oneness - Tennessee Luke

Transcription

When they first glimpsed “The New Colossus” - The Statue of Liberty
in New York Harbor - as described by Emma Lazarus, many immigrant’s
future in America looked brilliant. One Augusto Sargenti disembarked
after his long journey from northern Italy and proceeded to Cherry, Illinois
to toil in the coalmine. A few months later his wife Angiolina with their
two children Armando and Mario, too, looked upon The Lady with the
Lamp and the bright future ahead. The beacon dimmed when fire ripped
through the dark pit and extinguished Augusto’s life and nearly smothered
Angiolina’s. Through tears, frustration and deep grief, Angiolina finds the
strength to withstand this severe test. She gathers all her courage, survives,
and unexpectedly finds happiness and transcends the heartbreak. This book
is a “quick read” that you will want to experience again and share with
others who want to understand the challenges faced by one huddled family’s
yearning to enter America through the golden door.
ONENESS
DEAN AND LORENA (GALLETTI) COTTON
The Golden Door
ONENESS
Dean Cotton was born and raised
in Mendota, Illinois. Lorena (Galletti)
Cotton was born and raised in Naplate
(Ottawa), Illinois. Dean graduated in
1962 with a BSME degree from Bradley
University in Peoria, Illinois. He is
a Registered Professional Engineer in
Illinois and Indiana. Dean held a variety
of engineering and management positions
with Union Carbide and Caterpillar. He
retired from Caterpillar in 1999.
Lorena earned her cosmetology
license in 1958 and has worked in sales.
Dean and Lorena were married in 1958
and raised three children who also earned
advanced educations.
ANGIOLINA
THE 1909 CHERRY MINE
DISASTER
ONENESS
ANGIOLINA
THE 1909 CHERRY MINE
DISASTER
by
1663 LIBERTY DRIVE, SUITE 200
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA 47403
(800) 839-8640
www.authorhouse.com
© 2004 DEAN AND LORENA (GALLETTI) COTTON
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any
means without the written permission of the author.
First published by AuthorHouse 09/13/04
ISBN: 1-4184-7085-6 (e)
ISBN: 1-4184-7083-X (sc)
ISBN: 1-4184-7084-8 (dj)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2004096577
Printed in the United States of America
Bloomington, Indiana
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
All mine and associated mine related pictures unless specifically
identified were furnished by Edward E. Caldwell and the Bureau
County Historical Society
Front Cover
Angiolina holding Augusta
at Augusto’s funeral
April 13, 1909
Full picture is on page sixty-three
Lady in extreme lower left
(photo enhancement)
appears to be Angiolina
November 13, 1909
approaching the mine
No pictures of Augusto exist
v
[insert 3 Luciano.jpg]
[insert 4 Primo.jpg]
Luciano Galletti
1923
Primo Galletti
1929
Last picture taken in Italy
[insert 5 family.jpg]
1931
Front row: left to right
Alessio Galletti (17); Luciano Galletti (46); Angiolina Galletti
(46)
Baby Erina Galletti (2); Maria Galletti (12); Bruno Galletti (8)
Back row: left to right
Egidio Galletti (15); Augusta Sargenti (22); Mario Sargenti (25)
family farm in background
vii
Untitled
by Charity Blackmond
As I stand at the foot of this mountain
that I know I’m about to climb.
I look at the road behind me
that I have traveled in years of time.
I remember all the bumps and curves that the
Lord has passed my way,
And try to hold each lesson I’ve learned,
traveling through each day.
Thinking of each up and down, one thing stands in mind.
Loving embraces along the way
that I have managed to find.
I thank you all for giving me strength
and always finding my smile.
For all your words of wisdom, through each and every mile.
I can’t imagine my journey without you,
and all that you have shared.
Through many ways you’ve filled my life
with all your love and care.
As I hold my son within my arms,
I look towards the path that’s drawn,
And picture you all in my heart,
and set off for my new born dawn.
ix
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TRIBUTE..................................................................................... xiii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...........................................................xv
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... xvii
CHAPTER 1 ....................................................................................1
CHAPTER 2 ....................................................................................4
CHAPTER 3 ....................................................................................6
CHAPTER 4 ....................................................................................9
CHAPTER 5 ..................................................................................10
CHAPTER 6 ..................................................................................12
CHAPTER 7 ..................................................................................13
CHAPTER 8 ..................................................................................15
CHAPTER 9 ..................................................................................16
CHAPTER 10 ................................................................................18
CHAPTER 11 ................................................................................20
CHAPTER 12 ................................................................................21
CHAPTER 13 ................................................................................23
CHAPTER 14 ................................................................................24
CHAPTER 15 ................................................................................26
CHAPTER 16 ................................................................................29
xi
CHAPTER 17 ................................................................................31
CHAPTER 18 ................................................................................33
CHAPTER 19 ................................................................................35
CHAPTER 20 ................................................................................36
CHAPTER 21 ................................................................................39
CHAPTER 22 ................................................................................40
CHAPTER 23 ................................................................................42
CHAPTER 24 ................................................................................43
CHAPTER 25 ................................................................................45
CHAPTER 26 ................................................................................47
CHAPTER 27 ................................................................................48
PROLOGUE ..................................................................................50
PHOTOGRAPHS ..........................................................................52
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ............................................................69
SETTLE MANY CASES ......................................................69
TROUBLE AT CHERRY ......................................................75
RECOVER BODY OF CHERRY MINER ...........................78
VICTIMS of the CHERRY MINE DISASTER NOVEMBER
13, 1909 ....................................................................... 80
xii
TRIBUTE
I wish to pay tribute to my grandparents Luciano and
Angiolina Galletti. This is their story and has brought me
closer to a more understanding of their lives. My children
and grandchildren and future great-grandchildren and
future generations will now always know of their Italian
heritage. Even though I have never met my grandparents,
I feel as if I have always known them through this story.
They were truly a loving and devoted family.
This story could not have been told if not for my
husband Dean Cotton and the close relationship that he
had with my also loving father Primo Galletti. My father
and husband all through the years never had an argument.
My husband often commented that Primo always treated
him as a real son rather than as a son-in-law. My husband
always had the highest respect for my father. I assisted my
husband in writing this story, but in reality, he did all of
the research.
Augusto, Luciano and Angiolina would be
extremely proud of all their descendants.
Lorena (Galletti) Cotton
xiii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
With help from Historians Edward E. Caldwell and Ray Tutaj
Junior; Carol McGee of the Bureau County Genealogical Society;
Pam Lange of the Bureau County Historical Society; Bureau County
Court records; Ellis Island records; friends and relatives in Italy and
America, we were able to compile the actual dates of events. Rena
(Galletti) Riebe, David Galletti, Catia Galletti, Silvano Galletti,
Olga Muzzarelli and Camilla Pellegrini (great-great-granddaughter
of Augusto and Angiolina) also provided information for this book.
Everyone’s participation is truly appreciated. All genealogical
descendants from Angiolina have been identified. Also, a special
thanks to Eleanor A. Hannemann who edited this book.
xv
INTRODUCTION
In the late nineteenth century, much of Europe was caught up
in a drought. Besides this serious problem, Europe was still reeling
from an economy practically devastated by wars and unscrupulous
despots. No one country was left unscathed, and Italy was among
them.
Northern Italy, at the foot of the Apennine Mountains and
nestled in the Po River valley was also deeply affected. Landowners,
farmers, and unskilled laborers began to feel the pain of near
starvation and deprivation. Our family roots begin here.
It is through one Angiolina Chiodi/Sargenti/Galletti, my
grandmother, which heart-warming as well as heart-wrenching
reflections were passed on to me.
I recall vividly many of the details that encompassed the
years from about the 1880’s to the present day, as related by my
father Primo Galletti. The name Primo means “first” in Italian and
was appropriately given to Luciano and Angiolina’s first son. Some
of the quotable expressions are from conversations with my father;
find those in italics. I treasured these family recollections, and hoped
someday to write them down.
I had heard, over the years, the story about a perfumed
hankerchief that Angiolina slipped inside the trunk when my
grandfather came to America. The hankerchief story piqued my
curiosity to know more about my Italian heritage and my relatives
in Italy. Questioning my father, before he died, I learned more of my
grandmother and others of my Italian family who faced incredible
xvii
sadness and unspeakable joy during their lifetime. Angiolina came
alive, as did the others mentioned in this epic. A moment was at
hand and the story unfolded.
Dean Cotton, my husband, and I had often spoken to each
other of our family tree, our genes, and our heritage. Dean recalled
hearing many of Primo’s memories of Primo’s mother Angiolina,
and of his father, Luciano Galletti. Dean valued his father-in-law’s
willingness to share the Italian/American legacy.
Among the recollections, besides family experiences, were
the tragic episodes that surrounded the events before, during and after
what was to be notable as the Cherry Mine Disaster in November of
1909. “Your grandfather Luciano was one of the last to survive the
mine disaster,” told my father. There was sadness in his voice as he
recalled his father. Primo clearly recalled the struggles of his mother
and his father, their trials and accomplishments at that desperate
time. I cried, laughed, and as we talked, he added to his repertoire.
My Italian family in Italy and my American family also added to the
saga that unfolded.
A moment in time occurred when Dean and I decided to
collectively assemble and put down on paper, what had become so
significant in our lives. A project was born.
Beginning with the birth of Grandmother Angiolina Galletti,
this book has taken on a kind of literary patina. My ancestor’s valor,
resolve and devotion through epic trials as well as celebratory
accomplishments, are a monument in their memory.
This book is “Oneness” and is dedicated to all the families
associated with the 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster and especially to all
of Augusto, Angiolina, and Luciano’s descendants.
Lorena (Galletti) Cotton
xviii
Every family has a story to tell. As one reads this story, it
may parallel the story of other survivors of the Cherry mine disaster,
as well as other similar survival stories. I had heard the statement,
“Life is never changing; time is just passing by.” In addition, “The
more things change, the more they remain the same.” I believe that
these expressions echo throughout this narrative.
Even though I had never met Lorena’s grandparents, but
sharing some legends of their ancestors with Primo and with Lorena,
I felt as if I had always known them. As you read, I hope that the
Chiodi, the Sargenti and the Galletti families come alive for you and
that you feel the deep love and devotion that echoes in this story.
Dean Cotton
xix
CHAPTER 1
“Oneness” in the Italian Chiodi/Sargenti/Galletti family may
be an indefinable word, but it is indelibly imbedded. It is as much
in their vocabulary as it is in their genes. From Angiolina Chiodi
to Augusto Sargenti to Luciano Galletti, and to my father Primo
Galletti, “Oneness” has been emphasized, encouraged and endowed.
Trials and tribulation, elation and exaltation have followed the past
generations. Their lives have been touched with bounty and blessing
and with sadness and joy. Augusto, Angiolina, and Luciano have left
a bright beacon for their ancestors. It is as inspiring and awesome as
the lamp on the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor.
There is a lush valley near the Po River in northern Italy
where the saga begins. Outside this beautiful region, the face of
Europe was experiencing considerable changes. The French under
Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte continued its conquests and absorbed
Italy in the 1800’s. The regime flourished and Italy began to reap
the blessings of unity. This affluence then culminated when Italy
became an independent country and crowned Victor Emmanuel II
of Sardinia and Piedmont as king in 1861.
Italy commenced to become an important entity on the
world scene. Politically, Italy became part of The Triple Alliance,
a defense pact with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Economically,
Italian products were finding their way into many foreign markets.
Culturally, in larger cities especially, educational opportunities were
increasing. Even in some small villages, like those in Fanano and
Pavullo in northern Italy, a generation of literacy was surfacing.
1
Children conceived and born as this new era began were able to read
and write, a valuable tool for theirs and the generations to follow.
Angiolina Chiodi makes her appearance in 1884, one of
several children of Clemente Chiodi and Jeneffe Servi of Pavullo,
Italy. Angiolina is expected to follow her forebears and work on
the large farm, owned by a wealthy land baron. Angiolini has no
plans except to grow, mature, marry, create a family, and continue
as previous generations of her class have done. Angiolina knows
the world outside her environs is changing. However, little does she
know how she will be caught up in the spin.
Angiolina is attractive at a young age. She has dark shiny
hair, dark eyes, a slight build and light olive complexion. Her
smile is engaging and she knows how to flirt. Angiolina troubles
her parents because they have plans for her. She seems somewhat
uncooperative when they mention eligible sons of their friend’s
families. Often times, marriage arrangements were negotiated when
the girl was at a very young age. Angiolina does not go along with
the options her parents suggest. She has her own idea of her lifetime
companion.
Seemingly impervious to Angiolina’s tilting head and
supposedly shy demeanor, is Augusto Sargenti, also from Pavullo.
He awaits Angiolina’s invitation to walk with her. He wishes to
walk with her through life, but needs Angiolina to make him feel
acceptable. Augusto and Angiolina have loved and have been in
love with each other since childhood. It only would be at maturity
that both would take their wedding vows.
The teenagers at 18 and 19 prepared for their marriage
ceremony and the two or three days of the festivities to follow.
Delicacies of all kinds, including tasty meats, substantial pastas,
and rich pastries are volunteered by villagers anxious to share in
this traditional occasion. Vats of wine from grapes raised locally is
quaffed by celebrating children and adults. Large pots of flowers
garnish the village cobblestone streets and pathways, and are more
necessities for the important all-village celebration. Many wedding
gifts are hand crafted, and some are beautifully embroidered, but
basic, linens.
2
ONENESS
The day of the wedding, there are many customs and rituals.
