A Review

By Susan Kushner Resnick on March 8, 2010 9:36 AM | | Comments (0)
On the Bookshelf
Goodbye Wifes and Daughters
Book chronicles the lives of those left behind 
after Montana's worst coal mine disaster
By: Barbara Theroux
Fact & Fiction 
for Headwaters News
Feb. 25, 2010

Nobody ever took responsibility for the Bearcreek disaster, and the families didn't get any compensation for their pain. All those people died, and even more grieved, but it was as if they didn't matter. That sense outraged me more than anything else. All people matter. I hope this story will be a reminder of how much.

- From the introduction of Susan Kushner Resnick's 
"Goodbye Wifes and Daughters

On Saturday, February 27, 1943, nearly 80 men descended into the Smith coal mine in Bearcreek , Montana. Only three came out alive. "Goodbye wifes and daughters . . ." wrote two of the miners as they died.

As I started reading Resnick's book I kept asking one question--Why am I not familiar with this disaster? And wondering one thought---Why does this kind of disaster keep happening?

The story of that tragic day and its aftermath unfolds in this book through the eyes of those wives and daughters--women who lost their husbands, fathers, and sons, livelihoods, neighbors and homes. The tragedy at Smith Mine became Montana 's worst coal mine disaster, sparking investigations at the state and national level.

Susan Kushner Resnick felt the fascination of how the surviving women managed to continue after facing such loss; the need to share their heroic stories; the anger at those who let it happen; and the hope the someday history would stop repeating itself.

She chronicles the missteps and questionable ethics of the mine's managers; the efforts of an earnest federal mine inspector and the mine union's president, who tried in vain to make the mine safer; and the heroism of the men who battled for nine days to rescue the trapped miners.

In the 1920's, Bearcreek, Montana was new. It was wild, with 11 saloons and not one church. It was like all mining towns or coal camps with brothels, fistfights and rollicking parties.

At the time of the disaster, Bearcreek had grown but it was not a company town. The firm that owned the Smith Mine, Montana Coal and Iron, did not rule the community.

The residents of Bearcreek were free to shop and sleep where they wanted. There were two hotels, rows of profitable businesses, a hospital and a bank. During its glory days almost two thousand people lived in Bearcreek. But the 1943 disaster destroyed a community---it killed 75 men, leaving 58 widows and 125 fatherless children.

"When a man in a small town dies, the community usually rallies around his wife and children. The women bring cakes and hot casseroles, wipe the kitchen counters, and make sure the mourners try to get some sleep. The men do their best to fill in for the departed, offering to fix loose screen doors or mow the overgrown lawns come spring. But when everyone in the community is grief-stricken, there is no one to hold up the weak, no one to distract them from their emptiness and take care of the details."

Resnick sets the time and the scene. It was war time and getting coal out of the ground was the priority, not clean air or the health of the miners. The week of the disaster, people were waiting to register for the newest ration books.

An article in the Billings Gazette about the Bearcreek High School's basketball success, began by describing the all-American spirit of the mining town.

The table of contents of Resnick's book reads like an outline, with precise topics including: The Romance, The Inspection, The Teenagers, The Panic, The Wait, The Grief, The Blame, The Survivors. Many of the chapter's first lines set the mood:

"She should have thrown salt over her shoulder."

"Gerard Arnold had never seen such a dangerous mine."

"It's hard to think about boys when you're trying to write a newspaper article."

"Everybody would remember the weather."

With the background in place, the history unfolds. In November 1942, Gerald Arnold, the federal mine inspector, came to perform a long overdue inspection on the Smith Mine. 

The Smith was the first mine in the state to be inspected because it was the gassiest---more methane than normal seeped out of the coal. Arnold met with W.R. Freeman and his younger brother James---W.R. was the face of Montana Coal and Iron, James was the general manager.

"There is simply too much gas in this mine, he told them. Further, they would have to get rid of everything that could ignite it, especially the cigarettes and the open lights. They'd have to start searching the men to make sure they weren't sneaking in cigarettes. And they'd have to order closed lights for every miner. Sure, that might take some time, given all the war-related red tape, so while they waited, the foremen would have to examine every place men wearing fire on theirforeheads worked, several times a day, to make sure the rooms were gas free. The foremen would have to start carrying safety lamps with them constantly, and signing daily gas reports, to prove that someone in charge was paying attention to the fluctuations.

James Freeman didn't like what he was hearing. This guy made it sound as is his mine was a disaster waiting to happen."

Copies of Arnold's report were sent to Ed Davies, the state mine inspector, as well as to Tony Boyle, the district president of the United Mine Workers of America, and the report was to be posted at the mine for all the workers to see.

One month before the disaster, Davies visited the mine. But everyone knew the inspector was coming so they spent the days before his visit clearing out the gas and making the mine appear safe. Davies saw no reason to have the State Industrial Accident Board shut the mine. The board issued a safety inspection certificate on February 23, 1943--just four days before the disaster.

