family – 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!

Thursday, December 12, 1907 Afternoon

“No accident in the entire history of coal mining in America compares with this holocaust. It would be hard to picture a more complete scene of sorrow and desolation than that about the pit mouth. Everywhere are the blown and broken timbers, everywhere the blackened wreckage, showing the fearful force of the explosion. And over the wailing, desolate women and the gaunt, hard featured men working about the ruins, the black smoke hangs like a pall.” (TLA 12.12.07 pg. 1)

~Noon

“Governor Dawson today announced that he will personally attend the inquiry…” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

Gov. Dawson - wikipedia — Governor W.M.O. Dawson

In Monongah:

12.13.07 - pg 1 - Monongah 2 — CET 12.13.07 pg 1

At the mines:

“Two hundred and eighty-five bodies were recovered at noon from the Monongah mines and twenty-five more were ready to be brought to the surface.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“Up to noon today 285 bodies had been recovered from the Monongah mines. They are being brought out more rapidly now and many more will have been recovered by night.” (ES 12.12.07 pg. 2)

“More than 400 bodies, it is expected, will have been recovered by Saturday night, by which time the rescuers hope to have found every body.” (ES 12.12.07 pg. 2)

2:22 pm

In Monongah:

The body of Timothy Lyden was taken from the morgue “to his home at Monongah to remain three hours and at 2:22 this afternoon accompanied by relatives and friends it was shipped to [Clarksburg] for burial.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

“Mr. Lyden’s body will be at the home of his mother, Mrs. Ellen Lyden, on Jackson street tonight and until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning, when it will be taken to the Catholic church where funeral services will be held and interment will be in Holy Cross cemetery.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

During the Afternoon

In Pittsburgh:

“Officials of the coal company were in Pittsburgh this afternoon, conferring with those familiar with hospital maintenance, and it is understood that $50,000 will be spent by the coal company in erecting a suitable orphan asylum building. After it is finished, the children will be taken care of and educated. It is understood that certain wealthy men have expressed a desire to assist in endowing such an asylum, making it permanent for use of orphans of those who lose their lives in the mines of the company.” (WH 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“A woman’s sympathetic heart coupled with her ability to accomplish her purposes has solved the distressing problem of the thousand children who have been made orphans by the mine explosion at Monongah, in which several hundred lives went out. The woman is Mrs. Clarence W. Watson [Minnie Owings Watson], wife of the president of the Fairmont Coal Company which owns the property in which the calamity happened. She is a social leader in Baltimore and New York, but since the explosion she has demonstrated that she can be notable for other things besides driving fine horses for prizes in show rings and planning cotillons. Acting on Mrs. Watson’s suggestion her husband came to Pittsburg today to make contracts for the erection of a $50,000 asylum for the homeless little ones at Monongah. Mr. Watson said that it was the one practical suggestion which had come to him or any of the members of the Fairmont Company.” (RP 12.14.07 pg. 4)

“Mrs. Watson took a prominent part at this season’s horse show in New York. She was a prize winner, carrying off ribbons with her famous Lord Baltimore and My Maryland. Lord Baltimore is considered one of the finest harness horses in America. Mrs. Watson and her millionaire husband carried off several prizes with them in the international show in London.” (RP 12.14.07 pg. 4)

“Bishop Donoghue, of the Wheeling district has been at Monongah leading in the relief work, and Mrs. Watson has been, perhaps, his most able assistant.” (RP 12.14.07 pg. 4)

“The day of the explosion Mrs. Watson hurried to Monongah with her husband. She plunged into the work of relief with her heart open for the suffering and destitute. In a few hours she was recognized as good spirit of the place. Wherever she goes in the stricken town she carried light with her.” (RP 12.14.07 pg. 4)

“It was the children who made a special plea to her sympathy. Their helplessness, their absolute dependence overwhelmed her. After the first couple of days she went to her husband and demanded that he do something. He was at a loss and asked her for her suggestions. She said that the one thing for him and his company to do was build and asylum for the little ones.” (RP 12.14.07 pg. 4)

“How to care for the children of the explosion victims has been and will be a problem until Mrs. Watson’s home for them is built.” (RP 12.14.07 pg. 4)

In Fairmont:

“The body of Charles Wise of Fairmont, one of the best known men, was…brought here for interment this afternoon.” (ES 12.12.07 pg. 2)

Frank A. Wilmot and George A. Campsey from the Carnegie Hero Commission arrive in Fairmont. “After looking over the ground a while Mr. Wilmot decided to go to the Fairmont Coal Company offices at Monongah and make known his mission. Before going, however, he met Col. A.H Fleming of Fairmont whom he knew personally…” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1 – extra)

Mr. Harry H Stock, E.M. editor of “Mines and Minerals” of Scranton PA is visitor in the city. He procured copies of the West Virginian for every day since the mine disaster. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)

In Monongah:

“The ladies of the relief corps are continuing their noble work and much food is being dispensed to the workers. Soups, meats, sandwiches, vegetables pie and coffee constitute the mean which is served night and day in a little building near the company office. Hundreds are thus fed every day.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

C.W. Watson will not give a statement about the number of victims to the press until the “total number of miners is known…census of miners had not yet been completed. Three or four miners lived in the country and their families would have to be seen before the statement could be made. Mr. Watson said that the number would be between 328 and 334.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1) (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

He provides this statement instead:

“The work of removing bodies from the mines progressed very rapidly today and at the rate that the dead are brought out now the search work will be completed sooner than it was thought. The work in mine No 6 is practically done. The searchers have explored all the rooms of that mine.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

Rumors of epidemic begin to surface and are attributed to the many maimed and decomposing bodies and carcasses about the town and still inside the mines. (McAteer) (News)

Mr. Fleming and Wilmot arrive in Monongah and go to the office where Wilmot is introduced to General Manager Lee. L Malone. “Mr. Malone at once placed the records of the company relative to the census of miners being taken at Mr. Wilmot’s disposal and after verifying the newspaper reports he hunted Mayor Moore to take some active steps for relief work.”

“Mr. Wilmot found Mayor Moore surrounded by a crowd of about 50 people engaged in relief work, but he gave Mr. Wilmot a hearing and very kindly consented to do whatever was thought best in the matter of organizing the committees.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1 & 4 – extra)

At the mines:

The removal of livestock begins.

