“Acts of heroism must have been numerous within the mines after the explosion. Two corpses were found together in such a position that it was apparent that one miner was carrying another out on his shoulder when the afterdamp caught him. The bodies were found against the wall of the mine where they had been pushed by a broken car, the corpse of one still clung to the back of the other. Several corpses were found lying on cans of powder which did not explode when the disaster occurred.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)
~Midnight
“At 12 o’clock tonight a total of 25 bodies had been recovered…” (DP 12.8.07 pg. 1)
~12:30 am
“Twenty-nine bodies had been brought to the surface up to 12:30 o’clock this morning, and word comes from the rescuing party that many objects are ready to be brought out.” (AMJ 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“It will indeed be a sad Christmas at Monongah. What families have not been made fatherless or have lost some member in the disaster will have little money to spend for the festive season. There are many in the town who worked in the mines and who will be out of employment for some time. It may be six weeks or perhaps even longer before either of the mines will resume operations according to estimates made by some. It will probably be longer than that before No. 8 is cleared and repaired so it can be operated again as this one was very badly wrecked.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)
~3:45 am
#21 = Fred Rogers, aged 25, single; body shipped to Fairchance, PA; body removed from No 6 at 3:45 am Sunday; machine miner; identified by Geo. Gibbons (FWV 12.9.07 extra)
Sometime before morning shifts begin
“Nearly all of the coal mines in the Fairmont and Clarksburg region have practically closed down owing to a lack of men to continue the operations. Many of the miners had friends and acquaintances in the disaster and they were all anxious to get from their work and learn the fate of the men who were employed in Monongah mines No 6 and 8.” (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 1) (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 10)
All 64 of CONSOLs mines in the area are closed for the day and all CONSOL officers and employees, some 20,000 company miners and supervisors, from mines throughout the area are ordered to Monongah and brought into the relief efforts. (McAteer)
“Others wanted to learn of the disaster through curiosity and many left their work to go to the scene of the terrible explosions. Some of the mines will resume operations Monday morning but it is not expected that many men will report for duty.” (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 4)
~5:00 am
“Clarence Hall and his assistants, representing the National Geographic Department are on the ground and rendering heroic help and advice.” (FWV 12.9.07 pg. 6)
~5:30 am
In Monongah:
“The scenes in Monongah on Sunday were more harrowing than those of a battlefield. The first visitors from Fairmont saw a reproduction of the Inferno. It was not yet dawn in the town and the white clouds of steam from the power-house looked ghostly against the background of hills as they floated past the electric light. About the entrance waited a score of weary men, some of them exhausted, the lamps on their caps giving them the appearance of demons. Out of the pit, now and then, straggled men carrying safety lamps in their hands, the pallor of their faces showing through the coal dust that covered them; these were members of the exploring party that had come to revive themselves in the air. They came out dripping with perspiration and stood in an atmosphere that was uncomfortable even to men wearing overcoats. There was none of the tumult and the shouting. When dawn lit up the sky, it outlined the forms of shivering women high up on the hill-top, watching the mine entry.” (Forbes)
At the mines:
“All of the officials of the company are on the scene of the disaster. Mrs. C.W. Watson, who drove the blue-ribbon winners in the recent New York Horse Show, is boiling coffee in a blacksmith shop near No. 6, where the relief corps get refreshments every hour or so.” (WH 12.9.07 pg. 1)
“There are many empty stalls in the coal company’s barns located at Monongah. The stable boss reported that about fifty horses and mules were lost by the explosion. The horses that were not in the mine at the time of the explosion are being worked night and day. They are used in hauling back the dead from the mines, hauling caskets from the station and in getting supplies to each of the mines.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)
~6:00 am
Central Committee of American National Red Cross authorizes each of its branches to receive and forward contributions to Monongah.
In Monongah:
“Nearly everybody in Downs went to Monongah” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 2)
“Heartrending scenes and incidents crowded fast one upon another in this sorely afflicted mining community today.” (LAH 12.9.07 pg. 2) (SFC 12.9.07 pg. 2) (HS 12.19.07 pg. 3)
“Mrs. Sylvia Giovanni, and old woman who lost her husband and two sons in the disaster and who is made destitute by their deaths, disappeared in the night and it is thought she has become demented and is wandering about in the cold air of the woods. A searching party of friends is now out hunting for her.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)
At the mines:
“Many women believe their husbands or sons will be still found alive and refuse to leave the vicinity of the mine. When bodies are carried from the mine these women become almost insane, screaming and pacing back and forth and calling aloud the names of their loved ones.” (SLH 12.9.07 pg. 1) (LAH 12.9.07 pg. 2) (HS 12.19.07 pg. 3)
“Chief Mine Inspector J.W. Paul arrived here early this morning from Charleston and has been at work all day directing the work.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“Clarence Hall…is here pursuing his investigations for the Government. He entered the mines early today and will continue his work until the end of the week.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)
At the morgue:
18 bodies have been identified, removed from the morgue, and taken to the families’ homes
“As fast as the bodies are removed from the mines they are being taken to the morgue and prepared for burial. After being placed in coffins they are taken to an adjoining room, where a steady stream of people files by all day long. When a body is recognized by relatives or friends the information is at once given to Coroner E.S. Amos who has been on duty since the first body was brought from the mines.” (US Dept of Labor-mine disasters-Dispatch article)
“If identified, the families were notified; if not, the bodies were placed in rows in the bank building.” (Forbes)
“The burying of the dead has begun at Monongah. Several of the unfortunate victims that were among the first found were buried yesterday afternoon at local cemeteries about Monongah. Several of the American miner’s bodies will be taken to their homes as soon as possible after they are found. Others whose homes are away from Monongah will be shipped away as soon as possible.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“Mining experts pronounce the rescue work in this disaster the most thorough ever provided under similar circumstances, and friends and relatives receive every courtesy and consideration.” (NYTb 12.8.07 pg. 3)
~10:00 pm
At the morgue:
“One hundred and twenty-five bodies had been brought to the surface tonight and the dozen undertakers from this and surrounding towns, who have been on duty since the catastrophe had the bodies washed and made as presentable as possible in an improvised morgue, into which one of the nine buildings has been converted.” (RP 12.8.07 pg. 1)
At the mines:
Floyd W. Parsons spends the night working “in the wrecked mines” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 2)
Rescue efforts shift to recovery efforts as teams enter, explore, and exit finding only dead bodies.
“The condition of the bodies thus far recovered is horrible; many are dismembered, some fearfully crushed and the rest blackened and burned beyond recognition.” (DASB 12.8.07 pg. 1) (LAH 12.8.07 pg. 1) (ES 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“A score or more of men of rescuing parties are in a critical condition tonight from inhaling black damp, and several of them are not expected to live.” (DASB 12.8.07 pg. 1) (LAH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
“In certain vicinities of Monongah the newspaper representatives visited house after house in rotation and found that in every home there was grief and mourning as a result of the terrible catastrophe. In some instances, it was the father who left his family at 7 o’clock yesterday morning or a son or brother to enter the unsuspected death trap. When this grief and suffering is witnessed human tongue cannot describe the scene of horror and suffering that is being witnessed here.” (FWV 12.9.07 – pg. 7)
Camden Avenue in Monongah
~11:00 pm
(Out of Pittsburg) “A special to the Gazette-Times from Fairmont W. Va., says: ‘That at least ten members of the heroic band of rescuers will die of gas poisoning was admitted tonight by the physicians who are attending them as they are drawn out of the mines unconscious…” (DASB 12.8.07 pg. 1)
At the mines:
Telephones are established between both mines and the company office. There is a telephone at foot of the slope in #6 and a telephone is regularly moved along the main heading as work advances in #8. (McAteer)
“The gases are still strong in the No. 6 mine and scores of rescuers have been overcome and carried to the hospitals. With the exception of Charles Cain, the company’s inspector, one of those overcome is in a serious condition.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
Chief Mine Inspector Paul and all of the State District inspectors have arrived and taken over the rescue and recovery work. 6 inspectors are assigned to each mine – 3 for each shift. They will serve in an advisory capacity, oversee the progress, and will assist in exploring and locating bodies. (McAteer)
Work forces are formally organized into 3 crews of 6 men each and rescue crews are changed out regularly. A squad of 4 men with a leader did disinfecting.
