The Black Hand – The Monongah Disaster

Saturday, December 7, 1907, Early Afternoon – Dusk, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

At the morgue:

“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)

At #8:

“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.

December 5, 1907 – Eve of St. Nicholas Feast Day

“The dawn of a new era of prosperity is here.” (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

During the day:

The country is beginning “to recover from the severe shock of the recent panic” on Wall Street. “Naturally there was a little scare at first, but when the people saw that there were rotten spots only here and there they quickly recovered from their fright.” (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

In Pennsylvania:

12.5.07 - pg 1 - Naomi — FWV 12.5.07 pg 1

In Washington D.C.:

Gov. Dawson of West Virginia gives the opening speech at the river convention. (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

“He said his state was particularly interested in the comprehensive improvement of the inland waterways of the country…The governor referred particularly to the resources of West Virginia, the State being second in the production of coal and fifth or sixth in hard wood timber. The bulk of the coal has to find a market outside of the State and if, by water transportation, the state could save the ten cents a ton it would aggregate $3,000,000 a year.” (FWV 12.6.07 pg. 1)

“’We are one people and have a common destiny,’ said he, in conclusion. ‘We want nothing in West Virginia that is forbidden to any other part of the country; but I say to you, gentlemen, that we want to be ready for the Panama Canal when the great waterway is ready for us.’” (FWV 12.6.07 pg. 1)

In Grafton:

“Sam Furk, an Italian, has been held for the grand jury on the charge of extorting money at the point of a revolver from several of his fellow countrymen of this section.” An Italian witness from the same area of Italy as Sam Furk ‘testifies’ that Furk is wanted on two murder charges back in Italy, “so it is probable that the local authorities will take up this matter with the Italian embassy at Washington.” (CDT 12.5.07 pg. 1)

“The hearing developed the fact that Furk had been playing the hold-up game among members of his race successfully at Brooklyn, N.Y., Rowlesburg, Manheim, Fairmont, Clarksburg and Grafton.” (CDT 12.5.07 pg. 1)

“Furk is in jail here.” (CDT 12.5.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as: Fair tonight and Friday, warmer Friday

In Monongah:

Mines #6 & #8 are not running at full production today but the fans continue running for the skeleton crew inside. Due to the recent stock market crash, there is still a lack of orders & a majority of the working immigrant population will be celebrating the eve of St. Nicholas Feast Day tonight. In these days of “miner’s freedom”, many miners would choose not to go to work during their holidays.

In the Afternoon

In Fairmont:

The Isabella Davis Circle of King’s Daughters opens their annual Christmas Bazaar in the Sunday school room of M.E. Church on Main Street in Fairmont. “The different booths are all decorated in the Christmas colors red and green the color scheme being carried out by the use of crepe paper and autumn leaves in the colors.” (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

In Monongah:

Anestis Stamboulis & several Greek miners take advantage of the holiday and good weather. They take a walk up into the hills surrounding the town and pick some wild mushrooms to be used for dinner. (McAteer)

~5:30 pm – 6 pm

In Monongah:

The Who’s Who Club of Wahoo (a neighborhood of Monongah) holds its monthly meeting where they “disposed of large quantities of the amber fluid, red liquor and refreshments of all varieties.” 8 members will not go into work tomorrow but will end up digging graves. (McAteer)

Homer Pyle and his mother are “sitting before the bright blazing fire” at their home,“…he said let us have a song for it is too cold to go over in town tonight, so he and his mother sang two or three songs and the last song was ‘Will There be Any Stars in My Crown?’”

“But little did Homer think that the next evening he wouldn’t be alive to sing with his mother.” (FWV 12.19.07 pg. 2)

At the mines:

The night shift skeleton crew comes onto work.

Over the next 12 hours these workers will do various jobs throughout the mines.

Inside #8

Peter J. McGraw came in for his fire boss shift around 6 pm.

He does his examinations of the mine alone.

