The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-31 00:00:00

SEVEN PERSONS KILLED.

A shocking explosion occurred yesterday. at
the Keene Lea Colliery, Wonley, belonging to Mr. rent
Nightingale, by which seven men were killed. The shit'
is 180 yards deep, and the seam of coal at present t
course of working is the seven feet mine. From SI) is 4
men are employed at the colliery, and it is usual for the
to commence work at 6 o'clock in the morning. 1*
viona to that time, however, it is the duty of the fireman
go through the workings of the mine in order to clagatt
the men's pLaces, and in Guard finding theta unsafe he at te
• board at the entrance with the word danger" prietel
upon it. If the place is free from gas and safe for Oa
men to enter be leaves a naked candle burning at the f,:
end of the main way. Yesterday morning the tremat.
Enoch Yates, descended the shaft as usual, sod ahertlj
after him • number of men also went down. In onlua!
cases it is customary for the men to wait at the bottom
the shaft or in some safe ',coition until the finnan t°
completed his inspection, and reported the safety of then
respective places. On this occasion, however, it is to q•
posed that the men either preceded or imniediatelr
lowed the fireman, and in all probability entered th,
,1
places before he had examined them. The result was the
about half-past 6 o'clock • fearful explosion ensued
the far end of • mainway at the bottom of a jig-rev, 'FI
consequently a considerable distance from the bat,4.l
the aft.. Seven men were killed, namely:-John
Seddon (married and a family), James Seddon This 50
Enoch Yates (the fireman, married and 'even child:o'4
Thomas Houghton (single), James Johnson Idailleol42
Johnson (widower, with four children, and uncle of ham
Johnson), Thomas Blundret (single). The deceased. 71..
are all over twenty-one ears of age, lived in the ne4e,
bourhood of Woraley. The mine is said to be imenklbl:
free from pa as • rule ; and the widerlooker. Eicha
the Halli
wdaorykin, and
on dthethfiree
previousmanEn ocdhayrtante.st,
reilia.driedbeenthtLros e:'t:.
tirely free from gas. The men were burnt someat
severely, and their bodies were blown in different directioal
along the main road. It is supposed that they were
all
together at the time of the accident, as the eielo-ion
ato have been confined to a limited area. It en
only slightly felt by four men who were descending
the
pit at the time it occurred. This mine, as well m
adjoining one, belonging to the Bridgwater Trustees. k°,l
so free from gas that the men regularly worked with ash`
lighta, the greatest surprise has been occasioned 1,1 ..„
explosion.

Preparationa aro making in the Ottoman setti..o
of the Champ de Mars for the reception of the Wu°
Abdul-Ariz. The pavilion which has been noticed in thd
quarter of the Exhibition, and which had nothing stn"
about it, is undergoing great alterations and estrsordisof
embellishment, now that it is certain that the soverrtio
of the Turkish empire will visit the world's Cdr. The
divans will give place to sumptuous seats, rich lisirei,;'
and georgeous tapestry will adorn the walls, and the r.r4
costly furniture will be provided, so that the pavilion *III
be transformed into a veritable Oriental kioeque.
as far as possible worthy of the august visitor.