Names of the Men Who Died in the 1917
Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine Fire
Note: The names of those who died in the
Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine Fire were obtained from the following sources:
• Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine
Monument
• The gravestone at Mountain View
Cemetery: “In Memory of the Unidentified
Dead of the Granite Mountain Fire, June
8, 1917.”
• List of dead from the June 18, 1917,
Butte Miner newspaper
• “Compilations of the dead by James
Harrington (1992, revised 1997),” filed in
the open file at the Butte Archives
• Death certificates at the Butte-Silver Bow
County Clerk and Recorders Office and
Coroner Reports and Mortuary Records
at the Butte Archives.
Sign at the Granite Mountain Memorial north
of Butte, Montana. The site marks the site of
what is still — 100 years later — the worst
hard-rock mining disaster in U.S. history.
funeral was June 15, 1917, for Joseph,
Philip Erakovich and Risto Vetkovich at Holy
Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church. Joseph was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery.
Bennets, Henry — no age listed, married
with six sons ranging in age from 12 to 2
years of age: Cecil, John, Raymond, David,
Henry and Paul. The family moved to Butte
from Smokerum, Pennsylvania, in 1913.
Henry was buried in Mountain View
Cemetery with the unidentified dead of the
Granite Mountain Fire.
Bigcroft, George W. (Bigcraft) — 32, son of
James W. Bigcraft and Alice Steel, was born
January 17, 1884, in Michigan. George was
buried June 13, 1917, at Mountain View
Cemetery.
Bixby, John B. — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Bjomstrom, John (Bjornstorn) — no age
listed, single, was born in Finland. John’s
Allen, Francis H. — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Anderson, Nils (Nels) —no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Bajovich and Bigovich same person?
Bajovich, Jovain (Jovoin); Jovain –– 34,
married, the son of Obrian Bijovich, was born
in Serbia in 1883. Jovial was buried June 14,
1917, in Mountain View Cemetery.
Barros, Peter — 32, single, was born in
Greece in 1884. Peter’s funeral was June 13,
1917, at Daniels & Bilboa’s Undertaking
Parlor. He was buried in Mountain View
Cemetery.
Bellich, Joseph (Bilich not listed) — 32,
single, was born in Serbia in 1885. A joint
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funeral was June 13, 1917, at Richard’s
Funeral Chapel, and he was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery.
Bodnaruk, Steve — on James Harrington’s
list with no other information.
Borden, Alex — 24, was born in Austria. He
was a cousin of Samuel Borden, who also
died in the Granite Mountain Fire. A joint
funeral for Alex and Samuel was June 16,
1917, at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church. He was buried in Mountain View
Cemetery.
Borden, Samuel M. — 25, was also born in
Austria and was also buried in Mountain View
Cemetery. [See Alex Borden above]
Brady, John J. — 26, single, was born in
Ireland. John was buried June 12, 1917, in
Holy Cross Cemetery.
Bodoinac, Daniel and Budovinac Daniel
the same?
Bodoinac, Daniel (not listed) — Daniel’s
funeral was June 13, 1917, at Holy Savior
Catholic Church. He was buried in Holy
Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Budovinac, Daniel — 32, single, was the
son of Daniel and Mary Budovinac and born
in Austria. Daniel’s funeral was June 13,
1917, at Holy Savior Catholic Church, and he
was buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Callahan, Tim J. — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Cavella, James — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Cavella, John — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Chapman, Ernest L. — 22, single, was born
in 1894 in Minnesota. He registered for the
draft on June 5, 1917. Ernest was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Chovilo, Tom (not listed) — no age listed. A
joint funeral was held for Tom, George
Janjicich, Tlija Martinovich, Krsto Vuckovich
and Steve Zizich at Holy Trinity Serbian
Orthodox Church. Tom is buried at Mount
Moriah Cemetery.
Chytil, John — 25, single, was born in
Monrovia in 1892. He registered for the draft
on June 5, 1917. John was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Conroy, Mike — 36, married, was born in
Ireland. Mike’s funeral was June 11, 1917, at
Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was
buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Covacevich, Chale (possibly the same
person as Charles Kovacich or Korvacich,
who is also listed on the plaque at the
Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine Fire
Monument) — 31, the son of Nick and Rosia
Kovacich, was born in Austria. Chale’s
funeral was June 12, 1917, at St. Lawrence
O’Toole Catholic Church. He was buried in
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Curran, Francis G. — 36, married, was the
son of George Curran and Ellan Hartinell.
