Shinnston – The Monongah Disaster

Friday, December 13, 1907 Midnight – Morning

“Three hundred and twenty bodies have been recovered. Of these 71 were American, 11 Negroes, 146 Italians, 54 Slavs, 31 Poles, 5 Greeks and 2 Bulgarians.” (TC 12.15.07 pg. 3)

During the night:

Rescue crews are shifted out and a new clean-up crew of 100 men arrives to remove roof falls in order to recover more bodies. (McAteer) (Haas) (News)

~4:00 am

*In Littleton, WV:

“As a Cameron helper in charge of Pete Fleming, engineer, and George Keifer, fireman, was coming in on the siding the engine started to run away.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

Fleming reversed the engine and tried to stop it but he and Keifer had to jump to save themselves. Fleming broke one leg below the knee and his face is cut and bruised by falling stones. “He was taken to Regers’ Hospital” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“The engine struck the cars on the siding with great force then started backward and before it could be overtaken had gained the main track and was running at a rapid rate. The telegraph operator at Burton was called but the engine passed that place in its mad fight, which is six miles distance, in six minutes from the time it started. The operator not understanding the order gave it a ‘white light’ not realizing his mistake until he saw it flash by unoccupied. The operator at Glover’s Gap was called and arrangements made to derail the engine at that place.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

“The track was cleared and the engine getting out of steam stopped of its own accord at Shey’s Tunnel, one mile east of Glover’s Gap.” (FWV 12.14.07 pg. 5)

~6:00 am

The First Regiment Band takes the trolley car to Clarksburg to attend the funeral services of John M McGraw. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 5)

The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as: rain or snow tonight; warmer

~8:00 am

The remains of Harry Seese, a son of Samuel Seese, a victim of the Monongah mine disaster, is brought to Shinnston on the 8 o’clock train and buried in the Masonic cemetery. “His many friends and relatives here have the sympathy of the entire community.” (CDT 12.14.07 pg. 5)

During the Morning

In Pennsylvania:

12.13.07 - pg1 - Naomi verdict — FWV 12.13.07 pg 1

In Fairmont:

Frank M Murphy, proprietor of the Bijou Theatre, brings the cash box containing the entire receipts of the Bijou Theatre for Thursday, securely locked, into the offices of the Fairmont West Virginian. When opened it contained sum of $32.03 all of which he very generously contributes to the Monongah Relief Fund. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Justice/Coroner Amos fills out 11 insurance claims over the course of the morning. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

“Twenty funerals were held here this morning, the bodies being buried in the potter’s field set aside for the purpose.” (WT 12.13.07 pg. 8)

C.W. Watson is asked for a statement. He said that there was nothing new in the situation and that there had been a great deal said about the officials and the coal company and about the state representatives but little had been said about those whom he thought were the real heroes in the calamity, the men who made up the searching parties. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“These men came in from many places in the state and volunteered their services without thinking of getting their names in print. They did not stop to inquire nor did they seem to care whether their names were on the payroll or not. The one thing that they were bent on was to get the entombed men out and no sacrifices seemed too great for these men to make. There were the real heroes, the burden bearers.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Mr. Watson said that the rumor this morning that the mines were on fire proved to be untrue when the workers had made a thorough investigation of the matter. (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“It was found that some of the afterdamp coming in contact with the good air caused a peculiar odor and that was the foundation for the report that the mines were on fire. Worked stopped for a while because it was the workers who did the investigation.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

~9:30 am

In Clarksburg:

“Four funerals were held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception Friday morning, three of them for victims of the Monongah disaster.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

“The first funeral was that of John T. McGraw, pitt boss at Monongah mine No. 8, whose body was recovered from the mine early Thursday morning. The body arrived in Clarksburg from Monongah on a Baltimore & Ohio train and was taken to the church where at 9:30 o’clock funeral services were held followed by the burial in Holy Cross cemetery. A large number of friends and relatives, accompanied the body here and the First Regiment band of Fairmont, of which the dead man was a member, also came along.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

~10:00 am

In Clarksburg:

