An intermission was had at the Elks Ball and a “dainty lunch” was served from the club room kitchens. (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
2:30 am
In Mannington:
The festivities closed at the Elks Ball with “Home Sweet Home”. (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
During the early hours
At the Darr Mines in PA:
“But, as we stand close up to the pit mouth, we see coming up the black slope a dark, waving mass. They are bringing out a body. Back of us, behind the police lines, are the women, heaven help them! The rescuers, the police guards, the mine officials, take no notice of them—the women whose lives and hope are buried in the depths beneath their feet.” (TSP 12.27.07 pg. 4)
“I glance back at that line of faces, lighted fitfully by the torches imbedded into the hillside. No writer can describe, nor could any artist depict the grief, the anguish, the frenzy, the hopelessness, the dread that stared out at him from face and eyes that were fixed on that yawning, black pit mouth.” (TSP 12.27.07 pg. 4)
“Slowly the dark, moving mass from down the mine comes into view. Three men are carrying their inert burden. Then from back of those police ropes rise wails and shrieks and cries of despair. It is so weird, so full of the agony of excruciating human suffering that men hardened to the horrors of the mines looked at one another with frightened eyes.” (TSP 12.27.07 pg. 4)
“A woman, crying aloud, stood again the rope. She asked no other privilege than to shed tears for him who had kissed her that morning. ‘Here, what the hell are you bawling about?’ demanded a tin badged policeman. ‘For my man,’ she sobbed, in her grief. ‘Well, get to hell out of here. Go home and do your blubbering,’ he growled.” (TSP 12.27.07 pg. 4)
“Like a fury she sprang at him. Her language of the eloquence of superlative profanity. She was a tigress and it required several men to drag her away from the brutal policeman. ‘And she is one of the most modest, refined women in this locality,’ said Father Carroll, the miners’ friend. ‘She does not know what she is saying,’ he added, as sympathizing friends led the half-crazed woman away from the pit mouth.” (TSP 12.27.07 pg. 4)
Morning
In Tomsonville, Conn.:
Theodore Krellman’s little son, who had been missing, is found in a pond near his home by a searching party. “He was sent on an errand by his mother yesterday and disappeared. The party searched all night.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1 ) (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“It is believed the boy tried to cross the rotten ice which broke and he was drowned.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
In Greensburg, PA:
The three month old baby of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Dudeck is cremated in a house fire. “The origin of the fire is a mystery.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 4)
“Dudeck was at church and his wife at a neighbor’s house. The child was asleep in an upstairs room.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 4)
“Mrs. Dudeck with difficulty was restrained from rushing into the burning building to rescue her baby.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 4)
In Gray’s Flats, WV:
Willie Upton and the 6 year old son of J. Sanford Upton are out hunting rabbits. Willie placed the boy “in a safe place and directed him to stay there while he went out to chase the game.” Willie had been gone “only a few minutes when the rabbit popped up and started off. When Upton thought the rabbit had passed the direct line between him and his boy he fired. The boy had changed his position and was in range of the gun and received part of the discharge.” (FWV 12.28.07 pg. 1)
“Seven shot entered his legs, one shot entered his abdomen and one shot buried itself in his face.” (FWV 12.28.07 pg. 1)
“Drs. Peters and Triplett were summoned and rendered surgical aid. It is not thought that the shooting will prove fatal.” (FWV 12.28.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather will be: rain, turning to snow tonight. Saturday snow and colder (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
General Manager Bush, of the Western Maryland Railroad Company, comes to the city in his private car, which was attached to train No. 17. Mr. Bush spent the day examining Monongah mines No. 6 & 8. (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
152 bodies have been removed from Darr mine. 41 since yesterday afternoon. Workers report the air is now good all through the mine and expect to be able to get out all the dead by tomorrow afternoon. (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“Another woman refused to leave. ‘I will stay till my man is brought out,’ she asserted. ‘You won’t bury him in the manure heap, like they did the men of Naomia mine,’ she screamed when the guards forced her to leave.” (TSP 12.27.07 pg. 4)
“The reference to the Naomia mine was occasioned by the finding of a miner’s body in the refuse back of the stable, where it is claimed he had been thrown by a mine boss to save the cost of his burial. At any rate, it was in that horrible place his aged wife found him.” (TSP 12.27.07 pg. 4)
At some point during the morning
In Monongah:
Jaques Caffauel and M. Dumaine investigate mines with Chief Mine Inspector J.W. Paul, Clarence Hall, and Dr. W.O. Snelling. “The French experts will likely be able to form some conclusions after today’s work.” (FWV 12.27.07 – pg. 8)
At the Darr mines in PA:
“With the recovery of Steve Mihaley yesterday, the last of three brothers who met death in the mine was found. The others are Joseph, 26 years old, and Alexander, 20 years old. The three bodies were shipped to McKeesport today for burial. Steve Mihaley’s widow is in a serious condition, and she was not permitted to accompany her husband’s remains.” (PDP 12.28.07 pg. 3)