The workmen are composed of volunteers from other mines.
About 40-50 men are employed on each shift. Each man is furnished with a Wolf safety lamp to test for foul air; his name is taken down, assigned a number and he is given a tin check bearing that number. On entering and leaving the mine his number is recorded; no one is to be given a check unless he is a workman or an official. (McAteer)
Shifts in #8 were 8 hours long. Shift in #6 were 6 hours long. As work progressed in #6 it took about an hour to walk from the surface to working places, meaning the shift in all was still 8 hrs. (McAteer)
“Only the strict discipline of the officials has prevented many of the men from rushing into useless danger. The best men in the company’s employ, and under the direction of the State mine department, are watching the work with a view to protecting those who are searching for the dead.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“Starting tomorrow, a new system of rescue work will be inaugurated at both mines. It is the intention to dispense with the services of the miners who have been employed in either of the mines. In their places there will be about 200 expert mining men from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, all of whom have volunteered. These men, under the direction of Chief Mine Inspector Paul of West Virginia, who arrived today from Charleston, will be more fitted to render effective service in the recovering of the dead. The reason for this is that conditions now existing in the mines are extremely dangerous, and it is feared, should inexperienced men make an incorrect move, a second explosion would occur, which would completely wreck the mines.” (ES 12.8.07 pg. 1) (BDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“For several days frantic women grouped about the opening of the mines and their shrieks of agony were enough to move the hardest heart to pity. Grief stricken mothers, wives, sweethearts, and sisters waited and watched and wept. Some prayed, some sung, and some, in their very ecstasy of sorrow were hysterical and laughed.”
– Illustrated Monthly W. Virginian (Nurses)
~7:00 pm
“Tonight the streets of both this town and Fairmont are crowded with people, while thousands line the hills in the vicinity of the mines. Every bar room in Fairmont and Monongah is closed and throughout the territory over sixty mines have suspended temporarily and about 6,000 miners are visiting here.” (DASB 12.8.07 pg. 1) (SFC 12.8.07 pg. 20)
“Tomorrow in all the churches of Fairmont, Clarksburg and Monongah special services will be held, and it is probable collections will be taken. It is the purpose of the ministers to establish a permanent relief fund.” (ES 12.8.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
A long-planned pie social is given by the M.E. church but it is “not very well attended owing to so many of our community going to Monongah.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 2)
In Monongah:
“It was thought that it would be necessary to call out the militia to preserve order and expedite the rescue work, but tonight President Watson wired Gov. Dawson that there was nothing in the situation requiring the presence of soldiers.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1 & 13)
W.H. Bice’s body is brought back to Monongah from the Miner’s Hospital in Fairmont. It will then be taken to Reedy, Roane County to be interred. (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
At the cemetery in Monongah:
“All day long men have been digging graves in the Catholic cemetery, located within sight of the mines.” (ES 12.8.07 pg. 1)
At the mines:
“Most of today was spent building defenses for the rescuers against the rush of foul air from the entries that lead to the rooms where the main body of men was working, and tonight they got everything in shape for the relief to proceed, without danger to the brave men who are willing to dare anything if only left to themselves.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
Company officials ordered rescuers to store bodies at the bottom of the mine shaft. It is arranged for them to only be moved after dark when the crowds diminish for the night. (McAteer)
“The almost frenzied relatives of the dead men still surround the mine entrance eagerly looking for the forms of their loved ones and no amount of persuasion has been sufficient to make them leave for more than a few minutes at a time.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“The wails of the foreign women, inexpressibly weird, were very pathetic and caused tears among many of the men.” (ES 12.8.07 pg. 1)
At #6:
“Air is being…rushed back in…and by dark this brattice work will be completed.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg. 1, Davis)
“36 horses and mules are known to be in the mine (#6) and the main heading is strewn with harness but no horses have yet been seen.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1, Davis)
~8:00 pm
“The Fairmont Coal company tonight gave out the following official statement relative to the recent disaster:
“There were 406 men employed in No.6 and No. 8 mines. Fifteen have been located and are known to be safe. We have hopes that of the 391 whose names are given, a number were not at work. The company desires to thank the large number of people who have volunteered to help in the rescue work, which is progressing as fast as conditions will permit. We believe that No. 6 will be practically explored during the night. No. 8 is much slower on account of the greater damage to air courses. The origin of the explosion may not be located for several days. No. 6 fan has only stopped forty-two minutes. Two small fans have been installed at No. 8 and are doing good work in place of the large fan destroyed. Chief Mine inspector Paul Hahn has arrived with many assistants and will render aid and give instructions if he find them necessary.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“While officials are as yet unable to give any idea of the cause of the explosion one tonight advanced the theory that it was caused by electricity exploding the dust. It is supposed by this authority that the electric motor and train jumped the tracks and tore down the trolleys and electric wires, making currents that shot flames into the dust.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 13)
“Gov. Dawson, who has been in Washington attending an important political conference, wired tonight that he would start for the scene of the disaster to lend any assistance in the State’s power. He has given the State mine departments full authority to act for the executive and will insist on the most rigid investigation.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
At the mines:
“The mines…are giving up their dead tonight—not singly, but in groups of five and ten at a time, and by morning it is expected that at least half of the dead will have been recovered.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“Only a few men saw the victims as they came from the mine.” (Forbes)
“A majority of men who have been recovered will be buried tomorrow.” (ES 12.8.07 pg. 1)
At #8:
“The body of J.M. McGraw, pit boss, and one of the best-known mining men in West Virginia, was recovered tonight in mine No 8. It was headless and otherwise disfigured; identification having been made by the clothing and shoes he wore.” (ES 12.8.07 pg. 1)
At #6:
Relief work at #6 is “progressing nicely and with plenty of air”. (FWV 12.7.07 – pg. 1, Davis)
“Over 100 of the best men that can be had” are working “and have now reached back to the junction of the two mines which is a mile back from the entrance.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg. 1, Davis)
It is believed that the main body of miners will be found about 1 ½ miles back from the entrance in #6, in the direction of Farmington, and the bratticing work has almost reached this distance. (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1, Davis)
“In going back all this distance only one more body was discovered except the ones already brought out, and this was a small boy who has lost both his legs. His body was not removed.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg. 1, Davis)
~9:00 pm:
In Cumberland, Maryland:
“There has been a great demand for newspapers since the first tidings of the great disaster reached us and although many extras were ordered, there was not a paper left on the corner at Peel’s at 9pm Saturday.” (CET 12.9.07 pg.)
At the mines:
“At nine o’clock tonight a total of twenty-five bodies have been recovered from the mines…Scores of other victims are in sight of rescuers and it is estimated that at least 100 dead will be brought to the surface before daylight.” (News)
“However, the number of bodies recovered tonight and early Sunday depends entirely upon the condition of the mine, it is said.” (LODD 12.12.07 pg 1)
“…it was stated tonight by General Manager Malone that 478 actual miners were checked off as entering the mines yesterday. This number, it is further stated, did not include fully 100 trappers, mule drivers, pumpers, and boys who are not under the check system. Should these figures be correct the death list will be over 550 persons.” (News)
At #6:
The main heading is cleared up enough to allow horse and trucks to be used within the mine. Progress proceeds rapidly.