Musicians, dressed in traditional, colorful uniforms, meet the bride
at her home and with great flourish, accompany her on the wedding
walk to the church. The groom, understandably edgy, is not allowed
to glimpse his wife-to-be until they meet at the altar of the family’s
Catholic church in the center of this lovely village.
Augusto is concerned and wonders aloud why the procession
has not started at the appointed hour of two. Angiolina’s friends
are laughing and chatting as they adjust her wedding attire. She
wears a crown of meadow flowers and ribbon streamers and carries
a bouquet to match. Her smile is infectious as she approaches
Augusto. It is after two but neither now notices the delay and the
ceremony proceeds. More celebration follows until the bridal couple
and their guests depart for their homes. Angiolina and Augusto go
to Angiolina’s family home and they begin their marriage as past
generations have done. They share in the family chores until they
are able to buy their own home and farmland.
Angiolina and Augusto have no plans to leave the family
confines. They expect to remain in this valley. “Oneness” does not
include separation from the home of their ancestors, at this time.
Though some northern Italian villagers have left to secure other
work, perhaps in the new technological arena in the Lombardy
plains region of northern Italy and beyond, Angiolina and Augusto
cannot deny their deep roots. To stay in this valley and to prosper is
their dream.
3
CHAPTER 2
Augusto and Angiolina welcome their first child the next
year. Armando, a son, is the pride of the family. A son to this family
is distinguishing and his legacy is to carry on the family name and
customs.
Joy is tempered with worry soon after Armando’s arrival. A
widespread drought in northern Italy and the crops suffer. Work is
practically halted and Angiolina and Augusto are almost destitute.
They must find another way to earn money and to survive.
By word of mouth and by the Transatlantic Telegraph Line a
message is sent to Augusto that there is work available and a chance
to earn a lot of money in a coalmine in Cherry, Illinois, in America.
A number of Augusto’s friends had sent word that they had found
year-round work there. Augusto decides with Angiolina that he will
go to America, in September of 1906 and send for her whenever he
can, but after the second baby-to-be arrives in October. Angiolina is
apprehensive when she contemplates this adventure. She has heard
awful stories of miners in deathly situations.
A trunk is readied to be packed for Augusto’s trek to
America. Along with food and clothing, Angiolina tucks in one of
her perfumed handkerchiefs. She utters a silent prayer and secrets a
holy rosary amongst the trunk’s contents. A smile crosses her face.
She knows Augusto will be happy when he unpacks and will be
tenderly reminded of her and their children.
Augusto, like most of the 1313 passengers on the Nord
America that September were Italian males hoping to parlay their
4
ONENESS
$12 fare into much money. Luigi Serri, Leopold Rabacci, Emilio
Bertoni, Chibiano Bichiecehi, Silvio Rosi, and Norberto Maestro,
are Pavullo boyhood friends who want to share Augusto’s adventure.
They all board in Genoa, Italy, along with other Italians, about half
of whom are like Augusto, married and leaving their families behind
to be in the safekeeping of other family members. “Oneness,” never
to be denied, is evidenced again with this undertaking.
The New York bound northern Italians are scheduled to disembark
in a little over two weeks.
Augusto and his friends had many days to commiserate about
their adventure in America while at sea. They had heard of other
ethnic group’s dislike for Italians. “Grease Balls” and “Dagos” were
some of the derogatory remarks directed at these young journeyers.
Together they vowed to ignore these insults. Some of the men knew
a little of early American history and talked about slaves and the
slave ships era. “We’re not like them,” these bold immigrants said.
“We will be able to enjoy freedom, to work and to get paid!”
On calm days aboard the ship, Augusto occupied his time
sharing jokes, games and dreams with his fellow passengers. One
of the games the men enjoyed most was “Mohda,” or “Rock, Paper,
Scissors.” This sporting game was guessing hand actions either
a closed fist, “Rock,” or an open hand, “Paper,” or extended first
two fingers, “Scissors.” Quickness, variety, and a certain smugness
created a contest between players and gales of laughter, along with
faked disappointment or elation. Onlookers, like a gallery at a
wrestling match, cheered and taunted the winners and losers. Each
evening at sea must have been a chance for a new challenger to
take his place among the contending Italians, hoping to gain goodnatured status among his peers.
These were good distractions for Augusto, but in quiet
moments, he thought about Angiolina. He carried on one-way
conversations with her. “We will be together soon in America,” he
uttered. On the last day at sea Augusto felt the ship rolling in a mild
storm, and a few of Augusto’s friends became very seasick.
5
CHAPTER 3
The discomfort was short lived when the travelers came
into sight of the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. Augusto
felt tremendous elation at the journey’s juncture. The next few days
and weeks were bright with promise for Augusto. Customs and
checkpoints were long and short stops along the way to a hopeful
destination.
Train travel took Augusto from New York City to Chicago,
to Mendota, Illinois. Then a short walk to a Milwaukee train station
to board, for the last leg of the trip, to Ladd and on to Oglesby,
Illinois, and the mining area.
Other seams of coal were mined near small Illinois villages
like Cedar Point, Granville, Spring Valley, Bureau, Princeton, Ladd,
Dalzell and Arlington. Owners of many of these mines seemed to
employ mostly Italians. It was at these miner’s peril if he became
injured or disabled while working in the mines. If an Italian died in
the dark and dangerous pits, there was little respect or sympathy. He
was simply replaced.
There were many adjustments for Augusto in the land of
opportunity. He found that his lack of English was a problem,
but with the large numbers of Italians in Oglesby, he felt he could
learn the American language from them. The area of Illinois where
Augusto and his friends settled was dubbed, “Little Italy.” One
Illinois village had the strange sounding name, “To Look-a” (for
work-a) Toluca, Illinois. Garzanelli’s Supper Club in Oglesby was
a favorite meeting place. Serving fresh chicken, raised by the local
6
ONENESS
Italians, was prepared and fried by the owners. They also prided
themselves in their authentic Italian pasta. Bocci Ball (a lawn type
bowling game) also brought some comfort and reminders of Italy
for Augusto and his fellow miners.
Augusto found that he was desperately lonely for Angiolina
and so wrote long letters to her. Augusto and his fellow travelers
found that they could rent a post office box. Number twenty-seven,
in Oglesby, Illinois, soon was filled with letters from Italy and the
families Augusto and his mates had left behind. As letters arrived,
they were eagerly handed to the waiting miners. Augusto and
Angiolina’s many missives were filled with news and endearments.
Augusto’s letters also carried information about his future
plans for his family. He mentioned the mines and that he counted on
his work there to make enough money to send for his family. His job
in the mine would begin soon, he wrote.
In Italy, Angiolina prepared for her journey to America.
Augusto went to LaSalle, Illinois and paid the $15 for third class
passage on La Provence, which departed from LeHavre on August
1, 1907. Departing earlier for America would have been extremely
difficult for Angiolina; she wanted the baby weaned and sleeping all
night before she left. Also, she wanted to travel during the warmer
summer months. Traveling with Angiolina and the two children
were her friends Renaldo and Virginia Corsini. Needless to say, they
were great comfort and help to Angiolina. One distraction during
the trip was the sightings of large fish jumping out of the water. It
was a sight Angiolina would share with the children. However, the
excitement for all the passengers peaked when, standing topside,
they glimpsed the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. The trip
across the ocean was over and only the rigors of customs and the
train ride to Cherry and to Augusto, remained. Angiolina knew not
what to expect, but she knew it was a beginning.
Augusto wanted everything to be perfect when Angiolina
and the children arrived. The small two-bedroom company row
house in Cherry was immaculate. Fresh flowers and vegetables and
clean linens were evidence of Augusto’s devotion to his home and
family. All was in place and awaited only the three new arrivals and
their trunk load of possessions. The train bringing his family to their
7
new home was to arrive soon. Both, Augusto and Angiolina were
expectant and joyful at the coming reunion.
“There is your papa, Armando!” He sped to his father’s
waiting arms. It was Augusto who saw his bride of only a few short
years back. She was as beautiful then as she was at this wonderful
family gathering. Augusto and Angiolina embraced and kissed.
“Your lips are so soft. They taste like cherry wine,” Augusto
whispered to Angiolina. Their family, now four, was together after
the lonely eleven months apart. Armando and Mario were caressed
and kissed many more times. Little Mario, obviously tired from the
long journey shied away from Augusto. Crying pitifully, he held
out his arms towards Angiolina. The people sharing this happy
reunion, knew that the Sargenti’s would become their best friends.
It was a tender moment but a happy one as friends of this reunited
family helped them to Augusto’s carefully husbanded home. The
excitement of the travel and reunion were so exciting for the
Sargenti family that they spent many hours long into that first night
unpacking and talking. Augusto and Angiolina had begun a new
chapter in their new land with new opportunities. Their little world,
now complete, would be the place and time to plan the next phase:
the return to Italy with funds to eventually buy their own land.
Augusto’s thoughts of returning to Italy, though, were
quickly replaced when he looked at his wife. The image of
Angiolina on their wedding day came to the fore and filled him
with happiness. She was as slim and lovely as she had been when
he last saw her. Her complexion was flawless. The girl he married,
he remembered, had beautiful hair. When it was wet, it looked like
glistening strands of silk intertwined with tiny black beads, much
like two of Angiolina’s future American great-grandsons. Angiolina,
too, was filled with such great pleasure when she was in Augusto’s
arms. Whatever hardships they had endured vanished. They were
now together as a family.
8
CHAPTER 4
English, Swedish, Polish, and other ethnic immigrants,
along with the Italian families, sometimes found themselves amid
prejudices, borne of mutual discomfiture. They all were at the
mercy of their heritage and their shortcomings. Like the other
ethnic groups, Augusto and his friends surmounted their troubles
by standing together. Deep in the mine, though, there was unspoken
communication that surmounted ethnic differences. It was as if
they somehow felt a special kinship amid the unremitting tasks, the
imminent peril, and the pangs of missing the familiar land they had
left.
Lonely for their mother country and for female
companionship, many of Augusto’s friends frequented “Naples.”
Girls of all types were brought to “Naples” in Jonesville, Illinois to
spend a week or two in the town with the many Italian immigrants.
The Italian men who were dark complexioned and sported dark,
slicked back hair must have been appealing to the Chicago blond
and brunette girls. Augusto was invited to join his friends, before
Angiolina arrived in America, but his devotion and loyalty to
Angiolina kept him from this pursuit. As more and more Italian
women came to America, the “Naples” establishment eventually
faltered. Helping that along, some ambitious Italian ladies banded
together and forced “Naples” to close.
Since Augusto had not spent money like his single friends,
he had saved almost every dollar he had been paid.
9
.
CHAPTER 5
The opening of the Cherry mine was an opportunity for
Augusto and his friends to earn American dollars faster because pay
was based on how much coal a team produced. Each two man team,
with an exceptional good day, would mine approximately five tons
of coal and earn around five dollars for the team effort. It was a
strong incentive to miners to unrelenting labor. Immigrants in large
numbers headed to Cherry, Illinois. Coal to be mined and their jobs
were expected to last for many years. When the whistle summoned
miners on November 13, 1909, it would, unknowingly, be the last
day on earth for 259 doomed extractors of coal; immigrants who had
expected to come to America to prosper.
Augusto, like other miners, prying out the black carbon fuel,
must have paid only scant attention to the mule’s feeder hay being
lowered into the mine.
At the tipple (see diagram of the mine), dump cars released the
lode. The oncoming cars were checked for dirty coal and excessive
amounts of dirt and slag could result in disciplinary action. Any small
amount of dirt and slag in the coal cars were removed and deposited
onto the refuse heaps. The coal was loaded into forty-one foot long
wood gondola railcars; the dirt and slag were piled onto bigger and
bigger heaps. The huge piles of refuse are still about, evidence of the
past and present areas of coal mining in the Illinois valley.
Ventilating fans, new to coal mines at this time, reassured
miners of fresh air. The electrically operated fans were mounted
at the top of one of the vertical shafts. Even with this additional
10
ONENESS
convenience for the miners deep in the tunnels, there were mishaps.
Weeks before the disaster, the electric system had shorted out. Because
of the outage, kerosene torches had to be implemented to light the
tunnels and passageways. Many experienced miners accepted this
alternative to electric lights and returned to the headlamps on their
caps.
11
CHAPTER 6
Cherry, Illinois is a quiet town about ninety miles southwest
of Chicago, named after the superintendent of the St. Paul mine
nearby. Output from the Cherry mine, about 300,000 tons of coal
per year, was primarily used for fuel by the Chicago, Milwaukee
and St. Paul railroad. A state of the art forced air ventilating system
along with electric lights dubbed the Cherry mine the safest mine in
the world.
A cross-section drawing of the vertical and horizontal mine
shows details of the belowground shafts. Three horizontal levels
where miners, side-by-side, dug the coal and loaded it into dump cars
pulled by mules along a narrow gauge track to a vertical shaft. At
the vertical shaft, the dump car was hoisted to the surface, counterweighed by another car raising it to the surface and another was then
lowered into the mine.
12
CHAPTER 7
No one noticed that kerosene from tunnel torches had dripped
onto and saturated six bales of hay left for the mules. The hay, left
near the vertical airshaft on the second level, was to become lethal.
A spark, then smoke. But no miner was concerned about this event.
Small fires often accompanied smoke and as it happened frequently,
none would think there would be a deadly result. The ventilating
fans would keep the fresh air coming, Augusto must have surmised.
