newspaper – Page 11 – The Monongah Disaster

Friday, December 6, 1907 10:30 am

10:30 am

At the mouth of #6:

J.H. Leonard and Alonzo Shroyer are staring down the portal of #6 mine, bracing for the imminent impact of the runaway train of coal cars. Inside the #6 fan house, the clock connected to the sensitive pressure gauges of the fan marks that at 10:30 am the gages “go up a little then drop clean to the bottom” (Inquiry, Victor).

Somewhere in the deep recesses of the two mines, a massive explosion erupts. As it tears through the workings of the mine, following the paths of least resistance, it consumes all oxygen, extinguishes the carbide lamps of the miners, and destroys most of their belongings.

Many men within the mines die instantly as a result of traumatic injuries such as burns, blunt force impacts, and decapitation. Others get caught up in the blast and carried away as, “Every movable object shot with terrific force through the mine.” Majority if not all of the workers caught in this wave are utterly demolished, several of their bodies will be found “strewn at the mouth” or not found at all, having been disintegrated in the force. (Nurses) (LAH 12.8.07 pg. 1) (McAteer)

Inside #8 mine:

The DePetris brothers are violently thrown off their feet, the blast hurling them against a rib then to the mine floor. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Nearby, Dan Dominico is smashed to the ground with such force that his ear is badly cut and one arm is injured so seriously he cannot move it. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Outside #8 mine:

The south-bound interurban trolley is only a few yards beyond the mouth of mine #8 when the crowd of passengers begin to feel and hear the earth rumble around them. (News)

On the East side of Monongah:

George Peddicord has barely begun to cross the Iron Bridge between the two mines when he feels everything around him shake and hears a rumbling noise from up river, in the direction of #8. (Inquiry)

At the Traction Park Interurban station between #6 & #8:

George Bice is around 330 yards north of #8, by the Traction Park interurban station when he hears the report, “likened to the discharge of a cannon,” from behind. He spins around to look at #8 and sees tons of brick, 8×8 timbers, infrastructure, machinery, coal cars, tools and other debris from deep within the mine hurled up and out the entrance by the explosive force. The miners’ check-tag board is eviscerated, the brass ID tags scatter into the river and are lost. (McAteer, Inquiry, News)

At #8:

The large iron gate at the mouth of #8 is ripped away as the force exits through the mine mouth. But the pressure is simply too much and the force tears a 100-foot hole in the hillside where the entrance once stood, tossing the iron gate and chunks of concrete, one “weighing fully 1000 pounds”, across the river and embedding them into the eastern river bank. (McAteer, Inquiry, News)

“So great was the force of the explosion that one man was blown out of a pit mouth a distance of 400 feet.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1) Charles Honaker is caught by the first blast wave at the entrance of #8. His clothing is “lit ablaze” and his body is hurled into the air along with the debris and blown hundreds of yards away, toward the river. (McAteer)

The 10 ton, 30’ tall fan for #8 is considered one of the most powerful fans in the country. It is ripped from its concrete moorings, chucked across the river, and embedded in a hillside almost a half mile away from its original location. The large powerhouse, with all its large machinery and boiler room is blown all the way to other side of the river. (McAteer, News, Inquiry)

Electric wires about the mouth of #8 mine are ripped apart and strewn across the ground. (News, Inquiry)

Across the river at #8 tipple:

Otto Smith yells out to the #8 tipple boss, “I reckon the mine has blown up!”. He turns around to see a plume of fire and smoke shoot from the open hillside of #8 more than 60 feet into the sky. (Inquiry)

In the vicinity of #8:

Windows shatter in the buildings around #8, including those all the way across the river in the house next to the tipple. Hyre Stalnaker hears the blast inside the carpenter shop and attempts to run outside but the shock of the blast throws him back into the shop and knocks him out. (Inquiry, News, McAteer)

In the center of town:

George Peddicord can not see the #8 portal from his position on the Iron Bridge, but the force is so intense he can see the timbers and debris flying above through the air followed by a tower of black smoke. (Inquiry)

In Monongah:

Lester Trader was in bed, though not yet asleep, when “the whole house lifted, then the sound of a terrible roar and I felt the earth shaking with such intensity causing objects to fall from shelves…”. He rises from bed and races for the door.

