The Darkest Hour: A Comprehensive Account of the Smith Mine Disaster of 1943

by Fay Kuhlman, Gary D Robson

Overview

On February 27, 1943, an explosion at Smith Mine #3 in Washoe, MT killed 74 men in the worst mining disaster in Montana's history. This is the story of the miners, the heroes in the rescue operation, and the communities that were brought close to extinction by the disaster.

Many reports have been made of the Smith Mine Disaster. It was an event that shocked the state of Montana with the worst tragedy in its long history of coal mining. The calamity had far-reaching effects on thousands, and repercussions on communities and towns which came close to bringing them to extinction. Because it was a vital portion of history, this work has been compiled from many sources to provide as comprehensive a record of that time as possible.

Originally written by Fay Kuhlman, former Mayor of Bearcreek, "The Darkest Hour" was edited and expanded by Gary Robson for the 60th anniversary of the disaster.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780965960946
Publisher:	Proseyr Publishing
Publication date:	10/22/2015
Edition description:	3rd ed.
Pages:	42
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.10(d)

About the Author

Gary D. Robson has written over two dozen books on subjects ranging from animal poop to accessibility technology for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. His hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles cover an even broader range of subjects. He owns a bookstore in Red Lodge, Montana, just a few miles from the scene of the Smith Mine Disaster.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the 3rd Edition
Foreword
The Disaster Site
Mining in the 1940's
The People of Bearcreek Valley
The Morning Was Serene
Even "Brownie" Was There
Premonition?
Number Three
First Came the Wind
The Power of the Explosion
The Influx of Help
Side by Side
Help For the Living
The Grim Night Caravans
The Remarkable Families
"Soldiers on the Home Front"
The Aftermath
Placing the Blame
The 74 Who Died
The Children Speak
Three Alive
Into Hell and Back
The Worst Coal Mining Disasters
Epilogue