Red Lodge, MT Rocky Fork Mine Fire, Jun 1906

Eight Are Killed In Mine

Serious Accident Near Red Lodge, Montana.

White Damp Fills Corridors After Fire, Carrying Death to Workers and Rescuers.

Anaconda, Mont. – One of the most serious accidents in the history of coal mining in Montana has occurred in the mines of the Northern Pacific at Rocky Fork, near Red Lodge, Carbon county.

Eight men are dead, all victims of the deadly white damp that filled the corridors of the mine after the fire which started Wednesday. Their bodies have been recovered, but the story of the work of rescue parties is a tale of unexcelled bravery and heroic self-sacrifice.

Of the dead, two were members of one of the parties that entered the mine in the effort to reach the men known to be there.

The dead: TERRANCE FLEMING, WILLIAM BAILEY, MIKE GABRIAGE, THOMAS SKELLEY, AL MCFATE, MATT REIKKA, ROY CAREY, JOE BRACEY. CAREY and BRACEY were of the rescue party.

As Bailey’s body was brought up his aged mother, who was at the pit (?) mouth, dropped dead from the shock.

J. RALYARD (?) and Thomas ATHERTON were taken out alive, but are in a critical condition.

The fire which caused the trouble started in incline No. 6 Wednesday. This was believed to be under control, after along (sic), hard fight. At 7:30 Thursday morning the rescue party started down No. 6 incline, proceeding cautiously, as it was found that there were still traces of the fire. When they reached a depth of 1,200 feet all were overcome. Seven managed to struggle back to where they could be reached.

The Grand Rapids Tribune, Grand Rapids, WI 13 Jun 1906
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Transcribed by Rosemarie. Thank you, Rosemarie!