disaster – Page 7 – The Monongah Disaster

Friday, December 13, 1907 – News Hour

“While a part of the people were concerning themselves with caring for the living, another part was performing the last sad rites over the dead.” (MJ 12.13.07 pg. 6)

~6:00 pm

Newspapers

The Fairmont West Virginian:

Many of the miners carried insurance in the various fraternal orders. Ten of them were insured in the German Beneficial Union at $2,000 each. Other orders will have many policies to meet. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

FWV 12.13.07 - pg 1 - company's work — FWV 12.13.07 pg 1

A tribute to the fallen miners and people of Monongah from the “Lone Star” is published: (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 3)

Clarksburg Daily Telegram:

12.13.07 - pg 1 - Donations — CDT 12.13.07 pg 1

“The spirit of brotherhood has been awakened anew since the Monongah mine horror and is seen through these columns, donations of money and clothing are being liberally made both by rich and poor, neither overlooking the fact that there is a common sympathy with all mankind.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“(The Grasselli Chemical Company) itself, a splendid concern, one helpful to the community to a high degree, gave $200 and its employees more than doubled the amount.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“The great majority of the employees of the Grasselli Company who have thus contributed, are Spaniards, about whom so little if generally known, but, who by this one act of charity, show themselves residents of common sympathy with our own people and meritorious of high regard and recognition. They have shown themselves true to the country they have adopted and are real American citizens.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

List of those identified:

“Messrs. Frank Gregory, T.P. Harr and Roger Fontaine are making preparations for a dance in aid of the Monongah mine sufferers and the same will be held at Hoffman Hall next Tuesday evening. Tickets will be sold at 50 cents each.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 5)

12.13.07 - pg 6 - Shoes — CDT 12.13.07 pg 6

Pittsburgh Dispatch:

“6 bodies were taken from under heavy falls of slate. All were unrecognizable. Head and limbs were severed from the trunks. One head was discovered several hundred feet from what was supposed to be its trunk.” (McAteer)

Evening Star:

“All the subterranean territory in the wrecked Monongah mines, except a few of the deepest chambers, has been explored by searching parties.” (ES 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“A total of 388 bodies has been taken out and it is estimated that within forty-eight hours the end of the work will have been reached.” (ES 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“The Fairmont Coal Company announces that the number of dead will be considerably over 400 according to the figures obtained by a house-to-house canvass, which has been almost completed.” (ES 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“It is now conservatively estimated that over 200 women have been left widows while the number of orphans will reach 800, a majority of whom will be cared for in the orphanage which the company has announced it will erect here at an expense of more than $50,000.” (ES 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“Mr. Paul’s examination will probably be completed by night, when a force of men will begin to clear away the debris in both mines caused by falls” (ES 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“It will be several days before the exact death list will be known. Coroner E.S. Amos announced today that the inquest would begin Tuesday. Many experts will give testimony, and the investigation will probably last a week.” (ES 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Midland Journal:

12.13.07 - pg 6 - Monongah 1 — MJ 12.13.07 pg 6

“Not what to do with the dead, but how to care for the living, is the problem of the hour at Fairmont.” (MJ 12.13.07 pg. 6)

“Misery has increased day after day. The vacant chair, the empty room, the little children who toddle out at eventide to watch for father, who never comes; the scant larder, have combined to bring these impractical women to a sense of their loss, and they are sitting in their homes with their heads in their hands.” (MJ 12.13.07 pg. 6)

“With hunger, homelessness and raggedness the only prospect which the future held forth, this would have held forth, this would have been a night of gloom for Monongah.” (MJ 12.13.07 pg. 6)

“It is no pleasant thing to look upon wives weeping for dead husbands, children wailing for dead fathers, and to see the terror with which, in their helplessness, they face the future.” (MJ 12.13.07 pg. 6)

“And so when Monday it was announced that prominent men connected in an official capacity with the Fairmont Coal Company had contributed $20,000 to the relief of the widows and orphans it was a rainbow of hope, penetrating the gloom which has hovered over the Monongah hills, while the devout priests, who have labored with their people in sorrow, murmured “Thank God,” for the future appeared wonderfully brighter.” (MJ 12.13.07 pg. 6)

“The contribution was made on behalf of the Fairmont Coal Company by Messrs. J.E. Watson, ex-Governor A.B. Fleming, S.L. Watson, president; C.W. Watson, vice president; Jere H. Wheelwright, Van Lear Black and L.L. Malone, who donated to the relief committee $17,500, while Senator Camden, on behalf of the Monongah Company, authorized by wire $2,500, making a total of $20,000.” (MJ 12.13.07 pg. 6)

“While the coal company has been most generous in its treatment of the dead and suffering, and while its contribution to the relief fund was at once unexpected and liberal, yet West Virginia properly feels that the obligation of caring for the living may not properly fall upon the coal company exclusively, so the state accepts this responsibility and holds forth its hands to its citizens.” (MJ 12.13.07 pg. 6)

The Holt County Sentinel:

“The tragedy is one of those horrors that is something the imagination cannot grasp. Only those who visit the scenes know. There can be no compensation for such horrors. Hearths and hearts alike are rendered desolate and the sympathy of the world goes out to the disconsolate women and children, who are made to suffer.” (THCS 12.13.07 pg. 8)

Dakota County Herald:

12.13.07 - pg 8 - Monongah 1 — DCH 12.13.07 pg 8

“Distress and want among women and children dependent on the men who lost their lives, which was not recognized at first, is now being brought forcibly before the community and it is realized that there is a great work of charity to be done.” (DCH 12.13.07 pg. 8)

Omaha Daily Bee:

“The last report of the West Virginia mine inspector on these mines said that the oil used in the lamps in them was only fair in quality and added: ‘With the exception of the oil and a small part of the shooting on the solid,’ the mine law is complied with.’ If investigation shows that either of these exceptions cause the death of the Monongah miners, neither the state officials nor the Consolidation Coal company can be absolved from blame.” (ODB 12.13.07 pg. 4)

The Wageworker:

“West Virginia statues prohibit the employment in mines of children under fourteen years of age. Already a score of boys under that age have been taken dead from the Monongah mine. The men who employed those boys in direct violation of law are murderers—red-handed murderers—and as such should play the extreme penalty of the law. But they will not. Such men violate the laws of men with impunity.” (TW 12.13.07 pg. 4)

The Marion Daily Mirror:

“Twenty funerals were held here this morning.” (TMDM 12.13.07 pg. 2)

“Among the findings reported by the rescuers last night was a basketful of dismembered limbs, which can never be recognized.” (TMDM 12.13.07 pg. 2)

The Highland Recorder:

“Those who went to their work undreaming of the calamity awaiting them have no need for physicians. When the shock same they died suddenly. It is not believed there was any suffering in that pit of horror. The end came in an instant and out of the 400 few knew what had happened. Some men died without changing their positions. One was seated upon a bench in the shanty at the foot of No. 6 slope. His dead body was found sitting upright in the same attitude. To others the death was more horrible. One man was blown almost to pieces but in the pocket of his vest his watch was still ticking.” (HR 12.13.07 pg. 2)

The Spokane Press:

By: George R. Pulford

“Just as the antiquarians discovered the people of Pompeii standing or lying about as they happened to be when the dread volcano belched forth its ashes, so did the rescuers who forced their way into the workings of mines No. 6 and 8 of the Fairmont Mining Co., find the hundreds of dead miners—dead in this greatest of all mining calamities in the history of America.” (TSP 12.13.07 pg. 4)

“Not a man who entered the mines Friday after Thursday’s holiday—and there were 425 of them—escaped. Every one fell a victim to carelessness of someone.” (TSP 12.13.07 pg. 4)

“Who is guilty is a question newspaper men and others are asking. The only answer obtainable is the echo, ‘guilty.’” (TSP 12.13.07 pg. 4)

“Theory follows theory regarding the cause.” (TSP 12.13.07 pg. 4)

“A possible explanation which old miners give me is that a string of coal cars, breaking loose, plunged down the tunnel and probably crashed into a lot of dynamite, which is taken into the mines in 50 pound lots. This, it is thought, caused and explosion which in return exploded the first collection of deadly coal dust wrecking both mines.” (TSP 12.13.07 pg. 4)

“Another story, and one that is given credence despite the fact that effect effort to hush it has been made is that a connection was made between the two mines and that the gases rushing together exploded.” (TSP 12.13.07 pg. 4)

“This is West Virginia’s fourth mine horror in 10 months and the governor has promised swift punishment if negligence has been shown.” (TSP 12.13.07 pg. 4)

More on How Death Gloated!

