What mattered was that there were 630 survivors — 160 widows and 470 fatherless children — who somehow had to be provided for. Private contributions started immediately nationwide, with Streator alone contributing almost $ 5,000 by the end of November. These donations from the United Mine Workers, Red Cross, and other organizations totaled over $444,000.
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Funeral of Mr. Smith, a Cherry Mine victim. |
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The Cherry Cemetery on the community's southern edge filled quickly after the disaster. |
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Cherry Cemetery Some Mine Disaster Victim Headstones. |
Meanwhile, official bodies had gone into action. These included the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad, which, for all practical purposes, owned the St. Paul Coal Company, the United Mine Workers, and the consuls and other representatives of foreign governments whose nationals were involved.
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Miners houses in the background - running west from Cherry Mine. 1909 |
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"Death Row." In this row of 30 cottages, only 4 men returned from the Mine disaster. |
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The "Widow's Row" on Steele Street looking north. You can see a "gap" seven houses down, which that lot was not built on because it was for a cross street, today's Cherry Avenue. Continue counting down seven more houses; where the eighth house should be is another cross street; Maple Avenue is there today. Circa 1910 |
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Miners Homes, Cherry, Illinois. November 26, 1909 |
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A group of children that was made orphans by the Cherry Mine disaster on November 13, 1909 |
Official records gave the following nationality breakdown of some of the men who lost their lives in the Cherry mine disaster:
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American - 11 |
Austrian - 28 |
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Belgian - 7 |
English - 8 |
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French - 12 |
German - 15 |
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Greek - 2 |
Irish - 3 |
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Italian - 73 |
Lithuanian - 21 |
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Polish - 8 |
Russian - 3 |
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Scotch - 21 |
Slavish - 36 |
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Swedish - 9 |
Welsh - 2 |
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Cherry Mine Disaster, funeral procession, February 20, 1910 |
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Funeral of Mine victims passing through Cherry, Illinois. Circa April 1910 |
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Cherry Mine Disaster, the funeral procession of victims, Main Street, Ladd, Illinois - April 1910 |
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End of the funeral procession with nine hearses. Main Street, Ladd, Illinois - April 1910 |
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Knights of Pythias funerals. Circa April 1910 |
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Three caskets are ready for transport. Circa April 1910 |
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Relatives view the remains of Davis at the Morgue. He had worked in the mine for only two days during the disaster. His body was taken overland to Peoria, Illinois. |
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Cherry School, Room 1, 22 children were made fatherless by the Mine disaster. Circa 1910. |
The Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad, a $400,000,000 corporation, was under no legal liability for the disaster beyond the resources of the coal company, which totaled about $350,000. If the coal company was sold, it would go bankrupt and yield less than its worth.
Into this tangle of legal complications and aroused public opinion stepped John E. Williams of Streator, serving as vice-chairman of the Cherry Relief Commission. He volunteered his services as a disinterested mediator, spent many hours analyzing the situation, and conducted negotiations.
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The Cherry Mine Office - 1909 |
President Albert J. Earling of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad announced: "We acknowledge a moral obligation," eventually, the company added $400,000 to the amount privately subscribed. The final sums allotted to surviving dependents were worked out based on the English Workmen's Compensation Act of 1906, which Williams had studied carefully. The official report of the disaster noted that "the credit for the settlement belongs almost exclusively to Mr. Williams."
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Cherry Mine Disaster, Interior of the big tent, used as a morgue, February 20, 1910 |
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81 bodies were taken out of the Cherry Mine and placed in a makeshift morgue on March 4, 1910 |
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Recovered 5 months after the accident with $200.00 on his person on April 11, 1910 |
Out of the tragedy came new mine safety laws, more thorough inspections, and improved mining equipment. Due to the Cherry Mine Disaster, the Illinois legislature established stronger mine safety regulations the following year. In 1911, Illinois passed a separate law, which would later develop into the Illinois Workmen's Compensation Act.
The men who died will never be forgotten, especially those who gave their lives for others. And Streator had a particular cause for pride because of its own John E. Williams. His skill, humanity, and hard work significantly prevented the Cherry Mine disaster from creating bitterness and hatred among the thousands of people affected.
AFTERWARD-AT-CHERRY
When the dead have all been recovered
and silently laid away.
When men have returned to their labor,
and the children have gone back to play.
When the last reporter has vanished
and the soldiers, too, have gone.
The long, long train of sleepers
has crept away into the dawn.
When they awake from their nightmare of horror
and realize all they have lost.