Another warning came from Dr John Oleinik who had been treating more and more miners with symptoms of gas inhalation. He analyzed blood samples and found carbon monoxide levels of 27.5 percent, some even as high as 37 percent.

In addition to the gas safety concerns, the last mine rescue training had been in 1930 and the company barely had any rescue equipment .

"Arnold had noted during the inspection that four blankets, two stretchers, and some dressing materials were they only first-aid supplies in the mine. The company kept five self-contained oxygen packs in a supply house, but they hadn't been used or maintained in years. They kept two gas masks at the mine, but the canisters that made them useful were damaged."

After the disaster, the people of Bearcreek embarked on surviving. Children went back to school, starting on a Saturday to make up for the days lost. The high schoolers had a free day, but that Saturday was to have been the day of the Senior ball. There were no decorations in the gym, no dancing, no wearing of the prom dresses. The ball had been cancelled due to sorrow.

Social Security officers were doing all they could to help the women win their benefits as quickly as possible. The federal War Manpower Commission was encouraging women with children older than 14 to get a job. Patriotism could not supply a paycheck; could not pay for college; could not keep people in Bearcreek.

In April, an inquest was held to determine how the men died and whether anyone was responsible for their deaths. During questioning it was revealed that the mine was indeed gassy, that many had known that fact and that the mining practices were unsafe.

After six hours the nine jurors concluded the men "met their deaths due to concussion and to gas poisoning caused by gas and dust explosion" and recommended new state mining laws, but did not charge anyone with a crime.

The governor also appointed a committee to investigate. Their report attacked the mine operators, the state inspector and the state itself, but again, no blame was given to Montana Coal and Iron.

Not one of the women widowed by the Smith Mine disaster ever received compensation from the company. The Smith closed for good two years later due to financial strain.

Barbara Theroux is the manager of Fact & Fiction, now part of theBookstore at the University of Montana.

The Victims

By Susan Kushner Resnick on March 4, 2010 11:59 PM | | Comments (0)
Several people have asked to see a complete list of all the Smith Mine victims. It was left out of the book, but that should be remedied in the paperback.

In Remembrance
Smith Mine Disaster Victims
February 27, 1943

"They took, willingly, the daily risk which accompanies the occupation of mine working in order that they might provide the wherewithals of life to their loved ones."
Rev. A.W. Seebart, Memorial Service, March, 1943 

Sam Alexander, 57, Bearcreek. Born Stevenston, Scotland on Nov. 24, 1885. Married Agnus Pearson at Red Lodge in 1908. Was survived by his widow, 1 son, 1 daughter, 3 grandchildren. Buried Bearcreek Cemetery.

James Allison, 51, Red Lodge. Born in Red Lodge Jan 27, 1892. Son of James and Agnus Allison. Lived entire life in Carbon County. Married Rose Skupa, Feb. 17, 1919. Survived by his widow, 1 son, 2 daughters, 1 grandchild, 1 brother, 3 sisters. Buried Robinson (Clear Creek) Cemetery.

Emil Anderson, 40, Washoe. Born in Red Lodge Aug. 2, 1902, son of Mr. And Mrs. Leander Anderson. Attended Red Lodge schools, moved to Washoe in 1915. Started work in Bearcreek coal mines in 1916, at age 14. Married Agnes McBride at Red Lodge, Jan. 27, 1922. Survived by 3 children, 3 brothers, 1 sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William C. Appleton, Sr., 50, Washoe. Born Prescott, Lancaster England Aug. 22, 1892. Married Annie McDonald Tweedie at Maidstone, Kent England, April 13, 1915. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 2 daughters, sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Sam Barovich, 56, Bearcreek. Born in Yugoslavia. Obituary not found. Bearcreek Cemetery.

William F. Barry, 26, Red Lodge. Born Sandpoint, Idaho, May 26, 1916. Married Virginia Price Sept. 5, 1940 at Red Lodge. Began working at Smith Mine Jan. 2, 1943. Survived by his widow and his mother. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Beeney, 55, Bearcreek. Born Newcastle, county of Durham, England Sept. 6, 1888. Came to Bearcreek in 1907, worked in mines since. Married Mary Hamilton Dec. 24, 1914. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 3 grandchildren, 1 brother in England, 2 sisters (1 in England). Red Lodge Cemetery.

Jules Besinque, 51, Bearcreek. Born Scammon, Kansas, July 11, 1891. Came to Bearcreek in 1918. Was the mayor of Bearcreek for a time, managed meat department in Bearcreek store. Returned to mines in 1923. Moved to Billings in 1930. Survived by his widow Elizabeth Tassin Besinque, 2 sons, 1 daughter. Buried at Billings.