Friday, December 13, 1907 – Afternoon

~Noon

At the mines:

“At noon today no additional bodies had been recovered from the mines…” (WT 12.13.07 pg. 8)

John Graham Smyth, assistant chief engineer, is placed in charge of recovery efforts underground. (McAteer)

Smyth reports to E. Scott outside. (McAteer)

E. Scott reports to Ruckman and Malone. (McAteer)

~2:00 pm

In Fairmont:

Jess Severe is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. The Improved Order of Red Men is in charge of the funeral. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“The work in the mine was resumed this afternoon, but the men are engaged in cleaning out the debris. In this manner they may run across more bodies.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“A census taken of the town shows three hundred and thirty-eight men missing, which leaves eighteen bodies still in the mines.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“In addition, however, there was a number of contractors and men hired by these contractors are believed to have been in the mines when the explosions occurred.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

At some point during the afternoon:

In Fairmont:

The Fairmont West Virginian receives a letter from Elkins post office employees with a donation of $50 included. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

One body is recovered from #6. (FWV 12.13.07 pg.1)

“One more body was found in the Monongah mine disaster this afternoon, bringing the total number of bodies recovered up to 321. The last body is that of a man named Burt. It is at the mouth of Mine No. 6, in which mine it was found.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Frank H. Wilmot and George A Campsey, representatives of Carnegie Hero Fund Commission of Pittsburgh are still in town “to find out the progress made in relieving the sufferers and in what way the commission could best serve the needs.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

J.H. Wheelwright makes a statement speaking of the difficulties that the searching parties had to encounter: “The difficulties the rescue parties have undergone cannot be realized or appreciated by those outside the mines. It is necessary to make an inspection inside to know the actual conditions.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

~3:00 pm

In Fairmont:

Union Relief Association holds a meeting in the M.P. Temple in order to get “As full a report of committee as possible…” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Coroner Amos deposited the sum of $367.12 in the People’s Bank of Fairmont to go toward the relief fund. This was all the money found except $23.19 found on the body of Andy Morris which was turned over to the proper relative. (McAteer) (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Mr. George Linn and daughter, of Benton’s Ferry, attend the funeral of J.H. Mort, member of Marion Lodge No. 27 R.P. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

The remains were taken across the river in a boat and interred at Maple Grove cemetery. He leaves a wife and four children. (FWV 12.13.07 pg.1)

In Monongah:

Coroner E.S. Amos and Prosecuting Attorney Scott C. Lowe went to Monongah to confer with State Mine Inspector J. W. Paul in regard to the time of holding the inquest. “It is not known at this time if the jury will be taken through the mines or not. If the jury does go through the mines it will likely be after the evidence is taken.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg.1)

~3:30 pm (Press Time)

“Although search was abandoned last night, two more victims…were found today. This makes the total number recovered three hundred and twenty-two.” (BDT 12.14.07 pg. 1)

“Two bodies were taken out of the wrecked No. 6 mine…making the total of recovered bodies 322, of which number 96 were unidentified.” (CET 12.16.07 pg. 1)

“One body taken out of No 6…was identified as Nick Tertza, a Greek, aged 29, single, of West Monongah, and another body was taken from the same mine the same afternoon and has been identified as Henry Burke, an American, aged 69, of East Monongah.” (CDT 12.14.07 pg. 1)

“The census takers made another report, which increases their list from 338 to 344, and it is now predicted that the fatalities all told will number nearly 350. The bodies taken out…were in a bad state of decomposition and identification was made from their mine checks.” (CET 12.16.07 pg. 1)

~4:00 pm

State Mine Inspector J.W. Paul leaves Monongah and travels to the Naomi Mines in Pennsylvania. (FWV 12.14.07 pg.1)

By Late Afternoon

Some 40-50 horses have been removed over the past few days. (McAteer)

The matter of dealing with carcasses was put off for some time in favor of corpses and these carcasses had merely been covered with canvas tarps until all corpses had been found and mostly recovered. (Haas) (McAteer) (News)

Information on the conditions of these animals is included in the formal report made by General Manager Frank Haas for the Fairmont Coal Company:

“One driver was found beneath a loaded car completely covered, only one foot sticking out, his horse lying nearby, stripped completely of harness, which was found 100 yards up the heading lodged in a pile against a pillar fall.” (Haas)

“On another heading, pieces of horse were scattered for a distance of 500 feet, torn so badly that the remains had to be gathered with a shovel, while in a small hole in the rib of this heading the body of a trapper boy was found in a sitting posture without a mark or scratch of any kind.” (Haas)

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“Tracks had to be thoroughly cleaned up to the carcass which after being thoroughly disinfected, were pulled on trucks by block & tackle, wrapped in canvas and hauled outside.” (Haas)

“Where roof falls made it impractical to clean up tracks to get trucks to livestock, block & tackle was attached and they were skidded for hundreds of feet, sometimes over falls and through crosscuts, to the track, occasionally necessitating the sawing off of a leg or head in order to make progress possible.” (Haas)

One of the most notorious and lingering ghost tales about the Monongah Mine Disaster includes this information about the horses:

“In just one crosscut, in one section halfway up 3rd Right of Old #6, at least 12 horses perished-and some said many more.” (Coffin Hollow, Musick)

“When the explosion came, the pressure from both ends of the crosscut pressed and squeezed the horses into one solid mass of flesh and bone.” When rescue/clean up crews came upon the pile, they decided “the best and quickest disposal that could be made was to gob their remains into an old working area and seal it off.” (Coffin Hollow, Musick)

coffin hollow- mine horeses image — Image from Coffin Hollow and Other West Virginia Ghost Tales, pg. 78

More on How Death Gloated!

Friday, December 13, 1907 Midnight – Morning

“Three hundred and twenty bodies have been recovered. Of these 71 were American, 11 Negroes, 146 Italians, 54 Slavs, 31 Poles, 5 Greeks and 2 Bulgarians.” (TC 12.15.07 pg. 3)

During the night:

Rescue crews are shifted out and a new clean-up crew of 100 men arrives to remove roof falls in order to recover more bodies. (McAteer) (Haas) (News)

~4:00 am

*In Littleton, WV:

“As a Cameron helper in charge of Pete Fleming, engineer, and George Keifer, fireman, was coming in on the siding the engine started to run away.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

Fleming reversed the engine and tried to stop it but he and Keifer had to jump to save themselves. Fleming broke one leg below the knee and his face is cut and bruised by falling stones. “He was taken to Regers’ Hospital” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“The engine struck the cars on the siding with great force then started backward and before it could be overtaken had gained the main track and was running at a rapid rate. The telegraph operator at Burton was called but the engine passed that place in its mad fight, which is six miles distance, in six minutes from the time it started. The operator not understanding the order gave it a ‘white light’ not realizing his mistake until he saw it flash by unoccupied. The operator at Glover’s Gap was called and arrangements made to derail the engine at that place.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“The track was cleared and the engine getting out of steam stopped of its own accord at Shey’s Tunnel, one mile east of Glover’s Gap.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

~6:00 am

The First Regiment Band takes the trolley car to Clarksburg to attend the funeral services of John M McGraw. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)

The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as: rain or snow tonight; warmer

~8:00 am

The remains of Harry Seese, a son of Samuel Seese, a victim of the Monongah mine disaster, is brought to Shinnston on the 8 o’clock train and buried in the Masonic cemetery. “His many friends and relatives here have the sympathy of the entire community.” (CDT 12.14.07 pg. 5)