When they understand the full disaster,
and all of its frightful costs.
Then will come days of anguish
and nights when hearts will break.
When grief-dimmed eyes are sleepless
and tired, brains throb and ache.
Then they will need your pity,
and the help your purse will permit,
for then they will suffer a thousand times more
then the men who died in the pit.
(anonymous)
Bureau County Record, December 22, 1909
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Miners' Memorial Cemetery, Cherry, Illinois, 1909 |
MEMORIALS
"To the memory of the miners who lost their lives in the Cherry Mine disaster November 13, 1909," Erected by the U.M.W. of a. District No.12, Illinois. November 13, 1911
A marker to those who lost their lives in the Cherry, Illinois Mine disaster was erected in 1986 by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Historical Society. The marker is located in Cherry, in Village Park on the north side of town on the west side of IL 89, at the intersection of Main and North Streets.
The centennial commemoration of the Cherry Mine Disaster was held in Cherry on November 14, 2009. A new monument at the Cherry Village Hall was dedicated to the miners who lost their lives in the disaster.
NAMES OF THOSE WHO PERISHED.
Adakosky,
M |
Agramanti, Foliani |
Alexius, Joseph |
Ambusautis,
J |
Amider, Alfio |
Armelani, Charles |
Armelani,
Paul |
Atalakis, Peter |
Atlalakis, G |
Bakalar,
George |
Barozzi, Antone |
Bastia, Mike |
Bauer,
Milce |
Bawman, Frank |
Bawman, Lewis |
Bayliff,Thomas |
Benossif, J |
Bernadini, Charles |
Bertolioni, Tonzothe |
Betot, John |
Bolla, Antonio |
Bolla,
Peter |
Bonesbeger, Joseph Ermakra |
Bordesona, Joseph |
Bosviel,
Adolph |
Boucher, Jerome |
Brain, Oliver |
Bredenci,
Peter |
Brown, John |
Brown, Thomas |
Bruno,
Edward |
Bruzis, John |
Buckels, Richard |
Budzom,
Charles |
Budzon, Joseph |
Bundy, John |
Burke,
Joseph |
Burslie, Clemento |
Butilla, August |
Cagoskey,
John |
Calletti, Giovanni |
Camilli, Frank |
Canov,
Canivo |
Casolari, Diminick |
Casollari, Elizio |
Casserio,
John |
Castoinelo, Chelsto |
Cavaglini, Charles |
Chebubar,
Joseph |
Ciocci,Peter |
Ciochina, Costanbin |
Cioci,
Canical |
Cipola, Mike |
Clark, Robert |
Cohard,
Henry |
Compasso, John |
Conlon, Henry |
Costi,
Angelo |
Costi, Lewis |
Davis, John G. |
Debulka,
John |
Deman, Anol |
Demesey, Fred |
Denalfi,
Francisco |
Detourney, Victor |
Donaldson, John |
Dovin,
Andrew |
DovIn, George |
Dumont, Leopold |
Dunko,
John |
Durand, Benjamin |
Durdan, Andrew |
Elario,
Miestre |
Elfi, Carlo |
Elko, George |
Eloses,
Peter |
Erickson, Charles |
Erickson, Eric |
Erminlano,
Charles |
Farlo, John |
Fayen, Peter |
Filippe,
Ugo |
Flood, John |
Forgach, John |
Formento,
Dominick |
Francisco, August |
Francisco, John |
Freebirg,
Ole |
Garabelda, John |
Galletti, Giovanni |
Galletti,
John |
Geckse, Frank |
Giacobazzi, Antonio |
Gialcolzza,
Angone |
Gibbs, Lewis |
Governor, John |
Grehaski,
Andrew |
Grilj, Met |
Grumeth, Frank |
Gugleilm,
Peter |
Guidarini, John |
Gulick, Joseph |
Gwaltyeri,
Jalindy |
Hadovski, Steve |
Hainant, August |
Halko,
Mike |
Halofcak, Dan |
Harpka, Joseph |
Havlick,
George |
Hertzel, John |
Howard, Alfred |
Howard,
Samuel |
Hudar, John |
Hynds, William |
Jagodzinski,
Frank |
James, Frank |
Jamison, James |
Janavizza,
Joe |
Kanz, John |
Kenig, John |
Klaeser,
John |
Klemiar, George |