“Henry E Adams, of Pittsburgh, a brother of Clark Adams, the wealthy young man who met death in the mines, arrived at Jacob’s Creek this morning, accompanied by John Frick, of Shamokin, who married a sister of the dead young man.” (PDP 12.28.07 pg. 3)
“Adams had not seen his prodigal brother in years, and after viewing the blackened corpse said he could not have identified it. The body was buried this afternoon in Olive Branch cemetery.” (PDP 12.28.07 pg. 3)
“Bodies taken from the mine now number 124, and six more, which have been located, will be brought out before morning.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“The entire mine has now been searched with the exception of Entry No. 27 where it is believed 100 bodies will be found. Debris about this entry is being removed as rapidly as possible and it is expected to gain ingress tomorrow morning.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“The work of getting the bodies, it is believed will be much easier from this time forth. The rescue parties are now in that section of the mine where they expect to find many under the few falls which have occurred at the time of the explosion. A dozen may have been caught in this manner, but this estimate is believed to be high.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“Each rescue party is being accompanied by one or two State inspectors and their recommendations are being followed to the letter. Every precaution is being taken to protect the men engaged in rescue work.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)
General Manager G.W. Schleudergerg, of the Pittsburgh Coal Company, is called to his home in Pittsburgh by the sudden death of his wife. “Mr. Schleuderberg assumes charge of the Darr mine the day following the explosion and had no intimation of his wife’s illness. He went to Pittsburgh on a special train sent out over the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad.” (PDP 12.28.07 pg. 3)
In Fairmont:
First Baptist Church holds a social; “…a tree will be a feature of the entertainment. An impromptu program will be rendered and treat distributed.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
Building “F” is the location of First baptist on the 1897 map.
Justice E.S. Amos, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tusca Morris and a newspaper representative visit Elijah Hannon, the man who was shot in the bowels at Grey’s Flats Tuesday night, in the hospital. (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“Authorities here thought that this would prove to be another case of homicide instead of suicide and for that reason the officers called on Hannon.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“The only man that was with him at the time was Dennis Gilmore and he too says the shooting was accidental.” FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
As Amos, Morris and the reporter were coming up First Street on their way to the hospital “they met two colored men who proved to be Dennis Gilmore and C.H. Thackson. They were accosted by Attorney Tusca Morris who asked them if they were from Gray’s Flats. They stated that they were and that they had accompanied Hannon to the hospital. The men told of the shooting.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
Gilmore explained of the incident a few nights prior when Hannon had taken a few moments to admire Gilmore’s gun and accidentally discharged it as he was sliding it back across the table to Gilmore. “Both men said that the shot was accidental as the men were on most friendly terms.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
Hannon was interviewed next. “Hannon’s statement did not vary from the story of the other two men. He said that they were on friendly terms and that his presence in the hospital and his physical condition was due to his own carelessness in handling a dangerous weapon.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“The assistant prosecuting attorney and justice left the institution thoroughly convinced that it was not a deed executed with malice forethought but the result of recklessness.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“Hannon’s condition is serious but it is not thought that the wounds are necessarily fatal.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
8:00 pm
In Fairmont:
2nd of series of 3 basketball games between F.H.S and F.H.S. Alumni played at High School Gym (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 5)
9:30 pm
In Mannington:
The Mannington Elks host a Ball. “All Mannington’s dancing set were in attendance and a large number of out of town people participated in the festivities.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“The ball opened with more than 40 dancing couples on the floor, while the card tables in the club rooms afforded amusement to a goodly number in addition” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“Mannington’s favorite orchestra, Vincent’s from Grafton, furnished music for the occasion and more than sustained their high reputation in this city, their music being conceded to be the best ever played in this city. The orchestra consisted of 8 pieces.” (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 1)
Jokes were not the only section of the paper to be sacrificed for the disaster and Christmas adverts. Ads for local spiritualists and psychics were also removed and it is only today that horoscopes have returned:
FWV 12.26.07 pg 5
Full page article from the Pittsburgh Dispatch on Mine disasters.