Marion County Board of Health issues a 2nd order: “…imminent danger of epidemic of disease breaking out…scores of men working in recovering dead are prostrated…so urgent…all of the streets of Monongah were heavily sprinkled with lime…odors emanating…unbearable.” (McAteer)

At #8:

1st full search is completed in #8 and a second search immediately begins. (McAteer) (Inquiry)

“Patrick Louchney’s remains were found in mines No. 8 and taken to the morgue this afternoon. His body was terribly mangled and mutilated. It will be taken to Clarksburg for burial.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

~3:30 pm

CDT 12.12.07 - pg 1 - Monongah 4 — CDT 12.12.07 pg 1

“A great many bodies remain unidentified as yet and probably most of these will never be identified or claimed by relatives. The number of the unidentified reached fully sixty so far and doubtless many of those yet to be recovered will be in the same class.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

~4:00 pm

In Fairmont:

The 24 members and 2 guests of the Ladies Aid Society of the Diamond Street M.E. Church complete “40 pieces of clothing” and enjoy a dinner “for the small sum of $.15”, the proceeds intended to go to the relief fund. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 2) (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 2)

~4:30 pm

In Wheeling:

The Wheeling Board of Trade holds special meeting of directors about the Monongah relief fund. Labor Commissioner I.V. Barton (who went to Monongah shortly after the disaster and stated he would bring a report of conditions to Board of Trade) “spoke at some length”.

“There are, Mr. Barton stated, from a thousand to twelve hundred orphans and at least 350 widows it has been estimated. The children have been born since the disaster and there are 60 expectant mothers among the widows. The Fairmont Coal Co. and the local relief committees are doing nobly, and are caring for the situation.” Mr. Barton stated that if the Board of Trade was to contribute, now is the time to do it. “The aid is not necessary now but in the future relief will be needed.”

The Board of Trade contributes $1,000.00 to the relief fund. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

In the earliest days after the disaster, various relief committees were formed by well-meaning individuals and groups but there is no representation for the immigrants and their various nationalities among them. Bishop Donahue was added to the initial general relief committee when he pointed out a lack of representation for the Italian and Polish-Slavic Catholic churches and the committee expanded to incorporate immigrant representation. (McAteer) (News)

Manager/Secretary of Carnegie Hero Fund Commission Frank M Wilmot combines the majority of these relief committees into one: the Monongah Mine Relief Committee. (McAteer)

The Carnegie Hero Fund donates $35,000 to this relief committee and takes charge of the organizing. (McAteer) (News)

Wilmot then has a meeting with Watson, Fleming, and other company officials to discuss their role in the relief efforts. Watson and Fleming are cautious about endorsing notion of public appeal for funds. They are concerned about the effect such an appeal would have politically, particularly on the general public. Wilmot convinces them the response would be well received. Following the meetings with Wilmot and others they soon became supportive of the relief committees and assigned “various employees in the offices of FCC & others to work nights, Sundays, and other extra time helping the Subscription Committee to address envelopes and send out appeals”. Eventually, officials of mine, like Cunningham, serve as members of committee. (McAteer)

The Union Relief Association Committee, made up entirely of women from Fairmont and surrounding areas, is the only one not included into the MMRC.

~5:00 pm

Cunningham sends Watson a list of names along with morgue numbers. Bossilo Pillelo and Petro Frediro are listed with a note: “Italians were in #8. Selecting place to work. Chief Paul found their order copy x of mine laws.” (McAteer)

More on How Death Gloated!

Thursday, December 12, 1907 Midnight – Morning

CDT 12.12.07 - pg 1 - Monongah 5 — CDT 12.12.07 pg 1

In the early hours of the morning

12.12.07 - pg 6 - Monongah — TMDM 12.12.07 pg 6

In Hendricks, WV:

Roy Yaeger, 28 year old engineer for Western Maryland railroad, detects an odor of gas in his home and starts to investigate. He quickly finds that a rubber hose has come loose from a stove and “just as he was in the act of turning the gas off the gas was ignited from an oil lamp in another part of the house and the explosion followed.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 2)

“Yaeger was ablaze in an instant and jumping out of a window he rushed up street, his clothes burning fiercely. Before he could be succored his clothes were all burned off and was a mass of charred flesh.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 2)

Yeager “met with a terrible death”. His wife and little child were severely burned and the home in where they lived was practically blown to pieces. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 2)

~3:00 am

“The body of Timothy Lyden was found in mine No. 6 at Monongah at 3 o’clock this morning, taken to the morgue and prepared for burial.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

“Relatives identified the body by his clothes and the back of his head. The body was well preserved but the face was badly mutilated.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

“Mr. Lyden was 38 years of age and leaves a widow and five children. He was a brother of Patrick J., Michael and Margaret Lyden and Mrs. P.F. Tiernery.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

~3:30 am

“Henry Martin’s body was found in mine No. 6 at Monongah at 3:30 o’clock this morning and identified by his brother, Patrick Martin, of this city. Mr. Martin has another brother here, too, Thomas Martin.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“Mr. Martin was 42 years of age.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“Mr. Martin leaves a wife and five children making his death particularly sad, as they were dependent upon him for support.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“Accompanied by relatives and friends, the body will leave Monongah at 8:22 o’clock tomorrow morning for Clarksburg, and will be taken to the Catholic church, where at 10 o’clock funeral services will be held at the same time that the Timothy Lyden obsequies are held. It will be a double funeral at the church—all at the same mass. Interment will be in Holy Cross cemetery.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

At some point during the early morning hours

The body of John T. McGraw, pitt boss at Monongah mine No. 8, “was recovered from the mine early Thursday morning”. (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

~4:30 am

“The body of Charles Wise of Fairmont, one of the best known men, was recovered at 4:30 o’clock…” (ES 12.12.07 pg. 2)

Wise was personal surveyor for Senator J.N. Camden. He surveyed inside of mines to ensure Camden and others were properly paid by Consolidated Coal Company. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

The 37 year old Chief Engineer “went into the ill-fated mine only a short time before the explosion.” (ES 12.12.07 pg. 2) (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

Despite early reports announcing that only his jack and shoes had been found, leading people to believe Charles had been “blown to atoms”: “The body was in a good state of preservation and easily recognized. Besides in his pockets were his B&O mileage book, street car book, watch, ring and pipe, which were means to identify him.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

Wise was found in #6 near the main heading, in a sitting position ½ mile away from his jacket. He had wrapped his waistcoat around his head indicating that he had survived the explosion and attempted to find his way out but got lost in the darkness and was eventually overcome by afterdamp. (FWV 12.12.07 pg.1)

Charles becomes body #258 to pass through the morgue. (Amos)

He leaves a widow, Pearl Reed Wise, and 2 sons: Thomas Reuben, 2 years, and Lorin Turney, 2 months old. (McAteer) (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