Timothy Lyden’s body is taken from his mother’s home on Jackson Street “to the Catholic church where funeral services will be held and interment will be in Holy Cross cemetery.” (CDT 12.12.07 pg. 4)

“Fire which started in the No 8 mine last night is entirely out today and an unusually large force of men put to work at 10 o’clock.” (WT 12.13.07 pg. 8)

“Two forces of men are at work clearing up the falls where it is thought dead miners may be entombed. The number in each force is 45 and they are working 8-hour shifts. The men are only making a search for the miners. Mine Inspector J.W. Paul gave orders that the mines should not be disturbed except where it was necessary to get a body…the debris is still very loose and the men can be located by the odor. General Lee. L. Malone, who has been through the mines, gave it as his opinion that there are not more than four or five more bodies to be found.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

Deodorizing and disinfecting squads went ahead of recovery teams and work just as they have for the days prior. As soon as a body is located it is disinfected with a solution of carbolic acid (prescribed by physicians in charge) and properly marked with all available information for identification. All carcasses of horses are treated with either a very strong solution of carbolic acid or with a half barrel of slacked lime on top of which chloride of lime was sprinkled. (McAteer) (Haas)

~10:30 am

In Clarksburg at the Church of the Immaculate Conception:

“The next funeral was a double one and was for Timothy Lyden and Henry Martin, also victims of the awful Monongah disaster. Lyden’s body was taken from the home of his mother, Ellen Lyden, on Jackson street to the church and Martin’s body was brought here on the interurban trolley arriving at 9:30 o’clock and taken to the church. At 10:30 o’clock services were held over both bodies, attended by a large number of sorrowing friends and the interment followed in Holy Cross cemetery.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

~11:30 am

In Clarksburg at the Church of the Immaculate Conception:

The 4th funeral is that of “Thomas Flynn, who died at his home on Flynn street Wednesday afternoon of consumption, took place at the church at 11:30 o’clock and was also largely attended by sorrowing friends. The burial was in Holy Cross cemetery.” (CDT 12.13.07 pg. 1)

*Author’s Note: The event of the runaway car at 4 am in Littleton is not directly related to Monongah, other than giving an impression of how fast runaway rail cars can manage to go all on their own; 6 miles in 6 minutes is…impressive. But, this author mostly included it because it is just a really neat and kind-of funny story (in hindsight, of course) which always manages to cheer me up at this point of the Timeline so I felt I should go ahead and keep it in for those reasons.

Monday, December 9, 1907, Afternoon – Evening

The utterness of that desolation seemed by sheer force of numbers to overshadow anything else she had to tell—the children of the McFeeleys, “all little ones and not a bite to eat yesterday and him home dead”—(in some cases the women were so broken as to be unable to prepare food for their children, even if they had it)… What the housewives said as they met on the narrow walks or rocked at each other’s door sills was after all close to the pith of the matter…The Italian mother, “where I got the peppers,” with no money and no English and “2 little bits of children”…The Slavish wife who “tore blood out of her face”…The two crazed women on the hill who, rumor had it, had to be tied down to their beds…The young widow of the English machine man who lived just over No 8 mine, “who tore out her beautiful yellow hair in grabs,”… (Kellogg)

~12:00 pm

At the mines:

“Fire which caused a suspension of rescue work yesterday and early today in Mine No. 8 was extinguished, it was said, at noon today.” (News)

At noon the body of Mike Cosic was taken out of Mine No. 8. (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“No identification has been made of the eight unknown men taken out Sunday.” (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“A pathetic incident of the day occurred at Mine No. 6. A foreign woman whose husband had been killed stood near the mine all day with a half dozen carnations in her hand. The little floral tribute was wrapped with white ribbons. Shortly after noon her husband’s body was recovered in such condition that burial was necessary at once. She followed the wagon to the temporary morgue where the body was placed in a box, and then to the cemetery near by.” (NYTb 12.10.07 pg. 14)

In Monongah:

C.W. Watson gives the following statement:

12.9.07 - pg 1 - Watson statement — FWV 12.9.07 pg 1

“Senator J.A. McDermott, of Morgantown, president of the State senate, who was requested by Governor W.M.O Dawson to go to the scene of the mine horror, gave the Telegram representative the following statement at noon today:

