Dorothy Dale – The Monongah Disaster

Thursday, December 26, 1907 Morning

TRCC 12.27.07 - pg 2 - Monongah — TRCC 12.27.07 – pg 2

5:00 am

At the Darr mines in PA:

A shift of recovery workers enters the mine to resume the task of removing bodies. In number 29 entry, a distance of two miles in the mine they came across numerous bodies. Pit cars were blown to pieces and heavy timbers and iron were scattered about in the entry in confusion. The rescue party believed the explosion must have occurred at this particular entry. These corpses were decomposed and terribly mutilated, indicating that the seat of the explosion must have been somewhere in this vicinity. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1) (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)

Morning

In New York:

A 6-story tenement house in the Bronx catches fire. Jeremiah Collins and his wife made “heroic efforts” to rescue an infant from the fire. “They were taken to Harlem hospital at the point of death, while their sacrifices will probably prove in vain as the baby girl, a year old, is reported dying.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as being: Fair tonight except rain along Lake Erie. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“Mayor Moore was at his office early this morning, but he had not the usual run of business after Christmas, only one or two mild offenders were taken in during the day. He said that Christmas was more like a Sunday in Monongah than any other day.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)

“The only trouble he has had with lawlessness since the mine disaster has been with tramps and people who come into Monongah and the home people have all been very orderly.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)

“He reports…that plenty of everything was provided for the people of his town for the Christmas festivities.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)

“Billy Herman [William Elmer Harriman], a bright eyed boy of 12, whose father was John Herman [Harriman], the boss driver, whose body was one of the first to be moved from number six was asked this morning, ‘How was Christmas?’ He replied, “All right, we had everything we needed, three chickens, one cooked for yesterday, one for today, and one for tomorrow, a box and a basket all filled with Christmas presents, toys, fruits, candies, etc. with three automobiles. We never had so much before.’ Billy’s mother has three other children to care for, two little girls and a baby boy.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1) (Shay)

“It was ascertained that it has been the custom to have a Christmas tree at this home each Christmas, but this formality was dispensed with this year. The hand that had cut the cedar from the hillside for the many previous Christmases was no longer able to perform this duty for his little ones, but was folded across his peaceful breast in the new village of the dead where he lies with the hundreds of his fellow laborers.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)

At the mines:

The work of straightening up mine No 6 is still progressing. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)

FB_IMG_1511974211592 — Image source: (Radka)

The head of an unknown man is found in a pool of water in No. 6. “The head was severed from the body close to the base of the skull as evenly as if cut with a huge knife. The top of the skull and brain are missing and the remainder is mashed into an unrecognizable mass of putrid flesh, the only evidence showing that the flesh is human is the mouth and one ear. The trunk of the body may yet be found or it may have been buried heretofore as one of the many unidentified persons, some of whom were beheaded.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)

9:00 am

At Darr mine in PA:

“None of the works about Jacobs Creek are in operation. An employee at Banning No. 1 remarked that if they resumed, only a few would report for work outside and none inside.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)

CDT 12.26.07 - pg 1 -Darr — CDT 12.26.07 – pg 1

Pit cars brought out of the mine contain 32 bodies. 105 have so far been recovered with 13 additional identifications made this morning. “Numerous bodies were found in entry 29, which it is believed was the scene of the explosion.” The Coroner’s jury will be selected later today for the inquest. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1) (CDT 12.26.07 pg. 1)

11:00 am

At Darr mine in PA:

“Three State constables are believed to be sufficient to cope with the situation now. The other three have been recalled.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)

108 bodies have been brought out. 36 of those brought out today alone. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)

“The rescuers report that the drivers were found 50 yards from their horses. Nothing remains of the wagons but their trucks. All the relief party found of a trapper boy was his headless trunk, attached to which was one leg.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)

At some point during the morning

At the Darr mines in PA:

“Salvatore Exposito, who came last Monday from Butler county in quest of the body of his brother Luigi, narrowly escaped taking back the wrong corpse. Salvatore claimed body No. 27, because it looked like Luigi, but [today] a fellow driver identified body No. 53 as that of Luigi Exposito. He described the clothing worn by the latter to the satisfaction of Coroner Wynn, who rectified the error.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“The busiest place in Monongah today is the room where the clothing has been stored for those who need it. This store room is in charge of Mrs. J.W. Orr and Mrs. R.U. Myers, who perform the same services as the sales ladies in the department stores, that is in selecting the kind and size of clothing needed. The rush to a bargain counter during the Christmas rush in shopping is not to be compared with the eager way the wearing apparel is being grabbed up at Monongah.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)

“As an evidence of the demand this note was received at the storage room this morning: ‘Please send me a black dress and two or three calico dresses and some white flannel and some muslin and I want a black hat and a black coat, size 35, pair of shoes, size 4 ½, and some under clothes, send me some underskirts. Yours Truly, Gettie Watkins.’” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)

“This is only one of a hundred such appeals as are made by letter and in person. The demand for black is very great. Most all the women on the streets are in mourning and in this way the widows can be distinguished from the rest of the people. Many of the foreign women have their heads wrapped in black shawls and wear fascinators or silk or sateen sashes.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)

SP 03.30.08 - pg 4 - Dorothy Dale — Article from the Spokane Press, March 30, 1908 by Dorothy Dale about the “worst” spring fashion fad. “Directions: Lay a turkey platter on the lid of a pasteboard suit box; that is, if it has oval ends and can accommodate a 25 pound bird.”