~6:00

In Fairmont:

All mines in the Fairmont Coal Field are up and running to almost full capacity except those in Monongah. (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as: Partly cloudy tonight and Friday, nearly stationary temperature (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

The remains of Charles D. Wise are taken to Musgrave’s undertaking parlors “just as they were taken from the mine” on 6:15 street car. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

At the mines:

“Officials…feel hopeful that the large force of rescuers, entering the mines at Monongah this morning will be the last necessary to send into the workings to recover the bodies…” (ES 12.12.07 pg. 2)

~8:00 am

In Clarksburg:

“The body of Thomas Killeen was brought here Thursday morning from the Monongah mine horror. The funeral was held in the Catholic church and burial in Holy Cross Cemetery.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 5)

In Fairmont:

Tom Donlin’s funeral is held at St. Peter’s Catholic church under the direction of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Services are largely attended by friends and relatives following with interment at Holy Cross cemetery. Pallbearers were: Messrs. M.J. O’Neil, Anthony McDonough, John Kelley, John D Barry, Michael Ford and Jas. Erwin. (FWV 12/12/07 pg. 5)

In Monongah:

Women and children are still standing guard by the morgue.

At the mines:

Ventilation is restored to 8 miles of room headings, 550 rooms have been explored and tracks in 5.5 miles of main headings are cleaned up enough to allow hauling of bodies and materials. (McAteer)

1st full search completed in #6. The search parties have explored all the rooms of the mine and 20 searchers transfer from No 6 to No 8. “…the work in No 8 will be practically completed tonight when all the men will have been removed except those under falls.” (McAteer) (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

The bodies taken out this morning are in “pretty good condition” so as George Gibbon, who has been able to identify most of the miners, was very successful. (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1) (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

Among them is body #287—Ellis V. Herndon, this author’s great-great grandfather. Ellis’s son, Ira Herndon, was unable to go to work Friday morning due to his wet boots, and has had no need to take part in the rescue efforts as “they had other people who did that”. Ira is able to stay with his family throughout the whole ordeal and mourn their elder. Ellis was found in excellent condition and buried in the cemetery “on the back of Tower Hill, in the hollow.” (Loss)

cemeteries — The mass grave donated earlier this week due to inclement weather is by the Catholic cemetery. However, the original potter’s field, which was used and became full within the first few days after the disaster, is currently unknown/lost. This author has quite the theory as to its potential location and this will be discussed later in an “Issues” post.

~9:00 am

In Belle Vernon, PA:

Coroner Hagan commences the official inquiry into the December 1^st Naomi mine explosion. A number of officials testified and it was heavily discussed whether or not electricity should be used in mines.

In Fairmont:

Ladies Aid Society of the Diamond Street M.E. Church meets at the home of Mrs. Priscilla Merrifield on Wilson St. between 9am-4pm. 24 members and 2 visitors spend the day “sewing or doing any other work that may be done for the Monongah sufferers. Clothing or anything which will be donated for the cause will be gladly received by the ladies.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 2) (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 2)

“A Pittsburgh man said this morning that he was surprised at the small contributions being sent in for the Monongah relief fund. He thought the big cities were taking too little interest in the matter and that the papers ought to take the question up with a view to creating a larger fund. He thinks there ought to be a fund of at least $200,000 to properly care for 300 widows and 1,000 orphans.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. )

In Monongah:

2 men try the same trick from day before of posing as workmen to get food and goods. They are caught, arrested, and put in the Monongah jail. (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

“About 100 men are digging graves for the dead and as fast as the bodies are prepared and identified they are taken to the cemeteries or shipped to the places designated by friends.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

Messrs. S.E. Jenkins and J.A.C. Prickett, representatives of the Setting Sun Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men, accompanied the body of one of the Monongah victims to the home at Connellsville, PA. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 2)

~10:00 am

“Two hundred and eighty-five bodies were recovered at 10 o’clock today, and 25 more were ready for removal to the surface.” (LET 12.12.07 pg. 1)

~11:00 am

In Pittsburgh, PA:

“C.W. Watson…will, in the name of his wife, erect an orphan asylum at Monongah in which will be cared for and educated the children of the men who lost their lives in the disaster. Today representatives of Mr. Watson visited this city, where they inspected various orphan asylums, and announced that work on the new asylum at Monongah will be started at once.” (NYTb 12.13.07 pg. 5)

In Charleston, WV:

“President Craigo called at the office of the Mail, where a relief fund is being collected and was advised that it would be better to have the contribution from the Wellston miners sent direct from that point to Mayor Moore, at Monongah, rather than have it come to Charleston and then be remitted from here to Monongah. Mr. Craigo adopted the suggestion and wired the convention to the that effect.” (TA 12.12.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“R.H. Spahr went to Monongah this morning and spent a few hours viewing the mine horror.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 8)

“At 11 0’clock this morning 256 bodies have been waiting for transportation. It is estimated that there are still 145 bodies in the mines. Eighty-five bodies are unidentified. The greater number of these have already been buried.” (WT 12.12.07 pg. 3)

More on How Death Gloated!

Wednesday, December 11, 1907 Evening – Night

~7:00 pm

In Fairmont:

The Ladies Auxiliary of Christ Episcopal Church puts on a musical at the Masonic Temple and, as promised, they give the proceeds to the Monongah Mine Relief Committee. (FWV 12.11.07 pg. 5)

“A large and enthusiastic audience greeted…at the Masonic Temple and the program rendered was fully up to the high expectations of the audience.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)

The soloist is Miss Franciska Kaspar, daughter of Anton Kaspar; “…her efforts fully deserved the applause which was accorded her. She poses a clear flexible soprano voice which she has under the most excellent control.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)

The pianist is Mr. Edwin Arthur Kraft: “His technique and expression were faultless and his selections were well chosen.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)

“Both Miss Kaspar and Mr. Kraft have studied under the old masters of Paris and Berlin…” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)

“…though the coming of these musicians to Fairmont had been advertised long before the Monongah disaster and was to benefit the treasury of the Ladies Guild of Christ Church. Later it was unanimously decided by the Guild to devote the proceeds to the Monongah sufferers.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)

In Shinnston:

This morning, Mayor L.J. Rowand “issued a call for the citizens of the town to meet in the M.E. church at 7 o’clock pm to organize for the relief of the distressed families of the Monongah disaster.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

At the meeting, B.T. Harmer, Rev. Wayne K. Stalnaker, Geo. T. Randall, C.L. Watkins and Miss Linnie Monroe are appointed as “a committee to solicit cash and provisions.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

