Mine

Disasters
U.S. Department of Labor
.
Mine Safety and Health Administration
National Mine Health and Safety Academy

Other Training Materials

aT 32

2000

Heroes
~. \- . . , .' '.of
':::\ the Mine
.~, .'( -',"
Perish inVaIn' For
:'::::. .:..'.....::,,'.:....:.,.... :....... :.:........ .........,.;:..... :..:,...:.:..,..,:.....'..; ,"', ...:........:.:':.. ,...............
.".... .;.....i......:'......... ',.... ....... ..:.;.........:.:... ., .......:...,... :,'" .:. _,,:e,

,Rescue of............,.........
.................... .. ............... Comrades .. .. .. ........ "..

Descending the Pit, They Load Cage With

" ...........:...:..........:....... :.' ......:... .. ....:.: .......' ........:.: :.... ...... ,: "
Men, and When It Reaches the Surface
. Every' Occupant, Rescuers and
Workers, Is Dead.

OR MORE' IN THE FLAMING. TOMB

.," ,........... ',,' .....: . ;: .: .
All Hope of Taking Any of Them Oíit Alive Is Abandoned,
alHl the Exact Number of Victims Wil Not Be
Known, at I;east, Until Some Time Today.
\
',~~:, .,',,' ", t8YAU"ti/ÚIIP,.ÚlfcTklDj$;i:iIc1i.~

SHERitY,
in.., Nov. 13::-~iiDe oftclé)'lJ, ot,the 8t.Pal(r:d,Cós.ï',:/d)m~
ps:nynilne, wherd"&iiexplqslon,oi;curred today;: !láY:'400.nl'en' r "
 MSHA IS NOW ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
AT HTTP://W.MSHA.GOV

You can obtain various types of information about mining (statistics, policy/regu-
lations, new programs) on MSHA's homepage.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTER AND LIBRARY

TELEPHONE: 304/256-3266
FAX: 304/256-3372
E-MAIL: library(tmsha.gov

You can also obtain sources of information on mine safety and health from the Academy's Tech-
nical Information Center and Library (TICL). The TICL is the largest library in the United States
devoted to mine safety and health. It provides reference assistance so you can quickly locate and
access books, hard copy documents, microfilm documents, journals, audiovisual materials, or
electronically-stored materials. The TICL also offers timely research assistance to users in the form
of research studies, technical reports, investigations, etc,; locates and makes available to users
resources beyond the scope of the TICL's collection; develops and maintains a comprehensive
collection of mine health and safety information; preserves and maintains a historical collection of
mine safety and health documents for current users and for posterity; and trains users and potential
users on the usefulness ofthe Library contents/services and how to obtain information quickly and
easily,
Mine Disasters

u.s. Department of Labor

Elaine L. Chao
Secretary

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Dave D. Lauriski
Assistant Secretary

Other Training Material

aT 32

2000
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction-Timeline...................,.........................,...................,...............,..... 1

Legislative History...........................................................................................3

Mining Disaster Facts. ..............,........................................................................5

DISASTERS

1900-Scofield Mines No.1 & 4, Carbon County, UT...............................................7

1907-Monongah No.6 & 7, South of Fairmont, WV................................................9

1910-Cherry Mine, Cherry, IL............ ........................ .., ..................... ... ...... ....13

1911-Banner Mine, Littleton, AL..............,.......................................................19

1912-Cincinnati Mine, Washington County, PA...................................................20

1914-Eccles No.5 & 6, Eccles, WV....................................................................22

1916-Jamison No.7, Barrackvile, WV...............................................................25

1945-Sunnyside No.1, Carbon County, UT.........................................................27

1946-Centralia, IL.......,.........................,.................................................... ..29

1968-Belle Isle, Calumet, LA......... ............ ......... ............ ......... ......... ....... ........32

1968-Farmington, WV....... .............,.............. ............................................... .34

1974-Sunshine Mine, Kellogg, ID... ........ ....... ....................... ............... ...... ........36

MINE DISASTER CHARTS

1839-2000-Coal Mine Disasters..............................,........................................ .37

1869-2000-Metal and Nonmetal Mine Disasters....................................................52

 INTRODUCTION - TIME LINE

As early as 1865, a bil was introduced in Congress to create a i.'ederal Mining Bureau.
However, little was done until a series of serious mine disasters occurred after the turn of the
century. In response to these disasters, the public demanded Federal action to stop the
excessive loss of life in America's mines.

1891

The first Federal mine safety statute applies to mines in U.S. Territories. Its provisions cover
underground coal mine ventiation and bar mine operators from employing children who are
under the age of 12.

1888 - 1910

Roof falls, haulage accidents, and explosions kil thousands of miners. The deadliest year is
1907 when 3,242 miners perish. Over 360 are kiled in the Monongah explosion, the deadliest
mining accident in U.S. history.

1910

Congress establishes the Bureau of Mines.

1941

Congress passes the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act a year after 257 miners die in four
separate explosions.

1947 - 1951

The Centralia explosion claims 111 victims in 1947. In 1951, just hefore Christmas, 119
miners die in an explosion at the Orient No.2 Mine.

1952

Congress passes the Federal Coal Mine Safety Act,

1966

The 1952 Act is amended. Congress passes the Federal Metal and Nonmetallc Mine Safety
Act.
 1969

The F'ederal Coal Mine Health and Saf~ty Act of 1969 takes effect a year after an explosion at
the Consol No.9 Mine at F'armington, West Virginia kils 78 miners.
1972 - 1976

Ninety-one miners die in a fire in 1972 at the Sunshine Mine at Kellogg, Idaho. In 1976, a pair
of explosions at the Scotia Mine at Ovenfork, Kentucky kil 26 people.
1977

The F'ederal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 combines coal and metaUnonmetal health and
safety law into one piece of legislation.

Unidentified Family at Disaster Scene

2
 LEGISLA TIVE HISTORY
1910

Public Law 61-179 creates the Bureau of Mines. federal safety and health roles are limited to
research and investigation.

1941

Under Public Law 77-49, federal inspectors obtain right of entry to mine property to make
annual or other inspections and investigations in coal mines, No safety or health regulations
are mandated.

1947

Public Law 80-328 includes the first Federal safety standards for bituminous coal and lignite
mines. The law allows federal inspectors to notify mine operators and State mine agencies of
violations. There are no enforcement provisions, and the law expires after one year.

1952

Congress passes Public Law 82-522, the .Federal Coal Mine Safety Act. Underground coal
mines are to be inspected yearly. Anthracite mines are included under the law. However, all
surface coal mines and all operations employing fewer than 15 people are exempted.

The 1952 Act includes mandatory safety standards for underground coal mines with more
stringent standards for "gassy" mines. federal inspectors have the authority to withdrawal
orders in situations of imminent danger and to issue notices of violation. Orders of withdrawal
are mandated for less-serious violations that are not properly corrected. State inspectors are
allowed to enforce federal standards under a State plan system.

1961

Public Law 87-300 authorizes study of causes and prevention of injuries and health hazards
in metaI/nonmetal mines. federal offcials have right of entry to collect information.

1966

In 1966, Public Law 89-376 extends the coverage of the 1952 Act to small underground coal
mines. It provides for issuance of withdrawal orders in cases or repeated unwarrantable
failures to comply with standards. The law expands the scope of education and training
programs.

3
 1966

Public Law 89-577, the Federal Metal and Nonmetallc Mine Safety Act of 1966, specifies
procedures for developing safety and health standards for metal/nonmetal mines. These
standards can be "advisory" or "mandatory." Underground mines are to be inspected every
year and Federal inspectors can issue notices of violation and orders of withdrawaL. State
inspectors are allowed to enforce Federal standards under a State plan system, and the law
addresses education and training programs.

1969

Congress passes Public Law 91-173, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.
Underground coal mines are to be inspected four times each year, and surface mines are
included under the provisions of the Act. Although there is no longer a distinction between
"gassy" and "nongassy" mines, gassy mines are to receive additional inspections. Miners can
request inspections, and State enforcement plans are discontinued.

The law strengthens safety standards for all coal mines and adopts health standards. It also
incorporates procedures to develop new health and safety standards. Mandatory fines are
established for all violations. Criminal penalties are attached to "knowing and wilful"
violations. The law institutes a training grant program and benefits are provided to miners
who are disabled by black lung.

1973

An administrative action creates the Mine Enforcement and Safety Administration (MESA)
as a new Agency of the Department of the Interior. MESA assumes health and safety
enforcement functions formerly carried out by the Bureau of Mines.

1977

Congresses passes Public Law 95-164, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. It
places coal and metal/nonmetal mines under a single piece of legislation. It retains separate
health and safety standards for coal and metal/nonmetal operations. The law moves the
enforcement agency to the Department of Labor and renames it the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA).

The 1977 Act requires four annual inspections at underground coal mines and two annual
inspections at all surface mines. The law eliminates advisory standards for metal/nonmetal
mines and discontinues State enforcement plans.

The law creates provisions for mandatory training of miners and requires mine rescue teams
for all underground mines. It also increases the involvement of miners and their
representatives in health and safety activities.

4
 MINING DISASTER FACTS
The term "mine disaster" historically applies to mine accidents claiming five or
more lives.

. THE WORST COAL DISASTERS OF THE PAST 55 YEARS

Explosion Pond Creek Mine, WV

Ex losion Wilow Grove Mine, OH
Ex losion Smith Mine, MT
Explosion Centralia Mine, IL
; Explosion , Orient No.2 IL
. Ex losion Farmin ton, WV

. THE THREE WORST COAL MINE DISASTERS IN U.S. HISTORY

Explosion Monongah, WV
Explosion Cherr Mine IL
Ex losion Sta Canon, NM

. THE FIVE WORST METAL AND NONMETAL MINE DISASTERS OF

THE PAST 50 YEARS

1942. Explosion Sandts Eddy, PA Limestone 31

1943 Ex losion Fo d Mine, TN Co er 9
1943 Ex losion Cane Creek, UT Potash 18
1972
---_..--------
1968
Fire
Fire
: Sunshine Mountain in
Car il, Belle Isle, LA
Silver
Salt
._-
91
21

5
. THE THREE WORST METAL AND NONMETAL MINE DISASTERS
IN U.S. HISTORY

I Granite Mountain,- MT . ~o.pper

1-Flood Uf ,Barnes
Sunshine Mountai~ilver
Hecker, M~--~on
Fire

. RECENT MINE DISASTERS

1976 2 Explosions Scotia Mine, KY

1979 Explosion Belle Isle, LA==alt
1980 ; Ex losion Ferrell No.1, WV . Coal
1981 Ex losion ~utch Creek No.1, CO Coal
1983 Ex losion . McClure ivine, V A Coal
1984 , Fire Wilberg Mine, UT Coal
1989 Explosion Willam Station, KY Coal
1992 Ex losion Norton No.3, VA ' Coal

. DISASTERS INVOLVING WOMEN IN THE MINES

On October 2, 1979, Marilyn McCusker was kiled while working inside a deep coal
mine in Pennsylvania. She was the first woman coal miner killed on the job. It had
taken her 2 years and a sex discrimination suit in federal court to get a job as a coal
miner. She was one of 144 fatalities in the mines that year. In later years, women
perished in both the McClure and Wilberg disasters.

. DECLINING MINING ACCIDENTS

Over the years, the annual numbers of mining deaths and rates of injuries (measuring
numbers of injuries against hours worked) have declined. Today and in the future,
preventing mine accidents and disasters remains the utmost priority of management,
labor, and government.

6
Scofield Disaster
'vay 1, 1900
Winter Quarters Mine Disaster
The Dav 200 Miners Died 100 Years A!w
Readers of Salt Lake
City's Desert Evening News
raced over those few
introductory lines the day after
an explosion tore through the
workings of Winter Quarters
No, 4, near Scofield, Utah, 115
miles southeast of the state's
capital. On the day of the
explosion, May 1, 1900, the
News reported that "an ary
of men" had been killed in an
explosion that very morning,
When the last body would be
recovered, that army would
number 200 Utah coal miners,
At the time, the United States
h,id never recorded so many
lÎves lost in a sÎngle coal mine
Excerpt from
tragedy; since then the death
toll has been exceeded three
times in different states, all
within 14 years of the Winter
Quarers disaster,
Sal t Lake City's three
daily papers tried to make
sense of the chaos and
emotional convulsions that
wracked the small buL
growing mining communities
of Scofield and Winter
Quarters in the northwest
corner of coalrich Carbon
County, Early estimates of the
number of dead ranged from
200 to 350, and articles about
the explosion sometimes
included conflicting accounts,
mistaken identifications,
charges and countercharges
(some directed at competing
papers), and passages dripping
with editorial venom for
specific ethnic groups among
those immigrants who worked
the coal mines in eastern Utah.
Despite these shortcomings,
the papers succeeded in
capturing the courage of those
who searched for survivors,
the pain of the many widows
and orphans and the resilience
of human nature as hundreds
of Utahns and others
contributed to a massive relief
fund established by Utah
Governor Heber M, Wells to
assist bereaved families, The
melodramatic prose of these
papers painted an evocative
landscape of Scofield those
first weeks in May, but in that
landscape of gray clouds that
clung to the valleys and
canyons, of mourning clothes
and of faces streaked with
tears and coal dust, the
predominant color was black.
When Winter Quarters
No.1 first opened about 1878,
the coal was carried out the
only possible way by mule,
Before long the Denver and
Rio Grande Western Railway
laid tracks down Pleasant
Valley, about 16 miles
southwest of the main line
junction in Colton, providing
rail transportation for the
region's high quality coal to
Salt Lake City and other
points in the West. By 1896,
the Pleasant Valley Coal Co.,
which operated Winter
Quarters IN os. 1 and 2, as well
as the Castle Gate Mine at
nearby Helper, Utah, produced
60 percent of Utah's coaL. The
companis niines continued to
flourish to such a point that in
7
Scofield Disaster
May 1, 1900
Recovered Bodies of Scofield Miners Being Transported
April 1897, Butch Cassidy's
band rode in from Robber's
Roost to steal $7,000 in gold
from Castle Gate's payroll
offce. The Pleasant Valley
Coal Co, opened new m fines
in 1899 at Clear Creek,
Sunnyside and Winter
Quarters No, 4, the next year,
despite the work lost
following the explosion, the
company's mines produced
nearly 1.1 million tons of coal,
or 88 percent of Utah's
production,
During the last quarter
of the 19th century, these
mines had earned a reputation
as being among the safest in
the \Vest, Many miners
followed that reputation to
Carbon County from mines in
Wyoming after explosions
there in 1881, 1886 and 1895
took more than 100 lives.
Despite that reputation, miners were safely at horne
Pleasant Valley Coal Co, enjoying their supper, and no
mines suffered several fatal one was injured. In the
accidents, company's other 1tnes, coal
In 1890, an explosion dust was not considered as
kiled three miners at Castle hazardous as it was at Castle
Gate. As a result, the company Gate, and miners blasted coal
adopted a new blasting system loose at any time, Less than six
that required all shots to be weeks after the destructive
fired electrically from the explosion at Castle Gate, coal
surface and only after all dust would earn new-found
respect for its explosive
1tners had left the 1tne at the
qualities, but at an unexpected
end of the shift. Ten years
cost to eastern Utah,
later, another explosion ripped
through the Castle Gate Mine,
wrecking 200 1tne cars,
blowing out all the stoppings
and knocking down doors,
timbers and props all along
the main entries, More than
200 miners had been working
at Castle Gate that day, but
when fired shots touched off
an explosion of coal dust, most
8
Monongah Disaster
December 7, 1907

F I ames Break Out;

All Efforts United
Against New Danger
Rescuers Withdrawn and Crowds Flee in Panic-Pour
Water Into Depths and Shut Off AIr to Smother
Blaze-Now Under Control.
B1 JO'C F, COWAK. 5ta COW.~.oi.
(SI,cW Trlrl"" i. T.. Di.,.i,".)
BULLETIN
FAI R!\10NT, W. Va., Dee 9,-At 2 o'clock offcers üf -the mine
¡,nnouhced (ire under control and ~aid re5cue work would resume,
Anotitr hod~ h'as '\1stbeen taken from the mine,Clre 'Uan, gtQlotii in thO leonolD.
FAIRMONT, W Va.. Dec. 8.-Flr. Extant of Fire UnkO'. lt _ or tbe UnlL. BtAte o.loo.
The tie wu loca.leby OUb or-the ca. 8ar who In..'(ict. the Na.nil
I. &ddltl to the horror ot the Monoi:
nllul. part..,. which, bad llnelted
~ at y.y-itA aty. l.... ea, in'tÀ
Øh mtno dlauler. Flam_ .molder- Wfk. ,i. hi pcrwuhi, bt. In..~U¡atiO'1
Inr In th cloud. at atteHD toy iot 1.5 r_ -i"to No, 8 ine. lOT the QOTeTmcrt. He eate the minl"
bTke' ou~ atnib wheu. aJr CUrT1Hlta
/1 u. air holoa iei"C .to tho _rl. toy and ~It oontiu'C. bla w.or~
nrt"&. thro'U,b 'd.i.re ea.uMd by unti the end of ib. week.
reched tho .. ork1np an'd .. second eo: t2e lnpa 01 tho eX'Ploalon .make be Tbå '6n\ InÜøailon tbat the ~eral
ploaton 1. tbret~Ðd_ p. to eK&øe Tbe nre I. tn one or
í At' o'clock lbJ. i.eroon It wu the tef .14_ -ilrlet ot No.8 mine.
public 'reel."fe4 that, tbe teh' entry. 10
No. I i:ne wU on' fie w~ when the
.0( tla.t..tbe p~ of thQ tire could TouLct C. W. Watson. prMldent of mea, cniaac: 10 relGti work III No. 8
ii lonòr be coceod: Tho r... the eompa, .tatethat the Mrlou. mioc were ,.thdnwo tblii afternoon and
WHl' t)~ed b/lcli and ¡('It the S(rn~. f'-
were .toppe and th'e i'escuen weN. tl . th or peope rbo, b.d i,o
oter.rförthwlth to 'th." "'Ilurla.e. luc1ntly untl1 ih~ :)¡Ilafll' ILnriol1n(l"d Üi"L drwn to th mout. or the: mine tbro,:ib
.notli~eipi(..iùn wu H1Iule to. hlLp~n at cuo&t1' ware forced, 1.cK Ù1 the pohce.
ro':t,e tirst time ,t. ~F'lda.y morn- 'any moment, ImllLntly the crowd ect. ,'It .. ~.at tbat tlme thAt t\re
ii th& bliT"- tn l.,.tèlo&, partlOt teNi :ilon¡ the trolley traclu., OVl'l' thl: had be' ,di-i~ iii No. 8 rnlac aiid
,taru their ba 'OU' theIr dea oom~ hUla and iLl)me nin l)ll m~\l acrou the
bndft to the to'i. tht . aod. e.odOD WU (eare Eft.
nd.. In the ml. If tho f1n 'ar TheN! were .ume in the throng about the
ODe waJ wamed to 'be u far awly from
no oon oxUÍllihed Ib"" wil be mln_ 'Dtrao.Cti. hO"'lf"r. who did nol the mie .. poaallkl but ihh appeare t(L
~ pcle mo. anxous to approaci
UUle hope nt recoverin.g m&.T of the join in the panic, Tht'1l inon" men iin.\ the mine. iñ. ru'or çnad hke wl\ilfirc
bol61 which are hldder 10 the r&- womm who h.(1 il,.iir on,... in the lUolLn¡ tbat. No. B mine. ... ''On 6.rc. a.ci U\ u;,.
t"triei. Irutinc~¡v,.ly tlit'y deoirel to ~ p,o-n 'lU !rU"d in 'No: 6 (rom K~
(¡UM or'the trwnlns bilL. maii iirde.or--Wr.o-i i!~. -80m. commUnicalln. ..ith the Aun"..
Ton.lgbt the 'WOTk at reac~ hu,i boon
ha to be drTC' bak from the tàt& pita
turned to .. lrt"lei:to the death wtth W1 the 'Worke1" hi the minM ""rT u-
the tlre demoQ. W..lør hu bo pipe -i, LblA M1 ~r t.b.'work oLrvlie!
boo the ~ and no et!art th..t the Wu iooa on. The mor'R- we crwde
hui had'ca m&.e I. betng .pared ak upo the bOlade Lbe boi~ o! loin'O(
to. wi. the bU. With. Ui" nè" !ò "the TÌmi wen QeiDC oowmitl.e'to ilii
IfTCI.