Francis’ funeral was June 13, 1917, at the
family residence, and he was buried in St.
Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
Dabcovich, Yoko (Daborich) (Andrew) —
35, single, was the son of Andre Dabcovich
and born in Montenegro. Yoko’s funeral was
June 12 , 1917, at the Knights of the Pythias
Hall, under the auspices of the Serbian
Montenegrin Society. He was buried in Mount
Moriah Cemetery.
Davis, Charles (not listed) — no age listed.
Charles’ funeral was June 17, 1917, at Walsh
Funeral Parlors; the Reverend Martin Hudtioff
of St. Mark’s German Evangelical Lutheran
Church, officiated. He was buried in Mountain
View Cemetery.
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De Boer, Albert H. (De Beor) — 25, single.
Albert was buried June 11, 1917, in Colorado
Springs, Colorado.
Dillon, Tom — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Doherty, Dan (Dougherty) — 27, single, son
of Dan Dougherty, was born in Ireland.
Funeral services for Dan were June 11, 1917,
at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was
buried June 12, 1917, in Boston, Mass.
Doherty, Pat — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Donich, Nick (Devich) — 32, was born in
Austria. Nick’s funeral was June 12, 1917, at
the Carpenters’ Union Hall, and he was
buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Dougherty, Neil (Doherty) — 46, the son of
Neil Dougherty, was born in Ireland. He was
married and had a daughter about 9-yearsold. Neil’s funeral was June 12, 1917, at St.
Mary’s Catholic Church, and he was buried in
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Duggan, Mannus — 30, married, was the
son of James and Mary Duggan and born
May 30, 1887, in Pennsylvania. He married
Margaret “Madge” Brogan on April 7, 1915, in
Butte. Manus’ funeral was June 15, 1917, at
Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Rev.
Michael O’Dea Barry officiated. Manus was
buried in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
Durkin, Mulaki (Malachi) —32 (or 22?),
single. Mulaki’s funeral was June 14, 1917, at
Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was
buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
(Buried June 15, 1917, in Brooklyn, N.Y.?)
Erakovich, Philip — no age listed, single,
was born in Montenegro. A joint funeral was
held June 15, 1917, for Philip, Joseph Bellich
and Risto Vetkovich at Holy Trinity Serbian
Orthodox Church. Philip was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery.
Erickson, Emil — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Erickson, Fred — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead because his relatives did
not request a burial. His name is not on the
present memorial marker at the grave site.
His name may have been on the marker that
was stolen in the 1960s.
Fegan, Pat (Fagan) — 42, married, was born
in Ireland. Pat’s funeral was June 12, 1917,
at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and he was
buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Fitzharris, Maurice A. — 47, was the son of
William P. Fitzharris. He was born in
Wisconsin in 1870. He was a widower and
had four children ranging in age from 5 to 8.
Maurice was buried June 12, 1917, in Holy
Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Fitzsimmons, Pat — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
Headlines from The Butte Miner: “TWENTY-FIVE
MEN ARE RESCUED ALIVE; Heroism of Manus
Duggan Leads to Escape of All but Himself;
Possible Dead in North Butte Disaster Will Total 145
Miners.” Actually, it claimed 168 men.
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unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Fors, A.W. — 29, was the son of Oscar
Forsberg. He was born March 30, 1888, in
Sweden. His funeral was June 14, 1917 at
Richard’s Funeral Chapel; the Rev. David N.
Anderson of the Emmanuel Swedish
Lutheran Church officiated. He was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery.
Foster, Charles — no age or other details
noted.
Frank, Alex — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Galfi, Peter — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Gallagher, Mike — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Gamewells, John — 41, married, was the
son of Robert Gamewells and Jane
Pardington. He was born June 25, 1875, in
England. John’s funeral was June 12, 1917,
at the family residence, 133 Pacific St., and
he was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Garrity, Tom — no age or other details
noted.
Lately, John. J. (Gatley) — 47, married.
John’s funeral was June 13, 1917, at St.
Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church, and he
was buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Gergich, Matt (Mike) — 29, single, was born
in Austria and he is buried in Holy Cross
Catholic Cemetery.