He finds water in 4th left so significant that he can’t get in there to properly examine the heading. (Inquiry)

Inside #6

22-year-old Lester E. Trader arrives for his fire boss shift around 6 pm. (Inquiry, McAteer)

Trader inherited his job when the previous fire boss got sick during Trader’s apprenticing. Trader lacked 3 years necessary experience, training, and certification for his official position so he was kept on the night shift so as to “not run into the inspector”. (McAteer)

Trader worked alone like most fire bosses. He led a horse drawn water cart to sprinkle the mine walls in order to dampen any renegade coal dust.

To check for dangerous gas levels, he used a Wolf Safety Lamp to check for methane. However, due to the size of #6 mine, Trader cannot check everywhere.

~7:00 pm

At the mines:

Libberato Delesandro works the night shift, “helping to get #6 and #8 through together”. (Inquiry)

Inside #8:

Tony Pasquaele arrives to work and drives the horse-drawn water cart in #8 through the night. “The watering carts carried large wooden barrels filled with 300 gallons of water; perforated ends of the barrels were plugged by wooden combs that could be removed to allow water to sprinkle out.” (McAteer)

As he is leading the horse and water cart, he notices that the heading is “a little dry” for this time of year. (Inquiry)

Tony is also responsible for pumping out any rising or standing water which had seeped into the mines. His pattern is systematic; he “would start the pumps then go water mines for a bit, and then would check back on the pumps every 2 hours to see how they were doing.” (Inquiry)

Inside #6:

Ludwig Strezelecki works at F face: 1st right, room 15. His task for the night involves working with his brother-in-law taking out stumps and finishing the headings.

Night

It is the eve of St. Nicholas Day for Italian Catholic and some Polish Catholic immigrants.

At night, the families gather around their coal stoves or fireplaces (if they are fortunate enough to have a fireplace) and tell stories, sing hymns, or verse simple rhymes about St. Nicholas De Bari.

Polish- St Nick rhyme-mamalisa — Polish rhyme to St. Nicholas

Italian - St Nick rhyme - mamalisa — Italian rhyme for St. Nicholas

Children leave their shoes lined up side-by-side next to the door, window, or hearth. If possible, some would place bits of carrot, oat, or hay inside as a gift for the trusty mule/white horse which traveled along with St. Nicholas as he delivered small gifts.

8:00 pm

In Clarksburg:

At the Bacon & Godfrey skating rink a “Who’s Who” Carnival is held. “Upon entering the rink, you will be furnished with a false head or some contrivance of that kind which will make it almost impossible for your mother to even know you. With everybody thus attired the big show will start, with everyone wondering who is who.” (CDT 12.5.07 pg. 1)

~10:00 pm

Inside #8:

Homer C. Palmer (electrician) arrives for his night shift.

Through the night:

Inside the mines:

The main ways of the mines are watered.

Fire bosses like Lester Trader and P.J. McGraw walk their respective mine checking for dangerous conditions in both #6 and #8.

Inside #8:

George Bice dug coal (pick work) on 5th right, 2nd north in #8

Inside #6:

Fred Cooper (motorman) sprinkled headings in #6. (Inquiry)

In Monongah:

Not long after the children have fallen to sleep, several parents quietly replace the bits of hay or carrot in their children’s shoes with a sweet treat, like candy or fruit, and a small present—typically a (gold) coin.

Wednesday, December 4, 1907

At the Naomi mine in Pennsylvania:

12.4.07 - pg 1 - Naomi — FWV 12.4.07 pg 1

In Washington D.C.:

Gov. Dawson - wikipedia — photo of Governor W.M.O. Dawson from Wikipedia

Governor William M.O. Dawson arrives in D.C. for the national river convention. Governor Dawson conferred “with river enthusiasts from many States and is rejoiced at the enthusiasm…”. (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

ABFleming - wikipedia — Photo of Aretas Brooks Fleming from Wikipedia

Former West Virginia Governor and current Fairmont Coal Company associate, A.B. Fleming, is also at the convention in D.C. (FWV 12.5.07 pg. 1)

In Grafton, WV:

Sam Furk has been arrested in Grafton by local authorities for crimes associated with the Black Hand. Furk is described as a “tough-looking” “big Italian”, believed to be “king of the Black Hand society of this section of the country”.