9
Monongah Disaster
December 7, 1907

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Morgue at Monongah
December 1907

10
Monongah Disaster
December 7, 1907

Imposirble to OÖnoe Langel". Thi (utb.. Inu, tb. mli'..' lho wor.en
.\ io.d ox.tJ.... tbat it .. proto tl. r..tor tbo d..trclion II 3 S uppDsed Dead
f""ml thi l¡ i. IO at thi lidl.ed fouild \Q be, M..oy old, onl".. .cd rol)'"
AUra and Well;
TÒma hroti. eff' in ,,po .ed 1m .re COpl.tlr b(oo."1 by 1.11. o( ,i.t..
Uno rom, wh." Ii wat know \"0 01
pr the rv pa.. in No, S ~'hd
wer !.c: in lb. mint._ ' tb. mlho!' "'oro ~"Or\rK, WLL ODiere,
One In Hospital
i, ~ dci thia ..&l .DO dn t. lhtl but ¡Oltead of flndln¡ ih. bloc...'"
"w &n ti the ,.. lb w. hod bc bo.. 01 the two mln,!', tON iud to,"
at. &1' th,. mi .. to .i." th. olol.t. "'.. 10UDd bUl'rlnr thor 10 th.t
Uui.w;Ol 01 tho oe ",otc fi &n it will be..oiil dol" b,fore their bOd¡~ Patriok MoDonald Blown '100
to ~'.u-h &i ""hi IL __ .caa he reV9Od. Tli nme condiwo
of .t1..Lr, ¡. ,~rted it many ather point Feet and Miie UnoonsoiouB.
oJhi. oxOCii t.' inib\ OO,
Or ho ~ IOt to No, ~ mi \( in iL.. LDÎle.
Oth81 on Visits.
ojwiLltJ ~
ot tJ ~. /A W"rk~ th., C.. C.r
re of the a: .. ~,
R,.pld Work .1 No.6.
.At No. e: mine tody Dearly & dozen
ronc at tJ oll_ ,i .tJ copay ., bodie. wer reovered and "mond to tbe Itr"& .ti.øo.."f. 1I..t_._~dad_t.
i.~, oi.01l .i.. ind. &n moriUe, Al-but three of tbta have ~n U'l...7'.iii..-NQ'Di'l.tr.tlDe. !!.-YotIr of
the __ ~i.tion ~mi oC th. ot iJentified _ IU their co.ndition 'lu\itter FAmMONT. W. Vå.,
the dlrter wue
of 1he Wi".ho he....i &1 th t."o' than e~. The worK at ~o.,~ pro- the rçpo v1ci~II of
ii i. t. ooDdi ti _ be mtlh ¡iae rapidly, o..lnr to tb. ooDdi\io" of ~ be &l.. i.
w.. an.it... ir¡¡bl \0 loii OOD' the po-roll"'" there, until tho rlOuer Oci of th"". Pitr Mellld, .tel,
-i lb i.Uit. Ur$ ha i- dla, ..... order rom ih. mice be..u.. of th. bn-ab t!;r- iDd ch, w.. .d;..
tempoi:I',~tloD o( "or. .t So, g, ,,,,,,,UlI..i_I' booW, Ho;baa jwot
Six-Two Bodes Removed. It "'AI nec to'b&,'e & Lue forte of reCr 'cina and had' ben
mine ~n1, .pew! o!Iiceril and ll'ÜC' pla ,in the.imtituti.n uoder th Iiprw
Si'\iobo... hn. i- tùen CroOl (rom F&\.t :", .Id' In holdn¡ th. ol tbat.i. .... i lo"lrer,
ii. in 1.... t.cht. Th,' Dumbe wil crowd. in .cbPCk "t thí, point, ow-in¡ to it. Wor 'W-.lmedl.ieJ,let to bia .."
be . oi en i- i" .. .i t hi OIon i. ben¡ IIto.te ,'n.': Fairmont. Tbe iwo
C..day~L
Th.. hz' oro tued by oll
of, th. co.,",. ..ho toy ni. th.
¡nine. i. abct & m1le..Jp&rt, being prt" aud c1i and ther ..',.' Jarlat re
tlc:lly equally dlitant hom Monon¡l.li. At union. whlh, n.dodcialy ..ben tle,phy'
both mlnq mci~rs ot rf'uiri~ r~rtie. iici int.ms. u tM .wt. !-iul
çei. elor .¡( .riiinie th.. lw1ul Are" heinr. takm..!rm thr mint1 In Wt"'i. th&t the adteent"Wc:Ul tbe !n'a'
cilain ty in.i ti-tl to. ~er . the. di en~ 'and WKÒråOlll concltion¡ but 'after deali'
WhU. ". b..hnr.biibo ii th. bein¡ out or :the wat' /I fe" hOUN they ~d wa 'Wrk otttdii mine
herl.." tuof ""eri oc' 01 the bi\ve (ullT,'i:ve1. ~Qne,Or Llie ~cucr. NI), a wbtn the uplO1on oeoumi. lIe
bo.. in.1L .~b¡. .li,li.be who have, \)Q overcome i. noW ¡w'., kn. W'u Ju. ibout to rH'ta the Iniac ",ben
.bacdoied,. --~ to ii oplaJoi of DII' oondltlqi. tb. ooncioD h'urled hi on 100 feet
mine ap ot.'bo'~fI_ In (he mQrnio¡ when tho tWt) hnl'iH"C uiiM' the brd~ leang to the tIpple,
-'!\l-i three -bucJicl ..~rç ri:oycd trom i. full óperotloi at ~o, 8 .nd th. bi~ i.n H
Nil,. a mlne'lhll .ri~moon, lwo h,lng tho", at,No. 6 be. wOTkin¡ l¡roperly\,it l. n. e wu. m.torin tn'tho mine, and wu
of _~ motonnin and a brakeman found peeUd plentT.~ o!Ïr~h air will e .forci:d IUppo to hne be O' tbe Ul-flted train
,nea! Ui~ir cir it the tiut ,left. ertry oil into ,both mJun to provide for the rttKuil\i that broke itl eouplin¡ '1nd &ahed back
the north beadier, ni:u 'Where the third p:irtet.. .&n_ frh ,mea trom dilftanl mlci:iI into the ,mJne, eaualn¡ the l=1~on. ne
,boy.... (ouDd, _ All ..ero b&ly bume wil _la be pr:ect to aid in the work.. had be detaled at thCl cmtnn. an hour
about 1ç.e face and han.ò., but!ri~nd. were Iniit)or Paul lCaliilit bad thfl, N'iie ptfloUJ to, bandJo lomi.loaùel cari 011 a
.bl., to rccoiinLu them :Ilt th.e morifC, ¡larlIM. dh1d0 .Into iMv.n ,bift. conii.tJ'nll aiùlng. TIe will ~VeT.
Ai (ut u the bolt1 IUt remDved from ô~ .u, men in... bol, . Every, nllQ t. pro The citbe- thr men wbo .. lb~~ht
the mloe. thcy arc 1,101 taken to: tbe vided with ..~tuP oJ thp minG, II i:ny' 1 to be ,.etiin but l'pf are Rai. ~!~h,
mOT¡-c and prepred lor litrial. Aller them never'w.r- employed there, Marie I1rentiilla and Anebt' Fìpow. J. he
beng p.ICed' In coffin. they are ia.en 10 two former went to Cl.rkwUT, to \;81t
an .dj~ininR room, where ll.iteud,. ItrC'lm Crowd Utterly Uncontro/lfd, &om. Crind ..rly in the oiornio¡ 01 the
of people file. by all-day loni. When ii Tli.,rap~dLty' wlth which tiie remain. nplo.1on and ùid not n~tily theIr bmirù.
boy i. ,rcc.0vn;r.ed by relailve. or friends btglln to he t:nriid liite tliì, llternor.ri in¡ bO of tbdr intention.. Th~ were
tlie iQ(ormaiionl is ato-cc '¡lven to Cor- and e".ening. ne~8it!lted 'the c04l rompan1 ¡:ven a royal ~eption wbc:n tblr ap-
oner E. S. Amoii, who bu. been on duiy
linC.c the, fint boi.y Wi" brougbt from the' tlreini into' "TVÎce a. nuii~r of,tranaf('r J*re todAY.
minC!. "a¡ona. Tbe."\rer.'Oli~d with Iitniw antI Spa"', one of thi m~ IUppo.ed to hui
Qut¿dc the morzie in the mud Ita.nÙl 1110 irrewio1T\work of cartin¡ thl" clUlTTcd.be blow~n into the nver it. th..entraD.~
i Ib(Tonn¡ mail o( hutIaiiLty flnr oC rem&lna'aerOl tli. rlv,tr through the.Qtniio 01 mine Np. IS, w.u not it wor~ that fate
tM pwl. livlDr ~ tb.,. 'Cor bou.., crowd Iapn.; &:.n.. th..t ".~r.,uliiifo.iy fu oioro¡. "'h~ h. ¡..mod th.t bl.
i-iriwin¡, the cold to iet & t'hao.c to once .patbetic tratiired~ 'rho WMpin. pi thii friend. ~re moiin:i.g him &I J~J he ¡ORt
.~¡n g&LO or1 the !i' ot their rlmd on~. be-1'ed oti~' u .thl' IltHy chBJIfld ifter no time in returnin¡ from a ViiLt lo Onf.
,After the ÙlcntJûcatioD of th~ Wj~ ant! 'tlitt V'ehi.lu'wu be-rtreoòin~, Tli'ty ohr. ton.
the~re claimed br fneiù.,'CorQDC' ArnOl wli.elmed t.he m~' .. in their. claaiot' for
hold. the InaUC1C; inil r~rmrli tbt. relAti,'cl .. look it tbe d and it 1(i.. nec....ry tu
10 rc:rtovt' lnr. t. their hae", Tb~ bod- dnTe them ba ,by force and c.riw ropu
iC' at aI, P')!:.h mioers are bciii~ removed aCrOl,the man .trt't.
tr) tht" ro~l\h cLurch juiit abol"~ ~ronon¡nh Picluta .... rtatloDed IDd tho crowù
at fr..~ Q1\ the-y' arc IdentifieJ 't1niÌ nre thiu h.ld In. cb.d.. 'It..ould DD¡Y.~p.i;
lJdn¡l 1,1IJt'fh)1i iht' i-unient uf th:¡t eti.
r.ei.
when th-i ~ry&l ot death wtni forecd
throu¡h to til. th., 'bodi.. to th. com..
lor..,

II
Monongah Disaster
December 7, 1907

, .', .,
't" ~~~.~. .~ it
j'''-
,~ .. '.
~

\:-~~): ~d_

Peter Urban - Sole Survivor of J\'1onongah Disaster

12
Cherry Mine Disaster
November 13, 1909

U~1910 MINES AND MINERALS 42:3

~E CHERRY MINE DISASTER Ledge Limestone, G feet; soa;:stone, 10 feet; lliiii.:stunc

r'á W,ittø/! for Mi"n (lIid J-f.israh
G feet; black slate, a feet; .:JilLB Sllale, 1:3 teet; lime sha~e, 11 teet;
blue shale, 1.') feet; clay stiale, It ted; soapstoiie, '2 feet; lime
TheP-ll~t ot the dis"ster at the Cherry :,rin~ of the shale, 10 feet: brown shale, :2 fect; bIii.. sh;tle, .) Ü:d; red sh.i~c
St P:iul Cri;il Co., pltblished in the December issue of :\IINEs 14 feet: lime shale, 10 feet; limestone, :.n feet: lime rock, L fùo~;
"':'lJ :i!i:-¡-;:cu,s, was correct in so far as data were available at sand rock, :2l feet; soapstone, LL fcet~ black slate, :3 fee.t; coa~.
the time, excepting tto stóltements In first vein, :j,¡ feet; fire clay, 5:3 feet; lime sh:de, 1D feet; 5an(:-
Tbe OriiliD that account it was Stated th;¡t the fan stone, 9 feet: soapstone, !l feet: black slate,:3 teet; coal, second
of the Fire, was ordinarily nmàs an exhaiist :iud vein (323.2 feet), 5,2 feet; fireclay, ,8 foot; lime shale, :3 feet;
Its Effect, aad that the main shaft was the downcast It lime rock, 3 feet; limestone, 5 feet; blue shale, 14 teet; 30apstone,
the Methods should have reaù that the fan orùinarily 52 feet; blue shale, .l feet; lime rock, 9 feet; black slate, 3 feet;
Eiøp(oi"d ia ran as a blower, and., ~he main shaft was black shale, 5 feet; bliic "hale, :3 feet; lime shal~, 2 feet; sand
Rescue Work the upeast. The otber' inaccuracy was rock, 21 feet; soapstone, 2:. feet: black shale, 7 feet; soapstone,
the statement that Messrs. Williams and .l feet; coal, third vein, '1 feet. Tota!, .i85 ~eet Sump. Clay
:'Iams of the Urbana and Pittsburg TestiniooStatioris descended and sand, :2 feet; sand rock, 14 feet.
to the bottom seam on The coal is abou: 5 teet
Wednesday evening. This thick, and is worked Liy, the
statement should have read panet met11uu The roof above
"to the upper seam," Since thLS coal varies tlOm black
that article was prepared a slate to white sanustone, and
joint invc."tigation has beeii is vei-y defective in places
carried on by the coroner's The Rour is fireclay ClbOl:t
i',ny, a committee from the 1 foot thick. The ex~ent Ot
State Mine Inspectors, consist- Lhe minc IS shown by the
ing of Messrs Thos. Hudson sketch map, Fig. 4, that gives
and Hugh McAllister, and the only the entry development,
Ilinois :\Iining Investigation M.irch 31, 1909. About dun
Commission. men were working in this scam
While the_ investigation at the time of the accident
cannot be completed until the The La Salle third. vein is
mine has been unsealed. so fonnd 485 feet from the sur-
that the conditions about the lace This is :H feet thick,
shaft bottom can be studied, and was worked long wall, as
'çhe following facts .have been shown in Fig. 5, ''vil:~':1 sL
brought out, the only break the development at aboi¡t Uic:
in the sequence of the. story time of the fire The long--
of the early stages of the dis- wall portion of the mine had
aster being the unaccountable been opened up only about a
absence of Alex. Rosenjack, year, and at the time of the
the cag-er on the north side of accident, approximately 20n
the air-shaft, and Robert men were in this section. The
Dean, the eager on the south room-;irid-pillar mine ha,l1it~l'T;
side. These men have mys- \Vorkcil for abCH\t ;i y(':ir~, ;iiid
teriously disappeared, and all workings ha(! reached " d¡s-
ctforts to locate them have tance of :3.00(j feet north of chc
thus far failed. The i r ~vi- main shaft, about 2,000 feet
dence, however, cannot mate- ~ri the east. abol1t 2,500 feet
rially affect the story as to the south, ;:nd about 2,;j(10 feet
cause of the fie \Vest from the main shaft
The accompanying illus- It was the origin~tl inten-
trations give the details of the tion of the coal company to
mine workings, all of the plans work only the lower or l'jng-
and sections being taken wall mine, as the middle vein
directly from the maps of the is usually not particularly g-riod

company, excepting Pigs. 6, 7, iii the Bureau County coal fiel(l

and 8 that are taken from FiC). i. DiiSC~OISC AIR SUA?'! \VI'l1I Hat-MSTS
sketches made by~(r, Geo. S.
Rice from the company's maps and here used by his courtesy.
Two seams Ol coal were being mined a.t Cherry; the upper,
known locally as the" Second Vein," is 3:23 feet; from the s'J.l".u:e
The strata throtlgh which the shaft wa" sunk are of intere~t on
account of the caving about the ::ottom of the shaft :it the
second vein, which necessitated the extensive cribbing, to be
referred to in detail later, and which added so materially to the
diffculty of extinguishing the fire The log of the shaft is as
follows:
Surface, 6 feet; yellow clay, 4 feet; blue clay, l:. fed;
gravel and clay, '2Î feet: hard brown' clay, 6 feet; sandy cby,
:3 feet; silt, ß feet: green day, 6 feet: blue clay and gravel, J feet;
gravel and clay, 6 feet; gravel, :2 feet,
in which Cherry is sitiiated;
hut, owing to the bett":l con-
ditiun at the middle vein, it wa:; l'xtt=nsively developci! ;lll(¡ the
opening of the third vein postpi)ne,l 'l:le company hail plannciL
to (iiscontinue work in the mii!,llt; win in the ne:ir future, w:iich
will accOltnt for some 01: the J.pparently tempoci.y con:iections
between the two veins awl tor the roundabout metho(! of t~iking
the coal to the surfaçe fi"m the lower vein as expbineo'l l:.ter
The details of the sh:ift bottom of the room-:ind-pillar mine
are shown in Fig. ß, and section through the two slufts alùng ~he
broken line X X, Pig, 6, is shriwn iii Fig 7
Both shafts extend"J (rom the ~iidace to the bWt~l se.iiii,
as shown in Fig. 7. Th.~ coal from tIii i'ool1.an,!-pilbr workings
was hoisted through the main sh;:ft ~llJ tho: ca~e foi. h,)isting
coa.l was lowered only to this level, where it rested on sump

13
Cherry Mine Disaster
November 13, 1909
424 MINES AND illINERALS
blocks pl.ei:il across the shaft On top of tr.e sump blocks w:is
an ircJn gra:iTl¡' :0 preven: coal £rom falling to the bottoin ill
the shaft. This grating COii1tl be removed i: men were to be
(,oiste.! from the lower to the m¡ddlc seam In the sli¡ft,
bdwecii the mi(~dle and lower seams, there was an auxiliary
t:age fur hoisting men. This could be attached to the under
part uf the main hoisting cage by So rope, on the end of which
there was a hook so that the end of the rope coul(l bi~ quickly
attached to an eye under the cage, and the lower cag-e thus
hoisted to 11 point just below the sump bars at the niiådle scam.
The air-shaft also penetrated to the bottom se~un, and
was fitted with a stairway througho\lt The coal from the
lower seam was hoisted up the air-shaft in a cage which tr:ivcled
from the lo\ver seam to the middle seam, the engine being at
the surface as shown in Fig. 7. There it was taken olT the
cage and hauled to the main shaEt by mules in either oE the
directions shown in Pig. ô; that is, throug-h the cast or the west
runaround, the empty trips being returned through the same
passageways. At the bottom of the air-shaft there was a
movable G-foot ladder which connected the lower section of the
stairway leading to the milldlc vein with the landing in the
lower vein. This coiilrl be mewed out of the way in order to
give a free í1assageway arounJ the bottoin of the shaft At
the middle-seam landing 01 t:e air-shaft, entrance was made
.)",¡,e:
~~i~;:
~'Wi.h"
,.. '-~
,. il'~.~;¡.
1~10 2. SCENE AT CiHIRRY MINII, NOVEMBER 13, 11100
from the stairw;.y to the landing through a trap d.oor, '2 ¡t
X 3 ft. in size, placed between the rails in the runaround at
the west end of the air-shaft. The lower section of the stairway
from this point .,0 the surface was hinged so that it could be
hung up out of the way in order to provide a clear passage around
the end of the shaEt for the passage oE cars from the south to
the north side of the air-shaft.
The mine was ventilated by a reversible, steel, ClifIord-
Capell fan which;.ordinarily forced air down the air-shaft, the
hoisting shaft being the up-cast. The directions of thi; air-
currents about the shaft bottoms in the two seams are shown
by the arrows in Figs. .5 and 6. As shown, the air is split at
the point where the air-shaft cuts the second seam, the main
split going south to ventilate the workings; a small split passing
through the stable to the main shaft; and another split going
down the air-shaft to ventilate the lon6TWall workings in the
third seam.
The main.sh:ift bottom in the middle seam opened into the
stable by three cross-cuts as shown in Fig. 6. In one of these
there was a pump room A. The main shaft, west bottom was
connected with the air-shaft by the passageway C, in which
there were two doors as shown. This passage served as :i short
cut between shafts for the men, but as the track in it extendecl
for only a part of the way north from the air-shaft tow::rd the
main west bottom, cars were taken by eitlii;r the cast or west
runaround.
FEBRUARY, 1010
There was a sump in the short ciit trom the main west :0
the air-shaEt at the entrance to the stable. The water from
this sump was pumped to the surface by the pump l()c;it~Ü in
the pump room.
The roof above the middle seam w:is bad in places, and
just south of tlie main shaft, tOWard the ?ump room, the space
trom which material had fallen was cribbed with h~avy timber,
as shown in Fig. 9. This cribbing was 8 feet wide, 16 feet long,
aad 12 feet high, and it proved a formidable obstacle in fighting
the fire around the bottom ot the shaft, for the reason that it
was diffcult to play Water on the fire in this timbering on
account at its position back oE the main-shaft timbering. The
cross-hatched portions on Fig. G show places where the r~üf feU
as a result of the fire, greatly impeding the work of rescue and
the fighting of the I1re.
It was customary fot' the eager and his helper on the south
side of the air-shaft to push the empty cars through the run-
around at the left of the air-shaft (Fig S). The cars would then
be gotten by the caget' and his helper on the north side of the
witched upon
air-shaft, pushed past the switch (/ ant1 then backs
the cage, the empty car bltmping the loaded off the cage.
At the joint investigations. the testimony brought out
the train of incidents quite clearly, the only break being the
evidence of the cagers Rosenjack and Dean at the air-shaft
77~
,:QsJ
Fio. 3. FAN o\T CHiiRRY J,11Nii AniiR FIRS
in the middle seam. A diß'est of this testimony shows th
following as the probable course oE events: On the day of th
fire, an empty trip had been brought from the main shaf
through the east runaround ancl left on the tracks south o¡ th
air4shaft. This was about 1 :30 ? )t.. Friday. In this trip wa.
a car containing six bales of hay. As waS customary, cars wer
pushed through the runaround to the north side of the shaft t
be caged and sent down to the lower seam. The eager anti hi.
helper on the south side of the air-shaft pushed the car of ha
toward or into the nmaround and left it ~here near a bumin
torch. The torches used on the shÛt bottom at this time wer
made from gas pipe about 1,. inches or 2 inches in diameter
with a nipple on one end, which could be umcrewed for fillin
the torch with oiL. At the other end, the pipe was turned u
at right angles and tapered down so as to form a place (or hold
ing the wick. The pipe was hung by wire from the timber
along the passageways. These torches were being' used tem
porarily, as the electric lighting system about the shaH bot
toms was out Ot commission owing to a break in the cable.
new cable had bei;n ordered, but had not yet been recei ved.
The helper from the south side of the air-shaft testifie
that after leaving the car of hay in position for it to be take
by the men on the north side ot the air-shaft, he returned t
his work of coupling up the loaded cars; when he next notice
the hay, he saw it was on fire, antI the eager from the north sid
was a.ttempting to push the cat' toward the south, away fro
14
Cherry Mine Disaster
November 13, 1909

425
FEBRUARY, UJlO
MINE ~ND MINERALS
sixth so lith entries. On :he way ';Jack to the m3.iri entry be met
the shatto One bale at b,_trning h,ty--r a part oE :i bale--it is Mr. S'.lUdy, the mine man:igcl' nu:i,ly went out to the shait
not i.ertain ivhich, waS taken out ot the car and left on ,he track bottom and Eddy went tlwJugh ~ht: seventh anù eighth south
south o~ the shatt. The eager evidently changed his min,!. entries notifyiag the men He met \Ir. WJ.ite, WllO went into the
ami att~mpted to push the car northW,irù. throug:i the run- ninth a:iå tenth north entries. wh~ie E,Jrly finished in the eighth
around, :J~L~t the shaft, an(linto the 5ump at thè stable ent~ance. south. They then met on :he main entry and w::iteJ tht:re
As he could not do this, he pulled the car ':ack toward the air- until all the men i:i tlut part of the :nine hart passed theni,
shaft, and then descended t() the lmver scam to inform the men when they started tor the hoisein¡; shaft, ':Jut \Vel(~ unable to
there that he expected to senÜ the loaded car down to the '80:- reach it 00. account of bi"ctd::rnp Several time:; on Saturday
tom of the air. shaft so that water could be playecl on it in)m a
and Sunday the party attemted to reach the bottom ot the
hose placed at the botto:n. Meanwhile, the other men and boys hoisting shaft, but were driven back by the blacktlamp. They
about the ~iir.shaft landing in the middle seam attempted to put then retreated toward the end (jf the first and second north
the car with the burning hay on the-cage, preparatory to sc:iding entries and got together:i num~er of men, 2t in all, :md ':)arri-
it below. There was evidently more or lesS calling ;);ick and calÌed themselv€'s in by bitilding stoppings at G, Fig. 4, acros~
forth from the second to the third vein at this time. !Jut the the first and second. west entries. Here they remaineJ mÜil
evidence was contradictory ~iS to just what was done, antL on the rescuing: ?arty rC'-clied. them ï days af~erw3.nl.
account of the heat ane. tire, it ¡vas impossible to get tht~ 2J.r of According to the kitimony of Theodore Desse, one of '~he
burning hay on the cage. The cage was theretore r:iiser.l ~ind drivers in the middle se:un, he w:-s sent to the surb.cc bv
tr.e car pwhed into the sh;iit. It fell into the SUlllíl ~Lt the \ír. :-orberg ;inci told t~
bottom and water was turn on the water in the
II
played Oil it and the fire :tir-shatt rings so that it
soon put, out. The clrop- ii " would overflow over the
gjn& of the hay down the jJd~~.O"',~ sh:i(t lining He was also
shaft into the sump did not, t,)ld to notify the master
=:~._~ '-r! ~:~~~ I~J
therefOt'e, contribute to the
fire as has been frequently
stated, and had it been
, 'i~ II
ii I II; ','
-=-iL-=, )1.'~~~5~-¿' '~.l.~ .+,
N
mechanic to reverse the
bn, which he did. At just
what time the fan was
accomplished sooner, the reversed has not been defi-
trouble might have been
." ~Iil 1'" ,;1,,'
1', .,
i rÜtely brought out, but it
avoii1ed, but in the move-
ment of the burning hay
back and forth in the
~.-.,-
I: ~'
4.__~__L_ .0 o::~":~""IN!kJ !"~","I.ll'!N;'
,1 II : ¡ "
was some little till'.e after
tbe fi~e started, tor W. ¡\,
Smith, eager in the thild
str,mg air-current, the ..,~J., :M!I 'I :1, Vl~in, testified that he WJ.
timbers caught fire anJ l ~
,!=V::L--;C~t N .., =~ 0= If i ,11,oi¡F'YJ
at his '.tsiial pbce at work,
vi.y soon the passageway
between the air-shatt and
main-shaft bot tom was _~\.\ Il i' I 1Y.t,'" I!onl
I~- ~':,~;1I11
I,Ë'" ;¡,. ~"i
~
rc '. L ii
.'
ing at the foot ot ~he air.
shaft in the third vein

ii'~ ii i
...- when the burning hay ¡vas
~ f'~'" .,.- E 'SJ

car waS (, '1.. ~ '

afire. _ _ =-~-~~~-. dumped down the J.ir,shaft.
White
, kthe
,.,!I"-"''' ,,,'¡ Wf5¡
He assisted in turning the
standing on'0,
tlie trac::li
~~ ~, AIJ II water on it from the hose
~I' ¡iF11n'6"u'Lov'~
_' ~1 i"i'"',1, attachment at that point.

