Italy – Page 8 – The Monongah Disaster

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.

Tuesday, December 10, 1907, Evening – Night

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

Evening

At the mines:

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

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

In Monongah:

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

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

During the night:

In Iowa:

In Morgantown:

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

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

In Fairmont:

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

At the mines:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, December 10, 1907, Afternoon & News Hour

“The moment it is announced in town that bodies have been brought from the mines there is a renewed stir of expectancy and anxiety until the bodies have been viewed in the bank building. Relatives and friends press forward to get the first glimpse of the features of the dead, eye them closely and turn away in deeper sadness and depression, if they recognize them not. Recognition is followed by outburst of grief and distraction, which with some impends upon the very brink of insanity.” (CDT 12.10.07 pg. 1)

~12:00 pm

At the mines:

“At noon today the bodies of 146 of the men…had been taken out and it was said at that time that by the night a majority of those not buried under the debris would be removed.” (TMDM 12.10.07 pg. 1)

Snow and sleet fall all day long and “…miserable conditions prevail throughout this section.” (CDT 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“Rescuing parties are able today to reach all parts of the mine.” (TMDM 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“The work of rescue is being pushed along rapidly and by night it is expected most of the bodies will have been taken out.” (CDT 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“At noon today the company announced that at least three or four more days would be required to get all the bodies out, unless the work of recovery becomes still more rapid. There is every reason to believe that the bodies will be taken out even faster as all the brattices have now been installed and the air currents amply furnish opportunity to get into all the side headings and rooms.” (CDT 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“The wide scope of territory to be searched, however, will prolong the search even beyond the next three or four days and the same may even extend into next week for scattering bodies.” (CDT 12.10.07 pg. 1)

Floyd Parsons leaves Grafton to return to Monongah “where he will continue his investigation until tonight, and he will then go to Pittsburg.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 2)

During the Afternoon

At the mines:

“…rescuers…in a sorry plight this afternoon. In a driving rain, which is more unpleasant and discouraging even than last night, the workers are, nevertheless, able to do more than yesterday as the smoldering fires have practically been put out…” (PP 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“One young woman on Tuesday viewed the charred remains of the man she was to marry that day as they were brought from the fatal hill.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. )

In Monongah:

The Union Relief Association completes its own survey of the community.

“A canvas by women workers of Fairmont, completed today, develops the fact that practically 100 women who were made widows…are soon to be mothers. As a consequence of the fearful strain of the past few days, at least 20 of these women are seriously ill. 10 of the babies are said to have died unborn and into 30 or 40 of the little cottages physicians have been called within the last 24 hours. Four of the afflicted widows are at the point of death today…48 of the men killed were widowers with small children. There are 19 brides of 3 months. This feature of the disaster appealed to the women of Fairmont, who organized yesterday for relief. They called it the ‘Mother’s Work’ and enlisted the sympathies of woman friends and relatives in Fairmont and nearby towns. Some of the prominent women, known throughout this section of the state, volunteered to assist financially at least, personally if possible.” (RP 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“A count by the women has said to have developed nearly 900 fatherless children.” (RP 12.10.07 pg. 1)

Out of 30 houses on Camden Ave., 27 didn’t have a man left in them.

“Deeper and more hopeless depression now seems to have seized the town of Monongah.” (TMDM 12.10.07 pg. 1)

The Monongah Verdi Brass Band suffers greatest loss from the disaster. “This was a very proficient musical organization of the mining town and had gained a reputation for the discoursing of high-grade music.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 6)

Professor Verdi disbands the group and will be returning to Italy. (McAteer)

“Undertaker R.C. Jones came down from Monongah today to attend to business matters. Mr Jones stated that he had found it necessary to send for three extra men to aid in the embalming the bodies from the Monongah mine. Two men are expected from Wheeling and one from Parkersburg.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 5)

“Many bodies are being buried direct from the mine entrance, while others were buried yesterday either from the residences or from Catholic churches.” (TMDM 12.10.07 pg. 1)

~3:30 pm

“Up to press time there were no official statements given out. The search work is being done with all possible dispatch. There is no one in destitution. All are being cared for and the relief organizations are doing effective work.” (FWV 12.10.09 pg. 1)

“Special guards are still on duty, while physicians under the direction of the Marion County Guards are looking after the injured.” (WT 12.10.07 pg. 11)

“There is not much change in the situation at Monongah today except that the mines are yielding up more of their dead. Of the 114 bodies that had been found up to 3:30 today, 13 bodies were unidentified, having nothing on them to indicate who they were.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“The work of relief is becoming better systemized and is performed with much more ease on account of the crowds of curious having departed.” (WT 12.10.07 pg. 11)

~6:00 pm

Newspapers

The Fairmont West Virginian publishes a list those who have already contributed to the various relief funds and a rather unclear picture of #8 on the first page:

Floyd Parsons publishes his theories in FWV and Grafton papers. (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 2)

C.W. Watson’s theory is also published. It is apparent he wrote it over the course of a few days and that Watson is utterly exhausted and overwhelmed. (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 7)

