The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-15
FIRE DA Mp.
Terrible Result Of the Explosions
Down the Drummond Mines.
Miners 0Veriaken and Slain by Their
i ls53s Z Most Deadly Enemy.
s.sosg lpre4i-7 I---s-------- u
FIR ST vWARNIN G S.
The Defamation Preceded by
Low Rambling Sounds.
Flames and Volumes Of Dense Smoke Emitted
frem the Shafts.
eita ,H7@g ----> ----
Villagers Flee to the Woods
for Safety.
Il Fl Il K / IL e ID.
A List Containing Fifty-one Of
the Victims.
Heartrending Scenes in the Vii
lage of Westville.
Certain Death Of All in the Mines but Little
II III E KILL Ell
A List Containing Fifty-one Of
the Victims.
Heartrending Scenes in the Vii
lage Of Westville.
Certain Death Of All in the Mines but Little
Hope of Recovering the Bodies.
DRUMMoND CoLIIERY, WEsTvIILE,
Via ST.. MARTIN, May IA, 1873.

DRUMMoND CoLIIERY, WEsTvnLE
Via ST.. MARTIN, May IA, 1873.
The most intense excitement has prevailed
in this saddened community since the terrible
events of yesterday. The happy homes of the
miners have been turned into houses Of
mourning, and funeral pail hangs over the
village, where the wives, the sisters, the chill
dren and friends of the unfortunate men who
persisted by the explosion of the Drummond
colliery still weep in silence. There is moth
ing doing in any of the mines in this coal
district. All business is suspended, and
the village streets are crowded with
mournful groups of men and women, who
discuss in subdued tones the calamity and
unfortunately been many accidents OF late
years in this province. The people have
scarcely recovered from the shock of the
Atlantic horror; but this latest calamity,
coming more close to them because Of the
number Of their own kin who have been so
suddenly swept into eternity, creates the pro-
foundest grief among all classes.
ALLEGED CAUSE OF THE DISASTER.
The cause of the disaster is said to be owing
to the men having struck few weeks ago for
higher wages, and the mine remaining idle SO
long it was filed with gas, which, when the
men returned to work yesterday, exploded
with the terrific consequences already stated.
VIEWS EXPRESSED AT THE OFFICIAL INvEsTTGA-
At the official inquiry held in this place to-
dry, however, the night watchmen of the
mine testify that the direct cause OF the explo-
sion was owing to powder having been used in
level in the mine where it had been pro-
hibited, but where the miners would not work
unless allowed to use powder, as the work,
without its use, would not pay ut the price the
company gave. The opinion of tho Mines
Inspector in this district, however, is that due
care was not exercised by the miner who was
working in the bore where the fire first
occurred in firing his shots; that the first and
second shots were only "blowouts,'' opening
seams in the bench, thereby permitting the
gas to accumulate therein, so that when the
third shot went of the coal was set on fire.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIRE.
The fire occurred about eleven o'clock, in
one Of the bores on the first level, from the
firing of shots to loosen the coal, and although
the two cutters and others used every en-
deavor, by the ordinary means of wet banks,
to quench the flames, their efforts were un-
availing, and they were obliged to fly for
safety to the slope. Beneath them, in another
level, were some fifteen or sixteen men at
work. Word was passed down to them TO
come out as quickly as possible, and mes
sages were sent to the surface for help.
MEETING DEATH HALF WAY.
1t was then that the manager, Mr. Dunn.
and several volunteers descended the slope for
the purpose of rendering assistance. One of
the men who escaped passed them as
he was coming up He had scarcely
reached the surface when the first
explosion occurred. The manager and his
volunteers were by that time at the level of
the slope, and their death must have been in
Simultaneous. Dense volumes of smoke and
flames issued from both slopes, rendering it
dangerous for any person to approach.
SURFACE BUILDINGS SET ON FIRE.
Hardly had the pit explosion taken place
when another more violent occurred, and the
next instant masses of dense smoke and flames
issued from the air shafts, and the surface
buildings were all ablaze. From that time
until daylight this morning the fire ragged with
fearful violence, gathering ferceness every
moment.
BELcnrNo FORTH OF FIRE AND SMOKE.
The sky in the immediate VICINITY. vas illu1