During the Morning

In Pennsylvania:

12.13.07 - pg1 - Naomi verdict — FWV 12.13.07 pg 1

In Fairmont:

Frank M Murphy, proprietor of the Bijou Theatre, brings the cash box containing the entire receipts of the Bijou Theatre for Thursday, securely locked, into the offices of the Fairmont West Virginian. When opened it contained sum of $32.03 all of which he very generously contributes to the Monongah Relief Fund. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Justice/Coroner Amos fills out 11 insurance claims over the course of the morning. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“Twenty funerals were held here this morning, the bodies being buried in the potter’s field set aside for the purpose.” (WT 12.13.07 pg. 8)

C.W. Watson is asked for a statement. He said that there was nothing new in the situation and that there had been a great deal said about the officials and the coal company and about the state representatives but little had been said about those whom he thought were the real heroes in the calamity, the men who made up the searching parties. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“These men came in from many places in the state and volunteered their services without thinking of getting their names in print. They did not stop to inquire nor did they seem to care whether their names were on the payroll or not. The one thing that they were bent on was to get the entombed men out and no sacrifices seemed too great for these men to make. There were the real heroes, the burden bearers.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Mr. Watson said that the rumor this morning that the mines were on fire proved to be untrue when the workers had made a thorough investigation of the matter. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“It was found that some of the afterdamp coming in contact with the good air caused a peculiar odor and that was the foundation for the report that the mines were on fire. Worked stopped for a while because it was the workers who did the investigation.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

~9:30 am

In Clarksburg:

“Four funerals were held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception Friday morning, three of them for victims of the Monongah disaster.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“The first funeral was that of John T. McGraw, pitt boss at Monongah mine No. 8, whose body was recovered from the mine early Thursday morning. The body arrived in Clarksburg from Monongah on a Baltimore & Ohio train and was taken to the church where at 9:30 o’clock funeral services were held followed by the burial in Holy Cross cemetery. A large number of friends and relatives, accompanied the body here and the First Regiment band of Fairmont, of which the dead man was a member, also came along.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

~10:00 am

In Clarksburg:

Timothy Lyden’s body is taken from his mother’s home on Jackson Street “to the Catholic church where funeral services will be held and interment will be in Holy Cross cemetery.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

“Fire which started in the No 8 mine last night is entirely out today and an unusually large force of men put to work at 10 o’clock.” (WT 12.13.07 pg. 8)

“Two forces of men are at work clearing up the falls where it is thought dead miners may be entombed. The number in each force is 45 and they are working 8-hour shifts. The men are only making a search for the miners. Mine Inspector J.W. Paul gave orders that the mines should not be disturbed except where it was necessary to get a body…the debris is still very loose and the men can be located by the odor. General Lee. L. Malone, who has been through the mines, gave it as his opinion that there are not more than four or five more bodies to be found.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Deodorizing and disinfecting squads went ahead of recovery teams and work just as they have for the days prior. As soon as a body is located it is disinfected with a solution of carbolic acid (prescribed by physicians in charge) and properly marked with all available information for identification. All carcasses of horses are treated with either a very strong solution of carbolic acid or with a half barrel of slacked lime on top of which chloride of lime was sprinkled. (McAteer) (Haas)

~10:30 am

In Clarksburg at the Church of the Immaculate Conception:

“The next funeral was a double one and was for Timothy Lyden and Henry Martin, also victims of the awful Monongah disaster. Lyden’s body was taken from the home of his mother, Ellen Lyden, on Jackson street to the church and Martin’s body was brought here on the interurban trolley arriving at 9:30 o’clock and taken to the church. At 10:30 o’clock services were held over both bodies, attended by a large number of sorrowing friends and the interment followed in Holy Cross cemetery.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

~11:30 am

In Clarksburg at the Church of the Immaculate Conception:

The 4th funeral is that of “Thomas Flynn, who died at his home on Flynn street Wednesday afternoon of consumption, took place at the church at 11:30 o’clock and was also largely attended by sorrowing friends. The burial was in Holy Cross cemetery.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

*Author’s Note: The event of the runaway car at 4 am in Littleton is not directly related to Monongah, other than giving an impression of how fast runaway rail cars can manage to go all on their own; 6 miles in 6 minutes is…impressive. But, this author mostly included it because it is just a really neat and kind-of funny story (in hindsight, of course) which always manages to cheer me up at this point of the Timeline so I felt I should go ahead and keep it in for those reasons.

More on How Death Gloated!

Thursday, December 12, 1907 Night

“This great transformation was all brought about in less than three hours. This whole settlement is bereaved and weeping. Those who have been more fortunate and are known positively to have lost no loved ones when the explosion let go are downcast and mourn for those who lost relatives and friends.” (AR 12.12.07 pg. 5)

Evening

In Wheeling:

Bishop Donahue sends a message to several New York newspapers in answer to inquiries made from that city as to the extent of the disaster. “I have the honor to be a member of the general relief committee and will take pleasure in receiving any sums, however small, in aid of the fund, and seeing to it that it reached the right hands. There are approximately 400 widows and 1,000 orphans.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

The Wheeling relief fund reaches $2,860.00. Contributions to the fund are being made through Bishop Donahue, the Intelligencer, the Board of Trade, House & Herrmann and direct to Mr. Sands. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

Mayor Arnett receives 3 packages of children’s clothing “expressed” from “HUB” in Wheeling. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

~7:00 pm

Remains of Jess Sever and J.W. Miller are brought to Fairmont on the 7 o’clock car. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

After Dark

In Clarksburg:

Mr. F. M. Murphy gives the entire receipts of tonight’s performance at the Bijou Theatre to the relief fund. (McAteer)

In Fairmont:

The remains of J.W. Miller are buried at Woodlawn cemetery. The funeral is under the direction of the Improved Order of Red Men. Miller leaves a wife and 2 children. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

C.W. Watson invites and hosts the visiting mine safety experts to a magnificent dinner at his home, LaGrange. (McAteer)

At the mines:

“Vice president Wheelwright and General Manager Lee L. Malone believe that all the bodies not deeply buried in the old workings have been removed.” (BDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

TEW 12.13.07 - pg 10 - Monongah — TEW 12.13.07 pg. 10

“Explorations stopped in wrecked mines Nos 6 and 8 last night at which time a total of three hundred and twenty bodies had been recovered.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“The search…for victims…was suspended early tonight, partly because fire had broken out again in Mine 8 and partly because practically every section of the two mines has been explored and it was not believed that further search along the same lines would result in the finding of more bodies.” (NYTb 12.13.07 pg. 5)

“Three hundred and twenty bodies have been removed. Of these 71 were Americans, 11 Negroes, 146 Italians, 54 Slovaks, 31 Poles, 5 Greeks and 2 Hungarians.” (NYTb 12.13.07 pg. 5)

“A force of ninety men will begin in the morning to clean up the mine and remove the heavy falls that were not disturbed by the rescuing parties and it is understood that some additional bodies will be found.” (BDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“The fire which started this evening is not considered serious. No trouble in controlling it is anticipated.” (BDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

More on How Death Gloated!

Tuesday, December 10, 1907, Evening – Night

“Death came suddenly to the Monongah miners, and it is probable that many of them were taken off without bodily pain. The greatest sufferers were and are the women who are left behind. The anguish of their hearts as they waited in awful suspense between hope and dread, only to realize at the last that their loved ones had perished, is known only to themselves and to the pitying God, who alone can give consolation. And they must suffer on haunted forever by the recollection of the terrible ordeal. This case is not exceptional. When the men are in peril, the women must agonize. Theirs but to wait and mourn…‘For men must work and women must weep.’” (TD 12.10.07 pg. 6)

Evening

At the mines:

Both mines are sufficiently cleared of foul gasses that recovery work progresses at a faster rate.

