Union Relief Association – The Monongah Disaster

Wednesday, December 11, 1907 – Afternoon

“Although rain is increasing the work of the rescue parties, it brought a merciful relief from the pitiful scenes at the exits in the last few days. It drove indoors many of the grief-stricken relatives and friends of the victims who crowded about the mouths of the shafts waiting for the bodies of the loved ones to be restored to them. All the soft earth about the mines was turned into a thin mud by the downpour, and although some of the stronger of the watchers remained through the forenoon, nearly all sought shelter later and awaited in their homes the summons to come and claim their own.” (RP 12.10.07 pg. 1)

~12:00 pm

At the mines:

Recovery is becoming more horrific and tedious as bodies now have to be carried a distance of a mile or more underground just to get to mine mouth. As recovery of bodies gets swifter, the system of identifying and counting the deceased leads to more confusion over the total number of bodies “found” and those actually “recovered” and when. (McAteer)

Between 170-180 bodies total have been taken out by noon, “…all of them except thirteen having been recognized and were either buried immediately after coming out or turned over to relatives where the corpse was in shape to be seen.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1) (News)

“…with large additions to the rescuing force it is hoped to have the mines cleared very soon.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“It is stated today that there is every reason to believe the number of the dead will reach four hundred.” (CET 12.11.07 pg. 1)

In an interview, the head of a rescue crew tells the Fairmont West Virginian: “#8 main from the opening to the bottom, a distance of about 1 mile in the mine, is absolutely clear of wreckage or falls. About the only obstruction of any amount in this mine is quite an extensive fall in the first left of the second south main working. This fall is about 100’ in length and about 4’ deep. Quite a few rooms were discovered with falls.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg.1)

In Fairmont:

Tom Donlin’s mother (who lives on Gaston Ave between 3rd and 4th street) knows nothing of the disaster. Her friends have kept her at home and kept all news from her “but in spite of all of this care Mrs. Donlin knew there was something wrong.” Her son usually came to visit every few days and was due for his visit on Friday. Since he didn’t show up, she was suspicious that something was not right. Father Boutlou informed her of the death of her son at noon. 2 years ago, another of her sons, John, was killed in a railroad wreck near Buckhannon. (FWV 12.12.07 pg.1)

At some point during the afternoon

In Monongah:

5 men showed up in town and “represented that they were workmen; they were supplied with rubber boots…and some other things that they needed to make up a fair disguise. These men then started to see how much good victuals they could consume. They were so successful with their scheme they began to boast about it. They did not stay long in Monongah after they were found out. They were given the grand bounce.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg.1)

Francesco A Cirmo, clerk at the local post office in Fairmont, is at Monongah participating “…in taking the census…” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

“Fifty-seven more bodies were taken out of the ill-fated Monongah mines 6 and 8 today; the larger number of these having been recovered from No. 8. This brings the total number recovered up to 184.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“These bodies many of which are badly burned and some mangled, have not all been identified as yet. The undertakers are working hard in preparing the corpses for burial and placing them in caskets. Those not identified are placed in the rooms provided for unidentified bodies where they are viewed.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

In Fairmont:

“It is now quite apparent that a large amount of money will be sent to Fairmont for the relief of the Monongah sufferers. Many thousands of dollars have already been deposited for this purpose and word comes from various cities of donations in large and small amounts.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

“The Union Relief Association, an organization of Fairmont women from the various churches of the city, is doing noble work in providing for immediate needs of the wives and children of the victims and the General Relief Committee will use the larger sums of money in making provision for the families in a more comprehensive manner a little later on.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

“This is a great work and ought not be done in a hurry. Needs not now thought of will probably develop a little later and then it will be a good thing to have some money to meet them. Let the gifts continue to be made for remember the needs of 300 widows and 1,000 orphans are great.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

Dr. D.C. Duncan of Cameron informs Mayor Arnett of Fairmont that he offers 2 houses, rent free, to Monongah sufferers: “I have two small houses of two and three bedrooms that I will let some poor woman that has one or two children have to live in two or three months free of rent to help them along till spring. If they are able and willing to work they can get lots of common work such as washing to do to help them along. You will please let me hear from you if there is that would accept the offer.” (FWV 12.13.07 pg. 1)

In the next town south of Monongah:

South east on the state border:

The Watson school in Pendleton County donates the proceeds from a box dinner they held Friday evening. “The proceeds though needed for the school’s new library was given to the Monongah sufferers by a unanimous vote of the pupils. An openhearted, willingness to relieve want and help the distressed has become a prominent characteristic of our civilization. No better place to teach the brotherhood of man than in the public schools.” (12.11.07 pg. 2)

Further south in Charleston, WV:

The Children’s Home Society of WV, located at Charleston, announce they “will care for all homeless children and orphans that may be committed to their care.” (FWV 12.11.07 pg. )