~i'H ,1"c:
north of the air-shaft, an l i:: ~
" ¡I"1"1P.
effort was maùe to bring
water from the stable in
i:-~':-- "
JMdl!Y ~ I i -r' J~~ IE and remained at the foot
of the air-shaf~ uiitil the
small buckets, but the boys 5'''10
. i'"
"ii ~ i'
~ i'11
~ iI bale of hay thrmvn down
'JJ)"
who attempted to do this jil ii ¡1,1 l~ 111 ~ii, the shaft was no longer
could not return directly bttrning. After this, he
to the car by the short cut ascended the stairw:iy to
~;i 11-- - H ",,"iri' - )1,1
leading to the air-shaft on
account of the heat and
smoke, and they were com-
i~
"' H ~'".. ..0 ~,..."..
the middle vein J.nd then
continued up the stainv.y
into the escape shaft.
pelled to go by the west FIG. .1 .\1"" Ol' ~1:llDLr. \'ßI:- C'llUi."Y i,¡lSE vVhen he had gone about
ruaround, :vreanwhile, the halfway to the surface, the
two check-doors in the fan stopped, and very suon after was evidently reversed, as
short cut C, Fig. 5, had been opened, thus materialliy inneasing he could tell by the direction of the fbme on :-is miner's lamp.
the drait in the section affected by the fire, and by thi5 ~ime
This brought the smoke and gases up the air
"shaft and it was
the timbers were evidently burnng fiercely. with great diffculty that he reached the surface,
After the fire broke out, Andrew Lettsome, a rhiw:- (rom Cert,iin of the witnesses testified that a hose was taken
the third seam, m:ide several trips between the third ;ind middle from the surface to middle vein (the bottom of the hoisting shaft)
seams by way of the stairway in the air-shaft to see wlut was and. an unsucc('ssbl attempt was there made to att~ich the hose
the matter; he'finally ret'J.rned to the bottom and wet\t t,) the to two water pILtgs that were located on the south sille of the
face on the east sicle to warn his father aUll other men workng shaft toward the pump room.
at the fac~ east of the shaft. Anotlier di-i,,'er went to the we~t During all this time, men were being hoisted to the surface.
and warned at least some of the men on that side, as some r-iE After the f;to was reversed, ,Mr. NoÒcrg told the hoisting
them escaped. engineer that he woos going below to :ittacli the rope of the
One of the night examiners, George Edd.y, wh.o was on t,)P third-vein cage to the bottom of the main hoisting cage, and
when the fie star~ed, saw smoke coming from the ~liJ.it, and impressed upon him the necessity for observing the signab
immediately descended to the middle-seam landing, where he
closely, A number of volunti:ers descended \vith !\orberg and
met .'rr. :Sorburg, one of the inside foremen. They a~teT1ptcil Bundy to the bottom, but by the tiriie they reached. the uúttorr.
to get to the air-shaft through the short cut, but could. not on
the fhmes had e..idently gained such heaùway that they caul(
account of the fiame and smoke, Eddy then went to th~ insiile not proceed as pla.nned anù they signaled to be hoisted. Wiler
workigs to notify the men, going in on the sccollti west :Uiti the

15
Cherry Mine Disaster
November 13, 1909
426 MINES AND ~RALS
the cage was 25 or 30 feet from the bottom, the signal to "stop ..
was given the engineer, but as he had been told that the lower
cage for hoisting from the third vein was to be attached, he
naturally supposed this was being done, and as he had been
warned to pay especial attention to the signals, he refused
to hoist the cage although urged to do so by those on the surface.
Finally, however, he did hoist and all of those on the cage were
o 100 St:dl"-I(ltJFl, IOpO
FIG. 5. M!il' 01" T~lRD, OR LOWSit, ViiIN
found to have been burned to death. The delay in hoisting was
unfortunate, but the engineer was certainly justifed in his
action. The signaling system was a pneumatic gong, and it
is probable that after the cage started to the top, some one
reached the signal gong at the bottf)m and gave the one ring
to :;top. He was then so overcome by the flames and smoke
that he could not give other signals, and meanwhile the men on
the cage, who could not reach the signal apparatus, were over-
come, The flames and smoke in the main shaft were at this
time quite dense, as the fan had stopped owing to the Bl.bbitt
in the bearings being burned out by the flames passing up the
air-shaft. The tower over the air-shaft, which was of wood,
was also badly burned, and had to be subsequently taken down.
A subsequent examination of the shafts showed that the face
of the timbers was burned for a distance of 30 or 40 feet at the
top and bottom of the air-shaft, but the intervening timbers
were very little damaged. The fire did not reach the lower
seam, and from notes left upon the pieces of slate it is evident
that some of the men in the lower, or third, vein li..'ed for
probably two days.
There has been considerable criticism for the reversing of
the fan, but while no one who is alive can say ju:;t why this
was done, it is probable that when Messrs. Bundy and ì\ orherg
got to the bottom of the main shaft they found that the fire
had gained such headway, that if any were to escape it was
necessary to confine the fire as much as possible to one shaft.
They probably reasoned that the main hoisting shaft gave
better facilities for men reaching the surface and concluded to
sacrifice the air-shaft. by reversing the air-current. It was
thus possible to continue hoisting men for a period of an hour
and a half or more after the fire was first discovered.
At 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon the main shaft was se,il~d,
and the method of fighting the fire and exploring the mine up
FEBRUARY, 19tO
to the time when the 20 men were rescued has already been
detailed in Mi:-es A:-D MINERALS for December
The main shaft was opened on Thursday, ;-ovember 18.
entrance being at first mad.: by the use of the helmets, but
it was soon found that these could be dispensed with; and by
the following evening, such progress had been made in fighting'
the fire that it was thought to be only J. question of a ::hort
time when the systematic exploration could be carried on.
Before the main shaft was opened on Thursday, the inspectors
descended the air-sha.ft and brought out the first body that way.
After the hoisting shaft was opened the inspectors descended
with helmets on.
On Saturday, November 20, Mr. David Powell, Superin-
tendent of the Braceville Mine of the St. Paul Co., who was
then in charge of the work of exploration in the Cherry
:-Iine, entered the secoiid west entry on the south side 01 the
mine. He there heard a noise and was sl.uprised to encounter
eight of the men who had barricaded themselves, as noted above.
on the way out of the mine. They had dug through the barri-
cade and had walked a distance of a half mile from tha.t point
to the point where they met Mr. Powell, passing over cars and
dead mules and-through an atmosphere which at times' woul
not support a light. They reported that there were 12 more
men behind the barricade not strong enough to walk out alone;
a volunteer party including ~ressrs. George S. Rice and R, Y.
Wiliams, of the United States GeologicaL Survey, Went into the
mine as far as the second south stub entry without the use of
the helmets. Beyond this point, the helmets were used, as the
air wa.s very bad. The first rescuers reached the barricade,
but could not pass through the opening with the helmets.
By means of brattice the air was Cleared somewhat and the hole
through the barricade was enlarged, so that the men behind
the barricade were gradually brought out. An oxygen resusci-
tation box was used with great advantage in reviving these
men as well as the rescuers, who were also partially overcome,
while the rescued men were helped to, the bottom of thp shaft bv
a line of men stretching from the barricade to the shaft botto~.
'=1 c:,.-,l:' - - --~I il-"=--
1
1l1 11gUbr~'i~~n
~~I,' Z-_~
1\141 ,,~ /rc,N)-
,i d.,
:1 II
Fi
, i,~~I~II
I
Ii / ~~~.,.111 /\ I ii
~ ~f~
I' 111
M
1('0$/(50
Wt.s~ /lA~t,..:
"
X
ill l
2Üsl--S') "
~... '_0 .,.,~..
FiO. G. SII,\VT I30TTO\!, MlDlll.P. VaIN
In this manner, aU but one of the men behind the barrica.de
were gotten out, but this one was so overcome that it was
necessary for some one with a helmet to go behind the barri-
cade. On the way out, there was found the body of a French.
man, Paul, who had left the party behind the barricade during
the week of their imprisonment and had made an attempt
to reach the shaft, It is a matter of scientific interest that life
16
Cherry Mine Disaster
November 13, 1909

FEBIW..RV, into MINES AND MINERALS 427

could be sustained in an atmosphere in which there seems to
ha\'e been ujJwards of 5 per cent. of carbon dioxide, and an
atmosphere in which the lamps would not burn.
Up to the t¡me of completion of barricades they had been
able to keep lights; then the oil lamps went out. They were
still able to keep an acetylene light going, but on the following
day it went out, and thereafter for 4 days they were in dark-
and the moving material endangered the bottom of the shaft
and threatened to stop the operation of the cages.
In order to shut off the air from the fire about the shaft
bottoms as completely as possible, a stopping of sand bags
was rlnced in the air-course south of the air-shaft, as shown
at E, Fig. 6. A gradual increase in temperature showed that
the fire was increasing, and an analysis of the gases, as given
by Mr. Rice, is as follows:

! Nov, 21' Nov. 21 : Nov, 22' Nov. 22:1 Nov.23 I Nov. 241
!
, l~l._~!10;30l.M.i~~~~:__ _~;313 A.'f.!~,
I
iC03..
'0,. ,.
.........: 4.5. 14,-i
...,.' Hi.2 U I 4.5
I H,34.6:
15.4.5.8
12.9' 7.0
10.3;
co 3 ,.4..4-:.3 __ .2 , .3 I
1--19.0 -is-;I'--- 20..1 I lS~9--. ì-i,
i i 20.9 __~I~~_; 2~~--i-~-1 20.9_!
10 unaccounted
~i/,ffJ5/¡"/~ ,,,
.1 1.11 2.0, 1. .6 2.13 3.3 I
~
~ ~ The middle seam ha.d been thoroughly explored by the
~ or evening of November' 22, ex,cepting"for the northeast section,
which was inaccessible on account of'lthe fire and falls. .~At that
li1v.I;.
time Mr. W. W. Willams, State In~pector, and..Geo. S. Rice,
,. '" ~ ,iW¡f1 of the Geological Survey,descendeJ to the third vein by attach-
5; "p,"øc .~'
ing the lower cage to the bottom ot the main hoisting cage.
mp i"., .: WhL-.ii¡
This exploration is described by Mr. Rice as follows:
~ i .. Having gone to the middle vein, the southeast cage was
,
~
~
ll; lowered and after some diffculty the rope oE the third cage
~ -~ attached. This was then brought up to a landing about 15 feet
! .. ~
, below the middle-vein landing. The entrance to the former
~
.)1;W,lii___ was blocked by the heavy fait northeast of the shaft, so it was
Lm¡_l/rJC~ necessary to reach the cage by going down the rope. Having
tested the air by lowering a thermometer and ¡safety lamps
Fic, 7. 5BCTlON ON LINK XX, FIG. 13
(there was a strong current of fresh air going down), Archie
cess. They had become so thirsty, having exhausted the Frew, Bernard Doughty, and Robert McFadden slid down on
moisture taken from little holes dug in the floor with p.icks, the cage, and were lowered. They found 3 feet of water on the
they decided to make an effort to reach the shaft to get water. bottom, but waded to the overcast, as it was suspected there
They made a hole through both stoppings, but came out at the would be the most likely place for living men. None were found,
first west entry to a cross-cut five or six hundred feet nearer the
bottom, thence through the second west, finding that the air
was not so bad in that direction. This was not known to the
rescue party at the time, but in any case the driving round of
the black damp would have rendered that course impracti.
cable at the time of rescue.
It is probable that .the accidental taking off of a door in a
cross-cut further out short.circtUted the current before the men
had enclosed themselves by the barrcades. They had endeav-
ored to erect a barricade and had taken off,'a door in a cross-
cut at the fifth north for this purpose, but w;re driven back by
the blackdamp, probably at a. time when the fan was started on
Monday mornng. They did not have an opportunity to rehang
the door, and by leaving the same off, the currents short.
circuited, and this probably saved them the small amount of
, elatively good air at the heads of the entries. Further, it prob~
ably saved a.n air pressure on their barricade when the fan was
again started on Thursday, and by so doing prevented the black-
damp being forced in through the crack by the fan pressure.
The excitement due to the finding of men alive was intense,
and for a while rumors of large numbers of men taken out alive
spread througbout the country, but ndne of these proved to
be true. Numbers of bodies were found in the south entries,
but although the men had attempted to make fans to assist the Fio.8
circulation, they had not put up barrcades, and from notes
found it is evident that they were not conscious, even if alive, only a few buckets showing some hàd been there at one time.
after Monday. They then returned to the cage, but, on hoisting, the main cage
Meanwhile, the fire near the bottom of the hoisting shaft stuck, after making efforts to get it past where some projecting
was increasing and an effort was made to penetrate beyond the rivets caught the shoe, and the men became sochited from
fall shown at the northeast of the shaft by the cross-hatching water fallng from the water ring in the shaf.t and the temper-
in Fig. 6, but this was impossible, as the treacherous character ature at 3SCI F.. they climbed the slippery" buI1tons for over
of the overlying material made it dangerous for the workers, ioa feet vertically. On reaching the under lari9-ing, a sling was

17
Cherry Mine Disaster
November 13, 1909
428 MINES AND M1AERALS
made to pull them u¡. one by one through the hole in the cage
seat. The cage was then lowered and the third-vein cage
detached. The main cage then passed the obstructions which
were subsequently removed, and regular hoisting resumed,
The remainder of that night and next mornng, November 23,
the attack on the fie around the shaft had to be renewed.
The search having been completed on the south and west sides,
an effort was made to reach the east side through an abandoned
road. This failed, as the road was found to be ca ved in, A
momentary panic was caused along the line of men stretched
out for half a mile by an order to come out on aCCQunt of the
condition of the fires at the bottom, which were attacked by
the firemen at several points through the shaft lining, the smoke
issuing at times 24 feet above the floor, indicating the height
of the fall,
"On the morning of November 23, the southeast cage being
made to run freely, the third-vein cage was again attached
FEBRUARY, 1910
and a party of fóur sent down to explore the third vein. They
found from 150 to 169 bodies, the count varyng. Some of the
men had made fans from drill machine parts, but no baTrcades
had been erected. N OIle of the iio~es found indicated the
men had been conscious. after Monday fOllowig the fie."
After-this exploration it was plain that there was no possi-
bilty of persons being alive, and as the fire was steadily gaining,
it was determned after a conference held November 25 to seal
both shafts. This Was done and the shafts are still sealed at
the time of this wrting.
The disaster at Cherr was fortunately an unusual one,
and it seems diffcult to see how so serious a calamity couId have
Come from so simple a cause. As the direct result of the Cherr
disas.tr, Governor Deneen, in his call for a special session of the
Legislature, called for a law covering fie fighting equipment
at mines, fireproofing' of shaft bottoms and stables..as far as
possible.
18
Banner Disaster
April 8, 1911
RESCUE WORK IS
NEARING AN END
Only Ten Bodies Remain in
..)lines-Many Visitors
Are Leaving
rl(lt~ticall\' all tlie Wl1l'l( of :"cmovlog
tile bodi('~ or the rle:iil CIHt,,¡çtl: Crom
tiie Banner' mine wa~ comrilete(i yc.ster-
day and by tli Is mornir.:; onl:," a. few
sçattpI'ed borllt'S rt'inaincd in Ute mln....
~,nd th(':4e will be rellH1"cd as :iOOn. a~
p():"o:ible,
Latt' acl"..lces lrom R:llHLl:'r ::tate tint
11:. budle:- have bCt'l1 remo\'ei1 ll"01l the
iniiie~ Hnii It i: CXIH'cLr'l\ ¡l\at lIWrt'
will lie r",mo\"ed f'arl.. ilii:- ll1lJrnlii;;
rri L':.l tÜ,l\re~ ot ihe
According lo iliH o
coml)any there are 10 bo.\ìt's y~t In Ute-
mint'.
')'he trains i~;\\in~ B::nn8t' yester-
dn'! wet' crowiitd with I'h)Ct lJr~, miners,
atlil úlilC:l... r~tlil'llin.L to t:10ir iiome.'!1
anJ no ne,,- del('joi)nii~iit:.; are ex-
pected,
ACLorilin!. In L\it' !)plniI1\l I.'l' mi)~t 0L
the lTWt1 (1.( 111'" iiinc~ tìi.~ iiii:idenl 01
tiie ex.plo:-ir)n is pr:.~tLi~\.liy closed, TIie
nr~l inlJicatlon oi' ¡l\l: was tile lllrh-al
thig afternot)lI of It lIaidi or VrlSOill'rS
for the prIson, There wi~re 18 In Llio
¡;ai'ty, i 1 or whom are lrr)m ,lerrt~r.'on
Escanibiao Chilton ani. 'lallapoo:ì;.
i:ountlcs,
I, county and the (lr
The) official!' remalnlii;;
the camp":=even from
ny lìti!1
i rcfui-e to ~i\'..' oiit tlio dc:,cr-ptive 11;~t
'or the clin\'Îd:-, !'!a,tiii~ ilial tliig wiH
tJo úunl' a.~ l"uon aJ' all tllt~ bodies a~'e
removed fi-onl tile llint,
Ueptuy ~herllr i ~ll\'t' Kl-llnyhl'onk
came upi)n It -rar,~ ()( n'C:Zl'lhi ~PfLlC¡I-
in¡; tIiE: clotliil1~ (~t ilie dead l'uflvlct.i
Y~!:teri1ay innrniu¡. alHL at olICI~ broke
up tilt' Jtatllërlri~, Tlit: l\C:-rlllf'.~ \\Qt'e
i:eal'chlng ilie clutlie:- ri)t õilr)t1('Y aiii:
were rcaliinR' a ('leii lianf~.~L. ~
¡'umlie~'~ nt' Iiodlts wi'I'e :-liiPP"d:
ll\\'RY (rom B:iniiE"t' ~'i',"terda'- and l1oreil'
will folio\\ tl)Cla\'. It i'l II10\i~lit tllf't
l-li hotll('~ that are to t~1" ,i.1iipiif'll will I
be dispi-i-L'd or tnd;l\', It i:- f'-tlma.t,'ù
tl~l\t a.h~i\lt ,'i:l rit I:i" ¡"idie;. wlll he I
hurled at H¡lTlner ;tllrl ;:l:l\ "s ha.ve Iieen I
(ll'orintOefl n~ar. ~(l :: f:ii:~r!. i
~,
! d"
I
¡.'V'do/
I ;': ,II: 'OA,il
\
I
i \ !c'"
/ ,i'.I'¡t /
,,;W'rJ6
\
,
#.¡
TdU
'-.
,~~ò.'l
~/
:: .//"
~.~+ :.
ob~ -A
--&,-
RECORDUiG GAUGE OF TF FAN OlT KOP.11~1G
OF TH EXOSION, ARRIL e, 1911.
ye~tel'lay 11loriiil1'" :\1\(1 ,ll UIH'I.' l)l(ii~l. l!\C ill"" i. ,.:t~I' 'i ,\ 1'\1'. ,- 1"'1"011l'1'
up tli~ i-atlii.r!n¡i, Tiit' ii~;.i-'f':; \lOl'e ""II" r('p,'I'lc'l :,i;.;t I'"c;'ii' wiil'n i',. 'r"il
I;rirlg('~ nl' 1~¡\':\li:l~.\\H,'\ ,10- riii'~'eil cO
::eai'ching tile cl.,tIIP" r,)l' ¡iHiilr'~ :Jili:
were reapin¡r a rlcii Iian'o~..;, I.a\!'- .r i' ,:\,,1':"1". 'l ".hlii' l'ri.,oner
tronl .I"IT, ,-~"n ""un:" ""' in'." a ('~:l
:-umlJei°,s 01' hodlt',. WI'l'(: :-iiippl'd
,IWl\V I'rom H:inllt'I' ,'l',"ti~rd:il and lllnre.
nil ,\(.:e"lIriL Ole aii ,,! i;i:k 11lad'! i1i)0:1
Iiim. TI,¡.: Is li." .."I ¡n,'!i!;i',' "11 lf'L'_
wiil (olluw tuda\", It to, iliiilil(lit tlir t r,l"! ;LUti 'c'" ""i,i.¡,i' H' ,irk",! :''''i-
all riudl('~ that ,irE" trl :'1" ,"iilppf'it \\'iii .1.,,1 r:ii' 1"\111,. '1\"\" Li',t' ile.id
III! di:;PL..'iL'li n( (,,,1:\\', It i... l'aima,r,'u ',ioll i.'.~ "r 1'11(' i l C""" ,d,',.
--_._---_...--
t1iiit aboui S:i p:' 1:"" ;i"ilif'-l will he I'Birminq'ham Suecial"
hurled at Hal1net aiiii ;:l:l." have ileeii
('l'onatell l1('ar :-n :. f'11:,r~, To one b'lock from
1'11(' tlrf'(l in¡iien, Iit'~.11l ii) rl'''t ILL" :L
!)It lal:t nlglit an!! ~'~""lci\ 111"ll' :H:I\. BROADWAY, Ne'nYork,
l:ig !lmh" . :\1:rui.\' of t!ie:ii !i~i\'l' heen
(.\onstantl\. al \\'OlK rIOl ilif' i'a"t ~ 1
boui'!l wlllillUI' slC"Pll. A:! Pl ~Ii('ri \\cri'
accomm(HLLtf'd i~IS, ni:;:lt,
\Vltli in ;i :-linlt t il1\ i r)~r- \Y"lk i¡( l'i?-
\.iaii'ing- lll'~ 11lili-~ ",,1' l'o''''lliC'rili;; wi:1
I,t'gin H 0(1 l\i L'1l it will I, "iil~';i "ii,il"
l.í11'~ t\;itil lHil'llt;ll (',':ii!; I ¡UII,. ;ti'e j"'-
.'tored.
19
Cincinnati Mine Disaster
April 23, 1912
Mourners
Succeeded
By Curious
:JJOl'liid Crowd Gathers at
Mine 'TIiile Bereaved
:JIarch to Morgue
PROCESSION Q.' SADXESS
By VTNC¡';ST DRA'~E.
In striking contrast with the heart-
rending scenes of Wednesday around
the pit mouths of the CinCinnati min¿
was the almost holiday appearance of
that sectlan yesterday. Hundreds ot
morbid cuiiosity se€kers gathered
arouncl the entrances to the charnel
house, The bright dresses of the
women-of which the crowd was large-
ly made up-made a great splash of
color against the somber darkness of
the wooded hils.
United States Bureau of Mines Rescue Team
Cincinnati Mine Disaster - April 1912
After the secret removal of the
badies from the pit mouth to the Mo-
nongahela morgue ta about 4 o'clock
yesterday morning the solemn vigil,
which had been kept by the hundreds
of bereaved relatives, was suddenly
ended. It was immediately taken up a
long, sickening pUgrimag-c, of death to
the mO'rgue house,
With their eyes fastened atcadUy On
the roofs of the City of Corpses-Mo-
nongahela-which could be seen
aroU'nd the broad bend of the Monon-
gahela Rlver in the rosy sunlight, the
widows, orphans, brothers and sisters
took up the march over ihe threl:
mile3 of rough tortuous roads. Re-
fnsed sight of their loved. ones, they
almost mubbed the morgue, )'lotliers with
babies In anus and tugging at t.heir
dres.'e~, all weeoinir and moaning aìoud,
madco the~c three miles r;~em a living epi-
sode from Dante's Infenio,
An UllUf'Ual st'Jry of the love of a footer-
father for his ¡iJoptcd SOIl--a lov~ which
made him plunge l"t'pl'atedlv into the gas.
filled entries of tIii: niinC--\l-as oni~ uf the
pathetic fe1ltures' in the darl. pages of
death and sii:f,'rlr:;:. 'lnis man was Ale);-
a.ndcr.l..ach, aged 4.0, of )Iingo Cred,.
Heioined tlw tìr~t reflClll. ::a.rty bat went
into the ;,Lii¡,,;i ~~()\l" un(f IHirkcd wi,iiout
pause ,from \\-l'dnc'sd;iY nUOli until late
last night iii illl er.:ril" to Jiml t1ie body oJ:
l¡is adupttòd HOii, H,~nl1' I..¡H:Ù, ii¡'lèJ ~U, a
driver,
In all cf the home in tht de.Ui~
den eection that .iuffered from th dt
of members of the familiei. it is pro\Ø
that in none did death take as 1a ..
quota. ll in the home of Andy Ca in
the ffCinclnati Patch," near Cour,
Among the mi88ng wer c.ck iuut
three boarders, Tony, Peter and Ste
being the only Dames of the that eo4
be gathered from the frezied women 4f
the famil.
Brave Rescuer Perishes
One of thE! greaU!s.t of al. the heroes
who were made such in the twinkling ct
an eye was 'Viliam McColligan, aged 33,
of J IIcobs Cre€k, the helmet man. .He
waii the only rescuer who iii knowto
have lost his life,
Although the silence imposed upon ,an
the employet by the mine offcials prevtfi
the publication of the fiicts of the fltnii",
glc and the losing fight by the rescue
cre,v when their apparatus failed lia.
been told by rescuers to make the tae of
: McC'lligiin'!1 death dramatic.
Mc(".lligan, who is an electrician went
in ,..:ìth a rescue pay from the 'MinKo
entrance 'V~dnesday. The party was in
the mine for hour.. It had penetrated to
a. great distince. strin)Oing terephone wires
along a." they went. F1TlllllY the helmets
and air supply failed. The foul' members
n-ere partially overrome. One man was
fina.ly able to t,lep!irnie to the E111riace
for help before the blackdamp ~Tij)ped him
and a relief part.\' went in. But McColl-
~an was drat!. The o~,hel" are expected,
to live.
20
Cincinnati Mine Disaster
April 23, 1912

.~.,

Efficiency of $ervin' was demonstrated by rescue squads from the Unitt'd States Bureau of Mines during the recent disaster at the Cincinnati coal mine at Finleyville, Pa. This picture
shows the rescuers about to descend the old shaft. They recovered nearly 100 bodies. The explosion occurred 8000 feet from the mouth of the mine and the work of reaching those who
had been imprisoned and whose pleadings for hdp could be faintly heard was very difficult. After-damp and fire hampered the rescuers. Two miners were rescued alive, after they had
been cut off with tht' dead bodies of a score of companions for 60 hours

21
Eccles Mine Disaster
April 28. 1914
)1:LY, 1914
ECCLES
w her e the The Eccles Mine Explosion
m i n e explo-
sion occurred ;-\pril Condi¡ions Existing at the Mine Before the Explosion-Methods
28, is in Raleigh
County, \V. Va..
about -+ miles from
Beckley, the county seat, and is
reached 0)' the Virginian Railway
or the Piney Branch of the Chesa-
peake & Ohio Railway. The coal
mined is the ~ew River semi-
bituminous coking coal of the Potts-
ville series, and is considered to be
the same as the Pocahontas smoke-
less coaL. Two beds, the Beckley
and Sewell, are worked at Eccles.
The Beckley seam which is about
520 feet below the surface, has the
follo\viiig section: Coal, 1 foot;
bone, 2 inches; coal, 2 feet 3 inches;
slate, S inches; bottom coal, 2 feet
4 jnçl:es. T otaI thickness, 6 feet 5
inches. '-The roof is sandstone with
aboÙCl-toot of draw-slate above the
coal; the. floor is fireclay with sand-
:!Ol1e immediately below it. An
approximate analysis of the Beckley
seams is: ~Ioisture, 3.2; volatile
matter, 15; fixed carbon, 78.1; ash,
3.7; sulphur, ,7. It is in this seam
at Xo. 5 shaft that the explosion
originated and the bulk of the dam-
age was done.
The Sewell scam at Eccles is
about 254 feet above the Beckley,
and is worked through No.6 shaft
although this shaft goes down to
the Beckley seam. The Sewell bed
varies in thickness, being thicker
in the southern than in the northern
part; for example, at this mine, the
low ~ection has 4 feet 5 inches of
clean coal; the middle section 2
inches of bone and 4 feet 8 inches
of coal; the high section 7 inches of
bone and 4 feet 11 inches of coaL.
The roof of this seam is jointed and
weak in places, while the Roar is
nreclay above hard sandstone. An
approximate analysis of the Sewell
bed is 3.71 per cent. moisture, 13.74
per cent. volatile matter; 79.81 per
cent. fixed carbon; 2.74 per cent.
ash, ami .59 per cent. sulphur,
this composition making it one of
the best smokeless coals in "Vest
\'irginia.
"êe(fllierg Engineer
Results of Investigation
W rllkii /0' TAc CollUt E"'lllr
Eccles is one of the two large
mining properties own'ed by the
~ew River CoHierics Co" the other
being the Sun, in Fayette County.
lranklin B. Guiterman, E, :,,1., is
president and F. P. Bayles, general
manager.
Of the six shafts on the Eccles
property, :\os, 5 and 6 are the ones
of special interest because of the
explosion, which occurred about
2 :30 P. M" ßl.pril 28, in which 180
men lost their lives. The two shafts
being connected by an airway, the
blast was transmitted to the Sewell
beel in No. 6 shaft and eight men
were found dead at this place. At
the time of the explosion 73 men
were at work in the :No.6 mine, and
with the exception of the eight
mentioned all the 'others survived.
The force of the explosion or pos-
sibly the bad air which did the dam-
age seemingly did not pass beyond
:No, 6 shaft; all on the other side of
the shaft were uninjured. At :No, 5
mine 172 men were killed, none es.
caping, making the total killed 180,
As the mine was quite busy on the
day of the explosion, a number of
loaded mine cars were standing at
the shaft bottom and these were
thrown by the blast into the hoist-
ing shaft, making it diffcult to clear
away so as to get inside the mine.
Onr- cage was thrown up Into the
head-frame, where it lodged, not
quite reaching the sheave wheels.
thus leaving the hoisting gear in-
tact. The explosion doors of the'
is' x 7' Jeffrey fan were blown off,
but otherwise the fan was uninjured,
and was stopped only so long as to
fix the explosion doors and reverse
the direction of the air-current. At
10 p, M. it- was in working order.
Soon after the explosion L. B. Holli.
day, mine inspector. of the 9th "Vest
Virginia District, arrived, and the
rescue l)~' th~, minersA in:' No. 6 w~s
commenced 'and ear.ri~d oút elfes!l
ally with the aid
of Thomas Don-
aldson, mine su~
of Working- perintendent. In
the meantime, as-
s.istance was of-
fered by miners
from the company's nea'rby op-
erations also from miners in the
vicinity, and these ,Manager Bayles
organized into rescue crews, He
also organized a refreshment bu-
reau where those who were work-
ing in the rescue parties could be
fed. At this improvised free res-
taurant the meals were excellent and
preferred by the mine inspectors to
those they obtained at boarding
houses in the vicinity. Everyone
about the plant seemed to be en-
dowed with some natural talent
which could be turned to useful and
helpful channels; even the school
teacher became a waiter, while one
of the company employes became an
adept in soup making, ham and egg
frying, coffee brewing, etc, This
pleased :\1:. Guiterman because there
\vere 200 rescuers, and more who
must be fed, as they had exhausting
\vork to do on short shifts of 2
hoiirs. As :No.5 \vas the downcast
and ;.o. 6 shaft the upcast, the res-
cuers could make no headway
through the airway connecting the
tVm shafts, even after the air~cur-
rent had been reversed, but by
\Vednesday evening No,S shaft was
cleared to within 60 feet of the bot-
tom. This was slow work and it
was not until Thursday morning
that the shaft bottom \'iaS reached
and the shaft guides repaired so that
men could enter the No.5 workings.
Here the rescuers were hampered
by water. the pump pipes having
been broken and the' pumps put out
of commission. '
Chief Mine Inspector Henry, who
was then in charge of the \York.
commenced the restbration of the
air-current, cleaning tip and sec~ring
the roof by timbers. Electric
pumps were installed in the mean.,
time, but the rescuers- were g.reatIy
hampered by water and debris,
especially the helmet, men frum the
ßUreau;òf Mines
22
Eccles Mine Disaster
Apri12's,1'314

Wives and Children of Eccles Victims

23
Eccles Mine Disaster
April 28. 1914
The air was found to be fairly
good when the bottom of the mine
was reached and the use of canaries
was unnecessary. The company
uses brattice cloth in the mines and
was fortunate in having a carload
or more on hand to make teÌnporary
air stoppings, and 50 hasten the
recovery and location of the bodies.
Those found were not much burned,
their deaths for the most part being
due to asphyxiation and violence.
Had it been possible to enter the
mine, some lives might possibly
have been saved; as it was, all hope
of reaching any that might be alive
was abandoned on the evening of
the 27th,
The surface plants at these mines
are well constructed and substantial,
the engine and boiler houses being
separated and made of dimension
stone. The hoisting at No. j rs ac.
complished by a first-motion mod-
ern Vulcan engine, Jeffrey self.
dumping cages being used in the
hoisting shahs. Back of the hoo~
ing engine room is another room
where the dynamos are installed, for
the electric motors, pumps, and
lights. Two 7" x 10" electrically
driven Deane pumps drained the
mine and delivered water to the
sump where it was raised about 520
feet by two Cameron steam pumps
is in. x is in. x 13 in. In the No.6
shaft, a triplex electric driven Deane
pump raises water .367 feet from a
lodgment in the shaft to tanks on
the hilL. This arrangement fur-
iiishes a fire and domestic supply of
water to the town of Eccles.
As shown by the map, the double-
entry system of mining is followed,
double rooms 24 ft. wide on 6O.ft.
centers being driven with track in
the center. In order to avoid driv-
ing the rooms to the dip in the north
right section òf the mine, the cross-
entries are driven on a slant with
the main entries; the rooms on north
left entries, however, are driven to
the rise. In the southern section of
the mine, the entries are driven to
the rise and are turned at right
angles to the main entries.
Mining is carried on both by
picks and machines. Pick miners
We (iI/ier Engineer
are supposed, under the rules, to
undercut their coal to a depth equal
to the height of the seam; drill the
shot holes to a depth not to exceed
the undercut, charge the holes with
::'1onobel Xo. 2 permissible explo-
sive, tamp the explosive with clay,
and fire the shot any time during the
day.
Machine miners undercut the
coal, after which company shot
firers .drill, load, and shoot the holes.
T,vo inspectors travel about the
mine to see that the men are work-
ing under safe conditions and are
observing the rules.
In the future it is probable that
the Kansas system of shot firing
will be put in practice; that is, no
shooting will be allowed during the
day and shot firers will do the work
after all are out of the mine. For
more than 20 years electric under-
cutting machines have been in op-
eration,and _during that time the
writer has been unable to find a
single inst1e where an explosion
has been traced to places they have
undercut, while a number of explo-
sions have been traced to the
working places of pick miners.
In some cases at Eccles, miners
have disregarded the rules referring
to undercutting and shooting off
the solid, and in other cases they
have purchased and used prohibited
explosives. When this has been dis-
covered the men have been laid off
for a definite time and for a second
offense have been discharged.
As gas exuded from each working
face according to former Chief In-
spector Laing, to ensure ventilation
reaching the face, curtains were
hung in cross-entries before new
rooms and the air was forced to
travel by brattice to within 12 feet
of the face.. _When: the _ first break-
through was completed between ad-
jacent rooms, the curtain was
removed and the brattice placed so
that the air-current would travel
through the breakthrough and then
to the room face. After the room
had been advanced suffciently for
another breakthrough the first was
closeò with boards. In the entries
the air stoppings were of stone and
JULY, 1914
mortar and, in places, of brick.
Practically all of these stop pings
were blown down, some falling in
one direction and others in a con-
trary direction, which would indi-
cate that the explosion was travel~
iug in both headings. It was re.
porte'd that the mine was badly
wrecked, that is the roof came down
generally throughout. This it is
understood was only true in entries
where timber supports were knocked
out, and in general the rooms were
not badly damaged by falls, Over-
casts and doors were demolished,
which is usually the case in mine ex-
plosions. The mine was reported
in newspapers to be on fire, a mis-
taken idea originating, no doubt,
because of the heat in the mine and
the bad air. No fires were found,
which as an argument does not favor
a dust explosion, where the partly
coked coal dust becomes red hot and
agglomerating often starts fires in
places where it falls. Another
matter which points to this being a
gas explosion for the most part is
that it extended generally through-
out the mine, going with the air-
current as well as against the
air-current, reaching to the room
faces and not taking a -direct route
through the entries to the shaft.
The second explosion which oc-
curred from 5 to 12 minutes after
the first may have been a dust ex-
plosion.
The writer has been informed
that very little coked dust was found
in the mine, also that after the res-
cuers had gained an entrance they
were able to restore ventilation
quickly and explore the mine with-
out the use of helmets.
Inside haulage was mostly by
electric locomotives; Westinghouse
5.ton gathering motors being used
on side entries and 13-ton Westing-
hoiise motors on main haulage
entries. A few mules were used in
the mine for haulage purposes, but
not many, although the mine was
capable of producing 1,500 tons of,
coal daily.
24
Barrackville Mine Disaster
Odober 19,1916
20 REPORTED uEAD IN MINE EXPlOSIO
COmpaDY Offcials, Say Only
Few Meli Were in Shaft
Making Repairs,
Fairmont, \V. Va., OctolJer 19.~An
explosion in ,Tamison mine No. 7 at
Barrackville, W. Va., near here, shortly
before 1 o'clock thIs afternoon is re-
¡iorted to ha Vß been fatal to 20 men.
The officials of the Jamison Coal and
Coke Co. deny the number -of dead wil
reach 20, as the mine was not in opera-
tion today because of the, shortage of
cars, The officials say not more than
foul' or five men were in ¡ the mine
making repair:-.
A report of tho explosion was mn.de
to the enite(l States Bureaii of
Mines station here this afternoon, and
p. mine rescue car with seven equipped
, ancl a cage is working reg-ularly, carry-
l'en was sent to the scene, The car
was attached to a Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad train leaving here at 2:30
o'clock. this afternoon for Fairmont.
Rescuers - Jamison No.7 Mine
Barrickvile. WV
First reports received at the Bureau
of -:ines stated that probably 200 men 100 Men Working
'Ì1ad been entombed. Later reports cut
this number to fIve or six, but it was
decldèd not to take any chances and
To R.each Miners
the car was sent to the !'cene of the
explosion.
FAIRMONT, ,V. Va., Oc'~. ~t-Four
~hi!ts or 2" men each, each shIrt wo'rklng
.'Õix hours, are progressing slowly iii thc
NO MORE BODIES work of 'lecovering the bodIes of the 31x
men entombed III the Jamlsoii l"\nc near
ARE FOUND IN MINE h£'I'e. The work is done u:1der tí1e ~upeL"
\'islon uf SuperIntendent Earl B.:IH'bower
of th(' mine, co-operating- with the Fed..
Fairmont, "'1. Va., October 23.-The era'l and state bureau of mlncs.
work of exploring the wrecl-red work~ Considerii,lile difficulty 1;1 experienced
ings of Jamh:in Mine ~¡o. 7 at Bar- by the rescuing party In penetrating the
mine, owing to the great masses or debri.'o
rackville, which was damaged by an encountered. "'0 bodies haYo been r.-
coverci1 since, last night.
explosIon of dust last Thursday, was
resumed today, No more bodies have
been found, ciily two of the 10 victims
who arc known to have been in the
mine when the explOsion occurred hav~
ing been brought out.
'l'he shaft has been cleared of debrIS
ing up and down the rescue particf1.
The investigation into the cause of the
explosion is ¡;till being pushed by state
and government inspectors.
25
Barrackville Mine Disaster
October 19,1916
M I N E RESCUER
DIES TRYING TO
SAVE OTHERS
L. M. Jones, Head of Pittsburgh
Life-Savers at Jamison Mine,
Killed by Gas.
~AIRMON'T, W. Va.. Ocl ro.-Two
bodies ha va bee.n recovered from the
burning Ja.lson No. 7 mine, wrecked
by an expioi;ion yesterd.ay atternoo. The
bodle. are th-ose of. L. M. Jones, 38 years
old, who lo.9t his Ilte In ~temptlnr to
rescue the entombed mlne-ra. and À.. W,
Vance, fl orepa.lrman. - Th.)Y' were brought
to the !ourfa.ce by rescuing partie. thl.
afternoon.
1. M. ,Joneø wa. a. mining engineer and
was in charge ot the rEilCU'! party _ent
tram Pibløburgh to the Jamliii No. 7
mine which was wrecked hy a.ii explo~
aion yesterday atlernoon, He gave up
bbi Uf.e in the performa.n-c of hiø duty
èarlY this morning. Five other expert
from ,the- bureau ot mInes W'N6 over-
come along with Jones. but were re:icued
Ana rflvived.
Barrackville, West Virginia
Th086 who were overcome In the burea.u
ot mlneø party in a.dd1t1on tD Mr. Jane.
are:
.I. W. Koster. junior mining engtnlie:,.
R. H. Selp, flr15t-a.ld miner.
G. S. 1llcC.., fint-a,ld mIner.
J. V. ßerl7. first-a.id miner.
A. J. Strane. assista.nt exploiiive engl-
neer.
Mr. Jones.' who wu in charge ot the
iiarlj., was 33 years old, and resIded with
-nis wlfe and two oClldren at 6332 Doug-
lr"s!\, street. PIttsburgh. He formerly re~
bIded in ClevEÙand, and ~~ a graduate
r~t Uie Ohio State .Universlty and Co~
jtlbia Universlty aal a. m.niug- engineer.
Mr. Jone. had been conn~cted with the
,olir911u of mInes for seven years u a.
)'1Inhil' engineer. He Ii the fourth man,
but the nrst engineer, lost by the 'bureal1
("f mines while enraged In rescue 'work.'
It is said tha.t Jones peneti-.ted the
mIne into one at the most. i'1i,seOUJJ .Iee-
Lions and WaI overcome when his .aupply
d o::)'gen became exhau.iit.ed. He wai tar
ii advance of. the other members of. the
rart). They welted a.nd their oxygen
:- uPPli. run low.
SECOND PUl' SENT IN.
\\'hen the bureau ,of mines men did not
~etulu, another rescue pa.rty Nail .~Dt
;uto the mine. They fOUnd the Jane.
l.arty overcome, A l!earch w~a mad. for
"one.. ~but 1t Wll aome tlme betor. h.
was found. It requIred three relan of
mcii to bring hIs body out, the rescuers
('lIcounler1ng more gas than they ever ex~
i ener,cod before.
L. W. Coo¡ier, alllata.nl chIef. .ngtnNr
ot the JamIson Coal ComDanJ., wa. also
llVerCGine.
The complete ii.t of thoie entombed
,in the mine followl!:
Itf. '\v. A.lrlifon, 29 yeau old, married.
,\. Wlhion Vance, 28 years old,. married.
S. I,. Vincent, 58 yean old. marrled.
James Menear, 24 yeara old, married
Ji'. Higinbotham. 24 ye.rs old, marrl~d.
Harry DllenDen" 8 6 years old, marrIed.
1\1. L. Chapman, 3() )-'ea.rs old, ma.rrled.
halah Lea.ure, 28 yeal' old, ma.rrled.
J. Fa&,an, 45. years oldi unma.rried.
John Foater. 28 years old, a Negro.
O\"lng to the dangerous condition ot
~ he mine, state and mine officials at
noon today ordered a halt in the attempts
t'J Il;p.etrate the worKings or the mine.
T'he task is too hazardous, the o(fciala
;,tR (d and tor that reason attempts to
; E.ach 'the entombed miners wil not be
hiade until tomorrow mornIng,
LEAVES FI RECORD,
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2O.-Lewls M.
Jones, mining engineer and rescuer of
the bureau or mines. klled, while en~
gagèd In rescue work a't the Barrack~
\'UI('. mine. was regarded as I(ne of. the
bureau's ablest men In directIng rescue
,\lark.
.'''h. .Tones had been an Important fac-
tOI' iii the development ot rescue work."
~,aid Director ::lap.n;;. "H1.. d\.,¡; a manyl
to the cause, like three other rescue.rs
of the biircau have dIed. -inder bhe chief
mining- Engineer of the bureau, :Mr. Jones
liad charge of the experimental mine of.
the bureau a'~ Bruceton. Pa.. and In thIs
capacity developed many sateguards that
ar~ n'ot. only saving Ute In the coal mines
today, but wil be instrumental In sav~
ing thousands of live~ in the future. The
tact that the death ra.te among the mlners
last year was the lowest in the last 16
years emphasizes bbe worth or Mr. Jones'
eftorls."
When word was received thIs morning
that Mr. Jones had been kll£,d, Superln.
tendent Talbotdetal1ed W. F. Pyne, a
junIor mining engineer, Jesse Hanson, a
toreman miner, and "\Villiair Freeman, to
I~O to Ffiiriiont to f\s.',;L iii the work.
They lett 1mmedlately for the wreekeil
mine. The body of ~)ilr. Jones wUl be
brought to Pittsburgh late tonight or to-
morrow mornln¡,.
26
Sunnyside Disaster
May 9, 1945

By T. i.. Cannon Molt of th. dead were probably killed instantly by

N.wi £ditor~ The O...ret News the lorn of the blait, the concussion of wf.ich in iome
Sl:\::YSIDE- The toli stood at '23 Ctah miners dea coi.. toii.d the men from wall to wall in the tunneli
with seven others injured and in a hospital today follow lik. rubber" balli thrown by a giant hand.
ing an explosion :0 rhe Sunnyside :-D. 1 mine of the Uta Ot?ers succumbed within a few seconds to the deadly
Fuel Company yesterday at 3:12. p.m. monoxide fumes which filed the passageways after the
Ei~hty.seven men of the Tuesday day shift _ba .: explosion had blown out ventilating systems. All of the
stacked their tools and were starting their journey toth victims were within a distance of some 1300 feet of the
mine portal and home when the explosion was touche .. explosion's origin, rescue workers declared. Score~ of
off, sending a searing flash of flame and a terrific blast 0 other~ escaped death by crawling on their beljie~ along
gas roaring th'rough miles of underground workings. the pitch dark and smoking passageways to fresh air. their
heads wrapped ;n their jackets.

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'_ ':' ~-¡.,.i '. i-. ..'
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?§;;./; "y/,;;/L. ,t.,..... ~~-.
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',. " '."tJ/Ç(,~~ekJ: .¡.d/è;~t.~r~
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f ",.," ,\' "',i ~ ,.
íi.
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MINE DISASTER SCENE - Relatives, friends and rescuers with equipment crowd around the entrance to the Sunnyside Mine
of the Utah Fuel Company waiting for word of miners killed and injured in blast and offer whatever help possible.

