Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-05-16
Tine Cause

AANOoo0htiJ esAA
.a---- Tine Cause
that led to the disaster is not, as
stated owing to the strike OF the miners out
to powder having been permitted to be used
in one of the beds worked by miner named
Robt. Mcleod who insisted upon using 1t
unless he received higher rates ior cuttlDg
without it. Powder was esed elsewhere,
but this bed was regarded as dangerous on
account of the accumulating gas. Ine
miners attribute the direct cause OF tne
calamity to the refusal OF the manager 10
give extra price to Mcleod for getting out
coal in his ward, thereby enabling him to
dispense with the use Of powder. Ihe use
of powder as stated was prohlbited IN tnat
ward. Then It was the duty OF some one
to see that tde regulations were strictly en-
forced.
At the inquest yesterday several important
facts come out in the evidence which show
recklessness and carelessness in the work OF
supervision in dangerous parts OF the mlne'
Andrew Mcleod testified that he was IN
| the ward cutting coal where the IRE LOOK
place. They always worked their place
| with sulphur. Can't say how much gas
was in the ford. Always used powder al
| ter the third shot. Had fired 2 shots, aud
| was preparing to FIRE the third when be dis
covered the ford was on ire. He endeaV-
| ored to put it out by the ordinary means,
with wet bags, but after working over 10
minutes and the fire gaining on them, ne
| called for assistance and two men came ex-
| hausted and made for the slope. All of them
went out to the landing, shutting the door
behind them. Joe Richardson then came
| down aud directed the men to get at the
| fire. but he soon returned and gaze direc-
tions for all the men and korses to come
out. Witness then started for the opening
and scarcely reached the mouth afthe slope
| when the mine exploded, throwing him out
4 on the bank. There were some men
behind him and one before him.
| Director Pool said the witness's testimo-
ny relating to firing the shot had most
important bearing on the cause OF the
disaster. 1t is evident the first and second
shots had decided effect and blew down
the coal. The third shot, however, was
| only blown out shot 1t opened crack
In the bench which then became reser-
\ voir for sccumula'ing cas-. The latter
| Immediately ignited and set fire to the coal,
which burned with great rapidity, engen-
| dering intense heat and smoke, making II
impossible for the men to work.
Robt. Mcleod, who fred the shot which
evidently caused the disaster, escaped, but
is too i'll to attend the inquiry.
Two or three witnesses were examined
| to-day, whose evidence went to show that
| most Of the men were in the slope endeav-
| oring to get out when the explosion took
place.
Ont of the Jaws of Death.
Adam ,Lorimer testified: BE was in the
mine when the fire took place, and made
his wav out as fast as possible. When he
got to the slope be found it obstructed with
boxes and rut tbish. There were over thirty
men living down at this point, all evidently
injured, as they were groaning. Some OF
them could neither move nor speak. Lor-
inner was obliged TO step and crawl over
their bodies, in order to make his way out.
On the way up he passed several men who
were lying down. crying and groaning, but
unable 10 help themselves. He was the
last man alive out of the pit, and was
helped out by bis brother. Passed man
dead on the top Of the landing.
The Verdict.
The Jury returned the following verdict
Wefind the miners came to their death by al
explosion of gas in the Drummond colliery
caused by arrangement in the ventilation
of the mine arising from fire in Robert Nc
Leod's ward. They say considerable cart
was exhibited in the management OF th'
| mine, but express regret that powder wa
permitted to be, used in the ward worke'
by Robert Mcleod.
A fund for the relief of the distressed
) widows and orphans will be raised. Relic
! meetings will be held this evening in New
Glasgow and Westviile.
The Latest.
Considerable fire is still issuing from tn
slopes, although the workmen are laborin
IL L.