The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-14
One Hundred and Fifty Miners Perish.
Meagre Details of the Horror.
The Accident Attributed TO Carelessness
of "a Miner Only Few Bodies Yes
Recovered.

LYNoHBURG, Va, March 13.-A despatch
from Pocahontas says that an explosion occur
red in the coal mines there at 12 80 o'clock this
morning, and that from 120 to 150 miners were
killed. The presumption is that one OF the
miners struck fissure filled with gas. Par
ties ventured into the mines this morning but
could not long endure the foul atmosphere. A
number of bodies were discovered horribly
mangled.
SECOND DESPATCH.
LYNcHBURG, Va, March 13.-No further
particulars have as yet been received of the
explosion in the coal mines at Pocahontas, Va
Great confusion prevails there, and accurate
information cannot be had before this evening
A special train, with surgeons on board left
this city for the scene Of the explosion this
morning.
THIRD DESPATCH.
LYNcHRURG, Va, March 13.-Further intel
ligence from Poeahontas represents that the
work OF destruction at the coal mine.is is hor-
rible and complete. There were 150 men in
the mine at the time of the explosion, not one
of whom Is believed to have escaped. The
cause OF the explosion is not yet definitely as
certained. The presumption is that one of the
miners struck issure filed with gas. Par
ties ventured into the mines this morning, bat
could not long endure the foul atmosphere. A
number of bodies were discovered horribly
mangled, some OF them with the heads torn
from the trunks, and others with their limbs
all gone.
The work of destruction was E5t confined
entirely to the interior of the mines, but
houses some 200 or 800 fest removed from the
mines were overturned, and in several in
stances entirely demolished. sThe large venti-
lator was blown to atoms and the mines cam
not be entered until another is constructed for
the purpose Of freeing the atmosphere OF suf-
locating fumes. This work is now progressing
speedily, and large force is engaged on the
outside of the mines constructing coffins and
perfecting other arrangements for the inter-
ment of the dead miners, most of whom are
foreigners.
THE LATEST
The mine in which the disaster occurred is
known as the Flat Top Mine, and is situated
in the northeast portion OF Taswell county ct
the base OF Flat Top Mountains which divides
that section of Virginia from West Virginia.
The company working the mines is nominaly
known AS the Southeast Virginia Improve
ment Company, bat ths mine is nearly under
the control of the Norfolk aud Western Rail-
road Company, who have Q branch road known
as the New River division, running from New
River to Pocahontls, about sixty miles. John
@. Ilsely OF Pennsylvania is president of the
improvement company, and Vim. A. Lathtop
is superintendent of the mine which is COM
paraively new, having been in active opera.
tion Jut a little over year. From FIVE to
six hundred hands were employed.
PETERSBURG, Va, March 14.-The latest
intelligence concerning the explosion in the
Pocahontas mine is to the effect that about
$50 men were Killed and the accident was
with lamp. Efforts are being made to re-
cover bodies, but in consequence of after
dampvery little progress has been made.
LYNCHBURG Va, March 13.-It is impossible
to get detailed account of the explosion at
the Pocahontss mine, as everything there is
Ia the utmost confusion. A telegraph operator
has been on dutg t@o nights and is unable to
handle the business. Another operator was
sent tonight, and it is thought TO secure full
account of the disaster early tomorrow.
A telegram received at o'clock tonight
says that the whole East mine was shattered
by the explosion and everything in front of
the main entrance demolished. Fire can now
be seen as the mouth of the mine and no one
can enter.
LyNcHBURa, Va, March -(Midnight.)--
A telegram just received gives fuller particu-
lars of tho disaster. Ii states that the night
relief went into the mines at the usual hour
last night, $50 strong. A little after midnight
that sounded like the rumbling of an earth
quake, followed by clap of thunder, and
soon messenger arrived from the mines
of mile away with the in
that there had been terrific
axnlosion