The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-16

rescued from the ptt, nut VINO dfed shortly aver
being brought to the surface. Mr. Pool Inspector
OF Mines and Mr.. Carmichael. OF New Glasgow
assisted az the inquiry and all che gentlemen con
nectcd with the Albion Acadia and Nova scotia
companies were present watching the proceed
ngs
TESTIMONY or FOREMAN
The first witness. Thomas Lowther, foreman.
testified that the mine was carefully attended inr-
ing the time the miners were out on strike, 80
that there could have been no accumulation OF
gas when the miners returned TO the works on
Tuesday.
ONE VINO WAS IN ruE MINK.
the second witness James Dunston, who was in
the mine when the ire occurred testified that he
found nothing unusual in the nine wnen he de-
scended; when word was passed that the mine
was on fire all hands were requested to 70 put 10
out those who refused to assist were ordered to
leave. as by remaining they would only impede the
progress OF the others; had the men obeyed the
order when IL was found possible to stop the fire
there would have been plenty OF time to get it out;
the same level had been on fire before; 4 man
was always stationed In the cabin to give the
miners information ~ to the condition OF their
places aud to warn them OF dangers; these regu-
iatiOns were attended to. as were also the fur
naces for ventilatng the same levels; there was
more gas In some levels than In others; in these
the fire occurred was aired by latticework; when
giving warning he went as far as the face or the
bed, but could do nothing In consequence of the
smoke and fire. had ne made for the mouth OF the
slope.
GAS REPORTED IN M'LEODS WARD.
Alexander Lorimer was next called His duty
WAS to inspect the mine before the miners 90 to
work; he found the mine In the usual good order
on the night Of the 18TH there was gas In several
wards, but this was not unusuai he found a little
gas in the lower level, but none in MCI.eOds ward
went about fifteen feet in McLeods ward and re-
ported the presence Of gas where 1t existed
Some testimony was here given about strange
w0rkmen going to the mine and having lost their
lives In consequence OF disobeying the regulation
warning them OF DANGER but the gst of Lormers
evidence was IN the statement that II powder had
not been used by Mcleod the pit would have been
all right to-day, and there would have been no
lives to mourn for. When he heard the alarm
given, he went to the pumping pit, having heard
cries for help, and assisted John Bonnell to the
surface. Mr.. James Hunter went down with him
and remained In the bottom; came up shortly In a
tub. bringing John Dunn, who was badly burned
and much exhausted. Burns went down with
three others after violent explosion occurred
and the men were blown out of the pit.
DIR. Perrin testified that JOnn Dunn died shortly
after he was taken out of the pit.
HOW THE FIRE CoMMENCED.
Andrew Mcleod, brother of Robert Mcleod, tes-
titled he was in the ward, cutting coal, where the
fire took place; they always worked their place
with sulphur; can't say he found much gas In the
ward; always used powder after the third shot;
fired two shots, and was preparing to fire the third
when he discovered that the ward
was on fire; endeavored to put 1t
out by the ordinary means--with wet bags-but
after working for over fifteen minutes, and the fire
gaining on them, called for assistance, and two
men came; was exhausted, ana made for the slope;
all OF them went out to the landing, shutting the
door behind them. Joe Richardson then came
down and directed the men to get at the fire. but
he soon returned and gave directions for all the
men and horses to come out. Witness then started
for the opening, and had scarcely reached the mouth
OF the slope when the mine exploded, throwing
him out on the banks. There were some men be-
hind and one before him. Met Mr.. Dunn, the
manager going down.
INSPECTOR POOLE's HETEROGENEOUS.
At this stage Inspector OF Mines Poole questioned
the witness in reference to the effect OF having the
door OF the ward open. Witness was an mex
perienced miner and could give no information.
The Inspector said the witness testimony re-
lating to firing shots had a most important bearing
on the cause OF the disaster. II was evident
the FIRST and second shots had decided
effect and blew down the coal there. me
third shot, however, was only '.blow-out" shot.
1t opened crack IN the bench. which then became
a reservoir OF the accommodating gas. The latter
Immediately ignted and set fire to the coal, which
burned with great rapidity, engendering intense
heat and smoke, making 1t impossible for the men
to work.
At eight O'Clock last night the inquest was adj
Robert Mcleod, who fired the shot which EVIL
IDENTITY caused the disaster escaped but is too iii to
attend the inquest.
MONEY VIEWS OF THE MINERS.
The miners appear to attribute the direct cause
OF the calamity to the refusal Of the manager to
give an extra price to Mr.. Mcleod for getting out
the coal in his ward, thereby enabling him to dis
pense with the use OF powder. II the use OF
powder, as stated, was prohibited in that ward,
then II was the duty OF some one to see that the
regulations were strictly enforced.
THE UNFORTUNATE VOLUNTEERS.
The names OF the men who volunteered to go
down the air shaft to explore the mine after the
first explosion, were Abraham Grey, Edward
Burns, Thomas Genwright and Timothy Ilowatt
all OF whom lost their llves Grey was above the
surface when the first explosion occurred, and
when his terrible fate made known to his
wife the unfortunate woman rent the air with
her screams.
DREADFUL FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION.
To give some idea OF the extent OF the explosion
from the several air shafts, It may be stated OF
an old one close TO the miners residences, and
distant from the mines some six hundred or
seven hundred yards that huge pieces OF timber
were driven through 1t up into the air, some fall
ing on the roofs OF the houses ana crashing
through them.
A SAD SIGHT.
1t was truly heartrending to pass through the
square of buildings where the families OF the lost
miners reside. The window blinds are drawn and
the stiffness OF death is the place. No merry
tune Is to be heard, the prattle OF little ones Is
hushed and there Is nothing but weeping and
waiting. Poor widows OF men, whose charred re-
mains are far down in the burning sepulchre,