Gorrie, George E. — 36, married, was a shift
boss. George was buried June 11, 1917, in
Mountain View Cemetery.
Grandik, Erik — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Grethas, Mike — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Gustafson, Emil — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Harris, Tom — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Haskins, John (Hashins) — 45, married,
was born in Ireland. John was buried June
19, 1917, in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Hastings, Peter — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Henderson, John H. — 27, single, is the son
of T.H. (T.W.) Henderson and was born
October 23, 1889, in the United States. John
was buried in McAllister, Oregon.
Hilli, Matti (Hill) — married, the son of
Andrew and Annie Hill, was born in 1877 in
Finland. Matti’s funeral was June 12, 1917, at
Holy Trinity Finnish Lutheran Church; the
Rev. David N. Anderson of the Emmanuel
Swedish Lutheran Church officiated. He was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery in a
separate grave at the site of the memorial to
the unidentified dead from the Granite
Mountain Fire.
Huff, Tom L. — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Hyttinen, Everett — 24, single, was the son
of John Hyttinen and Mary Koupi, and was
born November 25, 1884, in Finland. Everett
was buried June 23, 1917, in Mountain View
Cemetery.
Ivicich, Antone — 24, single, was born in
Austria. Antone’s funeral was June 14, 1917,
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1917, at Sherman & Reed Funeral Parlors.
He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.
Johnson, Daniel — 45, single, was born in
1872 in Finland. Daniel is buried in Mountain
View Cemetery.
Johnson, Otto E. — no age or other details
noted.
Joyce, Thomas — 23, single, the son of
John M. Joyce and Mary Conroy, was born in
Ireland. Thomas was buried in Holy Cross
Catholic Cemetery.
Juntikka, Kristian — 27, (22) single.
Kristian’s funeral was June 16, 1917, at
Sherman & Reed Funeral Parlor; the Rev.
Martin Hudtloff of St. Mark’s German
Evangelical Lutheran Church officiated. He
was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Kane, Bartley — 25, the son of Michael
Kane and Barbara McDonough, was born in
Ireland in 1892. He had lived in Butte for six
years. Bartley’s funeral was June 14, 1917,
at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He was
buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Kapatan, Maki (Mike Kappetan) — 30, was
born in Greece. Maki was buried June 15,
1917, in Mountain view Cemetery.
Kelly, Peter — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Kennedy, Dan — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Kokkonen, Toyvo — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Konecny, Ben — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Korvacich, Charles (Kovachich) He is
possibly the same person as Chale
Covacevich, who is also listed on the plaque
A symbolic gallows frame stands above
miners depicted at the Granite Mountain
Memorial north of Butte, Montana.
at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was
buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Jacobson, Jacob — 25, single, was born in
Finland in 1892. Jacob’s funeral was June
13, 1917, at the Emmanuel Swedish
Lutheran Church; the Rev. David N.
Anderson officiated, and he was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery.
Janicich, George (Jonovich, Janjicich) —
32, the son of George Jonovich, was born in
Montenegro. A joint funeral was held June 11,
1917, for George, Tom Chovilo, Tlija
Martinovich, Krsto Vuckovich and Steve
Zizich at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church. George was buried at Mount Moriah
Cemetery.
Joggitn, Albert (Jegglin, Jigglin) — 22
(27), single. Albert’s funeral was June 11,
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at the Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine
Memorial Monument — 31, married, the son of Nick and Rosia
Kovacich, was born in Austria. Charles’
funeral was June 12, 1917, at St. Lawrence
O’Toole Catholic Church. He was buried in
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Kovich, Sam — 32, single, was born in
Montenegro. Sam was buried June 15, 1917,
in Mountain View Cemetery.
Krelich, Paul — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Kubilus, Mike — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Lalanne, John P. — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Lavory, Patrick — 34, single, was born in
Ireland. Patrick was buried June 19, 1917, in
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Leary, Bat — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Lehti, Emil — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Linstead, Young — 25, single, was born in
Sweden. Young was buried in Puyallup,
Washington.
Liovich, Marian J. (Marion) — no age listed,
was buried in Mountain View Cemetery with
the unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Liovich, Martin (not listed) — no age listed,
was buried in Mountain View Cemetery with
the unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Liso, Jani (John) — 39, married, was born
in Poland in 1878. Jani was buried June 12,
1917, in Mountain View Cemetery.