“Until Tuesday evening 142 bodies of the victims of the Monongah, W. Va., mine explosion had been rescued.” (CC 12.12.07 pg. 2)

In Monongah:

Several different parties of inspectors are formed to begin determining the cause of the explosion. One of the inspectors from Pennsylvania spends an entire week surveying and examining the mines. (McAteer)

“The various lodges and churches of Monongah have sustained heavy loss.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 6)

During the night:

In Iowa:

In Morgantown:

Mayor I.N. Lucas holds meeting for the citizens of Morgantown to render assistance to Monongah victims. (FWV 12.9.07 pg. ?)

N.C. Prickett, Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of West Virginia is in Monongah making arrangements for the relief of the distressed families of the order. The local lodges are working to relieve the sufferers. (FWV 12.11.07 pg. 8)

In Fairmont:

“There was a rumor about Fairmont last night to the effect that some of the miners might be alive in the mines. The gossip was that a workman had heard rapping noises on a pipe. J.H. Wheelwright, who has been at the mines since the explosion, declared he had heard none of the supposed rappings and that it was ridiculous to suppose that anyone within the mines could be alive.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

At the mines:

“When darkness fell tonight 141 bodies had been brought to the surface while many more were located with every prospect of the rapid work of recovery of the past twenty-four hours continuing throughout the night.” (News)

23 bodies are removed tonight. (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

“Owing to the inclement weather it was impossible to bury bodies in the regular Potter’s Field, on the top of a steep hill, and when this became known the Fairmont Coal Company turned over an acre of ground just behind the Polish church of Monongah and this is being used as a Potter’s Field.” (NYTb 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“The crowds of idlers who surged about the pit entrances…have been dwindling ever since the rainstorm last night until tonight there only remained the forces employed in the rescue work, the newspaper workers and the inconsolable near relatives of victims who have remained faithful in the vigil during the downpour all night and all day, still shivering and enduring the physical discomfort in the wet snow that succeeded the rain.” (AR 12.11.07 pg. 1) (LAH 12.11.07 pg. 7)

“The bad weather did not stop the grave-diggers for they toiled from morning until night. It was found that the wagons could not make the trips up the steep hills to the regular Potter’s Field, so the company donated an acre of ground near the Polish and Italian Catholic cemetery. Several of the unknowns were buried there but the first body interred was that of John A. Ringer, an American. His widow brought her child to the morgue and identified the body. She said she had no money to pay the burial expenses and that the body would have to be placed in the Potter’s Field.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“Another pathetic incident was the saving of the remains of Tom Donlin from the potter’s field by Mrs. A.J. Ruckman. The body was found on Tuesday night and passed by unidentified; his own little girl had looked at almost every body brought out, saying, ‘That’s not my papa.’” Luckily, Mrs. Ruckman manages to somehow recognize and identify Tom’s body, despite it being “mutilated”, before he is sent off with the others. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. )

“Mr. Wheelwright said the rescuing squads were working close to the underground passageway which connects the two mines and that the men hope to be working in the passageway and will work toward each other.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

More on How Death Gloated!

Sunday, December 8, 1907, Late Afternoon – Evening

“Tonight, the work of the rescue has been turned to a struggle to the death with the fire demon.” (US Dept of Labor-Dispatch)

~5:00 pm

“When the fire broke out forty-two bodies had been recovered, forty-two out of the 391 who were known to have been in the mine. Add these to those who worked outside who were hurried to death by the force of the explosion or struck by the flying missiles, and it makes a total death list of 406. The list may even be larger than that.” (WH 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“It is not known just how long a man can stay in the foul air of the mines and relays of fifteen minutes have been provided. With clock-like precision the relief appears and good progress was made all day until halted by the fire.” (RP 12.9.07 pg. 2)

At #6:

The fan is stopped and all are ordered out of the mine because of developments at #8.

Inside #8:

“Shortly after 5 o’clock Sunday afternoon fire broke out again in mine No. 8 and the rescuers were at once ordered to the surface.” (FCT 12.13.07 pg. 1) (AMJ 12.9.07 pg. 1)

*As #8 fills with smoke, all miners abandon for the surface.

“For the first time since Friday morning the heroes in the rescuing parties turned their backs on their dead comrades in the mines. If the flames are not soon extinguished there will be little hope of recovering many of the bodies which are hidden in the recesses of the frowning hill.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

*As they emerge from the mine mouth, many miners report smoke and “fire” in parts the mine to the first officials or leaders they find, though no sign of burning is yet visible to the outside. To an experienced miner, “fire” can mean may more things than ‘flames’. But to the average onlooker, the word “fire” conjures only one meaning in their minds. These leaders at the mouth of the mine have the authority to take initiative without reporting to any other company official like Haas and so they do. They order immediate evacuation and send word directly to #6 to do the same.

*Even the reporters who are lingering about the mine mouth hear these reports before Frank Haas who is watching on (probably from the other side of the trestle) and sees only what he expects to see: a new fan installed and the remainder of the crews evacuating both #6 and #8 mine, just as planned.

“The fire was located by one of the rescuing parties which had penetrated 1,500 feet into No 8 mine.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

The fans are stopped and “Efforts were then directed toward extinguishing the fire and it is thought it will be subdued within a few hours when the work of rescue will again be taken up.” (FCT 12.13.07 pg. 1) (LAH 12.9.07 pg. 2)

*Some people—either reporters, workers, visitors, etc.—rush to the company offices in the middle of town to announce that the workers have found “fire” in #8.

In the Monongah offices:

“When the report of the fire was first received at the offices of the company at Monongah, an official denial was made and the same explanation given of the stopping of the fans as had been made at the two mines.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

“A second explanation was that it was feared the gas in some of the sidings and rooms bratticed off might escape and imprison the rescue parties in No 8, who were farther in the mine.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

Inside #8

*3 smoldering areas discharging smoke are found and the water line is moved up to 1st south.

“…it was believed that another fire existed to the left of the main entry in No 8 and Chief Inspector Paul thought it advisable to withdraw all men from both mines and concentrate attention on this fire before carrying rescue work further. This plan was followed out…” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 2)

“Later conditions became much worse and it was impossible to longer conceal the fact that fire had been discovered.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

In Monongah:

*Word once again reaches the offices about “fire” in #8.

“It was declared that there was no fire in the mine and that the reason the fan had been stopped at that mine was to allow the installation of the second motor fan and to prevent fresh air reaching any possible explosion that might occur. Orders had been sent to No 6 mine to stop the big fan there for fear of an explosion.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

At #8:

“Through the air holes leading to the surface and through fissures caused by the impact of the explosion smoke began to escape. The fire is in one of the left side entries of No 8.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

Outside the mines:

*When smoke is visible in the air around #8, it is obvious to every one in the area that something within #8 is burning.

“Everyone was warned to be as far away from the mine as possible but this appeared to make people more anxious to approach the mine. The rumor spread like wildfire that No 8 was on fire and an explosion was feared in No 6 from gas communicating with the flames.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

“It was necessary to have a large force of mine guards, special officers, and police from Fairmont to aid in holding the crowds in check at this point owing it to being situated near Fairmont.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

At #8:

“Thousands of sightseers from the surrounding towns had gathered about the openings. Through megaphones the crowds were notified of the fire and the danger of another explosion, but they refused to leave, and it was with great difficulty that the special police, assisted by many miners, forced the people to seek places of safety.” (News)

“Tonight C.W. Watson, president of the company, stated that the serious were pressed back and left the scenes reluctantly until the guards announced that another explosion was liable to happen at any moment. Instantly the crowd scattered along the trolley tracks, over the hills and some ran pell mell across the bridge to the town.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

“There were some about the mine entrances, however, who did not join in the panic. These were men and women who had dear ones in the smoking entries. Instinctively they desired to remain, regardless of their own danger. Some had to be driven back from the fatal site.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

~6:00 pm

In Monongah:

Bodies are getting to be so numerous that the families’ abilities to ID and the morgue’s ability to wash, embalm, dress, prepare, and present the bodies cannot keep up.