He stayed his post; out chucking the coal and perhaps counting in
his head his take home pay for that day. Other miners, too, ignored
the ominous sign: deadly fumes, and allowed the fire to smolder and
then erupt into a horrible catastrophe.
As the smoke began to accumulate and the small fire became
greater, it seems that only a few souls sensed a portent of death at
hand.
Maybe the mine managers observed the creeping smoke and
the insidious unfolding episode with some concern. Nonetheless,
they reversed the ventilating fans hoping that would dissipate the
smoke, dispel their worst fears, and resolve the situation. It was a
dreadful mistake in judgment.
The fire, now accelerated by the draft caused by the fans’
reversal, leaped with uncompromising speed. Engulfing the wooden
staircase and racing up the escape shaft, the fire was intent upon
cutting off other escape routes.
Miners must have been scrambling in many directions to
extricate themselves from the inferno. Augusto was trapped in
13
the lowest section of the mine with his co-workers and friends.
Evidence of the hope, courage and endurance of the trapped miners
is a hand-cranked fan fabricated by the miners during their trial
by fire, literally. No account of their predicament can accurately
portray the events of the next critical hours. However, the hand
made fan that was recovered April 10, 1910, five months later, bears
the heart-wrenching words, scrawled on its blades, “All alive - 2
pm, 14.” Presumably, the would-be survivors were living minuteto-minute in anticipation of rescue. It is now known that they were
trapped there for at least one full day after the fire erupted. Augusto,
with his friends, died there.
Monumental and heroic efforts to save some miners were
carried on that awful day. Twelve saviors were lowered into the
caustic, toxic, hot and frightening shaft. The rescue efforts at first
looked promising, but fate was not kind. Mass confusion and chaos
hampered the last of seven trips to the miners. Bell signals, probably
from the determined-to-be-rescued miners, were dimmed by the
screams and wails of hopefuls at the mine’s adit. Shock encircled the
gathering crowd and then silence as the rescuers were raised a final
time to the surface. Not only had they been unsuccessful in saving
more men, but they too died. They were charred; burned before they
could save themselves or their compatriots.
14
CHAPTER 8
On the evening of November 13, 1909, all seemed lost
when the mine was sealed. It was the only way left to suffocate the
fire. Disbelief along with acceptance sent saddened families home.
A reprieve was tendered on November 20 when some households
were spared. In the far recesses of the mine, twenty-one men willed
themselves to live. They were rescued when the mine was determined
safe enough for another rescue attempt. Close to starvation, these
men had been able to shield themselves from the deadly accident.
Eight days of waning hope and then survival of these twenty-one,
and Augusto was not among them.
15
CHAPTER 9
Angiolina must have heard the piercing high-pitched alarm
coming from the mine area. Before she could determine what it
meant, a breathless neighbor, Mrs. Casollari appeared at the door.
Angiolina was told of the portentous whistle-signal and of the
possibility of an accident at the mine. She was told too, that the fire
there would be extinguished and the miners would be safe.
Angiolina’s mind raced to calm her fears. She focused on
Augusto. She smiled as she recalled their last moments only that
morning. He had eaten his homemade warm bread and drunk his
hot black coffee, while they had chatted. Italy, their homeland,
they recalled, was much more beautiful than their home in Cherry,
Illinois. It was a poignant moment to recall the Italian countryside of
rolling hills, spilling out cool breezes and dousing everything with
dazzling sunshine. How they missed it!
Events in the Augusto and Angiolina family had melded into
good days and not so good days. The unfamiliar weather was one
concern. Northern Italy, unlike the open Illinois plains, is generally
warmed by the Mediterranean Sea. The area around Pavullo and
Fanano, Italy rarely drops much below freezing. The sub-zero
temperatures in Illinois, along with the ice and blowing snow, made
Angiolina uncomfortable.
Italy, she recalled, was not like this during the winter
months. In Cherry, the summers were better, not as hot as northern
Italy, Angiolina decided.
16
ONENESS
Socializing with her friends, Angiolina discovered they
shared many concerns about the daily chores. Men’s work clothes
were always as dirty and grimy as the miners were. Mondays for the
ladies was laundry day and an unspoken race to see who could fill
the clotheslines first. Angiolina, now expecting their third child, was
slowed a bit, and often found her laundry lagging behind most of the
other ladies in her setting.
The children, like most children around the world, adapted
quickly to their new surroundings. Together they mixed Italian and
English words and Angiolina learned from them, to speak some
English fluently and easily. There were many playmates and many
activities for the new young immigrants. They were unconcerned, as
their mothers were not, about the possible dangers their fathers were
facing each day in the coalmines.
The coal mine work, to Augusto and Angiolina, was the
conduit that provided them with the incentive to make plans to return
to Italy, to reunite with their loved ones, to buy land, and to farm.
Each day as their savings grew, they thought, brought them closer
to this bright future. Augusto found that there were some Saturdays
that additional hours to work in the mine were available. He thought
of his dreams and took every opportunity to earn extra pay.
17
CHAPTER 10
The Cherry mine provided the work and the wealth for
which Augusto and Angiolina had come to America. In addition,
their children would greatly benefit from the hard work, dreams and
copious plans these parents saw as their birthright. Baby three was
on the way, a blessing and evidence of Augusto and Angiolina’s
deep love.
Only that morning, Augusto heard Armando and Mario
stirring as he prepared to leave. Angiolina uttered a silent prayer for
his safety. Augusto planted kisses on his little family and strode off
to the mine. As he left, Angiolina folded her arms across her now
ample bosom and watched her strong, energetic, and determined
husband as he walked toward the destiny that would unalterably
change their world. The womb-bound baby kicked and moved
about. Angiolina felt it had to be a good sign that preempted her
apprehension and filled her with joy.
Angiolina’s reverie was interrupted as she and her children
neared the mine. There were so many people clamoring for news or
for a look at the gaping, smoking hole. It seemed crude to Angiolina
that a tragedy would bring gawkers when only the families of the
miners and the rescue workers, should be there. Along with the
havoc was the aspect of food and milk shortages. Supplies could
not keep up with the demand that was required for this thirsty and
hungry crowd. It added to the dismay of the adults, but the children
seemed impervious to the worrisome events taking place. Along
with other anxious wives, Angiolina awaited any indication that the
18
ONENESS
news would be heartening: that the miners, especially her dearest
husband, would be raised to safety. She sought reassurance from
her Italian community, who, like herself were in America to secure
a promising future. Angiolina mentally began to try to answer
questions that at this time had no answers for her.
19
CHAPTER 11
Was Augusto really gone never to return? How would she
feed, clothe, and care for three children alone? She cried for many
days as hope dimmed for the rescue of Augusto and the other lost
ones in the deep pit. Angiolina prayed for help, guidance, and a
miracle. When she discovered that she was deeply depressed and
despairing, determination to overcome this tragedy came into her
consciousness. “My children need me. I have to pull myself together.
I have to go on. Augusto would have expected it of me,” is how she
emboldened herself to endure. Augusto’s spirit must have given her
his strength, even as he lay dying in the Cherry mine.
Angiolina brightened as a vision of Augusto appeared.
Armando is the handsome Augusto she thought. He has his father’s
dark, deep-set eyes, his smile and his laugh. Even as the in-utero
baby moved it must have been a spurt of hopefulness that there
would be a future not so sad.
20
CHAPTER 12
Augusta Mary was born just twelve days after the mine
disaster. In Italy, first names are given to denote gender. For
example, names ending with “o” are male and those ending in “a”
are female. The baby was named after her father and the Blessed
Mother. It seemed like a macabre kind of compromise. The easy
labor and delivery of the baby might be God’s way of compensating
Angiolina for the pain of losing Augusto.
A Red Cross nurse and another woman, one Mrs.
Robinovitch, presumably a midwife, tended Angiolina and the
new baby. These two kind ladies offered important advice. They
encouraged Angiolina to concentrate on the future, difficult though
it may become, and to find somewhere the strength she would need.
The three children were the family Angiolina now had to strive to
preserve.
Angiolina’s two brothers in Pavullo, Italy, made plans to join
their sister in America as soon as they could make passage. Atillio
and Domenico arrived in early December of 1909. Their strength,
compassion and concern were family cords that bound them to
their sister and her children. Though they encouraged Angiolina to
“Leave this God-forsaken place and come back to Italy,” Angiolina
demurred and thought of all the reasons to stay.
Angiolina could not leave Cherry and the home she and
Augusto had created. In addition, with their children, travel across
America to New York and then across the ocean to Italy was a
21
formidable consideration. Most importantly, Augusto had not been
found and Angiolina decided that she could not desert him.
22
CHAPTER 13
Angiolina found support for this major decision to remain in
Cherry. The Red Cross, friends and other relief organizations stepped
in to provide some food and clothing. However, the little money that
might have helped Angiolina was gone with Augusto’s life. As was
his custom, in his pocket he had carried his savings of a few hundred
dollars. The company tendered a widow’s settlement, but it would
not be available for many months - maybe longer. The money would
have helped to celebrate Christmas as had been done in previous
years. The future, that only a short time before had looked cheery,
was now uncertain and dark.
Atillio returned to Italy but Domenico stayed. Domenico’s
wife Adele and their two children were sent for and arrived in July
of 1910. Angiolina now had close family around her along with
happy cousins, Renzo and Ida, to share with her children and to help
her cope with the monumental loss of her beloved Augusto.
23
CHAPTER 14
When the mine was reopened April 10, 1910, Augusto’s
body and the bodies of thirty other miners were found. Most of the
bodies recovered were Italian and found laying on top of each other
in water and mud. The intense heat had kept removal efforts at bay.
So, it would not be until July 7, 1910, nearly eight months after the
fire, that the last body, J. Garletti, number 528 on the attached victim
list, would be removed from that black hole. Rescue workers had
great difficulty when removing this last victim as the heat was still
intense. It became many days of resurrected pain for Angiolina.
First, was the ghastly chore of identifying a decayed body as
Augusto. He had been found in the deepest part of the mine and was
swathed in a type of crude sailcloth. The skeletal remains evidenced
that it was Augusto. Further evidence found on his body was a
pocket watch that Angiolina had given him on their wedding day.
Not found on his corpse though was the money that Angiolina was
convinced Augusto had taken with him that day he entered the mine
for the last time. Prayers and tears combined to create immeasurable
sadness but Angiolina still had more preparations to make.
A funeral for Augusto had to be small and inexpensive.
There was just so little money for this sad occasion. However, she
was comforted when many friends from Cherry and nearby came to
pay their respects. She felt that they too must have understood that
Augusto’s remains would be interred in the Ladd, Illinois cemetery,
as there was no money to take Augusto back to Italy. The grave
marker for Augusto is missing. He is more than likely buried near
24
ONENESS
his cousin Giovianni Galletti who also perished in the mine. Perhaps
someday, Augusto might be returned and rebuired in his beloved
Italy, was Angiolina’s hope.
Armando at six missed his father and cried with Angiolina
when they spoke of him. Angiolina hoped that telling Armando that
his father was going to sleep for a long time would provide some
measure of reassurance to the now, man of the family. Armando
must have understood and said, “Don’t worry, mama. I can help
take care of you.”
There were several other offers of help and again Angiolina
was faced with some difficult decisions. One offer was from a
Kansas widower who sent a request to move a stricken widow and
her children to his farm. It was generally accepted that the family
would work on the farm and that the children might have a father
figure. Other offers were to adopt the fatherless children. Angiolina
adamantly rejected these proposals and others and increased her
determination to keep her family in tact.
25
CHAPTER 15
Escaping from certain death in the Cherry mine accident was
one Luciano Galletti from Fanano, Italy. His first trip to America
was aboard the ship La Touraine. He departed from the port of
Le Havre along with his older brother Guiseppe. They arrived in
America on June 30, 1907 and headed to Oglesby, Illinois. Around
January 1908, Luciano moved to Ladd, Illinois and started working
in the Cherry mine.
Ladd is approximately three miles south of Cherry. Both
villages had several taverns. Ripps tavern and Torri’s in Ladd are
known for fried chicken, spirits, ice cream respectivelly, even today.
A common practice was to eat at Ripp’s and then to Torri’s for ice
cream. Luciano, frequented these businesses and enjoyed talking
and learning some basic English with the young ladies who came
to Ladd from neighboring areas. His fellow miners were his best
friends and shared talk about their experiences in and out of the
pits.
Besides friends who had died in the Cherry Mine Disaster, a
cousin of Luciano, Giovanni (Johnny) Galletti was also a casualty.
Before him in Braceville, Illinois in 1904, Luigi Galletti had died
in a mine accident. Beatrice Galletti, mother of Giovanni and wife
of Luigi, because of her loss, was able to understand and console
Angiolina. Though there were other children, Beatrice had looked
to Johnny for financial support after Luigi’s death. The six other
children included Adamo, Ettore, Alfredo, Leonardo, Olinda
26
ONENESS
and Mary Galletti. Mary was a comfort to Angiolina and her best
friend.
Luciano looked for comfort in his religiosity and from
the Catholic Church, though he had been remiss in practice and
attendance. Luciano pondered the direction he would now hope to
travel. An inner voice renewed his faith. “God gives; God takes;
and God gives back,” it intoned. “Now go and rebuild your life, and
replenish your trust in God.” It was a mandate for the future, dim as
it was, for Luciano.
Among Luciano’s friends in the miner’s community, had
been Augusto Sargenti. They had a common bond in that they
were both Italian and both families had lived near each other in the
foothills of the Apennines. Possibly the Galletti’s, the Chiodi’s, and
the Sargenti’s were even distantly related. Some of the Galletti’s had
immigrated to America and were already familiar with the Illinois
valley and had found work in the coalmines.