“Employed by the Dispatch to investigate the cause of the recent mine disasters in the Pittsburg district, J.L. Dixon, E.M., whose reputation as an expert is known throughout the country, has visited Naomi and the Monongah mines…has inspected the Darr mine…familiar with its workings, machinery and safety devices.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“Quite recently coal mine explosions sent a thrill or horror through the civilized world; nearly 400 men and boys lost their lives, hundreds of widows were made and more than a thousand children were fatherless.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“Already the intense excitement has died away, the adjoining mines are working as usual and the mines where the disasters occurred are being prepared to resume operations…” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“…there probably was no better (mines) in the country. If this is true, and I know it to be so, and it was considered one of the very safest of mines, it makes one contemplate with horror the unspeakable danger to which thousands of our fellow men are daily subjected, for if they are working where precautions for their safety are not so great and where the natural danger is greater, we may naturally expect that the past will prove prophetic of the future.”
“Now let us look this condition squarely in the face without any evasion; let us try to get at the truth of the matter, viz., whether it is necessary that so many victims should be offered up as sacrifices on the altar of the country’s industry and prosperity…” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“That coal dust will and does explode with the most disastrous result is no longer question by intelligent mining men. It’s explosive force, weight for weight, it is said to be four times greater than that of gunpowder.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“After the coal is shot down the dust and coarser coal are loaded into the mine cars and the cars are started outward on their journey. These cars are not by any means dust proof; they are built of oak planks, with spaces between, both in bottom and sides, consequently, as soon as the cars begin to move the coal dust commences to filter through these spaces and keeps on running through until it has all run out or until the cars have reached their destination. Keep in mind, there are a hundred tons of dust, carried in from 500 to 750 cars, depending on their size; these cars travel on an average from one to three miles at a rapid rate and every car constantly adding its quota to the explosive death-dealing train.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“As I write this the tragic news is wired from Alabama of another dust explosion, caused by a blown out shot; the present information places that death list at 60. This was also deemed a safe mine and I suppose it was until a long tongue of flame was projected into inflammable and explosive dust.” (FWV 12.26.07. pg. 6)
“In the case of Monongah mine with its splendid system of ventilation, no gas explosion could have wrought one-tenth of the havoc or caused one-tenth the loss of life as the dust explosion; it would have been continued to one portion of the one of the mines, to one of the portions ventilated by a split, but a coat dust explosion is a different thing. It is a devouring monster, traveling with incredible rapidity, transforming almost instantly with its fiery tongue the accumulations of coal dust into countless millions of cubic feet of deadly poisonous gas, which expands which such irresistible force that nothing built by human hands can withstand it.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“The plan I wish to suggest is that in every mine life-saving stations or chambers of refuge should be established.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“I will venture to say there is not on explosion proof telephone system in any mine in the United States. How invaluable this would be to those imprisoned below and to those frantic with grief about I need not say; just imagine what a blessing it would have been to many of the men entrapped in that large French mine making it the most disastrous mining accident in all history. There is evidences that hundreds of these men lived for days, some of them for over two weeks, even then still alive, living on the bark off props and off putrid horse flesh. When one reads of their awful sufferings the heart turns sick with the horror of it all.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“In order that the miners should have a guide to the safety station arrows pointing in this direction should be made on the side of the entries with luminous paint, beacons pointing the way to present safety and eventually to wife, home and children.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“At leach large mine there should be a corps of trained men conversant with methods of life saving after an explosion, who could act with intelligent and efficient promptness.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
“Let it be said that the deathless honor of coal miners everywhere that in case of an explosion there are always volunteers ready to rush into the very jaws of death and the history of coal mining is replete with deeds of the loftiest heroism before which the boasted exploits of chivalry pale into significance. Again and again rescue parties have descended into the yawning blackness of the pit, have met death in the noblest endeavor to save their comrades; often, I am sorry to say, acting with more bravery than judgment, unnecessarily and unavailingly sacrificing their valuable lives.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 6)