Clarksburg Daily Telegram:

“Among the bad effects of the terrible mine disaster is the continuance of premature births. It is estimated that there has been more than forty of these since last Friday morning, when the explosion occurred. In some instances, the mothers have died.” (CDT 12.10.07 pg. 7)

Waterbury Evening Democrat:

“Chief State Mine Inspector J. W. Paul is quoted as saying he believes the explosion was started by an electric spark from runaway cars in the main entry. A string of these cars was piled up in the entry at the bottom of a slope.” (WED 12.10.07 pg. 1)

The Pittsburg Press:

The D.C. Evening Star:

“Many of the rescuers have been stricken with illness and it was found necessary to bring a number of recruits here from the George Creek district.” (ES 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“…considerable suffering is likely to occur during the winter months and for such a contingency assistance should be available. Mayor W.H. Moore of Monongah has telegraphed to the headquarters of the organization here that contributions would be gratefully received.” (ES 12.10.07 pg. 1)

The Evening Journal in Deleware:

“During the great anthracite coal strike of 1903, George Baer, president of the Reading Railroad Company, said there were no particular dangers attached to the mining of coal. As a matter of course he gave out this piece of information to offset the claim of the miners, and when he uttered the words he either falsified or exhibited his ignorance. The terrible calamity at Monongah, West Virginia, is the answer to his statement. How long will God’s children permit such men as George Baer to fool them is the question I would like someone to answer. Sincerely yours, William John Hogan. Wilmington, December 8” (EJ 12.10.07 pg. 4)

The Hawaiian Star, page 3:

Lake County Times in Indiana prints:

“The coal company officials have adopted a scheme of news suppression. The men in the rescue shifts were given explicit orders not to talk to any outsiders, and the policemen around the temporary morgue were told to allow no newspaper men to enter. The explosion, therefore, takes on a propriety air—it belongs exclusively to the Fairmont Coal Company.” (LCT 12.10.07 pg. 8)

“There is no doubt that there is a serious fire in No. 8 and that the work of rescue in that mine has been hampered. The smoke of it was visible over the mouth of the shaft on Sunday and all miners were ordered out.” (LCT 12.10.07 pg. 8)

“The people were driven away from the mouth of the mines by the authorities because they feared another explosion. The miners themselves confessed that the smoke inside the shaft was practically unbearable.” (LCT 12.10.07 pg. 8)

“’I don’t know why they should deny it,’ said one of the miners this morning. ‘It does not do any harm and we have it under control right now. Neither do I understand why they will not allow us to take the bodies out as fast as we find them. Yesterday we found and dug out thirty bodies. We placed them all in a row, according to the company’s orders. Then the fire drove us out and the bodies are there yet. Many of them are so torn up that they cannot be recognized. But I’m pretty sure I recognized Tom Duval and John Bloner. Somebody else said that Nick Sandy was there, too, but I did not see anything that looked like him. Several of the ones we dug out were trapper boys.’” (LCT 12.10.07 pg. 8)

Albuquerque Citizen publishes 2 pictures:

“Who is guilty? Is a question newspaper men and others are asking. The only answer obtainable is the echo, ‘guilty’.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“Theory follows theory regarding the cause.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“A possible explanation which old miners give 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 an explosion which in turn exploded the first collection of deadly coal dust, wrecking both mines.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“Another story, and one that is given credence despite the fact that every effort to hush it has been made, is that a connection was made between the two mines, and that the gases rushing together exploded.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“This is West Virginia’s fourth mine horror in 10 months and the governor has promised swift punishment if negligence has been shown.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“A New York correspondent, who was hurried to the scene of the recent big disaster by his paper, wrote a short description—a word picture of the flight of the women and children left to shift for themselves by the sudden taking off of their husbands and fathers and sons and brothers.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 4)

“The men who died in the mine met a merciful fate as compared to the ones they left behind.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 4)

“A flash and it was all over, so far as they were concerned. They were stricken down in nearly every instance without a minute’s warning and with no time in which to suffer.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 4)

“But up above, in the little mining town, were women and children whose sufferings will only be cured by time.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 4)

“Writing of these—the ones who bore real suffering, the New York correspondent in his paper said:

‘The tragedy of the wives, mothers, the sisters and sweethearts of the victims of this awful mine horror is the tragedy of the mine women the world over.

‘Her whole life is one of apprehension. And when at last the blow falls, her lot is to wait and suffer, to hope against hope, to meet the worst with such courage as God has given her, to take up the miserable battle of life again single handed and to retain her faith in Omnipotence if she may.

‘There is a grewsome sameness in these mine horrors which differ only in detail, the number of dead, the periods of heart wringing uncertainty, the waiting women must endure, the pitiable harvest of widows and orphans that is left. There is always the same agonizing despair, the same utter hopelessness.

‘The surmounting of it all centers about the newly made orphans who do not understand. They follow their mothers to the pit mouth, where the rope cordon keeps back the swaying crowd and upon the strange shifting scene of woe with inexplicable tearless wonder written in every line of their little faces. Perhaps it is their common fate in the years to come, but mercifully they do not know.

