Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-03-30
THE FAIRMONT FATALITY.
Full Particulars Of the Explosion
In the CASTOR Mines.

-" WV oss@soas Ass.Sss
Correspondence Of the Register
FArRMoST, W. Va, March 18th.
You have heard OF the disaster at
CASTOR mines, or what is known by
some as "Swam Poodle" Your CORES
pondent visited the said place yesterday
and took special care TO inquire into the
facts concerning the matter, and which
will endeavor to give you.
The CASTOR mines are on the banks OF
the West Fork river. about one and
three. quarter miles from Fairnont, and
owned by Mr.. James o. Watson, and
superintended by his son, Captain Ed.
Watson. They have been laboring hard
both day and night to force heading
through to certain rayine, at which
point they would receive a required
amount OF necessary air. Precaution on
every hand has been had with the Off
GERS OF the mines 20 procure safety, they
knowing that this main heading was
filled with what is known among the
mining class as Fire Damp" but not
withstanding the orders, rules and in
functions of Captain Ed, some have
violated the same and ventured to enter
the main heading without the safety
lamp. Among this number were Jas.
Work and Jas. Reese, who came to a
SUDDEN DEATH
on last Saturday between the hours OF
three and iuur o'clock. They were
told by the day workers TO keep out,
that the air was bad, and would be
much worse after their absence.
1t is a well.known fact among coal min
ers that so long as work is going on,
ears running in and out Of rooms in
which foul air has accumulated, that
very little danger is expected, but 30
soon as YOU vacated said rooms the foul
air acCumulates to such an extent as
will require you TO have a "a iety lamp
on re-entering the same.
The explosion took place on Saturday
near o'clock, catching fire from Work
4 Recess common lamp. The re-
port was tremendous, throwing out OF
the mouth ui the mines smoke,
cindCr and mud. 1t is said
by several miners that so soon
as Work and Rees reached the heading
spoken OF, the explosion took place.
The jar or conclusion was felt by those
in adjoining rooms. and Oi course con-
vcycd To them at once that some one
had gone into the heading without a
safety lamp, and that the mines were
blown up. There was u general rush
by all to make their escape, aud oi
course as they came out into the main
road they met the thick, sutiocating
lluid bat II the most of them had re-
manned IN the rooms short time, less
suHucatiun would have been had.
Captain Ed. Watson was sitting on the
main dump watching the general opera
tiOus OF the closing work, when the
sound ul the explosion reached
his ears, aud having only few minutes
before observed Reese and Work passing
up to enter the mines, knew what had
occurred, aud like hero entered the
mine ut thcTisk Oi his life, rescuing all
those coming from the several side
rooms, giving orders 10 let the mules 20
and save tie men. lie labored in this
way until the last man,
BOTH DEAD AND ALIVE,
was brought out must not forget 10
mention the fact that James q. Watson
is ut home sick, but at every hour he
was using his telephone both day aud
night, and being assisted by Judge
Fleming am sure that everything
that could he done was done.
1t may he proper for me TO State the
condition Of tho two killed as they were
brought from the mines. Reese, who
was brought out at 10 O'Clock this (Sun-
day morning, was burnt down to his
hips, a small cut on his head, consider
able blood in his mouth, his right arm
burnt 50 much IA to render it impossible
to wash him without taking the skin of
the hands. Otherwise he Was natural
and after washing him looked very
natural, and could be recognized by his
friends.
Mr.. Work was burnt no lower down
than was Reese His right hand aud
arm was somewhat mutilated, his head
Was bruised aud lis face showed that OF
one who had been powder burnt. No
limbs were broken, and from reports from
the parties who entered the mines 10
find the two killed, Work must have
been rctrcatng from the danger.
His back was burnt, his shirt consider.
ably torn, and IN this respect very un-
like Recs. 1t is the opinion OF all our
miners and physicians that they were
killed instantly.
Two boys were stunned a little, and
| think some were made sick from in
haling the air Of the explosion, but moth
iEg serious beyond what | have men
toned. j.