“A contribution amounting to $117.00 and one barrel of flour was taken from those in attendance.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

In Grafton:

Grafton Mayor John W. McClung calls a mass town meeting at the courthouse for the purpose of organizing a relief committee to solicit funds and other things necessary and to forward the same on to the relief committee at Monongah. “Arrangements will be made to have some of those who have visited the mines to speak and all those who attend will be expected to donate at least a small amount.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. 2)

In Clarksburg:

“The Grand Opera house was crowded to its full capacity Wednesday evening on the occasion of the benefit performance given by the Chester DeVonde company under the auspices of the Daily Telegram. The proceeds of the performance were for the Telegram’s relief fund for the Monongah mine sufferers.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“The receipts of the theater benefit…will add $150 to the fund.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“The following letter has been mailed to the ministers inviting their co-operation: ‘In our endeavor to make the relief fund as large as possible, we desire to get into close touch with the churches and assist them in every way possible. In cases where entertainments are to be held, we shall donate tickets and insert notices in the news columns of the Telegram. Will you kindly give us your cooperation?’” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“Tuesday, December 17, will be Parsons-Souders’ Day at the Bijou theater. All the theaters are giving benefit shows this week.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“Small donations will be acceptable. Little Ruth Souders starts a children’s fund with 5 cents and doubtless there are many girls and boys who will follow her example by giving something.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 1)

Night

In Wheeling:

I.V. Barton returns to Wheeling from Monongah and makes report to the Secretary of the Board of Trade, Mr. Naylor and talks about calling a meeting. “In a talk with a reporter regarding the effects of the disaster, Mr. Barton said, ‘After a few weeks the conditions in and about Monongah will be bad for a long time.’” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. )

“The Fairmont Coal Company is exhausting all efforts and means to care for the suffers and the churches and societies to which they belong are seeing that they do not want for anything. But the company and societies will be unable to see to this for any great length of time…Several appeals have been made to many towns and cities in the country and quick responses are being made, but a large amount will be needed.”

In Clarksburg:

John Brooks returns from Monongah, “where he has been at work since last Friday helping to recover the bodies of miners.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 8)

At the mines:

“As the mine has become cleared of debris the recovery of the bodies is becoming easier and it is expected that the work will progress more rapidly during the night and tomorrow.” (RP 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“Many of those engaged in the rescue work have not slept for several days and few of them have them have taken off their clothes in that time.” (RP 12.10.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“Many sensational reports are being circulated in connection with the catastrophe. Prominent among these are rumors that the National Guard has quietly taken charge of Monongah; that additional explosions have further wrecked the mines and that the bodies of the dead miners are being robbed of all valuables. All these reports are without even frail foundations.” (MA 12.12.07 pg. 8)

“The Verdi Brass Band, of Monongah, composed mostly of Italians, will probably never again discourse sweet music on the streets of the mining town, for fully half of the membership was lost in the recent disaster.” (TA 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“Black Diamond Lodge Knights of Pyathis lost a large number of the members and other organizations have suffered terribly by the removal of the 370 miners from that city.” (TA 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“It is hard to realize the changed conditions of the mining town. Many of the very best citizens of the town were among victims of the explosion.” (TA 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“Probably as popular a man as there was in the town was John M McGraw, whose body has not yet been recovered, although it is reported that the relief men found the lantern he carried.” (TA 12.12.07 pg. 1)

“The change of the weather with an accompanying mud and snow has made conditions about the mines so bad that only those who could not possibly get away remained during the night. Officers of the company who had been almost constantly on duty also retired for much needed rest.” (MA 12.12.07 pg. 8)

More on How Death Gloated!

Wednesday, December 11, 1907, News Hour

After almost a week of reporting on the disaster and as the work in and around Monongah becomes more and more organized, there is less to actually ‘report’ on the disaster itself. Journalistic columns and public opinions begin to fill the papers across the country.

~6:00 pm

Newspapers

Clarksburg Daily Telegram:

“Those of the bodies recovered today that have been identified so far are as follows:

“The rescue workers have finished the main headings and the sections to the right of the main headings and all work is now in the interior heading and rooms.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“I.C. White of Morgantown, state geologist is on the scene making observations. Mr. White has a practical knowledge of mining.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“Additional miners from Maryland and eastern parts of the State have arrived to aid in the rescue work.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“All theories that have been advanced as to the cause of the explosion are being thoroughly investigated, but explanations up to this time are not thorough enough to locate the immediate cause.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“According to experienced miners the interior of the mines show evidences of an explosion from dust, but there are many who adhere to the gas theory. The inspectors hope to find the exact spot where the explosion originated and when this place is located the exact cause of the disaster may be determined.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“D.F. Lepley, of Connellsville, who is a representative of the company which placed the fan at No. 8 mine at Monongah, is a visitor at the scene of the disaster. He says that he can have the fan replaced in a period of two weeks. The damages to the mine are not nearly so great as at first though and it is not unlikely that both mines will be working again inside of 90 days. One estimate puts the damage to the mines as low as $125,000.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

On page 3, a poem written by Pastor E.V. Potter of the Wesleyan Methodist Church is published:

“The woman who has never experienced widowhood can scarcely know, in fact, would not know the fears for the future in this life of a woman left with a dependent family without means of support. Indeed, happy families with plenty never know. They can not. It is impossible for them to realize the drudgery, the sacrifices, the care that the widow has under such conditions. A double duty devolves upon her. She must be mother and she must be bread-earner. Not only must the household be taken care of by her but she must also provide shelter, clothing, education and all for the children. Scarcely a man is there who would not shrink from suck a task and why should a woman be expected to accomplish such an undertaking? Fate sometimes cruelly devolves it on woman to have this terrible lot in life, but, perhaps, it will not always be so.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 4)

“Certainly, the time in American brotherhood is passing beyond that stage, and the love for mankind in American hearts is above the miserly point of keeping all we have and doing nothing for our fellows, unfortunate not from their own acts but from a fate that they themselves did not bring about. God forbid that there should be any such.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 4)

“This is no time for prejudice, no time for class hatred, no time to argue that others ought to come to the rescue and relief. The only thing to do now is follow the Golden rule. The Telegram offers the opportunity, and yet it matters not to if what medium or avenue is used in reaching the suffering.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 4)

“Those who are in distress themselves ought not to contribute, as the widow’s mite, though an example, need not be given, for that sort of charity works a hardship materially, though in the end it has its richest blessings. It is to those who have plenty that this appeal should be most effective. And yet none should give who cannot cheerfully do so.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 4)