Clarksburg Daily Telegram:
“After Easter, 1908, members of the Roman Catholic Church cannot elope and marry and have union recognized by the church.” (CDT 12.26.07 pg. 1)
CDT 12.26.07 – pg 1
“Senator Sam Montgomery is displeased over the fact that some of the State papers recently said he was an expert coal miner. He himself says he was only a mule driver in a coke yard and a tippleman. The correction should be cheerfully made by all the papers who held him up in a false light. Even his own paper owns him an apology.” (CDT 12.26.07 pg. 4)
CDT 12.26.07 – pg 8
“At 13 o’clock on the night preceding Christmas the Greeks are expected to assemble at their churches where religious services are conducted by the priests until 5 o’clock in the morning when the people return to their homes.” (CDT 12.26.07 pg. 8)
“They celebrate December 25 simply by giving presents and resting.” (CDT 12.26.07 pg. 8)
The Advocate in West Virginia:
“With a committee in every ward organized for the purpose of making a systematic campaign for the relief of the destitute at Monongah, it is believed that Charleston can not fail to do her part. Although both the meetings held at the court house last Friday night and last night have been characterized by a lack of interest, there have been sufficient members of the committee present to formulate plans for the work.” (TA 12.26.07 pg. 5)
“On last Friday night Mayor Holley appointed a committee, consisting of one from each ward, to form the plans and make the main organization and allow these committeemen to appoint sub-committees. Last night four of the committeemen were present, but two sent reports, but owing to other employments could not attend. However, there was present last night some who were not in attendance at the previous meeting and several new ideas were advanced to collect money, food, and clothing for the destitute.” (TA 12.26.07 pg. 5)
“Secretary Swisher was present at the meeting last night and offered several valuable suggestions. With Recorder Shirley Ross he was appointed a committee to see the proprietors of the moving picture shows and have them contribute one days proceeds to the Monongah relief fund.” (TA 12.26.07 pg. 5)
“Mayor Holley reported that Mr. Floyd Payne had informed him that is Charleston desired to send a car load of provisions to Monongah, the Kanawha and Michigan railroad would furnish the car and deliver it to the Ohio River railroad without compensation.” (TA 12.26.07 pg. 5)
“Rev. Murrill was present and was appointed a committee of one to see the ministers of the city and have them appoint a lady from each church to form an organization to provide relief of some sort for the benefit of the suffering women and children at the stricken mining town.” (TA 12.26.07 pg. 5)
“A meeting will be held next Monday night for the purpose of hearing the reports of the various committees. It is believed that by that time the work will be progressing in an excellent manner.” (TA 12.26.07 pg. 5)
West Virginia Argus:
WVA 12.26.07 – pg 3
The Labor Argus in West Virginia:
TLA 12.26.07 – pg 1
“The national organization of the United Mine Workers of America has contributed $1,000 towards the relief fund for the Monongah sufferers.” (TLA 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“This donation was purely an act of charity on the part of the national organization, for the Monongah miners being unorganized, it was under no obligations to render assistance.” (TLA 12.26.07 pg. 1)
TLA 12.26.07 – pg 1
“Editor Labor Argus: Since my letter last week I have been waiting for our daily papers to give some further particulars of the Monongah disaster. But there seems to be an unexplainable (*) upon the part of the daily press to make bare the facts.” (TLA 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“A State Senator has exonerated the company. The governor has requested the W.Va. U.S. Senators at Washington to ask Congress to investigate the cause of the record explosions in the coal mines of three states, W. Va., Ala., Pa.” (TLA 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Human life and property must be protected at the cost of political ambition and the destruction of party machinery, and, if need be, of political parties.” (TLA 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“This little ‘Mountain State’ is fully awake to the honors, duties and privileges guaranteed by her constitution and epitomized in her motto: ‘Montani Semper Liberi.’” (TLA 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“This is quoted from a veteran and scientific expert; I may say a life-long practical man. And if we could take and present the evidence of men who are familiar with the fact in the Monongah explosion and record of the mine as a fire damp producer, the public would be startled at the deliberate and willful disregard of the law and of the oppression of these men even unto DEATH.” (TLA 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“It is the intention in this way to test all powers and dynamites and set forth to the mine owners just what sort of explosives can be used with safety in the mines.” (TRH 12.26.07 pg.)
