Jacobs Creek, Pennsylvania

Darr Mine Explosion

December 19, 1907

Another Mine Fatality

Death to at least 200 miners and the accompanying suffering and
bereavement to their families came Thursday between 11:15 and 11:30, with
all that sadness and fatality characteristic of subterranean eruptions when
a combination of gas and coal dust caused a terrible explosion in the Darr
mines of the Pittsburg Coal Company, located at Jacobs Creek. Thirteen
bodies have been recovered. Thirty more were located by rescuers, but have
not yet been taken out.

There was but one explosion and it was accompanied by flaming
detonation. While the surface indications do not show that it came with
great force, residents of both sides of the river say that their houses
shook and the earth fairly rumbled as the gas and dust made a fruitless
effort to belch itself fourth through any entrance , all of which were to
confined for its purposes.

Among the known dead are W. S. CAMPBELL, mine foreman, and
Walter SHEPPARD, both of this place. Wm. KELVINGTON, also a former resident
here was superintendent of the Jacob Creek mine, but latest report says he
was out of the mine at the time of the explosion.

McDonald PA Outlook, Dec. 21, 1907

Transcribed by Victoria Hospodar Valentine.  Thank you Victoria!

Killed:
Adams, Clark
Aillo, Augustino
Alesio, Grabatisto
Anderson, David
Andras, Forrai
Andras, Kish
Artist, Alex
Arvu, John
Baifer, Beth
Baleck, Martin
Balog, Steve
Balos, Fabroy
Barno, Mike
Barthold, Bruno
Barthold, Paul
Bateman, Samuel
Bauer, Franz (Frank)
Baxler (Baxter), Frank
Beecher, Stephen
Belko, Mike
Bembel, George
Bembel, Mike
Bencze, Laszio
Benoni, Nicholas
Beracs, Daniel
Beras, Cyula
Beres, Louis
Beresh, Lajor
Bernard, L. J.
Bertteletta, Bruno
Berzi, Andrew
Bodish, John
Bodnar, Steve
Bolflick, Charles
Bolog, Andrea
Bolush, Steve
Bowers, Frank
Brezay, Paul
Breznay, John
Briblien, Steve
Brown, Arthur
Bruzio, Vincenzo
Bugnoli, Arthur
Bulog, Andrew
Burakonyo, Frank
Burakonyo, John
Campbell, H. S.
Campbell, William S.
Carsora, Albert
Chobi, Andy
Clark, Andy
Colosky, Andy
Commro, Albert
Compa, Mike
Corsaro, Umberto
Csek, Louis
Cunsola, Pietro
D'Agostino, Dominic
Dandle, Mike
Dastings, Dominico
Dementer, John
Dendel, George
Denlo, Tomanco
Dezvil, Ignatius
Dobbins, Ernest
Doma, Bill
Dominma (Damiano), Michael
Dsine, Romi
Epersi, Steve
Esposito, Luigi
Fabroy, Balos
Feraska, Anton
Ferrera, Nicola
Flora, Rosi
Flora, Salvatore
Foleni (Folehi), Rosi
Formist, Mike
Francis, Thomas T.
Frieska, Islovan
Fritz, John
Frock, Mike
Gallo, Natale
Garnick, Joe
Gasper, Truwzo
Gaynn, C. R.
George, Charles
Gephart, John
Gesnko, John
Gobo, John
Grabatisto, Alesio
Granko, John, Sr.
Groboth, George, Jr.
Gutas, Steve
Guynn, Chas. R.
Gyira (Geary), Frank
Haden, Andy
Haigi, Louis
Haigler, Aloysuis
Harroth (Harrath), Joe
Hartler, Michael
Harwat, William
Hauser, Frank
Hauser (Houser), Michael
Hendeshofsky, Paul
Hickaber, John
Hivac, John
Homalya (Homya), Mike
Hood, James, Jr.
Hood, John
Hough, Arthur
Hough, Solomon
Hough, William W.
Hudak, Charles
Hudick, Andy
Istvan, Viszokai
Ivanatski, John
Ivanevic, Anthony
Janos, Csurko
Janos, Harraly
Janos, Hornyak
Janos, Kormai
Johnson, Frank
Joszhus, Alexander
Jozsef, Rakoczi
Kacslla, Mike
Kacso (Keso), Ignatz
Katra, George
King, John F.
Kinyo, John
Kish, Steve
Kish, Paul
Knosh, Joseph
Kolesar, John
Koneskel (Koneskol), John
Konesko, Steve, Jr.
Kontra, Andrew
Koremy, John, Jr.
Koslosky (Kolesky), Andrew
Koslosky, Earnest
Kothno, Steve
Kovaco (Kovasco), Bert
Kovacs, Charles
Kovacs, John
Kovacs, Sander
Kozel, John
Krynyak, Amery
Krall (Kral), Samuel, Jr.
Kriak, Andy
Kristoff, Vekasy
Krobert, George, Sr.
Kroboth, Joseph
Krothievitz (Kritkovics), John
Krobough, George, Jr.
Krobough, George, Sr.
Lacatos, Peter
Lakates, Frank, Jr.
Lancaster, Orton S.
Lasso, George, Jr.
Lenhart, Frank
Libelegda, John
Limbaugh, Peter