“In No.6 mine the main headway was cleared tonight from end to end, and during the night the rescue gangs will be able to reach the rooms where the 200 men met death. They have the fans working with good effect. “ (WH 12.8.07 pg. 13)
At the morgue:
Embalming is becoming difficult because of the sheer number of bodies. Only ¼ of the estimated death toll is accounted for so far. (McAteer)
~10:00 pm
“Albert Shingleton, who has been working around the Fairmont mines for twenty-four years, said tonight that the explosion had killed the best men in the mines. These were the prize mines and only the best men were employed there. Several representatives of foreign governments arrived in Fairmont today to look after the interests of their people and offer assistance if any is needed.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 13)
At the mines:
“A score of men of the rescuing parties are in a critical condition tonight from inhaling blackdamp. Several of them are expected to die. One of these men, John Gabbert, was carried from the mine tonight almost a raving maniac. His lungs were filled with blackdamp, which produced a condition as one insane, and the services of four men were necessary to hold Gabbert while doctors attended him.” (ES 12.8.07 pg. 1) (CB 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“The officials in charge of the rescue work had hoped that they would be able to get most of the anxious ones away from the entrance by nightfall, so that they could bring the bodies to the surface. Tonight, they decided it was useless to wait longer and the relief parties got orders to proceed with the work.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
C.W. Watson makes an order for immediate burial due to the overflowing number & condition of bodies and fears that the situations of public grief with the women will get out of control. Wives and families of some of the victims are greeting bodies with emotional outbursts (sometimes violent, often self-inflicting). (McAteer)
Though this is a standard grieving process for the majority of the Eastern European immigrants, here in the Western world of the U.S.A. these types of reactions and public displays of grief have been steadily shamed and rendered ‘improper’ and ‘undignified’ since the Civil War. As a result, Western reporters are not very familiar with this type of display as having significant meaning and interpret these reactions of women just it as their society has dictated for the past 30 years: as “weakness”,” ugliness”, and “insanity”.
“The women and children surrounding the mine entrance are more like a colony of insane tonight than ordinary human beings. Gaunt of face, and with a frenzy of despair written all over them, they make a picture that no person actually seeing could realize. Strong men turned away from the sight after a glance. The horror of that one look will remain with them to the end of their lives.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 13)
“Up to late today many entertained high hopes that some of the entombed men might be taken out alive. As the bodies recovered today however were brought to the surface horribly mangled, all hope was dispelled by the distressing scenes following.” (DASB 12.8.07 pg. 1) (ES 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“Today it seemed like a continual procession of men carrying out corpses. The bringing up of each mangled form would be followed by a rush from women and men around the mines looking for their dead ones.” (TEP 12.7.07 pg. 1)
~6:00 pm
PP 12.7.07 pg 1
“All day long today little groups of men brought dead bodies from the mines…” (TEP 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Five additional bodies were taken out of the mine at 6 o’clock tonight, making twenty up to date.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“The rescuers say they have about seventy others in sight, which they will bring out within the next few hours. All of these are in No. 6 and so far, nothing has been done toward recovering the dead in No. 8, where the gases are strongest.” (WH 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“The fumes from the explosion and decomposition of bodies has greatly hampered the work.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“…the shafts and tunnels are still filled with smoke and gas.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Although there are great crowds about the mine entrance there are innumerable women and children crouching in modest homes awaiting what they know must come—the blackened remains of a husband, of a father, of a brother.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Governor Dawson has arrived in Charleston from Washington D.C. (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
Newspapers
The Ladies’ Auxiliary of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church is the first social organization in city to offer financial aid. They announce that they will be giving proceeds from their musical planned for Dec. 11 to the Monongah relief aid. (McAteer)
The paper also informs the Fairmont populace of just a few miners who regularly traveled from Clarksburg to work in the mines.
The Clarksburg Daily Telegram startles the public with its evening headline:
“President C.W. Watson in a brief interview stated that he had nothing definite to give out as to the cause, but from the small amount of smoke, he judged it was caused by dust, which ignited from a small pocket of gas, or a blown out shot.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Mr. Watson explained that the two mines were connected for the purpose of giving more openings.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“General Manager Lee Malone of the Fairmont Coal Company in an interview at the scene of the horror, given to the Telegram representative, stated that there were 450 men in the mine at the time of the explosions and that he was of the firm belief that all were dead.” “He pointed out that there was nothing particularly strange about there being an explosion in both mines at once, one immediately after the other, as the two mines are on the same side of the river instead of opposite side, as first reported,…” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
They report that on the 6th: “George Bice, a member of the rescue party at mine No 8 was overcome by the afterdamp, brought to the surface unconscious and died shortly afterward.” And that, “A man named Stuart of the rescue party was also overcome by the afterdamp. He was brought above unconscious but soon revived and will doubtless recover.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Luckily, the George Bice did not die. In fact, he may have never been overcome with gas at all. There were, however, 3 men among the rescue crews who will die in the process, more than likely from inhaling too many toxic fumes: John Neary, and brothers Maurice and Richard Beedle.
When it comes to publishing the names of the dead, the Telegram focuses entirely on the names of known Americans.
The D.C. Evening Star publishes a list of just the West Virginia Mine Disasters of 1907.
ES 12.7.07 pg 1
The Rock Island Argus of Illinois published a list of all mining disasters in 1907:
In Iowa, the Evening Times Republican informs their readers that:
ETR 12.7.07 pg. 7
The Times Dispatch in Virginia publishes a (very) rough map of where Monongah lies in the state:
TD 12.7.07 pg. 2
The Cumberland Evening Times is already trying to clear up confusion and rumors:
“The terrible mine disaster at Fairmont, W.Va., caused unusual excitement up along the George’s Creek region, due to the fact that a number of miners in that section had sought employment in the West Virginia territory.” (CET 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“At this writing, however, but one miner from this county is known to have been killed by the explosion. He was John Herman, who resided at Eckhart until about two years ago, when he removed to Fairmont, and was employed in mine No. 8 when the explosion occurred.” (CET 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“A sister of the unfortunate man, living at Eckhart, was notified by wire yesterday afternoon that her brother had been killed and last evening three other brothers, John, Jacob and Frank Herman, all of whom live at Eckhart, went to Fairmont to recover the body.” (CET 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The deceased was 37 years of age, and leaves a wife and one child.” (CET 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Joseph Milkowsy, another miner formerly residing at Eckhart, is also employed at one of the mines at Fairmont, but whether he was one of the victims of the terrible disaster could not be learned.” (CET 12.7.07 pg. 1)
They also report that, “Messrs. Philip Jenkins, Sr., Philip Jenkins, Jr., Edward Jenkins, E.T. Thomas, William Hensell, Alex Crawford, and Andrew Crawford, left today for Fairmont, W.Va., to assist in the work of rescuing the miners who were killed in the mine disaster at Fairmont yesterday.” (CET 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The above relief corps will remain at the scene of the horrible calamity until the last victim has been taken out of the mines.” (CET 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“This action on the part of the Frostburg contingent is purely for sympathy’s sake.” (CET 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Like several other papers, The Buffalo Enquirer of New York is not only reporting that, at noon, workers are still battling the early morning fire from #8, they are already telling their populace, “Yesterday the company officials endeavored to keep the number of men in the ill-fated mine down as much as possible.” (TBE 12.7.07 pg. 1)
The Evening Star in Washington D.C. reports:
“It is thought that by tonight the full extent of the horror will be known, and it is feared the knowledge of this will precipitate even more pitiful scenes than those of today, with hysteria in all of its devious forms rampant among the populace. Precautions have already been taken to prevent these harrowing manifestations of grief, but there is little hope that they will avail.” (ES 12.7.07 pg. 1 – 2)
C.W. Watson, president of the Consolidation Coal Company, dictated the following statement to the Associated Press:
“The accident is deplorable from any standpoint. It was entirely unexpected. As yet we do not know the exact cause of the explosion.