Long, Gust (Longo) — no age listed,
married. Gust was buried in Mountain View
Cemetery.
Lorry, Edward (Lorey) — 37, single, was
born in Butte in 1885. Edward’s funeral was
June 11, 1917, at St. Lawrence O’Toole
Catholic Church, and he was buried in St.
Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
Lundgren, Victor (John) — 53, single, was
born in Sweden in 1864. Victor’s funeral was
June 14, 1917, at Daniels & Bilboa’s Funeral
Parlor. He was buried in Mountain View
Cemetery.
Lynch, John Wesley (James) — 28, the son
of James Wesley Lynch and Eva Sage, was
born in Philipsburg, Montana, in 1889. He
was married and had a daughter, Edna.
John’s body was taken June 11, 1917, by the
Milwaukee Railroad to Missoula, where he
was buried.
Majesky, Nick — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Mangels, Fred — 42, married, the son of
Peter Mangels and Anna Cadhelo, was born
in Germany in 1872. He was buried June 13,
1917, in Mountain View Cemetery.
Martin, Dan — 45, the son of Dan Martin,
was born in Ireland. Dan’s funeral was June
13, 1917, at Larry Duggan Undertakers. He
was buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Martinovich, Tlija (Eli Martinivitch) — 44,
married. A joint funeral was held for Tlija, Tom
Chovilo, George Janjicich, Krsto Vuckovich
and Steve Zizich at Holy Trinity Serbian
Orthodox Church. Tlija was buried in Mount
Moriah Cemetery.
Massa, Albino — 20, the son of Joseph
Massa and Catherine McAndre, was born in
Italy in 1897. Albino’s funeral was June 15,
1917, at the home of his brother, Joseph
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Reed Undertaking Parlor. He is buried in Holy
Cross Catholic Cemetery.
McNeill, Glenn — no age or other details
noted.
Mikanikoff, Andrew — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Miller, John — no age or other details noted.
Millick, George — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Moore, James D. — no age listed, was a
shift boss at the mine. He was born in
Nevada and married. James’ funeral was
June 12, 1917, at Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church. Following that, his body was
taken on the Oregon Short Line to San
Francisco, California, where he was buried
on June 13, 1917.
Moran, Martin — 28, single, was born in
Ireland. Martin is buried in Holy Cross
Catholic Cemetery.
Morris, Walter — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Morris, John M. —no age listed, was the
son of John J. Morris and was married. John
is buried in San Francisco, California.
Mostoski, Theodore — 37, married, was
born in Austria. Theodore’s funeral was June
13, 1917, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
He is buried in Holy Cross Catholic
Cemetery.
Murphy, John M. — no age listed. John’s
funeral was June 13, 1917, at St. Mary’s
Catholic Church, and he is buried in St.
Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.
Murphy, Lawrence — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
This sketch in granite depicts a miner on his
knees beneath the text, “in the dark, we are
dying … “ and “Your Loving Jim,” written by
James D. Moore. He rescued six men but,
like Manus Duggan, died before he was
rescued. This image, displayed at the Granite
Mountain Memorial, also shows the mine
depths where the two parties were holed-up
behind makeshift bulkheads.
Massa, 301 W. Daly St. in Walkerville. He
was buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
McAdams, Joseph H. (John) — 32,
married, the son of Angus McAdams, was
born in Canada in 1895. Joseph’s funeral
was June 13, 1917, at Sacred Heart Catholic
Church. He was buried in Holy Cross
Catholic Cemetery.
McDonald, N.R. — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
McGinnis, John J. (McGuiness) — 39,
married, was born in Ireland. John was
buried June 12, 1917, in Holy Cross Catholic
Cemetery.
McHugh, James (John) H. — 51, married,
was born May 1, 1866, in Pennsylvania. He
and his wife Nellie had seven children. John’s
funeral was June 13, 1917, at Sherman &
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Photo by JANICE DOWNEY 2016
This is a view looking southeast toward the plot for the unidentified dead of the Granite
Mountain Fire of 1917. The mass grave is at the Mountain View Cemetery in Butte.