27
Sunnyside Disaster
May 9. i 945
THE DESERT /lEWS - Salt Lake City Utah
Word 01 the di...t.r spread
like wildlir.. throughout the
Carbon area, and within a
matter ot minutes rescue crews
from mlnf! operations over the
county roared up to the Sunny.
side mine p6rtals with ambu-
lance' siren.! screaming.
The- :!even injured men
a.nd two of the victim., were
brourh.t out withJn i.bout two
nonol tile- eXløsD. IJ
wbJeb Um. volunteer rua.rd.
and pairolmen - moc of
them servicemen of tba area
home 01. leave-were hold..
inr back. hy.terlcal crowd
o( womea and. chHdrOD.
loved on.. of tii. m.D l.
tbe in. whose lat. wu still
to be learned..
A. the lint blanketed Ila-
'Jres were carried from the
cable cars at the portl a low
moan went up (rom the suri..
ing crowd, but immediately
after there were cri.. of joy
as the unhurt and only s1i¡htly
injured hailed their relatives
pressing at the rope barrier,.
The ~econd two vietim. were
brou¡ht tc. the :!urface about
6:40 p.m.. and thereatter In
the chill of the gathe.ina: dusk
the crowd which by now pretty
well knew who were sate and
who mu!t be given up for dead.
huddled about .mall tire. at
SetaD lumber. Ten more vie-
Thursday, May 10, 1945
Rescue Workers at Sunnyside Mine
tims were brou¡ht out at about
1 a.m tariay, five more at 4
and two early tOday. Two more
were located within the mine
a.nd it was expeed they wouLd
be brought .out durin¡ the aft-
ernoon.
SpecialJy trained re:!cue crews
from the Geneva Steel coal mine
In Horse Canyon, the Kaiser
mine at Sunnyside, the Columbia
Steel mine, from Castle Gate
and frm Kenilworth worked
in relays throughout the night.
two teanu of six men at a time
staying in the tunnels as long
u their oxygen :!upplies would
last belore yieJdinl to a relief
detaiL.
Near the 5Cene ot the ex..
PIOlioD. someUUol' OVer two
mJlei froID the mine portaJ.
the toree 01 the bla.l ha.
loose.ned Umben. a.nd caused
!lome celUnl' and wa.1I till
which hampered the work of
th.e searchers Sone of the
puucewaY5 wu completely
ualed oll. however. and h.u-
Uly erected a.Jr pu.iewa.y:!
of scantlinI' a.nd bratUce cloth
enabled the !lea.rc:hers to reach
eVf!l'y part of the altected uea-
withIn a. tew hours.
Stanley Harvey. chiet coal
mine inspector for the State In..
dustrial Commi:!:!ion with head-
Quarter:i at Price. arrived quick..
ly on the scene and went under.
ground a" once to direct the
re!cue et!ort3.
Pendtni completJon at the
lnve~nlr;¡tJon which went ror..
wa.rd today, he would :!Y
only rhat the dlsa:!ter re~ltt:d
tram.. "fa. I..nlttan. cl.u:!e un~
known." He eX1JreS.ed the
belief that prob&bly halt at
the dead were killed "by .-io-
lenee," that la, the fi:!'ce of
the terri/Ie coneullfoQ u-
suIUnr from the bi¡Mt "iid that
the rut appeaied tô 'iive died
ot POISOlLJ'?: 'by mct.oxi,i~ ia,
th.e fumes rU"!!U:i ~ from thfJ
fluh explosfon.
He said the rock dusting ot
the entire workings, the proceu
which guards against explosion
of coal dust. appeared to have
~ept the blast from going
throughout the mine. resulting in
scores more casualties.
There appeared to be no evi-
dence of "black damp," a non-
explosiv~ but deadly carbon di-
oxide gas which sometimes re-
sults from improper mine ven-
tilation.
The dead were taken to the
~Iitchell and the Wallace ~or-
tuarie! in Price alter id.ni.iii-
cation had been made.
~08t o( the ma.jor coal mines
or the county rema.ln~d closed
today ¡u the rea.ctlon to thp! 5hock
or yesterda.y" tra.gi!y Increa.~ed.
28
Centralia Disaster
'-arch 26, 1946

104 MINERS STILL TRAPPED

IN ILLINOIS; 30 RESCUED;
REPEATED HAZARD WARNINGS
CENTRALIA, II, March 26
-The Centralia Coal Co" oper-
ators of the mine in which 104
miners are trapped 540 feet
below the surface near here to-
day as a result of an explosion
yesterday, had been warned
repeatedly by the minois State
Mine Ìnspector to improve
conditions which constituted
an "explosion hazard."
Warnings of the danger due
to au excessive amount of dust
in toe mine weie posted in
inconspicuous corners of the
mi washrooms. They were
signed _by .Driscoll Scanlan,
Dlatrict 13, Ilinois, mine in-
¡peetor.
Expløa10n Lad to Dud.
Notices Had Been Pos~d, John RItter, alilsllnf chief of
the IlinoIs Stat. Pollee, said the
17 KNOWN DLAD, of Exceuive Dust- explosIon wai oaund by dUBt.
combined wIth normal blastlng of
Barriers Against Gu coal.
The mine Inspector's earllest
ONE BODY TAKEN Only Hope for Men warnln¡, &mong those stil posted
In the mine wash roomo, declared:
Stil Underground. "Coal In thl. mine Is extremely
dry, An exceulve amount 01 dust
fROM CENTRAliA Reprinted /rom the Po"t.Dt"patch
is In ouopenslon durln¡ cutting
and loadlni operatIons,
or ,\farc/i 26
"The dust J. an explo.lon haz-
By HARRY WILENSKY ard and al.o injurIous to the
health and .atety 01 the men work-
PIT AfTER BlAST A Starr Correspondent of the Ing around tho ID"chlneo,"
Post-Dispatoh

29
Centralia Disaster
Ylarch 26,1946
The same com¡ia.t wu repeat-
ed In subssquent notices. Tlieae
notIces kept urging that the In-
.pector's recommendations be fol-
lowed,
Nov, 18, 1116, for Instance, the
Inspector warned: "Ventlatlon in-
adequate at,"orklng faces, , , Bad
air Is entering intake aIr current
from three abandoned south .eC-
tlons, Advance workings not rock-
duateü (a precaution agalnst ox-
co.slve duat),"
Reommenaed Seallr Area.
It wa. pointed out that some
entries wve heing worked toward
an area which had been sealed off.
and whlch connected with a near~
by abandoned mlno, The Inspector
i"ecomnended th~ the north iec.
tlons ot the mln be sealed all,
Another comp1 int of llinade-
auate ventilation' and excessIve
dust wag made la.st Jan. 21.
Last week, In additlon to urg-
ing that previous recommenda.
tions be followed, the Inspector re-
peated thRt dust control measures
were not adequate and recor:-
mended lurther, that "dirty haul-
age roads be cleaned and l!prin-
kled,"
Questloned About Enforceent.
A Post-DIspatch reporter asked
Robert M, Medll, director of the
IlinoIs Department of Mines and
Minerals, It safety measures rec- to tbe United MIne Workers re-
ommended by state 111spectors had ceive a current bu. rata at ;i,18'h
an hour, This rate Is tor a 3b
to be compiled with or were mere-
ly suggesUoDs,
"We have the power to close a hour. It waa estimated last yea.r
miie If we consider It Is operating
In too ha.ardous a fashion," he
replied,
Asked why recommendations re- was negotlated last Ma.y.
peatedly made by Inspector Scan-
lan were not enforced, Medlll said,
"We went through a war, While
the war was on, we didn't dare
get too tough, because we needed
the coal, Since then, there have
been a couple of strikes (by the
United Mine Workers).
"Despite what has happened, the
company has made a lot of Im-
provement. In the last 18 months,
We didn't think ita .hortcomlngs
were Berloud enough to warrant
shutting the mIne. You can go
to almost any mine and find .101-
Ilar reports,"
Medin, who made a hurried
automobile trip trom Southeast-
ern Kansas to the scene ot the
dÜmsler here, saId the natural u.
f1umption was that "a shot"
meaning a blast to loosen coal
had stirred up dust 'fnd produclod
.an eXplosion ot !uch concussive
force part ot the mine's ventlla.t-
ing system was wrecked.
Rock duiit, spread in mines for
jU.!t such an eventuallty, raises a
eurtaln around the blast and tends
to locallie it.
"It dynamite blast. ()used the
explosion, as may well have been
the case," Medlll continued, "all
the mlner.i should havs,. been out
ot the workings except thl: crew
doing the .bootlng, In otber
words there should., have beeD
only ~even men in the mine at
the time, not more tha-lao.
Asked about the mpped men'.
ehances of s.urvlvil he 8aldi "'tbere
1s Just a long cbaee there might
np .onmA AlIVp..ol
Medill reported th&t the Federal
Bureau of Mines hai joined in
the rescue operatlons and in in.
vestigation of the explosIon.
The Centralia Coal Co. Is a 8Ub-
.Idlary 01 Bell and Zoller Coal Co,
ot Chlca~o, W, P. Young 01 ChI-
cago b prèsldent of the r'ßlect
firm and vice presIdent of the
Centralia !inn
All Ilinois miners who belong
hour week. Additional work car-
rles the overtime rate of $1.78 a.n'
that because of heavy production
iichedules mlner8 in the Illinois
tields would earn about $3.00 an-
nually, at the present scale, which
Story of Survivor.
Typical of the account of the
explosIon toi~ by survivors was
the .tory told by August Holz-
hauer, a veteran of 35 years in the
Centralia' mIne.
I'I was working with a crew ot
12 men nèar the ba.se ot the
shaft," he satd, "when a putt of
.,moke .wept tn and the power
ll¡¡ts taIled, I didn't hear any
blaet, but I knew what had bap-
pened.
30
Centralia Disaster
March 26, 1946
"I got to the pit car. On the
wa.y, In the west entry, I found
Johnnie Lorenzen!. It was pretty
smoky there and he was in a bad
way, I took him on the cage with
me, and when I hIt the fl'esh air
at the top I P!eed out,
"That waa my first accident,
and It'll be the last. I'm not go-
ing back. I'm through."
Rescue squads, early in their
work, found the body 01 Mark
Watson, 65-year-old Centralia min-
er, and brougbt It to the surface.
Other bodIes were ignored, John-
80n !atd, as the e:quads concen-
trated their e!torts on attempts to
lave those who might ,till be alive,
Pumping Bad AIr Out,
Rescue woi'k advanced by a pro-
eesi at erecting lumber a.nd fabric
barrlcades, pumping the bad air
out 01 the walled-o/! aroa, then
movIng on tntn the shaUs, Truck
loads of lumber waa iowered Into
the mine to au1øt the frantic
squads.
Rescue crews from Bellevile,
Herrin, Duquoin, Eldorado, West
Franklort, SprIngfield and other
nUnols min. town. Joined In the
e!forts to reach tho trapped men,
Harry NJermann, an 8JUilstant
foreman, headed one reBeue l!quad
and was overcome by the gas.
Appeals tor help broadcast Im-
mediately after the. explosIon
brought :50 ambulances to the
:¡cene. Cots for the injured were
::ent from the Scott Field Army
;i.r base. Red Cross relief work-
ers came tram St. La'l!'. Blood
plasma and pulmotor equipment
were rushed to the scene. White.
apronéd nun! 'Jt the FelicTan Nurs.
Jng Order iud prle.ts wIth wind-
breakers over theJr caSiockli ald.
ed In carIng for the Injured,
ThIrteen pIeces of special equip-
ment for resuscitating gai victims
were collected by the ,8t, Lou!,
Chapter at the Red Cross from
City Hospital in at. Lou!s and
Lambert-St. Louis FIeld and taken
to the mino. Four nurses trom
St. Mary's Hoapital, Richmond
Helghta, volunte".ed to go to Cen-
tralia to ll,¡,t with the, work
there and the Ohio Chemical Co"
U16 Olive street, sent a quantity
or bl()od plasma..
Qivernor Pledge. AId.
Gov, Dwight II Green 01 Ili
noig decI(Jred that "every resource
or the state l. beIng thrown 1nto
the rescue efforts and wtl be
placed at the disposal or the tam,
ilies of thel!e men." He announced
earlier that he WGuid go to Cen.
tralla to overeee rescue work, but
later It wae announced' he W8.
prevented from ¡¡olng by a cold
and tever,
T, P. SullIvan, dlredor or the
Illnol. Department at pubnc
Safety, and Wlllam E, Kal.er,
chaIrman or the Industrial Com-
mleslon or Ilinol., both were In
Centralia, Investigating the mlne
Order at the mIne ecene was
being maintained by stat. ortlclals:
mine.., state police, deputy sher-
IUs and .oldlerø from Scott Fjeld.
Among thnse who were brought
out alIve wsrs Holzhauer, Earl
C, Wilkinson, Scott Ward, Lynn
Sharp. Settlmo POllaccl, Fred
Shaw, Lawrence strehe, John Lo-
renzinI, Henry Zeigler, Harry
GutJlsr, Henry Gororth, Stephen
Ben KIrkland, Guy Baldridge,
Clemenze Zlnkevlcz, Gus Harting,
Ted Ke.ii, George ReId, Waltec
Sundermeyer, Fred Bright, Jack
Pick, William Rowekamp, Harry
Greathouse, Joseph Vancil Jr.,
George. Cruse, WlIllam Oesteièh,
Don Soper, Manzle Gregory, Wil-
liam Ferkle and Floyd L, Wei.i.
"r carried a .tretcher from the
point where we picked tho men
up In the south passage to within
about 50 feet or the shaft, r had
taken of! my mask In the good air,
but r must have had a snoot full,
because suddenly I couldn't stand
up any more,
"1 don't think there'. much
.hance for the others down there."
"Dead Lying Cloee Together."
WIIllam Merkle and Harry'
Gutzler, who operate an engine'
fi..uling coal cars In the mIne, re-I
lated they saw 16 or 17 men In a
group, all but tour at whom were,
dead, .hortly atter they ob"erved,
"a rush at dust." Merkle "aid the
dead "were all lyIng clo"e to-
gether,"
"Gutzler and I took the tour
who were alive to the cage, and
we all went up to the surface,"
Merkle continued, "thJs Ie my sec-
ond mIne accident-the other was
In Sandoval, Ll., and 17 were
klled, It's a bad lire, I don't
thInk I'li ever go back In a mine
after what 1 saw today,"
U Bodle. Counted,
Elmer H. Baird, a "ruce 00891' at
the mIne, after a four-hour shift
doing rescue work in the mine, re-
ported that he had counted 14
bodies,
"I may be chicken~heartedi" he
said, "but every time I'd lie down
to re.t and close my eyes I'd .ee
the bodIes ly\n' there, I'm not go-
Ing home or leave here until Its
over.
"I tell you ¡t's pretty tough to
pa:is up the bodle~ at your bud.
dies, ~ooking for those still alive,
"I'm not saying how it happened
-only what could have happened,
That Is, those men hea-rd the
'whoosh' at an explosion and ran
out of their working. Into the
maIn passageway for fresh air.
"Then .the fan !tapped, the air
reversed, and the 'black damp'
prObably doubled back and got
them, As I say,' that mIght have
happened."
Those rescued from the mine
were all taken out last night, the
last at about 10:30 o'clock, Today,
familes of the trapped men could
only wail Scanla.n said no effort
woúld be made to remove bodies
until ventl1atlon is restored, which
means that a week might elapse
before rescue squads rench the
end of the 10nge15t passageway,
about three and a halt rolle! from
the entrance.
In Operation Since 1901\
The Tl1ne had been worked sInce
1908 and employed 265 men In aU.
It produced 2200 to 3200 ton. 01
down. i
80ft coal a day. All operations
were on a linR'le level 640 feet
It all 01 the trapped mIne.. are
lost it wll be the worst mine
d!iiaater In TIltnoie: iitnce the Cherry
Mine tragedy 01 1909, and the
worst nationally since 195 men
were lost at Mather, Fa., In 1928.
The lut msjor 111nol. mine di.-
aster W8.! at Moweaqua, DI., Dec.
23, 1932, when M mlnera Ioat theIr
lives.
3 i
Belle Island Disaster
April 1, 1968
lla~
DalIaø, Texas, Saturday, March 9, 1968
Bodies of Miners Found
Carbon Monoxide Blamed
BELLE ISLE, La. (UP!) - Re.cue,.
found the bodies of 21 miners Friday deep
in the huge Cargil salt mine on Loisiana'ii
marshy coast, apparently dead of carbon
monoxide from a fire.
Sixteen boies were found late Friday
morning about 3.000 feet from the quarter~
mile-deep main shaft. The other five were
discovered later in another part of
the mine.
It was the worst mine disaster In Louisi-
ana history.
There were no survivors of the work crew
trappe undergroud by a roaring fire at
midnight Tuesday. '
Exhausted rescuers, who made sev-
en separate trips into the mine, will not
try to remove the boie! unti Saturday.
AT WASHINGTON, the U,S, Bureau of
Mines said inspector Arthur M. Evan! of
Dallas told Cargill in September the mine
needed more fire protection and a second
.halt.
Evans' report said the huge mine, one of
the world.! largest salt excavations, "WB.
constructed mainly of woo and heavy tim~
beri and lacked fire protecion,"
Drniug Jtl?3
sun a connect e war inll!l.
He al,o .ald a second .haft ,hold be
the fire burned.throuh êlevator.~uipm~nl
and blackened the mouth, of the ,haft with
thlck black smoke.
Evans' trip was at Cargill.s requèst, and
company officials, said they were working
on or had in the planning stages most of hi.
14 recommendations.
"TIlEY WERE .1I.btnched up ",gether,"
said Raymond Ashby of Madisonvile. Ky.,
a member of the Lman; team which found
the first 16 boie!.
Another rescue team. went down and
found the other five men.
"They did not dl. . painEul death." A,h.
by said. "It was just like lying down and
going to sleep."
Grimy miner! gathered around the mine
entrance, some of whom had been working
without sletp for SO hours, collapsed in
tears when Clayton Tonnemaker, former
University of Minnesota and Green Bay
Packers football star and now a Cargill
vice-president, made the annocement the
first 16 bocies were found.
ß SoctlOn8 "***
At the docks at Calumet, La., a rew
miles from the nearly iniiccesiiible mine,
Cargill executive Evan William! walked
into a steel warehouse and told sobbing
relatives the news. Three women collapsed
and were taken away in ambulances.
Gov. John McKeithen. who flew to the
scene Thursday and then reurned to hle
ca.pitol at Bato Roge, exended hi!
profound sympathy" to the family member!.
uIT is INE:EO a great sorrow for our
state." McKeithen said.
The victim! were Homer B. SmiUi of
Smithdale; Mi.!s.; C. J. Benoit, John Chd!!-
ten!'en, Dennis Romero.. Leroy Sanches,
Harry Touchet, Leroy Trahan and Paul
Granger of Franklin, La.; Michae! Bou-
dreaux. Roy Byron, MinoS' Langlinais. Ches-
ter Vlce and Wilbur Jenkin! of Abbevile,
La,; Dall.. Olivier, tulo.Boutte, Loui,
P'riot¡ Artur Olivier IridAIcite Olivier of
Jeaner.tto, La., an Porè Peltier and Hi!.
ton Primaeu. of N.. iberli\' Li:;'ìÍ1~ Hol'
,ii. Touch.t, FranJllrt,' La.
All re'cue eilort.w.. N.¡ìnded until
9 !l.rn. Saturday.
32
Belle Island Disaster
April 1, 1968

Page 6 United Mine Workers Journal 4prl 1, 1968

An Inlerview Wilh Jim Westfeld

More About The Salt Mine Fire

"This rescue operation wa one of the most dicult The bucket was .. harne-rigged afai, Westfeld told the
I have ever participated in," says James Westfeld, speak- JOUTru, which was lower very slowly SQ !,at tt wouJd not
ing of the mie rescue operation which he superved at swi too (reely wid capsize, which would have hur the rescue
men to thei death There was alo another hazard in Uie shat
a sat mie on Bele Isle, La. beus its wooden support had bured up; leaving bolts stickig
He said the two outstaclg factors which made lie gut fro¡n the sides whict1 could have snag~ed the fragile elevator
literaly heli for the rescue workers was the intense heat .which would alo have dumped the rescue men to the faraway
widergroiíd and the fact that the only way to enter the alt bottom.
mie was straight down a 1,200 foot shaft in a swigig Westfeld said tht eac det into the mie and each escent
bucket. triii!t tok 20 to 30 miutes.
Becaus of their depth, salt mies are usualy much hotter At the bottom of the mie th ma used a grpplig hook to
than coal mies, and, of coure, the Cargill operation' was heated hltc to the side of the sJl; then lowere themlves into the
even more by the fie that gutted it ann. its shaft supports mi,
Westield, who is Assistant Director-Health and Safety, U. S. The fit team to descend found the sump fi with water,
Bureau of Mins, told the Journal that tempe.atues undergrOW1d
dur the rescue and recovery o~ the bodes was between' 90 to
t! result at vai efforts of a loc fie department to exguh
the fie. On th trp the fit job was to put out a fie which
100 degrees and was usuay abou,t 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Wll sti blazg on the bottom near th sl
The second ta was to buid a wooen hoo ove Uie sup to
prevent any rescue workers frm tumli into __the. watl a.
droi.g. All of this work. ot -coune, wu ~e ç1çiubly ~
by the intense heat and by the heavy breathg apparau..tJ,
rescue workers wore. As in an mie rescue ef~ the pr
ai and hope at fit is to fid the trapped men alve. 'I, Ui
Louiiaa as in10ther intaces, ¡nant tht ~are$duri...t,
fit two days. were conducted with a'grat-deaJ.ot ~te bei,
in ma_intances in the past tie ha sayC( Ui lives.of trP~
men However on Mach 8 the two grups at, boes were ,d,.
to the. wo+ld tht,al-.21
cove.red and the sad neWS was relayed
men had bee sufocated
There was never any question that the .bo would be brougt
to the surface but the nee for haste termte with th d.
covery of the' bodies. It wa then that 'Westfld sai tht. a
fresh ai room, eight feet high and
about, 1..'teeu- squa."'&S
buitunderground. Even th job was' ver ~cut. beus 0:
the heat. But th meant that the rescue, team, could ded
to th 'bottom of the, shaft in fresh ai an-put on th ~u.e
equipment after reachg the bottom. ,
The bodies were brought to, the"sur~ce in ~Hi?~ oI- tb~
with one live ma' on eac trp,' T1e live II ,"ho i;de th:t¡p
staYeQ at the" top and another ma was sent, dD-. i: the bot-
tom to replace, hi on the team and perform tle ~ sad dUty.
The number two ma in lie then accompaned_ the, ~nex ~up
of bodies to th sw:ace-. ~ procedure was followed unt: al
of the bodies had been recovered
Westield toid the Journal that one oi, hl, greatet ,te..
fear he' never expressed out loud-was tlat the mie Sht woul
collapse before' the recovery opeation had be copleted. Th
danger was created the intat the wooen shaft suppo bured
up. As reported in the last isue ot th Journal, vi al qf

the personnel who perfonned these herculan labors were å"oin

the coal industr.
The coal miing tea. were trorr Western Kentucky and wer
sent by Island Creek Coai Co, and Pittsburg an Mldwa~ Oi (;,
EIght UMW A members from th~ Di.trict JJ LocaL_Clmo~ ¡,-
tiipated In the arduous effort to reacue the 21 me_