Luciano had more aspirations than to be a coal miner for life.
His plans were to work hard, make a lot of money in America and
then return to Italy and become a landowner. He began his quest for
his dream when he returned to Italy in April of 1910, after the mine
disaster, and hired on as a farm hand for Giovanni Bertoni. Luciano
wanted to buy Bertoni’s land and they agreed that it could be done.
The elderly Giovanni Bertoni’s wife had died a few years earlier
and there were no descendant sons. A pact, made between these two
Italians, was as sacred as a signed contract. The only thing that was
lacking was a few thousand dollars. Luciano could earn that in the
Cherry mine in a short time, he knew.
With his father’s blessing and encouragement, Luciano
decided to rid himself of his fear and go back to America and the
Cherry mine, then to return to Italy with enough money to buy
Bertoni’s farm.
Luciano must have been like some miners who had to steal
themselves to go back into a coalmine. Many Cherry immigrant
employees did not go back to the mine. Some relinquished their
American citizenship and returned to their homeland. Others
relocated to other parts of America to begin other occupations.
27
Luciano did not intend to become an American national. He would
never relinquish his Italian citizenship.
Luciano found his way back to Cherry via LaProvence a ship
leaving from Le Havre, France in October of 1910. Luciano was a
strong man and had all the attributes the Cherry mine employers
wanted and was hired immediately. Besides working in the mine,
Luciano also was determined to get all the money he believed was
owed to him from the Cherry Relief Fund and Court’s lawsuits.
Unscrupulous lawyers along with mine owners had made
vague promises to the stricken families of the Cherry Mine accident.
Once papers were signed by the barely-literate survivors however,
only a pittance was awarded. The attached article from the Bureau
County Republican, sums up the trouble and the injustice related
to this calamity. Luciano decided not to settle quickly and found
that the waiting was a good decision. He was awarded a settlement,
perhaps a little better than those who had accepted the first offer.
28
CHAPTER 16
Luciano resumed his job as a miner at Cherry and renewed
his friendship with other Italian families. Conversation inevitably
turned to the mine disaster and of those miners still buried there
after the mine had been sealed. Occasionally, Angiolina visited at
the home of Beatrice Galletti and her friend Mary.
It was comforting for Angiolina to be in their company and
it was where Luciano and Angiolina became acquainted. In this little
town, it wasn’t unusual for families to be connected in some way.
That is, the town was small and the community was mostly Italian
from the same area in Italy.
A kind of friendship developed between Luciano and
Angiolina. They spoke of Augusto and the sadness surrounding his
demise. Luciano still questioned himself why he had been spared
when others, like Angiolina who had been left a widow and her
children who had been left without a father. It was this attention to
Angiolina that Luciano discovered that Angiolina was an admirable,
strong, resilient woman. He respected her time of mourning, but felt
that they might share time with each other and that this could help
heal the deep wounds they both endured.
Angiolina recalls, “One evening when the children were
sleeping, I stood by their room and looked at my sweet babies.
Luciano came and stood by me. He put his arms around me and told
me that he cared deeply for me; but that courtship may be too soon
after Augusto’s death. He hoped that I might learn to care for him. As
time went by, I grew to love Luciano. We talked about marriage.”
29
An ember of deepening affection crept into each meeting.
Perhaps Luciano was thinking of his buried dreams of Italy and of
the land and home he hoped to own. In some way, Luciano may
have even envisioned Angiolina by his side. Luciano decided to put
this dream into reality. Passage was arranged and Luciano was on
the first step of a future dimly forming in his imagination.
30
CHAPTER 17
When Luciano returned to Italy in April of 1910, he resolved
never to return to America. However, in October of that same year
something made him modify his outlook He was a changed man
and perhaps sensed a gap in his life. Although Luciano had met and
accompanied many ladies in America and in Italy, he became aware
that none seemed to be able to create an indefinable aura as when
he was with Angiolina. He had to know if she too, might have some
special feelings for him.
It was probably the fine food preparations that Angiolina
set before Luciano that gave him some hopeful feelings. He loved
her chicken stew with polenta accompanied with a bottle of red
wine. It was this mixture and some natural chemistry that attracted
the two young Italians to each other. They shared meals as well as
companionship. The fatherless children needed a strong masculine
figure in their lives, too. Their courtship progressed like a downhill
snowball gathering speed to an inevitable culmination into a
beautiful mound of glistening white. They, too, may have been
surprised at the connections that were taking place in their hearts
and lives.
During the ensuing months, Luciano and Angiolina would
find their friendship deepening and turning into romantic love. They
seemed to complement each other: Angiolina needed the security
that Luciano could give her and her children and Luciano needed
Angiolina to fulfill his expectations of a woman to love and to
cherish.
31
The beginning of a home and family was realized when they
decided to marry. The small ceremony was held on November 25,
1911, the same day as Augusta Mary Sargenti’s second birthday.
Witnesses at the wedding, blessed by the parish priest, were Attilio
Corsini and his wife Mary (Galletti) Corsini.
32
CHAPTER 18
Luciano and Angiolina began their marriage in Cherry.
Luciano continued working in the mine. It must have been difficult
for them to disconnect the tragedy of the two-year’s before. They
brightened their days talking of their plans to work, save money, and
return to Italy. They would begin a new family and put the sadness
aside.
The Luciano Galletti family welcomed Primo, their firstborn the following summer. In Italian, Primo means first and it is
significant that their first son became the beginning of Luciano and
Angiolina’s family.
It now seemed more important for this family to return
to Italy. Even as they made plans, Cherry miner’s families urged
them to stay in America. However, the spectre of the mine accident
precluded any thoughts of remaining in this place of great sadness.
The fact that there was little remuneration from the owners of the
coal mining company to the dead miner’s families, made the leaving
a little less painful.
There were still unpaid claims owed to the miner’s families.
It seemed that the mine owners and their legal counsel were not
going to honor any more requests for compensation. Many of the
dead and injured miner’s families were going to be left with little
or nothing, and there was no recourse. Angiolina and Luciano, like
the others, were essentially at the mercy of the long, involved and
complicated process that the legals and the owners presented. It was
as if they counted on these hapless victims to become discouraged,
33
give up, and forfeit any more claims resulting from the tragedy that
had robbed them of the future they had planned for so hopefully.
Many of Angiolina’s household furnishings were sold or
given away to prepare for the homebound trip. Luciano encouraged
Angiolina to pack Augusto’s personal things to keep for his
three children. Luciano understood the “Oneness” that had been
emphasized in his family. He promised to love Angiolina, to raise
her and Augusto’s children as his own, and to remind the children of
their good and loving father, Augusto.
Angiolina, Luciano, and their children were on the move
again. This time they were headed to Italy and their home. Primo
remembers his mother telling him, “It just seemed like yesterday
when I came to America with two children. The happiness, then the
sadness, and then the happiness again have made me stronger. The
ocean looked as wide then as it did when I returned with Luciano
and two more children; all loved and cherished. God has blessed us
in spite of all the tribulations we have faced.”
34
CHAPTER 19
The Italian Galletti family with Luciano at its head continued
to grow. Primo would soon be welcoming another sibling, scheduled
to be born when the family arrived in Italy. Alessio, conceived in
America, was born in February of 1914. Angiolina and Luciano’s
love for each other and their children continued to increase. Luciano
and Angiolina noted that all the children, hers and theirs, were one
happy family with shared responsibilities. Italy was all that they
wanted and anticipated.
Each one of the family worked and shared in the
responsibilities of caring for the land and the animals. Armando
learned to take care of the goats that provided milk for the family.
Angiolina, having learned early in her childhood how to milk goats,
taught this skill to Armando. Mario tended the chickens and learned
the fine art of collecting eggs without breaking any. Augusta tended
to household duties. Primo was tended to by everyone. Alessio, the
new baby made his presence known, too with a lusty cry.
“I didn’t know that such a small child could make so much
noise,” Luciano commented to Angiolina.
35
CHAPTER 20
The baby’s crying was nothing compared to the turmoil that
would erupt as World War I. As all Italian males were required to
serve in the military, Luciano sensed that he might be called to duty
but he thought that he might be exempt because he was a landowner,
a farmer and the father of five children. However, in May of 1916
Luciano was inducted into the Italian army and sent north to the
front lines of battle where he fought for almost a year. Egidio was
born during Luciano’s absence. Luciano desperately missed not
seeing his family.
It was a bitter war with many casualties. Tactics like trench
warfare and bayonet charges were ordered. Luciano raced forward
as commanded. He had not advanced too far when he felt a horrible
pain in his lower abdomen and then fell backwards into a depression
in the ground. He really didn’t know what had occurred until later.
He was told by a medic that his lower intestines had been exposed,
pushed back inside and the wound stitched closed. As he lay on the
ground, he could hear the moans and groans of his fallen comrades.
Luciano knew that this was the second time that God had spared
his life. “God was merciful,” he mused, “and he would allow me to
return alive to my family.”
The futility of war was on Luciano’s mind as he recovered.
My father told me that Luciano confided in him that life would
have been much different, had he not had to become a soldier in
the Italian army. “War separates families, as it did mine, and my
wife and children suffered a great deal. It was a very difficult time
36
ONENESS
for all of us”. Primo told Lorena that his father tried to explain to
him how devastating war and its aftermath affects people all over
the world. Primo also told Lorena, “It’s not ordinary people who
start wars, it’s often politicians and others in power who make these
fateful decisions.” The scars my father received were not only in his
abdomen but showed themselves as he related the teribble scenes he
witnessed as a regular foot soldier in the Italian army”.
My father continued and he asked Luciano, “Why did you
leave America, when it would have been so good there?” Primo
told me that Luciano’s army comrades asked the same question
until Luciano replied that he would defend his country as an Italian
citizen. Furthermore, he knew that Italy would return to normal after
the war and things would probably improve.
Primo told Lorena more about Luciano’s observations of
why immigrants to America were so successful. “It’s the language”,
he said . “In America nearly everyone learns and speaks English.
In Europe, there are so many different languages and dialects
that people can’t understand each other. A good example is that
we northern Italians find it difficult to understand the southern
Italians”.
A question about the futility of war too, was on Luciano’s
mind as he recovered. He remembered the camaraderie he had found
working alongside other European immigrants in America. Luciano,
also realized that if it hadn’t been for some of these diverse ethnic
immigrants whom had been fighting and whom may have lead the
way for escape, that he might have also perished in the Cherry mine.
Luciano and Angiolina started to have second thoughts about their
decision to return to Italy.
Upon his release from the army, Luciano ventured home.
He and the family resumed their work and the farm prospered. The
family grew once again, and on January 4, 1919, Maria, made her
debut. In early 1923, Angiolina anounced that another child would
soon be added to their household. With the family getting larger, the
Galletti farm might not be able to support everyone. It was obvious
that more farmland was needed. They heard that the neighbors land
was going to be available.
37
America beckoned Luciano again, and he booked passage
on the Conte Rosso to America and on to Cherry, Illinois. Angiolina
slipped one of her perfumed hankerchiefs into Luciano’s trunk.
She thought again of Augusto and their parting when he traveled to
America in 1906. It was a cold November in 1923 when Luciano
arrived for work ready to descend to the depths of the coalmine.
Luciano would remain in America for approximately one year and
upon his return to Italy, there would be sufficient money for the
down payment of available land.
The mine was operating just as it had been when Luciano left
it, those long years ago. Old friends and family welcomed Luciano
and the routine began again. No doubt, there was a good bit of anxiety
when he traveled deep into the tunnels and passageways. Overriding
that, however, was the promise of what the additional money would
buy for the family in Italy. News soon reached Luciano that Bruno,
son number six, had arrived on December 4, 1923. Along with the
family’s growth, the farm was progressing well.
38
CHAPTER 21
Armando at twenty was working much of the farm. He saw
how a family could work, save money, and acquire the wherewithal to
provide well for themselves. The natural stirrings of this handsome,
strong and determined Sargenti kindled his desire to move ahead.
He courted, wed, and before long Armando and his wife had their
family started with the arrival of their first child.
Erina, Luciano and Angiolina’s sixth off spring, was added
on February 8, 1929. As the farm prospered, so did the hopes of this
Sargenti/Galletti clan. Customarily, Italian families in this beautiful,
fertile Po valley area, planned for future generations. Most were
encouraged to work hard, save money, buy land, marry and carry on
the values and estates to the next generation.
39
CHAPTER 22
Primo, an American citizen by birth, had stirrings, too. But it
was not as urgent as his plan to go to America. He had heard stories
from his mother and father of the American Adventure. The tales
created a strong interest in seeing for himself what had been left
out of the narrative. Angiolina was distressed when Primo insisted
on validating his American citizenship (which he would have lost
if he hadn’t returned to America before he turned eighteen) and,
furthermore, to work in the mine that had killed her first husband.
Nevertheless, Primo persisted and completed plans to discover his
own version of America.
Goodbyes and tears preceded Primo’s departure. Luciano
not only provided Primo with passage and spending money, but
also endowed him with his own trunk. It was a bonding moment for
father and son. Perhaps, too, Luciano hoped that Primo would return
to Italy, his ancestral home, just as his mother had done. Angiolina,
brave and practical, helped her son pack and slipped in some
foodstuff for the trip. No doubt, she prayed for Primo’s safety as she
had done for Augusto, and with her prayers, a holy rosary carefully
placed in the trunk which would never return to Italy.
