Trapped: The Story of the Cherry Mine Disaster

On November 13, 1909, a massive explosion ripped through the Cherry Mine in Cherry, Illinois, killing 259 miners and leaving their families shattered. This is their story.

Trapped: The Story of the Cherry Mine Disaster

by Karen Tintori

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	34059 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	261 pages

FREE

The Disaster

The Cherry Mine was a coal mine located in Cherry, Illinois. The mine was owned and operated by the St. Louis and O'Fallon Coal Company. On November 13, 1909, a massive explosion ripped through the mine, killing 259 miners. The explosion was caused by a buildup of methane gas, which ignited when a spark from a miner's lamp set it off. The explosion was so powerful that it destroyed the mine's entrance and trapped the miners inside. The miners were trapped for days, and many of them died from their injuries or from lack of oxygen. The disaster was one of the worst mining disasters in American history.

The Miners

The miners who worked at the Cherry Mine were mostly Italian immigrants. They were hard-working men who were trying to make a better life for their families. Many of the miners had wives and children, and their deaths left their families devastated. The miners were also members of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA),and the disaster led to a nationwide strike by the union. The strike eventually led to improved safety conditions in mines across the country.

The Aftermath

The Cherry Mine Disaster had a profound impact on the community of Cherry. The town was devastated by the loss of so many of its citizens. The disaster also led to a nationwide outcry for improved safety conditions in mines. In the years after the disaster, the UMWA and the federal government worked together to develop new safety regulations for mines. These regulations helped to prevent future disasters and saved the lives of countless miners.

The Legacy

The Cherry Mine Disaster is a tragedy that should never be forgotten. The disaster is a reminder of the dangers that miners face every day. It is also a reminder of the importance of safety regulations and the role that unions play in protecting workers' rights. The Cherry Mine Disaster Memorial Park was built in 1914 to honor the miners who died in the disaster. The park is a place where visitors can learn about the disaster and remember the miners who lost their lives.

The Cherry Mine Disaster was a tragedy that had a profound impact on the community of Cherry and the nation as a whole. The disaster led to improved safety conditions in mines and helped to protect the lives of countless miners. The disaster is a reminder of the dangers that miners face every day and the importance of safety regulations and unions.

Trapped: The Story of the Cherry Mine Disaster

by Karen Tintori

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	34059 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	261 pages

FREE