Almost instantly, before Lester Trader can make it to his door, a second report comes from down river in the direction of #6. When he reaches his door, he can feel the wind still coming off of #8. (Inquiry, McAteer)

Inside #8:

Dan & Leo Dominico and the DePetris brothers are just getting to their feet when they are knocked down again by a second, equally powerful explosion. (Inquiry)

Peter & Stan Urban hear and feel the second explosion; they begin to run. (Inquiry, McAteer)

On the East side of Monongah:

Christina Cerdelli hears the noise of the blast in her doorway. She sees smoke coming from the toad holes all along the west side. The smoke is so thick and abundant some believe it is coming from St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. A bit farther up river, Lee Curry also sees the smoke above houses and St. Stanislaus on the west side of town from his vantage point on the #8 tipple. (Inquiry)

Beneath the #6 tipple, E.P. Knight hears something that sounds like dynamite with “a roar to it” come from #6.(Inquiry)

At #6:

Tons of earth are heaved high into the air around #6 and adjacent buildings are damaged. (News, Inquiry, McAteer)

At the mouth of #6, J.H. Leonard and Alonzo Shroyer are thrown back as the blast exits through the portal. Leonard is covered in rubble; his arm and ankle are very hurt. Shroyer slams into something hard, possibly the derailing switch, cutting him to the bone behind his right ear. (Inquiry, McAteer)

A piece of rail track comes down into the #6 blacksmith shop though the blacksmith, Will Jenkins, only sees a sootish-colored smoke with no flame coming from #6 in a steady blowout. (Inquiry)

Pat McDonald, who was still running toward #6 on the trestle, is also hurled over 100 feet backwards and badly injured. (Inquiry, News, McAteer)

The top of the #6 fan house is “blown in the air a considerable distance”, more than 400 feet. (FWV 12.6.07 pg. 1)

Ed Fry is in the doorway of #6 engine room when he is physically jarred by the second blast, though he hears no report. (Inquiry, McAteer)

On the East side of Monongah:

E.P. Knight is still on the telephone with John Talbott until he glances out his shanty window, then runs out the door to see a good bit of dark brown smoke coming out of the #6 air shaft. On the other end of the line, inside the company offices, John Talbott heard the report and saw the flash of fire at #8 through the 2 large bay windows in his office which faced both mines.(Inquiry, McAteer)

The outside foreman, Charlie Dean, and Superintendent of #6, A.J. Ruckman, are talking in the company offices in Monongah when they feel the building shake from the concussion. The loud report causes Charlie Dean to assume that the #8 boiler has blown up. A.J. Ruckman, looks out to #6 and sees smoke coming out of the air shaft “strong, under high pressure”. (Inquiry, McAteer)

Frank Morris feels the jar in his office inside the company store. He runs outside to see smoke coming out of the mouth of #6 and begins running toward the mine. (Inquiry, McAteer)

At #6:

J.H. Leonard does his best to crawl away from the #6 portal to an area where he could let himself down under the trestle and protect himself from flying debris with the door from a coal car. (Inquiry, McAteer)

In the center of town:

George Peddicord drops his buckets and rushes across the Iron Bridge, not to the mine, but to his home. (Inquiry, McAteer)

At #8:

The interurban trolley is rocked on its tracks by the concussion, but holds its bearings and continues on with a crowded car of stunned and terrified passengers. (News, McAteer)

In the surrounding areas:

The “shock from the explosion was distinctly heard” 12 miles away in Pruntytown. (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)

The concussion is reportedly heard up to 50 miles away and is “distinctly felt” in Grafton and in the school house at Hoult where the “erasers were jarred from the blackboard and struck to the floor with a bang.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 8) (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 2)

“People for miles in every direction begin to make inquiries over the telephone…” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)

Lee Lichtenstein of Columbus was 6 miles away in Fairmont at the time. He will later tell The Baltimore Sun that, “The explosion shook Fairmont…as if by earthquake…a rumbling noise, houses rocked to and fro, people rushed wildly to the street and it was 15 minutes before it was known what occurred.” (News, McAteer)

In the town of Monongah:

No one in Monongah needed to ask what had happened. “They divined instantly that another great mine horror had taken place.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 8)

The sounds of the blasts were deafening. “The buildings of the cities tottered and waved as if they would collapse. The pavements were upheaved and some of the frailer structures fell into ruins.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 8)

“Pedestrians and even horses were knocked off their feet… Fires started in various parts of the city.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 8)

