Fire at Tipperary claims Pete Stefeno, Sante Viterbo

Lucas County's coal mines claimed many lives during the century --- 1875-1978 --- when thousands of men and boys descended into the earth to extract the fuel that kept Midwest steam-powered locomotives running. 

They were a diverse group --- a majority from Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, France, Croatia and many other places; others recruited among men formerly enslaved in the states of the old confederacy and their sons.

Pete Stefeno and Sante Viterbo were Italian --- Stefeno the elder with a wife and nine children still in Italy; Viterbo, perhaps 21 and just getting started in life. 

And it wasn't the Tipperary mine that killed them; instead the two miners died when fire swept the one-room shack where they were sleeping in the camp near the mine early on the morning of Jan. 2, 1919 --- a century ago.

The men were buried the next day, most likely side by side, in Chariton's Calvary Cemetery after a joint funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church. The small tombstone at left, apparently erected years after Pete's death, marks his grave although the year of death is wrong and the surname is spelled "Stefanon" rather than Stefeno. Sante's grave is unmarked.

Here's the text of the story from The Herald-Patriot of Jan. 9, 1919, that describes the circumstances:

TIPPERARY CITIZENS MEET HORRIBLE FATE

Two Italians Burned to Death When their Shack Is Consumed by Fire
 of Unknown Origin

The residents of Tipperary and vicinity were greatly shocked by the news that two of their citizens, Pete Stefeno and Sante Viterbo, both miners, had been burned to death on New Year's night. About 12:30 on Thursday morning the night engineer at the Tipperary mine discovered that the shack where the two men resided was in flames. He summoned assistance and at once went to the scene and attempted to rescue the men. He could hear Viterbo calling the older man, Stefeno, but could hear no response.

The building was a small one and the flames had gained such headway before being discovered that it was soon destroyed. The origin of the fire is unknown. It must have caught from a defective chimney or from an overheated stove, or clothing near the stove might have caught fire, and the men who were asleep did not awaken in time to save themselves.

The shack had been built at the foot of a hill and a cave had been dug in the hill adjoining the dwelling. It is thought that Viterbo had gone to this cave, either to escape the fire or to secure some money, as it is thought that the men had about $300 in money and bonds. It was in this cave that the body of Viterbo was found. He was probably suffocated, as his body was not badly burned.

The body of Stefeno was found near the door of the shack, on the wrong side of the opening. It is supposed that he was overcome with the heat and smoke and sank to his knees when he reached the door, as his body was found in that position, and burned beyond recognition and almost to a crisp.

The remains of both were brought to Chariton and taken to the Baylor-Davis undertaking parlors and prepared for burial. On Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock double funeral services, conducted by Rev. Father J.J. O'Sullivan, were held at the Sacred Heart church, after which the remains of both were laid to rest in the Calvary cemetery.

Sante Viterbo was about twenty-one years of age and had no relatives in this vicinity. It is said that some cousins reside in Des Moines, but they could not be located.

Pete Stefeno was about 46 years of age. He had a wife and nine children in Italy. They have been in the war zone and have suffered for lack of food and other necessities, as on account of war conditions, Mr. Stefeno was unable to get any money to them. But a few weeks ago, since the armistice was signed, he sent them $1,000, and was happy in the thought that it could aid them, and that before many months passed he could have them with him in this country. It certainly will be a sad blow to these loved ones when the news of his tragic death reaches them. A sister, Mrs. Angelo Nicoletti, is also living, and resides at Tipperary.

Both Viterbo and Stefano were sober, industrious, upright men, and were highly regarded by all who knew them. Many friends will deplore their sad and untimely deaths.

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At the time Stefeno and Viterbo died, there were two mining camps in the southwest quadrant of Pleasant Township. Olmitz, near the Olmitz mine about two miles southwest of Tipperary, had been  intentionally planned and consisted of uniform company houses, a company store and other business buildings, a school --- even a Protestant church.

Tipperary, on the other hand, seems like Topsy to have "just growed." There were company houses and a school there, too, but also a considerable number of makeshift dwellings like the one Pete and Sante were living in.

Today, nothing remains of either town --- although there is a memorial near the Olmitz town site. And the only reminder of the long-ago tragedy that claimed two lives is a small tombstone in Calvary Cemetery.