John Bone, 60, Bearcreek. Born in Scotland. Obituary not found. Bearcreek Cemetery. 

Leland Cline, 26, Red Lodge. Born Nov. 23, 1917 in Miles City. Graduated Billings schools, helped father on farm 3 miles west of Boyd. Married Verna Warila of Roberts on Aug. 26, 1940. Had only recently gone to work for Montana Coal and Iron. Survived by his widow, parents Mr. And Mrs. Joe Cline, daughter, 3 sisters, 4 brothers, grandmother. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Donald J. Davis, 42, Red Lodge. Born Swanse, Wales Dec. 19, 1901. Came to U.S. in 1903. Father Thomas Davis was killed in mine cave-in near Livingston in 1905. Moved to Red Lodge with his mother Margaret Pollock and stepfather in 1907. Began work at Smith Mine in Aug., 1942. Survived by 2 sisters, 1 brother. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William DeBourg, 55, Red Lodge. Born Sillingbyn, Langsrud, Varmland Sweden, Feb. 3, 1888. Son of Christine Larson and John Jacob DeBourg. Came to U.S. in 1908. Was blacksmith and mechanic. Married Lena Sconfienza Mar. 27, 1927. Survived by his widow, 1 sister, 1 brother. Red Lodge Cemetery.

August Deruelle, 62, Bearcreek. Born in France. No obituary found. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Pat Doran, 38, Red Lodge. Born in Red Lodge. Wife's name Minnie. No obituary found. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Marcel Fages, 40, Bearcreek. Born Lieven France on Jan. 12, 1903. Lived in Bearcreek 22 years, was a barber in Bearcreek. Survived by his wife Mary, 1 son, his mother, 1 sister. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Joe Ferro, 51, Red Lodge. Born in Italy. Was single. Believed to have been an orphan. No obituary found. Red Lodge Cemetery.

John Germanetti, 60, Red Lodge. Born Borgo-Franco, Italy on Jan. 1, 1883. Came to U.S. in 1908. Married Josephine Pistano. Lived in Red Lodge, worked in Smith Mine 11 years. Survived by his widow, 1 daughter, a brother and a sister in Italy. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Peter Charles Giovetti, 39, Bearcreek. Born Italy, May 12, 1903. Came to U.S. at 4 months, to Red Lodge in 1914, to Bearcreek in 1939. Married Lottie Spear Nov. 16, 1923 at Red Lodge. Survived by his widow, 2 daughters, 2 sons, his mother Mrs. Dominic Giovetti, 2 sisters, 1 brother. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Matt Hallila, 57, Red Lodge. Born Finland, Jan. 1, 1886. Came to America in 1906, and to Red Lodge in 1942. Married Mrs. Ellen Nyback in 1942. Survived by his widow, 1 daughter, 4 stepsons. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Arthur Halpin, 42, Red Lodge. No birthplace or birthdate listed. Resident of Red Lodge for many years. Operated a ranch, worked in mines during busy mining time. Brother-in-law William Pelo also killed in Smith Mine disaster. Survived by his wife Ada Halpin, 2 sons, father M.F. Halpin, 2 brothers, paternal grandmother Matilda J. Halpin. Red Lodge Cemetery.

A.D. Dewey Hardy, 46, Red Lodge. Born in Oklahoma. Wife's name was Delena. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

James Hawthorne, 31, Bearcreek. Born Red Lodge Mar. 1, 1912. Moved to Bearcreek as a child, attended Bearcreek schools. Graduated Bearcreek High School 1930. Married Alice Rose Schwenneker May, 1939. Survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Alex Hawthorne, 1 son, 2 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.
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John Hodnik, 31, Bearcreek. Born Dec. 4, 1911. Graduated Washoe Grade School 1926. Graduated Bearcreek High School 1930. Various occupations, worked for Montana Coal & Iron 7 months. Married Helen Karina, May 21, 1940. Was part owner of Bear Creek Coal Mine. Survivors included his widow, mother, 3 brothers, 1 sister. Bearcreek Cemetery. 

Ahti Walter Joki, 30, Red Lodge. Born near Fox on Jan. 28, 1913. Attended school at Fox. Married Louise Henrietta Vanderloos Nov. 23, 1939. Survived by his wife, 1 daughter, his parents, 2 sisters, 4 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Wayne Jones, 31, Red Lodge. Born in Idaho. Wife's name Elma. No obituary available. Buried in Idaho.

Andrew Jorden, 21, Red Lodge. Born in Red Lodge. Single. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Mike Korinko, 33, Red Lodge. Born in Bridger. Wife's name Susie. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

John Krop, Sr., 59, Red Lodge. Born St. Ozbold, Yugoslavia on Dec. 7, 1883. Lived in U.S. 35 years, 25 in Red Lodge. Married Fannie Prenta in 1910. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 1 brother, 1 sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Louis Kuhar, 56, Bearcreek. Born in Austria. Wife's name Josephine. No obituary available. Buried at Billings.