Murphy, Patrick E. — 37, was married and
had a daughter, Mabel. The son of Michael
Murphy and Nellie Sullivan, he was born in
Michigan in 1890. He had lived in Butte for 19
years and had worked at the Speculator Mine
for about a month. Patrick’s funeral was
June 14, 1917, at St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church, and he is buried in St. Patrick’s
Catholic Cemetery.
Murray, Mike — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Murray, Arthur H. — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Negley, James A. — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Niemi, John A. (Neimi) — was about 24years-old. John’s funeral was June 15, 1917,
at Richard’s Funeral Parlor, and he is buried
at Mountain View Cemetery.
Nosovich, Petear — 35, single, was born in
Serbia. Petear was buried in Mountain View
Cemetery.
Novack, Joe A. — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Numi, Dave — no age listed, single. The son
of Dave Numi, he was born in Finland. Dave
was buried on June 20, 1917, at Mount
Moriah Cemetery.
O’Neill, Con (Cornellus) — 37, married, was
a mine foreman at the Bell-Diamond Mine.
The son of Jeremiah O’Neill and Catherine
Murphy, he was born in Ireland in 1880.
Con’s funeral was June 12, 1917, at St.
Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church, and he
was buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Obrado, Steve — 27, single, was born in
Austria. Steve was buried June 11, 1917, in
Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Oling, Eric — 35, single. The son of
Emanuel Oling and Marea Eurs, he was born
on December 21, 1881, in Finland. Eric was
buried June 15, 1917, in Everett,
Washington.
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Painter, Fred — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Palo, Wiljam (William) — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Perry, Jeff — 28, married, was born in
Oregon. Jeff is buried in Portland, Oregon.
Petsikos, Thomas (Pitckos) — 35, was
born in Greece. Thomas is buried in
Mountain View Cemetery.
Ponderiskis, Jim — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Posharsky, Gust — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Powers, Claude — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Pretti, Toni — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Ramo, Steve — no age listed. The son of
Michael Ramo, he was born in Finland in
1885. Married and the father of four children,
Steve had worked at the Speculator Mine for
more than four years. His funeral was June
15, 1917, at the Daniels & Bilboa
Miners are depicted working underground with a canary in a cage to detect insufficient oxygen
in the air. As a result of the roaring fire in the Granite Mountain Mine, most of the 168 victims of
the disaster died of suffocation.
9
Undertaking Parlor, and he was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery.
Ramsay, William K. — 29, single. The son
of George Ramsey and Elizabeth Nesbit, he
was born September 21, 1887, in British
Columbia. William is buried in Kent,
Washington.
Reichle, William — 35, divorced. The son of
Adolph Reichle and Teresa Hardt, he was
born in Montana in 1882. William was buried
June 12, 1917, at St. Patrick’s Catholic
Cemetery.
Richardson, Ben — 42, single. The son of
Luke Richardson, he was born February 22,
1875, in Ohio. Ben was buried on June 12,
1917, in Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Rintila, Toivo — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Roberts, Kelly — 26. The son of J. Roberts,
Kelly was born in Washington State and was
buried in Chehalis, Washington.
St. Jacques, Wilfred (Wilfrad) — 49,
married, was born in Canada. Wilfred’s
funeral was June 13, 1917, at the Sherman &
Reed Funeral Parlors. He was buried in Holy
Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Sallis, Gust — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Sangwin, Harry — 30, single. The son of
Harry Sangwin, was born in Montana. Harry
was buried on June 14,1 917, in Madison
County, Montana.
Semich, Frank — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Semonken, John — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Shafford, Victor L. — 25, single, was the
son of J. Shafford. Victor was buried June 10,
1917, in Mountain View Cemetery.
Sheldrup, Melchior — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Sheridan, Peter — 32, married with a wife
and two children still in Ireland. The son of
Barney Sheridan and Mary Bellow, he was
born in Ireland in 1885. Peter was buried
June 14, 1917, in Holy Cross Catholic
Cemetery.
Shields, Patrick — 58, single. The son of
John Shields and Margaret Cartmal, he was
born April 20, 1859, in Ireland. Patrick is
buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Simatovitch, Nick (Simotovitch) — 30,
single, was born in Austria. Nick’s funeral
was June 13, 1917, at Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, and he was buried in Holy Cross
Catholic Cemetery.
Skondula, Frank — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Slater, John — 35, single. The son of Issac
Slater and Margaret Cartmal, he was born
April 20, 1882, in England. John is buried in
Mountain View Cemetery.
