Prodestant – The Monongah Disaster

Wednesday, December 25, 1907, Christmas Day, News Hour—Night

~6:00 pm, News Hour

The Weekly Register in West Virginia:

Daily Arizona Silver Belt:

“The immediate needs of the resident families are amply met by the company and a committee of women from Fairmont and Monongah.” (DASB 12.25.07 pg. 5)

Bisbee Daily Review in Arizona:

Manchester Democrat in Iowa:

Albuquerque Morning Journal in New Mexico:

The Manning Times in South Carolina:

TMT 12.25.07 - pg 6 - Mines 2 — TMT 12.25.07 – pg 6

Evening

At the Darr mines in PA:

“Rescuers found a great mass of victims…for which they have searched incessantly for six days and if all goes well a great number of them will either be in the blacksmith shop morgue or the big identification tent nearby by evening.” (TRCC 12.27.07 pg. 2)

“Only sixty bodies have been brought to the surface, but scores of others have been located in entry 27 and there was evidence that many more were in entries 28 and 29.” (TRCC 12.27.07 pg. 2)

“The mine was in much better condition and the progress of the rescuers was satisfactory in every respect. It is believed most of the victims will have been brought out by tonight.” (TRCC 12.27.07 pg. 2)

“Eight unidentified bodies were buried. All clothing checks and other means of identification were preserved and where relatives appear, they were disinterred. If unidentified, they were buried at Connellsville.” (TRCC 12.27.07 pg. 2)

In Fairmont:

The First M.P. Church performs “Santa has the Grippe” cantata. “The performers all did splendid work and the evening’s entertainment was thoroughly enjoyed by the large audience present.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)

7:30 pm

In Fairmont:

Diamond St. M.E. Church holds its Sunday school program “Bethlehem Chimes”, consisting of beautiful Christmas songs and recitations which “…was attended by a large audience. The program was an excellent one.” (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1) (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)

“A chorus of young girls rendered splendid music. The appropriate anthems of the choir were greatly enjoyed.” (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)

Two prizes have been offered: one for the best Christmas recitation given by a child under 10 years of age and the other for the best recitation given by a person over 10. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 2)

Winner of under 10 = Elizabeth Kiger, Winner of over 10 = Ila Bent. The judges were Judge E.F. Morgan, Frank Reeves and Mrs. W.W. Brown. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 2)

Night

At the Darr Mines in PA:

“There were only 18 bodies recovered in the 24 hours, making a total of 68 brought out. Of these, 47 have been identified and 12 had to be buried unidentified because of decomposition. Nine unclaimed bodies still remain in the morgue.” (PPG 12.26.07 pg. 1)

“The work of recovering the bodies is slow, and, although a week has elapsed since the explosion, the rescue work is lagging more each day, not because of lack of willing workers, but because of the condition of the mine, which the district inspectors say is worse than that encountered at Monongah.” (PPG 12.26.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

M.E. Church South holds their Christmas program. Recitations and songs will be rendered and a treat will be distributed to the children. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“Christmas in Monongah! What a mockery it was!” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)

“It was the women as usual who bore the brunt of it all; the mothers with their helpless little flocks tugging alike at skirts and heart strings, the little ones who cannot understand. To them Christmas brought neither gladness nor hope; to them the Christmas spirit was as Dead Sea fruit.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)

“Then there were toys in plenty for the children. That was cheer for the moment for them. There was warm clothing for them, too, and also for all the women who needed it.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?

“But over all, throughout the long bleak day, was the silent weeping of the women and the utter despair on their weary faces.” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)

“And in little graveyards up yonder on the barren yellow hills nearly 100 fathers in unidentified graves. Christmas in Monongah!” (TEP 12.26.07 pg. ?)

OTC 12.21.07 - pg 1 - photo — OTC 12.21.07 – pg 1

Midnight

In Farmington:

Mrs. Ephriam Ashcraft dies at her home from her burns. (FWV 12.26.07 pg. 1)

More on How Death Gloated!