“In the shock of the explosion the school house at Monongah was shaken in such a way that it threw the children in a frenzy and they rushed to the doors and windows some thinking an earthquake had occurred. When the smoke from the mines was seen an uproar was started as it was then realized what had happened. Children screamed pitifully that their fathers were killed and the teachers were utterly unable to control them.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 8)

More on the Monongah Disaster of 1907

Introduction

Disclaimer and Guide

How Death Gloated!: A Timeline of the Monongah Disaster and Bloody December of 1907

Who is Guilty?: A Timeline of January 1908 and the Coroner’s Inquiry

Issues with the Monongah Timeline

Bibliography/Resources

About the Author

Contact Information

Friday, December 6, 1907, Mid-Morning 9:30 – 10:15 am

9:30 am

Inside #8

The DePetris brothers finish loading their 1^st car and being taking it out to the main line. (Inquiry) ◊

Dan Dominico is working alone nearby. (Inquiry)

Inside #6

Will Jenkins arrives to 4^th left but finds that the horse in question does not need a new shoe and begins out of the mine. (Inquiry) ◊

10:00 am

At the mines:

All day shift workers, at least those who are coming to work today, have arrived and are at work. (News, Inquiry)

In East Monongah:

Frank Morris is in his office at the Company Store. (Inquiry)

frontThumbnail (12) — Inside the Company Store.

George Peddicord is in the supply house, located on the opposite side of the river from the mine, collecting more chain buckets. (Inquiry)

John Talbott is working in the shipping office between the company store and main offices. (Inquiry)◊

Inside #6

Will Jenkins is on his way out of the mine and back to the blacksmith shop when he meets Charlie Wise on his way out. They are about a half mile in #6 and Wise was going down the heading, deeper into the mine. (Inquiry) ◊

10:10 am

Outside #6:

Will Jenkins exits the mine and heads back to the blacksmith shop to start shoeing another horse. (Inquiry) ◊

In East Monongah:

H.L. Sloan is on the hill cleaning coal cars at Mine #2, across the river and “right in front of #6”. (Inquiry)

Outside #8

Otto Smith is out on the tipple. (Inquiry)

Inside #6

At the bottom of the slope, the coupler connects a train of between 15-19 fully loaded, 3-ton coal cars onto the wire rope of the wench and, using modern electrical systems, signals Ed Fry in the engine house to start the wench and pull up the first haul of the day. (McAteer, Inquiry)◊

Outside #6

In the engine house, Ed Fry receives the electric light signal from the bottom of #6 slope and pulls the winch engine arm to begin hauling the train of cars from the bottom, up the slope, across the trestle, and to the tipple on the opposite side of the river. (McAteer, Inquiry)◊

More on How Death Gloated!

Friday, December 6, 1907 – Early Morning, 6:30 am – 9:30 am

6:30 – 7:00 am

Inside #8

Fire Boss P.J. McGraw leaves his fire boss shift after filling out his report.

Outside #8

Pat Kerns comes out of the mines and talks with P.J. McGraw for a bit. (Inquiry)

Carl Meredith arrives to work as Tipple Foreman. (Inquiry)

Inside #6

Andrew Daran arrives for work and proceeds to F face, 4th right, rooms #12 & #13. Despite seeing no mark to indicate that either Fire Boss had been in that area and inspected it prior, he proceeds to work. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Outside #6

Lester Trader has finished cleaning himself up and stops by the Post Office to mail the letter to his father in Pennsylvania that he finished during his lunch break before walking home. (McAteer, Inquiry) ◊

Will Jenkins gets called down to the mine to shoe a horse. He leaves the blacksmith shop, walks over to #6 pit mouth and rides one of the motors down. (Inquiry) ◊

7:00 – 7:30 am

In Monongah:

Several men leave their homes for work at the mines. (FWV 12.9.07 pg. 7)

These men are not paid according to the tonnage they mine, like the diggers who showed up hours earlier. Rather, they are paid a flat wage for a special job or skill performed through the day.

