“I read about Tony McLuckie in the Harmony Club saying it was so hard to find a girl willing to become a feller’s wife, but I want to say to him right now his excuse aint no more good. He can go to Monongah, get a wife for the asking and a hundred dollars to boot! This is a fact, I am told, and I don’t want to hear no more of his trying to square himself with the community on the ground that not being a married man is not his fault. —Joe Duffy” (FMJ 12.21.07 pg. 2)
Afternoon
In Iquique, Chile – South America:
200 striking Nitrate workers are killed by government troops. 10,000 workmen from the interior refuse to disperse and the troops open fire with machine guns. A state of siege is declared. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
In Farmington:
Dr. Smith has arrived to examine the gunshot and stabbing victim, Stonco Goyac, and orders him straight to Cook’s Hospital. (FWV 12.23.07 pg. 1)
At the Darr mine in PA:
“A gruesome task has developed upon M.S. Shoppe, the proprietor of a store here. He was personally acquainted with almost all of the victims of the explosion and hourly he is being called upon to identify mangled forms of former customers. Fortunately he has a peculiar faculty for remembering faces and is of great assistance to the officials.” (PDP 12.21.07 pg. 2)
“Mr. Shoppe has completed a house-to-house canvass of one section of Van Meter, and in one row of 50 houses he finds 129 wage-earners missing. The census idea will be carried out, although company officials are not showing such a disposition to prosecute the enumeration and rescue work as was manifested by C.W. Watson and his assistants at Monongah.” (PDP 12.21.07 pg. 2)
“The first funerals of the mine victims were held today.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“The body of Peter Linbaugh will be buried in the West Newton cemetery and that of Joe Sharpenberg in the Smithton cemetery.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“A special car will be attached to a Pittsburg & Lake Erie rain leaving Jacobs Creek tomorrow afternoon at 3:18 to convey the body of Linbaugh and his relatives to the cemetery. Services will be held at the homes of the two victims preceding the funerals. The Odd Fellows of Smithton will have charge of the Lingaugh funeral.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“Many funerals will probably be held on Christmas day. Every effort was made to avoid Christmas funerals but there is now little chance of postponing them.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“It is estimated that there are at least 150 orphans newly-created and 175 widows and that there are not less than 50 mothers from whom has been snatched away the support of sons.” (PDP 12.21.07 pg. 2)
“The small business interests of Van Meter and of Jacobs Creek are already feeling the effects. It is said that to these small storekeepers alone accounts aggregating small fortunes will be unpaid as a result of the explosion.” (PDP 12.21.07 pg. 2)
~2:15 pm
At Darr mine in PA:
“At 2:15 pm, several physicians were hurriedly summoned to the Darr mine and sent inside. It was reported that some of the rescuers had been overcome by gas. No names are obtainable yet.” (DH 12.21.07 pg. 1)
“The difficulty of rescue work is hourly increasing as the black damp is found in greater quantities as the men forge forward. It will not be possible that more bodies can be reached until this damp is eradicated. Indications tend to show that the force of the explosion was terrific, tearing large wooden support and thick planks like paper. A hundred and fifty caskets will arrive here to be stored in large houses until the bodies are recovered.” (DH 12.21.07 pg. 1)
During the Afternoon
At Darr mine in PA:
“In their endeavor to reach the victims several members of the rescuing party were overcome by black damp. Their condition became so grave that physicians were rushed into the mine. Later the sickened rescuers were brought to the surface and taken to their homes.” (BS 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“Another explosion of white damp or marsh gas momentarily is expected in the Swamp section of the ill-fated Darr mine No. 129. That this is true, is proven by the adoption of a new precaution in the rescue work which is so hampered by the presence of deadly gases that little progress is being made. Patent fume helmets are to be used by the rescuers in the mine this afternoon. Shifts of six English speaking miners only will use these helmets to go ahead of the air that is to penetrate beyond the brattices.” (DH 12.21.07 pg. 1)
“A.E. Davidson, of New York, inventor of the helmets is here superintending the work. Men can work in deadly gases with them for five hours but for safety will only stay in the Darr mine two hours.” (DH 12.21.07 pg. 1)
“Clarence Hall, the Government geological expert, of Washington, and S.M. Fowler, of Chicago, a United States mining engineer, arrived to make an investigation for the Government. Mine inspector from surrounding States are also present, and a thorough investigation of the explosion will be made, in the hope of reaching some plan where the danger of such occurrences can be lessened.” (DH 12.21.07 pg. 1)