Bibliography

Disclaimer and Guide

Introduction

Issues with the Monongah Timeline

About the Author

Contact Information

Sunday, December 15, 1907 Night

“Sunday was expected to be one of the most important days of Cumberland’s response to Monongah’s call for aid. Despite the fact that there were unusually large congregations in all of the churches, owing to the special call by the Anti-Saloon League, a large number of the ministers failed to pay attention to this GREAT CALL FOR HELP FROM A STRICKEN CITY.” (CET 12.16.07 pg. 1)

6:30 pm

Goff Methodist Episcopal – Epworth League devotional services. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 3)

Presbyterian Church – Senior Society (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Topic, “Confident Testimony for Christ” Luke 12:11-12, Acts 4:13-33

First M.E. Church – Epworth League, leader P.B. Henry (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Topic, “The Straight Gate”

M.E. Church South – Epworth League service led by Miss Jessie Ice (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Subject, “Grounds of our Missionary Obligation” Rom 1:14-17

First Baptist Church – B.Y.P.U (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Subject, “The Magnificat: A Christmas Song”

Palatine Baptist Church – B.Y.P.U (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Subject, “Confident Testimony for Christ”

First M.P. Church – Christian Endeavor, led by Mrs. S.A. Shuttlesworth (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Diamond St. M.E. Church – Epworth League prayer meeting, led by Mrs. Cordelia Harden (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Subject, “The Straight Gate”

7:30 pm

Goff Methodist Episcopal – public worship with sermon by J.E. Bird, pastor. “Collections for the mine sufferers at Monongah will be taken both morning and evening. All are cordially invited to attend all of these services. You will be welcome.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 3)

M.P. Temple Church senior service.

Subject of sermon, “The Problem of Disasters” with special reference to the bright side of the Monongah disaster. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

M.P. Temple-People's Temple Methodist prodestant - Agape - map - C

Presbyterian Church service – Rev. H.G. Stoetzer, pastor

Text: Job: “Now Man See Not the Bright Light in the Clouds” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Subject of sermon, “Some of the By Products of Coal…(unclear)…may Come out Great Calamities.”

First M.E. Church service – G.D. Smith, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Subject of sermon, “Some Reflections on the Mine Disaster.”

M.E. Church South service – R.T. Webb, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Grace Lutheran Church service – A.G. Null, pastor(FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Subject of sermon, “Prevailing Prayer”

Central Christian Church services – W.H. Willison, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Subject of sermon, “The Best Time to Save Men.”

First Baptist Church services – W.J. Eddy, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Subject of Sermon, “A Great Personal Question”

Christ P.E. Church – evensong (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Catholic services at St. Peter’s – Evening devotions consisting of Rosary and benediction. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

St. Peter's - Fairmont - LibraryofCongress - map - E

St. Peter's - Fairmont - LibraryofCongress

Palatine Baptist Church – evening service – T.B. Lawler, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Special sermon by Rev. G.D. Griffin of Morgantown (FWV 12.16.07 pg. )

“Rev. Griffin is an able speaker and his sermons were greatly enjoyed by all present.” (FWV 12.16.07 pg. )

First M.P. Church – Rev. U.W. Morrison, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Subject of Sermon, “Utility of Desire”

Diamond St. M.E. Church – Rev G.W. Bent, pastor. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Subject of sermon, “The Interruption of the Plans of Men.”

Night

In Fairmont:

“Collections were taken in several of the churches Sunday for the Monongah mine sufferers, with good success notwithstanding the inclement weather conditions kept a good many persons away from the services.” (CDT 12.16.07 pg. 1)

“At the Catholic church the handsome sum of $150 was raised for the sufferers. The congregation of Italians who gathered at the hall contributed through the efforts of the Rev. Father P.M. Schoenen $12.40 and a large box of wearing apparel and other articles.” (CDT 12.16.07 pg. 1)

“At the Park avenue Lutheran church the congregation was small but $7.50 was raised.” (CDT 12.16.07 pg. 1)

