Imagine an entire community's population and livelihood devastated by a single event. That was what happened to the people in the small mining town of Harwick, Pennsylvania on the morning of January 25th, 1904. The mine was new, it had been only three years since its opening, and many thought it comparatively safe. An explosion occurred that morning from a blown-out shot that ignited gas and coal-dust throughout the Harwick Mine. This was able to happen due to a lack of air ventilation from a buildup of ice at the bottom of the airshaft. The mine foreman and fire boss were both posthumously charged with neglect. In addition, the Superintendent and State Mine Inspector responsible for the Harwick Mine were both arrested for murder.

Though the numbers fluctuated with each new report, it was eventually determined that 179 miners were killed that day. Every man who was at work in the mine at the time died, save one. Eighteen-year-old Adolph Gunia was working off the main shaft when he noticed the air became colder. Then there was a flash of light and when he woke up, he cried for help until rescuers came. Besides saving Gunia, rescuers, arriving from neighboring mines, worked tirelessly to little effect over the next two days. Two of those men, Selwyn M. Taylor and Daniel Lysle, died in the effort to bring the dead up from the pit. A suffocating gas caused by the explosion overcame both men.

The heroism shown by Taylor and Lysle inspired Pittsburgh steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie to establish a 5 million dollar trust to benefit the dependents of those who are injured or killed in rescue work. Though the Harwick Mine closed in 1970, the spirit of civic heroism lives on recognized because of this infamous disaster.

Narrative researched and written by University of West Florida Public History Graduate Student, Malina Suity. Photo courtesy of Andrew Suity.