A miner says goodbye to his family and walks off to the mines singing ‘Nearer My God to Thee’. They can hear him singing “as far’s it carried.” (Kellogg) ◊

Lester Trader arrives home and eats the breakfast that Mayme, his wife, has prepared. (McAteer, Inquiry) ◊

Inside #6

Will Jenkins arrives to 2nd left, east heading to shoe a horse. (Inquiry) ◊

7:30 – 8:00 am

In Monongah:

Fire Boss Trader checks on his 2-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, then heads to bed himself. (McAteer) ◊

8:00 – 8:30 am

Inside #8:

The DePetris brothers are working in 2nd right south, room #15, when they are told by a boss, one they are not familiar with, to stop working and move elsewhere. The brothers tell this boss they want to go to a section where they can “start the room” and work the 100’ long wall (a.k.a. the “long-ton”). (Inquiry) ◊

Leo Dominico is working alone in south, 2nd right, 1st south but changes his location to 3rd left south. (Inquiry) ◊

Inside #6

Andrew Daran is still working at F face, 4th right, rooms #12 & #13 and has occasionally noticed a little gas in his area throughout the morning. (Inquiry) ◊

8:30 – 9:00 am

Inside #6

Andrew Daran is still working at F face, but is starting to feel ill. (Inquiry)

9:00 – 9:30 am

A life insurance salesman enters one of the mines to sell insurance policies, a common practice of the day. (McAteer) ◊

Outside #8

Hyre Stalnaker is working in the shop across the river from the mine opening. (Inquiry)

Lee Curry is running the hoist in the engine house. (Inquiry)

Inside #6

Andrew Daran leaves work for the day, feeling too sick to continue on. (Inquiry)

Will Jenkins is called to 4th left by Frank Moon to check on shoeing another horse. (Inquiry)

In Fairmont:

FCC offices are open and running.

General Manager L.J. Malone is working in the general offices on 12^th street.

J.O. Watson II, a company officer, is in Downtown Fairmont along with S.L. Watson, company treasurer.

◊ = Time of event is ‘best guess’ by author based on available information

More on How Death Gloated!

Friday, December 6, 1907 – Early Hours, Midnight – 6:30 am

Midnight

Inside the mines:

Early morning fire bosses make their rounds in both mines and, despite noting a few small traces of gas, they find nothing out of the ordinary.

At #6

Lester Trader finishes writing a letter to his father on his lunch break.

“Trader’s letter to his father was filled with unintentional portent. On Tuesday, December 3rd, he had written,

‘It used to make the shivers run through me to read the news accounts of mine horror, but since I have been in the mines and see into all the little details…it has lost a great part of the horror for me, and the small, everyday accidents are more to be feared in my estimation than an extended explosion.‘

“On Friday morning, December 6th, he continued in a prophetic passage in the dim light of the underground shanty:

‘The greater danger in a mine is not done so much by flame of the explosion, except when a dust explosion happens immediately after the gas explosion, but by the concussion…where a dust explosion takes place; there is a quick flash throughout the mine or a series of flashes…’

‘We have been reading with much interest the news paper accounts of the Naomi mine explosion. Our own mine being a mine laid out and worked on the same principal as it and having the same principal dangers to contend with namely gas, dust, and the poor class of foreign labor any one of which would be sufficient to cause a great deal of apprehension for the safety of the mine but coming as they do together it keeps us on the look out for the same fate of the Naomi Mine.’” (McAteer)

1:00 am

At the mines:

The next shift of fire bosses arrive at work. Fire bosses alternated shifts in their mines; “…each week one would enter the mine at 5:00 or 6:00 pm and come out at 5:00 or 6:00 am, and the second man would begin around 1:00 am and work until 1:00 pm. The next week they would trade start times.” (McAteer)

At #6

Andy H. Morris arrives for his 1 am fire boss shift.

2:00 am

At #8:

Pat Kerns starts his fire boss shift at 2 am.

~3:30 – 4:00 am

Little houses for miles around the Monongah area begin to light up as people arise to prepare for the day.

For many those celebrating St. Nicholas today, their day begins with rousing the children so the whole family can quickly enjoy a few festivities and a breakfast before their grandfathers, fathers, uncles, nephews, cousins, brothers, and sons must leave for their morning shift in the mines.

4:3o am

In Monongah:

Anestis Stamboulis and a few other Greek miners are violently ill from eating mushrooms they picked yesterday. They do not go to work. (McAteer)

In the outskirts of Monongah:

Miners from surrounding areas are leaving their homes for work. They mostly walk or ride interurban trolley directly to Monongah.

FWV 12.6.07 pg 6

5:00 – 5:30 am

In Monongah:

Miners who live closer to the mines are leaving for their shifts.