“At the morning and evening services at Goff Methodist Episcopal church $100 was raised for the sufferers.” (CDT 12.16.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“Since press time Saturday the bodies of 9 miners…have been recovered, making 334 in all.” 12 bodies in all during Saturday and Sunday. (FWV 12.16.07 pg. 1)

“Bodies were recovered as follows Saturday night and Sunday, bringing the number of recovered bodies up to 334 Sunday night:

CDT 12.16.07 - pg 1 - Monongah 1 — CDT 12.16.07 pg. 1

“All of the above were taken from No. 6. These bodies were all found either under falls or in the water and the majority of them were in a bad state of decomposition.” (CDT 12.16.07 pg. 1)

More on How Death Gloated!

Sunday, December 15, 1907 Afternoon

Note: Many churches which were present in 1907 have either moved location, merged with other churches, or are simply not in the area anymore. For research and educational purposes, I have included snapshots from a Vintage map of Fairmont and Palentine from 1897 which is available online for view and/or purchase and I highly suggest referencing this map with this Timeline, rather than using modern maps. If there is a modern counterpart to this map image, it will be included though accuracy is not guaranteed for various reasons. (Ex: First Baptist Church in the vintage map versus its location today. The current First Baptist is on what was once Fairmont Farms, owned by the Watsons in 1907. According to the 1897 map, First Baptist was closer to downtown around the turn of the century.)

In Fairmont:

2:00 pm

Presbyterian Church – Junior Christian Endeavor Society (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Diamond St. M.E. Church Junior League (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

M.E. Church - map - J — Building “J” is designated as the M.E. Church on Diamond Street in 1897

First Baptist Church Sunday School meets (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

First Baptist - map - F — Building “F” is the location of First Baptist according to the 1897 map.

First Baptist Church Fairmont, WV — Current location of First Baptist Church on what used to be Fairmont Farms, beside Watson’s Highgate mansion.

2:30 pm

M.P. Temple Church Junior endeavor with Mrs. R.C. Jones in charge (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

First M.E. Church Junior League meets, Miss Nettie Bartlett, Superintendent (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

First Baptist Church Sunday School meets (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

3:00 pm

Presbyterian Church – Intermediate Society (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Diamond St. M.E. Church holds class (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Palatine Baptist Church – service at Calvary (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

During the afternoon

In Grafton:

Ed. Rankin, a “tramp” from Kaneville, OH is riding in a freight car when he gets caught between some lumber and crushed to death. (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 7)

“Lumber was stacked up in the car in two separate piles and when the train reached West Union it came to a rather sudden stop with the result that the lumber piles, between which Rankin was riding, were thrown together with a force that instantly crushed the life out of the unfortunate traveler.” (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 7)

“Benjamin English, another tramp of Glocester, OH who was riding with Rankin, narrowly escaped with his life. It is he who identified Rankin. Rankin’s remains were lifted from the car and taken to an undertaking establishment at West Union where they were prepared for burial and the interment was made at West Union in the potter’s field.” (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 7)

At the mines in Monongah:

At some point, John Graham Smyth sends notes to the surface asking for more rubber boots; the leather boots of the workers are not lasting. Smyth also requests more lye for sprinkling on stock as it is taking more than 5 pounds per head. Smyth argues with those on the surface that the cotton gloves supplied are inadequate and rescuers need rubber gloves and a solution to wash with after handling each body. Ultimately, E. Scott declines his request – citing the cost of rubber gloves. (McAteer)

More on How Death Gloated!

Sunday, December 15, 1907, Morning

“The weather was disagreeable…” (FWV 12.16.07 pg. 4)

7:30 am

In Monongah:

“No bodies have been found…since last night, when the total reached 322.” (ODB 12.15.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

Religious services dominate the day throughout the area. Last Sunday, services around the area were short and light due to massive amounts of people flooding into Monongah. This Sunday, even the rescuers have the opportunity to step away from rescue work and attend services if so desired.

