PORTAGE — Merle Thomas remembers seeing the blood running from the side of his father’s mouth as he was laid to rest following the explosion of the Sonman Mine on July 15, 1940.
Thomas’ dad ran the motor that moved the railcars at the mine and was only inches away from the spark that set off the explosion, killing the 63 men.
Located in the Sonman area of Portage Township, the mine was one of many that operated around Portage from the early 1900s until the middle of the century.
The disaster of six decades ago impacted the lives of nearly everyone in the Portage area and will be remembered in a photo exhibit, “63 Men Down,” set to open this week at the Portage Historical Society Museum on Lee Street.
The exhibit will be a collection assembled in the past 25 years by Robert Sease of Main Street, Portage, a local photo buff who can be seen daily walking the town’s streets, camera in hand recording the people and changing scenery.
“I agreed to provide the photos and the historical society will set up the exhibit,” said Sease, 84, who has photographed a large number of areas of interest in the region including one of his favorites, the Schwab Estates in Loretto.
“The bank had photographs, and that’s how I got interested,” Sease said of his 25 years working at Portage National Bank.
Most of the dozens of pictures he has of the Sonman Mine – before and after the explosion – came from the victims’ families, who allowed him to make copies.
Sease has photos of 51 of the dead miners and the historical society is hopeful more families will provide access to the 12 photos missing from the collection.
“We want to see what else we can find,” said society member Irene Huschak, expressing hope the exhibit will stir public interest and prompt some people to get into the old steamer trunk.
The explosion changed the life of Thomas, then a boy, and the exhibit of black-and-white photographs is one he plans to see despite the painful memories it will evoke.
“I’ll never forget the blood running out of his mouth. It was terrible,” Thomas said. “I was one of nine brothers and sisters, and after the explosion we lived in poverty.”
The exhibit originally was set to run Friday through Sunday, but interest prompted the historical society to extend it until early September, Huschak said.
Local News
Picturing the past: Exhibit recalls 1940 Sonman Mine disaster
- Local News
-
-
Boswell-based summer camp adding 130 acres
A Boswell-based summer camp is expanding again, with an additional 130 acres of Ligonier-area land expected to provide more space for a growing program for inner-city youth.
-
City not seeking grant for firemen
Six weeks after a second round of layoffs, Johnstown firefighters believe they have found a way to restore their depleted manpower.
-
Six awarded Allegany College scholarships
Six Somerset County residents recently were awarded the Lucas Popernack Memorial Scholarships for study at Allegany College of Maryland in the current 2011-12 academic year.
-
Blogging with heart
Although it was probably high school English classes that propelled by career, I always liked science and history – with some notable, teacher-personality-or-competence-related exceptions.
-
Commissioners appoint three to arena board
The Cambria County commissioners, looking for new input for the county-owned War Memorial Arena, have appointed three new members to the seven-member War Memorial Authority board.
-
In brief: Police seek suspect in Lower Yoder burglary
West Hills Regional Police are searching for a suspect in the burglary of a Lower Yoder Township home on Tuesday.
-
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
The widow of a man who a prosecutor determined committed “suicide by cop” by pointing a weapon at state police during a standoff is suing, claiming the shooting was not justified.
-
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Boswell-based summer camp adding 130 acres
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
