I knew mines in general were dangerous but didn't know the number of complex issues and concerns working in mines involved. Goodbye Wifes and Daughters educated me by providing a detailed description of the brutal conditions and constant hazards to miners. It seems it doesn't take much for something awful to go very wrong in that environment. Frightening to think of these men going underground into Smith and other mines regularly. They received low wages. (I don’t think there is enough money in the world to ask someone to do this work.)

Like other industries, coal mining had put safety protocols in place to minimize the potential for danger. Problem is that in 1943 Montana hadn't updated its old policies to reflect newer safety requirements. Additionally, each company and mine seemed to run autonomously. Many mine company owners focused on profits and often coerced mine supervisors to manage the mines expediently not safely. And didn't care what the states' mining inspectors said or reported.

Obviously, prioritizing money over safety never works out well. In small towns throughout the world, as in Goodbye Wifes and Daughters' town of Bear Creek, Montana, miners faced horrific accidents and death every minute of the hours their shifts run. On Feb 27, 1943, a terrible explosion in the Smith mine killed 75 men; 74 who had been working in the mine, and one who ran in to rescue as many men as possible over and over again. Only 2 miners were rescued. Miners from other mines, from other states, families and friends hurried over and spent 9 days trying to rescue the trapped miners.

Too many funerals; widows, children left without fathers, brothers and grandfathers. These multiple tragic losses altered the lives of the Bear Creek families, scarring the heart and soul of the town.To worsen matters Montana Coal and Iron Company provided no compensation to the families of the miners who are killed.

An investigation doesn’t produce a definitive answer of who is accountable. Neither does the inquest. Montana’s Governor’s committee of 3 determined: Davies of Montana Coal and Iron did not follow Inspector Arnold’s improvement requirements; Montana’s coal mine protocols were weak and outdated, and that Montana Coal and Iron knew what they needed to do but chose not to: ensure ventilation system was in place, provide working rescue equipment, prohibit smoking, etc.

Many good, salt-of-the-earth people in Bear Creek, whose miners and families didn’t deserve a mine manager like John Freeman. He who took shortcuts and unnecessary risks with the miners’ lives to squeeze as much money out. And after the explosion, he goes on record, lying to anyone and everyone how the company cared well for the miners, followed all requirements, and ordered rock powder as per inspection reports. Not true, he delayed placing the order and never did. Arnold, the mine inspector who found the mine dangerously ‘gassy’ and in need of much remediation, and who in good faith believed the company would comply with his requirements, is accused by Freeman of giving orders to close off a gassy room which caused explosion. Arnold did not order the room closed.

A heartbreaking story of a dangerous, corrupt and irresponsible industry lacking strong state or federal oversight. While unsurprising this tragedy happened knowing the history of mine companies taking advantage of innocent, uneducated men who need jobs to support their families, it still is a fateful kick to the gut, a reminder of the reality of educational and employment inequities. At that time folks took jobs that were available. They didn’t make demands on their companies for safety, better working conditions, higher pay, or pensions to protect their families.

One morning in 1943, close to eighty men descended into the Smith coal mine in Bearcreek, Montana. Only three came out alive. "Goodbye wifes and daughters . . ." wrote two of the miners as they died. The story of that tragic day and its aftermath unfolds in this book through the eyes of those wives and daughters-women who lost their husbands, fathers, and sons, livelihoods, neighbors, and homes, yet managed to fight back and persevere.

Goodbye Wifes and Daughters by Resnick_ Susan Kushner
Story of a Montana coal mining accident. They used to have parades, dances and everybody enjoyed the outside. Recall stories of canaaries, this mine had mice to tell them when conditions were bad.
The morning of the inspection there are many things written down, safety issues and air was not fit for human consumption. Although he had a safety list nothing would ever be done during the time of war.
Always been fascinated by the mines but I'm not sure why=something to do with my father I think.
Story follows many of the families and what they are doing that day, along with past events of the town. Love where the location is, described so beautifully-hope to visit one day.
Politics, mine owners, mine operators, regulations and nothing gets done. Notes to their loved ones were written on walls, helmets, etc.
Enjoyed listening to the improvements via the inquisition and the followup on what the remaining members of the families had done after the devastation. Reminds me of the big disasters: JFK shooting, 911 invasion and what I was doing at the time. Same as the people here, they knew exactly what they were doing the day of the mine blast.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device). ( )