The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-12-10
HUGE DEATH LIST
IN MINE DISASTER
Fire in West Virginia Colliery De-
lays Work of Rescue.
SAD SCENES AT PITS MOUTH
Revised Figures by Superintendent
Show That About -Four Hundred
Were Caught--Over Hundred
Bodies Found.


Bodies Found.
Monongah, w. Va. - While it is
impossible to determine the exact
number of lives lost by the explosion
in Mines Nos. and s of the Fair
mount Coal Company, the worst fears
are likely to be confirmed. One esti-
mate, said to be based on the best
Information now obtainable, places
the number of lives probably lost at
564 The least grievous figures in
iicate the death of over 400
At dark on the day following the
tragedy only fifty-three bodies had
seen recovered from Mines and 8.
Fifty-six hours had elapsed since the
explosion, and the bodies were in
such condition as to necessitate i'm
mediate burial
1t is now believed that the num-
Der of dead will not be over 400 1t
transpired that many miners who
we're believed to have been entombed
did not go to work on the day of the
accident
The fire broke out again in Mine 8
and the rescuers were ordered to the
surface The fire is still burning
Members of the rescuing party say
that over 100 bodies have been To-
Gated in the two mines.
Clarence Hall, a Government mine
expert, arrived, and he and Chief
Mine Inspector Paul spent the re-
nainder of the day at the mines
Hall will make thorough investiga-
ton.
In statement President Watson,
Of the Coal Company, said: There
have been numerous reports that the
families of the dead men are desti-
tute. These reports are wrong. The
Fairmonth Coal Company is taking
.are of all these families. In addition
The ladies of Monongah, Fairmont
and other places have organized re-
lief measures and are rendering eff
iective assistance"
The condition of the bodies thus
far recovered is horrible. Many are
aismembered, some are fearfully
crushed, and the rest are blackened
md burned beyond recognition. The
body of j. M. McGraw, pit boss, and
one of the best known mining men in
West Virginia, was discovered in Mine
No. 8. 1t was headless and other,
wise disf1gured, Identification being
made by the clothing and shoes he
wore.
Five carloads of collins were de.
livered here and unloaded in prepare.
ton to receive the bodies of the dead.
At the mines six undertakers are
working with a number of assistants
and the temporary morgue in the par
italy completed bank building at
Monongah is rapidly filling.
A score or more of men of the res
cuing parties are in critical condi-
ton from inhaling black damp. Sew
eral of them are expected to die. One
of these men. John Gabbert, was car
ried from the mine almost a ravins
maniac. His lungs were filled will
black damp, which produced condi
tion similar to one insane, and the
services of four men were necessary
to hold him while doctors attended
him.
The accident, the greatest in the
history of American mining, has
iazed the people of this vicinity. The
streets of both this town and Fair
mont are crowded with people, while
thousands line the hills in the vicin,
ity of the mines. Every barroom in
Fairmont and Monongah is closed
So far the company's police have beer
able to preserve order about the
mines, although it has been difficult
problem to handle the large crowds
of men, women and children.