TRH 12.26.07 – pg
“So, the rule ought to be: No person other than the fire boss can fire a shot during the time that the mines are in operation, and only after an inspection of same.” (TRH 12.26.07 pg.)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania:
PPG 12.26.07 pg 1
“Inspector T.K. Adams of the Third district said that he had encountered falls in the left main entrance which were seven feet high, leaving but a few inches of space above for the passage of air. These piles of slate must be removed before the large number of bodies in the inner workings can be removed. Mr. Adams claims the ventilation is as good as could possibly be expected and that the air is being brought to the men by the fans as rapidly as possible.” (PPG 12.26.07 pg. 1)
R.L. Fleming, who was one of the rescuing party at Monongah, is confined to his home by an injured knee, having fallen across a loose wire in the mine. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 5)
In Monongah:
“Many letters bearing Christmas greetings were received by the leaders in the relief work at Monongah.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)
“Mrs. Ruckman has received several dozen letters and two from Michigan expressed much sympathy for little Faustina Davia, the ten-year-old girl who is turned housekeeper and guardian, since the loss of her father in the mines. Mrs. Ruckman was requested to turn the enclosures over to this little girl of whom the parties had read in the newspapers, provided others were not more in need of the relief.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)
Faustina Davia
“Mrs. Ruckman said there are even worse cases, one of which she cited in Mrs. Kate Trode, an American woman, whose husband was lost in the mines and not yet found or if found has been buried with the unidentified. She has four little children, the oldest six years, the youngest a month old, and she has nothing at all to go on.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)
At the mines in Monongah:
“M. Jaques Caffauel and M. Dumaine the French experts who are here examining the Monongah mines Nos 6 and 8, commenced their work…Assistant General Manager Frank Haas of the Fairmont Coal Company, and Chief Engineer John Gordon Smith, were with them and aided them in every possible way. “ (FWV 12.27.07 – pg. 8)
‘The main heading of No 8 was explored and places where gas would most likely accumulate were free from the substance.” (FWV 12.27.07 – pg. 8)
“Mr. Caffauel who made a thorough examination of the mine at Courriers where 1,100 miners met death on March 10, 1906, said that in all probability the explosion…was due to dust.” (FWV 12.27.07 – pg. 8)
In Grafton:
2 foreign miners are killed by a B&O freight train at Newburg. The men worked in the mine near Newburg and were walking along the track to their homes after work. They were run down by the train which came up behind them and which for some reason they failed to hear. The engine and several cars passed over the men before the train was brought to a stop and both bodies were ground to pieces when picked up by the crew. (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 5)
At the Darr mines in PA:
“The bodies of three McKeesport men who met death in the Darr mine disaster will be shipped to McKeesport for interment today or tomorrow. The names of the men have not been given. They are related to John Totli, of Pittsburgh, who, with Rev. Father Kalmon Kovatz of McKeesport, identified the bodies.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“A jury was sworn in today by Coroner C.A. Wynn to conduct an inquest into the disaster. It is composed of the following well-known residents of Smithton: (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)
“The supposition that Clark Adams, the wealthy prodigal of Shamokin, was in the mine, has been proved to be correct by the finding of his dead body. Adams had wealthy parents but worked as a day laborer. There existed a strong friendship between him and Superintendent Kelvington. Word has been sent to his home in Shamokin.” (PDP 12.27.07 pg. 1)
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)
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
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)
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)
“The immediate needs of the resident families are amply met by the company and a committee of women from Fairmont and Monongah.” (DASB 12.25.07 pg. 5)
Bisbee Daily Review in Arizona:
Manchester Democrat in Iowa:
Albuquerque Morning Journal in New Mexico:
The Manning Times in South Carolina:
TMT 12.25.07 – pg 6
Evening
At the Darr mines in PA:
“Rescuers found a great mass of victims…for which they have searched incessantly for six days and if all goes well a great number of them will either be in the blacksmith shop morgue or the big identification tent nearby by evening.” (TRCC 12.27.07 pg. 2)
“Only sixty bodies have been brought to the surface, but scores of others have been located in entry 27 and there was evidence that many more were in entries 28 and 29.” (TRCC 12.27.07 pg. 2)
“The mine was in much better condition and the progress of the rescuers was satisfactory in every respect. It is believed most of the victims will have been brought out by tonight.” (TRCC 12.27.07 pg. 2)
“Eight unidentified bodies were buried. All clothing checks and other means of identification were preserved and where relatives appear, they were disinterred. If unidentified, they were buried at Connellsville.” (TRCC 12.27.07 pg. 2)
In Fairmont:
The First M.P. Church performs “Santa has the Grippe” cantata. “The performers all did splendid work and the evening’s entertainment was thoroughly enjoyed by the large audience present.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)
7:30 pm
In Fairmont:
Diamond St. M.E. Church holds its Sunday school program “Bethlehem Chimes”, consisting of beautiful Christmas songs and recitations which “…was attended by a large audience. The program was an excellent one.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1) (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)
“A chorus of young girls rendered splendid music. The appropriate anthems of the choir were greatly enjoyed.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)
Two prizes have been offered: one for the best Christmas recitation given by a child under 10 years of age and the other for the best recitation given by a person over 10. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 2)
Winner of under 10 = Elizabeth Kiger, Winner of over 10 = Ila Bent. The judges were Judge E.F. Morgan, Frank Reeves and Mrs. W.W. Brown. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)
Night
At the Darr Mines in PA:
“There were only 18 bodies recovered in the 24 hours, making a total of 68 brought out. Of these, 47 have been identified and 12 had to be buried unidentified because of decomposition. Nine unclaimed bodies still remain in the morgue.” (PPG 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“The work of recovering the bodies is slow, and, although a week has elapsed since the explosion, the rescue work is lagging more each day, not because of lack of willing workers, but because of the condition of the mine, which the district inspectors say is worse than that encountered at Monongah.” (PPG 12.26.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
M.E. Church South holds their Christmas program. Recitations and songs will be rendered and a treat will be distributed to the children. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
“Christmas in Monongah! What a mockery it was!” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“It was the women as usual who bore the brunt of it all; the mothers with their helpless little flocks tugging alike at skirts and heart strings, the little ones who cannot understand. To them Christmas brought neither gladness nor hope; to them the Christmas spirit was as Dead Sea fruit.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“Then there were toys in plenty for the children. That was cheer for the moment for them. There was warm clothing for them, too, and also for all the women who needed it.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?
“But over all, throughout the long bleak day, was the silent weeping of the women and the utter despair on their weary faces.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“And in little graveyards up yonder on the barren yellow hills nearly 100 fathers in unidentified graves. Christmas in Monongah!” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
OTC 12.21.07 – pg 1
Midnight
In Farmington:
Mrs. Ephriam Ashcraft dies at her home from her burns. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“This is a beautiful Christmas day except for the mud, but the small boy with the sled is disappointed.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)
Throughout the Morning
In Yolande, AL:
TEP 12.26.07 – pg 1
“Christmas cheer in Yolande, gave way to the gloom of grief though the skies were asmile and the hills tinged with yuletide green.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“Sixty freshly made graves in the little cemetery beyond the ill-fated Yolande mine tell their mute story. It was Yolande’s first toll to the dread call of the mine horror. The payment in heart wrung tears of widows and orphans was all the heavier.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
In Jacobs Creek, PA:
TEP 12.26.07
“It was Christmas only in name to them. Little children stunned by the loss of father, and wives, dry-eyed now, but with faces drawn with affliction, passed through the streets. Some went to church and listened to the sad-faced priest as he besought the mercies of God in their behalf. Others wandered aimlessly about. Few went in the direction of the mine. They had done that so often, and what was the use.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Wretchedness filled the air. Nobody thought of cheer except the Sisters of Charity, those devoted souls who on this, His day, went about among the poorest of the victims and distributed what Christmas toys they had been able to gather, and thus in a measure softened the grief of many little ones.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Never before has so black a Christmas day passed at this place, and the other little hamlets surrounding the Darr mine…”(TEP 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“There are 150 widows and nearly 500 orphans as a result of the deadly blast…”(TEP 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Despite the grief at Jacobs Creek, the orphans of the mining village will not be deprived of a visit from Santa Claus. Through the efforts of Mayor Coleman arrangements have been made to ship a carload of toys to Jacobs Creek Christmas morning and the role of Santa Claus will be taken by a committee of McKeesport men.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 3)
