Besides the unseasonably cold weather and heavy snowfall that blanketed the ground, November 5, 1930 began like any other for the 191 miners working at the Sunday Creek Coal Mine # 6. Nobody knew that ordinary work day would result in the worst mine disaster in Ohio's history.

At approximately 11:45 am., a short circuit between a broken trolley wire and the rail ignited methane gas that had accumulated in the mine shaft. The massive explosion that occurred could be felt many miles away.

Of the 191 miners working that day, 73 men lost their lives. Those not killed by the blast fell victim to the carbon monoxide that filled the mine shafts. The deceased also included the president of the Sunday Creek Coal Company, William Tytus, 4 other mine officials, and 4 visitors. Ironically, the officials were in the mine that morning inspecting new safety equipment.

As the word spread, doctors, nurses, and undertakers quickly rushed to the chaotic scene. The Ohio Governor ordered the National Guard to report to the mine site to keep order. Since the mine didn't have any rescue equipment, it had to brought in. A train carrying 2 mine rescue cars arrived in record time, traveling 91 miles in 93 minutes.

Roughly 9 hours after the explosion, 19 miners were discovered alive, 3 miles from the main shaft. They survived by partially blocking themselves in a part of the mine that contained a fresh air pocket. Several of the trapped miners managed to escape by climbing out of a ventilation shaft.

At 11 pm., in front of a frantic crowd, the first body was brought to the surface. The remaining bodies were finally removed around noon on the following day. The storage room, pool hall, and company store were converted into temporary morgues.

Besides the terrible loss of life, 59 women became widows and 79 boys and 75 girls lost their fathers that day. Practically every family in Millfield was affected. This tragic event made headlines throughout the country, including the front page of the Washington Post and New York Times.

Like they always say, life must go on. A month after the disaster, the mine was reopened and the work commenced. However, Ohio's mine safety laws were were forced to improve in 1931 due to the tragedy. The mine continued to operate up until 1945, when it finally closed down. Today, a historic marker is located nearby to mark the tragedy, and a memorial with the names of those killed is located in the village to make sure that they're never forgotten. Millfield also holds a memorial service each year on the anniversary of the tragedy.