“The rumor that has reached the ears of many in Clarksburg to the effect that the air fans at Monongah Mines Nos 6 and 8 were not in good order and not working properly the day of and just prior to the terrible disaster last Friday, is false.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 6)

“Tuesday night the Telegram telegraphed to President C.W. Watson, of the Fairmont Coal Company, at Monongah, as follows: ‘Please inform us as to the rumor that fans at Mines 6 and 8 were not in good order and not working properly just before the explosion.’ To this Mr. Watson replied by wire as follows: ‘Absolutely false. Be no foundation for the report.’” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 6)

“How the report was started that there had been something wrong with the mine fans just before the disaster and that possibly that had something to do with the explosion is a matter of mere conjecture, but nevertheless there is nothing to the report as had been shown by the words of President Watson. The machinery at both of the mines was in good working order. Experienced workmen were at their posts of duty at the mines and it is absurd to entertain the thought that either they or officials of the company would permit a big force of men to go into the mines while there was something the matter with the ventilating machinery.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 6)

Evansville Press in Indiana:

“There is not much danger of mine explosions like the Monongah disaster in mines about Evansville, it was stated at the mines today. There is but little gas and the mines are damp, so that there is no dry coal dust to explode as in West Virginia. The only danger is from powder explosions through sparks from the miners’ lamps.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 1)

By: Geo. Satterfield

“I came to Monongah—to this charnel house of the coal mining industry—to draw in pen and ink some of the scenes of the great disaster that the camera failed to depict.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“I have gazed with wonder on the piled up, wrenched and torn surface ruins, evidences of the titanic shock that in a second blasted the lives out of nearly 500 human beings.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“I saw brave men in jeans, heroes born of the moment, plunge into the hell pits, risking their own lives in noxious gas and fire, that they might save the earthly remains of their comrades.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“With gruesome fascination I inspected great piles of coffins, heaped up within 100 feet of the mouth of the mines, ready to receive the burdens they will carry in long procession to the grave. But God knows how commonplace all this was when I turned my face to that fringe of helpless humanity on the outskirts—that group of agonized women and orphans.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“Carry your imagination this winter day, you who read these lines, to this little village of Monongah and calculate if you can the horror, the agony, the despair, the utter desolation and destitution of these 300 widows and these 1000 orphans.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“They wait about the mine mouths; dry-eyed, grief-exhausted, heartbroken, they wait. Waiting for what? For the right to claim the inanimate, blackened clay of what was so short a time before a loved one. It is all that is left in the hour when the hand of the Great Master seems to lie so heavily upon them, the primal instinct is strong. Each demands that which, when the divine spark glowed, was all the world to them.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“Their hands and faces dirty, clothes awry and covered with the yellow clay of the neighborhood or the soot which lies over all, the widows and orphans are heedless of the present. They can see through the mountainside, where the loved one lies as the fire damp caught him.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2

“Everyone is dry-eyed, for grief such as this call not for tears; is too deep to be assuaged by welling eyes, this affliction which has fallen upon those left helpless by the catastrophe.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“I saw them bring bodies from No. 8. It was at night. They could have taken them out sooner, but waited for the merciful shadows to fall. Only the workers and the hushed, ever-waiting women and children remained.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2

“Four men bore a blanket-covered figure from the black mouth of Monongah’s hell. A sound, as of the night wind gently sighing, passed over the watchers, eloquent in its concert of relief.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2

“Reverently the bearers passed between rows of the bared, bowed heads to where the piled up rough boxes were awaiting their own. Suddenly a woman, gaunt and pallid, evaded the guards and rushed forward. She half-carried, half-dragged a child; two others clung to her thin skirt. Dante never depicted the grief, fear, agony, and expectation which marked her face as she sped over the debris-covered ground toward the body.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“The men deposited their burden and the poor, distraught creature stopped and seemed to recoil. One hand clutched her bosom convulsively. One the brink of the great unknown she hesitated. But she had waited through long dark hours for this moment and was not to be balked. Leaning forward she lifted the covering from the face of the dead, looked, gave utterance to a wailing shriek, heart-rending in its pathos—and sank unconscious to the ground. It was not the face of her husband, and the reaction mercifully broke the terrible strain.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

(Special to The Press)

“The theory that an accidental explosion of dynamite was the cause of the disaster that killed nearly 500 in the Fairmont Coal company’s collieries here, is the one now generally accepted.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“The explosion of dynamite caused the explosion of dust which is a most dreadful force when loose.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

“In the narrow tunnels the explosion sought an outlet to expand and rushed along the line of the least resistance, toward the mouth of No 6, mowing down men as stalks of grain before the sickle. When it reached the heavy atmosphere at the mouth of No 6 the explosion rebounded going back over its original track, still seeking an outlet. As it swept along, the body of flaming, seething gases, compressed by the confines of the mine, found the underground entrance into mine No. 8 through which it leaped madly and tore its devastating way to the mouth of this mine, where it ripped the masonry from the earth, hurling great blocks of cement and stone in all directions. The heat engendered left nothing but bare walls in its path. It burned the oxygen out of the atmosphere, leaving only the deadly afterdamp, which claimed those left alive by the explosion in various drifts.” (TEP 12.11.07 pg. 2)

Cumberland Evening Times in Maryland:

“The matins of the Sabbath tolled a death knell a hundred, aye four hundred times and the vespers were like the mourning of a dove—for a pall hangs over the valley.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“When the flash of a mysterious explosion heaved the earth and hurled the timbers of the mines at Monongah and twisted the ponderous machinery within and without, the gaunt specter of death floated through the caverns and touched the men who went to their toil with music and laughter in their souls.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“No human agency could stay that hand and the ghoulish monster called Death had its moment of glee uninterrupted and alone.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“Man with his cunning and his knowledge cannot stay the mysterious ways of an inscrutable Providence.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“Those stricken stand in awe as the grimy-faced men bear from the mines the stretchers, for sooner or later, today or tomorrow, the carriers will bring to the sunlight that one whose mute lips cannot answer the wails of the loved ones—that one whose children are fatherless.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“Paled are the cheeks of the men whose money had builded those works.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“The huge fan is a tangled mass of wreckage, a mockery to human endeavor. Stockholder, official, superintendent, boss, miner, volunteers, all work side by side to rescue—no, not to rescue, to bring out the mangled forms of those corpses of what were once men in the pride of manhood health and happiness.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“General Manager L.L. Malone, of the Fairmont Coal Company, received offers of assistance from all over several states, while others hurried to the scene, experts, officials, plain miners, those who knew what was to be done and came to do it, of their own free will.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“Far and wide the Fairmont Coal Company has been reputed as a humane and generous company. Lee Malone has lived close to his men. He knows them by name. He had toiled with them in the early days and he insists always that the best of machinery for the safety of the toilers should be bought and constantly used. Today his face is blanched, for a mysterious force laid low the men whose interest was his interest. His heart is bowed down.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“A ribbon of moving restless humanity has moved in and out of this city toward the mines where death is holding a gruesome feast. This stream of human beings will continue to move throughout the coming days, until the last body is borne out into the sunlight and the last clod falls upon the last coffin. Yet this mass of humanity, pulsating with life and health, can not solve the mystery or speak the words of condolence to those who mourn.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“The officials of the Fairmont Coal Company clasp hands across this unspeakable harvest of souls with those who mourn their loved ones and no man will ever be able to tell the story or give reason why Monongah mines should have become a tomb. The curtain will never be lifted. It is held taunt by bony hands, death-gripped, for eternity.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