Smith Irving J. — no age listed. Irving was
buried in Elma, Washington.
Smith, Thomas — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Sulemi, Salle — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Sullau, Ernest A. — 48, married, was an
assistant foreman at the Diamond Mine. He
was born December 25, 1868, in Germany.
Ernest’s funeral was held at the family
residence, 1822 Wall St., under the auspices
10
of the Calanthe Lodge No. 40 of the Knights
of Pythias. He was buried in Mountain View
Cemetery.
Tchovilo, Thomas — 44, was born in
Austria. Thomas was buried June 11, 1917,
in Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Terisich, Tono — no age or other details
noted.
Thomas, George — 28, had worked only
three days at the Speculator Mine. The son
of James C. Thomas and Marie Honey, he
was born in Colorado in 1889. He was
married and had three children. George’s
funeral was at the family residence, 734 N.
Wyoming St., and he was buried in Mountain
View Cemetery.
Thomas, William C. — 21, married. The son
of W.C. Thomas and Alice Chellew, he was
born in Colorado in 1889. Thomas was
buried in Victor, Colorado.
Thompson, Vernon — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Tombe, Kenneth — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Tregonning, Alfred B. — who would have
been 42 that coming Sunday, was a shift
boss who had worked at the Speculator Mine
for two months. The son of Alfred Tregonning
and Deucla Parsons, he was born June 11,
1875, in Pennsylvania and had lived in Butte
for 22 years. He was married and had two
sons, Benjamin and George. Alfred was
buried June 15, 1917, in Mount Moriah
Cemetery; the Rev. George D. Wolfe of the
Mountain View Trinity United Methodist
Church, conducted the graveside services.
Trotter, John — 27, single. The son of
William Trotter and Mary Sapp, he was born
in Illinois in 1890. John was buried June 12,
1917, in Mountain View Cemetery.
Photo by JANICE DOWNEY 2016
The granite grave marker with bronze
name plaque of the unidentified dead
stands tall above the mass grave at the
Mountain View Cemetery in Butte.
Truax, Robert — 40, single, was born in
Florida. Robert’s funeral was June 14, 1917,
at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and he was
buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Vaari, Matti — no age or other details noted.
Vetkovich, Risto (not listed) — A joint
funeral was held June 15, 1917, for Risto
Joseph Bellich, and Philip Erakovich at Holy
Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church. Risto was
buried at Mountain View Cemetery.
Vodovar, Savo — 21, single. The son of
Novork Vodovar, he was born in Austria.
Savo is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Vogel, Richard — 50, was married and his
wife lived in Idaho. Richard was buried in Big
Sandy, Montana.
Vokovich, Krsto (Chris) (Vuckovich) — no
age listed. A joint funeral was held June 11,
1917, for Krsto, Tom Chovili, George
11
Photo by JANICE DOWNEY 2016
This is the granite grave marker with bronze
plaque for the plot at Mountain View Cemetery
where 28 unidentified bodies are buried from the
June 8, 1917, fire at the Granite Mountain Mine in
Butte, Montana. As a result of the fire, 168 men
lost their lives in what is still considered the
worst hard-rock mining disaster in U.S. history.
Janjicich, Tlija Martinovich and Steve Zizich
at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church.
Krsto is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Welch, Charles H. — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
White, Charles, — 50, married. Charles was
buried June 11, 1917, in St Patrick’s Catholic
Cemetery.
Williams, Oliver J. — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
12
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Wilson, Nilor — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Winter, Sam D. — no age listed, was buried
in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Xelros, Nick — no age listed, was buried in
Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Yates, William — 31, married. The son of
William Yates and Jane Williams, he was
born November 24, 1985, in England. William
had been in the United States for about five
years, and most of that time he worked at the
Speculator Mine. His funeral was June 14,
1917, at Richard’s Funeral Chapel, and he
was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.
Yukonovitch, Mike — no age listed, was
buried in Mountain View Cemetery with the
unidentified dead of the Granite Mountain
Fire.
Zicich, Steve — no age listed. A joint funeral
was held June 11, 1917, for Steve, Tom
Chovili, George Janjicich, Tlija Martinovich
and Krsto Vuckovich at Holy Trinity Serbian
Orthodox Church. Steve is buried at Mount
Moriah Cemetery.