Edward Kumpula, 35, Red Lodge. Born Stockett, Montana, July 4, 1907. Came to Red Lodge as small child. Married Esther Wilson at Columbus on April 24, 1939. Survived by his widow, 1 son, 1 brother. Buried Red Lodge.

Edward Laird, 55, Washoe. Born in Scotland. Wife's name Ruby. No obituary available. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Edward J. Laird, 49, Washoe. Born Armadele, Scotland Mar. 3, 1803. Came to Washoe 1911, worked in mines 22 years. Married to Mary C. Thorburn, Mar. 7, 1921. Survived by his widow, 2 daughters, 1 son, his mother Mrs. James Laird Sr., 3 sisters, 3 brothers. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Clem Lodge, 51, Washoe. Born Dickinson, North Dakota on Aug. 12, 1891. Came to Red Lodge in 1897. Started working at Bridger Mine at age 13. Later moved to Washoe. Married Mary Laird on April 17, 1915 at Red Lodge. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, mother, 4 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.

John Madden, 53, Bearcreek. Born in Yugoslovia. Never married. Survived by 1 brother. Red Lodge Cemetery. 

Richard Mallon, 68, Red Lodge. Born Oct. 7, 1874 at South Stanrigg, Scotland. Came to Montana in 1893. Married Anne Jane McKee at Bozeman Nov. 22, 1897. Came to Red Lodge in 1908. He worked in the Red Lodge mine until it closed, then worked in the mines in Bearcreek region. Survivors included his wife, 4 daughters, 1 son, 6 sisters, 6 grandchildren. Buried in Bozeman. 

Ignac Marinchek, 57, Bearcreek. Born Zazorjc, St. Peter, Yugoslavia, July 1, 1885. Came to Bearcreek in 1909. Worked in grocery store and in mines. Survivors included his widow, 2 daughters, brother, grandson. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Abraham McDonald, 59, Washoe. Born Haywood Scotland on Oct. 19, 1883 to Mr. And Mrs. John McDonald. Came to Washoe from Ohio in 1913. Survived by his widow Mrs. Jemimia Laffea McDonald, 2 daughters, 1 son. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Joseph McDonald, 42, Washoe. Born in Ohio. Wife's name Anna. No obituary found. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Robert Logan McDonald, 42, Red Lodge. Born in Red Lodge on Feb. 16, 1901, son of Wilhema and Sam McDonald. Married Nell Ferry in 1924. Lived in Red Lodge until 1936, then in Red Lodge. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 2 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.

James McNeish, 60, Washoe. Born Scotland. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.
John Meiklejohn, 63. Born Oakley, Fefeshire, Scotland Mar. 21,1889. Married Margaret Strang, Apr. 16, 1916. She died in 1932. Survived by 1 daughter. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Herman Mejean, 19, Red Lodge. Born in Bearcreek. No obituary available. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Joe Meyer, Jr., 39, Bearcreek. Born Pueblo, Colorado Feb. 27, 1904. Came to Montana at age 9. Worked in mines since age 14. A brother, Ludwig, was killed in Brophy Mine in 1941. Married Josephine Ann Faygel at Roundup on June 29, 1929. Survived by his widow, parents Mr. and Mrs. Joe Meyer Sr., 2 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Frank Mourich, 42, Bearcreek. Born Dec. 3, 1900 in Austria. Came to America in 1903. Began working for Montana Coal & Iron at age 15. Married Lula Marie Knuttila. Survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mourich, his widow, 1 son, 1 daughter, 1 brother. Brother Jack also died in Smith Mine disaster. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Jack Phillip Mourich, 35, Bearcreek. Born Feb. 28, 1907 in Bearcreek. Married Jean D. Alexander in Red Lodge. Survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mourich, his widow, 2 sons, 1 brother. Brother Frank also died in Smith Mine disaster. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Wilbur John Muller, 22, Red Lodge. Born Sheridan, Wyoming Mar. 10, 1920 to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Muller. Came to Red Lodge when six weeks old. Married Miss Dorothy Sneider at Columbus July 19, 1940. Survived by his widow and parents, 1 daughter, 2 brothers, 1 sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

David Murray, Sr., 56, Bearcreek. Born Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland Dec. 2, 1886. Came to America in 1906. Was a miner for a time in Red Lodge, had been a miner in Bearcreek for 29 years. He held a supervisory position with Montana Coal & Iron. Married in 1907 to Martha Dunlevy. Survivors were his widow, 3 sons, 1 daughter. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Earl Mus, 51, Red Lodge. Born Thurber, Texas, Nov. 9, 1892. Married Mary Hendericson. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 2 daughters, 3 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Nelson, 68, Red Lodge. Born Lennep, Montana. Wife's name was Ella. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Noble, 68, Washoe. Born Feb. 2, 1874 in Vitrona, Iowa. Married Loretta Sullivan at Great Falls in 1907. Came to Washoe 1913. Also lived in Bearcreek. Worked at Smith Mine for 22 years. Also operated a pool hall with brother Chester in 1910 in Red Lodge and later in Washoe. Survived by his widow, 3 daughters, 1 son, 9 grandchildren. Bearcreek Cemetery. 