33
Farmington Disaster
November 24, 1968
FARMINGTON MINE
Reopening Tomb for 78 Men
WASHIN"GTO:\ (AP) - Slow-
ly, agonizingly slowly for the
relatives of the 78 men whose
bodies lie below, the searèd
walls of Mountaineer CoalCo.'s
No, 9 mine are cooling 'of!.
And as steel bits chew
through the West' Virginia
mountai shielding ~the shafts
and tunels, offcïálsprepare
the plans to enter the, mine for
tà recovery expedition and the
first step in resuming digging,
Already developing are signs
o( a struggle between the cval
company and the United Mine
Workers over the reopening,
Closedd.or 8 Months
Consolidation Coal Co" parent
f ¡rm for the Farmington, W,
Va" mine, has proposed two
methods for reopening No, 9,
closed now for eight months,
"We want a faster method,"
said Lewis E, Evans, formerly
of Ebensburg, Pa., safet:f'di-
rectOI for the union. "Our fist
consideration is to remove the
bodes-to get them out inddo
It safely,"
James Westfield of the U,S,
Bureau of Mines, which is con.
sidering the plans, said safety is
his first consid€ration, As to the
company's plans: "We have
found nothing wrong with
them," he said.
Evans said the union !)as no
speeüic proposals for entering
tk~ n\lnp hilt. hp said h" will dis.
CliSS the matte" with tbe compa-
ny,
Offcials have yet to set-or
even discuss-any date for
cracking the cement caps block.
ing oxygen from the fires which
ravaged the mine fur 10 days
before it was seakd off Nov. 30,
Westfield, when pressed by ;i
reporter, said he would guess
the mine can.t be opened for at
least another two months,
An explosion which killed 16
men at the same mine ii 1954
kept the pit sealed four months,
Westfeld said thrce indicators
-Carbon monoxide, oxygen iind
temperature-which point to
whether fires are stil burning
have dropped to points where it
appears the mine is near the reo
opening stage,
Concentration. 01 Methane
But concentration of deadly
methane gas is as hig!) as 67 per
cent in some places, A 2 per
cent concentration wil kil a
man. Explosions can be sparked
when the figures are between S
and 15 per èent.
Afer miners begin pressing
into the, deadly section of the
mine where the bodies are 10.
eated, progress wil be slow,
The traditional method-air.
locking-allows the recovery
teams to move 1,00 feet at a
ti me through the 10 miles or so
of passageways as Uiey ease
ahead of one seal, explore an
arM and erect another seaL.
A second, and newer method
suggested hy ConsolidatioD Is
whå.tthc driling already going
on in FarmIngton is ahout.
Under this plan, blowers clear
3,00 'feet of tunnel through one
bore bole, a new seal is installed
aDd another bore hole is driled,
The bore boles won't be
opened unti the Bureau of
prefers. '
Mines decides which method it
'The November disaster has
had heavy impact iD spurrir ~
coal safety legislation.
Westield also hopes reop"¡~
ing the miDe will have an 10',
pact on the safety tcchni~u,"
available to engineers
"I'm quite sure WP will (iad
out what caused this explosion
and we will take corrective
m-esures to prevf'nt another
"ne." said Westfield
OWe hopp, to lea rl rtlim th.,
one_ God fMliid we should 1"""
another one,"
34
Farmington Disaster
November 24, 1968

Schenectady Gazette, Schenectady, N. Y. --Saturday, November 28, 1968

Her Man Trapped With 77 Underground-

Baby Due, Wife Keeps Vigil at Mine Head
By :\ILES LEE HCKSON
;\L\:.N"INGTON, W Va. (.~p'.)
- Her baby is due at any mo-
ment but dark.haired Barbara
Toler is not about to leave the
mine where her husband is
trapped with 77 other men 500
feet underground,
The three nurses at the com-
pany store say they'll try to
take Barbarw to the nearby
Fari-U'îM Clinic if she gives
i.i\~ l, '~ .w.rning,
11 i- .. ii Wil be born
near the in, .,. Uie
Red eot:;llIiiøÛQ cameen 1W,
las ¡:eck he gat was for $U2,
a: "l.rst 1r his work in the
mina was taken out ahead to
pay our debts,"
Denns avera¡¡es about $270,
every two weeks as a miner.
"He's trying to get out of deht
but once you're in as deep as we
are, it's impossible to get Duti"

Her 26-year-old husband, Den- she said.

nis, has been entombed in the
flaming passageways of Moun-
taineer Coal Co. )10. 9 since
Wednesday morning, And there
is little prospect he'll come out
alive.
"I'm so hopeful he'll get oot
It was used TJda tØ ..
aminatiorr room 'WBai:a
thought she felt labor painS, It
wil be used as a delivery room
íI necessar.
Denns and Barbara were
married four years ago, He!
Barbara said Dennis worked
another full-time job at the cem-
etery-digging graves and set-
tig headstones-for eight hours
after his midnght shift In the
coal mie,
"He takes cabbage sandwich-
es to lunch in the mines and

I hat I brought him a nice de,.
ili:rt In case his work cloth6i
gl' burned off," the 24.ycar-olt
brunette said, "But I forgot to
bring a pair of pants for him,"
Barbara squirmed in an easy
chair, not knowing whether
word of her trapped husband or
the baby's birth would come
fir;t.
"I'm just not gOÎl-øici'lt.
from here," she said as:i:i
tinued her long vigil althe
0l2erates a caabea¡,~ stttJe
bU~~ in No.9, Their
chU hiid, !, and Melissa,
13 moi:lis.are staying with
friends.
"When we g't married, I iiev-, about two hours of sleep a day."
er thought anytg about him ¡
going down there," Barbara!,
down, I
said, "Now, I'll clobber him if
he's giving up smoking," she
said, "We eat beans and cab-
two
bage a lot at home, But it" get.
ting belter all the time. We':! be
out of garnishing the first of the
year. But now, he only gets
She referred to a popular song
about coal mining, one on juke
boxes across the nation a few

he says he wants to go back 'i

mine's entrance, "I just can't,"
"If I go to the hospital, they'll
make me stay there four or five
days," she said, "But if I have
the baby here-here at the mie
site-they'll declare it a 'cl
bay' and won't allow it in the
hospitaL."
years ago,
"That song '16 tons' sur Is
tre for him," she said. "That
Barbara wore a loose-fiting I sur Is his song If any Is."
blue dre5s, now badly rupled
-from. ~i¡g hours. of wear. She!
tatitf!dabout her life as a coal
mIner's wife and what It means
to be ïn debt,
"We owe the company store
and other poeple so routh, ben-'
r¡S .has got only two pitctecks
in two y,ears," she said. "The

35
Sunshine Disaster
'-arch 2, 1974
TI~ K~!iQ~g'._~Y~nln~D.~t?)vS
AFET-YEAR NO. n KElLOGG, IDAHO, THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1914 TEN CE PlR CO
SUNSHINE MINE DISASTER MEMORIALIZED TODAY
Giant Miner Statue Symbohzes Feelings
A large crowd was on hand
today during the dedication
program for the Sunshine
Memorial, held under partly
cloudy skies in the area
iiounding the 12.foot statue of
A miner that now stands on a
petal of natural rock.
Senator Frank Church, in
performing the offcial
decation, said he admires the
Ilirit of the widows, children,
moers, fathers, and friends of
those 91 men who lost their lives
In the disaster that occurred at
the Sunshine Mine two years
ago, He urged young peple to
treat the monument with the
same re8¡Jt that they hold for
their own homes al\d churches,
President Nixon Says Mine Safety In Forefrnt
President Richard Nixon
toy forwarded a telegram to
the Sunshine Wives and Mothers
organization regarding the
Miers Memorial event.
Mrs, Elizabeth Fee, secretary.
treasurer of the Sunshine or.
ganization, released the wire as
follows:
"The tragedy that took the
lives of 91 men two years ago in
the Sunshine fire is still sadly
etched on the American
ronscience, There is no way to
R.J. Bruning represented (;v.
Anrus as he expressed humility
and pride in the various as¡Jts
lÍ the disaster and the eventual
wection of the monument. He
conveyed Andrus' message of
keing the memory of these
and other miners alive.
LaVerne Melton spoke on
behalf of the USWA union in
maintaining that more rigid
cotrols are needed in the line of
safety, He said the monument
!i for all miners who have
be or will be kiled in the
mines.
go back ,in time to undo that
fateful day, hut there are ways
to prevent another similar
disaster.
"The Sunshine mine fire
victims have been the symbol
for rallying government,
industry and unions to put mine
safety practices and mine safety
technologies in the forefront of
our concerns,
L¡, Gov Jack Murphy also
!lke, saying he felt pride in the
way the people of Idaho
demonstrated their metal at the
lime of the Sunshine tragedy
Others introduced ineluded
O:mnty Commissioners Vernon
Lønnen who served as master of
ceemonies, A,E. Sagdal and
Vince Alexander, Hep, Tom
Snyder, Senator Art Murphy,
Se, of State Pete Cennarussa,
Rot Robson, Don Hiley, Pres,
of the Boise Chamher of
COmmerce; AI Tesky, Executive
l!e. of the Ida ho Mining
ÀlBociation; and Sen Art
Murphy,
"In this occasion the hearts of
countless fellow citizens go out
to the families of those who have
died here. I add my personal
pledge to do all in my power to
prevent another such mine
disaster, ..
Richard Nixon,
36
 HISTORICAL COAL MINE DISASTERS IN THE UNITED STATES 1839-2000
(FIVE OR MORE FATALITIES)

II II
03-18-1839 Black Heath , Near Richmond, VA 53 Explosion
06-15-1844 Black Heath
01-12-1946 No.1
, Near Richmond, VA
Carbondale, PA
11
14
,
Explosion
Cave-in p
-_.----

02-1846 Spencer Pottsvile, P A 7 ' Explosion

1850 Cox's Pit, Clover Hil , Winterpock, VA 7 Explosion
1854 , Chesterfield New Richmond, VA 19 Explosion
1855 , Midlothian Coalfield, VA . 55 Explosion
1859 Bright Hope Winteroock, VA 9 , Explosion
_.. 1863 Raccoon, Clover Hil ~interpock, VA. 17 Explosion
04-03-1867 Bright Hope . ' Winterpock, VA 69 Explosion
09-06-1869 Avondale Plvmouth. PA 110 Fire
03-22-1870 , Potts Locustdalc, P A 5 Explosion
08-10-1870 Heins & Glassmire Middleport, PA 9 Cage fall (sbaft)
08-29-1870 Preston No.3 , Girardvile, PA ... 7 Cage fall (shaft)
05-27-1871 West Pittston West Pittston, PA 20 ' Fire
08-14-1871 , Eagle Shaft Pittston, PA 17 Explosion
10-02-1871 Otto Red Ash Branch Dale, PA 5 Explosion
07-02-1872 Atwater Slope Atwater Township. OH 10 i,'ire
06-10-1873 Henry Clav Shamokin, PA 10 ; Explosion
05-20-1876 Midlothian Coalfeld, VA . 8 Explosion
07-24-1876 Black Diamond Nortonvile, CA 6 Explosion
05-09-1877 Wadesvile Wadesvile, PA 7 Explosion
07-11-1877 ' Brookfeld Brookfeld, OH 7 Suffocation
01-15-1878 Potts ' Locus! Dale, P A 5 Explosion
11-21-1878 Sullvan Sullvan. IN 8 Explosion
05-06-1879 Audenried Audenried, PA 6 Explosion
5 Explosion
11-02-1879 Mil Creek
03-05-1880 , Nanticoke No.2 Shaft
05-03-1880 Lvkens Vallev
Mil Creek, P A
Nanticoke, PA
, Shamokin, PA
6
5
EXflosion
Explosion
--
..

02-10-1881 Robbins Robbins,OH 6 Explosion

03-04-1881 Almv ...
i Almv, ~y 38 Explosion
02-03-1882 Midlothian Coalfiel¡l, VA ! 32 Explosion
05-24-1882 Kohinoor Shenandoah, PA 5 Explosion
01-09-1883 Coultervile Coultervile, IL 10 Explosion
02-16-1883 Diamond ,..
Braidwood, IL ... 69 Inrush of water
01-24-1884 Crested Butte Crested Butte. CO 59 ' Explosion
02-20-1884 West Leisenring West Leisenrin!!, PA 19 Explosion
03-13-1884 ' Laurel ! Pocahontas, VA 112 Explosion

37
_..._~"
08-21 - 1884 Buck Rid!!e
Youngstown
Shamokin, PA
Uniontown. PA
7 . Fire
Explosion
10-27-1884 14
04-06-1885 Cuyler Raven Run, P A 10 Roof 1.'all
~:11-1885 , West End Collery MocanaQua, PA 10 Gas/Boiler fire
12-18-1885 Nanticoke No.1 Nanticokc, PA 26 Inrush of water
~-1886 _. Almy No.4 ' Almy,_\yY 13 -- EXDlosion
.Q1-1§.8..6 . Newburg NewblIrg, WV 39 - EXDlosion

~.
- .
03-08- 1886
08-30- 1886
09-13-1886
Uniondale
Fair Lawn
Marvine
..- ¡Dunbar, PA
Scrantliri, P A
S_cranton, PA
6
6
8 ,~._---
Explosion
Explosion
Suffocation bv !!as
11-26-1886 Conyngham .
Wilkes-Barre PA 12 Explosion
04-04-1877 Old Savanna No.2 Savanna, OK 18 Explosion
-04-27-1877 Tunnel . Ashland, P A 5..m._"'__ Suffocation bv !!as
10-01-1877 Bast ---- .Girardvile, P A 5 .. Suffocation bv !!as
03-29-1888 Keith & Perry No.6 Rich Hil, MO 24 Explosion
11-03-1888 Kette Creek Clinton County, PA 17 Explosion
11 -09-1888 Shaft No, 2 Frontenac, KS 40 Explosion ....
05-09-1889 Kaska Willam Middleport, PA 10 Mine car fell on men in
.._.. - - --
,
, ca!!e
-09-09-1889
02-01 - 1890
White Ash
Nottin!!ham
, Golden, CO
Plvmouth, PA
.. 10
8
Inrush of water
Explosion
,
03-03-1890 Shaft No.3 ' South Wilkcs-Barre. PA 8 Fire
04-02-1890 SusQuehanna No.4 ---- .- ..~anticoke, PA 5 ' Explosion
05-15-1890 i Jersev No.8 Ashlev. PA 26 EXDlosion
06- 16- 1890 Hil Farm Dunbar, PA 31 Fire
01-27-1891 Mammouth Mount Pleasant, PA __n
i
109 EXDlosion --._------._--.-----
02-04-1891 Spring Mountain J eanesvile, P A --.--
9 Inrush of water
05-22-1891 Pratt No.1 Pratt City, AL 11 ' EXDlosion
10-23-1891 Richardson ' Gle-ii"Ç_ari!ll P A 7 Suffocation bv !!as
11 -08- 1891
01-07-1892
.... - -----
Susquehanna No.1
No. 11
._--- ..N_anticoke, PA
Krebs. OK
12
100
--_. EXDlosion
Explosion
04-20-1892 , Lvtlc Minersvile, P A 10 Inrush of water
()5-10-1892 ' Roslyn Roslvn, W A 45 Explosion
06-23-1892 York Farm Pottsvile, P A - 15 Explosion
01-10-1893 Como Kinl!,CO 24 EXDlosion
02-14-1893 Chicago and Iowa Albia, IA 8 EXDlosion
i
03-13-1893 Choctow Alderson, OK 9 EXDlosion
04-01-1893 Neilson Shamokin PA 10 Fire
06-22-1893 Susquehanna No.1 ¡Nanticoke, PA 5 Explosion
09-21-1893 Lance No. 11 i Plvmouth. PA 6 Explosion
02-13-1894 Gavlord Plvmouth, PA - 13 Roof fall
07-17-1894 East Sul!ar Loaf Stockton, PA 8 Dvnarite explosion
08-24-1894 Franklin Franklin. W A 37 Fire
10-08-1894 Luke Fidler ' Shamokin, PA 5 Fire

38
 Shamokin, PA 7 I Explosion
10-11-1894 Henrv Clav Collerv
.. ~ndard, WV --
11-20-1894 i Blanche
01-22-1895 Tate
02-18-1895 West Bear Ridge
02-27-1895 White Ash
Sturgis, KY
' Mahanoy Plaue, P A
Cerrilos, NM
H 8
Powder explosion
-i Explosion
Explosion
--
.Q-20-189~ Red Canyon
~:08-1895 Blue Canyon
Red Canyon, .WY
, Lake Whatcom, W A
_1--24
62. . Explosiou
23 IExnlosion
Explosion
-
._..-
10-07-1895 ' Dorrance
12-19-1895 Cumnock
12-20-1895 Nelson
02-18-1896 Vulcan
03-23-1896 Berwind
~N
~i1kes-Barr~,PA
Cumnock, NC

. New Castle, CO
Dubois, rA
' 7
J-39
1
28
49
13
.
Exnlosion
T Explosion
.. -------

I Explosion
Explosion
Exnlosion
--
06-28-1896 Twin ~ittston, PA ..-
10-29-1896 Shaft
12-26-1896 Oswald
No.3 ._ South Wilkes-Harre, P A
Princeton, IN t=+7Roof fall
Explosion
6 ,-Explosion
. .- -
01-04-1897 No.1 Alderson, OK 5 Explosion
01-13-1897 Wadesvile Wadesvile, PA 5 Haulage
03-04-1897 Kansas & Texas No. 44 , Huntington, AR 14 --
09-03-1897 Sunshine Sunshine, CO 12 I Exnlosion
Explosion
09-20-1897 Belle Ellen Belle Ellen, AL I 5 I Fire.
09-28-1897 ' Jermvn No.1
10-30-1897 Von Storch
Rendham, P A
Scranton, PA
,--- .-
5 Fire
6 'Fire
03-19-1898 No.2 Slope Alabama 6 Explosion
r--
05-26-1898 ' Kaska Wiliams
09-23-1898 Umpire
------
Middleport, P A
~rownsvile,p A
6
8
Inrush of water
~ ---

Explosion ---

.-
-"---
10-01-1898 Midvale Wilkes-Barre, PA 5 Fire
- I --
11-05-1898 Exeter
02-21-1899 Blocton No.2
West Pittston, PA
Blocton, AL
9
5
' Cage accident
Explosion
04-21-1899 Cook & White Madrid, NM 5 Exnlosion
07-24-1899 . Grindstone Grindstone, PA 5 Exnlosion
12-09-1899 i Carbon Hil No.7 Carbonado, W A 31 Explosion
12-23-1899 Sumner Sumner, PA I 19 Exnlosion

03-06-1900 Red Ash Red Ash,

L___ WV
__..__ Explosion
05-01-1900 Winter uartcrs 1&4 Scofield, UT Ex losion
05-23-1900 Cumnock Cumnock, NC 23 ,Ex losion
08-21-1900 Issa uah No.4 Issaquah, WA 5 ' .Fire
-~xplosion
11-09-1900 Buck Mountain Mahanoy City, PA
u.re
- ..
02-25-1901 Diamondvile, No.1 Diamondvile, WY
04-29-1901 . McAlester No.5 . Alderson, OK
05-15-1901 , Chatham Farmington, WV 10 Ex
.=b, 6=tEX losion
10.s..ion
05-27-1901 Richland Da ton, TN 20 Ex losion

39
06-10-1901 ! Port Royal No.2 Port Royal, PA ,
19 EXDlosion
09-16-1901 ' Spring Gulch Spring Gulch, CO - 6 Explosion
10-25-1901 Buttonwood Plymouth, PA -~-- 6 _Explosion
10-26-1901 Diamondvile _.
Diamondvile, WY 22 EXDlosion -.-
11-11-1901 Pocahontas Pocahontas, VA 17 Fire
12-28-1901 No.1 - -"-- . Hartshorne, OK 6 Haulal!e
01-13-1902 Milby & now un Dow, OK 10 Fire
01-24-1902 Lost Creek No, 2 Oskaloosa, IA 20 Explosion
03-06-
--- 1 902
03-31-1902
05-19-1902
07-10-1902
Cats

Nelson
burg

Fratervile
Rollnl! Mil
.
Mononl!ahcla, PA
Davton,TN
Coal Creek. TN
5
16
184
EXDlosion
Explosion
Explosion
--

,Johnstown, PA 112 ¡ Explosion

08-07-1902 Bowen Bowen, CO
- 13 Explosion
09-15-1902 Algoma No.7 -- All!oma, WV -. 17 Explosion
09-22-1902 Stafford Stafford, WV 6 Explosion
10-01-1902 Lawson - Black Diamond, W A 11 Explosion
11-29-1902 Luke Fidler Shamokin, PA 7 Explosion
12-09-1902 South Wilkes-Barre - Wilkes-Barre. PA 5 EXDlosives
03-15-1903 Cardiff Cardiff, IL - 5 EXDlosion
03-23-1903 Athens, No.2 Athens, IL 6 , Explosion
03-31-1903 Sandoval Sandoval, IL 8 Explosion
04- 12- 1903 Central SloDe 77 Carbon, OK i
6 EXDlosion
06-19-1903 Blossburl! No.3 . Blossburg, NM ,
5 EXDlosion
06-30-1903 Hanna No.1 Hanna, WY 169 Explosion
11-20-1903 Bonanza No, 20 Bonanza, AR 11 EXjllosion
11 -21 - 1903Ferguson Connellsvile, PA 17 Explosion
01-25-1904 Harwick Cheswick, P A 179 Explosion
04-20-1904 Stearns No.5 Stearns, KY ---,-" 5 Explosion
05-05-1904 ' Locust Gap _. Locust Gap, PA 5 Fire
05-11-1904 Bil! Muddy Herrin, IL 10 Explosion
05-25-1904 Wiliamstown Willamstown, P A 10 Suffocation
10-28-1904 Tercio Tcrcio, CO .., 19 EXDlosion
11-02-1904 Auchincloss Nanticoke, PA 10 Haulal!e
12-04-1904Horton .- Horton, WV 7 Fire-------~--
12-07-1904No.5 Burnett,. W A . 17 Exp!o~!on
01-16-1905No.1 Dacatur, IL 6 Fire
.i18-1905 Lvtle
,
Minervile, P A 5 Haulal!e
02-20-1905 Virl!inia City , Virginia City,AL 112 Explosion
02-26-1905 ' Grapevine Wilcoe, WV _. 6 EXDlosion
03-09-1905 Clear Spring . West Pittston, PA 7 Haulal!e
03-18-1905 · Rush Run & Red Ash
03-22-1905 Oswald
04-03-1905 Zeil!ler
--
Red Ash, WV
Princeton, ID
Zeil!ler,IL
-----
24
9
49
EXDlosion
EXDlosion
EXDlosion
..-
04-20-1905 Cabin Creek Kavford, WV 6 EXDlosion

40
04-26-1905 Conyngham____ Wilkes-Barre, PA 10
Haulage
04-27-1905 , Eleanora Dubois, PA. _-+ Il- Explosion_
~~:~~:~g~~I ~~Jel!ater~- '. ... -j ~~~i;t;~ OK____1 15L 1 ~:::~::~~ --
07-06-1905 ' Fuller~_ _-Searight;PA "T-~plosion.
10-13-1905 r Cly~_ _ --edericktown, PA.. I ~,Fire.
10-29, -1905.. lIaZel. Kirk No.2_--onon.g. ahela, p. A . ___+ --5. .1 Explosion
11-04-1905 GTidewater ' Vivian, WV _--7 Explosion
11-15-1905 Braznell _ _~entleYVile, PA .' -~ I Ú~Iosion
12-02-1905 'Diamomivile No. l--iamondvile, WYI 18. Ex losion
01-04-19.06 ' coaldalei Coaldale, WV . . 22, EXPiosio,n,'
01-18-1906 Detroit Detroit, WV--_~ ~XPlosion
01-24-1906 . Poteau No. 6__ _ Wittevile, OK _ _L. ~plosion
02-08-19061 Parral . . .. .¡ Parral, WV 23 ~xjJlosion
02-19-1905 ,Maitland -- __ Walsenburg, CO ,--., 14 _j-l~plosion
02-27-1906 , Little Cahaba . Piper, AL .. lL+_li!Iosion
03-22-19.06 Æentury N~.I- ._. '~~~ntury,..wv'_--.. -; ~~L.,. 'E E!)xpl~sion
04-22-1906 Cuatro ' Tercio, CO _.l- 'Ex¡:losion
06-07-1906j Red Lodge . Red Lodge, MT _I~ Fire__
05-15-190.6 . Shen.andoah.City ." . i Shenandoa..h Citi:..PA. .. '. 7~. Explosives..