“While the workers in the mines were assailing this new terror the work of relief was going on. The morgues were crowded and upon the hillside the bodies of some of the victims were being committed to the grave.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

FCC gives an official statement to the press. (FWV 12.9.07 pg. 6)

“It was said by members of the rescuing party that over a hundred bodies have been located in both mines and that they will be brought to the surface as soon as the fire has been extinguished. It is not believed the fire will reach any of these bodies.” (FCT 12.13.07 pg. 1) (LAH 12.9.07 pg. 2)

Newspapers

Daily Arizona Silver Belt reports that, “Hundreds of women widowed and destitute of whom fifty at least are prostrated and a dozen insane…” (DASB 12.8.07 pg. 1)

Los Angeles Herald:

Washington Herald:

The Pacific Commercial Advertiser in Hawaii:

The Richmond Palladium in Indiana:

The Albuquerque Morning Journal:

Salt Lake Herald:

The Baltimore Sun:

~6:30 pm

“Fifty-six hours after the terrible explosion in mines No. 6 and 8 of the Fairmont Coal company but fifty-three bodies had been recovered, and then fire broke out again in mine No. 8 and the rescuers were all ordered to the surface.” (MD 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“On account of fire in mine No 8 and imminent danger of an explosion in mine No 6, all rescue work has been suspended for the night. 56 hours have elapsed since the awful explosion and a majority of the bodies brought to the surface were in a terrible condition, necessitating immediate burial.” (News)

“Returning from a grave late in the day, a team drawing a hearse became frightened and ran away. Hundreds of people were in the path of the maddened animals and that all escaped injury or death seemed almost miraculous. The driver jumped to save himself, but was seriously, probably fatally hurt. The wagon was almost completely wrecked.” (RP 12.9.07 pg. 2)

Sightseers thin out around Monongah and the word spreads that fires are breaking out in the mines. (McAteer) (News)

* = Author’s description of events. There is much conflicting information over the next 24 hours for several reasons and there will be an “Issues” post about this event and this author’s choices in the future. See ‘Dislaimer and Guide’ for more insight on this process.

More on How Death Gloated!

Sunday, December 8, 1907, Afternoon, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

“75 men digging graves on the hillside, a depot platform piled high with pine boxes, a row of coffins in the main street stacked 3 high and nearly a block in length, a corps of undertakers as large as a regiment’s hospital corps, women whose eyes could weep no more, with orphaned children clinging to their skirts—these were some of the evidences that there would be no Christmas in Monongah for another year.” (Forbes)

~ Noon

In Monongah:

“Many newspaper men, including photographers, from all over the country are at Monongah. All of the nearby cities have special reporters on the scene and there are newspaper men from Pittsburg, Wheeling, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Washington and other cities.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)

“Probably never before on any occasion have the interurban cars carried as many people as they have in the last few days since the mine disaster. All along the line hundreds of anxious people are found at every station eagerly trying to get on a car to go to the scene of the disaster. Many of them are foreigners who had relatives working in the two mines. Sunday the interurban station in this city was crowded all day and many people visited the scene of the disaster. The street cars were run double all day and every one was crowded to its utmost. Many people took advantage of it being Sunday, to go to Monongah.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)

Inside the mines:

“The farther into the mines the workers proceed the greater the destruction is found to be. Many side entries and rooms are completely blocked by falls of slate. One room where it was known two of the miners were working was entered but instead of finding the blackened bodies of the two miners tons and tons of slate were found burying them so that it will be several days before their bodies can be recovered. The same condition of affairs is reported at many other points in the mine.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

Outside the mines:

“Finally, a horse came out of the hill and behind it a train of empty mine cars but the last car was loaded and covered with stained canvas and blankets. The coverings were thrown off and one by one the blackened and mutilated bodies of what had once been men were carried to the waiting wagons to be hauled over the bridge into the town and delivered to the undertakers.” (Forbes)

“They all looked as if they had been par-boiled, they were so red. Many of them were mutilated and in several cases the eyeballs had been split by the force of the explosion. The bodies were beginning to decompose.” (CET 12.10.07 pg. 6)

~2:00 pm

Col. J. H. McDermott arrives in Fairmont as representative of Gov. Dawson, who was unable to come to the scene of the Monongah disaster. Judge J.W. Mason and Clerk W.T. Black met him at the train station. (FWV 12.9.07 – pg. 1 – extra) (FWV 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“I am here to look over the situation,” said Col. McDermott, “and will advise Gov. Dawson from time to time what I learn. I am not here to interfere with any department of the mines, as each representative of every department will adhere strictly to his own work.” (WH 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“At the last meeting of the State legislature Col. McDermott, in his capacity as President of the Senate, appointed a committee to investigate the mines of West Virginia and the mine disasters. This committee had visited both the mines at which the explosion took place, about two months ago, and pronounced them as being as finely equipped and managed as any they had ever seen. It is quite probable that this same committee will arrive here shortly for another examination of the Monongah mines.” (WH 12.9.07 pg. 1)

At some point during the afternoon

In Fairmont:

“This town has some plucky girls, and it is a question as to whether their equal can be found. …Sunday there were 4 of them walked to Monongah, across the hill, taking all the near cuts and making the distance as short as possible. That’s game, that is.” (FWV 12.16.07 pg. )

“Headed by the churches, relief work was well started yesterday and a general appeal to the public is being made. Many West Virginia towns have already acted and others are ready to do so. The work will be thoroughly organized and systemized.” (ES 12.9.07 pg. 1-2)

“Relief corps were organized by the women of Fairmont today. Already hundreds of dollars are pouring in.” (WH 12.9.07 pg. 1)

In Morgantown:

Collections from all Morgantown churches are handed over to relief funds. (FWV 12.9.07 pg. ?)

At the morgue in Monongah:

“R.L. Cunningham, of Fairmont, who is one of the undertakers who have charge of the band of fifteen caring for the bodies brought out of the mines, preparing them for burial and placing them in coffins, met with an accident that has laid him up. While hurrying from the morgue in the First National Bank building on Main street to one of the branch morgues, he slipped and fell, spraining a weak knee joint so badly that he cannot walk. He is confined to his room in the Curry hotel under care of a physician and his work has devolved upon another undertaker. Messrs. W.G. Osborn and Sleppy & Warne, of this city, are still with the undertakers assisting in the work of taking care of the dead.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)

At the cemeteries:

“About twenty victims were buried today in the three cemeteries near the town.” (AMJ 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“The bodies of fifteen Italians were buried in Holy Cross cemetery Sunday afternoon. The cemetery is located on the hill over the mines. The bodies of two Polanders were also buried the same afternoon in the Polish cemetery which is on the same hill adjoining Holy Cross cemetery. The bodies of two Polanders are lying in the Polish church where services will be held over them.” (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 1) (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 10)

In Monongah:

“Another woman, the mother of five little children, whose husband was killed in mine No. 8, became so distracted at her home that she began throwing household articles about the house and then to tear her clothing from her. She became so violent that friends had to tie her to a chair and stand watch over her until she became quieted.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)

“The body of Fred Rogers was taken to Fairchance Sunday afternoon and buried there.” (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 1) (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 10)

“…3 men who were thought to be victims but escaped are Ross Morka, Marie Bagenealla and Anebra Spaw. The 2 former went to Clarksburg to visit some friends early in the morning of the explosion but did not notify their boarding boss of their intentions. They were given a royal reception when they appeared today. Spaw, one of the men supposed to have been blown into the river at the entrance of No 6 was not at work that fateful morning. When he learned that his friends were mourning him as dead he lost no time in returning from a visit to Grafton.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

At the mines:

“But 3 bodies have been removed from No 8 mine this afternoon, two being those of a motorman and a brakeman found near their car at the first left entry of the north heading near where the third body was found. All were badly burned about the face and hands but friends were able to recognize them at the morgue.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

“A thrilling incident occurred on the bridge on which the mine cars were pulled from mine No. 8 in which an aged Polish woman nearly lost her life. Her only son, and the bread winner of the family, was killed in the awful explosion. She wandered out on the bridge and was climbing on some planks used as a temporary walk and was viewing the workers about the wreckage in front of the mine. Suddenly she staggered and fell. Several men ran to her side and caught her just as she was falling into the river. Friends carried her away in hysterics.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)

In McKeesport, PA:

Lester E. Trader and his brother are at their father’s home in McKeesport when General Manager Frank Haas “… called up and said he wants us to get back here. Frank and I couldn’t leave the company that way. I went back and they gave me a job in the auditor’s office in Clairmont.” (McAteer)

Victor told Trader that in return for being given an office and a job in the accounting department, he would be quoted as official spokesperson for company. (McAteer)

In Fairmont:

The Union Relief Association is organized at the Methodist Protestant Temple for the purpose of receiving and distributing aid of all kinds to the stricken families in and about Monongah and is rapidly shaping plans through the various committees, to do the necessary work in a thoroughly business-like way. (FWV 12.9.07 pg. ?)