Frank Pajnich, 53, Red Lodge. Born in Yugoslavia. Wife's name Mary. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Pelo, 55, Red Lodge. Born in Michigan. Worked on ranch as main occupation, worked in mines in busy mine season. Brother-in-law Arthur Halpin also died in Smith Mine disaster. Survived by father Matt Pelo, his widow Bertha Pelo, 3 sons, 2 brothers, 1 sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Elmer Price, 53, Washoe. Born Kirkville, Iowa (some accounts say Missouri) on Nov. 6, 1889. Carbon County resident 37 years, lived in Bearcreek and more recently Red Lodge. Married Margaret Rae July 23, 1910. Was foreman in Smith Mine at time of explosion and was last body to be found. Survived by his widow, 2 daughters, 3 sons, mother Mrs. Richard (Anne) John Price, 7 brothers, 3 grandchildren. Red Lodge Cemetery. 

William Pryde, 32, Bearcreek. Born Bearcreek, May 21, 1910. Attended Bearcreek schools. Married Vera Jacklavich on Nov. 14, 1936. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, mother, 1 sister. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Zino (Eino Walfred) Rahkola, 27, Roberts. Born in Roberts. No obituary found. Buried Roberts Cemetery.

Frank Ferdinand Rasborschek, 61, Bearcreek. Born in Yugoslavia. Wife died prior. No obituary found. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Martin Ratkovich, 46, Bearcreek. Born Yugoslavia. Was unmarried. No obituary found. Bearcreek Cemetery.

David Reid, 33, Bearcreek. Born Byesville, Ohio. Wife was Irene Berta. No obituary found. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Lawrence W. Reid, 42, Bearcreek. Born Cambridge, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1901. Came to Bearcreek at age 1. Married Mary McDonald Dec. 25, 1929. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 3 brothers, 4 sisters. Bearcreek Cemetery.

George Saarela, 33, Red Lodge. Born Ii Qulien Laani, Finland, June 10, 1909. Came to U.S. at age 4. Survived by his father Andrew Saarela and 1 sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Shepard, 69, Washoe. Born Watage, Illinois, Aug. 7, 1873. Worked in mines since age nine. Came to Montana in 1897. Married Mary Jane Freeman at Red Lodge on Dec. 22, 1898. In 1897 homesteaded land near what is now Boyd. From 1912 to 1920 he farmed near Roberts and Belfry. Worked in supervisory positions in mining during his life. Survivors included his wife, 2 daughters, 1 son, 6 sisters. His only brother was killed in a coal mine accident in Iowa in 1910. Red Lodge Cemetery. 

William Slaby, 38, Red Lodge. Born Germany, July 30, 1904. Married Olga Scala in Billings Aug. 26, 1925. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, mother Mrs. Mary Slaby, 3 sisters, 2 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

David Sommerville, 60, Washoe. Born in Scotland. Wife's name was Jean. No obituary found. Red Lodge Cemetery.

John Sommerville, 34, Red Lodge. Born in Ohio. Wife's name was Grace. No obituary found. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Frank Starkovich, 64, Red Lodge. Born in Croatia. Wife's name was Francis. One son known, John. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Frank Sumicek, 65, Bearcreek. Born Austria Sept. 22, 1877. Came to U.S. (Bridger) in 1916, moved to Bearcreek in 1922. One daughter, 1 son, 4 grandchildren.

John Sudar, 28, Red Lodge. Born Rugby, Colorado on May 3, 1914. Came to Bearcreek at age 3. Attended Bearcreek schools. Started at Smith Mine at age 17. Married Ann Korack on Aug. 5, 1935 in Red Lodge. Survived by his mother, 1 daughter, 1 sister, 2 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

