The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-05-20
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Ift6m ths bl fiing collier s nsss$ $H4liisx.
1ifesffS ssys.the fire still burnst as aerceIy
as eyer. He went within few feet OF
the mouth of the shaft from whicl blue
| sulpharou9 q ,mes were ascending 20 or
3g teet. The roar from the burning
mins wls something terrific. Dense
volumes Of smoke continue to ascend
from the several fair shafts. No ade.
qnste idea can be formed of the terrible
disaster. Thegcompnted loss OF pro.
pefty ls enormous, but is nothing in
foomparison with the loss of life. All
the woodwork in the mine was burned,
aud experienced miners say it is one
onrnIDg mass OF rnins. To give some
idea of explosions from the several air
shafts. 1t may be stated at an old one,
close to miuer's residence, and distant
from the mine some 600 or 700 Yards.
huge pieces Of timber were driven
through it up in the mir, tome falling on
the house and crushing through them.
1t ID truly heart.rending to pass through
tue SQUARE of buildings where the fami-
| lies OF the lost miners reside. The Door
widows mourn necessarily and pite.
ously.
The cause that led to the disaster ia
not, as stated. owing to the strike OF the
miners, but to powder having been per
uitted to be used in ono Of the beds
worked BY miner named Robert Nc.
Leod. who INSISTED upon using it unless
be received higher rates for cutting
without it. Powder wns used elsewhere.
bot this bed was regarded as dangerous
on account Of the accommodating gas.
The miners attribute the direct cause Of
the Calamity to the refusal OF .he mana.
ger to give extra price TO Mcleod for
getting out GOAL IL his ward, thereby
enabling him to dispense with the use OF
powder. The use Of powder, as stated,
was prohibited III that ward. Then it
Was the duty OF some one to see that the
regulations We're strictly enforced.
At the inquest, yesterday, several i'm.
portant facts came out in the evidence.
which show recklessness and carelessness
in the work of supervision in dangerous
parts OF the mine. Andrew Mcleod tes.
titled that he was in the ward cutting
coal where the fire took place. They
always worked their place with sulphur
Cant say how much gas was in the ford.
Always used powder aftor the third shot.
Had fired two shots, and WAS preparing
to fire the third when he discovered the
ford was on fire. He endeaYored to put
1t out by tue ordinary means, with wet
bags, bat after working over fifteen
minutes and the FIRE gaining on them,
he called for assistance and two men
came exhausted and made for the slope.
ALI OF them went out to the landing,
shutting the door behind them. Joe
tRlghardsonAthen came down and directed
the men to gel sst the, fire, but he aoon
returned and gave directions for oil the
! men and horses to Come out Witness
then started for the opening, aud source
y reached the mouth of the slope when
the mine exploded. throwing him out on
the bank. There were.some men behind
him and one before him.. a. 7ab s.,
/ Director Pool said the witness tes
mony relating,to firing. tie shot had a
most important bearing on tie cause of
the disaster. It is evident the first and
second ehots had decided effect and
blew down the coal. The third shot,
however. was only blown out shot. II
opened crack in Che bench, which then
became reservoir for accommodating gas.
The latter Immediately ignited and set
fire to the coal. which burned with great
xapldity, epgendering Intense heat and
to work. Robert Mcleod, who fred the
shot which evidently caused the disaster,
escaped, but is too i'll to attend tho in.
quiry.
Two or three witnesses were examined
to-day, whose evidence went to show
that most Of the men were in the slope,
endeavoring to get out, when the explo.
sion took place.
Adam Lorimer testified: He was in the
mine when the fire took place, and made
his way out as fast as possible. When
lie got to the slope, he found it obstruct-
cd with boxes and rubbish. There were
over thirty men lying down at this point,
all evidently injured, ms they were groan.
ing. Some OF them could neither moys
nor speak. Lorimer was obliged to step
and crawl over their bodies, in order to
make his way out. On tho way up, ho
passed several men, who were lying
down. crying and groaning. but unable
to help themselves. Hc vas the last
man alive out Of the pit. and was helped
out by his brother. Passed man dead
on the top Of tho landing.
The jury returned the following YER
dict: We find the miners came to their
death by an explosion of gas in the
Drummond colliery, caused by derange.
ment in the ventilation Of the mine,
arising from fire in Robert Mcleod 8
ward. They say considerable caro- was
exhibited in the management OF the