Because Primo could read, write and understand both
Italian and English, he was able to communicate better than some
immigrants. He did not have long delays in United States’ Customs
Office when he arrived in New York, both because he was an
American citizen and because there was little of a language barrier.
An Italian accent, however, stayed with him and it colored many
40
ONENESS
of his expressions. Remembered fondly by his daughter and sonin-law, Lorena (Galletti) and Dean Cotton, was one of his favorite
pronouncements, “t-ats wot yous t-ink!” It may have been Primo’s
way of validating his opinion.
Luciano tendered more instructions to Primo as he embarked
upon his adventure to America. Primo’s godfather would have a
place in Cherry, Illinois for Primo. There were other Italians there
and he would be assured of family support as well. There would be
“Oneness” impressed on Primo by his mother, Angiolina.
The godfather reassured Primo that the long trip was worth
all the hardships he had encountered. Primo could take his place
in this home, and begin work in the now safer mine in Cherry. The
terrible events of 1909 could never occur again, he was told. That is,
there would never be another accident in the mine like the one where
Augusto had suffered and died twenty years before.
41
CHAPTER 23
Descending in the cage to the coal was a claustrophobic
experience for Primo. So much so that he determined that he would
not be able to go again into the cage to the dark, dank, and toxic hole
again. The horror stories, he had previously heard and the working
conditions with debris falling from overhead was too much for
Primo to bear. When the noon whistle summoned the miners to the
surface on that first day, Primo closed the gate to this misadventure.
He would never return.
When the godfather heard this news he was incredulous. Son
of Luciano and Angiolina refused to cooperate after all he had done
for him? It was in a fit of temper that the godfather denounced Primo
and threatened him with expulsion. He would report to Luciano and
Angiolina of their worthless, ungrateful son. Furthermore, he would
cut Primo off from his support; there would be no food, lodging nor
companionship. Primo was now on his own in a strange country,
essentially a homeless immigrant.
42
CHAPTER 24
However, Primo the immigrant was a little better prepared.
More, Primo was resourceful. After he dispelled any ideas of packing
up and going right back to Italy, he found new friends, among them
the Ballerini’s. Fanano natives, they brought Primo to their village
of Naplate, near Ottawa, Illinois, where they fed and housed him.
Primo was welcomed by others of his newfound Italian community.
He was grateful for their hospitality, which he repaid by showing
respect and concern for the Ballerini’s and other acquaintances.
Learning of possible job openings at a glass manufacturing plant,
Primo lined up with many other men at the gate outside the Glass
Factory, hoping to be chosen for a day’s work. To the employers at
the Glass Factory, a big, strong, personable and fairly literate young
man, was a good choice. He was chosen nearly every day. The Glass
Factory provided Primo with the wherewithal he needed. With his
first paycheck, he paid the Ballerini’s the first month’s apartment
rent. Primo found that American money was abundant; you only had
to work for it. Primo told Lorena, “It was so much more money than
I thought I had earned. I had never seen so much money at one time
and wondered if I had been overpaid.”
The Ballerini’s were proud of their boarder and predicted
a successful future for him. Primo enjoyed the company of the
Ballerini’s. He especially found Mrs. Ballerini very much like his
mother, Angiolina. The home-prepared meals, too, were relished by
Primo, and he was invited often to share them. The Glass Factory
became his permanent job.
43
Primo was comfortable in his surroundings. Other Italians
and the Ballerini’s had much in common. Many of them dreamed
of working hard, earning and saving money and some hoped to
return to their homeland. It must have been perceived as an insult
when one of Primo’s co-workers said, “Dagos only know how to do
two things: work and save money.” Though the second part of the
statement may have been accurate, referring to Primo as a “Dago,”
sent Primo, this usually calm gentleman, into a rage; whereupon
he walloped the offender soundly. That incident ended insensitive
remarks and Primo was never again forced to quell a derogatory
comment directed toward him.
Even through the Great Depression of 1929, Primo lived and
worked in Naplate. Italy and his native home became farther and
farther from his mind.
44
CHAPTER 25
The world in 1939 began reeling again with a worldwide
conflagration that caught the Italian Galletti’s in its whirlwind. The
door to America was closing and with it any communication from
Primo. The clamor of war suppressed whatever hope the family had
for reuniting any time soon. It would be almost seven long years of
terror, deprivation, and starvation. Germany and Italy were allies
under the cruel dictatorships of Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini.
Italy became a bitter battleground. There were many casualties and
territory lost, regained, and then lost and regained again at a terrible
cost. German soldiers were especially brutal to many Italian families
as they marched north in defeat.
Especially distressing was a terrifying incident in the spring
of 1943. Only fourteen year old Erina and fifty-eight year old
Angiolina Galletti were at home. Hungry and battle worn, German
soldiers pilfered Angiolina’s farm and then broke into her home.
Both women were terrorized, slapped and insulted by some unruly
Nazi warriors, only to be stopped by other German soldiers. Though
it is not clear why, Angiolina sickened after this episode and died a
few months later. Erina, devastated and all alone, found her married
sister Maria and went to her home to live.
Upon finding his home and family harmed by Germans and
blaming himself for his lack of protection for them, Luciano decided
to resist the enemy, the Germans. Luciano became active in Italian
underground activities until the end of the war.
45
With peace at hand, all Italians, like the Galletti’s, now had
to rebuild their homes, their country and their livelihood. Luciano
and his sons determinedly set about from dawn to dusk to plow, plant
and restore the land ruined by the war. They had to construct new
buildings and refurbish old ones. Luciano and his growing family
continued to farm the family homestead and to enjoy the good life,
following the devastation of war. With his sons at his side, Luciano
found the Italian countryside being reconstructed and replenished.
Though he must have been lonely without Angiolina, the prospect of
another mate would not be in Luiciano’s plans.
The Galletti family would savor more and more the happiness
only family-oriented surroundings could provide. Luciano shared
the pleasures of his work and, with his sons caring for him in his old
age, he must have felt deep satisfaction. He died in 1962; he was
seventy-seven.
The Galletti’s were in need of restoring the philosophy of
“Oneness,” the most important aspect of this gallant family. As they
moved ahead, the future began to appear hopeful.
46
CHAPTER 26
Many Italians together helped to eventually bring post-war
northern Italy to a healthy economy. Roads, factories, and industry
moved in and prospered. Natural elements like gas and oil were
discovered and added to the impetus for recovery. Italy would
take its place in the post-war boom and become one of the world’s
leading European markets. Especially from the 1960’s to the present
time, Italy has experienced industrial growth like none seen any
greater throughout the world.
Travel and transporation in and around Italy florished.
Energy producing Alpine water from melting snow and nuclear
power plants, added to Italy’s amazing recovery. The Sun Highway
which connects Milan to Naples was completed in 1964. The Great
Saint Bernard Tunnel which connects Italy with Switzerland opened
in 1964 and was the first tunnel through the Alps. Another tunnel
and the world’s longest through Mont Blanc in the Alps opened in
1965. It is over seven miles long and connects Italy with France. The
Leonardo da Vinci International airport near Rome was opened in
1961 and handles over three million passengers a year.
47
CHAPTER 27
One Italian-American would never see the miracle of a
prosperous Italy. Primo carried on correspondence with his family
there, but would not set foot upon the Galletti sod. His roots were
implanted securely in the land of his birth. Also, none of Augusto’s,
Luciano, or Angiolina’s descendants, other than Primo, have ever
returned to or visited America. Primo, never saw his Italian family
again since departing Italy in 1929.
Cementing his life in America, Primo bought property. It
was the traditional thing to do; only now, it was in the United States.
Primo would work, marry and raise his family in Naplate, Illinois.
At the Glass Factory, Primo remained for forty-three years. He
was recognized for his loyalty and for all the years of employment
without missing a single, unscheduled day of work. So dedicated to
the Glass Factory and his job, Primo worked his regular night shift
before the wedding of his only daughter, Lorena, to Dean Cotton.
Summer, winter, spring and fall, each day he had gone faithfully
to his job. He retired at sixty-two, died at sixty-seven, leaving his
wife Barbara and two children. Barbara lived for a short while in
a nursing home. While there, she roomed with Angiolina Tassoni,
wife of Pete Tassoni, whom Primo had known when he and Pete had
rented an apartment together in 1929. Barbara died in June of 2003,
outliving her husband by twenty-four years.
Primo thought often of the choices he had made as a young
man. He confided in his daughter that many questions surfaced as
he thought about what might have been. For one, war had created
48
ONENESS
circumstances that had cut off mostly all communication with
Primo’s Italian relatives. Because of this interval, Primo was not
given notice of his mother’s death until much later. He told Lorena,
his six-year-old daughter, of her grandmother’s passing. Lorena
remembers how saddened Primo was and the grieving and mourning
that accompanied the news. Lorena had known Primo her father as
a strong, gentle man, but realized the depth of his grief. His mother
was gone, and he would never see her again. Lorena felt his pain and
knew it was her task to soothe and comfort him through this trial.
Primo reestablished his Italian contacts with his family
shortly after peace was declared. He sent clothing to the devastated
Galletti issue and exchanged gifts and letters with them. Primo spoke
of the desire to return to Italy to visit his family there. With the onset
of World War II and the unrest in the world, he had felt that it was
not an option.
The land Primo inherited from his parents in Italy was his
to give or keep. He chose to bequeath it to the Italian Galletti’s who
had stayed behind to work the land when he had left for America.
It was Primo’s interpretation of “Oneness”-it meant family and
connection. It never faltered. The land today remains within the
Italian Galletti families and continues to prosper.
49
PROLOGUE
The coalmines and the refuse heaps in and around Cherry,
Illinois, stand as mute evidence of those who lived and those who
died there, almost one hundred years ago. These structures can bring
up the images of Angiolina, Augusto, and Luciano as they march
into history, but not into obscurity.
Angiolina has a total of one hundred and four descendants.
From Augusto, there are forty-six ; two great-grandsons carry the
Sargenti name. All Sargenti’s remain in Italy. Armando’s first son
was named after Augusto. This first grandson of Angiolina and
Augusto became a missionary priest and was known as Father
Daniele Capuchin. He died in the Republic of South Africa at the
age of forty-two. From Luciano, there are fifty-eight descendants.
Thirty-seven remain in Italy; four great-grandsons carry the Galletti
name. Twenty-one are in America and one great-great-grandson
carries the Galletti name. .
Taking a conservative calculation, based on the four hundred
and eighty men and boys that entered the mine on November
13, 1909, it is estimated that there may be at least 25,000 total
descendants of the victims of the Cherry Mine Disaster throughout
the world.
Still visible are images of the families who followed
Angiolina, Augusto, and Luciano. Luciano Galletti, son of Guiseppe
Antonio Galletti and Catterina Bondi was one of several children.
From Luciano’s grandfather (Gaspare Galletti) there are at least
eight generations of Galletti’s living in America today.
50
ONENESS
In Italy, America and other parts of the world, the ancestors
of the Chiodi, Sargenti, and Galletti strain represent many diverse
occupations. For example, those individuals in engineering,
medicine, government, religious orders and the trades, in varying
degrees, adds to this mixture of DNA and may create a great deal
of pride of person. Not one descendant of Angiolina, Augusto and
Luciano works in a mine.
The saga recalled in this treatise recounts the hardship and
adversity as well as the joy and happiness encountered by this
passionate group.
Viewing the coalmine and the refuse heaps may generate
many spoken and unspoken comments and questions. Those ghostly
scenes cannot talk, but an emanation from this book may give the
reader a glimpse into one family’s brief trek through history.
Augusto’s dream of returning to Italy and owning land never
became a reality but his spirit lives on.
Luciano treated the three Sargenti children as equals
“Oneness” to his own biological children. Augusta Sargenti named
her first son Luciano after her step-father.
Primo died seventeen years after his father; ironically, it was
Primo’s age when he came to America. This book was completed on
April 13, 2004 which is the ninety-fourth anniversary of Augusto’s
funeral.
This story of “Oneness” is our tribute to the victims and all
of the people associated with the Cherry, Illinois mine.
Dean and Lorena (Galletti) Cotton
51
PHOTOGRAPHS
[insert 6 Nord America.jpg]
Nord America / Stirling Castle
Built in 1882 and renamed Stirling Castle. Thomas skinner
& Company, British flag service. Sold to Italian owners, in 1883 and
renamed Nord America. Refloated, towed to Italy, and scrapped in
1911.
Augusto to America; his only trip-September 1906
52
ONENESS
[insert 7 La Provence.jpg]
La Provence
Built for French lines, French flag, in 1906 and named La
Provence. Le Havre-New York service. Refitted as the French
Navy Auxiliary cruiser Provence II in 1914. Torpedoed in the
Mediterranean by a German U-boat; 930 lost on February 26,
1916.
Angiolina to America; her only trip-August 1907
Luciano to America ; his second trip-October 1910
53
[insert 8 La Touranin.jpg]
La Touraine
Built for French line, French flag, in 1891 and named La
Touraine. Le Havre-New York service. Used as a floating hotel at
Gothenburg, Sweden in 1923. Renamed Maritime in 1923. Scrapped
in France in 1923.
Luciano to America; his first trip-June 1907
54
ONENESS
[insert 9 Conte Rosso.jpg]
Conte Rosso
Built for Lloyd Sabaudo , Italian flag, in 1921 and named
Conte Rosso. Genoa-New York service. Later used on GenoaBuenos Aires service. Torpedoed by a British submarine while in
the Mediterranean in 1941.