“The carload of toys, candies, books, etc., will leave the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie station at McKeesport at 9 o’clock… The movement was started [Monday] and in a short time hundreds of presents were pledged. They have been coming in almost faster than the committee can handle them and every McKeesport resident appears anxious to be among the contributors.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 3)
“Rev. Carl G. Hagberg, of McKeesport, who has made a personal canvass of homes at Jacobs Creek, will likely have charge of the Santa Claus expedition. Mayor Coleman has also issued a call for subscriptions for the relief of the bereaved families, to include cash, clothing, etc.” (PDP 12.24.07 pg. 3)
In Parkersburg, WV:
Charles Huffman is shot through the heart by an accidental discharge of his gun while hunting. (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 4)
In Farmington, WV:
Mrs. Ephriam Ashcraft, an aged lady who had been in poor health for some time, is alone in her room. It is thought she attempted to reach something on her mantle when her clothing catches fire. She was found lying on her floor with her clothing a mass of flames. “Dr. Trach was hastily summoned and rendered medical assistance, yet but little hope for her recovery was entertained…” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
J. Taffanel and Joe Dunaime, of Paris, France, mining experts, arrive to inquire into the conditions of the mines. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 5)
“Christmas was quietly observed while few large entertainments were given, most homes were the scene of family dinner parties and reunions. In many homes a wondrous Christmas tree had sprung up during the night which added greatly to the festive holiday spirit.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Christmas was a very quiet day in the First ward. No social functions were held and the entertainments at the M.P. and M.E. Churches were all that engrossed the attention of the residents. All stores were closed and the streets were deserted the greater part of the day.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)
In Monongah:
“No, not a merry Christmas, but a bountiful one, is the better way to describe the day at Monongah.” (FWV 12.26.06 pg. 1)
“The mantle of sorrow has wrapped the inmates of many of them in its somber folds but the hand of charity has been willingly extended and gently the curtain has been drawn back letting a flood of sunshine and hope into these very homes to the fullest extent.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
Work at the mines throughout the region was shut down for Christmas and this notice is still posted on the office door at Monongah this morning: “No work at mines 5 and Shaver December 25 and 26.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)
11:30 am
In Fairmont:
FWV 12.24.07 – pg 1
Members of the Crusade Commandery Knights Templar meet in the Masonic temple and “participate in the Christmas observance as outlined by the committee of the Grand Encampment.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“This service is held at precisely the same hour without uniforms wherever the Templars may be…” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 1)
FWV 12.24.07 – pg 1
“This service is open to all and to the visitors who have never seen the new Temple, this will be an occasion to inspect the new lodge rooms.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 1)
Afternoon
In Yolande, AL:
TEP 12.26.07
“…the cemetery was dotted with mourners. Widows with their fatherless offspring made the only offer they could upon the altar of their shattered love; a wreath of laurel, a carpet of cedar, a shower of their tears. To the stricken homes Santa Claus brought little of joy.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“Charity did all it could to brighten these homes, but charity is a poor substitute for the father who is no more. All the charity and sympathy in the world could not blot out the memory of those terrible hours of waiting, the horror of the coming of the poor charred body: the despair of the never ending journey to the cemetery.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
In Jacobs Creek, PA:
PPG 12.26.07 pg 1
“The beginning and the end of life was fittingly illustrated Christmas day, when Father Adam Binio of St. Timothy’s church baptized 10 infants and said requiem mass over the former members of his church, who lost their lives in the mine.” (PPG 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“The children are all fatherless and the services attending the baptism were devoid of the Yuletide spirit. Solemn as was the funeral mass, this ceremony for children who will never know their fathers, was the most pathetic sight imaginable, when the sad-eyed widows of but a few days ranged themselves before the altar, with their offerings to God in their arms.” (PPG 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Following the services many of the women walked again to the morgue in another effort to identify the father of the child whose life had just been consecrated.” (PPG 12.26.07 pg. 1)
“Jacob’s Creek’s dead—the bodies that have been recovered—are buried at Smithton, West Newton, Connellsville and other surrounding tons and hamlets, where cemeteries are located. Most of the miners in the bituminous region of Pennsylvania are members of the Catholic church and the recovered bodies are buried in consecrated ground.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“At some of these graves…knelt black robed figures of women. Some had children with them. The bitter tears of widow and mother mingled with these of sister and sweetheart. It was cold but the praying women did not mind it. They were far away from the cold, in spirit, with their loved ones.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“The children romped about the graves clutching the little presents given them in the morning by the Sisters.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
