The following article was published as a three-part series in the October 4, 11, and 25, 1984 issues of the Breeze.

Introduction and Local Comment by Irene Ambler

The headlines in the CHARLESTON DAILY GAZETTE, published in Charleston, West Virginia, January 19, 1906 (Volume LXXI, Number 369) read as follows:

“Horrible Mine Disaster yesterday at Detroit Mine on Paint Creek,” and “Lives of Eighteen Men Suddenly Snuffed out.”

This tragic news held almost unbearable grief…