‘I consider that the resolution passed by the legislature gives the mine investigating committee the power to investigate all mine horrors that occur during the existence of the committee. The coal company wants a most thorough investigation by that committee or by any other committee. I have been at both mines and looked over the whole situation. I notice a fine organization and a systematic plan of rescue work and everything possible is being done promptly. The number in the mines as given out is considerably overestimated. I am here for no special purpose but it is possible that this disaster might come before the legislature or come up in some other way and therefore desired to be personally informed.’” (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“There has been no change in the situation at Monongah today except that it is very probable that the death list is not so large as was first thought. According to a telegram sent to the Governor by Watson the dead number almost a hundred fewer than given out.” (FWV 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“When the explosion occurred the town officials ordered the saloons closed…there is no drinking and among the thousands of people who have flocked to Monongah to witness the grave disaster not one disorderly act has been committed…” (FWV 12.9.07 – pg. 7)

Fairmont West Virginian puts out an extra Noon paper. Bill Sloane is no longer included on the list of the dead.

12.9.07 - pg 1 - Union relief Association meeting

Chief of Police Shumaker received letter asking him for assistance to locate Walter Zirkle. (FWV.12.10.07 pg. 2)

~2:00 pm

12.10.07 - pg 6 - funeral 1 — CET 12.10.07 pg 6

“The funeral of Mr. John Herman…whose remains were brought to Eckhart Mine for interment took place on Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Jr. O.U.A.M. hall, as the church to which the deceased belonged is undergoing repairs.” (CET 12.10.07 pg. 6)

“The services were conducted by Rev. Edwards, pastor of Methodist Episcopal church, who spoke in a very beautiful and touching manner of the deceased’s past and of his terrible end. At the conclusion of the services the remains were taken to the Allegany cemetery at this place, where they were laid to rest, attended by a large concourse of friends and relatives.” (CET 12.10.07 pg. 6)

“The deceased was about thirty-eight years of age and is survived by his wife and several children, also his mother and several brothers and sisters residing in this vicinity. The floral offerings were very beautiful.” (CET 12.10.07 pg. 6)

~2:30 pm

“Five more bodies were removed from the mines today, making the total 58 up to 2:30 o’clock.” (ETR 12.9.07 pg. 1)

During the Afternoon

“A foreigner who is employed at the Riverdale Mine, ten miles above Monongah, lost a brother and thirteen other relatives in the catastrophe, and he is left alone in this country. Today he came to the offices of the coal company and reported that he wanted to remain at the mines until the bodies were recovered. He asked whether he would get his job back at Riverdale should he stay away from it for several days. He was assured he would not lose his place and became happy in the fact that he could assist in finding the bodies of fourteen loved ones.” (NYTb 12.10.07 pg. 14)

In Monongah:

“General Manager L.L. Malone told the Telegram representative this afternoon that likely all of the bodies, with perhaps the exception of a few in the remote parts of the mines, will be brought out within two or three days.” (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 1)

Fred Cooper’s funeral services held at the home of his uncle, Mr. Boggess, near Monongah. Rev. R.T. Webb of the M.E. Church South, pastor of the deceased, conducted the services, which were largely attended by friends of the deceased. Younger brother, Fay Cooper, also lost his life in the disaster but his body has not yet been found. Fred’s wife who survives him with one child has in the past 2 years lost 2 brothers, Fred Shingleton and an infant brother. Mr. Cooper’s mother, Mrs. Jerome Hobbs, who today mourns the loss of two sons, yesterday received announcement of the death of her husband, but today another message has corrected that statement. Mr. Hobbs is at Hot Springs, Arkansas, on account of rheumatism. (FWV 12.9.07 pg. ?)