Luciano to America; his third and last trip-November 1923
55
[insert 10 Cherry train.jpg]
After Augusto’s funeral
April 13, 1910
Cherry train station
Angiolina holding Augusta
lower left
Furnished by Ray Tutaj Jr.
56
ONENESS
[insert 11 mine cross section.jpg]
Cross Section of The Cherry Mine
first vein 185 ft below ground
X not in operation
second vein 315 ft below ground
third vein 500 ft below ground
Sketch by Dean Cotton
57
[insert 12 children at Cherry Depot.jpg]
Children at the Cherry Train Depot
after the Mine Disaster-Nov. 1909
waiting for the milk delivery
58
ONENESS
[insert 13 Galletti Funeral.jpg]
Funeral of Johnny Galletti
and Elfi Carlo
March 6, 1910
Angiolina Sargenti is holding Augusta.
Luciano is behind Angiolina.
Mary Galletti is left of Luciano and
looking over Angiolina’s head.
Attilio Corsini is second
man on left side of picture.
Beatrice Galletti is lady wearing hat
and left of coffin.
59
[insert 14 fan.jpg]
Fan found on April 10, 1910
with third vein miners
60
ONENESS
[insert 15 Augusto remains.jpg]
Augusto Sargenti was among the thirty-one
miners recovered on April 10, 1910
from the third vein along with the fan
61
[insert 16 personal items.jpg]
Personal Items
only way to
identify many miners
62
ONENESS
[insert 17 Augusto’s funeral.jpg]
Funeral of Augusto Sargenti
April 13, 1910
Angiolina Sargenti is holding Augusta.
The three flowers on the coffin
for each of Augusto’s children.
The boy being held in front
is six year old Armando Sargenti.
The boy being held in upper left
is three year old Mario Sargenti.
Mary Galletti is looking at Angiolina.
Attilio Corsini has hand on Mary’s shoulder.
Beatrice Galletti is lady wearing hat
near right side of picture.
Baby in background is probably Edith Armellani.
and was born on October 22, 1909
Her father (Charles/Carlo) perished in the mine.
Her mother (Antoinette) died January 6, 1910
from grief-malady.
63
[insert 18 funeral procession.jpg]
Funeral procession after the
Cherry Mine Disaster
64
ONENESS
[insert 19 cemetary.jpg]
Burial place of some
of the Victims of the
Cherry Mine Disaster
65
[insert 20 Cherry Map.jpg]
Map
Cherry, Illinois
66
ONENESS
[insert 21 Fanano & Pavullo.jpg]
Fanano & Pavullo
Italy
67
[insert 22 Fanano hills.jpg]
Scene near Fanano, Italy
68
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Taken from the Bureau County Republican dated January 30, 1913
retyped by Dean Cotton from copy of article
provided by
Bureau County Genealogical Society (Carol McGee)
and
Edward E. Caldwell
Newspaper was published weekly
SETTLE MANY CASES
Fifty-seven Cherry Suits Compromised
and others May Follow
DISASTER COSTS A FORTUNE
St. Paul Coal Company Spending
$600,000 in Settling Damages
with Mine Victims
Spurred on by the necessity of settling or going to trial, the
attorneys engaged in the Cherry mine damage suits pending in the
circuit court at Princeton have succeeded in coming to terms in fiftyseven cases. Arrangements have been made in fifty others that will
69
eliminate them from the trial calendar until after the supreme court
has handed down decisions to test cases that have been selected,
and negotiations are being continued in an effort to make a final
disposition in all those that remain. The prospects are that of the 130
spits started in the last three years against the St. Paul Coal company
as a result of the 1909 disaster, only one will actually come to trial.
One has already been certified to the supreme court on a demurrer.
In the event that the plans for settlement as mapped out by
the lawyers are carried into effect, Bureau county will be saved
at the lowest calculation $50,000 in court expenses, or more than
one-third the cost of a new court house. This figure is based upon
the amounts paid out for jury services and other expenses in the
McMahon murder trials and in the Sanitary District suits.
Among the suits that were settled during the last ten days
were those of Frederigo Lanzi, Frank Waite and Thomas White,
eight day men who suffered in health from the effects of their
week of imprisonment in the burning mine at the time of the fire.
Lanzi, who has developed Tuberculosis through exposure to the
vicious gases that filled the mine, was awarded $2,000 to settle his
claim against the St. Paul company and the other two were given
a thousand dollars each. Most of the other eight/day men were
satisfied to take a thousand dollars more than three years ago.
The settlements that have been made recently have been
mostly with smoke victims, who were willing to compromise their
claims for one hundred dollars. The company offered them that
amount three years ago, but at that time the plaintiffs were holding
out for amounts ranging from $500 to $10,000 apiece. The filing of
damage suits and in those instances have been of benefit only to the
attorneys, whose fees are paid in addition the amount of settlement.
Besides the fifty cases depending upon the outcome of
the supreme court decisions, there still remain to be settled about
twenty-five suits of the “smoke and lung” group. The death cases
have all been disposed of, either in full or in part, and the same is
70
ONENESS
true of the meritorious claims of those who were actually disabled in
making their escape from the burning pit 13 of November, 1909.
Those who are holding out are demanding $500 to $2,000
for alleged injuries and one miner, Louis Galletti, refuses to accept
less that $10,000. The lawyers for the Coal company regard these
demands as unreasonable and declare they will go to trial rather that
submit to be held up. Following a recent conference in Chicago the
Coal company offered to pay a lump sum of $4,500 to settle what
cases remain, but the difficulty of making a satisfactory distribution
stood in the way of an acceptance and it was afterwards decided to
deal with each claimant separately.
At a conference in Chicago a week ago, V. J. Duncan and
L. M. Eckert, the attorneys who have been representing the St. Paul
Coal company in the negotiations with the men, complied a schedule
of damages which they have announced as their final offers in the
“smoke in the lung” cases. They will stand pat on that schedule, they
declare.
“In settling these cases we are not going to submit to be held
up”, declared Mr. Duncan with an emphatic shake of his head as he
pointed out a list of claims that he denounced as exorbitant. “We
would rather submit these claims to a jury and decide them on their
merits than to settle on terms that are unreasonable. These fellows
think because we are getting near the end that we will be willing to
pay them more than the others to get them off our hands. We may
have to show them that they are mistaken.
“We have always from the very beginning stood ready to
pay in these cases what is fair and reasonable, but if it is necessary
to go to trial, I feel that we can count on a square deal from a
Bureau county jury without fear of getting the worst of it because
of prejudice of sympathy. I have tried many cases in Bureau county
and have never yet gotten the worst of it when I didn’t deserve it.”
71
As he spoke, Mr. Duncan turned to a file and extracted a few
record sheets on which a complete account of the earnings of the
“smoke in the lung” victims has been kept, in order to show that
in nearly every instance the men who have not settled have been
making as much money since the fire as they were before. Among
them was Lewis Galletti who is claiming $10,000 damages.
On the records it is shown that after the fire, Galletti went
to Italy and remained there for six months, or until the close of
the strike, which began on the first of April following the Cherry
disaster, and the records further disclose that since October, 1910,
he has been steadily employed in the Cherry mine and in the two
years and three months that have since elapsed, he has earned
a total of $2,128.81, or on an average of eighty dollars a month.
Besides that he married an $1,800 widow.
The only case in which a trial is seriously expected is that
of Mrs. Mary McMullen, one of the twenty-five assumpst suits that
were commenced by the widows who made early settlements and
then brought suit for further damages on the grounds that they had
been promised as much as other widows received. The McMullen
case has been selected for trial in the circuit court and after it is
decided it will be carried to the supreme court for final disposition.
The supreme court decision will be used as a basis for dealing with
all the others of that group of cases.
Six hundred thousand dollars will not cover the amount that
the St. Paul Coal company is expending in the settlement of the
death claims, personal injury damages and attorney’s fees that have
grown out of the Cherry catastrophe of 1909, it is said. The books
of the claim department show that voluntary settlements made by
the company in the months immediately succeeding the disaster
resulted in $499,964.35, being distributed among the widows and
heirs of the victims and since that time close to $100,000 had been
added in further settlement with, lawyers, administrators and others
interested in litigation pending in the courts of Bureau county.
72
ONENESS
Taking these facts into consideration, the St. Paul Coal
company is given credit generally for having pursued a liberal
policy in dealing with the unfortunates who suffered losses through
the great mine disaster. While legally liable for only $300,000, the
total amount of the capital stock, the company is expending twice
that amount in paying the personal; injury losses, which might
possible have been avoided entirely as in other great mine disasters
by throwing into bankruptcy. The property loss alone, suffered by
the company by reason to of the fire amounted in over $100,000.
With the resources of the St. Paul railroad to draw from, the
Coal company declined to dodge the moral obligation of providing
for the widows and orphans and the physical wrecks who had been
made so by reason of the fire in the Cherry mine and because of this
situation, it is universally acknowledged that the attitude of the Coal
company as well as the results accomplished, are without parallel
in the mining industry in this country or in the history of great
industrial accidents anywhere in the world.
There 265 men lost in the fire out of a total 446 on the
payroll, and those who were not killed made claims of injury, with
very few exceptions. While many of the men came out alive were
seriously burned or otherwise disabled, there were some who made
claims for damage who had suffered non at all. It has been in such
cased that have delayed the settlements. Few worthy claims have
been left unpaid in viewing the situation as a whole the St. Paul Coal
company and its representatives have made fair and satisfactory
reparation to the families who were involved in the disaster. In death
cases the settlement have ranged from $1,800 to $4,000, besides the
attorney’s fees and the others have been treated as the individual
cases seemed to warrant. These settlements will compare favorably
with the verdicts returned in this county in mine cases that have
been tried before impartial juries.
L. M. Eckert, former states attorney, played no small part
in the settlement of the Cherry cases. Through him, as mediator,
the company and the mine victims’ dependents were brought
73
together and the records show that in the last three years more than
$500,000 has passed through his hands in releasing the damage
claims against the St’ Paul Coal company. By reason of the prompt
settlement effected with nearly 200 of the widows during the six
months immediately succeeding the fire, the St. Paul Coal company
provided relief for the destitute families at the most critical period of
their trouble and in the meanwhile many of the widows who settled
then have been occupying comfortable homes and living in good
circumstanced while the others have been struggling along waiting
to get action in the courts.
74
Taken from the Bureau County Republican dated July 14, 1910
Retyped by Dean Cotton from copy of article
Provided by
And
Edward E. Caldwell
TROUBLE AT CHERRY
Widow threatens to shoot Interpreter
For French Consul.
MRS. BOUCHER WIELDS GUN
Charles Volant, of Ladd, Attacked by Infuriated
Woman, Who Claimed He Was Hired by Coal Co.
Charging that he had betrayed the confidence of fifteen
widows at Cherry and had led them into making settlements with
the St. Paul Coal company by holding out false promises to them,
Mrs. Mathilde Boucher, widow of one of the mine victims. Friday
attempted to kill Charles Volant, of Ladd, an interpreter who assisted
the attorneys for the French consul while negotiations were pending
for the settlements of the damage claims arising out of the disaster
last November.
75
Threatens to Shoot
Mrs. Boucher, it is said, assaulted Volant and threatened to
shoot him with a revolver, which was wrestled from her only after
a desperate struggle. She was arrested and committed to jail for the
offense, by Judge Edward Flood, the village magistrate at Cherry.
Mrs. Boucher is the woman who lead the attack of the mob
upon the private car of John Burns, the St. Paul claim agent, last
April, following the attempt to ship the two fans found with a party
of the dead miners in the third vein of the mine.
Misrepresented Fund
The attack upon Volant was brought about, it is said, by his
alleged misrepresentation concerning the amount of money each
widow would receive from the Cherry Relief Fund as soon as the
final distribution should be made. At the time that the settlements
were effected, the women were told by Volant if all of them
received an equal amount they ought to get not less than $1,200
or $1,400 each from the Relief fund in addition to the $1,620 from
the company. Some of the women received checks last week from
the commission handling the fund, but in each instant the amount
was much less than they had been lead to expect, because the
commission adopted the plan of paying the widows according to
the number in each family. Mrs. Boucher, who has only a seventeen
year old daughter to support, received only $300 from the fund and
in her rage of disappointment she secured a revolver and sought
Volant to obtain revenge for what she considered his duplicity.
Feeling Against Volant
Mrs. Boucher and the other French women, it is said,
harbored a feeling of resentment against Volant since the trouble
at the car, which was caused primarily by the action of the French
consul in charging $180 in each case for attorneys fees for securing
the settlements with the company. The women believed that Volant
76
ONENESS
had betrayed them. The attack upon him by Mrs. Boucher caused
quite a commotion in the village.
Claims All Settled
State’s Attorney L. M. Eckert, of Princeton, who has had
charge of settling the damage claims against the company arising
out of the disaster says that all of the widows have signed releases
and have been paid the settlement price. He is now treating with the
miners who claim damages for injured lungs due to the smoke in the
mine on the day of the fire. Most of the “smoke in the lung” cases
are being disposed of at an average of forty five dollars each.
Mrs. Celia Meicora, one of the Cherry widows. who settled
for $1800 on Friday, was married Sunday in Ottawa. The wedding
had been postponed until after the settlement was consummated.
See # 169 (Jerome Boucher) on attached victim list
77
Taken from the Bureau County Republican dated July 14, 1910
retyped by Dean Cotton from copy of article
provided by
RECOVER BODY OF CHERRY MINER
Bones of John Gadetti Found After
Many Months.