“We ride and walk and work side by side with death every day and can not see the dreadful monster through life-lit eyes. With what ghoulish satisfaction the silent companion touches a victim with icy finger. We do not feel his breath or realize his proximity until with chattering jaws and rattling frame, he springs forward to drag a nearby friend from our side. How death gloated!” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 11)

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Wednesday, December 11, 1907 – Afternoon

“Although rain is increasing the work of the rescue parties, it brought a merciful relief from the pitiful scenes at the exits in the last few days. It drove indoors many of the grief-stricken relatives and friends of the victims who crowded about the mouths of the shafts waiting for the bodies of the loved ones to be restored to them. All the soft earth about the mines was turned into a thin mud by the downpour, and although some of the stronger of the watchers remained through the forenoon, nearly all sought shelter later and awaited in their homes the summons to come and claim their own.” (RP 12.10.07 pg. 1)

~12:00 pm

At the mines:

Recovery is becoming more horrific and tedious as bodies now have to be carried a distance of a mile or more underground just to get to mine mouth. As recovery of bodies gets swifter, the system of identifying and counting the deceased leads to more confusion over the total number of bodies “found” and those actually “recovered” and when. (McAteer)

Between 170-180 bodies total have been taken out by noon, “…all of them except thirteen having been recognized and were either buried immediately after coming out or turned over to relatives where the corpse was in shape to be seen.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1) (News)

“…with large additions to the rescuing force it is hoped to have the mines cleared very soon.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“It is stated today that there is every reason to believe the number of the dead will reach four hundred.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

In an interview, the head of a rescue crew tells the Fairmont West Virginian: “#8 main from the opening to the bottom, a distance of about 1 mile in the mine, is absolutely clear of wreckage or falls. About the only obstruction of any amount in this mine is quite an extensive fall in the first left of the second south main working. This fall is about 100’ in length and about 4’ deep. Quite a few rooms were discovered with falls.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

In Fairmont:

Tom Donlin’s mother (who lives on Gaston Ave between 3rd and 4th street) knows nothing of the disaster. Her friends have kept her at home and kept all news from her “but in spite of all of this care Mrs. Donlin knew there was something wrong.” Her son usually came to visit every few days and was due for his visit on Friday. Since he didn’t show up, she was suspicious that something was not right. Father Boutlou informed her of the death of her son at noon. 2 years ago, another of her sons, John, was killed in a railroad wreck near Buckhannon. (FWV 12.12.07 pg.1)

At some point during the afternoon

In Monongah:

5 men showed up in town and “represented that they were workmen; they were supplied with rubber boots…and some other things that they needed to make up a fair disguise. These men then started to see how much good victuals they could consume. They were so successful with their scheme they began to boast about it. They did not stay long in Monongah after they were found out. They were given the grand bounce.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg.1)

Francesco A Cirmo, clerk at the local post office in Fairmont, is at Monongah participating “…in taking the census…” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

“Fifty-seven more bodies were taken out of the ill-fated Monongah mines 6 and 8 today; the larger number of these having been recovered from No. 8. This brings the total number recovered up to 184.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“These bodies many of which are badly burned and some mangled, have not all been identified as yet. The undertakers are working hard in preparing the corpses for burial and placing them in caskets. Those not identified are placed in the rooms provided for unidentified bodies where they are viewed.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

“It is now quite apparent that a large amount of money will be sent to Fairmont for the relief of the Monongah sufferers. Many thousands of dollars have already been deposited for this purpose and word comes from various cities of donations in large and small amounts.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

“The Union Relief Association, an organization of Fairmont women from the various churches of the city, is doing noble work in providing for immediate needs of the wives and children of the victims and the General Relief Committee will use the larger sums of money in making provision for the families in a more comprehensive manner a little later on.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

“This is a great work and ought not be done in a hurry. Needs not now thought of will probably develop a little later and then it will be a good thing to have some money to meet them. Let the gifts continue to be made for remember the needs of 300 widows and 1,000 orphans are great.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

Dr. D.C. Duncan of Cameron informs Mayor Arnett of Fairmont that he offers 2 houses, rent free, to Monongah sufferers: “I have two small houses of two and three bedrooms that I will let some poor woman that has one or two children have to live in two or three months free of rent to help them along till spring. If they are able and willing to work they can get lots of common work such as washing to do to help them along. You will please let me hear from you if there is that would accept the offer.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

In the next town south of Monongah:

South east on the state border:

The Watson school in Pendleton County donates the proceeds from a box dinner they held Friday evening. “The proceeds though needed for the school’s new library was given to the Monongah sufferers by a unanimous vote of the pupils. An openhearted, willingness to relieve want and help the distressed has become a prominent characteristic of our civilization. No better place to teach the brotherhood of man than in the public schools.” (12.11.07 pg. 2)

Further south in Charleston, WV:

The Children’s Home Society of WV, located at Charleston, announce they “will care for all homeless children and orphans that may be committed to their care.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

~2:00 pm

“At 2 o’clock, 212 bodies had been recovered.” (ETR 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“Of forty-four bodies taken to the morgue about 2 o’clock this afternoon, none have been identified.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

~3:30 pm

In Fairmont:

“The cash contributions up to this time total $40,000.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

At the mines:

At Press time today there were 197 bodies that had been brought to the morgue and 25 bodies were ready at the mouth of the mines to be brought over. This makes 222 bodies that have been taken out of #6 & #8. (McAteer)

“Of the fifty bodies taken from the mines in the past twenty-four hours a majority are so mangled and decomposed as to render preparations for immediate burial imperative and many were sent direct from the mines to the graveyard in compliance with the order of the county board of health to prevent disease.” (BDP 12.11.07 pg. 4)

