Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-05-23

United States troops"
A Westville On. S. dispatch of the 18th
gives the following account of the mine disas-
ter at that place:
The sky in the vicinity of the calamity was
Illuminated with flames issuing from the air.
shaft to the height of nearly one hundred feet
All through the night there were explosions at
intervals. These were preceded by rumbling
noise resembling thunder. The weary watch
air-shaft, and labored to subdue the flames
were obliged to seek shelter in the adjoin-
ing wood, as the stone, debris, ETC.,
which were thrown from the pits mouth
at each explosion were being scattered
around in all directions, and threatened instant
destruction or injury to every one within
reach. About two o'clock this afternoon,
these explosions were followed by one which,
for terrific violence and destructive force,
dwarfed all the rest All the wooden works
in and around the main slope were instantly
destroyed. Stones, wood and burning embers
were driven high into the air, smoke, flame and
terrible noises accompanying the explosion,
giving the beholder vivid idea of a volcanic
eruption. The earth for miles around was
shaken with the violence of the explosion.
The scenes in and around the villages are
saddening. Westville and the villages at the
Drummond colliery are in mourning. The
shops are closed, and men and women wander
betokening the great grief that has befallen
them. No pen can correctly picture the har-
rowing scenes of yesterday, when the terrible
truth was conveyed to the mourning wives,
sisters, and friends of those who were sudden
ly hurled into eternity. The utmost excite
ment prevailed, and for hours it was impossi-
BILE to ascertain who were or who were
not in the mine Women, many Of whom had
husbands, brothers and sons working In the
colliery, made the air dismal with their crying.
One of the rescuing party, killed by the eXplo-
sion yesterday, was driven into the air dis
tance of hundred feet, and fell into the wood
near by, where his dead body was picked up
this morning.
About forty-fve of the men lost were mar
ried, all of whom leave families to mourn
their sad fate. Nearly every family here lost
some relation or friend by this terrible calam-
ity.
There are many reasons to account for the
disaster, but the direct cause is attributable to
the stoppage of work at the mines and rapid
accumulation of gas.
The testimony so far elected points to some
mismanagement in permitting the miners to
use powder for blasting in the upper level
where the fire first broke out, thus endangering
the lives of those who were at work IN the
levels below. The number known to have
been killed now reaches fifty-nine.
Stokes case has been taken to the Court of
Appeals on writ of error from the decision OF
the Supreme Court refusing him new trial
The remains of Chief-Justice Chase were re-
moved from the chapel-vault of Oak Hill
Cemetery, Georgetown, on the 18th, and in
tered in Gov. Cooks lot, from whence they
will be moved to Ohio at some future day.
Only Gov. Sprague, Gov. Cook, and few
other intimate personal friends of the deceased
were present at the interment.
The bill for abolshing the Usury law has
failed in the New York Legislature.
The Supreme Court of Ohio has decided the
act, known as ''the Bosel Railroad law" en-
powering communities to levy taxes for the
construction of railroads, to be unconstitu-
tional. The grounds of the decision are, that
such taxation is not for public pur-
poses, for which alone taxes can be constitu-
tionally levied, and that the State Legislature
is forbidden by the Constitution to au-
thorize any community to engage in this
way in private enterprises, directly or indi-
rectly.
Luigi Lusignani, the italian wife murderer,
was hanged at Morristown, N. j., on the 18th.
The inquest upon the bodies of the miners
killed by the Pictou mine explosion resulted
in the following verdict by the jury: We find
that the miners came to their death on the
18th inst, by an explosion of gas in the
Drummond colliery, caused by the derange-
ment of the ventilation of the mine
arising from a fire in Robert McLeod's ward.
They say considerable care was exhibited IN
the management of the mine, but express
their regret that powder was permitted to be
used in the ward worked by Robert Mcleod.
A dispatch from the ModOc seat of war,
18TH SAYS that the Modocs have made stand
in rocky fortress which was still stronger
than the last one and about twenty miles south
of it. Bogus Charley, who had been seen on
the upper Klamath, but not captured, re-
ported that there were thirty of them,
and that they would fight until the last
man is killed. Lieutenant Harris,
who was wounded in the battle of the 26th
of April, died in camp May 12 The present
force at the command of Gen. Davis was not
considered sufficient tc make successful at
tack upon the Modocs in their new strong
hold, but the General will endeavor to hold
them where they now are, and await rein
forcements with mortars that are hurrying
forward and are expected in few days.
A commission has been appointed to meet
the Sioux Indians and obtain reversion TO
the Government of certain portions OF their
reservations in Nebraska, in order that the
lands may be made accessible to homestead
pre-emption.
The Carlists have captured the city of Ma
taro, Spain, fifteen miles from Barcelona.
They were levying contributions upon the in
habitants.
The New York canals opened for navigation
on the 18th.
At the meeting of the Grand Army of the
Republic and the reunion of the Army OF the
Potomac at New Haven on the 14th, President
Grant, Generals Sherman, Sheridan, Hancock,
Burnside, Mcdowell, and other noted officers
were present.
It was reported at Kansas City, Mo-, on the
14th, that the Bender family, the Kansas as
sassins, had been captured thirteen miles north
of Dallas, Tex.
Three executions for murder occurred on the
18th. In New York, Michael, Nixon was hang
ed for the murder of Charles A. Pfeiffer few
months ago; Charles Mortimer was executed
at Sacramento for the murder of Mary Gibson;
and Joseph O'Neil was hanged at Mt. Carroll,
III. for the murder, in September last, OF Hiram
ReXford.
The police authorities of Chicago are strictly
enforcing a city ordinance requiring the clos
ing of liquor saloons at eleven O'Clock at night
The proprietors of one of the leading establish
ments have resisted the enforcement OF the
law and been put under arrest, and viii carry
the matter to the Supreme Court for final de-
cision.
A series of resolutions prepared by the Mer-
chants Exchange in st. Louis, was presented
to the Congressional Convention in session IL
that city on the 14th. The resolutions are in
substance as follows: