An Uncommon Authority!

'Rare souls' dig deep in face of disaster

The 1917 Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine Fire is historic not only because it happened but also because of what occurred when rather ordinary human beings were forced, without warning, into unimaginable, life-threatening circumstances. An estimated 400 men had to do whatever it took to survive.  The "No Greater Love" story about a hero of that disaster must be told, and it must be told well.

Certainly miners in 1917 were acutely aware that what they were doing a half a mile below the surface was fraught with danger. Even though the North Butte Mining Company's aggressive action to improve the conditions of the Speculator Mine had been quite successful, the odds were stacked against any person who dropped down into the mines of the "Richest Hill on Earth." But the money was pretty damn good.

Although we know ourselves better than anyone else can know us, it is impossible to predict our own natural responses to a disaster, an accident or a tragedy during which events beyond our control put our faces smack up against death. What we decide to do and how efficiently we act determines the rest of our lives and perhaps the lives of others. In these moments, some of us may become terrified and freeze up. "How's a body to know until then?"  Others may give up fairly quickly. Still others may lose their minds. But there are those rare souls who have a capacity that resides deep within them –– perhaps even unknown to them –– to focus in an almost super human way to see through the smoke to a solution that provides at least a "gambler's chance" to make it through to another day.

Among those losing control of reason when the smoke and poisonous gases from the fire in the Granite Mountain chased the men into every corner of the mine, many may have concentrated on the worst possible death –– asphyxiation or being burned to death. Because of the preciousness of life, they all raged in their own ways against the dying of the light and did not go gentle into that good night (paraphrase – Welsh poet Dylan Thomas). Some may have even succumbed to fear itself. When facing dire circumstances, who we really are shows up. Everything we are is driven to the surface and exposed to ourselves; everything we aren't recedes into the blackness.

Any light?

Anybody there?

Can't breathe!

Then a voice speaks with uncommon authority, competency, poise and vision –– the voice of a "nipper," a worker responsible for sharpening the miners' tools throughout the mine. It was the voice of a man who knew the mine tunnels well and rallied the miners –– a man named Manus Duggan.

The motto of the No Greater Love Board of Directors is "Failure is not an option!" And neither was failure an option for Manus Duggan when he reportedly said to some twenty-eight brothers, "Now's the time boys! We can make it if you muster all the strength you have left!" Under Duggan's leadership, the bulkhead they built together saved the lives of 25 miners. Manus Duggan, himself, along with 167 others, did not survive the disaster.