Christ P.E. Church – Eucharist, Rev. M.A. Barnes (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

8:00 am

Catholic services at St. Peter’s – Rev. A. Boutlou, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

9:00 am

Goff Methodist Episcopal, class meeting, M.S. Riley, leader – J.E. Bird, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 3)

9:30 am

M.P. Temple Sunday School meets; Wm. Conway, superintendent (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Presbyterian Church Sunday School meets – Prof. J. Walter Barnes, superintendent (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Christ P.E. Church Sunday School meets (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Palatine Baptist Church Bible School meets with Supt. W.A. Hustead in charge and the subject: “The Boy Samuel” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Diamond St. M.E. Church Sunday School meets in charge of Supt. E.A. Willison. “Willison requests that the patents of the children in the primary department of the M.E. Sunday school make an effort to have all of the children present Sunday morning.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

First M.E. Church Sunday School meets, C.W. Evans, superintendent. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

M.E. Church South Sunday School meets, Dr. L.N. Yost, superintendent (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

First Baptist Church Sunday School meets (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Central Christian Church Sunday School meets (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

First M.P. Church Sunday School meets, J.A. Swiger – superintendent (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

9:45 am

Grace Lutheran Church Sunday School meets, the hour will be utilized for a rehearsal of Christmas service. Also a rehearsal will be had in the afternoon. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Goff Methodist Episcopal – Sunday school, Harvey W. Harmer, superintendent. (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 3)

10:00 am

Catholic services at St. Peter’s – Rev. A Boutlou, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

10:30 am

M.E. Church South service – R.T. Webb, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

10:45 am

Presbyterian Church service – Rev. H.G. Stoetzer, pastor

Text: Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Subject of Sermon, “The Right Idea of Life” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Goff Methodist Episcopal – sermon by pastor J.E. Bird – “The Gentleness of God” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 3)

First M.E. Church services – G.D. Smith, pastor

Subject of sermon, “The Delays of God” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Grace Lutheran Church service – A.G. Null, pastor

Subject of sermon, 9th and 10th Commandments (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

M.P. Temple Church services – J.C. Broomfield, pastor

Subject of sermon, “Sustained Shining or the Secret of a Faithful Life.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Christ P.E. Church – morning prayer and litany (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

First Baptist Church services – W.J. Eddy, pastor

Subject of sermon, “Some Lessons From a Missionary Standpoint from the Monongah Mine Disaster.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Diamond St. M.E. Church – Rev G.W. Bent, pastor.

Subject of sermon, “A National Bereavement” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Central Christian Church services – W.H. Willison, pastor

Subject of sermon, “Some Conditions upon which God Answers Prayer.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 8)

Palatine Baptist Church – morning service – T.B. Lawler, pastor (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

Special sermon by Rev. G.D. Griffin of Morgantown. “Rev. Griffin is an able speaker and his sermons were greatly enjoyed by all present.” (FWV 12.16.07 pg. )

First M.P. Church – Rev. U.W. Morrison, pastor.

Subject of Sermon, “Necessary Things” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

11:45 am

Diamond St. M.E. Church holds class (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 2)

In Monongah:

Public services are also held in the cemeteries “in memory of many victims interred before being identified.” (McAteer)

The last resting places of many are designated only by stakes inscribed with the number of the funeral. However, for several days cemetery workers have been dealing with a special issue of their own:

“Identifications at the cemetery were greatly hindered by the ignorance of some of the bereaved. Several of these people, thinking to save funeral expenses, would allow relatives to be buried ‘unknown’. This was discovered by sticks and other marks found nearly every morning beside newly made graves. Many of these markers were destroyed by the workmen, but in every case the next morning another mark appeared such as notches cut in fence posts, or another stick or cross beside the grave. It was also found, that among the foreigners some would claim as their own a body which had been full identified otherwise by relatives, insisting that they be buried in a certain grave, and when this request was not granted, these graves would also be marked with a name other than the occupant.” (Haas)

At the mines:

“…not much work was done in No. 8 owing to the condition of the air…” (CDT 12.16.07 pg. 1)

As passing time made removal of bodies more difficult, rescuers turned to lye to destroy decomposing animals and, no doubt, some men’s bodies. (McAteer)