“It might have resulted from a blown out shot igniting a pocket of gas. About 50 per cent of the mine accidents of the country are caused in this manner. It is probable the present one resulted from the same cause. We will conduct a rigid investigation. Investigations, however, will not benefit the dead miners. Their families will be looked after. The company will bury all the dead. Every facility within the power of the company is being extended to all newspapermen in order that the general public may be accurately informed as to the disaster. We have nothing to conceal and are pleased to give whatever information we can.” (ES 12.7.07 pg. 2)
~6:30 pm
In Monongah:
“Up to 6:30 o’clock tonight twenty-two bodies had been brought to the surface from mines Nos. 6 and 8… Over 100 bodies have been found.” (ODB 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“President C.W. Watson of the mining company in a statement to the Associated Press today said every possible investigation would be made of the disaster to ascertain its cause and fix responsibility.” (ODB 12.8.07 pg. 1)
“Nearly 400 coffins reached Monongah today from Pittsburg and from West Virginia cities.” (ES 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Many coffins have arrived and more have been ordered and as fast as identification is made sure the bodies are being taken away by their friends for burial.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
At the mines:
“The galleries are still filled with poisonous gases and it is impossible to open them till the main entries are opened and the fans can clear them.” (TBE 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Working conditions are terrible, owing to gas and the wrecking, shifts can work less than an hour at a time.” (ES 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“While only sixteen bodies have been recovered or brought out of the mine, members of the rescuing parties stated that eighty bodies have been located.” (ES 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Only sixteen of the dead bodies have been removed from the shaft entrance of No. 6, but 100 others are in the first level and are being kept in the mine until the authorities can get the half-crazed people away from the entrance.“ (TBE 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Preparations are being made to bring the bodies from the mines in electric cars, with which the mines were equipped.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The rescuers in mine No. 6 report so many bodies that it will take hours to get them all out. In No 8 mine the rescuing parties are just getting started as poisonous gases there were worse than in No 6 mine.” (TEP 12.7.07 pg. 1)
~1:00 pm
At the mines:
“Up to 1 o’clock today but sixteen bodies have been brought to the surface…” (ES 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“A dozen undertakers are also in waiting in one of the buildings near the entrance to take charge of the bodies as soon as they are brought out and make them as presentable as possible.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“A thousand men are working…” “About 130 corpses had been found in the wrecked Monongah mines here at 1 o’clock this afternoon.” (Pitt. Press. 12.7.07, Sparks)
In Monongah:
The body of Fred Cooper (one of first men found in the shanty of #6 mine) has been fully processed through the morgue and his body is brought into Fairmont on the one o’clock car. He is taken to his father-in-law’s home, Mr. Shingleton, at the corner of Locust Ave and 11th St. (FWV 12-7-07, pg. 1)
~1:30 pm
Clarksburg Daily Telegram puts out a special, extra edition:
The local newspapers are correcting their previously published information on the location of the mines. Though the Clarksburg Daily Telegram puts out far more accurate information now that they have their own reporters on the scene, their original source—the Associated Press—never corrects their original inaccurate information at any point and it continues to circle around the country for the next several weeks.
The results of just some of these inaccurate reports have already made their way back to Monongah. For the next several days, Watson and other officials will struggle with the press. They have little to no experience with mass swarms of reporters nor with managing a catastrophe of such magnitude. They will make several mistakes in their attempt to control the release of information over the next week, including the most devastating mistake of making it obvious to the press that information is being controlled.
Quietly tucked away on page 3 is an update on Sam Furk, reported leader of the local Black Hand, which would have taken front page status had the disaster in Monongah not occurred:
~2:00 -2:30 pm
Inside #6:
Search parties find only 5 men between the bottom of the slope of #6 to the connection of the 2 mines – distance of about ¾ of a mile, over 4,000’. Only the main heading has proper ventilation and cleared wreckage that far back, but not the rest of the mines proper (rooms, hallways, etc.) where most of the victims surely lay. Ventilation systems “will have to be rebuilt throughout the mine” starting “this afternoon”. (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
“The resources are being reinforced as men are needed, so that as soon as one man is overcome his place is taken by another.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
Though it is quite clear that the town is teaming with news reporters all day based on the sheer number of events accounted throughout the afternoon, few reporters managed to note the time of when certain events occurred. The best this author can provide at this moment is a list of these events in what is the most likely order in which they occur, trying to keep in mind that some of these may have been occurring simultaneously.
At some point during the afternoon,
“…with hysteria in all its devious forms rampant among the populace.” (RIA 12.7.7 pg. 1)
At the mines:
Several rescuers enter the mines “only to return to the open much more dead than alive.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The first emergency hospital is crowded with men who have been overcome with the mine gas…” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
“The rescuers as they come out report that men to the right and left of them are lying all about the mine…” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
“A foreign woman whose husband was in the mine, rushed to the entrance but the gas forced her back. Realizing that she could do nothing toward aiding her husband, she tore the skin off her face with her finger nails and pulled out large twists of hair.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
At the morgue:
“The following bodies were identified in the morgue today: DOMINICK, who worked for John Preston. MIKE ____, also one of Preston’s men. FRANCISCO LORIA, who is horribly mangled. CARMO ZEVOLA, who was identified after some time by his [whole line of text is missing]. Much doubt existed in the authenticity of her identification but the small tobacco sack which he carried was the means of making the identification sure.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
“Another body that has been positively identified is a man who is known as Louis, his other name not being known. Mr. Caldara says he is from Naples.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
In Monongah:
Lorin Wise, brother of Charlie Wise, and Mabel & Edith Wise, his sisters, arrive from Canton, OH. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)
A wagon load of bodies is trying to get from #6 mine across the Iron Bridge and to the morgue. Before it reaches the bridge, the crowd rushes the cart from all angles, pinning in and frightening the horses. The horses panic and bolt, racing through the crowd, overturning the cart, and dumping the bodies onto the ground before running over the embankment. The crazed horses continue down the river bank and run straight into the icy waters of the West Fork River, taking along the driver and his assistant. As the cart hits the water, the driver is violently thrown out and seriously injured. (McAteer)
“As the day advanced, [the widows] became almost crazed through grief and suspense. One pulled out her hair in handfuls at a time and another tore all the skin from both cheeks with her fingernails. Some lay down on the frozen ground and cried themselves asleep, and in this condition, many were carried to homes nearby without awakening.” (RIA 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The company has provided clothing, food, and supplies for all who are in need and charity on every hand is being observed.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
The body of a young man is brought to his home and placed inside. 2 hours later and one room away, his wife gives birth to their child. (FWV 12.9.07 – pg.8)
At the mines:
“The workers at both pits are being cheered and helped in their heroic task by the presence and good words of their bosses.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
“Everything possible has been and is being done to recover the bodies of the dead miners and to take out any who might be alive. The coal company officials have given their best energies to the work and are yet grimly at work sleepless and hungry without thought of rest until all has been done to reach any miner possibly alive and to recover the bodies of the dead ones.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Late today the deadly blackdamp became more pronounced as the more farther recesses of the mines were approached…” (DASB 12.8.07 pg. 1) (LODD 12.12.07 pg. 1)
“One hundred men are working in mine No 8, where the damage was greatest…” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
In Charleston, WV:
Gov. William M.O. Dawson calls out the National Guard: Company H of First Infantry under the direction of Col. M.M. Neely. Despite Watson’s telegram earlier in the day, the Governor is concerned about potential disturbances among immigrant families and the throngs of sightseers. (McAteer)
At #6:
“Some bodies have been brought to the mouth of #6 but have not yet been made known.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
“In No. 6 there are 150 workers. Though the interior of this mine is not so badly damaged as the other, the gas in the tunnels is more troublesome, and it is necessary to come frequently to the surface for fresh air.” (WT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“As the rescuers groping and dazed came from the mouth of the mine they were besieged by anxious ones and bringing no tidings or news of the unfortunate men below there were fresh outbursts of sobbing and cries of grief went up for their loved ones.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Now and then rescuers came staggering forth, gasping for fresh breath but to hear from the women gathered near the pit renowned cries of distress and sorrow.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“And to add further to the mine horrors the wails and moans of the wives and daughters of the entombed miners were heartrending.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“In the great crowd one or two women would scream, perhaps faint, and be carried to their homes while the undertakers put the bodies in coffins and followed the bereaved ones to the little miners’ cottages. This scene was repeated again and again all day.” (TEP 12.7.07 pg. 1)
~4:00 pm
All saloons and bars in Marion county are closed by order of the mayors and the Marion county Sheriff and no liquor sales, anywhere, are permitted. “The saloon keepers willingly consented and will not open their places again until Monday.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
As the main morgue in the bank overflows, bodies are taken directly from the mouth of mine to tent morgues at the cemetery or to church basements (McAteer)
If no ID has been made on a body within several hours, the dressed body is placed in a coffin and buried in the potter’s field as unknown.