Luca Di Mario is particularly insistent on telling his wife, Izzi Agnese, “Goodbye Agnese, goodbye…”. (Nurses)

Sarah Ann Martin refuses to make her son, Charlie Martin, a lunch. Charlie has been sick in bed all week but this morning he tries to get up and go to work. Sarah believes it is “bad luck to start back to work on a Friday” and implores him to stay home. He does. (McAteer)

Luca Meffe (a Torellese miner) invites Clement Di Placido to not go down to the mine and to celebrate St. Nick’s Day with a group of friends. “I have no wife, I have no father, I have no children, I have no affections, what is this life of mine for which I should celebrate?” (Nurses)

Victor Davia (one of the few Northern Italian miners in town) has been at home with a hurt back for several days. But today he decides to go to work. (NCH 12.10.07 pg. 1)

Ellis V. Herndon leaves his home, “the top house…going up the left hand side” on Walnut Avenue for his shift at #8. (Loss)

His son, Ira Herndon, worked in the mines the day before “in water clear up to his knees.” When he wakes to get ready for work, he finds that his only pair of work boots are still soaking wet. This prevents him from going into work today. (Loss)

At the mines:

At some point, Homer Palmer sees fire boss Pat Kerns come out of #8 and talk to William Bice. (Inquiry)

Pat Kerns makes the report of his fire boss shift and opens the gates to #8 just before 5:30 am. (McAteer)

5:30 – 6:00 am

In Monongah:

Day laborers are awake and preparing for the work day.

At #8:

Tony Pasquaele leaves his shift as water cart driver. (Inquiry)

Brothers Orazio (“Crazic”) and Angelo DePetris arrive for work in #8 around 5:30 am and find the portal gate already open. Angelo’s son, Felix, is also among those coming in for the morning shift. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Dan Dominico and his son Leo Dominico are also at the entrance of #8 around 5:30 am and find the gate already open. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Pat Kerns goes back in to #8 to finish his shift, now as a “day man”. He will watch the miners come in and make plans and assignments for workers. (McAteer, Inquiry)

H. Yost leaves his night shift of running the fan for #8 and William Bice takes over running the fan along with Joe Newton. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Homer Palmer leaves work. He does not see Pat Kerns reenter #8 before he leaves, but assumes he has already gone back in. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Peter and Stan Urban enter #8 mine for work a little before 6 am. (McAteer, Inquiry)

6:00 – 6:30 am

Inside #8:

Fire Boss P.J. McGraw is wrapping up his shift by making his report and is getting ready to leave. (McAteer, Inquiry)

The DePetris brothers begin working 2^nd right south, room #15. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Leo Dominico sees no bosses of any sort on his way in or through the mine and begins working, alone, in “South 2^nd right, 1^st South”. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Peter and Stan Urban arrive at 1st right, 1st heading, and find they have no cars for loading coal. Though they detect a bit of “foul air” in that section, they proceed to start their pick work. (Inquiry)

Inside # 6

Fire Boss L.E. Trader makes his report and places his fire boss record book in the fire boss shanty for Fire Boss Morris to collect and turn in once Tom Donlin arrives in the office for dayshift. On his way out of the mine, Trader passes dayshift Fire Bosses Lyden and Morris on their way in to work. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Outside #6

Will Jenkins arrives for his job at the blacksmith shop. (Inquiry)

Fire Boss Lester Trader records the findings from his nightshift onto the chalkboard posted just outside of the mine entrance, as all fire bosses are to do at the end of their shift. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Trader crosses the river and records his nightshift findings at the foreman’s office, cleans himself up a bit. (McAteer, Inquiry)

More on How Death Gloated!

December 5, 1907 – Eve of St. Nicholas Feast Day

“The dawn of a new era of prosperity is here.” (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

During the day:

The country is beginning “to recover from the severe shock of the recent panic” on Wall Street. “Naturally there was a little scare at first, but when the people saw that there were rotten spots only here and there they quickly recovered from their fright.” (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

In Pennsylvania:

12.5.07 - pg 1 - Naomi — FWV 12.5.07 pg 1

In Washington D.C.:

Gov. Dawson of West Virginia gives the opening speech at the river convention. (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

“He said his state was particularly interested in the comprehensive improvement of the inland waterways of the country…The governor referred particularly to the resources of West Virginia, the State being second in the production of coal and fifth or sixth in hard wood timber. The bulk of the coal has to find a market outside of the State and if, by water transportation, the state could save the ten cents a ton it would aggregate $3,000,000 a year.” (FWV 12.6.07 pg. 1)

