Black Christmas Mine Disaster and Aftermath Reflections
The 119 dead from the Orient No. 2 explosion are remembered with names and hometowns, survivors and rescuers praised, and new safety laws adopted. Dorothy McReaken cared for widows while Dayton led body recoveries as families faced long wounds.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dayton McReaken
Dorothy
West Frankfort
McReaken
Orient No. 2
Dorothy McReaken
Quayle
Joe
John
Ellis Reach Sr
Ellis Reach Jr
Amos Westray
Roy
Alex Ramsey
Wayne
Cecil Sanders
Sanders
Lewis cites safety codes as mining tragedy grows
On February 21 1952 Lewis testified before the U S House Subcommittee on Mine Safety citing the Orient 2 explosion as proof laws must improve He recalled the Dec 21 1951 Orient 2 Mine disaster that killed 119 men average age 41 and described the funerals and rubber sacks used for bodies as stark evidence of missing protections.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McReaken
Richard Ogilvie
Dorothy
Federal Bureau of Mines
Lewis
U.S
House of Representatives
U.S. Bureau of Mines
Orient
Remembering Orient 2 Mine disaster and the Christmas loss
Fifty years after the Orient 2 Mine methane explosion killed 119 miners, including Silas Stewart, families recall generous relief efforts and the Christmas heartbreak. Survivors like Jim Stewart and Jack Bigham recount the evacuation, recovery, and returning to work, while Curt Gunter recalls a boyhood memory of grief and a cloud over Christmas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Frankfort
Jim Stewart
Orient
Silas
Orient 2
Silas Stewart
Stewart
Bigham
Curt Gunter
Benton
Southern Illinois
Harry “Tater” Gunter
Gunter
Plea Arranges Restitution For Mom In Theft Case
In a negotiated plea Reynolds agrees to 45 000 dollars restitution including 15 000 paid Thursday and rest within a year plus 1 000 fine and costs. She receives 14 days in jail with 50 per day jail fee, two years probation with 15 monthly fee. Bigler notes employer seeks only restitution. theft is a Class misdemeanor with up to 2 500 fine 364 days jail and two years probation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Reynolds
Also Mentioned on This Page
West City
Harry Truman
Art Rice
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Rice
Cherry
Centralia
Illinois
Herrin
Franklin County
Ivy Crew
Arrow
Levi’s
Lee
Jacquard Polos
Sale
Y.E.S
Union Bay Jeans
Boys’ Chunky Thermal Henleys
Stelle
U.S.A
Ivy
Maison
United States
Jack Bigham
Roland Black
Son
Bigler
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!