‘For hours, long, agonizing, almost never-ending hours, the women weep and wait before the first return party of rescuers, smoke-blackened and dirt-begrimed, emerges from the yawning mouth of this subterranean hell. The first revolution of the throbbing engine starts a quiver of alternating hope and fear in every heart, there is the distracted babble of many tongues, but above and over and through it all the woman’s cry of heartbreak.

‘Perhaps they bring only a comrade who has been overcome by the dread black damp in his heroic effort to rescue. Mayhap they bring a body, burned and blackened, the arms crooked over the scorched, coal-pitted face in a last pitiable effort at protection. Be it the one or the other, the first sight of the inanimate body opens the long pent-up floodgate of that awful terror which has held them in its thrall. Here is all the horror of the inferno itself; here seems the concentrated agony of the universe.

‘And so it is until the bodies are all removed. Perhaps some are still missing after a week, but haunting the pit-mouth, even as the myriad tolling of the bells tells its own mute story, are the women of the dead, faithful to the last, waiting and weeping and suffering as is their fate.

‘And the real tragedy of it all is only begun. The woman has lived and obeyed and suffered. Now does her real trials begin. She has children, perhaps; boys big enough to be door-tenders and oilers, who to help her in her fight to keep the wolf from the door, must go into the pit where their father went down to death. If there be babies, only so much the worse.” (AC 12.10.07 pg. 4)

The Stark County Democrat in Ohio attempts to correct rumors:

“The force of the explosion was awful. Fifty bodies, at least, have been blown to atoms. One motorman had his head cut off at the neck.”

“Charles D. Wise’s body was blown to atoms. His overcoat and shoes alone were recovered. Wise represented Senator J.N. Camden of Parkersburg, who owned the mines, and the Fairmont coal company paid him five cents a thousand royalty as the coal was mined.” (SCD 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“Advices from Monongah, W. Va., last night were to the effect that the body of Charles Wise, civil engineer and brother of Lorin C Wise, the local attorney, had not been removed from the mine in which he was making an inspection at the time of his supposed death. There were contradictory reports out, some to the effect that the body had been found and others that it had not. The latter statement proved to be the truth.” (SCD 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“Attorney Wise left for Monongah the night he heard of the mine accident and of his brother’s probable death. Since that time numerous messages have been received from him.” (SCD 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“At the mine, waiting for the searchers to find the engineer, either dead or alive, are, besides Attorney Wise, the wife and two children of the missing man. The wife had not given up hope of her husband’s safety yesterday afternoon and had their home prepared for his coming. She said, however, that if he is found dead she wants the body taken home as soon as [text missing] where the funeral will be held is not yet known but it is thought it will be in West Virginia at the home of the engineer.” (SCD 12.10.07 pg. 1)

The Salt Lake Herald:

“The hearts of the people of Utah will go out to the stricken ones, for the disaster of May 1, 1900, at Scofield, is still fresh in the minds of this people. And there is a striking similarity in the causes.” (SLH 12.10.07 pg. 4)

“The Scofield catastrophe was caused by an explosion of coal dust. That at Monongah seems to have come from the same cause.” (SLH 12.10.07 pg. 4)

“The great different between the two is in the rescuing of the bodies of the unfortunates who lost their lives. At Scofield, where 299 perished, it was possible to go into the mine almost immediately. At Monongah the deadly after-damp is seriously hampering the work of the rescuers. It is in connection with this rescue work that a bright light is cast over the gloom.” (SLH 12.10.07 pg. 4)

“According to the dispatches the men who form the rescue parties, though thoroughly cognizant of the danger of suffocation, are valiantly battling to bring forth the bodies of their comrades. There has been no hesitation, no halting, no falling back. Ten men are said to be dying as a result of their attempts at rescuing bodies. Every one, if he lives, should be given a medal for bravery and the families of those that die should be cared for.” (SLH 12.10.07 pg. 4)

“Another bright feature of these situation is the prompt relief that is being given to the families of the men who were lost. Every case of distress and there must have been many, have been relieved, and all that is humanly possible is being done for the afflicted. This was done also in Utah. The public remembers that we took care of our own without help from outside sources.” (SLH 12.10.07 pg. 4)

“There will be time enough later for investigations with a view to fixing the responsibility for the disaster. And, if the responsibility can be fixed, the guilty party should be made to suffer the extreme penalty of the law.” (SLH 12.10.07 pg. 4)

Times Dispatch in Virginia:

“It is distressing beyond the power of words to express that several hundred men who had the hardihood and industry to dig the coal from the bowels of the earth for the world’s benefit should have been caught in the mine, like so many rats in a hole, and smothered to death.” (TD 12.10.07 pg. 6)

“There is necessarily some risk in mining, but the public and the legislative bodies should demand that this risk be reduced to the minimum by the use of scientific agencies of prevention.” (TD 12.10.07 pg. 6)

The Evansville Press in Indiana:

Lincoln Journal Star in Nebraska:

New Castle Herald in Pennsylvania: