death has collected a debt at a terrible price and one bringing sorrow and distress into countless homes.” (TSJ 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“Both the Monongah and the Jacobs Creek explosions followed shut downs. They were the result of accumulations of gas and dust, and these accumulations, as mining experts know, can be avoided by the simplest means. That is, a watchman passing regularly and at reasonably frequent intervals through the mine, opening the doors and allowing some movement of air, will prevent the accumulation of gas in pockets sufficiently large to create dangerous explosions. The simple and comparatively inexpensive device of a perforated pipe, from which a very fine spray issues, disposes of the danger from dust.” (TSJ 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“Murder by the wholesale, and that is the only designation that may be applied to these two recent disasters and many others which have occurred in times past, challenges the conscience of a nation.” (TSJ 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“These frightful calamities should teach us what crimes a cynical indifference and parsimony are guilty of.” (TSJ 12.24.07 pg. 4)
“Society is vitally concerned in the safety of these workers upon whose daily toll we all rely, whose conditions of labor at best are of the worst, who are in every sense society’s sacrifice to her own good. Justice, not mercy, demands of the state the protection of these men.” (TSJ 12.24.07 pg. 4)
Bemidji Daily Pioneer in Minnesota:
BDP 12.24.07 – pg 2
New York Tribune:
NYTb 12.24.07 – pg 7
“The executive committee of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, meeting at Pittsburg, voted $35,000 for the sufferers from the Monongah mine disaster.” (NYTb 12.24.07 pg. 6)
“The number of bodies recovered at Monongah thus far is 344.” (NYTb 12.24.07 pg. 7)
The Sun in New York:
TS 12.24.07 – pg 10
Palestine Daily Herald in Texas:
PDH 12.24.07 – pg 3
Daily Press in Virginia:
DP 12.24.07 – pg 1
Times Dispatch in Virginia:
TD 12.24.07 – pg 1
Bluefield Evening Leader in West Virginia:
BEL 12.24.07 – pg 2
“On account of the many recent mine disasters the Pittsburg Dispatch employed J.L. Dixon, a mining engineer, whose reputation as an expert stands high, to locate, if possible, the cause of the disasters in the Pennsylvania and West Virginia coal district.” (BEL 12.24.07 pg. 2)
Cumberland Evening Times in Maryland:
CET 12.24.07 – pg 3CET 12.24.07 – pg 8
Detroit Free Press in Michigan:
DFP 12.24.07 pg – 6
Dayton Herald in Ohio:
DH 12.24.07 pg 2DH 12.24.07 pg 4
“Readers of the Herald who aided in the collection of Christmas presents and cash for the Christmas of the widows and orphans in the horrible mining disaster may eat their Christmas dinner with an added zest tomorrow. Their thoughtful Christmas spirit has aided in relieving the distresses of nearly fifteen hundred people and they have been Sant Claus to over one thousand fatherless and practically homeless children. Others aided in the laudable enterprise, and for the day the Christ says to you, ‘In as much as ye have done it unto the least of thee ye have done it unto me.’” DH 12.24.07 pg. 4
“The same spirit which in the people of Dayton and vicinity prompted the general Santa Claus car load of toys and clothing for the Monongah Christmas, also prompted the hearts of many thousands of other, and many cars of necessities and many thousands of dollars are on the way to ill fated, but remembered, Monongah.” DH 12.24.07 pg. 4
“The kind hearted relief committee at Fairmont and Monongah will have a busy Christmas, but they can afford to postpone their Christmas for a day or two and enjoy the pleasure of relieving the necessities of the poor Monongans and giving them a little Christmas cheer.” DH 12.24.07 pg. 4
“But Christmas is not the only day that is coming to these sorrowing ones. The future is full of days—dark, gloomy days that will appear more gloomy perhaps for the little brightness of the one day.” DH 12.24.07 pg. 4
“We are glad to see formulating a plan for the permanent relief and assistance of these unfortunates. About fifty thousand dollars as been raised and is on the way to the treasurer of the committee. But this, it can be seen, will not be much in the distribution, only about thirty dollars to each person.” DH 12.24.07 pg. 4
“The coal company will permit them to stay in their homes until they are provided for in some manner, and the people who are looking after their welfare now will continue their efforts.” DH 12.24.07 pg. 4
“Some of the families desire to return to Europe where they can be with relatives. Others wish to go to some other section of this country where they can make a living. Non, of course, can stay in Monongah, for none can mine, and what few there are needed to sew and mend and wash for Monongah people are already there and were there before the disaster.” DH 12.24.07 pg. 4
“Plans are also afoot to aid the Jacobs Creek victims, who, however, are not so many, but whose needs are fully as great.” DH 12.24.07 pg. 4
“In the meantime, lawmakers should go to work to frame a law preventing recurrence of such disasters, if that be possible. That would, indeed, be a Christmas gift to the country equal to the country’s gift to Monongah.” DH 12.24.07 pg. 4
The Boston Globe in Massachusetts:
BG 12.24.07 – pg 7
“Reports that disorder occurred yesterday necessitating the drawing of firearms by the squad of state police were without foundation.” (BG 12.24.07 pg. 7)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania:
PPG 12.24.07 pg 1PPG 12.24.07 pg 1
“Among the victims of the latest mine explosion at Jacobs Creek are 12 or 13 miners who had been employed at the Naomi mine previous to the explosion there on the night of December 1, when 34 poor unfortunates were suddenly hurried into eternity. Within a few days after the explosion here the men began to leave, numbers going to their old homes in Europe. But a wagon load of men drove across country to Darr, besides a number who made their way on foot. There are now added to the number of widows and orphans here who will for a time have to depend on charity for a living many more as a result of this latest catastrophe beneath the ground.” PPG 12.24.07 pg. 1
“The families of the victims of the Naomi explosion are wanting for nothing, however, notwithstanding the fact that so far as known not a penny of the money raised for their benefit at various places has ever been turned over to them. The United Coal Company is seeing that they get everything that is needed, and will also provide for their future toa certain extent. Those who desire will be sent back to their native land. But few want to leave here. One widow is soon to become a bride, and another has already started a boarding house.” PPG 12.24.07 pg. 1
“Unlike the coal company at Monongah, the owners of the Naomi mine have made no appeal for the aid to outsiders. The order of Superintendent J.D. O’Neil are that no one is to be permitted to want for anything. The company is not merely supplying those whose support is gone with food and clothing, but the money is given tot hem that they may do their own purchasing. It is, in fact, discouraging outside aid, preferring to do all this work itself in an effort to make what reparation it can for the awful loss of life. A collection is being taken here today to give the orphans of the dead miners a merry Christmas.” PPG 12.24.07 pg. 1
“Henry Hobek, who is connected with the Austro-Hungarian consulate at Pittsburgh, has spent several days in this vicinity looking after the interests of his fellow countrymen. Twenty-five of the entire number of victims were natives of that country. Mr. Hobek found that some shark had already been among the people, getting the women and other relaives to sign powers of attorney or claim papers giving him the right to collect whatever money could be got from the company.” PPG 12.24.07 pg. 1
Baltimore Sun in Maryland:
BS 12.24.07 pg 2
Pittsburgh Daily Post in Pennsylvania:
PDP 12.24.07 – pg 1
“Secretary Wilmot’s first move on going to Jacobs Creek probably will be to perfect the organization of relief committees, getting them in working order for investigations and for the handling of funds. He will then return to make his report to the commission when another special meeting will be held.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“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)
This image is often used in association with Monongah, however, this is a photo of victims of the Darr mine disaster either being “stored” until burial or of being placed in the potter’s field. The key noticeable difference is the type of coffins pictured.
“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)
The Monongah Disaster 