~2:00 pm

“At 2 o’clock, 212 bodies had been recovered.” (ETR 12.11.07 pg. 1)

“Of forty-four bodies taken to the morgue about 2 o’clock this afternoon, none have been identified.” (CDT 12.11.07 pg. 1)

~3:30 pm

In Fairmont:

“The cash contributions up to this time total $40,000.” (ES 12.11.07 pg. 1)

At the mines:

At Press time today there were 197 bodies that had been brought to the morgue and 25 bodies were ready at the mouth of the mines to be brought over. This makes 222 bodies that have been taken out of #6 & #8. (McAteer)

“Of the fifty bodies taken from the mines in the past twenty-four hours a majority are so mangled and decomposed as to render preparations for immediate burial imperative and many were sent direct from the mines to the graveyard in compliance with the order of the county board of health to prevent disease.” (BDP 12.11.07 pg. 4)

Rescue teams have not yet made any extensive efforts to clear the many roof falls in the mines and many bodies still remain trapped underneath. (McAteer)

Inspectors sent from Ohio, George Harrison and Ebenezer Jones, go into the mines for the first time. (McAteer, Inquiry)

Inside #6:

The bottom of #6 slope has been mostly cleared of debris from the wrecked coal cars and repeatedly examined. The line to the left of the main heading has also been cleared but men are still working on cleaning up wreckage in other areas of the mine. (McAteer) (News)

~5:00 pm

“A steady rain has been falling here all day, adding to the discomfort of the rescuers and making the recovery of the bodies more difficult.” (BDP 12.11.07 pg. 4)

Inside #8:

The body of John M. McGraw, pit boss in #8, is found in F Face, where the mines connected – “evidently going from one mine to the other.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg.1)

~5:30 pm

At the morgue:

John McGraw’s identity is confirmed by friends and by papers in his pocket. “Body was in fairly good state of preservation. Remains taken to Clarksburg for interment.” McGraw was well known and the president of First Regiment Band and had been a member since its organization. (FWV 12.12.07 pg.1)

~6:00 pm

In Monongah:

Bishop Donahue has “instructed the various priests ordered to the scene to remain on the ground until all the bodies have been recovered.” He returns to Wheeling where he will begin working on plans to assist placing the children in orphanages if necessary. (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1) (News)

Donahue makes a statement that he is still uncertain how many orphans will be put into his care “owing to the grief and prostration of so many widowed mothers and his reluctance to as if they will part with them. He thinks however the number will be large.” Should there be more children in need than the current facilities can handle, Donahue says he “will lease a separate home for them and later build.” (FWV 12.12.07 pg. 1)

Monday, December 9, 1907, Night

“It is beyond the human pen to describe the spectacle presented, when bodies are brought up from the bowels of the earth whither courageous men day in and day out were wont to toil for the support of their loved ones. Fathers, brothers, husbands and sons, are carried from the slope leading to the fatal regions of the earth. Their bodies are as black as the coal itself. The experienced eye of the undertaker cannot detect their color, whether white or black, until after the bodies have been washed. Even then the mutilation in some cases make it difficult.” (CDT 12.9.07 xtra pg. 4)

~7:30 pm

At the mines:

“Rain began falling early in the evening and continued almost incessantly throughout the night.” (WED 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“Last night they took out two bodies from No.8. Tonight, they will take out many more dead who have already been dug out of the wreckage and are lying along the catacombs ready for removal.” (RP 12.9.07 pg. 1)

“When darkness came tonight a total of sixty-six bodies had been brought to the surface from the two wrecked mines at Monongah.” (DASB 12.10.07 pg. 1) (LODD 12.13.07 pg. 3)

In Fairmont:

The Union Relief Association is formed by local women who were among the first responders to the disaster. Mrs. F. E. Nichols, President & Mrs. R. T. Webb, Secretary hold a meeting at M.P. Temple – “all ladies urged to be present.” “All women interested in the relief work are earnestly requested to be present. Committees will come prepared to report the progress made today.” (FWV 12.9.07 pg. 8)

Walter Zirkle is located safe and alive. He had been employed at the Gaston mines in Fairmont, not the Monongah mines. “The wish of his sister and mother were at once communicated to him and he has no doubt reached his home…” (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 2)

“Over $25,000 was added to the various relief funds during the day.” (BME 12.11.07 pg. 6)

In Monongah:

The General Relief Committee meets in Mayor Moore’s office. The first members are: Mayor Moore of Monongah; Mayor Arnett of Fairmont, chairman; Father Boutlou, Rev. J.C. Broomfield, Rev. H.G. Stoetzer; J.E. Sands, treasurer, and J.M. Jacobs, secretary. “Five responsible men will handle large gifts.” All checks will be payable to J.E. Sands, who will see that the funds are properly distributed. (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 1)

