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Show Energy Guide - February 2000 - 25 Disasters wreak havoc, leave survivors struggling to cope with tragic losses Coal production and energy related businesses continue to play a key role in the Carbon and Emery County economies. But the development of the coal mining industry in the two neighboring counties, along with its offspring businesses, did not come without considerable sacrifice on the part of the area's early miners and their families. New technology, equipment and mining procedures have vastly improved the working conditions in the coal industry and the underground safety practices over the last several decades. But despite the industry's monumental strides toward safer working conditions, coal mining is still classified as one of the nation's most dan- gerous occupations. During the first 25 years of the 20th century, the local coal industry experienced two major mining disasters that claimed the lives of more than 300 underground workers. Winter Quarters The town of Scofield planned to join Utah and an enthusiastic nation in celebrating Dewey Day to honor the "Hero of Manila" on May 1900. But the little coal mining community's May Day celebration never took place. At 10:25 that morning, the sound of a muffled explosion 1, came from the entrance to Winter Quarters' number two mine. The state's worst mining disaster had just occurred, and the town's most frightening nightmare had become a terrible reality. But it would be several days before the little community, Carbon County and the entire state of Utah realized the full impact of the explo- - Coffins fill all available space at a recreation hall in Scofield following the May Day 1900 disaster at Winter Quarters. The mining accident claimed the lives of 200 men and boys. Fatalities included fathers, sons, brothers and friends. The disaster im- - sion. The mining accident at Winter Quarters claimed the lives of 200 men and boys. The fatalities included fathers, sons, brothers and friends. pacted virtually every family in Scofield, leaving 105 widows and 270 fatherless children. The company had to post guards to prevent anguished people from rushing into the dangerous mine shafts and searching for loved ones. The disaster emotionally and financially impacted virtually every family residing in Scofield, leaving 105 widows and 270 fatherless children. The company had to post guards to prevent anguished people from rushing into the dangerous mine shafts, and the horror of the tragedy stunned the entire nation. (Continued on page 28) Canyon Fuel Company Proud to be part of a great Utah coal tradition of safety & productivity Skyline Mine Sufco Mine Dugout Canyon Mine Canyon Fuel Company LLC 6955 Union Park Center Suite 540 Midvale, Utah 84047 0 Telephone 801 Facsimile 801 569-470- 569-479- 9 |