Collections from the morning’s church services are turned over to Mrs. Thomas W. Fleming, “who will see that it does the most possible good to lessen burdens that the grief-stricken ones are bearing.” (FWV 12.9.07 – pg. 1 – extra)

“Donations of money can be handed to any member of the following committee and receipt for the same will be sent to the donor by Mrs. Thomas W Fleming, chairman.”

~2:30 pm

Chief Mine Inspector J.W. Paul goes into #6 to inspect conditions. (McAteer)

“At both mines members of rescuing parties are being taken from the mines weakened and unconscious condition but after being out for a few hours they have fully recovered. None of the rescuers who have been overcome is now in serious condition.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

At the morgue:

“One thing that is considered strange is that few things of value are being found among the effects of the dead. From information received from the company officials Coroner Amos was of opinion that large sums of money would be found in the clothes of the foreign miners and working upon this supposition a careful search was made of every garment removed from the body. It was known to be a custom of the foreigners to carry their money with them, but the most valuable article so far found was a silver watch in the pocket of Peter Alexander, who was removed to the morgue Sunday afternoon.” (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 1)

~3:00 pm

At #8:

“All Sunday until 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when the searching parties were ordered out so that the mine inspectors make a test and experiment with the new fan at No. 8, there were sixty men engaged in the work of recovering bodies and nearly a score were taken out during the day.” (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 1) (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 10)

*For the past 32 hours or so, all of the local mines owned by Fairmont Coal Company have been shut down and those miners have been reporting to Monongah for work. 2 small fans on loan from local smaller mines have been circulating air into #8. With rescue and recovery work now formally systemized under Inspector Paul and the other state inspectors and a plan to regularly change out volunteer crews, Fairmont Coal Company intends to restart regular work in their other local mines tomorrow.

*A replacement fan is currently is on its way from Pittsburg and scheduled to arrive on a special train around 4 pm. One of the fans is to be switched out and sent back to its original mine so that regular work may resume there tomorrow.

*Around 3 pm General Manager Frank Haas, who has been in charge of overseeing work at #8, begins to put their devised plan for switching out the fans into action. A majority but not all miners are ordered out of #8 just before one of the 2 fans is switched off. The outside crews are prepared to begin unmounting the fan from its temporary housing and get it across the trestle to the railroad line.

*Inside #8, small “hot spots” in explored and still unexplored areas of the mine (where coal is smoldering and radiating heat but there is not enough oxygen to ignite flame or smoke) become fully deprived of air. As the coal burns, it continues to release methane gases, but the air circulation is not powerful enough anymore to disperse or dilute these gases. Those who are permitted to remain in the mine during the fan switch are more than likely those who are working near or in the direct path of the 2^nd fan which is not turned off.

*At #6, men are also ordered out at this time as the air current from #8 will likely push dangerous gases into the workings of #6.

“The work at No 6 progressed rapidly owing to the conditions of the powerful fan there, until the rescuers were ordered from the mine because of the temporary cessation at No 8.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

“After the men were ordered to cease temporarily from the rescue work at No. 6 the opening was closed and late in the day the big new fan was set to work at No. 8. One reason for the ordering of the men out was the discovery of some gas at the connection of the two mines, and another was that it was the purpose to divert the air-course from No. 8 into No. 6, thus making it dangerous for men to work in No. 6. While this was going on a heavy guard was placed on the city side of the bridge running across the river to the tipple and no one was allowed to cross there, lest there might be a deadly current of air out of No. 6 at any moment.” (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 1) (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 10)

~4:00 pm

In Monongah:

The Company hires 3 Fairmont undertakers to manage the bulk of transporting the dead: Musgrove & Sons, R.I. Cunningham, and Jones & Co.; these 3 hire on 20 more undertakers from Fairmont and surrounding towns. (McAteer)

Unfortunately, the undertaker transport drivers are not very familiar with area of Monongah. Much confusion occurs over the next days in the transport of bodies to the correct homes. Priests will end up helping with most. (McAteer)

“The rapidity with which the remains began to be recovered late this afternoon and evening necessitated the coal company pressing into service a number of transfer wagons. These were filled with straw and the gruesome work of carting the charred remains across the river through the dense crowd began. Scenes that were sublimely pathetic transpired. The weeping of the bereaved ones as they madly chased after the vehicles was heartrending. They overwhelmed the morgue in their clamors for a look at the dead and it was necessary to drive them back by force and draw ropes across the main street. Pickets were stationed and the crowd thus held in check. It would only separate when the carriages of death were forced through to take the bodies to the cemeteries.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)

At #8:

*The anticipated 4 o’clock B&O special train arrives carrying very important materials for the rescue efforts and, more than likely, Paul U. Kellogg and several others who will become key figures over the next few days

“The victims at Monongah were working with open lamps on their caps; it was 2 days after the explosion before a supply of safety lights sufficient even for the exploring parties reached the mine.” (Forbes)

“A big mine fan, with auxiliary machinery arrived here on a special train from Pittsburg this afternoon at 4 o’clock, for use at the opening of Mine No. 8. Machinists and other workmen at once began work on installing it at the mine entrance and as soon as possible the machinery was in operation.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)

*When the train arrives, crews load the uninstalled fan onto an empty car or flat bed. The train pulls up slightly and crews unload the new fan and begin to haul it back across #8 trestle. The train continues on southbound to return the old fan to its proper mine in the Shinnston area.

*It takes approximately 45 minutes for this very experienced and driven crew to complete this task and get the fan running ventilation through #8 again. As far as Haas and the other onlooking reporters who may have known of this plan in advance, everything is going splendidly. Once ventilation has had some time to work its way through the mine, the state inspectors will perform the first formal fire and air check of #8.

“As soon as the fan was in operation the work of rescue was stopped at both Mine No. 6 and at Mine No. 8 for the purpose of testing the fan and ascertaining the result of the air current it would make.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)

*It does not take long for the new burst of air flowing through #8 to begin feeding these small “hot spots” throughout the mine. Smoke begins to fill the galleries and headings of the mine.

“New difficulties and complications have confronted the rescuers on every hand, but with only brief interruptions the work was continued until 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Then the fire drove all from the unexplored regions and the search had to be abandoned for the remainder of the day and for the night.” (TEW 12.9.07 pg. 7)

More on How Death Gloated!

