The Cherry Mine Disaster

November 12, 2009 by Ken Ward Jr.

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A postcard shows the ruins of the fan building at the Cherry Mine.

One hundred years ago tomorrow, 259 coal miners were killed in a fire at the Cherry Mine in Cherry, Ill.

This was one of four major mining disasters that claimed the lives of more than 1,000 workers in a two-year period, and helped lead to creation of the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1910.

Karen Tintori wrote a book, Trapped: The 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster, about the tragedy, and Jeff Biggers wrote a piece this week for The Huffington Post about the disaster. There’s also been coverage in the regional media, including the Peoria Star and the Chicago Tribune.

5 Responses to “The Cherry Mine Disaster”

  1. rhmooney3 says:

    Nov. 13th 1909, disaster at Cherry IL. Coal mine.
    In remembrance to the 259 miner’s who lost their lives I have assembled this video. (November 2006)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ7HSCuelBw
    (6:27 minutes)

    http://guitarjourney.tripod.com/cherrycoalminedisaster/

  2. Casey says:

    Sad and interesting history. I have read and studied mining disasters but the Cherry tragedy had escaped me. Mooney, links were excellent. Other disasters here:
    http://www.usmra.com/saxsewell/historical.htm

  3. rhmooney3 says:

    A Coal Miner’s Story — Mike Babcanik’s Week Trapped Underground (1914)
    http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8698

  4. Phil Smith says:

    Great and moving video. Thanks for putting it together.

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