On April 30, 1927, an explosion at the Federal No. 3 mine in Everettville, Monongalia County, killed 111 men. The blast, fire, and deadly gas made escape nearly impossible. Only nine miners survived, including one who returned with rescuers to save eight others. Messages found later showed some miners lived for hours after the explosion.

The explosion also destroyed a nearby building, killing six more workers. Crowds gathered at the site as families waited for news. Fires raged for two weeks before the mine was safe enough to remove all the bodies.