“Nothing concerning where Furk came from can be elicited from any of the local foreigners and all of them seem to be afraid of him. He arrived here a short time ago and has been spending his time among the foreigners.”

Furk is charged with extorting other Italians for money around the Grafton and Fairmont areas.

“From what could be learned of the matter from the foreigners, most of whom were so badly scared they would not talk, it appears that Furk, since he came here, has been posing as the ‘big man’ in the ‘Black Hand’ society and in making his demands upon the foreigners has emphasized his remarks by the flourish of a big revolver.”

Many local terrorized Italians are “afraid that if they do appear against the fellow that he should not be held for court that he would kill them as soon as he could find them after being released.”

“…Furk was not given a hearing yesterday, but he will probably be arraigned today.” (FWV 12.4.07 pg. 2 & 6)

At the Monongah mines:

Day shift worked at mines #6 and #8

Fred Stubbs is among them but this will be his last day of work for the rest of the week because his wife is very sick at home. At this time, a system known as “miners freedom” allows Fred to choose if he wants to work, rather than requesting the time off.

Ebook - miner's freedom - Race & labor in America — *For Jobs and Freedom: Race and Labor in America Since 1865*
By Robert H. Zieger, page 37

In #8:

It is the first day on the job for 3 Russian immigrants: Paul Goff, John Goff, and Frank Kreger.

Fred Vandatti works the gathering motor in #8: 4th right, 2nd north. Hugh Reese (brakeman) was his helper.

motorman — Motorman driving a gathering motor.

In #6:

James Rogers (assistant foreman in #6 and foreman in #3) is working in #6. This will be his last day of work this week due to illness.

George Simko works in #6: 2nd right, E face, room 8. This will also be his last day of work this week due to sickness.

Libberato Delasandro is working in #6 and finds gas accumulation earlier in the day at 2^nd right off of D face, in rooms 2 & 3. However, it was only a slight trace – normal and relatively safe—so he does what most miners do: he takes off his coat and waves it around, fanning the gases out of the air and working space. Later, he will find gas and dust accumulation on 2^nd right of G face in #6. At one point a foreman comes into where he is working, notices the gas and shouts at Libberato to lower the flame on his cap and so he does. (Inquiry, McAteer)

In Fairmont, WV:

The Fairmont West Virginian reports the weather as: Snow tonight. Thursday fair. Minimum temperature tonight about 15 degrees.

CW Watson - Wikipedia — Photo of C.W. Watson from Wikipedia

Fairmont Coal Company and Consolidated Coal Company President Clarence Wayland Watson is world-renowned for his show horses. 14 of C.W. Watson’s show horses arrive in Fairmont on train No. 7., care of the US Express company from New Haven, Conn. (FWV 12.4.07 pg. 5)

Night

In Monongah:

A meeting of Monongah mine foremen & superintendents is held in J.C. Gaskill’s office. The meeting is called to go over things regarding safety of the mines.

Fairmont Coal Company supervisor David Victor, Tom Donlin (foreman at #6), and foreman Pete McGraw are present for the meeting.

Gaskill asks McGraw and Donlin about conditions inside and about the mines and they replied that it was good in both cases. “…McGraw said he had a little bit of shooting off the solid that he had not been able to eliminate. He was instructed to eliminate all of that and that he must get rid of the men who had that practice.” (Inquiry– Victor)

James Rogers, assistant foreman in #6, talks with foreman Tom Donlin in the company supply store about watering the mines tonight.

At the mines:

Night shifts work and, per usual, the main-ways of the mines are watered, but not the branching off hallways and rooms. (Inquiry, McAteer)