“’We are one people and have a common destiny,’ said he, in conclusion. ‘We want nothing in West Virginia that is forbidden to any other part of the country; but I say to you, gentlemen, that we want to be ready for the Panama Canal when the great waterway is ready for us.’” (FWV 12.6.07 pg. 1)

In Grafton:

“Sam Furk, an Italian, has been held for the grand jury on the charge of extorting money at the point of a revolver from several of his fellow countrymen of this section.” An Italian witness from the same area of Italy as Sam Furk ‘testifies’ that Furk is wanted on two murder charges back in Italy, “so it is probable that the local authorities will take up this matter with the Italian embassy at Washington.” (CDT 12.5.07 pg. 1)

“The hearing developed the fact that Furk had been playing the hold-up game among members of his race successfully at Brooklyn, N.Y., Rowlesburg, Manheim, Fairmont, Clarksburg and Grafton.” (CDT 12.5.07 pg. 1)

“Furk is in jail here.” (CDT 12.5.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as: Fair tonight and Friday, warmer Friday

In Monongah:

Mines #6 & #8 are not running at full production today but the fans continue running for the skeleton crew inside. Due to the recent stock market crash, there is still a lack of orders & a majority of the working immigrant population will be celebrating the eve of St. Nicholas Feast Day tonight. In these days of “miner’s freedom”, many miners would choose not to go to work during their holidays.

In the Afternoon

In Fairmont:

The Isabella Davis Circle of King’s Daughters opens their annual Christmas Bazaar in the Sunday school room of M.E. Church on Main Street in Fairmont. “The different booths are all decorated in the Christmas colors red and green the color scheme being carried out by the use of crepe paper and autumn leaves in the colors.” (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

Anestis Stamboulis & several Greek miners take advantage of the holiday and good weather. They take a walk up into the hills surrounding the town and pick some wild mushrooms to be used for dinner. (McAteer)

~5:30 pm – 6 pm

In Monongah:

The Who’s Who Club of Wahoo (a neighborhood of Monongah) holds its monthly meeting where they “disposed of large quantities of the amber fluid, red liquor and refreshments of all varieties.” 8 members will not go into work tomorrow but will end up digging graves. (McAteer)

Homer Pyle and his mother are “sitting before the bright blazing fire” at their home,“…he said let us have a song for it is too cold to go over in town tonight, so he and his mother sang two or three songs and the last song was ‘Will There be Any Stars in My Crown?’”

“But little did Homer think that the next evening he wouldn’t be alive to sing with his mother.” (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 2)

At the mines:

The night shift skeleton crew comes onto work.

Over the next 12 hours these workers will do various jobs throughout the mines.

Inside #8

Peter J. McGraw came in for his fire boss shift around 6 pm.

He does his examinations of the mine alone.

He finds water in 4th left so significant that he can’t get in there to properly examine the heading. (Inquiry)

Inside #6

22-year-old Lester E. Trader arrives for his fire boss shift around 6 pm. (Inquiry, McAteer)

Trader inherited his job when the previous fire boss got sick during Trader’s apprenticing. Trader lacked 3 years necessary experience, training, and certification for his official position so he was kept on the night shift so as to “not run into the inspector”. (McAteer)

Trader worked alone like most fire bosses. He led a horse drawn water cart to sprinkle the mine walls in order to dampen any renegade coal dust.

To check for dangerous gas levels, he used a Wolf Safety Lamp to check for methane. However, due to the size of #6 mine, Trader cannot check everywhere.

~7:00 pm

At the mines:

Libberato Delesandro works the night shift, “helping to get #6 and #8 through together”. (Inquiry)

Inside #8:

Tony Pasquaele arrives to work and drives the horse-drawn water cart in #8 through the night. “The watering carts carried large wooden barrels filled with 300 gallons of water; perforated ends of the barrels were plugged by wooden combs that could be removed to allow water to sprinkle out.” (McAteer)

As he is leading the horse and water cart, he notices that the heading is “a little dry” for this time of year. (Inquiry)

Tony is also responsible for pumping out any rising or standing water which had seeped into the mines. His pattern is systematic; he “would start the pumps then go water mines for a bit, and then would check back on the pumps every 2 hours to see how they were doing.” (Inquiry)

Inside #6:

Ludwig Strezelecki works at F face: 1st right, room 15. His task for the night involves working with his brother-in-law taking out stumps and finishing the headings.

