“J.A. Williams, a ‘dilly rider,’ is one of the men who escaped. His business was to haul the loaded cars out and into the mine. He was about seventy-five feet from the entrance to the slope when the explosion occurred. He has stepped around in front of the cars, which he had stopped. He was blown out through the entrance and landed about seventy-five feet outside of the mine. He rolled down the hill which faced the entry and was later picked up bruised and stunned.” (TS 12.20.07 pg. 1)
Early Afternoon
At the Darr mine in PA:
“An explosion of gas in the Darr coal mine of the Pittsburg Coal Company located here, today entombed between 200 and 250 miners. There is scarcely a ray of hope that a single one will be taken from the mines alive.” (AR 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“William Kelvington, superintendent of the mine, was not in the mine when the explosion occurred. He quickly organized rescuing parties, starting one force of twenty-five men with reliefs at short intervals in the main entry and a similar force at a side entry. It is hoped to reach the greater part of the victims through the latter.” (SLH 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“The main office of the company is in Pittsburgh, and upon receipt of news of the accident and the officers hurried to the mine and are leading and directing the rescue work. Among the officers on the scene are J.M. Armstrong, manager of the Pittsburg Coal company; Lee Gluck, assistant to the president. John B. Byers, livestock manager; H.O Randolph, assistant to the general manager, and Benjamin Faraday, inspector.” (LAH 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“Of the miners entombed, 100 are Americans the rest principally Italians.” (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 1)
“The partially wrecked buildings in the vicinity of the mines and the condition of the few bodies found early in the rescue work indicate that the explosion was of such terrific force that it seems impossible that anyone could have survived it.” (AR 12.20.07 pg. 1)
In Monongah:
“Three of the inspectors in the bituminous mine districts of Pennsylvania are at Monongah assisting the West Virginia State mine officials in their efforts to locate the cause of the recent disaster there.” (WBR 12.21.07 pg. 5)
“B.P. Ryalls, a substantial business man of Norfolk, Va., is in the city and Monongah, looking after the interest of his brother, K.D. Ryalls, who was killed in the mine explosion.” (TA 12.19.07 pg. 3)
At the mines:
The West Virginia Legislative Joint Committee returns to the disaster site and does an inspection of the outside conditions of the mines. They “consulted State Mine Inspector James Paul regarding the explosion and its cause.” (CDT 12.18.07 pg. 1) (McAteer) (Inquiry)
Paul reports to the committee that though they have finished their inspection of #6, they have not finished their inspection of #8 due to the condition of the mine, and therefore could not give any insight on the cause of the disaster. (McAteer) (Inquiry)
“After 3 days of work in mines 6 and 8…Chief Mine Inspector Paul and the men who are with him have not even advanced a theory as to the cause of the disaster…they have not yet been able to find where the explosion began and until that point is decided it will be difficult to determine the cause.” (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 1)
~1:00 pm
At the Darr mine in PA:
“Immediately after the explosion, smoke poured from the mouth of the mine, which is of the slope variety. The mouth of the mine was wrecked and up to 1:00 rescuers were unable to enter in search of the entombed men.” (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 1)
~2:00 pm
In Fairmont:
The Ladies Aid Society of Diamond St M.E. Church meet at the home of Mrs. E.C. Scott where the “…hours from two until five were very pleasantly spent by the ladies…” (FWV 12.17.07 pg. 2) (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 2) (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 2)
~2:15 pm
At the Darr mine in PA:
Smoke has been pouring out of the mouth of Darr mine since the explosion but it is beginning to back off. “It is believed that all men entombed are dead.” (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 1)
~2:20 pm
In Pittsburg, PA:
Several officials of the Pittsburg Coal Company—doctors, newspaper men, officers and mine workers—leave on the 2:20 B&O train for the disaster scene at Darr. (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 1)
At some point during the afternoon
At the Darr Mine in PA:
“About 1500 feet from the mouth of the mine a heavy fall of rock was encountered by the rescuers. It is believed that most of the men will be found nearly a mile and half beyond this point.” (LAH 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“So far as is known only one man who went to work this morning escaped. Joseph Mapleton, a pumper, emerged from one side of the entrance shortly after the explosion. He had left the part of the mine where most of the men were working and was on his way to the engine room for oil.” (AR 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“’I was near entry 21,’ he said, ‘when I heard an awful rumbling. I started toward the entry, but the next instant I was blinded and for a little time I did not know any thing. Then I got to the side entry and worked my way out.’” (CDT 12.20.07 pg. 1)
“Mapleton was somewhat cut and bruised, but after going home and having his injuries dressed, he returned to the mine and joined the rescuers.” (AR 12.20.07 pg. 1)
In a small town “Penobscott”, WV:
The town is almost deserted as the result of a scarlet fever scourge. (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 5)
They have had 16 deaths in past few days. 4 children in one family died within 12 hours. The physicians are unable to induce well people to care for the sick and residents who were able to do so locked their homes and left town. (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 5)
In Clarksburg:
The Joint Legislative Committee returns to the Hotel Waldo, adjourns, and the members head back to their respective homes to await the time that they will be recalled to the area again by the chairman. (CDT 12.19.07 pg. 1) (McAteer) (Inquiry)
In Fairmont:
A long-distance message is received from the Vice President of the Pittsburg Coal Company which states that there were not more than 160 men in the Darr mine, but the reports by the United Press say there were 400 men and there is “scarcely a hope that any are alive.” (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 1)
At the mines in Monongah:
The big pumps have again been put into operation and the mines are being freed of water. (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 1)
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The Monongah Disaster 