The putrified body of John Gadetti, an Italian miner who lost
his life in the St. Paul mine disaster at Cherry, last November, was
found in the second vein of the mine, late Thursday afternoon, by
workmen engaged in clearing up an entry near the air shaft.
The body was discovered under the debris that had
accumulated in the north entry a few feet away from the air shaft.
Nothing remained of the corpse except the bones and a few rags of
clothing, and the identity of the miner could only be established by
a coat of sheep skin lining which was found wrapped about some of
the decaying bones. The discovery was made about 3 o’clock and
the remains were hoisted from the mine late Thursday night.
Gadetti, it is believed, was one of the third vein miners who
attempted to reach the cage in the main shaft when the fire was
raging at its worst and was overcome by the heat and smoke before
78
ONENESS
he could get into the straight entry. During the time that the body lay
entombed in the mine, it was within the fire belt and when it was
recovered the heat was so intense that it was with great difficulty
that the workmen were able to approach the spot. A search made for
other bodies where Gadetti was found has so far proved fruitless.
Frank Solomini, a neighbor identified the coat worn by
Gadetti, who was a bachelor who lived alone in a little house near
the outskirts of the village. Gadetti was about twenty-nine years old,
and had lived in Cherry about two years. He was born in Italy.
The inquest was conducted by Deputy Corner W. I. Kendall,
and the jury was identically the same as the one which served in the
250 other Cherry mine cases, except that Martin Powers took the
place of Mr. Kendall, who provided as coroner. A verdict similar to
that in all the other cases was returned, describing the cause of death
to suffocation and laying the blame for the accident to carelessness.
See # 528 (J. Garletti) on attached Victim List
79
Dean Cotton
retyped from previous lists
VICTIMS
of the
CHERRY MINE DISASTER
NOVEMBER 13, 1909
Age
S-SINGLE
Nationality
M-MARRIED
Amider, Alfio
18-S
Italian
Agramanti, Foli
40-S
Italian
CK
NO
547
291
NAME
510
240
247
131
Co
Alexius, Joseph
28-M
Italian
Atalakis, Peter
34-?
Greek
Atalakis, G
39-?
Greek
Adakosky, M
18-S
Greek
Armelani, Chas
32-M
Italian
(Body was recovered in April of 1910
and buried next to his wife)
Co
Armelani, Paul
33-M
Italian
86
155
Burke, Joseph
Bauer, Milce
31-M
43-M
Irish
German
110
Brain, Oliver
40-M
Scotch
25
Buraslie, Clemento 34-M
Italian
289
Bolla, Antonio
24-S
Italian
108
274
170
573
538
Bastia, Mike
Brown, Thomas
Bolla, Peter
Bawman, Frank
Bawman, Lewis
28-M
51-M
32-M
28-S
31-M
Italian
English
Italian
Belgium
Belgium
80
COMMENTS
CHILDREN
AGE
Widow
Teressa (3); baby 2 wks
No Particulars
No Particulars
Widow (died 1/6/1910
from grief -malady)
Albert (5); John (3)
Edith 2 months
Widow
Richard (8); Marco (7)
Albert (6); Rachael (4)
Caroline (2)
Widow; Joseph (2)
Widow; Mary (18)
Widow
Beatrice (10); Winnie(6)
Widow
Sidney (6); Rolando (3)
Infant;
Widow
Marlco 6 months
Widow
Widow; Dowardo (6)
Widow; August (6)
ONENESS
Dean Cotton
CK
NO
536
228
210
191
169
272
17
498
208
294
447
569
579
309
Co
Co
Co
Co
Co
597
489
479
451
415
37
Age
COMMENTS
S-SINGLE
Nationality
CHILDREN
M-MARRIED
AGE
Barozzi, Antone
26-M
Italian
Widow
Widow
Bruno, Edward
33-M
Italian
Josie(9); Antone (8)
Teressa (2)
Widow
Bredenci, Peter
30-M
Lithuanian Annie(2); Mary (1)
Widow
Budzon, Joseph
30-M
Polish
Satislar (3); Joseph (2)
Boucher, Jerome 39-M
Belgium
Widow; Amelia (17)
Widow
Bakalar, Geo
25-M
Slavish
George 10 months
Widow
Bayliff, Thomas
31-M
English
Rosie Pearl (18)
John Lincoln (1))
Bernadini, Chas
26-M
Italian
Widow & 2 wk child
Widow
Bosviel, Adolph
33-M
Italian
Clatilda (15);Bertha(15)
Budzom, Chas
30-M
Polish
Widow; Infant child
Bertolioni, Tonzothe 22-S
Italian
Benossif, J
34-S
Italian
Butilla, August
32-S
Italian
Bordesona, Joseph 35-?
Italian
Widow
Betot, John
40-M
Lithuanian Annie (9); John (5)
Sophia (4); Mary (2)
Brown, John
33-S
?
Mother
Buckles, Richard
?-?
German
Albert (15); Lottie (11)
Bruzis, John
?-?
Lithunian
Widow
Bundy, John
?-M
Lithunian Alfred; Amy; William
Mine Manager
Florence; Herbert
Ethel; Lincoln; Edgar
Costi, Angelo
23-S
Italian
Ciocci, Peter
24-S
Italian
Widow
Canov, Canivo
33-M
Italian
Two children in Italy
Cioci, Canical
22-?
Italian
Costi, Lewis
22-S
Italian
Camilli, Frank
36-M
French
Widow & one child
NAME
81
Dean Cotton
Age
S-SINGLE
Nationality
M-MARRIED
Casserio, John
26-S
Italian
COMMENTS
CHILDREN
AGE
CK
NO
585
NAME
231
Castoinelo, Chelsto 27-M
Italian
36
Cagoskey, John
Slavish
196
Chebubar, Joseph 32-M
Austrian
572
470
Casollari, Elizio
Conlon, Henry
29-S
21-S
Italian
French
203
Cohard, Henry
34-M
French
97
Cipola, Mike
40-M
Slavish
105
129
Clark, Robt
28-S
Scotch
Carlo, Elfi
28-S
Italian
Grave # 55 (Ladd) next to Johnny Galletti
Casolari, Diminick 40-S
Italian
Cavaglini, Chas
45-M
Italian
Jennie (13); James (11)
Samuel (8); Wife dead
Widow
Compasso, John 33-M
Italian
Annie (6); Frank (5)
Mamie (4); infant 5 mo
Debulka, John
27-M
Slavish
infant child
Dovin, Andrew
49-M
Slavish
Widow
Annie (16); Emma (14)
Margaret (13);
Joseph(11); Susie (9);
Frausley(7); Albert (4);
Caroline (3)
Donaldson, John 46-M
Scotch
Widow; Flenan (21)
John (15); James (10)
Dovin, George
8-S
Slavish
Demesey, Fred
29-S
French
Dumont, Leopold 33-S
Belgium
Detourney, Victor 36-M
Belgium
Widow; Victor (12)
Julia (9); Eddie (7)
436
530
570
Co
Co
35
7
38
58
269
56-M
82
Widow
Line (3); Mary 10 months
Widow
John (16); Andrew (11)
Mike (7)
Widow
Joseph (7); Mary (6)
Phillip (3); John (1)
Supporting three sisters;
Minnie (18) Laura (10);
Dora (5)
Widow; Henry (7)
Marcal (4); Paul (3)
Widow; Mike (9)
Annie (8); Andrew (4)
ONENESS
Dean Cotton
CK
NO
151
461
236
Co
Co
416
241
487
554
Co
153
47
NAME
Age
S-SINGLE
M-MARRIED
Denalfi, Francisco 30-M
Durand, Benjamin 26-M
Dunko, John
22-M
Durdan, Andrew ?-?
Davies, Jno. G.
17-S
Flario, Miestre
24-S
Flko, George
18-S
Floses, Peter
23-S
Erickson, Chas
55-S
Erickson, Eric
39-?
Farlo, John
30-S
Fayen, Peter
40-M
Italian
French
Slavish
?
?
Italian
Slavish
Italian
Swede
Swede
Italian
French
370
Forgach, John
?
Co
Co
(Grocer)
Formento, Dominick 32-M
Freebirg, Ole
35-S
Italian
Swede
Co
Francisco, John
Austrian
Co
Co
Francisco, August 23-S
(Merchant)
Flood, John
49-S
Irish
204
Governer, Jno
Belgium
258
Grehaski, Andrew 49-M
187
528
Gugleilm, Peter
34-M
Italian
Garletti, J
29-S
Italian
(Not correct spelling) (buried in Cherry, Illinois)
Was removed from mine on July 7, 1910 (8 Months later)
Last known victim removed from the mine
34-M
48-M
42-M
Nationality
Austrian
Slavish
83
COMMENTS
CHILDREN
AGE
Widow & John 6 mo)
Widow & Marsalle (2)
Widow & Infant
No Particulars
Widow; No Children
Widow
John (8); Albert (5)
Andrew (3); Louisa (1)
Widow
Mary (4); John (1)
Widow; Peter (22)
Matt (15); John (13)
Zony (12); Mary (10)
Willie (8); Veronica (7)
Jeannie & Joe (3)
Widow
Clara (18); Martha (16)
Theodore (14)
Widow
Boys 16, 12 & 3
Girls 20, 18 & 9
Widow
Mary (8); Annie (4)
Dean Cotton
Age
COMMENTS
S-SINGLE
Nationality
CHILDREN
M-MARRIED
AGE
Garletti, Jno
19-S
Italian
Mother with 6 children
(Not correct spelling) son
Grave # 54 (Ladd)
cousin to Luciano Galletti and Augusto Sargenti
Husband Giovanni Luigi Galletti died in Braceville, Illinois mine in 1904
Braceville was platted by Nathan Cotton in1861 (relative of Dean Cotton)
531
Guidarini, Jno
41-M
Italian
Widow; Aldo (11)
Amelia (9); Annie (6)
Antonia (3)
586
Gialcolzza, Angone 33-M
Italian
Minnie (6); Phillip (2)
493
Garabelda, Jno
35-S
Italian
Widow
486
Gulick, Joseph
34-M
Austrian
Johanna (10); Josie (5)
George 1 month
575
Gwaltyeri, Jalindy 28-?
Italian
119
Geckse, Frank
20-?
Austrian
189
Grumeth, Frank
34-M
German
Widow & two Children
in Austria
80
Gibbs, Lewis
34-S
English
114
Halko, Mike
28-M
Slavish
Widow & no children
221
Hadovski, Steve
28-M
Slavish
Widow; 6month child
184
Howard, Samuel
20-S
French
Mother
Widow
66
Hudar, Jno
45-M
Slavish
Annie (14); Mary (12)
George (6); Susie (4)
Lizzie (2); John Infant
Widow
206
Hynds, William
25-M
American Marquerite (2)
Widow
262
Hertzel, Jno
39-M
German
Teressa (14), Louisa (11)
John (7); Martha (5)
Hanna (3); August Infant
Widow
290
Halofcak, Dan
45-M
Slavish
Mary (18); Annie (16)
Rescued Nov, 20 and died 48 hours later
SUSIE (13); John (12)
Pauline (10); Maggie (7)
Steve (3); George (1)
216
Harpka, Joseph
52-M
Austrian
Widow and 7 children
413
Hainant, August
25-M
French
Widow; Dorica (1)
Co
Howard, Alfred
16-S
French
161
James, Frank
43-M
Scotch
Widow; Daisy (13)
CK
NO
14
NAME
84
ONENESS
Dean Cotton
CK
NO
485
Co
186
NAME
Age
S-SINGLE
M-MARRIED
Janavizza, Joe
?-?
Jamison, James
20-S
Klemiar, Thomas
55-M
?
Father
German
4
Kanz, Jno
42-M
Austrian
127
Kussner, Julius
30-?
German
144
170
182
Klaeser Jno
klemiar
Kometz, John
41-M
24-M
53-M
72
Krall, Alfred
15-S
73
Krall, Henry
56-M
94
61
Kroll. Alex s.
Kenig, John
23-M
42-M
197
48
56
568
Klemiar, Geo
Korvonia, Joseph
Kovocivio, Frank
Korvonia, Antone
56-M
33-M
38-M
21-S
444
Co
Kutz, Paul
Kliklunas, Dominik
33-M
24-S
171
26
288
Love, James
26-M
Leyshon, Chas
24-S
Lukatchko, Andrew 35-M
193
492
468
Leptack, John
Lonzotti, John
Love, Morrison
26-M
26-M
31-M
467
Love, John
34-M
472
Love, David
24-M
583
Leynaud, Urban
37-M
Nationality
COMMENTS
CHILDREN
AGE
Widow & Joseph (6)
Widow
Kathrine (13); Killian (12)
Marguetrite (7); Mary (4)
Widow
Teressa (10); Peter (7)
Widow & no children
Widow; Mike (19)
Mary (17); Susie (14)
Polish
Youngest Victim
Widow
Polish
Eugene (17); Selma (12)
Bernard (9); Edmund (4)
Polish
Widow; no children
Austrian
Widow; six children
Widow
German Charles (14); Earnest (10)
Austrian Widow, Joseph 9 months
Austrian
Russian
Widow
Lithuanian Barlico (3); Powia (3)
Lithuanian
Widow
Scotch
Jeanette (4); Christina (2)
Welch
Slavish
Widow; Amin (12)
Andrew (6); John (4)
Slavish
Widow; Mary (2)
Italian
Widow
Scotch
Widow; Morrison (9)
Jeannette (3)
Scotch
Widow; Morrison (10)
Katy (7)
Scotch
Widow; Morrison (4)
John (2)
French
Widow; Bertha (13)
George (3); Marco 6 mo
German
German
Slavish
85
Dean Cotton
Age
S-SINGLE
M-MARRIED
Lonzetti, Seicomo 32-M
Lallie, Frank
21-S
Lurnas, Mike
?-S
Leadache, Joseph 16-S
Leadache, Frank 20-S
Lewis, Isaac
33-M
CK
NO
512
567
Co
Co
Co
Co
NAME
133
Leadache, James 40-M
91
128
134
Mumetich, Hasan 20-?