Night

It is the eve of St. Nicholas Day for Italian Catholic and some Polish Catholic immigrants.

At night, the families gather around their coal stoves or fireplaces (if they are fortunate enough to have a fireplace) and tell stories, sing hymns, or verse simple rhymes about St. Nicholas De Bari.

Polish- St Nick rhyme-mamalisa — Polish rhyme to St. Nicholas

Italian - St Nick rhyme - mamalisa — Italian rhyme for St. Nicholas

Children leave their shoes lined up side-by-side next to the door, window, or hearth. If possible, some would place bits of carrot, oat, or hay inside as a gift for the trusty mule/white horse which traveled along with St. Nicholas as he delivered small gifts.

8:00 pm

In Clarksburg:

At the Bacon & Godfrey skating rink a “Who’s Who” Carnival is held. “Upon entering the rink, you will be furnished with a false head or some contrivance of that kind which will make it almost impossible for your mother to even know you. With everybody thus attired the big show will start, with everyone wondering who is who.” (CDT 12.5.07 pg. 1)

~10:00 pm

Inside #8:

Homer C. Palmer (electrician) arrives for his night shift.

Through the night:

Inside the mines:

The main ways of the mines are watered.

Fire bosses like Lester Trader and P.J. McGraw walk their respective mine checking for dangerous conditions in both #6 and #8.

Inside #8:

George Bice dug coal (pick work) on 5th right, 2nd north in #8

Inside #6:

Fred Cooper (motorman) sprinkled headings in #6. (Inquiry)

In Monongah:

Not long after the children have fallen to sleep, several parents quietly replace the bits of hay or carrot in their children’s shoes with a sweet treat, like candy or fruit, and a small present—typically a (gold) coin.

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Wednesday, December 4, 1907

At the Naomi mine in Pennsylvania:

12.4.07 - pg 1 - Naomi — FWV 12.4.07 pg 1

In Washington D.C.:

Gov. Dawson - wikipedia — photo of Governor W.M.O. Dawson from Wikipedia

Governor William M.O. Dawson arrives in D.C. for the national river convention. Governor Dawson conferred “with river enthusiasts from many States and is rejoiced at the enthusiasm…”. (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

ABFleming - wikipedia — Photo of Aretas Brooks Fleming from Wikipedia

Former West Virginia Governor and current Fairmont Coal Company associate, A.B. Fleming, is also at the convention in D.C. (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

In Grafton, WV:

Sam Furk has been arrested in Grafton by local authorities for crimes associated with the Black Hand. Furk is described as a “tough-looking” “big Italian”, believed to be “king of the Black Hand society of this section of the country”.

“Nothing concerning where Furk came from can be elicited from any of the local foreigners and all of them seem to be afraid of him. He arrived here a short time ago and has been spending his time among the foreigners.”

Furk is charged with extorting other Italians for money around the Grafton and Fairmont areas.

“From what could be learned of the matter from the foreigners, most of whom were so badly scared they would not talk, it appears that Furk, since he came here, has been posing as the ‘big man’ in the ‘Black Hand’ society and in making his demands upon the foreigners has emphasized his remarks by the flourish of a big revolver.”

Many local terrorized Italians are “afraid that if they do appear against the fellow that he should not be held for court that he would kill them as soon as he could find them after being released.”

“…Furk was not given a hearing yesterday, but he will probably be arraigned today.” (FWV 12.4.07 pg. 2 & 6)

At the Monongah mines:

Day shift worked at mines #6 and #8

Fred Stubbs is among them but this will be his last day of work for the rest of the week because his wife is very sick at home. At this time, a system known as “miners freedom” allows Fred to choose if he wants to work, rather than requesting the time off.

Ebook - miner's freedom - Race & labor in America — *For Jobs and Freedom: Race and Labor in America Since 1865*
By Robert H. Zieger, page 37

In #8:

It is the first day on the job for 3 Russian immigrants: Paul Goff, John Goff, and Frank Kreger.

Fred Vandatti works the gathering motor in #8: 4th right, 2nd north. Hugh Reese (brakeman) was his helper.

motorman — Motorman driving a gathering motor.

In #6:

James Rogers (assistant foreman in #6 and foreman in #3) is working in #6. This will be his last day of work this week due to illness.

