On this day in Labor History the year was 1902.
A powerful gas and dust explosion occurred in the Rolling Mill Mine in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Johnstown was rich in coal resources.
The coal industry in Cambria County gradually grew thanks to the rise of the industry in the region.
The first large-scale mining in Cambria County occurred in 1856, when the newly formed Cambria Iron Company opened the Rolling Mill Mine.
Most of the miners who were killed were recent immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe. One hundred and ten miners were killed in the explosion.
The explosion was caused by “Firedamp,” a term used by miners to mean a mixture of methane gas.
Miners working in one section of the mine were killed immediately.
While many other miners were killed by “Afterdamp,” an asphyxiating gas that spread through the mine as the miners tried to flee to the only other exit from the mine.
The mine reopened on July 14th.
However, the disaster devastated the immigrant community in Johnstown and prompted calls for investigations and greater mine safety measures.
The Rolling Mill Mine continued operating until 1931.
In the mine’s latter years, it was part of the Bethlehem Mines Corporation.
The Rolling Mill Mine disaster still ranks as one of the deadliest mining accidents in the history of mining in this country.
There are still mine disasters to this day.
In March 2015, there was a deadly mine collapse at the Murray Energy coal mine in Marshall County, West Virginia. Thus we remember that All workers deserve to work in a safe environment.
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Labor History in 2:00 brought to you by the Illinois Labor History Society and The Rick Smith Show