The Scofield Mine disaster was a mining explosion that occurred at the Winter Quarters mine in 1900. The mine was located at near the town of Scofield, Utah. In terms of life lost it was the worst mining accident at that point in American history.[1]
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On May 1, 1900, a dust explosion in the Winter Quarters Mine killed at least 200 men, with some rescuers placing the death toll as high as 246.[1] Death came so quickly that some of the mineworkers were found still clutching their tools.
At 10:28 AM, coal dust accumulating in the Number 4 mine shaft exploded. The resulting afterdamp killed miners in both the Number 4 and Number 1 mine shafts, which were connected by a tunnel.
Many of the dead were laid to rest on May 5, 1900, during two large funerals. Every family in town of Scofield was affected.[2] The disaster left 107 widows and 268 fatherless children. In order to bury all of the dead, 75 caskets had to be imported from Denver, Colorado, because only 125 caskets could be brought in from Salt Lake City.
At the time, the Winter Quarters Mine explosion was the country's worst mining disaster; it now ranks fifth. President William McKinley sent a wire, expressing "... my intense sorrow upon learning of the terrible calamity which has occurred at Scofield, and my deep sympathy with the wives, children and friends of the unfortunate victims of the explosion."
The disaster led to a strike the following year and to calls for better safety in coal mines and better treatment of mine workers.[1]
One man, one of six Evans brothers working at the mine that day, went through the Abercarn horror in Wales in 1878, when 240 miners had been killed. He reported that "the scenes [at Abercarn] were tame compared with [Scofield]." Two of his brothers were killed. They were "professional musicians, and natives of Wales. They have taken prizes at all musical events in this locality." A local writer praised Richard T. Evans as "the sweetest singer in Israel."[3]
The Pleasant Valley Coal Company discontinued its operations in 1928. Other coal mines continue to operate in the area.[4]