Saturday, December 7, 1907, Midday

In Pennsylvania:

12.7.07 - pg 1 - Naomi — CET 12.7.07 pg 1

In Baltimore:

“A dispatch from Vice President Jere H. Wheelwright, of the Consolidation Coal Company, was received at the offices in Baltimore yesterday.” (TBS 12.8.07 pg. 2)

“Mr. Wheelwright has been at the Monongah mine since Friday…”(TBS 12.8.07 pg. 2)

“His dispatch, which was sent to Mr. A.G. Dunham, the general auditor, was brief. It merely said that his worst fears had been realized and that the dead miners would number between 350 and 400.” (TBS 12.8.07 pg. 2)

“Further than this the officials here knew nothing more of the disaster than was told in the press dispatches.” (TBS 12.8.07 pg. 2)

Wheelwright-findagrave — J.H. Wheelwright

In Clarksburg:

12.01.07 - pg 1 - Xtra - disaster 13 — CDT 12.7.07 pg 1 – 1:30 extra

Noon

In Monongah:

“Even nature seems to dumbly feel the horror of the day and the sun has held its face behind leaded clouds since the fire damp did its fatal work.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“There is no home in the village that is not stricken. Each one will harbor a dark coffin if not several after the last body is extricated from the covering of earth and bodies of fellow victims.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

A Fairmont undertaker places order for 100 coffins with Muskingum Coffin Co. in Ohio. The company goes into emergency production, working around the clock. (McAteer)

“The newspaper offices are kept busy answering specials in all directions.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)

The Fairmont West Virginian releases a special, 14-page, Noon edition:

12.7.07 - pg 1 - headlines — FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon

In Monongah:

“The four hundred and twenty-five checks that were given out yesterday morning hardly represent all the men that were in the mines at the time their ill fate overtook them. Other men not having checks likely to have been ushered into eternity by the same cause.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)

“Yesterday the people of this city and of Monongah were sort of dazed but today the realization of the enormity of the explosion and the terrible results following it.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)

“The women whose husbands and near relatives are among the entombed are taking it as cooly as possible. There is little excitement and all that there is to see today is the removing of the bodies.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)

“The number at the morgue up to this time is 12.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)

A new force of workers makes a new opening at #8 and “have now gone to a distance of 1500’ in the mine, or about half the distance to where the 2 pits, 6 and 8, meet.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

In Fairmont:

“Photographer Busy: Mr. Marvin D Boland has been one of the busiest men in town since yesterday. City papers in all parts of the country are calling for photographs. In the absence of a picture of the fated mines a Pittsburg afternoon paper ran a stock cut of Otis Watson, the original coal operator of the Fairmont region.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)

“All day today knots of people have been on the street discussing the scenes of the disaster. At the corner of Jefferson and Main streets there was a big group of men and women all day who with eager ears tried to catch every syllable of news…the whole city has been listening, every scrap of news was gobbled up with a craving almost insatiable.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)

12.7.07 - pg 1 - media list — FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon

In Monongah:

“About 50 newspaper men are on the ground today many from Pittsburg, Cleveland, Baltimore, and New York.”

“G. Girosi of the Italian New York Herald is one among the number as well as L. Friedel, of the Cleveland Zabadsag, a Hungarian paper.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

A list of the dead and suspected dead is also published to the public but it is purely American miners only, with the exception of Francesco Loria and Stan Urban who were taken from #8. The list contains about 50 – 60 names though it is not known yet if these men are dead or simply missing, including the name of coupler, Bill Sloane. Bill’s two sons, Scott and Dennis Sloane, are also included in the list though neither has likely been found and identified as of this point.

More on How Death Gloated!

Saturday, December 7, 1907 Dawn – Late Morning (6:00 am – 11:00 am)

“Stunned by the terrible swiftness of the wings of the angel of death over the little coal mining village, Monongah is today dumbly counting its dead.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)

Dawn

In Monongah:

“The excitement of the day was no less keen, but not of the noise and demonstration of the morning, the people awakening to the awful loss of life and being ready to offer everything within their power to aid the work of rescue.” (CDT 12.7.07. pg. 1)

“With the dawn of day there began a heartrending march up and down the aisles along which these bodies have been laid, by sobbing wives and mothers and sweethearts, orphaned children and strong men, each seeking a near relative or beloved friend.” (News)

“Tomorrow or the next day the numbed nerves may again perform their functions and in the reaction the survivors may writhe in grim agony and grief, but today there is no sorrow—only dull interest that lights up eyes of mothers, wives, and brothers as each limp and blackened form is tenderly passed up from out of the hell pit, where in one brief moment 400 lives were snuffed out as a candle light in a gale.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“All with the exception of a few have given up hope and accept it as a foregone conclusion that none survive the disaster. Relatives still cling to the ray of hope, however, that their loved ones may have been spared and eagerly seek the reports of the searchers as they come above to get fresh air.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

~6:00 am – ~ 8:00 am

At #8:

“Fire…in south side of #8 was extinguished about 6 o’clock this morning.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

Rescue and recovery work can finally begin in #8.

At the mines:

Rescue work has become thoroughly systemized and progresses rapidly. “Hundreds of men are at work this morning clearing away the debris for the removal of the 425 unfortunate men whose lives were snuffed out without a moment’s warning.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)

“With unabated energy, five rescuing parties, working from every possible point to enter and explore mines numbers 6 and 8…are this morning putting forth every effort to reach, dead or alive, the remainder of the 400 or more men who went into the mine yesterday morning. There is little hope that any have survived the terrific explosion and the resultant poisonous gas…” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 1) (ES 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“Near the mine entrance, when the rescue work began, were nearly 300 caskets indicating the least extent to which the company believe the loss of life in the mine will reach.” (TEP 12.7.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“Men are now working in relays to reach the miners entombed in the two great shafts. On the hills overlooking their work are the weeping wives and other relatives of the imprisoned men. Among them are the three women whose husbands lie in the improvised morgue.” (WED 12.7.07. pg. 8)

“The scene at the wrecked mines is a repetition of the sight yesterday. The grief-stricken ones is deeper than manifested yesterday. The hopeful anxiety that characterized the people looking for the rescue of loved ones has changed to a sorrow well-nigh inconsolable. Yesterday there was hope today there is despair. The hope for loved ones to escape from their imprisonment to be recognized by their friends gave way to the thought of not knowing them when brought to the surface.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)

~8:00 am

In Monongah:

“Hundreds of people have been attracted here from Fairmont, Clarksburg and other places in the valley, many of them having friends and relatives among the ill-fated miners and at the scenes of the horrors are seething masses of people.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“Mine officials, railroad men, newspaper men of the big city dailies, craftsmen of every trade are mingling with those who are anxious about those whose lives are sure to have been snuffed out.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)

“Hundreds of visitors are at Monongah today viewing the wreckage and watching the bringing of bodies to the surface…” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)

~8:30 am

“Mr. R.M. Hite offers services of a large number of experienced miners from Kingmont mines (operated by the Virginia and Pittsburg Coal Company). This was a very kind offer…for the men who have long searched for the missing are getting weary. They have searched diligently and there is an end to their endurance.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)

~9:00 am

At #6:

Another rescue party including John Hallan and Carl Tarlton enter #6, still hoping to find survivors in the very recesses of the mine.

Not long into their exploration, Hallan and Tarlton find the body of a motorman, “jammed back in the motor where he had been sitting with one arm thrown about 30’ away” (McAteer). As this motorman was clearly dead, they did not stop for long to examine him and continued on their search, looking for any dangerous gases and any signs of life.

At #8:

Rescue parties also prepare to enter #8 with the same purpose: find survivors.

“In mine number 8 the rescuers are just getting to work as gasses have delayed them.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“Six bodies are all that had been found in No 8 until this morning. One man was found in the manway.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 2 – noon)

In Monongah:

25 more miners arrive in Monongah from the Tunnelton mines to help rescue efforts. (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“The King’s Daughters and committees of women started a work of visiting homes of the miners, leaving baskets of food where needed…” (Kellogg)

Restaurants in Fairmont and Clarksburg made soups and sandwiches for rescue workers and victim’s families “…and two blacksmith shops were turned into kitchens where great pots of stew and coffee were set boiling.” (Kellogg) People from all around have been bringing whatever they have for donations.

Father D’Andrea of the Italian Catholic Church, Our Lady of Pompeii, is certain by now that his own brother, Victor D’Andrea, is among the victims of the disaster. However, he gets no time to mourn as he and other religious leaders have been overwhelmed with the grief-stricken families for the last 24 hours. Father D’Andrea is only now beginning to survey victims among his parishioners while Father Lekston of St Stanislaus Catholic church has already counted at least 110 victims from his Polish congregation.