“Clarence Hall, expert connected with the geological department of the National Government, arrived here today from the Monongah mines of West Virginia, where he had investigated the explosion. He went into the Darr mine this afternoon and will make a thorough investigation.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“R.T. Chamberlain, a chemical expert of the geological department, will join Mr. Hall tomorrow.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“In getting back into the afterdamp laden section of the mine Mr. Hall used a smoke and fume helmet, an invention of J.E. Davidson, of New York. It is to provide pure air to the users in entering places where the atmosphere is poisonous. A tank of oxygen is strapped to the back of the user and fed to him through a helmet similar to that worn by divers.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“Nick Brett, a miner, also used one successfully in the mine today.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“The company will probably adopt this means of protection for members of the relief parties in going into the mine rooms for bodies. As a result of this and other mine accidents in Pennsylvania this year the State department of mines will, it is said, make recommendations for remedial laws to the next Legislature.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“The work of recovery is going forward so slowly that relatives of those dead in the working are becoming impatient and frequent mutterings are heard.” (DH 12.21.07 pg. 1)
“Miners say, however, that the work must necessarily be slow. It is proved that the Pittsburg Coal Company knew that deadly gases were in the Darr mine and that it was taking precautions to prevent such a disaster as occurred. Contracts had already been made with the National Helmet Company to furnish a quantity of these safety helmets.” (DH 12.21.07 pg. 1)
“Coroner C.A. Winne and Deputy Coroner H.A. McMurray, of Youghwood, are here, but no bodies have been taken from the mine since daylight and they have had nothing to do so far.” (DH 12.21.07 pg. 1)
“The scenes about the mines are of a more pathetic nature today. Apparently a full realization of the calamity had finally come to the relatives and residents of the vicinity. Greater numbers congregated and gave full sway to their feelings.” (BS 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“Ambulance chasers” have been found at work among the foreign families. Irresponsible undertakers have attempted to procure $10 from the friends of each mine victim to look after the body. Attorneys have also canvassed the community trying to secure a retaining fee from the families. The attorney has promised all his clients thus secured big damages. The company attorneys have secured an interpreter and will advise the families as to what the concern proposes to do.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“In anticipation of large crowd of morbid spectators here tomorrow the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad officials have ordered a squad of their officers to report at the Darr mines in the morning to assist the State constabulary in preserving order.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“The railroad has experienced great difficulty in dealing with crowds at their depot near the mines. As each train pulls into the station it is besieged by men and women who prevent passengers getting off and interfere with the express business.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“This afternoon the crowd practically took possession of a train. They clamored into the coaches through windows and fought with one another in getting into the baggage car. It was necessary to detain the train for 15 minutes before the coffins could be unloaded.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“While the State police have the situation well in hand it is though advisable to give them assistance tomorrow. The railroad police will probably be held here for several days as trouble is expected when the bodies are brought out in large numbers.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“James P. Roderick, chief of the department, visited the Darr mine today and made an investigation. He asked permission of the company to go into the mine with four district inspectors. This was refused on the ground that all the air possible was needed for the relief parties. After an explanation of conditions in the mine Chief Roderick consented to take only two with him.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“While Mr. Roderick would not discuss what he had seen in the mine, he admitted that new laws were needed. Officials of the Pittsburgh Coal Company declared that any fair mining law would be acceptable to them.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“D.R. Blower, deputy district mine inspector, began an inspection of the Darr mine on December 9, but was called away and never completed it. He refuses to say, however, in what condition he eft the mine. W.J. Neilson, inspector of this district, who has been ill for several weeks, came to the mine today. He left his bed contrary to the doctor’s orders.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“To provide quarters for the men engaged in the relief work, the company fitted up a vacant house adjoining the tipple. A large number of cots were put in the house.” (PDP 12.22.07 pg. 2)
In Pennsylvania:
“David Riggings, formerly of Lonaconing, where he worked some times ago, was one of the victims of the Monongah mine disaster. He was a brother of Mrs. Jeanie Robertson, of Lonaconing, and 10 years ago as employed at Lonaconing, later going to Newburg, W.Va., and from there to Monongah. He was 36 years of age.” (BS 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“Three other brothers were employed at the Monongah mines, but none of these was in the mine on the day of the explosion. One of them, who is a wire fitter, had been sent to repair wires in another mine on the day of the explosion, while another had recently been transferred to another mine, and the third did not go to work on the fatal day.” (BS 12.22.07 pg. 2)
“At Lonaconing a vaudeville entertainment will be given at Evan’s Opera House on December 27 for the benefit of the Monongah sufferers. More than $100 has already been raised in Lonaconing for the benefit of the sufferers.” (BS 12.22.07 pg. 2)
In Monongah:
More on How Death Gloated!
The Monongah Disaster 