Paul Kellogg is talking with the children of a grieving family at their home. One of the oldest daughters tells him of the father they call “Pap” and brother, referred to as “George” who was a machine man:

“…and as we stood there on the door step, the sisters showed me his picture that of a clean cut young fellow, taken with his dog in a field. ‘Many’s the woman was dependent on each day’s wages,’ they said, –‘nothing at all ahead—and now that’s cut off. We’re not that way—not quite. Pap was all we had and he was getting’ old and couldn’t do so much. But George—soon as he’d get through cutting, he’d come help him load and so Pap’d make more. That was the way with George—5 girls, the only brother we had, and he that good to us! And such a good wife.’ One after another, the sisters broke in parts with the story. ‘Pap was singing the morning he left when he went to work—we heard him as far’s it carried. It was Nearer My God to Thee. That’s what he was singing. They worked 3 miles in—Pap and George—r-right under us. Two of the girls broke off there and ran into the house, and a third, who had come out and was combing her hair while we talked, gave it a savage twist that would have brought tears to her eyes if they hadn’t been there already. ‘Oh, we know we’ve got to give him up. We know he’s dead; but if we could only get his body out of the pit.” (Kellogg)

In the morgue:

George Gibbons is very successful in telling who victims are as they are brought in through the night. (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 1)

The first money found on any of the victims is found on the 69th body to be taken out, Dan Dominico Jr.* He had $27 on him when found. (FWV 12.10.07 pg. 1)

*The paper reports that this is “Dan Domico”. However, body #69 on the Coroner’s List is actually Dan Dominico Jr.—the son of the injured miner who was among the 4 men to escape through a toad hole the morning of the explosion. Despite being seriously injured, his father ran to the mouth of the mine after escaping and wanted to go back inside in an attempt to save his son. Dan Domico did not attend work on Friday and is, in fact, still alive.

At the mines:

“The rescue work, while slow, is progressing smoothly and as rapidly as due precaution for the rescuers would permit. It is believed that close to a hundred dead will be recovered by daylight tomorrow.” (News)

~8:00 pm

In Monongah:

Paul Kellogg visits the Italian Catholic priest, Father D’Andrea. Kellogg writes that, “it was raining heavily and a hearse was ploughing up through the mud when I reached the little Italian church…where last year alone he [D’Andrea] baptized 170 American born children.”

Kellogg describes D’Andrea as “a young, spare man with a quick smile on his dark face. His beard had gone 3 days without shaving and his eyes were hollow for sleep.” D’Andrea has been so consumed with his duties as a priest and to his brother’s family that he has had no time to personally grieve his brother.

“It was only one cry all day until now,” he said and turned his palms out and dropped his shoulders. Then in answer to the door, he directed a driver who for 2 hours had been searching for the right house, and was going back with the body. (Kellogg)

~10:00 pm

C.W. Watson issues statement:

At the mines:

“The heavy rainfall caused a veritable mortar of mud more than shoe top depth in many places through which the workers and the anxious watchers could make their way only with the greatest difficulty.” (WED 12.10.07 pg. 1)

The body of Charles McCain is finally reached. McCain was a well-known man of his city and had many friends here. Despite numerous early accounts of Charles being found “blown to bits”, his body was in good condition. There were no marks on it showing that he was a victim of the after damp. His remains were brought to his home. (FWV 12.10.07 pg.1)

~11:00 pm

At the mines:

“Heavy rain storms make the conditions around the mine worse than any time since the explosion. Only a few stragglers are now keeping the gruesome vigil.” (DASB 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“Milder temperatures today resulted in a thaw which converted the soil near the entrance into a sticky, dirty mortar…now almost knee deep in places.” (SLH 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“It dispersed, however, a very large portion of the great, impatient surging crowd that from the first has hovered as near the entries as they could get, a constant handicap to the rescuing forces whose work they retarded.” (WED 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“The rain has also interrupted the makeshift telephone and telegraph communication between the mines this city and the outside world.” (AMJ 12.10.07 pg. 1)

“Twelve bodies have been taken from the mines tonight, bringing the total number up to 11 p.m., seventy-eight.” (DASB 12.10.07 pg. 1) (CB 12.10.07 pf 1)

“At a late hour, …the officials of the company said they had reached a point where there were a great many bodies. From this time on the work of bringing out the dead will be done more rapidly.” (CET 12.10.07 pg. 1)

At the morgue:

“The rapid recovery of the bodies is making lively work at the morgue and at a late hour…thirty-five more undertakers were telegraphed for besides the several who arrived early in the evening from Grafton and Fairmont. Spring wagons bringing the bodies from the traction station across the river, to which they are conveyed from the mine openings by an ambulance street car, are followed by throngs of men, women and children, who gather around the morgue and remain in the rain until the bodies are placed in the caskets and laid in state in the bank building for viewing and identification.” (CDT 12.10.07 pg. 1)