“Foul gases in the No. 8 mine prevented any attempt at rescue until late this afternoon and even now it is impossible to make any headway. At this time the force of the explosion was so great that holes were blown through the side of the hill in several places along the river bank.” (TBE 12.7.07 pg. 1)
~5:00 pm
Newspapers are just beginning to hit the streets and stands. A majority will sell out within the hour.
“A dispatch from Vice President Jere H. Wheelwright, of the Consolidation Coal Company, was received at the offices in Baltimore yesterday.” (TBS 12.8.07 pg. 2)
“Mr. Wheelwright has been at the Monongah mine since Friday…”(TBS 12.8.07 pg. 2)
“His dispatch, which was sent to Mr. A.G. Dunham, the general auditor, was brief. It merely said that his worst fears had been realized and that the dead miners would number between 350 and 400.” (TBS 12.8.07 pg. 2)
“Further than this the officials here knew nothing more of the disaster than was told in the press dispatches.” (TBS 12.8.07 pg. 2)
“Even nature seems to dumbly feel the horror of the day and the sun has held its face behind leaded clouds since the fire damp did its fatal work.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“There is no home in the village that is not stricken. Each one will harbor a dark coffin if not several after the last body is extricated from the covering of earth and bodies of fellow victims.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)
In Fairmont:
A Fairmont undertaker places order for 100 coffins with Muskingum Coffin Co. in Ohio. The company goes into emergency production, working around the clock. (McAteer)
“The newspaper offices are kept busy answering specials in all directions.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)
The Fairmont West Virginian releases a special, 14-page, Noon edition:
FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon
In Monongah:
“The four hundred and twenty-five checks that were given out yesterday morning hardly represent all the men that were in the mines at the time their ill fate overtook them. Other men not having checks likely to have been ushered into eternity by the same cause.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)
“Yesterday the people of this city and of Monongah were sort of dazed but today the realization of the enormity of the explosion and the terrible results following it.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)
“The women whose husbands and near relatives are among the entombed are taking it as cooly as possible. There is little excitement and all that there is to see today is the removing of the bodies.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)
“The number at the morgue up to this time is 12.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)
A new force of workers makes a new opening at #8 and “have now gone to a distance of 1500’ in the mine, or about half the distance to where the 2 pits, 6 and 8, meet.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
In Fairmont:
“Photographer Busy: Mr. Marvin D Boland has been one of the busiest men in town since yesterday. City papers in all parts of the country are calling for photographs. In the absence of a picture of the fated mines a Pittsburg afternoon paper ran a stock cut of Otis Watson, the original coal operator of the Fairmont region.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)
“All day today knots of people have been on the street discussing the scenes of the disaster. At the corner of Jefferson and Main streets there was a big group of men and women all day who with eager ears tried to catch every syllable of news…the whole city has been listening, every scrap of news was gobbled up with a craving almost insatiable.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)
FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon
In Monongah:
“About 50 newspaper men are on the ground today many from Pittsburg, Cleveland, Baltimore, and New York.”
“G. Girosi of the Italian New York Herald is one among the number as well as L. Friedel, of the Cleveland Zabadsag, a Hungarian paper.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
A list of the dead and suspected dead is also published to the public but it is purely American miners only, with the exception of Francesco Loria and Stan Urban who were taken from #8. The list contains about 50 – 60 names though it is not known yet if these men are dead or simply missing, including the name of coupler, Bill Sloane. Bill’s two sons, Scott and Dennis Sloane, are also included in the list though neither has likely been found and identified as of this point.
“Stunned by the terrible swiftness of the wings of the angel of death over the little coal mining village, Monongah is today dumbly counting its dead.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Dawn
In Monongah:
“The excitement of the day was no less keen, but not of the noise and demonstration of the morning, the people awakening to the awful loss of life and being ready to offer everything within their power to aid the work of rescue.” (CDT 12.7.07. pg. 1)
“With the dawn of day there began a heartrending march up and down the aisles along which these bodies have been laid, by sobbing wives and mothers and sweethearts, orphaned children and strong men, each seeking a near relative or beloved friend.” (News)
“Tomorrow or the next day the numbed nerves may again perform their functions and in the reaction the survivors may writhe in grim agony and grief, but today there is no sorrow—only dull interest that lights up eyes of mothers, wives, and brothers as each limp and blackened form is tenderly passed up from out of the hell pit, where in one brief moment 400 lives were snuffed out as a candle light in a gale.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“All with the exception of a few have given up hope and accept it as a foregone conclusion that none survive the disaster. Relatives still cling to the ray of hope, however, that their loved ones may have been spared and eagerly seek the reports of the searchers as they come above to get fresh air.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
~6:00 am – ~ 8:00 am
At #8:
“Fire…in south side of #8 was extinguished about 6 o’clock this morning.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
Rescue and recovery work can finally begin in #8.
At the mines:
Rescue work has become thoroughly systemized and progresses rapidly. “Hundreds of men are at work this morning clearing away the debris for the removal of the 425 unfortunate men whose lives were snuffed out without a moment’s warning.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)
“With unabated energy, five rescuing parties, working from every possible point to enter and explore mines numbers 6 and 8…are this morning putting forth every effort to reach, dead or alive, the remainder of the 400 or more men who went into the mine yesterday morning. There is little hope that any have survived the terrific explosion and the resultant poisonous gas…” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 1) (ES 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Near the mine entrance, when the rescue work began, were nearly 300 caskets indicating the least extent to which the company believe the loss of life in the mine will reach.” (TEP 12.7.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
“Men are now working in relays to reach the miners entombed in the two great shafts. On the hills overlooking their work are the weeping wives and other relatives of the imprisoned men. Among them are the three women whose husbands lie in the improvised morgue.” (WED 12.7.07. pg. 8)
“The scene at the wrecked mines is a repetition of the sight yesterday. The grief-stricken ones is deeper than manifested yesterday. The hopeful anxiety that characterized the people looking for the rescue of loved ones has changed to a sorrow well-nigh inconsolable. Yesterday there was hope today there is despair. The hope for loved ones to escape from their imprisonment to be recognized by their friends gave way to the thought of not knowing them when brought to the surface.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)
~8:00 am
In Monongah:
“Hundreds of people have been attracted here from Fairmont, Clarksburg and other places in the valley, many of them having friends and relatives among the ill-fated miners and at the scenes of the horrors are seething masses of people.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Mine officials, railroad men, newspaper men of the big city dailies, craftsmen of every trade are mingling with those who are anxious about those whose lives are sure to have been snuffed out.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)
“Hundreds of visitors are at Monongah today viewing the wreckage and watching the bringing of bodies to the surface…” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)
~8:30 am
“Mr. R.M. Hite offers services of a large number of experienced miners from Kingmont mines (operated by the Virginia and Pittsburg Coal Company). This was a very kind offer…for the men who have long searched for the missing are getting weary. They have searched diligently and there is an end to their endurance.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)
~9:00 am
At #6:
Another rescue party including John Hallan and Carl Tarlton enter #6, still hoping to find survivors in the very recesses of the mine.
Not long into their exploration, Hallan and Tarlton find the body of a motorman, “jammed back in the motor where he had been sitting with one arm thrown about 30’ away” (McAteer). As this motorman was clearly dead, they did not stop for long to examine him and continued on their search, looking for any dangerous gases and any signs of life.
At #8:
Rescue parties also prepare to enter #8 with the same purpose: find survivors.
