To say the mining industry is brutal is an understatement. It’s a very risky venture, and it used to be even more dangerous. Even so, with proper training and equipment, many of Montana’s miners have enjoyed a long, profitable career. Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared the people at Smith Mine #3 near Bearcreek for what happened in 1943. The Smith Mining Disaster was the worst incident Montana has ever seen.

On February 27, 1943, 77 coal miners entered the mouth of the Smith Mine.
m01229 / Flickr
It was a Saturday, so it was a short crew. They descended about 7,000 feet into the Number 3 vein and got to work.
At 9:37 AM, an explosion fueled by a buildup of methane gas ripped through the mine.
cyclewidow / Flickr
No one knows for sure what caused the explosion.
Of the 77 miners, only three got out alive.
m01229 / Flickr
They were in bad condition and were rushed to the hospital. Search and rescue volunteers rushed into the mine to look for survivors, many of them becoming gravely ill from the gas.

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Unfortunately, no other survivors were found in the mine.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
They left behind 58 wives and 125 children. Many of the miners’ wives waited diligently by the entrance for several days in hopes that their husbands would get out safely.
30 of the men had been killed instantly by the explosion, while the remainder died from suffocation.
Tassandra C / Flickr
Some of the miners lived long enough to write heartfelt messages to their families.
Once the miners’ remains were removed, the mine was closed and never reopened.
Tassadara C / Flickr
A memorial stone was put up with the names of the deceased. You can see the ghostly site if you drive north from Bear Creek toward Red Lodge.

The Smith Mining Disaster was extremely tragic. The few that escaped were lucky that the local community came together to help them and risk their own lives to look for survivors. Our big-hearted people are part of what makes Montana the best state in the country.

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