In Parkersburg:
Orlie Bennett is rendered deaf and blind by a premature discharge of a miniature canon. (FWV 12.27.07 pg. 4)
In Farmington:
10-year-old Mary Lamb, daughter of Mrs. Jas. Lamb, climbs into a “dark wardrobe and strikes a match, igniting the clothing hanging there and set fire…Miss Blanche Lamb had her hands burned while trying to extinguish the flames. While the child’s burns are not serious, she is suffering a great deal.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 8)
In Monongah:
TEP 12.26.07
“Two hundred and fifty widows mourning for their dead. One thousand orphans, mostly children of tender years, mourning for absence of Santa Claus. Want, stalking specter-like through the entire district, and sickness on every hand.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“Mourning services in the churches, mourning in the homes, sorrow in every face, despair in every heart; not a Christmas tree in all the length and breadth of the camps; and yet throughout the world ‘Peace on earth; good will toward men!’” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“It was on No. 3 hill this blow fell the hardest. There in 60 families not a father escaped. From theses stricken homes more than a score of boys, just old enough to evade the labor laws went down to the same fate. Only one boy escaped and he was ill with typhoid fever. And of all this gathered harvest of death less than a dozen bodies found identified graves.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
“In the camps behind No. 6 and No. 8 mines, in Wahu, and across the river beyond No. 6 these conditions are repeated. What Christmas means where the blow comes with the redoubled force the imagination only can portray. Words fail. One’s mind dulls and the heart dumbs in the presence of grief so unutterable.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)
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)
“Mrs. Hattie Wachter, of the White House hotel on East Pike street, has a large box of clothing and $60 in money, which she will distribute among the Monongah sufferers this week. She will go to Monongah and personally distribute the goods and money. She speaks eight languages and thinks on that account she will be able to the place the clothing and money, where most needed.” (CDT 12.24.07 pg. 1)
“Miss Maud Walsh of the East End is among those who contributed liberally to the relief of the Monongah sufferers. Several days ago she shipped a barrel of flour to Monongah for distribution among the sufferers.” (CDT 12.24.07 pg. 1)
3:00 pm
In Fairmont:
The Tonkovicks have their preliminary hearing before Judge E.S. Amos for the murder of Stonko Goyac. “While there was no positive proof of the guilt of any of the defendants yet there was a chain of circumstances surrounding it all that was sufficient for Judge Amos to hold them until the grand jury could inquire into the matter.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1) (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)
Building “K” is the Central Christian Church according to the 1897 map
At the Central Christian Church, “A pretty program of songs and recitations has been arranged by the Sunday school which will be rendered…at the church. A Christmas treat will also be a feature.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
4:00 pm
In Cumberland, MD:
CET 12.24.07 – pg 8
The Cumberland Evening Times has made arrangements for Miss Belle Jeanette, a “plucky little actress”, to come into town and sell papers starting at 4 pm as a promotion for the relief fund for Monongah. However, she and her party missed their original departure on train No. 6 at Pittsburgh which “caused a revision of these plans.” (CET 12.24.07 pg. 8) (CET 12.26.07 pg. 1)
CET 12.24.07 – pg 8
During the Afternoon
In Montana:
“For the first time in several years we are to have no Christmas exercises at the churches here. The M.P. Church had arranged to have a Christmas programme carried out, but owing to the explosion they decided that their money and time might be better serve to relieve some of the needy at that place.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 4)
In Monongah:
Joseph A Holland, chief of the United States geological survey and Professor Lord, chief chemist of the United States geological survey “are here inquiring into the cause of the explosion.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 1)
Gifts are coming in on every train from all over the country.
Alex Clohan, postmaster at Martinsburg, donated 7 barrels of apples. “Dear Sir:– Look out for seven barrels of apples on Train No. 77. 10 boxes, one pail, and one sack. Do not know how much we sent on Train 55. Hope there will be enough to go around for the children at least.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 5)
O.E. Miller, a coal miner in Kansas, sends sympathetic gift of 2 pair of shoes. “Dear Sir—I entrust you with this package containing two pairs of children’s shoes which you will give to some deserving fatherless children in the sorrowing city of Monongah…from a Kansas coal miner. If not needed in Monongah, please send to Jacobs Creek, PA.” (FWV 12.24.07 pg. 5)
The Monongah Disaster 