“In mine number 8 the rescuers are just getting to work as gasses have delayed them.” (EO 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Six bodies are all that had been found in No 8 until this morning. One man was found in the manway.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 2 – noon)
In Monongah:
25 more miners arrive in Monongah from the Tunnelton mines to help rescue efforts. (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The King’s Daughters and committees of women started a work of visiting homes of the miners, leaving baskets of food where needed…” (Kellogg)
Restaurants in Fairmont and Clarksburg made soups and sandwiches for rescue workers and victim’s families “…and two blacksmith shops were turned into kitchens where great pots of stew and coffee were set boiling.” (Kellogg) People from all around have been bringing whatever they have for donations.
Father D’Andrea of the Italian Catholic Church, Our Lady of Pompeii, is certain by now that his own brother, Victor D’Andrea, is among the victims of the disaster. However, he gets no time to mourn as he and other religious leaders have been overwhelmed with the grief-stricken families for the last 24 hours. Father D’Andrea is only now beginning to survey victims among his parishioners while Father Lekston of St Stanislaus Catholic church has already counted at least 110 victims from his Polish congregation.
In Fairmont:
A little after 9 am, C.W. Watson telegraphs J.N. Camden, “…have lost all hope of finding any men alive.”
~10:00 am
“At ten o’clock today, a total of one hundred bodies had been found in the Monongah mines. These will be removed to morgues at once. Four hundred coffins have been ordered by the Fairmount Coal company. All will be used sooner or later, as it may be weeks before all victims of the explosion are recovered.” (RP 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The remains of the dead are being carefully handled and prepared for burial in the most decent way even as well as could be done at a well-regulated undertaking establishment.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
~11:00 am
In Monongah:
“The eleven o’clock car was one hour getting through the dense crowd between Nos 8 & 6.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
“There is an immense concourse of people all anxious to see what there is to be seen. While the situation has not reached that point yet it may be possible that it will have to be brought under military control.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
“President C.W. Watson wired Gov. Dawson this morning that he did not think military control would be necessary as the crowd is a very orderly one.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
Outside the mines, Doctors Hill and Cook along with a few dozen nurses realize their services won’t be needed for survivors but for the rescuers instead. A second emergency hospital is set up by #8 and equipped “at 11 o’clock today with cots, bedding, and etc.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg.1)
At #6:
“Up to 11 o’clock today sixteen bodies had been removed…Four are Americans. About eighty bodies have been found, but only sixteen have been brought to the surface.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 1) (RIA 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The rescuers are now within 1,500 feet of the end of the mine. They are working in two parties of about thirty men each with reliefs every hour.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 1) (RIA 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Outside #8:
2 members of rescue crews, Milton Coburn and James Kane, are taken out of #8 to the emergency hospital set up just below the opening of the mine. Both were overcome by the gasses they inhaled while inside. (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“It is believed that the shock of the explosions displaced many of the heavier timbers in the galleries and whole rows where the unfortunate men were working collapsed upon them. In this case the work of reaching the entombed men will be infinitely greater. Some of them are now believed to be separated from the outer world by many tons of earth.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 8)
“The hope that they are alive lies in the possibility that enough pure air remained in the mine to supply those who were not crushed outright until they can be reached by the rescuers.” (WED 12.7.07 pg. 8)
In Monongah:
“At eleven o’clock tonight the list of employees had been checked off, showing that 380 were in the two mines when the explosion occurred. Of these six had been brought to the surface dead and five escaped through air shafts. The latter are in the miner’s hospital here in a precarious condition.” (DASB 12.07.07 pg. 1)
For hours now, more than likely since the meeting with Pres. C.W. Watson, General Manager Malone has been sorting through the payroll lists for Monongah mines #6 and #8 to get a better idea of just how many fatalities they are facing. By 11:00 pm, he is as finished as he can be with this aspect of his research. However, he does not deny that this list of around 380 payrolled names does not include any non-payrolled workers (such as B&O railroad workers on loan or those hired and paid by the miner personally—what we would consider an Independent Contractor today), younger trapper boys, or those who have been hired since the last time this list had been updated some two weeks prior, nor will it include those who were known to have been hired the morning of the explosion.
None the less, the press and public will become fixed with this very first “official” number of 380 and begin to speculate on their own.
“Six charred bodies lying in the improvised morgue, five men near death in the hospital and 369 men imprisoned by tons of coal, rock and mine debris in the depth of the hills surrounding this mining town with chances all against a single one of them being alive is the most accurate summary obtainable at 11 o’clock tonight…” (SFC 12.7.07 pg. 1)
The company nor the press is yet aware of just how many workers, like Bill Sloane and this author’s own great-grandfather, did not go into work that morning. As each one begins to turn up alive over the next several days, the overall number of potential corpses continues to be lowered rather than a name simply getting checked off the potential identity list. Though the extra off-payroll workers are acknowledged by company, they are not included in their factors.
In Fairmont:
“Late in the night…the streets of the city were crowded with anxious people eager to snatch any news that came from the disaster. Every car that came from Monongah, the passengers were stopped while inquiry about the news was made by the waiting crowd but the passengers had little to satisfy the hungering ones.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 2 – noon)
At some point during the night at the Miner’s Hospital, William H. Bice, the fan engineer who was blown through the walls of the #8 fan house, dies of his injuries. Though many doctors and nurses have returned to the Miner’s Hospital, the morticians and undertakers are still in Monongah. As a result, Bice had plenty of care in his final hours of life, but in death there is no one on hand to care for his body at the hospital. His body, along with others, is simply left in the hospital morgue.
In Pennsylvania:
FWV 12.6.07 pg 5
Clarence Hall has been on the site of the Naomi mine disaster for days, but now he boards a train and heads straight for Monongah. He is considered U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s personal representative as one of the few federal government agents attempting to remedy the ever-growing mortal cost of the mining industry in the country.
In Monongah:
Before the midnight hour, rescue work transitions into recovery work as the long process of removing bodies from the mines begins. As #6 mine was not as badly damaged as #8 and workers have been able to restore enough ventilation for rescue crews, the process begins there.
As each body is brought to the surface, Dr. F.W. Hill and several other medical volunteers briefly examine the bodies in hope to quickly determine the true cause of death before sending them over to the temporary morgue. Though Coroner Amos and many other morticians are expecting to have the chance to perform autopsies, they simple become too overwhelmed too quickly and decide against doing so. Due to the conditions of many bodies, it is impossible to embalm them and they must be prepared for burial and identified as quickly as possible.
~Midnight
“Of the victims six dead bodies had been taken from mine Nos 6 at midnight and six others were piled up in the entry awaiting the completion of facilities for bringing them to the surface. From mine No 8 at the same hour, fourteen bodies had been removed, and a number of others are ready to be brought out as soon as arrangements can be completed.” (LAH 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Outside #8:
Once the small fires in #8 are subdued, the temporary 8’ wide fan on loan from a local mine in Shinnston is started up once again. Though they manage to recover some bodies near the mouth and along the main shaft of the mine, the temporary fan is simply not powerful enough to purify the air in the mine and rescue crews only make it around 700 feet beyond the main entrance before they are once again driven out by toxic gases. However, this does not stop the rescue and recovery efforts. A fresh crew replaces those who came in contact with the gases and a round-robin system of smaller crews and shorter trips into the mine takes hold at #8.
In Monongah:
A large number of lingering physicians are “ordered out” of the town; “At midnight these messengers of mercy with pity and patience were on the scene ready to minister to the maimed and moaning, but there was little need for their services.” (FWV 12.7.07. pg. 1 – noon)
“Tonight, thousands are gathered at …No 6 and 8, aghast of the horror of the explosions…in fact, the entire town of several thousand people are crowded about the mine openings anxiously awaiting the work of the rescue party, but without even the slightest hope of seeing any of their loved ones alive.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
~7:00 pm
In Monongah:
“Trolley cars and trains over the Baltimore and Ohio brought great crowds of people from Clarksburg and Fairmont, many of whom have relatives in the terrible catastrophe, all anxious to learn the worst, as all hope had been abandoned that any survived and the only hope that remained was that the bodies at least might be recovered.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Vice President Potter, General Manager Thomas Fitzgerald and Division Superintendent and other officials of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company heard of the horrible disaster and arrive to offer their services.