Rescue teams have not yet made any extensive efforts to clear the many roof falls in the mines and many bodies still remain trapped underneath. (McAteer)

Inspectors sent from Ohio, George Harrison and Ebenezer Jones, go into the mines for the first time. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Inside #6:

The bottom of #6 slope has been mostly cleared of debris from the wrecked coal cars and repeatedly examined. The line to the left of the main heading has also been cleared but men are still working on cleaning up wreckage in other areas of the mine. (McAteer) (News)

~5:00 pm

“A steady rain has been falling here all day, adding to the discomfort of the rescuers and making the recovery of the bodies more difficult.” (BDP 12.11.07 pg. 4)

Inside #8:

The body of John M. McGraw, pit boss in #8, is found in F Face, where the mines connected – “evidently going from one mine to the other.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg.1)

~5:30 pm

At the morgue:

John McGraw’s identity is confirmed by friends and by papers in his pocket. “Body was in fairly good state of preservation. Remains taken to Clarksburg for interment.” McGraw was well known and the president of First Regiment Band and had been a member since its organization. (FWV 12.12.07 pg.1)

~6:00 pm

In Monongah:

Bishop Donahue has “instructed the various priests ordered to the scene to remain on the ground until all the bodies have been recovered.” He returns to Wheeling where he will begin working on plans to assist placing the children in orphanages if necessary. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1) (News)

Donahue makes a statement that he is still uncertain how many orphans will be put into his care “owing to the grief and prostration of so many widowed mothers and his reluctance to as if they will part with them. He thinks however the number will be large.” Should there be more children in need than the current facilities can handle, Donahue says he “will lease a separate home for them and later build.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

More on How Death Gloated!

Wednesday, December 11, 1907, Midnight – Morning

“The deaths of the three Morris brothers in the mine disaster wipes out a family of father, mother and 11 children with the exception of one small girl within the past ten years. The Morris family were former residents of Eldora and the sad incidents connected with their history are recalled by their neighbors and friends although there is but one member of the family left to relate the bereavement and she is most too young to remember all.

“Ten years ago, Mr. W. E. Morris and wife and 11 children settled at Eldora and there they lived happily for some time. Sickness of a pulmonary nature entered the family and soon the mother and six children were claimed within the course of a few years. One son was killed instantly while working in a coal mine on the Lowe farm, and last spring Mr. Morris contracted typhoid fever and died. For some time preceding his death Mr. Morris resided on the Harrison Manley farm above Monongah. Just four children were left out of the family of eleven and three of these, W.L., Cecil, and Marion met death together in the Monongah fatality. Mr. W.L. Morris leaves a wife, who was formerly a Miss Boone. His two younger brothers worked in the mines with him and resided at his home. The brothers were all found Monday night.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

~12:00 am

At the mines:

Rescue crews have been working around the clock for almost 6 days. Every section of the mines has been entered – no survivors found*.

“Much progress was made by the rescue parties yesterday, despite the rain, snow and mud.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“At a late hour 142 bodies had been prepared for burial. Many more have been located and will be brought to the morgue today. If, as the mine owners declare, there were less than 400 victims, nearly half of the bodies have been recovered.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“There were reports last night that some of the miners entombed are yet living, but they are not generally believed. One workman claims to have heard knockings or raps in one section of a room cut off by debris. While it is believed he was mistaken, efforts are being redoubled to reach the spot.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“The arrival of extra undertakers from Wheeling and the increase of morguers has lightened the work for those who have been on duty from the beginning.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

Water from the downpour rains and overflowing creeks have gotten into mines through the enlarged portals, fissures and toad holes.

~2:30 am

At #8:

“The body of Thomas Killeen, one of the victims of the terrible mine disaster at Monongah, was recovered from Mine No 8 Wednesday morning at 2:30 o’clock. It will be brought to Clarksburg Thursday morning for burial. Killeen’s body was badly mangled; one side of the face being crushed and the abdomen was also crushed. The body was also scorched from the explosion. The body was taken to the morgue and identified and after it was prepared for burial it was removed to the home of the family in Monongah. Mr. Killeen was 43 years old and leaves a widow and five children. The oldest child’s name is Martin and he is about twelve years old. Mary and Kate are the next two older children. Killeen was a son of Patrick Killeen who makes his home with the family at Monongah and a brother of Martin Killeen. He was a brother-in-law of Patrick Martin of this city.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

Through the night

Inside the mines:

“Horrible sights greet the working party.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“In one room there were found two arms neatly severed from the body, of which there was not the slightest trace.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“In other rooms are found missing limbs and a few heads.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“One body was found seated with a lunch basket before it, while one arm was raised in the act of delivering a spoonful of beans to the mouth. Death came so quickly that the body grew instantly rigid in that position.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

At the morgue:

CDT 12.11.07 - pg 1 - Monongah 2 — CDT 12.11.07 pg 1

“Reports to the office of the Fairmont Coal Company here from mines Nos 6 and 8 at Monongah, the scene of last Friday’s death-dealing explosion, Wednesday morning state that the rescue work continued all last night and was without special feature or incident.” (GDS 12.13.07 pg. 4)

“A number of bodies brought out did not bear the brass checks used in the company’s system of records and accounts of a majority of its employees, thus sustaining the statements that a large number of men and boys in the mines were not included in the checking rolls on which estimates of the dead were largely based. There is reason to believe that the number will not fall short of 500.” (FCT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

Rain and snow continue to fall, casting the entire valley in gloom. “The snow is quite welcome today after an experience with rain and mud for a day or two.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

~6:00 am

“Most of the mines in the Fairmont and Clarksburg regions have a full run of empty cars for loading and the work has about resumed its normal condition. The independent mines are working although at some points all of the men are not back at work. The Fairmont Coal Company mines have resumed work except mine No. 2 and the ill-fated mines, Nos 6 and 8.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“When Wednesday’s force of rescuers went on duty there had been a total of 225 bodies taken out, most of which have been buried. Others were brought out in groups of two and three at short intervals.” (FCT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

A number of men are sent up from New England and Gaston mines as well as about 20 miners from Frostburg to assist in the search work. (FWV 12.11.07 pg. 8)

“There are few people around today and this aids the men at work. The big crowds that rushed to the scenes were a hindrance to every part of the work.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

“Twenty-three bodies which were unidentified were buried in potter’s field. All the bodies were hauled to the cemetery in road wagons through mud. Fifty-five grave diggers are kept constantly busy.” (RP 12.11.07 pg. 1)