George Thompson, Sr., 65, Washoe. Born in Scotland on Sept. 24, 1877. Came to Washoe in 1907. Married Susan Tharthen in Scotland. Survived by his widow, 3 sons, 4 daughters, 1 brother, 1 sister. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Adam Lee Wakenshaw, 72, Bearcreek. Born Swalwell, county Dublin, England Feb. 17, 1871. Was oldest man killed in the explosion. His son, Robert, also died in the tragedy. Adam was survived by his widow Margaret Wakenshaw of Boyd, 2 grandchildren. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Robert Lee Wakenshaw, 39, Bearcreek. Born in Helena on June 16, 1903. Lived in Bearcreek most of his life, attended Bearcreek schools. Survived by his widow Mary Wakenshaw, a daughter, a son, and his mother Margaret. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Robert Whitehead, 47, Red Lodge. Born North Lawrence, Ohio on Aug. 11, 1895. Came to Red Lodge in April, 1907. Worked at Smith mine from 1937. Married Margaret Walsh Dec. 31, 1940. Survived by his widow, parents Mr. and Mrs. Adam Whitehead, 3 sisters, 2 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Clarence Carlye Williams, 42, Washoe. Born in Belt, Dec. 24, 1900. Came to Red Lodge at age 7. Married Mary Campbell Dec. 25, 1923. Brother Lloyd was also killed in Smith Mine disaster. Survived by his widow, 1 daughter, 1 sister, 3 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Lloyd Abraham Williams, 46, Washoe. Born in Belt Sept. 30, 1897. Came to Red Lodge in 1907. Married Florence Bloom Jan. 1, 1922. Brother Clarence also killed in Smith Mine disaster. Survived by his widow, 2 daughters, 1 sister, 3 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Vid Zaputil, 50, Red Lodge. Born in Yugoslavia June 15, 1892. Moved to Red Lodge July 7, 1916. Married Mary Yakovich Dec. 29, 1918. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 1 brother. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Note: most of the above information was taken from obituaries found in the Carbon County News at the time of the disaster, as it was submitted by survivors at that time.

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My Scratch and Sniff Literary Influence

By Susan Kushner Resnick on January 18, 2010 9:11 PM | | Comments (1)
People are always asking writers about their influences. Well, not me, but famous writers. And it's a good thing nobody's asked me, because before today I wouldn't have been able to point to a specific influennce. I've never had a mentor (just a few editors I've admired over the years), I certainly didn't have any teachers guiding me during high school, and my parents were science people, not literature people. But as I've worked to promote Goodbye Wifes and Daughters, I've realized I do have an influence after all. But it's not a person.

I became a writer because of a store. Specifically, the New England Mobile Bookstore in Newton, Massachusetts. Except I didn't know that was its name until I was an adult. As a kid, it was just "Louis Strymish's," a giant industrial-type building with a somewhat creepy side door that opened onto the literary equivalent of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. It was vast and full of books. That's all. Just books. And it smelled just as good to me as a candy store might to a normal kid: ink and paper mixed with some unnameable scent (distilled creativity, perhaps?) that made me want to inhale deeply through my nostrils again and again. About twice a year, my Rhode Island-based family would drive ALL THE WAY to Massachusetts to to go Louie's. (This was probably combined with a trip to see the Boston relatives, who didn't actually live in Boston, another misconception I held until adulthood.) I grew up thinking that Louie, who I remember as very gruff-voiced, was a family friend, which made his store seem even cooler. But I don't think he was. Once inside, my parents would just let me go. I would walk up and down the many long, narrow aisles grabbing every paperback that appealed to me, then sit on the cement floor in the kids' section and read the backs. They weren't necessarily classics, just paperbacks that looked good. Summer of My German Soldier. Adopted Jane. All of a Kind Family. I'd collect a giant pile of novels, and my parents, who weren't the type to give me everything I wanted, would buy all of them. 
I'd start reading as soon as I got into the car, often laying on my stomach in the way back. But it wasn't just the authors who inspired me. It was that store, big and quiet like a plain, where I was free enough to figure out who I was supposed to be. 

I still go to that warehouse, which I now call by its bulky real name, and it's still one of my favorite places to buy books, but it's not quite the same. I think that magic scent can only be detected by children.


The Tour begins (soon)

By Susan Kushner Resnick on January 11, 2010 12:03 PM | | Comments (5)
My self-designed, self-scheduled, self-financed book tour will officially begin on Feb. 24th at about 6:30 in the morning, Montana time. I'll be on Today in Montana, the NBC lead in show to the big Today Show on KULR-8. Then I'll drive down to Wyoming for the evening to speak at Northwest College. The next night, Feb. 25th, is the official launch at the Carbon County Historical Museum. The following week brings appearances at Fact and Fiction, a really cool Indie bookstore in Missoula, The Montana Historical Society Museum and the Montana Book Company, both in Helena. 

Family members will make up my entourage for the beginning part of the journey, but I'll be alone in Missoula and Helena. If you know any nice people in those towns who want to invite me for dinner, I won't say no. 

Once I've done all I can in Montana, I'll be booking gigs closer to home. Like West Virginia...
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The Goodbye Wifes and Daughters SOUNDTRACK (proposed and dreamed)

By Susan Kushner Resnick on December 22, 2009 10:32 AM | | Comments (2)
When I first started writing Goodbye Wifes and Daughters, I noticed that some of my favorite songs reflected the mood of the book eerily well. I began collecting them in a playlist and listening when I needed to recall the precise emotions that led me to need to tell this story. As I wrote, I continued to add songs.  If the book ever becomes as a movie, this would be its soundtrack.