George Simko works in #6: 2nd right, E face, room 8. This will also be his last day of work this week due to sickness.

Libberato Delasandro is working in #6 and finds gas accumulation earlier in the day at 2^nd right off of D face, in rooms 2 & 3. However, it was only a slight trace – normal and relatively safe—so he does what most miners do: he takes off his coat and waves it around, fanning the gases out of the air and working space. Later, he will find gas and dust accumulation on 2^nd right of G face in #6. At one point a foreman comes into where he is working, notices the gas and shouts at Libberato to lower the flame on his cap and so he does. (Inquiry, McAteer)

In Fairmont, WV:

The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as: Snow tonight. Thursday fair. Minimum temperature tonight about 15 degrees.

CW Watson - Wikipedia — Photo of C.W. Watson from Wikipedia

Fairmont Coal Company and Consolidated Coal Company President Clarence Wayland Watson is world-renowned for his show horses. 14 of C.W. Watson’s show horses arrive in Fairmont on train No. 7., care of the US Express company from New Haven, Conn. (FWV 12.4.07 pg. 5)

Night

In Monongah:

A meeting of Monongah mine foremen & superintendents is held in J.C. Gaskill’s office. The meeting is called to go over things regarding safety of the mines.

Fairmont Coal Company supervisor David Victor, Tom Donlin (foreman at #6), and foreman Pete McGraw are present for the meeting.

Gaskill asks McGraw and Donlin about conditions inside and about the mines and they replied that it was good in both cases. “…McGraw said he had a little bit of shooting off the solid that he had not been able to eliminate. He was instructed to eliminate all of that and that he must get rid of the men who had that practice.” (Inquiry– Victor)

James Rogers, assistant foreman in #6, talks with foreman Tom Donlin in the company supply store about watering the mines tonight.

At the mines:

Night shifts work and, per usual, the main-ways of the mines are watered, but not the branching off hallways and rooms. (Inquiry, McAteer)

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Tuesday, December 3, 1907

Morning

At the Naomi mines in Pennsylvania:

12.03.07 - pg 1 - Naomi — CDT 12.03.07 pg. 1

In Fairmont:

Very icy conditions – “The walking…was very treacherous and many people got falls” (FWV 12.4.07 pg. 8)

Mrs. Jacob M Watkins of 5th ward fell and broke her wrist.

Miss Edith Frey slipped on icy pavement on her way to school and broke her elbow.

Mrs. Ellis Billingsiea fell and was unconscious for some time. No broken bones.

Mr. Crawford M. Shaw, a well-known B&O Engineer, fell on icy pavement and broke his arm.

Mrs. J.M. Watkins fell at home on Locust Ave and broke her wrist.

Afternoon

The Women’s Auxiliary of Christ Episcopal church routinely shift hostesses for their meetings. Today the collective leaves Fairmont on the 2:00 pm trolley headed for Monongah. After about a 20 minute ride, they meet up with their hostess, Mrs. Ruckman at Monongah. (FWV 12.2.07 pg. 8)

Night

In Viropa (mining town one mile north of Shinnston):

Fire destroys the houses of five miners. “As there was no means of fighting the fire except by volunteer bucket brigade another house was dynamited to prevent the flames from reaching a large boarding house and the mine tipple.” (CDT 12.4.07 pg. 8)

The houses actually belong to the Fairmont Coal Company. “The company’s loss is between $3,000 and $4,000, but the property was fully insured. The houses were occupied by foreigners who saved most of their household goods.” (CDT 12.4.07 pg. 8)

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Monday, December 2, 1907

In Monongah:

Both #6 and #8 mines are working
Ben Coon is working as the stable boss at #8 with Charlie Dean having general supervision over the work.
Leo Dominico notices a toad hole in the roof while working in #8 mine (Inquiry)

At Naomi mines in Pennsylvania:

12.2.07 - pg 1 - Naomi mine — FWV 12.2.07 pg 1 morn

Night

12.2.07 - pg 1 - Naomi — FWV 12.2.07 pg 1 eve.

Whington, PA

William May, whose brother was one of those entombed in the Naomi mine is held up by 3 masked men on his way to the disaster scene. William did not hear about the Naomi disaster until Monday night. 3 men stopped him on his way to the streetcar, held him at gunpoint, searched his clothes, took his money and a gold watch. William had to go back home to get more money before going to disaster scene. (FWV 12.4.07 pg. 4)

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