Klemiar, Richard |
Klemiar,
Thomas |
Kliklunas, Dominik |
Kometz, John |
Korvonia,
Antone |
Korvonia, Joseph |
Kovocivio, Frank |
Krall,
Alfred |
Krall, Henry |
Kroll, Alex S. |
Kussner,
Julius |
Kutz, Paul |
Lallie, Frank |
Lanzotti,
Batolomeo |
Leadache, Frank |
Leadache, James |
Leadache,
Jospeh |
Leptack, John |
Lewis, Issac |
Leyshon,
Charles |
Lindic, Jernel |
Lonzetti, Seicomo |
Lonzotti,
John |
Love, David |
Love, James |
Love,
John |
Love, Morrison |
Lukatchko, Andrew |
Lurnas,
Mike |
Maceoha, John |
Malinoski, Joe |
Mani,
Joseph |
Marchiona, Archie |
Marchiona, Frank |
Marchioni,
Gioanni |
Masenetta, Anton |
Matear (Mactear), William |
Mayelemis,
Frank |
Mayersky, John |
Mazak, John |
Mazentto,
John |
McCandless, Robert |
McCrudden, John |
McCrudden,
Peter |
McFadden, Andrew |
McGill, John Jr. |
McLuckie,
Andrew |
McMullen, George |
Meicora, Joseph |
Mekles,
Tonys |
Merdior, Arthur |
Mezzanatto, Antonio |
Miller
or Malner, Joseph |
Miller or Malner, Lewis |
Miller, Edward |
Mills,
Arthur |
Mills, Edward |
Mittle, John |
Mohahan,
James R. |
Mokos, Joseph |
Mumetich, Hasan |
Norberg, Alex |
Norberg, August |
Olson, Charles P. |
Ondurko,
Matt |
Ossek, Donaty |
Ossek, Martin |
Paco,
Andrew |
Palmiori, Albert |
Papea, Charles |
Pardetti,
Giovanni |
Passenger, Joseph |
Pauline, Antona |
Pavlick,
George |
Pavoloski, John |
Pearson, Alex |
Pearson,
John |
Podbregar, Peter |
Perono, Dominick |
Pete,
Ben |
Pomgener, John |
Prich, Joseph |
Prusitus,
Perya |
Prusitus, Peter |
Pshak, John |
Raven,
Peter |
Raviso, Joe |
Repsel, Joseph |
Repsel,
Martin |
Ricca, Cegu |
Richards, Thomas |
Rimkius,
Joseph |
Rittel, Frank |
Riva, Joseph |
Robeza,
Joseph |
Rodonis, Joseph |
Rolland, Victor |
Rossman,
Robert |
Ruggesie, Gailamyo |
Ruygiesi, Frank |
Sandeen,
Olaf |
Sarbelle, Julius |
Sarginto, August |
Scotland,
William |
Seepe (Unknown) |
Seitz, Edward |
Seitz,
Paul |
Semboa (Sereba), J. |
Sestak, John |
Settler,
Harry |
Shemia, John |
Shermel, Antone |
Siamon,
Andrew |
Smith, John W. |
Sopko, Cantina |
Speir,
James |
Stam, Antone |
Stanchez, Frank |
Stark,
John |
Staszeski, Tony |
Steele, Peter |
Stefenelli,
Dominick |
Sterns, James H. |
Stewart, Harry |
Sublich,
Charles |
Suffen, John |
Suhe, John |
Suhe,
Mike |
Sukitus, Joseph |
Szarbrinski, John (John
Smith) |
Talioli,
Eugene |
Tamarri, Pasquale |
Tamashanski, Joseph |
Teszone,
George |
Timko, Andrew |
Timko, Joseph, Jr. |
Timko,
Steve |
Timko, Joseph, Sr. |
Tonelli, Emilio |
Tonner,
John |
Tosseth, Frank |
Turchi, Nocenti |
Urban,
Leynaud |
Waite, Charles |
Walcainski, (Unknown) |
Welkas,
Anthony |
White, George |
Wyatt, William |
Yacober,
Frank |
Yagoginski, Frank |
Yannis, Peter |
Yerly,
Joseph |
Yurcheck, Antone |
Zacherria, Giatano |
Zeikel,
Pat |
Zekuia, Joseph |
Zliegley, Thomas |
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The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awarded silver medals to the families of the 13 heroes; Joseph Robeza, Jr. was one of the 13 who was burned in the fiery cage in the Cherry Mine Disaster. A letter dated October 7, 1999, from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission states that 620 silver medals were given by the Commission; metals now are of bronze only, and 8,321 have been presented to date. Signed by Walter F. Rukowski, Executive Director. |
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.