The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-09
Only Fifty-ihrse Bodies Have Been Brought to Light
 At Last Report
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
 IS SCENE OF SORROW
All Rescue Work Has Been Suspended Until the Fire Can Be Put Out. Government Inspector Inves-
 tigating the Cause.

Monongah, W. Va, December S-But 53 bodies had been recovered from Mines Nos. and of the Fairmont Coal com pany when darkness closed over the little town of Monongah tonight.
 Fifty-six hours had elapsed since the awful explosion, and a majority of the bodies brought to the surface were in a terrible condition, almost unrecognizable. It is now believed that the number of the dead will not be over 400
 thorough investigation was made by the company today, and it was decided that many miners believed to have been entombed had escaped, because they had not gone to work Friday, after Thursdays holiday.
 Shortly after } o'clock this afternoon fire broke out again in Mine No. s. and the rescuers were at once ordered to the surface. Thousands of sightseers from the surrounding towns had gathered about the openings. Through megaphones the crowds were notified of the fire and the danger of another explosion, but they refused to leave, and it was necessary for special police, assisted by many min
 
 of safety.
 Efforts were then directed toward ex- tnguishing the fire, and it is thought 1t will be subdued within a few hours, when the work of rescue will again be taken up. It is said by members of the rescuing party that over 100 bodies have been To- cated in both mines, and that they will be brought to the surface as soon as the fire has been extingushed.
 It is not believed the fire will reach any of these bodies .e
 Clarence Hall of Washington, a gov ernment mine expert, arrived at Monongah today. .ie will remain here until he can make a thorough investi- gation of the disaster, when he will re- turn to Washington and report to the government. The reports of both MT. Hall and State Inspector Paul as to the cause are awaited with great in terest.
 The system of rescue work was al- most perfectly organized today and ex- cellent results were obtained.
 Much progress was made in both mines. and about 25 more bodies were recovered during the morning and early afternoon.
 The following statement was issued tonight by President c. w. Watson of the Fairmont Coal company:
 There have been numerous reports that the families of the dead men destitute. These reports are wrong. The Fairmont Coal company is able and will take care of all these families. In addition to this the ladies of Mo nngah, Fairmont and other places have organized relief measures and are rem dering effective assistance"
 Heartrending scenes and incidents crowded fast, one upon the other, in this sorely afflicted mining community today. Funeral processions were in sight at all times during the day. On the way to the cemeteries these solemn little processions were constantly meeting and passing vehicles coming from the mines, laden with the bodies of other victoms en route to the morgue there to be placed in caskets and prepared for another series of funerals. In the town families were mourning the death or absence of a loved one. and on all sides were little groups of weeping women and child ren.
 About 20 victims were buried today in the three cemeteries near the town. The services were simple and brief, and except that the mourners at times be- came almost frantic. were without spe- cial features.
 
 8 and imminent danger of explosion in mine No. 6. all rescue work has been suspended for the night.
 Many women believe their husbands or sons will be still found alive and refuse to leave the vicinity of the mines When bodies are carried from the mine these women become almost insane, screaming and pacing back and forth and calling aloud the names of their loved ones. One woman over heard a man say that most of the bodies were badly mutilated. With piercing shriek she fell to the ground and was carried to her home nearby. Tonight she is still unconscious and her condition is critical.
 An American woman who lost her husband refused to believe he is dead. She has put clean linen on his bed and insists that he will be brought to her. "I know he is injured and nobody can take care of him like I can," she said. She prepared his meals regularly. neighbors say. as she has done for years thinking he may come for them.