1923 — Nov 6, Raleigh-Wyoming Co., Glen Rogers coal mine gas explosion, Beckley WV — 27

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-6-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–27  Bureau of Mines, U.S. Dept. of Interior. Historical Summary of Mine Disasters in the [US].

–27  Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Mining Town Mourns 27 Dead.” 11-7-1923. (In USMRA)

–27  United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. Glen Rogers.

–27  WV Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training. WV Mine Disasters 1884 to Present.

Narrative Information

Bureau of Mines. Historical Summary of Mine Disasters in the United States, Volume I:

“The mine had been producing coal for only 1 year.  The 2 shafts were 648 feet deep and were connected, but all ventilation and hoisting were through the airshaft, which was divided by a concrete curtain wall.  The mine was gassy, and several nonfatal ignitions had occurred.

 

“There were 64 men in the mine, 25 of whom were killed by force or heat and 2 were drowned by falling into a water-filled excavation near the airshaft where a hopper was to be installed.  The other 37 men were not affected and were organized into a recovery crew by the foreman.

 

“Breathing apparatus was at hand but not used.  The explosion was ignited by an arc from an electric drill at an entry face where ventilation had been interrupted by a disarranged curtain and an open door.  The roadways were wet, but dust added to the intensity of the explosion.”

 

Newspaper

 

Nov 7, Charleston Daily Mail, WV: “….The List of Dead.

“Following is the list of the men who met death yesterday morning in the explosion in the mine of the Raleigh-Wyoming Mining Company’s operation at Glen Rogers:

  • Thomas Holley, fire boss, white
  • W. A. Cook, white
  • Billy Bowden, white
  • Eula Atliff, white
  • Robert Shurm, colored
  • James Stewart, colored
  • Tom Simms, colored
  • Oscar King, white
  • David Hill, colored
  • C. E. Johnson, white
  • Rufus Turiety, colored
  • Robert Clair, colored
  • Howell Samuels, white
  • Harry Isaac, white
  • Virgil Sturm, son of mine foreman, white
  • Clarence Puckett, white
  • Paul Tatis, white
  • Ernest King, colored
  • William Stokes, white
  • Emil Unger, white
  • Roy Brown, colored
  • S. P. Gurrant, colored
  • Harry Wright, white
  • Joe Gurak, white
  • James Doyle, white
  • William Harrington, white
  • James Robinson, colored.”

(Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Mining Town Mourns 27 Dead.” 11-7-1923.)

 

Sources

 

Bureau of Mines (J. W. Paul), U.S. Dept. of Interior. Historical Summary of Mine Disasters in the United States, Volume I. United States Mine Rescue synopsis transcription accessed 4-6-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/Glen_Rogers.htm

 

Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Mining Town Mourns 27 Dead.” 11-7-1923. Transcribed by United States Mine Rescue Association and accessed 4-6-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/Glen_Rogers.htm

 

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Raleigh-Wyoming Mining Company, Glen Rogers No. 2 Mine Explosion, Glen Rogers, Wyoming County, West Virginia, November 6, 1923, No. Killed – 27.” Accessed 4-6-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/Glen_Rogers.htm

 

West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training. WV Mine Disasters 1884 to Present. MHS&T, October 9, 2008 update. At: http://www.wvminesafety.org/disaster.htm