Miller/Malner, Lewis 19-S
Miller/Malner, Joseph 39-M
174
Miller, Edward
33-M
305
102
Mokos, Joseph
Meicora, Joseph
43-M
36-M
32
60
Mohahan, James R.62-M
Mills, Edward
44-M
280
549
599
331
327
263
Mekles, Tonys
Merdior, Arthur
Marchiona, Frank
Marchiona, Archie
Maceoha, Jno
Mills, Arthur
54-M
26-M
32-M
52-M
26-M
29-M
101
Mittle, Jno
37-M
139
24
34
63
95
551
Mayelemis, Frank 27-S
Masenetta, Anton 25-M
Malinoski, Joe
26-S
McCandless, Robert 27-S
McGill, Jno J.
17-S
McCrudden, Jno 25-S
Nationality
COMMENTS
CHILDREN
AGE
Widow; 2 children
Italian
Italian
Italian
Lithuanian
Lithuanian
?
Widow; Robert (8)
Lola (6); Issac (2)
Lithuanian Widow; Katie (22)
Josephine (17);
Annie (10)
Austrian
Austrian
Austrian
Widow; Mary (17)
Joseph (7); Annie (6)
Eva (4); Frank (2)
?
Widow; Edmund (7)
Raymund (5)
Slavish
Widow; Mary (17)
Austrian
Widow; Joseph (3)
Cecil (2); Mary 3 mo.
Oldest Victim
Scotch
Widow; 3 children
English
Widow; Edward (9)
Phillip (7); Alma (?)
Austrian
3 children ?
Belgium
Widow; Anton (5)
Italian
Widow; Olga (1)
Italian
Widow
Slavish
Widow; 1 child
English
Widow; Doris (6)
Harold (2)
Lithuanian Widow; Mary (7)
Annie (6); Susie (3)
Lithuanian
Italian
Widow; 2 children
?
Scotch
Scotch
Scotch
86
ONENESS
Dean Cotton
Age
S-SINGLE
Nationality
M-MARRIED
CK
NO
NAME
552
McCrudden, Peter 48-M
Scotch
200
McMullen, Geo
24-M
Scotch
172
546
Mazenetto, Jno
Mani, Joseph
18-S
56-M
Italian
Italian
Co
Mayersky, Jno
39-M
Slavish
Co
McLuckie, Andrew 31-M
Scotch
Co
McFadden, Andrew 22-S
Co
Mazak, Jno
?-M
Co
Matear/ Mactear, W 30-M
Co
Norberg, Alex
37-M
Mine Manager;
Co
Norberg, August
34-S
1
Ossek, Donaty
32-M
?
?
?
Swede
209
157
Ossek, Martin
Ondurko, Matt
36-M
26-M
Austrian
Slavish
541
273
Olson, Chas P.
Palmiori, Albert
50-S
50-M
Swede
Italian
227
Prusitus, Perys
39-M
118
Prusitus, Peter
38-M
182
Pavoloski, Jno
27-M
198
Pressenger, Joseph 38-M
239
Prich, Joseph
38-M
Swede
Austrian
COMMENTS
CHILDREN
AGE
Widow
Marie (11); Peter (8)
Kathrine (4);
Margurite (2)
Widow; George (2)
Infant
Widow; Katie (20)
Mary (4)
Widow; Annie (13)
Susie (11); Emma (8)
Joe (6); George (2)
Widow; John (10)
Jeannette (5); James (3)
Andrew (2); Wm. 2 wks
Widow; 3 children
Widow
Widow; Mae (6)
Dorothy (2)
Widow; Benat (8)
Mary (3); Albert (1)
Widow
Widow; Mary (6)
Verna (5); Annie (4);
Matt (2); John infant
Widow; 7 children
Widow
Lithuanian Perys (8); Tony (6)
Mike (2); Infant 11 mo.
Lithuanian Widow; Pete (8)
Wm. (7); Blaygue (6)
Frank (4)
Widow
Lithuanian Rosie (6); Mary (2)
Susie 10 mo.
German
Widow; Hilda (6)
Annie (4); Walter 3 mo.
Austrian
Widow
87
Dean Cotton
CK
NO
476
488
226
542
558
318
513
Co
Co
10
57
19
64
83
299
414
504
423
321
Co
Co
Co
Co
55
Age
COMMENTS
S-SINGLE
Nationality
CHILDREN
M-MARRIED
AGE
Pearson, Alex
30-S
Swede
Perono, Dominick 32-M
Italian
Widow; Mary (6)
Joseph (4); Annie (2)
Peter (?)
Papea, Chas
33-M
French
Widow; Lucy (4)
Kathryn 6 mo.
Pearson, John
37-S
Swede
Perbacher, Peter 49-M
Austrian
Widow; 6 children
Packo, Andrew
37-M
Slavish
Widow; Andrew (16)
John (14)
Pete, Ben
35-?
Austrian
Pshak, John
42-M
Slavish
Widow; Annie (12)
John (10); George (8)
Mary (4); Lizzie 14 mo
Pauline, Antona
26-M
Austrian
Widow; Antone (1)
Repsel, Martin
36-M
Austrian
Widow; Martin (8)
Lucy (4); Barbara (3)
Antone (1)
Repsel, Joseph
29-M
Austrian
Widow; Joseph (2)
Rodonis, Joseph
33-M
Lithuanian Widow; Peter (15)
Mary (9); Mabel (8)
Joseph (6)
Rolland, Victor
18-?
?
Rittel, Frank
37-M
Austrian
Widow; John (12)
Martin (9)
Richards, Thomas 21-M
Welch
Widow
Ricca, Cegu
30-?
Italian
Riva, Joseph
27-S
Italian
Raviso, Joe
?-?
?
Ruggesie, Gailamyo 25-S
Italian
Rossman, Robert 17-S
German
Mother; Teressa (13)
Mother & Father not living together
Andrew (10);
Hannah (8)
Marguerite (4);
John 2 wk
Ruygiesi, Frank
21-S
Italian
Rimkus, Joseph
27-S
Lithuanian
Robeza, Joseph
?-S
?
Sopko, Cantina
24-S
Slavish
NAME
88
ONENESS
Dean Cotton
CK
NO
22
44
71
85
111
132
62
473
474
253
482
495
225
245
181
194
146
308
312
282
135
301
Age
COMMENTS
S-SINGLE
Nationality
CHILDREN
M-MARRIED
AGE
Speir, James
34-M
Scotch
Widow; Alexander (12)
William (11); Jennie (9)
George (7); James (5)
Elizabeth (1)
Stettler, Harry
24-M
German
Widow; Herman (2)
Maria 4 mo
Sandeen. Olaf
50-M
Swede
No Widow; Roy (17)
Edwin (15); Jennie (12)
Evelyn (6)
Seitz, Paul
34-M
Slavish
Widow; Hattie (3)
Edward (1)
Shermel, Antone 36-S
Austrian
Stark, John
35-M
Austrian
Widow; 3 children
Stanchez, Frank
30-M
Polish
Widow; Josephine (2)
Helen 3 wk
Stefenelli, Dominick 39-M
Italian
5 children
Sargenti, Augusto 25-M
Italian
Widow; Armando (6)
Widow Angiolina and Luciano Galletti
Mario (4); Augusta 2 mo
married on 11/25/1911 (Augusta’s second birthday)
Augusto and Giovanni Galletti are cousins
Siamon, Andrew
24-M
Slavish
Widow
Semboa/ Sereba J ?
?
?
Smith, John W.
46-M
Scotch
Widow; Arthur (18)
Roy (12); Phylias (4)
Sublich, Charles
32-M
Lithuanian Widow; John (4)
Charlie (2)
Suhe, John
17-S
Slavish
Suhe, Mike
44-M
Slavish
Widow; Tony (9)
George (4)
Suffen, John
39-M
Austrian
Widow; John (9)
Annie (5)
Sukitus, Joseph
30-M
Russian
Widow; Joe (?)
Annie (?); Mary (?)
Steele, Peter
24-S
American
Sarbelle, Julius
28-M
Italian
Widow and Infant
Stearns, James
40-M
American Widow and 1 child
Seitz, Edward
28-M
German
Widow; Henry (5)
Albert (4); Willie (2)
Lewis 2 mo
Scotland, William 32-M
Scotch
Widow; James (9)
William (5)
Andrew Craig 3 mo
NAME
89
Dean Cotton
CK
NO
251
Co
Co
Co
89
16
52
212
315
Co
Co
516
537
313
431
478
503
Co
596
29
113
Co
Co
Age
COMMENTS
S-SINGLE
Nationality
CHILDREN
M-MARRIED
AGE
Shemia, Jno
40-M
Austrian
Widow; Mary (12)
Annie (12); Susie (9)
John (7); Andrew (4)
Emma (2)
Stewart, Harry
28-M
Scotchman Widow; Henry (7)
Walter (5); Helen (4)
Robert 1 mo
Szabrinski. Jno
29-M
Lithuanian Widow; Eale (2)
Known as John Cager Smith
Stam, Antone
44-S
?
Staszeski, Tony
33-M
Polish
Widow; Antonia 2 wk
Sestak, Jno
25-S
Slavish
Tinko, Joseph Jr.
28-M
Slavish
Widow; Joseph (6)
Tony (5); Mary (3)
Andrew (2);
George 2 mo
Finko, Joseph Jr.
51-M
Slavish
Widow; Louis (26)
John (14); Paul (12)
Tinko, Steve
24-S
Slavish
Tinko, Andrew
17-S
Slavish
Teszone, George 28-M
Italian
Widow; Brogo (6)
Mary (4)
Talioli, Eugene
38-M
Italian
Widow; Angel (5)
Dominick (3); Annie (2)
Katie 2 mo
Tonnelli, Emilia
30-M
Italian
Widow; Stella (6)
Jennie (4); Charles (2)
Amelia 6 wk
Turchi, Nocenti
31-S
Italian
Tosseth, Frank
29-M
Italian
Widow; Armendo (2)
Famashanski, Joseph 28-S Italian ?
Tamarri, Pasquale 25-M
Italian
Widow
Tonner, John
47-M
Scotch
Widow; Rachael (17)
Rose (15)
Ugo, Filippe
28-M
Italian
Widow
White, Geo
54-M
English
Widow; Stanley (10)
Welkas, Anthony 31-M
Russian
Widow 2 children
(Mine Examiner)
Waite, Chas
42-M
English
Widow; Joseph (4)
Wyatt, Wm.
35-M
English
Widow; Ruth (14)
Eva (12); Annie (9)
Thomas (4); Norris (4)
NAME
90
ONENESS
Dean Cotton
Age
COMMENTS
S-SINGLE
Nationality
CHILDREN
M-MARRIED
AGE
Yurcheck, Antone 47-M
Slavish
Widow; Mary (17)
Annie (12)
211
Yacober, Frank
32-M
German
Widow; Barbara (11)
Frank (8); John (6)
Mary (4)
477
Yannis, Peter
?-?
?
Co
Yagoginski, Frank 34-M
Polish
Widow; Frank (16)
Mary (13);
Margurite (11)
Agnes (5); Hannah (3)
Co
Yearley, Joseph
20-S
?
5
Zliegley, Thos
27-?
Slavish
148
Zekuia, Joseph
33-M
Slavish
Widow; Annie (13)
Mike (11); John (10)
Mary (8); Emma (5)
Joseph (3);
George 3 mo
497
Zacherria, Giatano 40-M
Italian
Widow; August (8)
Jennie (2); Infant
265
Zeikell, Pat
28-M
Austrian
Widow; Antone (3)
Rudolph (2); Infant
480 men and boys entered the mine on Saturday morning on
November 13, 1909. Several who quit work early this day saw the
smoldering fire, but did not pay particular attention as small fires were
common.
CK
NO
149
NAME
259 perished. Spelling of names (not all correct) is from previous
documents. Approximately 30 % of the victims were Italian. Several
unidentified miners were buried side by side in open trench graves in
the Cherry, Illinois cemetery. The memorial monument (picture in front
of book) is located near the center of the cemetery. The land for this
cemetery was donated by the railroad company.
There were 160 widows and 470 orphaned children. Thirty- three
children of deceased miners were born after the disaster. Several of
the widows remarried and had additional children.
91
[insert 23.jpg]
Dean and Lorena (Galletti) Cotton
April 13, 2004
Indiana, U.S.A.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dean Cotton was born and raised in Mendota, Illinois.
Lorena (Galletti) Cotton was born and raised in Naplate (Ottawa),
Illinois. Dean graduated in 1962 with a BSME degree from Bradley
University in Peoria, Illinois. He is a Registered Professional
Engineer in Illinois and Indiana. Dean held a variety of engineering
and management positions with Union Carbide and Caterpillar. He
retired from Caterpillar in 1999.
Lorena earned her cosmetology license in 1958 and has
worked in sales. Dean and Lorena were married in 1958 and raised
three children who also earned advanced educations.

oneness - Tennessee Luke

Transcription

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