In New York City:

“With half a thousand people watching him, Ernest G. Stedman, a lawyer, jumped in front of a subway train at Fourteenth street today and was ground to pieces. Six cars passed over his body.” (FWV 12.26.07 pf 1)

“Stedman was president of the Lyons Building & Operating Company which as forced into bankruptcy last week. The company owned $7,000,000 worth of office buildings, hotels, and apartments in various parts of the city.” (CDT 12.26.07 pg. 1)

Saturday, December 14, 1907, Afternoon

frontThumbnail (22) — Miners’ homes along Camden Avenue in Monongah

At some point during the afternoon

In Elkins, WV:

M.A. Kendal, who has been in the city for several days assisting in the work of burying the victims of the mine disaster, has returned to his home at Elkins. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

In Fairmont:

Extended family is beginning to take custody of some of the children in Monongah. “Winnie F Donlin is appointed guardian of William R Donlin, aged 15 years, and Nora Donlin, aged 9 years, infant heirs of Thomas Donlin, deceased. Bond given in the sum of $1,000 with John O’Day as surety. Willie F Donlin appointed administrator of the personal estate of Thos. Donlin, deceased. Bond given in the sum of $2,000 with Jon O’Day as surety.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

The Jenny Wren Club meets at Geneviene and Maria Haymond’s home at Shady Side. “The members are busy making Christmas gifts for the little orphans at Monongah…” (FWV 12.16.07 pg. 5)

“A number of Fairmont women who had been assisting in the Commissary at Monongah for the past week feel that the work of several colored men at the commissary was deserving of mention. They were Robert Robinson, Thomas Kelley and Daniel Harris. These men did excellent work and remained at the post until their services were no longer needed.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Of all the reports of “newsmen” in and about Monongah, Dorothy Dale (correspondent for the United Press) has reported some of the most intimate accounts about the children of Monongah as well as some of the most condemning articles against the coal company. After visiting with several of the “little mothers” in Monongah, like Faustina Davia, she and her photographer work less and less on reporting these events to the world and become more focused and active in the local relief work.

During the afternoon, she and her photographer, L. Van Oeyen, turn over $2,800.00 in donations to J.E. Sands. “Miss Dale has been here for several days and realizes the needs of the families at Monongah.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

John Neary arrives from PA and offers aid in rescue work. (FWV 12.18.07 pg. 1)

“In addition…Miss Dale and Mr. Oeyen will this afternoon give toys and presents of different kinds to the children and mothers at Monongah. It is their purpose to look after the needs of the individuals and brighten as many homes as possible.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 1)

~3:00 pm

In Fairmont:

The consolidation of the Monongah Relief Committee and the General Relief Committee are put into effect at Mayor Arnett’s office in Fairmont. (FWV 12.16.07 pg. 1)

The committee is officially enlarged and a subscription committee is appointed. “The committee which now embraces all committees is to be known as the Monongah Mines Relief Committee.” (FWV 12.16.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

12.14.07 - pg 1 - headline — FWV 12.14.07 pg 1

R.T. Cunningham has finished checking the community census and “the number of miners missing is 344”. (FWV 12.14.07 pg.1)

~3:30 (Press Time)

In Fairmont:

300 funerals have been handled by 3 establishments in one week. “A feature…about which not very much has been said has been the hard work of the local undertakers in burying the dead.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

“As soon as it was learned that a large number of people had lost their lives in the explosion Mr. C.W. Watson…called in the local undertakers and asked them to take charge of the work of caring for the dead.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

“The Jenkins establishment in the First Ward was given 20 funerals and the remainder was divided equally among three on this side, E. Musgrave & Sons, R.C. Jones and R.L. Cunningham.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

“Up to date 322 bodies have been buried, so that each of the three have had approximately 100 funerals.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

“The local firms employed some assistants and one of the undertakers today said that probably about 30 men had been engaged in burying the dead.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

“Only those connected with this work realize what a strain this has been and how much anxiety it has caused. The work has been done well and the local undertakers are deserving much credit for their faithfulness during this trying period.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

In Monongah:

J.H. McDermott publishes a statement:

“I have myself made a careful inspection at Monongah, going there immediately after the disaster. The information I received there first hand will, I believe, enable me to handle intelligently any phase that may develop before legislature.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“I was much amused by the newspaper correspondents dubbing me lieutenant governor, an office which we do not have in this state, though the president of the senate performs much the same duties. I did not go to Monongah as the special representative of the governor as has been inferred by many but asked the governor myself for authority to make the inspection which he granted.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“The inspection I made for my own knowledge, though incidentally I made a sort of informal report to Governor Dawson which will not be made public unless he gives it out.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“In my report to the governor I suggested to him the necessity for the founding of a school of mining in this State. Not a small affair, but one upon a large scale upon which there should be no lack of money lavished. This school could be maintained through a special tax or revenue from the coal interests which I believe these interests would find in the results profitable to pay.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“At the last session of the legislature I asked for a hundred thousand dollars for the purpose, but I failed. In the light of recent events, I believe the legislature will see the light and this should be one of the important matters before the body.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“I was down in the mine and believe from my personal observation that the cause of the explosion may be traced to the runaway trip…this I believe created a current behind it that sucked in coal dust and other explosives and when the trolley wire broke it ignited the mass. This explosion, I believe, traveled on in the direction the trip was going and continued through the connection into No. 8, passed along it and finally emerged from the mouth of that mine.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“It gathered force as it progressed, I believe. That is only my opinion but it seems to be borne out by the condition of the bodies recovered. The report of the mine inspector will, however, be the official report to the governor.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)