Inside the mines:

“A number of bodies were brought to the surface and others were located in the mine. The exact number recovered during the night has not been reported to the officers here.” (GDS 12.13.7 pg. 4)

South side of #8 has been entirely explored and all bodies from this section have been removed. Efforts shift to the North side to do the same. (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

“The carcasses of horses and mules in the mines will not be taken out but destroyed by the use of chemicals.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“Strange noises heard in the mine late last night gave some color to a report that there were living men in some part of the mine, but the workmen this morning found nothing.” (EJ 12.11.07 pg. 7)

At the morgue:

“At the morgue the scenes are pathetic. Many relatives wait about—in fact, many have stationed themselves in front of the door—hoping every dead cart will bring the body of the missing one who was so dear to them. In the driving snow and rain little parties of Slavs and Italians, among the women and small children, stood for hours. One at a time the crowds dwindled down as bodies were identified and sent on to one of the man’s forlorn homes.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“Inside the deadhouse the undertakers worked as rapidly as possible and when six or seven bodies were brought in at a time their systematic work was wonderful to see. Even while the embalmers worked on the bodies other men were searching the pockets of the victims clothing for trinkets, valuables and marks of identification.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“Nothing, no matter how insignificant, escaped the notice of the men who examined the clothing. Every little trinket was stored away and many strange things have been collected. In the collection are false teeth, whipstocks, pipes, whistles, old coins, all sorts of strange looking knives and about every kind of trinket poor people could have.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“In the pocket of an unknown man a match box containing 13 matches was found. When they were counted there was significant silence.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

~9:00 am

In Fairmont:

The local German Beneficial Union announces it will cancel the 90-day clause of their contract and “will pay the policies taken out by men who were killed in the mine disaster immediately.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

In Clarksburg:

“With his strength about exhausted, William G Osborn, of the Clifford-Osborn undertaking firm, returned Wednesday morning from the scene of the Monongah mine disaster where he had been at work almost continually since last Friday assisting in preparing the dead for burial. From Thursday night last until Wednesday morning he had but five or six hours of sleep. After resting up he will return to Monongah and help the other undertakers.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“The scene at Monongah today is but a repetition of the scenes of Monday and Tuesday except that the bodies are being brought out at shorter intervals today.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

“Over fifty funerals were held Wednesday.” (FCT 12.13.07 pg. 1, McAteer)

“On each casket there was a bunch of American Beauty roses or white carnations. Miss Elizabeth Watson, daughter of S.L. Watson, treasurer of the coal company, sent them.” (FCT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Rev. Father McEligott of Grafton is here giving words of comfort to the distressed and helping in any way that he can. (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

“The relief work is progressing in a satisfactory manner. A dozen relief stations are now in operation and supplies of all kinds are coming in rapidly and being as quickly disbursed.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

The company doctors are assigned to deal with shock among the widows. (McAteer)

“One Italian, whose body had not been found, is said to have had $300 in his possession when he left home.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

Inside the mines:

“The installation of additional fans has much improved the ventilation.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“In the caverns penetrated today conditions were found to be much better. There was an absence of gas and the deadly black damp to interfere with the searchers and the wreckage was not so great.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“Members of the rescuing party stated that the average conditions of the bodies recovered is bad, heads being blown off, arms and legs broken and twisted, and fine pieces of coal imbedded in the bodies showing the terrific force of the explosion.” (PES 12.11.07 pg. 8)

~10:30 am

In Clarksburg:

“The body of Leslie Spragg, one of the victims of the mine disaster at Monongah, was brought to this city from that place on the 10:30 o’clock interurban trolley car Wednesday morning and buried in Holy Cross cemetery after services were held over it at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

“Spragg’s body was recovered Tuesday night from Mine No 8 and after being taken to the morgue, prepared for burial and identified, was taken in charge by relatives and removed to the home of the family at Monongah and from there it was brought to Clarksburg. The body was burned from the explosion but not mangled.

“The dead man leaves a wife and two children. He formerly resided in Clarksburg but at the time of the disaster was making his home at Monongah. He was a son-in-law of John Hyland, of Monongah, who also resided here formerly, and was 32 years old.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

“Telegraphic service at Fairmont has been under a heavy strain the last week. Monongah has no telegraph office and the fifty correspondents on the scene have to go to Fairmont, eight miles distant, where they file their copy. The Western Union is the only services here, the local manager being Mr. W.T. McWhorter. Under ordinary circumstances there is only one operator, but five extra men have been at work day and night. Over 150,000 words have been sent out. There is appreciation among the newspaper men of the promptness with which their copy was handled by the Fairmont office.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1 – 2)

In Monongah:

“The excitement of the first few days…has about subsided and the situation has settled down into a steady systematic search for the bodies of victims.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

At the mines:

“The officials of the Fairmont Coal Company have been constantly on the scene working as hard as the men with shovels and picks. In many instances they have gone thirty-six hours at a stretch without sleep, while President Watson and Vice President Wheelwright have been on duty day and night. Mr. Wheelwright, clad in a miner’s togs, with rubber coat, boots and hat, was out in the rain nearly all day.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

J.H. Wheelwright

C.W. Watson

“Two men who have rendered good service are Messrs. T.H. Bennett and J.R. Buckingham, who have handled a vast volume of detail associated with the direction of the rescue work.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“Large pumps arrived at the mines from Pittsburg and were installed to remove water that had gotten into the mine from the river. The fires which at first threatened, and for a time did stop the work of rescue, have been controlled by shutting off the supply of air in the burning portions of the mines. However, all danger of further explosions is not past and no attempt will be made to reopen these sections of the mine until it is definitely ascertained that the fire had been extinguished.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 2)

At the morgue:

“Although the bodies that are now being found are not so badly mangled or decomposed as the ones found in the main heading, they are not kept at the morgue long. Just as soon as the bodies are embalmed, they are sent to the room, where relatives of missing men can see the for the purpose of identification. If not claimed or identified they are hurried to the graveyard as known.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

*= Technically, one more survivor was found: John Tomko. John was found alive and responsive in #8 and fought off his rescuers, similar to Peter Urban. Though he was alive on his way out of the mine, he did not survive to make it to the surface. John’s brother, George Tomko was found “nearby”, but already deceased. George is body #56, John is processed through the morgue during the early hours of today and is listed as body #114. As of now, the Tomkos have not been included in this timeline as the entire timeline of their events is very unclear. The Tomkos will be discussed later in an “Issues” post in an effort to troubleshoot this event and try to get a more clear understanding of John’s experience.

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