The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-05-27


DOORS OF THE MAIN LEVEL LEFT OPEN
FOR THREE EEKs-ACCUafULATIoN OF
GAS-DETALs OF THE AcCIDENT-THE
CASE IN TIE HANDS OF JUDGE CLoPTON-
HIS DECISION TO BE RENDERED TO-DAY
AND BLAME LOCATED.
At the instance OF Mr.. 0. J. Heinrich,
superintendent Of the Midlothian coal pits,
at which an explosion took place on the Goth
instant, by which eight men were killed and
five were wounded, an investigation was
held at the Midlothian Company's store on
yesterday. Judge William /. Clopton, as
sistcd-,by:. Colonel William Ambers, COM
posed the court of inquiry. Justice A. G.
Elan was also present during the examina-
! tion.
The Superintendent stated that he asked
| this investigation in behalf Of himself and
his employer, Mr.. j. s. Burroughs, both of
whom, he alleged, had been most grossly
slandered by certain northern papers.
\ copy OF
THE WORKING NAP
OF the mines was exhibited, and the various
chambers, levels, &C., Of the pit, with their
relations to each other, were doubtless fully
explained by the superintendent.
! William Dickinson, former boss, teSti-
fed that he had been employed at the mines
five or six years; that he left there about
two months ago; that the air-paSsages were
ample when he left; that he had been or
dered to withdraw the force from unsafe
places; that none Of the men complained OF
bad air. He further stated that il the fan
| had been in operation the accident would not
have occurred.
Question by Judge Clopton Do yon think
| that the air-passages were sufficient at the
time OF the accident?
Yes, sir, they have been since the warm
| weather set in.
Questions were then propounded by Mr..
Heinrich as to the
MEANS OF THE COMPANY
in supplying all things that were necessary
for the safety of the lives OF the men.
Mr.. Dickinson replied that nothing was
withheld that was asked for; that he had
seen the superintendent in the mines often !;
that he did not sec anything neglected the
evening of the accident after he arrived at
! the scene, which was about o'clock; that
he thought the superintendent ought to
have been one Of the first men to 20 down
! in the shaft.
Judge Clopton: State now what caused
| the explosion.
Answer: II the two doors had been
closed in the California Shaft, instead Of
being left open, the foul air would have
been forced up in the overcast or return,
and the explosion would not have occurred.
| George Jones, boss miner, testified that
| he was a gas-man and had charge OF force
OF hands that he worked in the mines up
to 10 O'Clock Friday night; that it was clear
| OF
GAS on THE LEVEL
when he left, but there was gas in the up
set, and two feet Of gas on the top-level;
| that he informed his reliei-boss Of the fact.
| That when the atmosphere is warm the cur
rent of air passes through the channel more
slowly: and when the weather is cool the
air travels more rapidly.
He also testified that he was repairing the
track in the California level, in order to get
mules in, which would change the mode OF
transportation.
Question by Colonel Ambcrs: Would the
air not have been stronger in the pit II the
doors had been left open:
Yes. sir; but we could have worked either
way.
XIV Mr., Heinrich: Did not the bosses have
orders TO withdraw the men from danger:
Yes, sir. ...,a.-
He also stated that he had carried
LADIES IN THE PIT!
That he was ready to go on duty when tile
accident happened.
Bv Mr.. Heinrich: Do you think / showed
undue excitement at the time OF the dis
aster?
No, sir.
Did YOU not make an attempt to go down:
of
air. You (Heinrich) wanted to 60 down,
and 7 would not let you. Jones stated that
he made three attempts to get down the
shaft. He also stated that canvass was put
down in the shaft, and that it could not have
heen placed there earlier than II was alter
the accident occurred.
Samuel Vincent, foreman OF the shalt,
testified that he went on duty Falday nlsht
at 10 O'Clock and came of at 6 y. NJ. on
Saturday. He went all around the shalt
after Mr.. Jones, and found little gas.
Went through the return in the main seam,
examined the first upset, and found no gas.
Upon the top OF the upset found about SIN
inches OF gas. Stated that Mr.. Heinrich had
reprimanded him for the manner in which
he tested. gas. lie also testified that IN his
| Judgment the work was carried on as safely
as it could have been done at that time
that he and Mr.. Jewett started down tue
shaft after the accident, but could not get
to the bottom. Later he and Mr.. Helnrlcll
both went down.
NOT USDULY EXCITED.
Mr.. Heinrich: Was / unduly excited ut
the time OF the accident:
Mr. Vincent: No sir.
Thomas Russell was next sworn anu eA-
amined. He testified that he was machln-
ist, and was about seventy feet from the
shaft at the time of the explosion. Was
ordered by Mr. Heinrich to turn water INTO
the shaft with the hose. He was questioned
as to the fan which is in course OF construc-
ton, and stated that it was the best he had
| ever seen.
A. S. McGruder stated that he was sitting
near the top Of the pit, heard a report, and
sent for Mr.. Heinrich. Shortly afterwards
two colored men came out of the pit. He
also testified that John Kinder and George
| Pell were the first to 60 down into the pit
after the accident. Mr.. Thomas Canoe
usually went down every Monday morning
| to test for gas an hour before the hands went
| to work.
Mr.. Forloine reiterated what had been
said by MIR. Vincent.
AFRAID AND NOT AFRAID TO WORK IN THE
NINE.
Mr.. Robert Holder, miner and brother
OF one Of the men who was killed, testified
that he had been afraid to work in the mine
on account Of the weakness OF the fresh air
that he found the doors open on the Tues
day before the accident. was afraid, and