08-06-1906 ' Susquehanna No.7 _' Nanticoke, PA ._~ ~plosion __

1O.-03-190~y Pocahontas .. .--..()Cahontas, VA .--,.' 36...1, E Exxplosion ."
10-05-1906 Dutchman, . I Blossburg, NM ---I 10 .~osion_
10-24-1906 Rollng Mil . __.. ,Johnstown, P~ _~. _-ii ¥~plosio-i
11-.03-1906 San Toy No.l_~n Toy, OH_ _ i-- Haulage
12-2Ü-1906j No.1. .., --Stone City, KS ,i-Explosives
12-22-1906 ,Breese-Trenton . __ ,Breesc, Il- 6 --aulage
01-14-1907 Deering Ni ._ ~,.Clinton, IN --- 7 _iEX~losion ___
01-23-1907 Primero ., I'rimero, CO _ 24 Ex losion
01-26-1907 Lorentz Penco, WV ..tI2 Explosion
01-29-1907 Johnson City . IJOhnSonCity,IL _ "7 ~losives __
01-29-1907 Stuart _ ' Stuart, WV 84 Explosion__
02-04-1907 . Thoma.s No. 25. . -. ....' Thom.. ~.s, WV ~ L Explosion
03-02-1907 'Holden__ n_~avlor, PA. __ _ 7 Explosion__
03-16-19.07 Bond & Bruce (Greeno)'T-oma.,. V A---... . 1_~ 1 . Explosion__
04-26-1907 Morgan Black Diamond,-'¥A _+_-b~losion ___
05-01-1907 Whipple. ~. Scarbro, WV ..._.' 16 1 Explosion.
05-19-1907 Englevile . Englevile, CO ..__+--Fire .___ __
06-18-1907 Johnson No. 1__. ' Priceburg, P~ --~IExPlosi()ii___
08-17-1907 Sonman . Sonman.Ll'A. .' 5 Haulage _"
12-01-1907 Naomi ' Fa ette City, PA __ ~ Explosion
12-06-1907 Monongah No.6 and8 MOnOngah,Wi---~2~Plosion__~___
12-16-1907 Yolande , Yolande, AL 57 Explosion
12-19-1907 Darr ' Jacobs Creek, PA 239 Ex losion

41
12-31-1907 Bernal .. . _Carthage, NM 11 Explosion ,.._....._.-
01-30-1908 Backman - Hawks Nest, WV ---- 9
.. .J'xplosion
02-10-1908 Moodv South Carrolton, KY.. 9 ! ExpI()sion
03-28- 1908 Hanna No.1 Han'!ii, WY 59 ' EXDlosion
05-12-1908 Mount Lookout Wvomiril!, PA 12 EXDlosion
05-13-1908 ProsDeet .. Wilkes-Barre, PA I.. 5 . Roof fall/BumD
;
07 - 15- 1908 : Wiliamstown Wiliamstown, PA 6 J,xplosion
08-26-1908 Hailev-Okla. No.1 Hailey.vile, OK 29 Fire
.Q~28:1908 Warrior RUD
Pratt No.3
.. Wilkes-Barre, PA e-6m ___ . Haulage
11-16-1908
-_...- .. Ensley, AL ------8 Fire
- .--- --
11-20-1908 Red Lodge Red Lodge. MT 9 Fire
11 -28- 1908 Rachel and Agnes Marianna, P A 154 Explosion
12-29-1908 Lick Branch Switchback, WV 50 .- l';~I()sioii
01-10-1909 , Zeigler ... Zeigler,IL 26 ,iJ(pI()~~on
01-10-1909 , Carbon Hil Gavton, VA 6 Explosion
01-12-1909 Lick Branch Switchback, WV 67 ! Explosion
01-19-1909 Stone Canyon Chancellor, CA 6 ' EXDlosion -----
01-25-1909 Orenda No.2 Boswell, PA .. 5 EXDlosion
01-25-1909 Washinl!ton No.5 Franklin, MD 5 ¡Haulage
02-02-1909 Short Creek
~ --- Short Creek. AL 18 I EXDlosion ---"----
.Q3-02- 1909 No. 14
- Pittston,PA 8 EXDlosion .......-
03-20-1909 Sunnyside Evansvile, IN 6 Explosion
03-31-1909 Echo Buerv, WV 6 Explosion
04-09-1909 Eureka No. 37
Lackawanna No.4
Wimber, PA -_.7 Explosion
06-23-1909 Wehrun, PA ---- -- 21 .
Explosion
07-06-1909 Toller Tollervile, CO 9 Explosion
10-03-1909 Northwestern Roslyn. W A 10 Explosion
10-21- 1909 Rock Island No.8 Hartshorne, OK 10 EXDlosion
10-31-1909 Franklin No.2 Johnstown, PA 13 EXDlosion
11-09-1909 Auchincloss Nanticoke, PA 9 Fire
11-13-1909 Cherry Cherrv, IL ------ 259 Fire
12-11-1909
12-23-1909
Baker No.5 ----, Clav, KY
Herrin, IL
... 7 EXDlosion ,.-
Mine A 8 Explosion
01-11-1910 Nottinpham ...: Plymouth, PA . 7 Explosion .---

.Ql:31-1910 Primero .. ,l'rimero, CO _. . , . 75 Explosion

02-01-1910 Browder Browder, KY 34 Explosion
02-05-1910 Ernest No.2 Ernest, P A 12 Explosion
JgQ8: 19 10 Barthell No.1 .- .Stearns, KY
~-i2-191O South Wilkes-Barre No.5 '. South Wilkes-Barre, rA
_...~.
6 Explosion --
7 Explosion ......-
03-31-1910 Great Western No.2 Wilburton, OK 6 EXDlosion
04-20-1910 Mulim Mull!a, AL 40 EXDlosion
04-21-1910 Amsterdam . Amsterdam, OH 15 EXDlosion ,.
05-05-1910 Palos No.3 , Palos. AL 84 EXDlosion
10-08-1910 Starkvile Starkvile, CO 56 EXDlosion

42
11-03-1910 Yolande No.1
11-06-1910 Lawson
11-08-1910., ' Victor American No.3
11-11-1910 Shoal Creek No, 1
11-25-1910 Providence No, 3
-,
-
12-14-1910 Levden
12-14-1910 Greeno
-_. .
12-31-1910 Lick Fork
()-20-191~ Carbon Hil
02-09-1911 Cokedale
03-18-1911 No. 16
... ¡ ~::~~ea:,~ .=+ .180 I ~:~li:~~n
. , Carbon Hil, VA -- 7 I EXIJlosi~n
. -t' Trinidad,CO.--l~plosion
03-22-1911 Hazel
04-07-1911 Price-Pancoast
04-08-1911 Banner
04-24-1911 Ott No. 20
05-10-1911 Boston
05-27-1911 ' Cameron
07-15-1911 Svkesvile
08-01-1911 Standard
10-03-1911 ' Drifton
10-23-1911 O'Gara No.9
11-09-1911 Adrian
11-18-1911 Bottom Creek
12-09-1911 Cross Mountain
01-09-1912 Parrish
-,
01-16-1912 Carbon Hil
~.
01-19-1912 Central
01-20-1912 Kemmerer No.4
02-22-1912 Western No.5
03-20-1912 San Bois No.2
03-26-1912 led
,
04-21-1912 Coil
06-18-1912 Hastings
07-11-1912 , Panama
07-16-1912 Carbon Hil
u___
07-24-1912 Superba and Lemont
08-13-1912 Abernant
02-19-1913 Seagraves ..,
04-23-1913 Cincinnati
05-06-1913 Tavlor Mine
05-17-1913 Noble
--"
08-02-1913 East Brookside
10-22-1913 Stal! Canon No.2
11-18-1913 Acton No.2
Yolande, AL i 51 EXDlosion
¡. Black Diamond, W.A I. 16 ! Explosion -
. . Delagua, CO i . 1';;xplosion .
Panama, IL I 6 I Explosion
Providence, KY T-.. 101 ~.XPlo~ion
Leyden, CO ' 10 rr'ire
Mineral, KS I L.J-Plosion
I~Troop,
PAPA
C. anonsburg, 731fue
9 Haulage
~ Litteton, AL--i:iL1E;plosion
Elk Garden, WV -L- i EXDlosion
Larksvile, PA ; 5 '1 Fire
_d~' Shamokin, PA ,. 5 Explosion
S kesvile, PA 21 I EXDlosion
Welch, WV ~. ".EXDlosion
~and, PA -I ~ ¡DroWning
--risburg, IL ,8 Explosion
" Punxsutawnev, PA 8i Exnlosion
Vivian, WV ' 18 I Exnlosion
, ilricevile, TN 84..~losion
Plymouth, PA 6~~osion
Carbon Hil, VA t 5 ' Explosion
. Central City, KY . S I Explosion
Kemmerer, WY. .. ..6";;xplosion
Lehigh, OK -T 9 i Fire
--
, McCurtain, OK -I 73 I EXDlosion
led, WV ==' .. 81 'Explosion
Madisonvile, KY' . =rEXPlosion
, Hastings, CO 12 ,Explosion
.' T.
Moundsvile, WV --8 . i Exnlosion
Gavton, VA -1-8 r- Explosion
Evans Station. PA 18 Inundation
---
Abernant, AL 18 T Exnlosion
Eldorado, IL 5 T Explosion ,.
Finleyvile, PA. ! 98 Explosion ,...
-
---
, Beaver Dam, KY I 5 T Suffocation
BelleVallcy,OH i 15 ! Explosion
. Tower City,PA -+0~plosion
Dawson, NM ~6~plosion
Acton, AL ' 24 'ExDlosion
.-
43
12-16-1913 Vulcan Ncw Castle, CO 37 EXDlosion
01-10-1914 Rock Castle Rock Castle AL 12 , EXDlosion
01-14-1914 No.7 _Mulberrv, KS 6 Haulal!c
04-28-1914 ._Eccles No.5 & No.6 Eccles, WV 181__ _ExRlosion
04-30-1914 No,2 Cumberland, WY 5 Haulal!e
i rv(
05-29-1914 Mar d ---- _ _Marvd, P A 6 Haulal!e ---

06-30-1914 No, 1 ' Cinderella, WV 5 ' Fire ----

09-04-1914 No.1 Adamson, OK 13 Roof falllumD
09-16-1914 · Lchigh No.4 ------- Lansford, PA 7 Explosion
10-05-1914 Mulga Mull!a, AL ---_-. 16 Explosion
10-27-1914 North or No.1
12-09-1914 Tripp
Rovalton. IL
Scranton, PA
52
13
Explosion
, Haulal!e
--
02-06-1915 Carlisle Carlisle,-,VV - ----- 21 ' Explosion
02-17-1915 Prospect , Wilkes-Barre, PA 13 , Explosion
02-18-1915 New Home No.2 Rich Hil, MO 5 Explosion
03-02- 19 15 Lavland No.3 Lavland, WV 115 Explosion
-----
04-05-1915 IS_hoal Creek
,
Paiiama, IL II Explosion
05-24-1915 Smokeless Vaiiey No. 1 .Johnstown PA 9 "Exjllo.sio.n
07-27-1915 United Coal No.1_._- Christonhcr,IL 9 ~E!Ilo~ion
.Q7 -30- 1915 Patterson No.2
,
Elizabcth, P A 9 ' Haulal!e
08-31-1915 Orenda Boswell,I' A 19 Explosion ----
11-16-1915 Northwestern . Ravensdale, W A 31 Explosion
11-30-1915 ; Boomer No.2 Boomer, WV 23 Explosion
02-08-1916 Lanee
02-11-1916 Ernest No.2
i PlymouthPA
! Ernest, P A ..
---- 7
27
Explosion
Explosion
- -- ,
---_..-
02-29-1916 Davis No. 42 .~l\empton, MD ,
16 Explosion ._-
03-09-1916 Hollenback Wilkes- Bar~.lA 6 Explosion
03-28-1916 Kin!' ; Kimball, WV 10 Explosion
03.30-1916 Robindale Ißeward, PA 8 Explosion
08.08.1916 Woodward . .~i1kes-Barre, PA 6 Explosion
10-19-1916
~_._-----_..- .Jamison No.7 ---- Barrackvile, WV -
ii - Explosion
10-22-1916
----------- Roden - Marvel, AL ----- - 18.. E"plosion
1l-04-1916 Bessie Palos, AL 30 EXDlosion
II - 18- 1 916 Ocean Mine Greensburv. PA------ -- ---
,
8 Roof fall
12-13-1916 Fidelitv No.9 -- Stone City, KS --------20 Explosion
03-13-1917 Henderson No.1 .. Hendersonvile. PA 14 Explosion
04-27.1917 Hastinl!s Hastinl!s, CO Explosion
06-02-1917
06-13-1917
Rend No.2
Banner
--
_ lferrin, IL
lJanner, AL
r 121
9
6
Explosion
Explosion
---'.--"

08-04-1917 West Kentuckv No.7 Clav, KY 62 Explosion

09-17-1917 Orient ----- Orient,IL 5 Haulal!e
11-29-1917 Old Ben No. II Christopher,IL . -_. - 18 "E"Rlosion
12-15-1917 Yukon No.1 _.. Bluefield. WV 18 Explosion
12-17-1917 Wilkeson Wilkeson, W A 6 , Inundation

44
 ---
---'-
12-20-1917
05-20-1918
08-07-1918
No.3
Vila
Harmar
Catoosa, TN
Vila, WV
Harmarvile, PA
11
13
8
Explosion
Fire
Explosion n
08-28-1918 Burnett _. Burnett, WA I 12 Explosion ..
09-28-1918 North Rovalton, IL Exnlosion
03-31-1919
04-29-1919
06-05-1919
Empire
Majestic
Baltimore Tunnel
Aguilar, CO
Majestic, AL
Wilkes-B!lrre, PA
=t1 13
22
' 92 Explosives
Explosion
Explosion
.
Alderson No.5 == Alderson, OK -
Jj6-30-1(H9
~07-08-1919
07-18-1919
Lansford Collery ,Lansford, P A
Carswell Kimball, WV
-- --
=r Explosion_
8 Explosion
6 Explosion
08-06-1919 Wierwood - ' Wierwood, WV 7 ' Explosion

--
08-18-1919
10-29-1919
12-03-1919
Oakdale
No.2
Bol!lc No.3
La Veta, CO
_ Amsterdam, OH
Jacksonvile, IN
Dawson, NM
18

~on
20
6
Explosion
Fire
Explosion
04-14-1920 Stal! Canon No, 1 & 6
~03-1920 Submarine Clinton, IN 5 Ex losion --
05-22-1920 Mallory No, 3 - Mallory, WV == 5 - .- " Roof fall/ump
06-02-1920 Ontario Cokeburg, PA 6 Exnlosion
06-26-1920 No.6 .. Sublet, WV . 8 Exnlosives
07-19-1920 Renton No.3 Renton, PA 9 Explosion
08-21-1920 No. 19 Degnan, OK 10 Explosion
11-16-1920 Arnold Earlington, KY 6 Fire
--
11-23-1920
02-12-1921
' Parrish
------
Moffat No. 1& 2
Parrish, AL
Oak Hil, CO
*. Explos~on
5 ' Explosion
n. -
02-23-1921 Kathleen ' Dowell, IL 7 Fire
03-09-1921
08-31-1921
12-13-1921
Rahn No. 11
Harco
Satanic
Seek. P A
Harrisburg,IL
Morrison, CO -= , 6
Explosion
' Explosion
Fire
-
--
01-30-1922 Lavman Hulen, KY 6 Exnlosion
---
02-02-1922
02-02-1922
- -
Belle Ellen No.2
' Gates No.2
Belle Ellen, AL
,Gates, PA n
9
25
E;\l'losion
Explosion
02-07-1922 Marietta Pinson Fork, KY 9 Explosion
03-20-1922 Diltown No.1 - Diltown, PA n 5 Explosion
03-24-1922 Sopris No.2 Sopris, CO r
17 Explosion
05-25-1922 Acmar No.3 Acmar, AL i 11 Explosion
06-25-1922 ' Central Coal & Coke Huntington, AR 5 Suffocation
09-23-1922 Raleigh-Wv!lming No.2 - Glen Rogers, WV 5 Haulage
09-29-1922 Lake Creek n Johnston City, IL . 5 Explosion
10-11-1922 No. 11 Progressive McCurtain, OK 8 Explosion
11-03-1922 Eddv Creek Olyphant, PA 6 Explosives
11-05-1922 No.4 Anthracite Mine Madrid, NM 7 Explosion -
11-06-1922 Reilv No.1 Spangler. PA 79 Exnlosion
11-22-1922 , Dolomite No.3 Dolomite, AL 90 Exnlosion

45
11-25-1922 No.4 Cerilos, NM 12 EXDlosion .
01-10-1923 Dolomite No.1 Dolomite. AL 5 ,. Expl()sion_
02-08-1923 Sta!! Canon No.1_. Dawson, NM 120 ,I';xpl()sion
02-21-1923 Allance ¡ Kaska, PA 5 EXDlosion
03-02- 1923 Arista Arista, WV 10 EXDlosion
05-05-1923 Southwestern Aguilar, CO 10 l';xpl()si0I1.. .
06-26-1923 Richards Collierx ' Mount Carmel, PA 5 Explosion
08-14-1923 Frontier No.1 ¡ Kemmerer, WY 99 Explosion --
10-07-1923 Midwest- -_..- ------- Palisades. CO ... ---------------- Explosion
6
11-06-1923 Glen Ropers Becklev, WV - 27 _"-l!.Xflosion
12-07-1923 -l Black Hawk Hannv. KY 9 Explosion .
12-08-1923 ' Mount Jessun No.1 Jessun, PA 5 Roof fall/ ump
01-25-1924 McClintock Johnston City, IL ..
33 Explosion
01 -26- 1924 Lancashire No.--------.
18 Shanktown, PA ------- 36 Explosion
03-08-1924 No.2 Castle Gate, UT in EXDlosion
03-28-1924 Yukon No.2 Yukon, WV i 26 EXDlosion
-04-28-1924 Benwood Benwood, WV 119 .F:2'Plosion
06-06-1924 ¡ Loomis Colleries Nanticoke. PA 14 Explosion
07-25-1924 ¡ Gates No.1 : Brownsvile, P A 10 Explosion
09-16-1924 Sublet No.5 ' Sublet. WY 39 .- K!Jl()sion.
09-21-1924 Rains Rains, UT 5 Explosion
12-17-1924 Burnett , Burnett, W A 7 Explosion
,
01-15-1925 Diamond No.1 ¡Providence, KY 6 Explosion
,02-20-1925 City Sullvan, IN --.-- 52 Explosion ., u_____
Jll) 7-1925 Barrackvile Barrackvile, wy" ,
, 33 Explosion
04-26-1925 New SloDe Sewicklev, PA 5 ' EXDlosion
04-26-1925 Hutchinson Milgrove, P A 5 Explosion
05-22-1925 Woodward .l!-dwardsvile, P A
-------
7.-' EXDlosion
05-27-1925 Carolina Farmvile, NC 53 Explosion
05-31-1925 No.2 Piper, AL 6 Explosion
06-08-1925
---- No.9 . Sturgis,KY 17 Explosioii_
07-23-1925 Rockwood Rockwood, TN 10 Explosion
08-03-1925 Dorrance Wilkes-Barre, PA 10 Explosion
11-13-1925 Finlev Madisonvile. KY ¡ 5 Explosion
12-10-1925 Overton No.2 -. Irondal~, AL i 53 Explosion
12-14-1925 Wilkeson Tacoma, W A 5 Explosion
12-22- 1925 Webb Bellaire, OH 9 Fire
01-13-1926 : No.21 - Wlllmrton, OK 91 __LJi!J!()~ion
1°1-14-1926 Jamison No.8 l;'.armington, WV 19 ' Explosion
01-29-1926 New Orient No.2 West Frankfort, IL 5 EXDlosion
01-29-1926 Mossboro No.1 Helena, AL 27 EXDlosion
02-03-1926 HorningNo.4 .¡Horning, PA ----------~----- .~ 20 Explosion
02-16-1926 - Nelson ¡ Nelson. KY i
i 8 , EXDlosion
03-08-1926 Eccles No.5 Eccles, WV 19 EXDlosion

46
~5-06-1926d_ Randolph Collery I Port Carbon, P A 5 EXDlosion

_. _ m_ . .. _
~03-1926 ~ettebone Collery No. 6 .~Kin ston, PA
07-21-1926 Dixie Moffat, AL
. 7 EX)Jlosion
~ .~XPlosion
08-26-1926 ' Clymer No.1. Clymer, PA
09-03-1926 Tahona Tahona, OK
10-04-1926 Rockwood .. Rockwood, TN
10-30-1926 Collery No.7., Nanticoke, PA
11-15-1~_~(jlmd ._. -I Mounds;ille, WV
. - 44 EXDlosion
16 EXDlosion

- " ._ .5. Explosion

::; i;l~;:::
-.'-
12-09-1~ncisco No.2. ' Francisco, IN --I' 37. 'Explosion
01-31-1927 Nortonvile Mining f.Nortonvi.l.le, KY " 5 IExplosion
03-30-1927 Saline No. 2_l.Ledford,)L
04-02-1927 No.53. . Cokeburg, PA
04-08-1927, Carboiiado Carbonado, W A
f.8 r Explosion
L6~osion .-
04-30-1927 Federal No.3 Everettvile, WV 97 Explosion
05-13-1927 Shanon Brauch No.3 tcapies, WV
. .1'. 7 _I,i..IQInUndation
., . 8_ I Explosion- ..-
05-26-1927 Woodward No.3. Edwardsvile, PA --. 7" I Explosion ..-
05-27-1927 Dela!wa Delagua, CO _-' ..-. --,xplosion
--
08-03-1927 West Kentucky No. 7 ...~ Clay, KY
12-20-1927 Franco No. 1.1 Johnston City, IL
18 ,_ West Frankfort, IL
,. 15..-J Explo~ion
.==. ,Explosion
21~EXPlosion
.,-
--
1l09-1928 No.

19-20-1928 Kinloch --arnassus, PA i--F - Explosion.