Lindway, Albert
Linka, Joe
Lorda, George
Lorick, John
Lynn, Robert Z.
Mancueso, Pietro
Markey, John
Marlray, John
Martzi, George
McColligan, Frank
McNamara, Michael "Mike"
Meka (Meko), Joe
Merdalo (Merdella), Peter
Merdelo, Steve
Merling, Carl
Michirber, John
Migo (Meago), Mike
Mihaley, Alex.
Mihaley,  Andrew
Mihaley, Joseph, Jr.
Mihaley (Mihaly), Steve
Molinari, Hilario
Molnar, Steve
Molnar, Peter
Monkaski, Sabe
Monkor, Cebast
Moser, Martin
Mosoli, Lerenzo
Murlin, Carl
Murphy, Joseph W.
Murphy, Nick, Jr.
Nagg, George
Narmrin, Mike
Nedimeyer, John
Neibbnier, John
Newhouse, George, Jr.
Nicaster, Fred
Nicastria, Guiseppi
Nicastria, Petro
Nicholson, Benj.
Nickisher (Nikesher), Joseph
Nickstri, Ceasre
Nikesher, John
Nisoli, Sorenzo
Ornifer, George
Oronko, John
Oroverzt, Andy
Paegert, Arthur
Paegert, August, Sr.
Paegert, Oscar "Carl"
Pal, Kevekes
Parish, Cyrus
Pascar, Louis
Pastor, Steve
Peashock, John
Pegyon, Chas.
Pisco, Mike
Pisco, Steve
Plain, (Planey) Mike
Pogyon, Charles
Possitt, Lewis
Prndelli (Pardilla), Fillippo
Quinn, Charles
Rabitz, Andy
Regima (Regina), George
Restorti (Ristorti), Guiseppi
Restorti (Ristorti), Peter
Rhodes, Norme
Rice, Joseph
Roman, Steve
Rubish, Tom
Ruger (Reegar), Andy
Saifer, Stephen
Sali, Joseph
Saunders, William M.
Savel, Frank
Schall (Schuller), John
Schlein, Edward A.
Schneider, Helimuth
Schuzkar, Joseph
Sebadish (Sabodash), John
Seimon (Semoni), Joseph
Senon, Joseph
Shandel, John
Sharpenberg, Joseph
Sheppard (Sheperd), Walter
Shinko, John
Shuder, Joseph
Shuster, Joseph
Sika, Garba
Simpko, Peter
Simpko, Joe
Sladies, Andrew
Smith, David H.
Soab, Andy, Jr.
Sokel (Sokol), Mike
Sokotash, Frank
Somish (Somach), Steve
Sonaday, Joseph
Sranko, Martin
Stakas, Steve
Stella, Jack
Stangroom, Hugh George
Stansky, Herman E.
Stella, Joachim
Stomko (Sromko), Martin
Story, Joe
Story, Peter
Svaznevich, Anton
Swanasa, Antony
Szany, Steve
Szanzi (Szampi), John
Szladisco, Joseph
Szlion, Martin
Tackaco, Steve
Taker, John
Taker, Jule
Taker, Peter
Tanskey, Harmon
Taraschus, Antonius
Taroscka (Taraskus), Joseph
Tendl, George
Terobhievits, John
Terrance (Torrance), Joseph
Thomas, Joseph
Toho, John
Torda (Tardo), Steve
Torday, Joe
Torrance, Joseph
Toth, Joseph
Tozser (Toser), John Jr.
Trucko, John
Turickio, Joe
Turoscio, Anton
Uhrling, Gerghley
Vardney, Andy
Vargo, Dementer "Metro"
Vargo, Emerie
Vargo, Joseph, Sr.
Vega, Joseph, Sr.
Vellalli, Severe
Verdi, John
Verkase, Christ
Vesio, Tomaso
Vixler (Venler), Franciscus
Voluck, Martin
Wagner, Frank
Ward, Frank
Wardney, Andy
Weis, Tom
Wetaler, Frank
Widemeir, John
Yaremko, John
Yonko, John
Zobel, Joseph
Zol, Joseph

An explosion in the Darr Mine on Dec. 19, 1907, killed 239 coal miners, many of whom were Hungarian. Seventy-one of the dead share a common grave in Olive Branch Cemetery. December, 1907, was the worst month in US coal mining history with over 3000 dead.

Text from Darr Mine Disaster State Historical Marker, located at Olive Branch Cemetery, PA Route 981 between PA Route 51 and Smithton, Pa.; Van Meter, Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County

....the Darr mine of the Pittsburg Coal Company December 19, 1907, in which 231 men were killed.

The Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA 2 Feb 1922

December 1907 - Remembering the Darr Mine Disaster and the Deadliest Month in American Mining History from the Pennsylvania Dept of Environment Protection

Darr mine relief fund report to the Executive committee, covering the collection and distribution of the public fund for the dependents of the men killed by the explosion in the Darr mine of the Pittsburgh coal company, December 19th, 1907

Darr Mine Disaster from the Old Miner, photos and articles

Darr Mine Disaster from the United States Mine Rescue Association, includes two newspaper accounts

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