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In Monongah, West Virginia, December 6, 1907, an explosion destroyed Mines #6 and #8, killing most of the miners inside. The women in the foreground of the photograph, along with other families walked back and forth on the railroad tracks from one mine entrance to the other searching for news of loved ones. An eyewitness reports many women walked for more than 20 hours without food or sleep and some "were about to become mothers". The official death toll was 361 mine workers killed.

1. Women Searching For News, Walking Railroad Tracks Between Mines 6 and 8 After Explosion, Monongah, W. Va.

IDNO:
038501
Title:
Women Searching For News, Walking Railroad Tracks Between Mines 6 and 8 After Explosion, Monongah, W. Va.
Date:
1907/12/06
Description:
In Monongah, West Virginia, December 6, 1907, an explosion destroyed Mines #6 and #8, killing most of the miners inside. The women in the foreground of the photograph, along with other families walked back and forth on the railroad tracks from one mine entrance to the other searching for news of loved ones. An eyewitness reports many women walked for more than 20 hours without food or sleep and some "were about to become mothers". The official death toll was 361 mine workers killed.
Information inscribed on the back of the photograph, "Caused by 13 loaded cars breaking loose and jumping over the side of the steel span causing it to "upset"and igniting the coal dust and gas. The photograph was taken after the clean up had begun. The building to the right is the new power house and boiler room, only a small portion of the power house is visible".

2. Wreck of Bridge at Monongah Mine # 6, Monongah, W. Va.

IDNO:
038502
Title:
Wreck of Bridge at Monongah Mine # 6, Monongah, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1906
Description:
Information inscribed on the back of the photograph, "Caused by 13 loaded cars breaking loose and jumping over the side of the steel span causing it to "upset"and igniting the coal dust and gas. The photograph was taken after the clean up had begun. The building to the right is the new power house and boiler room, only a small portion of the power house is visible".