“Considerable excitement was caused late this afternoon when rumors were current that a second explosion had occurred in the mines. An investigation made immediately by the company showed the reports had reached this vicinity from the East. There was absolutely no truth in the statement, and it was not necessary for the company to deny the report in this section.” (NYTb 12.10.07 pg. 14)

In Clarksburg:

“The Richard Farmer, whose body was taken out of Mine No. 8, is a cousin of Policeman Farmer, of Clarksburg. His body was buried here this afternoon.” (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

The remains of Charles Honaker are brought to the city and buried at Woodlawn cemetery. The funeral was under the direction of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Degree of Pocahontas. (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“The work of caring for the widows and orphans has been entrusted to a committee headed by Rt. Rev. P.J. Donahue of the Catholic diocese of Wheeling.” Bishop Donahue estimates over 80% of dead were members of the Polish or Italian parishes. (Wash. Times 12.9.07 pg. 5) (McAteer)

In the cemeteries:

Burials are continual throughout the day. At the Catholic cemetery, there is great concern of bodies being buried in their proper ethnic graveyards; Polish on the Left, Italians on the right.

“Scenes of touching sadness were caused throughout the day by the burial of the recovered dead and the pitiful actions of relatives of the entombed victims.” (LODD 12.13.07 pg. 3)

Following the custom of old country, each family member would throw a handful of earth into the grave and say a final prayer.

Near Grant Town, WV:

The home of Mr. and Mrs. John Collins of Gray’s Flats is destroyed by fire while Mr. Collins is at work in mines and Mrs. Collins is at Monongah on account of the death of relatives caused by the great explosion. The fire was caused by the children knocking a stove leg off. There were 3 children in the house but they escaped. (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 8)

At the mines:

“Nine more bodies were brought out of Monongah Mines Nos. 6 and 8 today. There are ten more bodies near the opening of No. 6 and they will be brought out by 5 or 6 o’clock.” (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 1)

~6:00 pm

Newspapers

Fairmont West Virginian:

Weather predicts more rain tonight; Tuesday, rain or snow; much colder (FWV 12.9.07 pg. 1)

Clarksburg Daily Telegram:

“…the Clarksburg Amusement Company has decided to give the net receipts of both the Odeon and Bijou family theatres all of next week to the relief fund for the sufferers. The regular performances with vaudeville specialties will be given and all who wish to lend a little aid to the unfortunate people of Monongah should attend the theatres.” (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“The proceeds of the Dreamland theatre this week will also be for the miner’s relief fund. A National cash register will be placed in the ticket office and all the monies taken in will be put in this register. The key of the register will be given to Chief of Police Richard Scott, who will count the money every morning and announcement will be made in the Telegram of the amount taken in every day. All above, the running expenses will go to the miner’s relief fund.” (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“The Monongah mine horror is still the all-absorbing topic of interest to everyone here, many of our people having relatives or friends who were victims of that awful explosion, the concussion of which was plenty felt here, and telephone messages came from as far away as H.R. McCord’s on Simpson Creek, inquiring if there had been an explosion here. Relief parties were formed here, headed by Superintendent Thomas Jarrett and Mine Foreman E.P. McAlvin and O. Bush, of the local mines and hurried to the scene on a freight train and have been working there since. Superintendent Jarrett was twice very nearly overcome with the gaseous fumes, but each time after recovery he returned to the work of rescue.” (CDT 12.9.07 pg. 5)

Washington Times, page 5:

The D.C. Evening Star, page 12:

Evening Journal in Deleware:

The Evansville Press:

Evening:

In Fairmont:

Mayor Arnett is strongly considering closing the saloons again tonight. (FWV 12.9.07 pg. 1)

The list of 406 dead published on Monday is “not complete”. “Mr. Harry Dawson of Woodsfield, OH was in the office yesterday evening looking over the list for the name of his brother, Fred Dawson, who was employed at Monongah and is known to be lost but his name was not found. Mr. Dawson also says that J.L. Hunsaker was also employed with his brother and his name is not on the list. These were both young unmarried men and were machine men.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 7)

“So this proves that the list is not near large enough and how many more instances of this kind will appear will only be known by waiting.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 7)

In Monongah:

Jury and court of inquiry adjourn “but will be recalled by the Coroner.” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“The company issued a statement today in which the claim is made that later developments lead the officials to believe that there were only 260 men in the mine when the explosion occurred. It is insisted by the miners that 406 men were checked off as entering…” (CB 12.10.07 pg. 1)

Friday, December 6, 1907, Evening into Night, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

“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

(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)