I'd love to make CDs of these songs and give them out at book signings, but that would be copyright infringement, which my patent attorney of a husband frowns upon. So, I'll just list the songs here. I hope you'll BUY and listen to them on your own. Every one is beautiful.

1) Little Road by Cheryl Wheeler - "How can there be trouble in this world, with the color in these hills, the blue October sky and this little road that winds along the river?" Wheeler writes. Just as I imagine Bearcreek before all the trouble started with the November mine inspection. I also love this part: "I know - of course I know - that this is not the only picture...But the road keeps winding through the afternoon and it doesn't know the sorrow or an inkling of the shadow of the rage across the water, the hatred in the heart, it just wanders through this valley with the river by its side. As the light fades from the sky. The beautiful light fades from the sky." Which could easily refer to the war that was happening in Europe but hadn't touched Bearcreek much yet. On Defying Gravity.

2) They Can't Take That Away From Me by George and Ira Gershwin. "We may never, never meet again, on that bumpy road to love. But I'll always, always keep the memory of: the way you hold your knife, the way we danced 'til three, the way you changed my life - no, they can't take that away from me." I can picture my wives and their husbands dancing to this, at one of their many town-wide soirees, and the wives cherishing the memories of "the way you wear your hat" and "the way your smile just beams" after the disaster. On The Glory of Gershwin, recorded by Lisa Stansfield. 

3) Lullaby by The Dixie Chicks. "How long do you want to be loved? Is forever enough?" For the introduction of Virginia and her baby. On Taking the Long Way.

4) Under Pressure by Queen (and David Bowie). "Watching some good friend scream 'let me out'...can't we give ourselves one more chance? This is our last dance. This is ourselves under pressure." These lyrics are a bit literal, but the song fits with the section of the book during which everyone is desperately trying to save the men. I also like the line, "Turned away from it all like a blind man," which could describe members of mine management. On Classic Queen.

5) This Woman's Work by Kate Bush. "Pray God you can cope. I stand outside. This woman's work. Ooh, it's hard on the man. Now his part is over. Now starts the cry of the father. I know you have a little life in you yet, I know have a lot of strength left. I should be crying but I just can't let it show. I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking, of all the things I should have said but I never said, all the things we should have done though we never did... Oh darling make it go away... Give me these moments back. Give them back to me. Give me that little kiss. Give me your hand." What better way to describe the agony of the women waiting, stoically, outside the mine for their men to be rescued. The words fit so perfectly they're like stage direction. On The Sensual World.

6) You're Missing by Bruce Springsteen. "Shirts in the closet, shoes in the hall. Mama's in the kitchen, baby and all. Everything is everything. But you're missing. Coffee cup's on the counter, jacket's on the chair, paper's on the doorstep, but you're not there...Your house is waiting for you to walk in, but you're missing.You're missing, when I shut out the lights, you're missing, when I close my eyes, you're missing, when I see the sun rise. Children are asking if it's all right. Will you be in our arms tonight?" This song was written after 9/11, but the sentiment applies to the mothers and children of Montana all those years earlier. And the final lines, "Got dust on my shoes. Nothing but teardrops" is so enigmatic, yet so fitting for the Bearcreek story. On The Rising.

7) Keep Me In Your Heart by Warren Zevon. "Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath. Keep me in your heart for a while. If I leave you, it doesn't mean I love you any less...Sometimes when you're doing simple things around the house, maybe you'll think of me and smile... When the winter comes, keep the fires lit and I will be right next to you." If the miners could have written these lines on their goodbye notes, I think they would have. On The Wind.

8) God Is In The Roses by Rosanne Cash. "Every drop of rain that falls, falls for those who mourn. God is in the roses and the thorns. The sun is on the cemetery...There never was a place on earth that felt so much like home." A funeral song that includes this line: "I love you like a brother, a father and a son."  On Black Cadillac. 

9) Without You by Jonathan Larson. "Without you the ground thaws, the rain falls, the grass grows. Without you, the seeds root, the flowers bloom, the children play.The stars gleam, the poets dream, the eagles fly, without you. The earth turns, the sun burns, but I die without you." This is the montage song. I imagine playing over scenes showing the grief-stricken moving on with their lives as the winter turns the spring. They open windows. They hear kids laugh. They smell tree buds. But their souls aren't coming back to life quite as easily, yet.  "Life goes on but I'm gone cuz I die without you."  - On the Rent movie soundtrack. 

10) I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. "You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won't back down...Well I know what's right. I got just one life. In a world that keeps on pushing me around. But I stand my ground and I won't back down." This one's for the brave, feisty wives and daughters who refused to let the bad guys get away with it. On Anthology - Through the Years (and other Petty albums.)