14 miners also arrive from Tunnelton, WV, to aid in the rescue (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The general opinion in the town is that the number of dead and imprisoned will reach 500. A few persons believe this number will be exceeded, claiming that more than half the total force worked during the day, while on the other hand some think the number will be smaller. The most conservative estimates place the number of victims at 300 or more.” (DASB 12.07.07 pg. 1)
~7:30 pm
At #8:
Superintendent A.J. Ruckman finds the body of Charles Honaker. “…it was thought that Honaker had been blown in the river but he had not. He was lying about 70ft from the mouth of No 8. When he was found his watch was still keeping time and this property was the means of his identification. Mr. Ruckman still has his watch.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 2 – noon)
“Undertakers on the scene have converted the First National bank building into a morgue to take care of the bodies and all the caskets possible have arrived from Clarksburg and Fairmont with a special order on the way from Wheeling.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
~8:00 pm
At the mines:
“At this time the rescuers are hard at work digging debris, dirt, coal, timbers, and the like away so as to get further into the mine. The efforts are to rescue any live men who may possibly be in the mine and dead bodies are now being removed.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“The chief efforts of rescue are at mine No 6, where the explosion was not so terrific.” “At No 8 the rescue work is difficult and proceeding very slowly on account of the afterdamp.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
“The saloons have all been closed by order of the mayor. The great crowds still linger at the mines. The order is good.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
West Virginia Governor Dawson wires a message to Pres. C.W. Watson: “Inspector to arrive tomorrow. Do not hesitate to call upon me for assistance.” Watson replies, “Our accident was deplorable indeed. Very much obliged for your offer…glad to know Chief Mine Inspector Paul will be here in the morning. Impossible to tell extent of fatalities at this time. Will advise you early tomorrow.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 & 2 – noon)
~8:30 pm
Evening presses from major papers across the country are putting out some of the first words the country will read about the disaster in Monongah. At some point during the day, either General Manager Malone or someone who had talked with Malone had a telephone conversation with a reporter at the Associated Press. As a result of this too early conversation which will be reprinted again and again nationwide, much of the first and perhaps only words many people will read about the disaster over the next month are highly inaccurate.
CDT 12.6.07 pg 1
CDT 12.6.07 pg 1
(ETR 12.6.06 pg. 1)
(ETR 12.6.06 pg. 1)
~9:00 pm
Inside #6:
Rescuers begin investigating side entries and rooms further from explosions. As each crew moves forward, they stumble over material debris as well as dead bodies of miners and horses.
“Relay parties bring no work of encouragement, to the contrary their only report is the finding of dead bodies piled up in the mine pits in heaps of twenty, indicating that when the explosion occurred, many of them rushed to the openings and perished on the way—overcome by gas.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
Another special train arrives, this one from Baltimore carrying V.P. Wheelwright of Consolidated Coal Company, President Oscar G Murray and General Manager Thomas Fitzgerald from the B&O railroad company along with more company officials, volunteers, newspaper reporters, and sightseers.
It becomes clear to company officials that many burial sites will be needed, and the existing potter’s field is insufficient.
“C.W. Watson, president of the company, is deeply affected by the accident and refused to give out a statement tonight. He only observed that it was ‘Too bad! Too bad!’” (TS 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Outside #8:
“The deadly fire damp made it impossible to do much rescue work early in the day, especially at Mine No. 8, where the explosion had completely wrecked the fan, until another fan could be brought from Shinnston, twelve miles away, and put in working order, the men labored at a disadvantage…” (WH 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Relief crews have managed to create a stable air hole about a half mile from the mine mouth. A temporary 7-foot-wide fan has arrived from Shinnston and put into place at #8 mine. But, “When the fan that was installed at the mouth of mine No 8 was started…it caused a small fire.” (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 & 2 – noon)
Inside #8:
“One fire was discovered to the right of the main entry in No. 8 and a pipeline was immediately laid into the mine and the fire extinguished.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 2 – Floyd Parsons)
~9:30 pm
“Up to 9:30 Peter Roisberg is the only man brought out alive.” (TS 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Not less than 400 are dead and the number may run to 700, as officials have been keeping down the number as much as possible.” (FWDN 12.6.07 pg. 1)
~3:00 pm
“At 3 o’clock this afternoon it is known that the mine disaster is the worst in the history of the country.” (FWDN 12.6.07 pg. 1)
In Parkersburg:
“Mr. Watson was in Parkersburg at the time of the accident and went at once to the scene.” (TBS 12.7.07 pg. 2)
In Baltimore:
“Mr. Wheelwright left here at 3 pm over the Baltimore and Ohio for the mines. He was accompanied by Mr. J.R. Buckingham, his secretary, and some of the others of the company’s officers.” (TBS 12.7.07 pg. 2)
“Mr. Clarence W. Watson is the president and Mr. Jere H. Wheelwright the vice-president, both of whom spend most of their time here in directing the executive affairs of the corporation. Mr. Watson has a home at Fairmont, where he spends the summer. On this estate, which is just on the outskirts of that city, he has recently built a magnificent stable for his famous show horses and also a half-mile track for their exercise.” (TBS 12.7.07 pg. 2)
In Monongah:
It is “Press Time” and some of the reporters are in line to use the telegraph or telephone in the company store post office or the company office just across the river from #6 to submit their reports in time for the evening papers. A majority have had to go into Fairmont to find more communication resources. (News)
Outside #6:
Carl Tarleton arrives from the mines just down the tracks in Enterprise to help with the recovery. He works personally with David Victor on restoring proper ventilation to the mines, despite only having one working fan. By this point they have only achieved breathable air in most of the main shaft of #6, but they are almost to the area where the two mines are conjoined. David Victor decides to go ahead and make an attempt at a fire examination of #6. (Inquiry)
~3:30 pm
The two staff writers for The Clarksburg Daily Telegram make “fast time” despite taking the back roads to Monongah. “…they arrived some time before the first train and about two hours before the first trolley car arrived from Clarksburg, beating other newspaper representatives.” (CDT 12.8.07 pg. 1)
Outside #6:
The second round of rescue crews is starting to be organized just as several experienced miners arrive from the Montana mines just outside of Fairmont. As these men already work together as a congruent team underground, they are formed into a rescue crew all their own. (FWV 12.7.07 pg. 1 – noon)
Outside #8:
Someone standing near a toad hole, possibly a company watchman, happens to hear a sound like moaning coming from the ground. He calls out to nearby work crews for help. Several run off to a nearby supply house to collect materials.
~3:33-3:35 pm
Outside #8:
The rescuers have returned quickly from the supply house with armloads of rope and begin tying critical hitch and harness knots in one end to safely support the men who will be lowered down through the toad hole.
~ 3:40 – 3:45 pm
Inside #8:
The first rescuer, a long slender rail worker in the mines named Charlie “Skinny” McGraw, has been lowered over 100 feet before getting to the floor of the mine. He unties himself from the lowering lines so they can be raised back to the surface for the next man to follow down and help.
He follows the moans through the dark and soon finds the Urban brothers. Stan is lying face down in a puddle of water and Peter is sitting atop Stan’s back sobbing uncontrollably, simply staring ahead into the dark space with wide glassy eyes.
~3:45 – 3:50 pm
Inside #8:
The second rescuer, Tom Weeks, has been lowered into the room with McGraw and the Urbans. As they come upon Peter and Stan, Peter begins to shout at them and protect his nonresponsive brother. The Urbans are from Poland (their original last name is Rosebeiq) and, unfortunately, Stan knew more American English than Peter and neither of the two rescuers speak or understand Polish. (News, Ancestry, Inquiry, McAteer)
Absolutely crazed by the trauma, fear, and utter darkness he has endured for the past 5-6 hours, Peter begins to aggressively fight with McGraw and Weeks to keep them away from his brother. He shouts at them but they do not understand him and again try to grab Peter and force him away from his brother. A full-on struggle ensues.
