Sunday School – 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)

Sunday, December 22, 1907 Morning

~5:00 am

In Fairmont:

Stonco Goyac, the 29 year old Hungarian miner stabbed and shot in Farmington, dies at Cook’s Hospital. He leaves behind a brother in Pennsylvania. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)

7:30 am

In Fairmont:

Christ P.E. Church – Holy Eucharist (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

9:30 am

In Fairmont:

M.P. Temple Sunday School meets; “a full turn out of the school is desired so that the plans for the ‘Old Fashioned Christmas Tree’ service to be held on Christmas Eve may be completed.” (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

Diamond St M.E. Church Sunday School meets in charge of Mr. E.A. Wilson. (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 2)

Presbyterian church Sabbath School meets – J. Walter Barnes, superintendent. (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

First M.P. Church Sunday School meets – J.A. Swiger superintendent. (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 2)

Palatine Baptist Church Bible School meets with Supt. W.A. Hustead in charge, the subject being, “Christmas lessons” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 2)

M.E. Church South Sunday School meets – Dr. L.N. Yost superintendent (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

Grace Lutheran Church Sunday School meets – Home-coming day. (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

First M.E. Church Sunday School meets– C.W. Evans in charge. (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

First Baptist Church Sunday School meets. (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

Christ P.E. Church Sunday School meets. (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

Central Christian Church Sunday School – McIntire, superintendent (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

9:45 am

In Clarksburg:

First Presbyterian Church, Wm. M. Hudson, Minister – Sabbath school meets. “Tuesday night the Sabbath school will have a tree to which the children and others are to bring presents and these presents are to be sent to the Rev. W.O. David at Monongah for distribution Christmas night to the Monongah children.”(CDT 12.21.07 pg. 3)

10:00 am

In Fairmont:

Cook Hospital informs Coroner Amos of Goyac’s death. This is the first any official has heard about the incident. Coroner Amos attends the postmortem examination. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)

10:30 am

In Fairmont:

M.E. Church South service – R.T. Webb, pastor. “Both the music and the sermon…will be appropriate to the Christmas occasion.” (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

Grace Lutheran Church service. (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

- Subject, “No Room for Jesus”
- “Reception of members at 10:45”
- “Sacrament of the Lord’s supper will be administered immediately after the sermon.”
- “Congregational meeting after morning services.”

10:45 am

Christ P.E. Church – morning prayer and litany (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

Presbyterian Church service – H.G. Stoetzer, Pastor (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

- Organ voluntary
- Elsa’s Prayer, Lohengrin
- Doxology
- Invocation hymn no 171 Antioch
- Reading of the Psalter
- Gloria Patri
- Scripture lesson
- Anthem, We Have Seen His Star in the East, Simpson
- Prayer
- Hymn 173, Mendelssohn
- Announcements
- Offertory
- Song from Rug Blas
- Anthem, Tidings of Joy, Porter
- Sermon
- Prayer
- Anthem, Adesti Idles, Dudley Buck
- Benediction
- Interlude, The Marvelous Works, Handel

First Baptist Church service – W.J. Eddy, Pastor (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

- Subject of sermon, addressed to the boys and girls, “Jesus, our Great Christmas Gift.”
- “Some special music will be rendered by some folks as well as by the choir.”

M.P. Temple service – J.C. Broomfield, pastor. Sermon, “The Birth of Christ”; text, “And the Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us.” (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

Central Christian Church service – W.H. Willison, Pastor. (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

First M.P. Church service – Rev. U.W. Morrison, pastor. Subject of sermon, “Christmas” (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 2)

Palatine Baptist Church service – T.B. Lawler, Pastor. Subject, “The Guiding Star” (FWV 12.20.07 pg. 2)

First M.E. Church service – G.D. Smith, pastor (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 5)

- Anthem, “Come and Worship”, E.L. Ashford
- Hymn No 107
- Prayer
- Anthem, “Bethlehem”, Bartlett
- scripture lessons
- Offering
- Ladies Quartette “Under the Silent Stars”, C. Whitney Coombs

- Hymn No 111
- Sermon, “The Guiding Star”
- Anthem, “Sing O, Heavens” B. Tours
- Hymn No 113
- benediction

Diamond St M.E. Church services – Rev. G.W. Bent, Pastor; subject of sermon, “Christmas themes” (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 2)

11:00 am

In Clarksburg:

First Presbyterian, Wm. M. Hudson, pastor; Divine worship and sermon, “The sermons at both services will be held in the spirit of Christmas, the morning sermon dealing with ‘Blessedness of Giving’…” (CDT 12.21.07 pg. 3)

“Strangers are cordially invited to all these services.” (CDT 12.21.07 pg. 3)

11:45 am

In Fairmont:

Diamond Street M.E. Church class (FWV 12.21.07 pg. 2)

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)