In the morning of May 2, 1972, a fire broke out in the Sunshine Mine. According to the US Mine Rescue Association, 91 workers died from smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning; 83 men were rescued, 81 on May 2 and two on May 9. The mine was closed for seven months after the fire, which was one of the worst mining disasters in American history and is the worst disaster in Idaho's history. - Wikipedia
The following "Spokesman Review" clippings saved by Don Jones tell the story - (courtesy of Kay Turley)
Aerial view of Mine
Anxious Families Wait
Patient Families Waiting
Father Martin Huges consoles
Efforts Pressed to Enter Mine
Cage Readied for Shaft Trip
Big Fan Installed
Another Grim Day, May 7th
A week later -
Tom Wilkinson leaps from cage
Happy Mine Walk
Happiness is - Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Flory
Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Flory
Flory Family Reunion
Gov. Cecil Andrus talks to Flory and Wilkinson families
Attorney General Anthony Park readies investigation
Sunshine Foreman Robert Bush dies in tragedy
Successful Mine Rescue Two men, Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Flory, were rescued and found to be in good condition after being trapped for 8 days following the Sunshine silver mine fire in Kellogg, Shoshone County, Idaho. 91 miners were killed in the disaster. The four men responsible for the rescue were Wayne D. Kanack, Frank J. Delimba, and Don Morris from the U. S. Bureau of Mines, and Sonny Becker, a Sunshine miner. - USMRA
For more, The US Mine Rescue Association has a well source article of the disaster to read for history and more clippings. Sunshine Mine Fire
Virtual cemetery at findagrave (includes 43 graves)
"Proudly we pay tribute to the men who lost their lives in the Sunshine Mine May 2, 1972. And now may the grace, mercy and peace of God The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rest and abide with you now and forever. Sponsored by: The Families - Donated by: The Shoshone Funeral Service Kellogg and Wallace, Jack King, King Electric, Kellogg, Idaho
Alexander, Robert H.
Allen, Billy Wayne
Allen, Wayne L.
Allison, Richard Marlin
Anderson, Arnold E.
Anderson, Robert L.
Armijo, Jose Edumino
Barber, Benjamin
Barker, Robert E.
Bebb, Virgil
Beehner, Donald G.
Bewley, Richard Donald
Birchett, George William
Blalack, Wayne
Bush, Robert W. obituary
Byington, Floyd L.
Carlos, Carter Don
Case, Clarence
Casteel, Charles
Croker, Kevin
Crow, Duwain D.
Davis, John W.
Davenport, Roderick B.
Delbridge, Richard
Delbridge, William R.
Diaz, Roberto Sr.
Dionne, Gregory
Don Carlos, Carter
Fee, Norman Seager
Findley, Lyle M.
Firkins, Donald K.
Fleshman, Howard Laurel
Follette, William Robert
Garcia, Richard (Dick)
George, Richard G.
Goff, Robert W.
Goos, William L.
Guertner, John P.
Hanna, William F.
Harrison, Howard
Hobson, Patrick M.
House, Melvin L.
Hudson, Merle E.
Ivers, Jack B.
Johnson, Fred E.
Johnson, Paul E.
Johnson, Wayne L.
Johnston, Michael J.
Keough, Custer L.
Kester, Sherman C.
Kitchen Dewellyn E. (Kitch)
Kitchen, Elmer
Lavoie, Kenneth C.
Lynch, Richard
McLachlan, Donald J.
McNutt, Delbert J.
Moore, James C.
Mullin, David J.
Naccarato, Joseph R.
Nelson, Orlin Wayne
Norris, Richard Dale
Orr, Donald R.
Patrick, H.B. (Pat)
Pena, Casey (U.S.Navy)
Peterson, John W.
Phillips, Francis W.
Puckett, Irvin L.
Rais, Floyd A.
Rathbun, Leonard D.
Rawson, John R.
Reichert, Jack L.
Rhoads, Delbert (Dusty)
Rossiter, Glen R.
Russell, Paul M.
Salyer, Gene E.
Salyer, James P.
Sargent, Allen
Scanlan, Robert B.
Serrano, Juan Raul
Sharette, Nick D.
Sisk, Frank R.
Stephens, Darrell Eugene
Thor, Gustav Gayle
Truelock, Grady D.
Waldvogel, Robert E.
Walty, William Roy
Whatcott, Gordon
Wiederrick, Douglas L.
Wilson, Ronald L.
Wilson, William E.
Wolff, John Sam
Wood, Don B.
Page updated August 2021
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