~3:50-3:55 pm
Inside #8:
Weeks and McGraw have managed to wrangle Peter into submission. They tie him into the rope hitch and give a signal to the men on the surface to start pulling. The workers on the surface grapple with the line as Peter continues reaching and screaming for his brother on his way back up the 100’ ascent to the surface
As Tom Weeks keeps an eye on Peter from below, Charlie McGraw rushes back to check on Stan’s condition. Despite the severe head injury and 5 hours face down in a puddle, Stan is still breathing but barely hanging on to life.
~3:55 – 4:00 pm
Outside #8:
Several people grab a hold of Peter as he nears the surface and assist in pulling him out. They get him safely out of the hole, pull him away to solid ground and untie his rope when, again, Peter begins to fight off the rescuers around him. The rope is dropped back into the toad hole again as Peter continues to struggle against those trying to help him.
Inside #8:
McGraw and Weeks have moved Stan out of the puddle and closer to the toad hole. They begin to tie him into the rope harness, just as they did with Peter. Stan is still breathing but unconscious.
~4:00 – 4:10 pm
Inside #6:
“For fully two hours nothing but wreckage, such as blocks of coal mine timbers and machinery rewarded the search, but at 4 o’clock in mine No. 6, twenty bodies were found in a heap a short distance from the opening. These were not brought out at the time as the purpose of the searches was to find if any survived the awful disaster and to bring them out first.” (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
“Men who entered the mine say there are twenty dead men sitting on one bench, where they were awaiting their turns to take cars.” (TS 12.7.07 pg. 1)
Outside #8:
Peter Urban manages to break free from the rescuers. He tears through the crowd of onlookers, screaming and crying, sprints down the bank towards the river but crashes full-force into a fence. Rescuers follow and though Peter gives them quite the chase he begins to put up another brief fight as they catch up with him. Peter is simply too exhausted by this point and they manage to subdue him again with little issue.
Inside #8:
At some point during the ascent back to the surface, Stan Urban dies.
~4:10 – 4:15 pm
Outside #8:
Dr. F.W. Hill quickly looks over Peter Urban for any sign of significant injury or need for hospitalization. Though Peter is so distressed and upset that he can not even give the doctor his own name, Dr. Hill finds no reason to hospitalize him and sends Peter home to his family to rest.
At the toad hole, Stan is pulled out and taken to the side. Though he shows no signs of life, the warmth coming off his body gives them hope. Resuscitation is attempted but soon it is accepted that they are too late.
Stanislaus Urban is put onto a horse drawn cart, sent across the river to the morgue.
~4:30 pm
Word has already begun to spread through town and reaches #6 that at least one man has been found alive and rescued from #8.
Peter Urban
Outside #6:
Crowds swarm in the direction of #8. For some, especially many newspaper reporters who have arrived from out of town, this is the first notice they get that the #8 mine they have just submitted reports on isn’t actually #8 mine at all. Dozens of reporters who have been on or around the Iron Bridge all day have already gone to print and have mistakingly identifyied either #1 or #2 mine, which are across the river from #6, as being mine #8 simply because they can see smoke coming out of this mine from their vantage point.
Outside #8:
Despite the lack of ventilation and being driven out hours earlier by toxic gases, the discovery of Peter Urban alive and relatively well encourages another round of rescue crews to prepare to attempt another tour into #8. John C Thompson is in charge of one of those crews. (News, Inquiry)
Inside #6
By late afternoon, part of the broken trip that clogged the heading of mine #6 was removed and the entrance to the mine proper was clear enough to allow for the removal of bodies. “It was the blockade of broken cars that made it so difficult to get the work started.” (FWV 12.7.07 – pg. 1 – noon)
“The entry of No 6 mine, 300 feet from the mountain is piled high with wreckage of two strings of cars and two electric motors. Some of the rescuers have climbed over this and found dead bodies beyond, but have made no attempt to remove these to the surface, partly because it would be almost impossible to carry the bodies over the debris, but more particularly because they do not want to lose any time in reaching other sections of the mine where it is possible men still living may be imprisoned.” (ES 12.7.07 pg. 2)
~5:00 pm
At the mines:
By now, it has become very clear to the physicians and nurses who rushed to the scene that their services will not be needed. Some stay for the night to care for the rescue workers who are injured or overcome by the gases. Many leave on the 5 o’clock trolley car as a 3rd round of rescue crews gets organized.
~6:00 pm
In Monongah:
By this time, only Stan Urban has been recovered from the inside of #8 mine and arrangements are being made to begin bringing bodies out of #6.
Dr. Hill calls on Peter Urban at his house just to check on his condition. Peter can finally tell the doctor his name and now that Peter is around those who can understand him, he tells them that not far from where he and Stan were found, another man was also trapped but still alive.
A special train arrives on the main B&O line from Parkersburg and pulls into the center of Monongah carrying C.W. Watson, president of Consolidated Coal Company and its subsidiary Fairmont Coal Company, along with his private secretary.
In Fairmont and other cities around the country:
Newspapers are already publishing reports in their evening editions which have been circulating for about an hour now. Local papers from Monongah’s neighboring cities will put out several special extra additions over the next few days in an attempt to keep the local populace as updated as possible.
The Fairmont West Virginian publishes these headlines along with an article written by reporter L.M. Davis who was on the very first trolley to Monongah and got the opportunity to watch the action go down all day long and speak directly to some rescue workers like Fred Shaver.
They also publish a list of those “known” to be dead or injured based solely on what little information they have received from rescuers like Fred Shaver and officials who are simply too busy at the time to give in depth, detailed statements.
In the next city south of Monongah, the Clarksburg Daily Telegram publishes slightly different information.
Unlike the Fairmont West Virginian, The Clarksburg Daily Telegram is not yet publishing personal reports from those directly on the scene, though they do include a small announcement that they have reporters on the scene and will put out a special evening edition with those updates. Rather, for this first printing they rely on an article created by the Associated Press after a candid conversation with an official from either the Consolidated Coal Company or Fairmont Coal Company, or possibly a combination of both.
At this point in U.S. history, the Associated Press has a practical monopoly over the spread of news across the country and a majority of U.S. papers rely almost entirely on the Associated Press for national news at this time. To battle what many saw as a corrupt control of information, The United Press formed earlier in the year to challenge that hold. Over the next month they will both make drastic, lingering mistakes in the mad dash to be the first to publish the latest information to the country.
The Pittsburg Press is just one of the many papers that uses the United Press to collect their information. On the evening of Dec. 6, it publishes what will become one of the most notorious headlines associated with the disaster, some of the first photos of Monongah, and several articles detailing events that have taken place through the day.
Almost all of it is wrong.
The Cumberland Evening Times in Maryland also uses the United Press as a primary source and reports that, “The accident happened in Monongahela mines Nos 6 and 8 and was caused by the fan house, which supplied the miners with air, failing to work.” They follow, “The mines were idle yesterday and that is why it is thought that the fans failed to work this morning.” They will also, unfortunately, report that “Over one hundred men are known to have escaped.” (CET 12.6.07 pg. 1)
~6:30 pm
In the Monongah offices:
C.W. Watson and several other company officials hold a meeting to bring the president up to date with events. Watson decides that, “the bodies of the miners, so far as could be reached should be taken out during the night.” From here, Watson personally supervises all rescue work aided by General Manager Malone. (CDT 12.7.07 pg. 1)
At #8:
Word makes it back to #8 mine that Peter Urban has revealed that another man was still trapped in the mine, not far from where he and his brother were found.
General Manager Frank Haas is personally overseeing the rescue work at #8 but little progress has been made compared to #6. Nonetheless, rescue crews, again led by “Skinny” McGraw, reenter #8 through the toad hole. True to Peter’s word, 20-year-old Francisco Loria is found nearby, but it is too late.
Francisco will be the 5th body to enter the morgue.
At the mines:
By dusk, rescue crews are once again pushed out of the mines by gases but it is confirmed to those on the surface that there is no hope of finding any survivors inside of #6.
“Men and women who had congregated around the mine knelt down in the falling snow and prayed, offering a miner’s benediction.”
The Monongah Disaster 