In Fairmont:

A little after 9 am, C.W. Watson telegraphs J.N. Camden, “…have lost all hope of finding any men alive.”

~10:00 am

“At ten o’clock today, a total of one hundred bodies had been found in the Monongah mines. These will be removed to morgues at once. Four hundred coffins have been ordered by the Fairmount Coal company. All will be used sooner or later, as it may be weeks before all victims of the explosion are recovered.” (RP 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“The remains of the dead are being carefully handled and prepared for burial in the most decent way even as well as could be done at a well-regulated undertaking establishment.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

~11:00 am

In Monongah:

“The eleven o’clock car was one hour getting through the dense crowd between Nos 8 & 6.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

“There is an immense concourse of people all anxious to see what there is to be seen. While the situation has not reached that point yet it may be possible that it will have to be brought under military control.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

“President C.W. Watson wired Gov. Dawson this morning that he did not think military control would be necessary as the crowd is a very orderly one.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

Outside the mines, Doctors Hill and Cook along with a few dozen nurses realize their services won’t be needed for survivors but for the rescuers instead. A second emergency hospital is set up by #8 and equipped “at 11 o’clock today with cots, bedding, and etc.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

At #6:

“Up to 11 o’clock today sixteen bodies had been removed…Four are Americans. About eighty bodies have been found, but only sixteen have been brought to the surface.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 1) (RIA 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“The rescuers are now within 1,500 feet of the end of the mine. They are working in two parties of about thirty men each with reliefs every hour.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 1) (RIA 12.7.07 pg. 1)

Outside #8:

2 members of rescue crews, Milton Coburn and James Kane, are taken out of #8 to the emergency hospital set up just below the opening of the mine. Both were overcome by the gasses they inhaled while inside. (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1)

More on How Death Gloated!

Saturday, December 7, 1907 Midnight – 5:00 am

“Through the night the vigil of a large crowd of people did not lag from that during the day. Forbidden to approach near the opening because of the barriers and ropes and heavy guard, they waited on the trolley embankment anxiously awaiting above the opening and watching the work of those on the outside of the mine who assisted the rescuing party. Here the crowd is thick with the wives and daughters of the hundred entombed fifteen hundred to two thousand feet beneath the surface, and with tear-stained and drawn faces watch with unbroken gaze the opening.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

Midnight

12.7.07 - pg 1 - disaster 2 — CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1

At #6:

“Of these victims six dead bodies had been taken from mine No 6 and sixty-five others were piled up in the entry awaiting the completion of facilities for bringing them to the surface.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 8)

At #8:

“Deputy Mine Inspector F.E. Parsons, of Clarksburg, and General Superintendent John Brooks, of the Clarksburg Fuel Company, are leading the rescue work at this mine and are assisted by Superintendent Albert J. Ruckman and John Brennen, Superintendent of the West Fairmont shaft, with a squad of some twenty men.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

The Morgues:

As the bodies arrive on the surface, they are examined right at the mine by Dr. F.W. Hill and other medical volunteers.

In one of the nearby emergency hospitals at the mine mouth, now a temporary morgue, one of the dozens of volunteer undertakers from the area will search any remaining clothing pockets for personal items and make any notation possible of the body and its discovered location in hopes it will aid in identification.

In these first hours of systematically managing the dead, physicians require little time to ascertain how several met their death based on nothing more than their burnt and/or mangled bodies. Those in these conditions, like a brakeman who was found in one of the mines as nothing more than a headless and limbless torso, will be impossible to embalm and display for identification.

After each one is quickly checked for cause of death it is placed in a casket on hand or shrouded as best as possible. Several bodies are placed on a horse-drawn wagon filled with straw and carried across the river to east side of town where the temporary morgue in the First National bank is finally prepared to start accepting, washing, embalming, and dressing the victims.

Throughout the night and following day, throngs of families and onlookers crowd around the carts as they travel across the river. They frequently block the forward path and frighten the horses, making the transport slow and difficult.

“The bodies brought to the surface during the night were washed and made as presentable as possible by a dozen undertakers from this and surrounding towns and placed in one of the mine buildings which was converted into a temporary morgue.” (RIA 12.7.07 pg. 1) (ETR 12.7.07 pg. 1)

~1:00 am

At #8:

J.C. Gaskill moves from mine #6 to #8 and remains there “recovering bodies” (Inquiry)

Fire discovered once again in #8, this time in the 1st north heading about 450’ from the pit mouth. However, more brattice work will need to constructed in the area before the workers can actually reach the location of the fire.

“The openings in the ground were all covered with canvass to shut off the draft and the hose was turned on the fire soon after it was discovered.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

~2:00 am

“…near No. 8 Howard Preston, colored, of Monongah, was taken out, and also four Italians, names unknown.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

~3:00 am

At #8:

#8 is still burning “…with no prospect of extinguishing the blaze and hundreds of dead miners will be burned. Excitement is intense and the whole town is out fighting the flames.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

Dozens line up down the bank to the river and haul water brought in buckets to the mine mouth. Fire extinguishers have also been brought in from Fairmont.

At the mines:

“During the night few women were to be seen, but all day yesterday the women were the chief actors in most pathetic and heartrending scenes.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 1) (ES 12.7.07 pg. 1)

Throughout the night, men stood about the mouth of the mines. “They said nothing but when approached and asked questions they would give way to their emotions, often to tears.” (RIA 12.7.07 pg. 1)

~3:20 am

The body of Charles Honaker is brought to the morgue. (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

~3:30 am

At the mines:

“…eleven bodies had been brought from mine Nos 6 and 8 and placed in the temporary morgue.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“To date eleven bodies have been taken out of #6 opening and two from a small opening about a quarter mile from #8 opening. All available means are being used to hasten an entrance into the mines where dead bodies are now entombed.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

~4:00 am

“The officers of the company checked up their list of employees so far as possible, and later stated that at least 380 men were in the mine when the disaster occurred. Their list, they admit, is not complete, and statements that 500 men were caught by the explosion go unchallenged.” (TBE 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“It is given out by officials of the two wrecked mines that the number of entombed miners will reach 450. Mine officials have these classed as follows: Americans,100; Polanders, 150; Italians 275; Total, 450.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“The mine records, time books and other information lead to the conclusion that 450 will cover the number completely, but it is not thought the number will fall under that and there exists the firm belief with the officials that all have perished.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“There is no question whatever but that four hundred, possibly more, are dead, said Superintendent Malone this morning.” (RP 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“President Watson of the mining company stated this morning every possible investigation will be made to ascertain the cause and fix the responsibility.” (RIA 12.7.07 pg. 1)

~5:00 am

At #6:

“At 5 o’clock this morning seventy-nine blackened bodies had been recovered. Six bodies were brought from No. 6 mine.” (TBE 12.7.07 pg. 1)

Inside #8:

Workers are winning the battle with the fire in #8.

In Monongah:

“The wives and children of many of the entombed men have not left the mouths of the shafts since the first alarm was given. The night was a cold one and the mourners suffered intensely, but few heeded the offers of shelter from their friends. Several of the women fell unconscious or went temporarily mad from grief and exposure and had to be carried or forcibly removed from the scene of the disaster.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

FCC suspends operations in all mines today and Malone orders all experienced supervisors and craftsmen from surrounding mines to come and help speed the rescue. (FWV 12.7.07 – pg. 1 – noon)

Every undertaker in Fairmont is contracted and the supply of readily available coffins in the area is immediately exhausted.

“The company has sent rush orders for coffins to Pittsburg, Zanesville, and other towns, the total number ordered up to this time being 380.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 1)

“Four hundred coffins have been ordered by the Fairmont Coal Company. All of these boxes will be used—sooner or later—for it may be weeks before all of the victims of the mine explosion are recovered. Possibly the order will be increased.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“Gloom possesses the entire town as never before in the history of Marion county and excepting the piteous cries of bereft families,…the town was wrapped in death-like stillness last night.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)