02-24-1928 Mama No. 3 ~enny Lind, AR ~~3 Ex losion
04-02-1928 Kcvstone No.2 Kevstone, WV __ m 8 Ex losion
05-19-1928 Mather No.1 Mather, PA . I 195., Explosion
05-22-1928 'i No. 30. ' Kenvir, KY
05-22-1928 No.1 Yukon, WV ~ I Explosion
., ,17, Explosion
05-25-1928 Baltimore No. 5 '-~;~ns, I.A -
06-20-1928 ' No.1. 'National, WV .. r- ll j ::~:~~~~~ ._-
08-09-1928 Hilside i Johnstown, PA 5 Explosion.
08-15-1928 ' Irvons No.3. Coalport, PA i
13 l"ExPiosion
~22-1928 ' McAlpin ' McAlpin, WV .. ..6, Explosion
c!-30-1928 Princess Poca LR. o. derfeld, W. V -- 6 ~Iosion
12-18-1928 No.2. -l)rakesboro, KY --- 6 _f~plosion
~26-1929 Kingston No.5. 'Kingston, WV
~-21-1929 Kinloch =H' Parnassus, PA
05-27-1929 Connellsvile Yolande, AL .
.. ' _. 14 EXjllosion
-- 46 I Explosion
lo-';losion
--
__
06-05-1929 Halcon
- ,.' Covington
09-27-1929
I.VA
Wise,
,. , ....Tahona, OK I ~ I Roof falIIumjJ
-
.+- 'l Explosi(jn
12-01-1929 Old Ben No.8 West Frankfort, IL 7 .. 'Explosi(jn
12-17-1929 , Old Town ._ McAlester, OK -+. '__u6;;1 EXDlosion
01-13-1930 Peerless ._ Straven, AL _.-+ EXDlosion
01-19-1930 _!\0.1 _ Lilvbrook, WV 8 Explosion
02-06-1930 Standard Standardvile, UT 23 EXDlosion
03-08-1930 , New Peerless Lynn, UT 5 EXDlosion

47
tl-26-1930 i Yukon Arncttsvile, WV r 12 EXDlosion
03-30- 1930 Pioneer Kettle Island, KY -" n 16__,E"ELosion_
04- 12- 1930 Carbonado Carbonado, W A 17 __I !L-"losion - "."
08-08-1930 Gilberton ---- - - ----------- ----, Gilberton. PA 8 Roof fall/umD
10-27-1930 Wheatley No, 4 ~A!tster, OK 30 EXDlosion
-i-05-1930 .. No.6 Milfield, OH 82 Explosion ..
11-29-1930 , Lutie No.5
12-06-1930 Lamb
-------- Lutie, OK
Madrid, NM
15
5
Explosion
Explosion
01-03-1931 , Midvale No.4 Midvale. OH 5 Explosion
01-06-1931 No.2 Glen Rogers, WV 8 Explosion
~:1931 Litte Bettv DUQ"Q"er, IN . .2~ . Explosion
05-29-1931 Richards Collery
~o._".~"_, Mount Carmel, PA 5 EXDlosion
11-03-1931 No. 20 Ifold~Il'" WV 5 Explosion
12-28-1931 Overton No. I Irondale, AL 5 Explosion
01-18-1932 Parrott - Parrott, VA 6 ! Explosion
02-27-1932 Boissevain --_. Boissevain, VA 38 Explosion
06-13-1932 _Splashdam No.6 i Splashdam, V A 10 _+ Explosion ---_. -------
12-07-1932 Morgan-Jones i Madrid. NM 14 Explosion
12-09-1932 Zero ' Yancev, KY 23 Explosion
12-24-1932 Moweanua ------ Moweaaua. IL 54 Explosion
~i-l-1933 Oakmont _.I!arking, P A 7 Explosion
03-12-1934 ! No. 10 ' Wheatcroft, KY 5 Fire
08-06-1934 , Dcrbv No.3 Bil! Stone GaD, VA 17 EXDlosion
01-21-1935 Gilberton Gilberton, P A 13 __00___- E-"IJlosion_ .--.----"

05-07-1935 ! South Wilkes-Barre 'Wilkes-Barre, PA 7 Haulal!e ---

05-11-1935 No. 41 - ' Barrackvile, WV ,
6 Fire
07-17-1935 No. 155 ¡ VanLear. KY 9 Explosion
01-20-1936 Monarch No.2 ! Broomfeld, CO 8 Explosion
08-01-1936 Kathleen I Dowell, IL---- . 9 Fire
08-24-1936 Clear Snrin" i West Pittston. PA 5 Explosion
09-02-1936 Macbeth --.---.,--- , Macbeth, WV i
10 EXDlosion ---- "n .._
11-19-1936 Bates . Bates, AR
I !
5 EXDlosion
03-11-1937 Macbeth Macbeth, WV 18 Explosion
03-28-1937 cramer DuBois, PA 9 Explosion
06-21-1937 Rupert Mine Kevstone, OH .
i
! 6 ' Explosives
07-15-1937 Baker Sullvan. IN ! 20 Explosion
10-15-1937 Mul"a Mulga, AL 34 Explosion
10-26-1937 ' Jonesvile . Jonesvile, AK 14
----- ------_._~---_.-
Explosion .
01-12-1938 Harwick .- Harwick, P A 10
_.-_.._--- -
Explosion
02-11-1938 Vail (Star Citv) Afton, WY 5 Explosion
04-22-1938 Keen Mountain HanQ"ar, VA 45 Explosion
04-27-1938 No.1 Slone Pottsvile, P A ---~--
8 Explosion
06-02-1938 Butler Slone i Pittston. PA r 10 EXDlosion
07-01-1938 Praco No.7 Praco, AL 6 Roof fall/umD

48
~c____.-_.--_.
07-14-1939 i Duvin I Providence, KY i 28 - .
Explosion
01-10-19~ndcreekNo.1 ~ Bartley, WVT9bEXPiosion
_.
.--
.Q16-1940 Wilow Grove No.~. St, Clairsvile, OH. ..~ Explosion
07-15-1940 . Sonl1ai__.Portage, PA . 63 i Explosion ..-
08-27-1940 bNO.2 3ates, AR
1----_.-
11-29-1940 Nelms__ __ Cardiz,OH _.
10
31
Explosion
Explosion
-

--
-

12-17-1940 No.4
=D~sion ,,-
--
~2-194i Carswell
02-14-1941 Fidelity_ ..
05-22-1941 Panhandle No.2
06-04-1941 Docena
,
_ Kimball, WV
.ifaleigh, WV
_Duquoin,IL
==eii, IN
Adamsvile, AL
, 6 E"plosion

I 14
. -i.. Explosives

_~os~on
5 Explosion ..

ll6-30-1941 Kent No.2

07-10-1941 Acmar No.6
~7-19~ Daniel Boon~
--
_...-
' McIntvre, PA
Acmar, AL
Daniel Boone, KY 4
i 7

15
, Explosion
I Explosion
I EX¡Jlosion
.--
12-28-1941 No.

01-27-1942 , Wad!!e
-
05-11-1942 Peerless No.2
47

05-12-1942 Christopher No.3

05-18-1942 Hitchman
' Harco, IL
I Excelsior,
Mount Harris,
Osal!e. WV
Benwood, WV
AR CO
T:4 I Explosion
.~'XPlosion
=r '565'
Explosion
~osion
.-
Pursglove No.2 Pursglove, WV
,Q09- 1942
11-30-1942 West KY No. 10 Wheatcroft, KY
Lain!!, WV
.J 6 , Explosion
20_
5
Ex losion
Haula!!e
.-
12-15-1942 Lain!! No.1

--
01-08-1943 No. 15 Purs!!love, WV 13 Fire
02-27-1943 Smith Washoe, MT. 74
05-05-1943 NuRex , Lall0llette, TN 10 Ex .n_
,___ losion
I Explosion
EX~losion
05-11-1943 Praco No. 10 ' Praco, AL 12
08-28-1943 Sayreton,No. 2
09-16-1943 ' 3 Point
09-24-1943 Primrose Collerv
11-06-1943 Nells No.3
Savreton, AL
Three Point, KY
Minersvile, P A
Madison, WV
B i
28

14
11
EX¡Jlosion
' Explosion
I Explosion
Explosion
~osion
03-24-1944 Katherine No.4
06-07-1944 Emerald
07-05-1944 Powhatan
Lumberport, WV
Clarksvile, P A
Powhatan Point, OH
i
16
6
66
Fire
Fire
-
Jl8- 1944 Brillant No.2 ----
Briliant, NM - ~~XPlosion .
Bond Valley , Haileyvile, OK 9 Explosion
Jj17-1945 5 Roof falllumn
03-12-1945 ' Crucible Crucible, PA
03-14-1945 Kennilworth Kennilworth, UT 7 Explosion
05-09-1945 No.1 Sunnyside, UT 23 "
Explosion
12-26- 1945 Belva No.1 Fourmile, KY 25 , Explosion
01-15-1946 i Havaco No.9 Havaco, WV 15 Exnlosion
04-18-1946 Great Vallev McCov, VA 12 Exnlosiiin
01-15-1947 Nottin!!ham Plymouth, PA - 15 Explosion
03-25-1947 No.5 Centralia, IL 111 Exnlosion
04-10-1947 ' Schoo lev Exeter, PA 10 Explosion

49
04-30-1947 Snrinl' Hil .!erre Haute, IN 8 ExploJ_i(jn
07-24-1947 Old Ben No.8 West Frankfort. IL .
10 Explosion ------

12-11-1947 : Franklin ---- Wilkes-Barre, PA .- 8 ----- Explosion .

02-08-1948 Sun Excelsior Excelsior, AR 8 EXDlosion -

05-20-1948 No.2 Dante, VA 6 Roof fallf Bum£.
07-27-1948 Kin!! Princeton, IN 13 ., Explosion
07-30-1948 Ed!!ewater Birmin!!ham, AL 11 Explosion
,"
08-06-1948 No. 11
11-04-1948 Milt No.1
CaDles, WV
Kitzmiler. MD
6
5 Fire
¡Roof fall/Bum.£
----,_.-.

01-18-1951 Burnin" Snrinl's - Kermit, WV 11 . .I"_~losion

03-29-1951 Buttonwood Wilkes-Barre PA 5 Explosion
10-15-1951 Bunker Cassvile, WV 10 Explosion
110-31:1251 United Gas No.1 United, WV 12__,.Explosion
112-21-1951 Orient No.2 West Frankfort, IL 119_1E.xplosion
02-02-1952 CarDentertown CarDentertown, P A 6 ! EXDlosion
03-27-1952 Holmes SloDe Forrestvile, P A 5 Inundation
03-30-1953 O'Brien Lovilia, IA 5 EXDlosion
11-13-1954 Jamison No.9 Farmin!!ton. WV 16 EXDlosion
01-18-1957 Evan Jones Slope Jonesvile, AK 5 Explosion
02-04-1957 Bishon No. 34 McDowell Countv. WV 37 Explosion . -
09-23-1957 Marianna No. 58 Marianna,J'A 6 Explosion
12-09-1957 Glen Ro"ers No.2 GIen Ro!!ers, WV 5 Roof fall/ump
12-27-1957 Amonate No. 31 McDowell Countv, WV 11 Explosion
02-12-1958 Lundale Lundale, WV ---- -
1- 6 Roof fall/ump ...._-
10-27-1958
10-28-1958
,
Bisti°p
Burton
_McDowell Countv, WV
i Ncar Crai!!svile, WV
-.....
22
14
Explosion
EXDlosion
-
01-22-1959 River Slope , Port Griffth. PA 12 Inundation
03-23-1959 ' PhiliDs and West Robbins, Tj\ 9 EXDlosion
03-08-1960 No. 22 Pine Creek, WV 18 Fire
03-02-1961 Vi kin" Mine , Terre Haute, IN 22 Explosion
01-10-1962 Blue Blaze No.2 : Herrin, IL ----- 11 Explosion
12-06-1962 Robena No.3 Carmichaels, P A 37 Explosion
04-25-1963 Comnass No.2 Dola, WV 22 Explosion
12-16-1963 Carbon Fuel No.2 HeIner. UT Explosion ._--
05-24-1965 C.L. Cline No.2
10-16-1965 Mars No.2
Robbins, TN
Wilsonbur!!. WV
9
5
7
Explosion
EXDlosion
.-
12-28-1965 Dutch Creek Mine Redstone, CO 9 EXDlosion
---- _.-
06-01-1966 ' Dora No.2 I).ora, PA 5 EXDlosion ".~
07-23-1966 ' Siltix Mine
08-07-1968 River O~een
, Mt. Hope, WV
' Greenvile, KY
7
9
EXDlosion
EXDlosion
._-~
11-20-1968 Consol No.9 Farmin!!ton, WV 78 EXDlosion
12-30-1970 Finley Coal No. 15 & 16 Hvden, KY "_..----- 38 Explosion -"."
02-26-1972 Buffalo Minin" Co. Saunders. WV 125 Dam failure
07-22-1972 , Blacksvile No.1 Blacksvile, WV 9 Explosion

50
12-16-1972 Itmann No.3 Itmann, WV I 5 Explosion
03-09-1976 Scotia ~ Ovenfork, KY '. 15 i Explosion ..
03-11-1976 Scotia (second explosion) . Ovenfork, KY ~+EXPlosion .,. .,

03-01-1977 Porter Tunnel Tower City, PA 9 Inundation

04-04-1978 Moss No.3 Dutv, VA i 5 ¡Inundation
11-07-1980 Ferrell No. 17 Uneeda,.WV I 5 Explosion ,~
04-15-1981 Dutch Creek No.1 Redstone, CO 15 Explosion
12-07 -1981 No. 11 Kite, KY I 8 Explosion
. == Whitewcll, TN i 13 i Explosion
12-08-1981 No. 21

01-20-1982 No.1 ..
... Craynor,. KY I 7 Explosion - ~.-

06-21-1983 No.1 McClure. VA I 7 Explosion

12-19-1984 Wilburi! Oran!!evile, UT i 27 i Fire
02-06-1986 Loveridge No. 22 Fairview, WV 5

--
I Collapsed coal pile
I
caused suffocation
09-13-1989 Wiliam Station -, Sullvan, KY 10 Explosion
12-07-1992 I No.3 Norton, VA 8 Explosion

Information for historical coal mine disasters list was obtained from the following publications:

. Historical Summary of Mine Disasters in the Unites States, Volume I, Coal Mines, 1810-1958
. Historical Summary of Mine Disasters in the Vnites States, Volume II, Coal Mines, 1959-1998
. 1998, 1999, 2000 Fatalgrams and Fatality Reports, Coal Mines, www.msha,gov
. Newspaper article citations when available
. Archives at the National Mine Health & Safety Academy Library

51
 HISTORICAL METAL AND NONMETAL MINE DISASTERS IN THE
UNITED STATES 1869-2000
(FIVE OR MORE FATALITIES)

'~rr'nJJ'I'
Date

04-07-1869
09-20-1873
Name of

9.",.l. .i~, . _ _ .. _ __ I Mine

r" ~ ~~~ - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - i
Location of
Mine

Kentuck -Yellow Jacket i Gold Hil, NV

Yellow Jacket Gold Hil, NV
Kiled

37
6
Product

Gold
Gold
Type of
Disaster

Fire in timbers
Fire blacksmith
for e
02-13-1874 Phoenix Phoenix, MI 6 Copper Explosion of
-- dynamite
05-30-1874 Amador Amador, CA 5 Gold Cage fell to
, bottom
10-03-1879 Tioga Bodie, CA 6 Gold i Ca e accident
02-16-1881 Belmont Belmont, MT 6 Copper Fire from
blacksmith
05-03-1884 Gouverneur Gouverneur, NY 6 Marble Explosion of
!
boiler
11-13-1885 Bull Domingo Silver Cliff, CO 10 Silver/Gold Dynamite
ex losion
06-24-1887 Gould & Curry Virginia City, 11 Silver/Gold Fire in shaft
NV
11-23-1889 Neversweat-St. Butte, MT 6 Copper Fire
Lawrence
02-11-1893 Sheldon Quarry West Rutland, 5 Marblc Roof fall
VT
04-21-1893 Silver Bow No.2 Butte, MT 9 Co er Fire
05-14-1893 Rcd Jacket Shaft Calumet, MI 10 Copper Hoisting cagc
overwind
09-28-1893 Mansficld Crystal Falls, MI 28 Iron Inrush of water
03- 10-1895 Old Abe White Oaks, NM . 8 Gold Fire
08-29-1895 Sleepy Hollow Sleepy Hollow, 12 Gold Mine flooded
CO
09-07-1895 Osceola Calumet, MI 30 Copper Fire on the 2ith
level
09-26-1895 Belgian Leadvile, CO 6 Gold Dynamite
ex losion
01-04-1896 Anna Lee EI Paso County, 8 Gold Cave-in of shaft
CO
04-08-1896 Hope u.ßasin, MT 7 Gold Fire
04-11-1896 St. Lawrence Butte, MT 6 Co er Powder ex

52
~ MI.. H ' explosion
11-20-1901 Smnggler-Union . Pandora, CO 31 Silver/Gold Bnnkhouse fire
08-15-1902 Park-Utah Park City, UT 34 Lead/Zinc! Powder Fumes
11-06-1903
--
01-26-1904
05-12-1905
' MT
Kearsarge ~ Virginia City,
Stratton's Independence , Victor, CO
Cora Butte, MT
14
7
~
9- GOld~-7
Gold =:e accident
C0J.per Explosives
~.. .,
11-30-1907
12-07-1907
Fremont
Rollng Mil
Drytown, CA
Negaunee, MI
11
10
Gold _ . Fire foot of shaft
Iron Fall of skip
02-26-1909 Keystone Joplin, MO 5 Lead Fall of rock
04-13-1909 Slate Quarry Granvile, NY 5 Slate Cave-in
03-02-1910 Alaska-Mexican Treadwell, AR 37 Gold Explosion of
, powder
04-13-1910 Limestone Quarry Nazareth, PA 11 Limestone Quarry explosion
06-01-1910 Union Quarrv Devils Slide, UT 25 Limestone Quarry explosion
06-02-1910 Lehigh Quarrv West Coplav, PA 8 Limestone Quarry explosion
06-07-1910 Richard Dover, NJ 5 Iron Fallng from man-
car
11-28-1910 Jumbo Durant, OK 13 Asphalt ~XPlosion of gas _ "
01-18-1911 Keating --_." Radersburg, MT 6 Gold Powder explosi()n_
02-23-1911 Belmont Tonopah 17 Silver/Gold Fire, asphyxiation
03-11-1911 " Norman Mine (openpit) Virginia, MN - 14 Iron .. ' Slide of baiik,_
05-05-1911 Hartford-Cambria No.2 Negaunee, MI 7 Iron Fire
08-23-1911 Giroux Elv,NV 7 Copper Fire
09-03-1911 Butte & Superior Butte, MT 6 Zinc Cage accident
09-28-1911 Shakespeare Placer Dome Creek, AR 14 Gold Shaft cave-in
10-19- 1911 ' Wharton -- Hibernia, NJ 12 Iron Shaft flooded
f- Iron Cave-in
05-13-1912 Norrie Ironwood, MI 7
07-07-1912 Eureka Pit Ely,NV 10 Copper Dynamite
explosion
12-09- 1912 Great Northern Cordova, AR 9 Gold Snowslide
, Development ,

04- 17- 1913 Miami Miami, AZ 5 Copper Air blast due to

cave-in
04-23-1913 Leonard Butte, MT 5 Copper Hoisting accident
08-03-1913 Coronado Ineline Clifton, AZ 9 Copper Breaking draw bar

of car
01-21-1914 Boston , Bingham, UT 5 co''': I ~re
07-14-1914 , Balkan Palatka, MI 7 Iron Rush of water in
-. -,,-
, raise
08-04-1914 Copper Flat McGil, NV 5 Copper Premature blast

53
09-17-1914 Centennial-Eureka Eureka, UT 11 Gold ! Cave-in
11-09-1914 SibleyNo.9_~haft Elv.NV 5 Iron Shaft cave-in
10-19-1915 Granite Mountain Shaft Butte, MT 16 Copper Dynamite
¡explosion
02-14-1916
02-25-1917
Pennsvlvania
North Star
; Butte, MT
Hailey, ID
21
16
Copper
! Gold/eadJ
Fire
Snowslide
,.-
--
i
Silver ----
04-28-1917 Mariposa Co., 7 Gold Powder
I, Mountain _.-
King i CA ¡ fumes/ Asphvx,_
-."-', -
06-08-1917 Granite Mountain Butte, MT ,
163 -- Copper ' Fire
07-17-1917 Three Forks o.;~~~v Trident, MT 8 GVDsum , Powder explo~ion
02-21-1918 Amasa-Porter Crystal Falls, MI 17 Iron ¡ Cave-inlnrush of
water
06-27-1918 Silver (open pit) Virl!inia, MN 18 Iron Powder eXDlosion
07-25-1919 Hecla Burke, ID 5------" Lead Cal!e accident
04-15-1920 Jefferson Island Delcambre LA 6 Salt Gas explosion
04-19-1920 Lehigh Quarrv Ormrod, P A 6 ! Limestone Explosion
08-13-1920 Pounding Mils Quarry Pounding Mils, !
9 Roek Explosives
VA .

06-27 -1922! Hol~ton Quarry i Straw)llains. TN ' 9 Marble EXDlosives

08-27-1922 , Arponaut Jackson,CA 47 Gold _. Fire
07-12-1923 i Sloss No.1 ' Bessemer. AL 5 Iron Haulal!e-man-trip
02-05-1924 Milford Crosby, MN 41 Man. Iron Inrush of water
Ore
11-03-1926 Barnes Hecker Ish DominI!, MI 51 Iron Flood
10-29-1927 Quincy Mine No.2 Shaft Hencock, MI 7 Copper Fall of rock in
e---._-- shaft
11-24-1927 Mal!ma Superior. AZ 7 ç()I!)ler , Shaft fire
02-28-1929 Stone Mountain Quarry ,Decatur, GA 7 Granite Expl. of air
-_..------- !
---- --..- , receiver -----
09-04-1929 Calaveras i Copperapolis, 5 Copper ' Cave-in
! CA
05-17-1930 Tery and Butterskil : Union, WV 6 Rock Explosives
, Ouarrv i

06-07-1930 T Climax Mine Lake County, 6 i Molybdenum Cave-in

CO !

07-14-1930 Glenn Placer County, -T 5 Gold -Fire

-----
CA
02-08-1933 ' Fletcher, NC 7 Limestone i Fall and slide --
11-12-1934
_! B & C Quarry_
Rohl Connolly Quarrv i, --
Avalon,CA 9 Granite i! E i.
xp osives --
08-13-1936 Mountain City Copper Mountain City, 6 Copper Suffocation
NV --, -,,----
10-06-1936 Morninl! Mine Mullan, ID 10 Lead i Shaft accident
11-30-1936 Funkhouser Quarrv Delta, P A 9 Slate ' Explosives

54
02-19-1937 Walker Walkeriine, CA ! 6 I Copper T Explosives
08-31-1938 Ashvile Quarry Ashvile, NC 5 ' Dynaiite
I I Granite I explosion
! Zinc
01-31-1939 Southern Treece, KS 5 Roof fall

01-09-1942 Pride 8
I Silverton, CO
I
I Lead/Gold
Copper/Zind' Lfire at tunnel
Fumes from ~urf
i ,

03-26-1942 Sandts Eddv Ouarrv Allentown, P A I 31 I Limestone I, portal/Suffocation

Quarry blast
01-05-1943 Boyd Mine " Ducktown, .:~i Copper
I fumes
Asphyxiation by
02-10-1943 C.F.&H. - Shullsburg, WI . 8 I_Lead/Zinc
03-15-19~:J Atkinson Quarry..., T ~~ursion Inlet, ~ Loci-
02-20-1945 'S1. Anthony ~r, AZ I 5 ; Lead
07-16-1950 Lark, U.S. SmeltiUl! Lark, UT I 5 I Lead/Zinc I Fire
Bunkhouse fire --
- Cave-ins (2)..

i Blasting
n__
. m.

i Rock & Stone I Collapsed

Maricopa
07-24-1952 Pre-Cast No.1 & 2 5
County, AZ
, Claims
10-30-1952 Herron, Alpena
EnterDrises
I
i

I
5 L nlaliorm
Gold Prospect -T Shaft explosion
--
11-05-1953 American Gilsonite Co.
I' Bonanza,
Herron, MI
UT I 8 j Gilsonite ~~Plosion
03-31-1954 Kennecott Copper Co. Santa Rita, NM 5 ' Copper
explosion
-iwder truck
06-01-1d Sherwood Mine, Inland ~ Iron River, MI I
6 I Iron Inrush hot
Steel ~ases/Steam --
08-28-1963 ,Texas Gulf Sulfur Co. Moab, UT
03-05-1968
04-12-1971 .. Barnett Complex Mine
I Cargil Salt Mine
-_.,-
Rosiclare, IL 7
I Calumet, LA--
L 18 ~Sh
Salt
~ Gas explosion '._.-'-

I Fluorspar . 'Asphyxiation
(HTS)
05-02-1972 Sunshine Mining
ComDany
"._~ Kellogg, ID
L91 I Silver
- ---i . Fire

06-08-1979 ' Belle Isle Mine Franklin, LA 5 Salt I G~s eXDlosion

Information for historical metal and nonmetal mine disasters was obtained from:

. Historical Summary of Mine Disasters in the United States, Volume III, Metal and l\onmetal Mines, 1885-1998
. 1998,1999,2000 Fatalgrams and Fatal Investigation Reports, Metal and Nonmetal Mines, www,msha.£ov
. Newspaper article citations when available
. Archives at the "ational Mine Health & Safety Academy

55