11) Back on the Chain Gang by The Pretenders. This has always been one of my favorite songs about loss and the wonderful reprieve that love provides. "I found a picture of you. It hijacked my world that night. To a place in the past we've been cast out of. Now we're back in the fires. We're back on the train. Back on the chain gang...The powers that be force us to live like we do. Bring me to my knees when I see what they've done to you. And I'll die as I stand here today knowing that deep in my heart, they'll fall to ruin one day for making us part. I found a picture of you. Those were the happiest days of my life. Like a break in the battle was your part. In the wretched life of a lonely heart." On The Isle of View (live album) and others.

12) The World Unseen by Rosanne Cash. "Now that we must live apart, I have a lock of hair and one half of my heart...There are no gifts that will be found. Wrapped in winter, laid beneath the ground." The men were wrapped beneath the ground, in winter. This song makes me think of them and their loved ones. On Black Cadillac.

13) Mountain of Sorrow by Nanci Griffith. "You were here. Now you're gone. That's the only thing I know. And it's just one more sorrow to throw upon the heap. Mountain of sorrow, steep." As if they hadn't suffered enough. On Hearts in Mind.

14) Who Am I Foolin'? by Cheryl Wheeler. "I can go through the motions and sometimes I swear I'm ok. Sure, I miss you, but I've been really moving, really turning away. But just when I thought the heartache was gone, it's tapping me on the shoulder, saying who are you foolin'? Some things you just don't get over. I could write you a letter and I always do in my head. Just to tell you I'm better and this lonely didn't kill me, I guess." The survivors of the disaster moved on and built new lives. But nobody ever gets over something like what happened February 27, 1943. On Different Stripe.

And for the closing credits: either My City of Ruins by Bruce Springsteen ("Now there's tears on the pillow, Darling where we slept. You took my heart when you left. Without your sweet kiss my soul is lost my friend. Tell me how do I begin again? My city's in ruins.") OR Have Love Will Travel by Tom Petty ("And when all of this is over, should I lose you in the smoke, I want you to know you were the one. And let my love travel with you everywhere. Yeah, may my love travel with you always.")




Condolences

By Susan Kushner Resnick on December 3, 2009 6:13 PM | | Comments (0)
I was very sad to read today in the Carbon County News that Linda Planichek has died at the young age of 64. Linda was gracious and generous in helping me with research for my book. Not only did she put me in touch with important sources that she knew personally around Red Lodge, but she and her husband Frank sat with me over Mexican food for a long interview. Linda's connection to the mine disaster was through Frank. His uncles, Frank and Jack Mourich, were killed in the disaster. 

Linda was one of the people I was looking forward to seeing again when I return to Red Lodge to launch the book. I'm truly sorry I won't get to do so. I hope I adequately expressed my gratitude to her the last time we met.

My prayers go out to Frank and the rest of Linda's loved ones.


The Catalog is out

By Susan Kushner Resnick on November 29, 2009 4:40 PM | | Comments (0)
Yesterday I received the University of Nebraska Press Catalog that includes my book. It's the third entry - after the latest Nobel prize winner's book and a book on Teddy Roosevelt. Pretty nice company, huh? I was quite excited. Every little development makes the book seem more real. I cannot wait to hold the real thing in my hand. 

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Pre-order now!

By Susan Kushner Resnick on November 3, 2009 4:19 PM | | Comments (1)

Goodbye Wifes and Daughters is now available for pre-order online! You and everyone you've ever met can get it at the University of Nebraska Press website (www.nebraskapress.unl.edu), Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and Borders.com. The publication dates listed are different at each site, with most saying the book will be available in March. But I'm pretty sure it's coming out in January. At least that's what they've told me.

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Mine buildings get official designation

By Susan Kushner Resnick on October 12, 2009 10:45 AM | | Comments (0)
Congratulations to the Carbon County Historical Commission for getting the abandoned Smith mine buildings listed on the National Historic Register! Those buildings are what brought me to the story of the explosion in the first place. While staying at a Wyoming bed and breakfast called A Teton Tree House, the owner, Denny Becker, told me that when driving to Red Lodge, I should make sure to look at the mine buildings and the Bearcreek cemetery because of how moving they are. The only reason we took that particular route to Red Lodge instead of the famous Beartooth Highway was that the highway was closed, due to mudslides. Many of the miners, including Bud Wakenshaw, one of the men featured in my book, helped to build the Beartooth. I learned from Bud's son that the year of my visit was the first time the highway was ever closed during the summer. I like to think Bud had something to do with showing me his story: I'll ask Mother Nature to create this mudslide, which will close the highway I built, which will cause this journalist from New England to pass by the mine buildings, which will compell her to look into what happened and write a book about it. How else to explain my connection to this story?

The official book cover

By Susan Kushner Resnick on September 30, 2009 8:34 PM | | Comments (0)

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