The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
The PENNSYLVANIA Mine Horror.

Inc pennsylvania Mile h0frOfs
UNIoNTowN, PA, Feb. 21.-The
scene of yesterdays terrible disaster
was visited by large numbers to-day.
The majority were simply curious,
and many with the earnest intention
of investigating, and, if possible, as
certaining the cause of the explosion.
Hel etofore the gas has not caused
much trouble in Western PennSylva=
MIA mines: 1t is evident that vast
quantities had generated in short
time without being discovered. The
majority of the experts who exam
ined it this morning are inclined to
the belief that the explosion resulted
FROM the, falling il of a portion of
the roof in one of the chambers and
exposing a creVice filled with fire
damp, etc. None, however, are will
ing to stake their reputation that this
was the case until more thorough
examination has been made. Collins
for nineteen victims Arrived from
Pittsburg this morning, and all will
be buried at UniontoWnl tomorrow
Two-thirds of the victims are Catho-
lie, and 1t has not been decided
whether union services will be held,
or each family bury their own dead
The Coiinelisville Coke 4 Iron Co..
the owners of the mine; pay all the
funeral expenses There are meme
here who censure the company. The
opinion is universal that the explo-
sion cannot be charged to their neg
lect, as the shaft was amodel and the
most approved appliances for safety
were in use, and greater precautions
were taken than are required by law.
The families of the dead miners are
not in Immediately destitute circum-
stances, but the sudden withdrawal
of support eau 'ed by the taking off
of husbands, fathers and brothers
will be seriously felt in the near fu-
ture. Many had their lives insured
Only last week an insurance agent
circulated among the mines aid
miners, and large number awaited
themselves of the opportunity, among
them being several of the men who
were killed.
LATER.--Closer examination of the
mine leads many to believe that the
disaster was the result of improper
ventilation. An air door was lacking
in places where, if they they had been
erected, wonld probably have let off
the foul air and prevented explosion.
This afternoon Mine 1npector STEINER
made thorough examination of the
mine, and also made q chart show
ing the different apartments
which will be presented at the coro-
ner's investigation. He would not
say directly what he thought caused
the explosion as he preferred giving
his testimony first before the coroner,
but was convinced that heavy gas
from break in some vacant
room, and the room filing up
it ran and followed along the
roof until some miner, perhaps,
John Murray touched it off with a
head lamp. These facts are borne out
by the fact that only four men that
were killed by the explosion bore
marks of it's violence. The air chan
mel showed good current, and if the
men had been in the current, or the
distribution had been somewhat
equalized by election doors at proper
places, the proportion of smothered
or killed ought not to be SO great.
The coroner's jury also went through
the mine this afternoon and examined
the apartm nts, means of ventilation,
ETC.. very clC sely. The company are
doing all in tn If power to alleviate
the s'ltferings Ut The wounded and ths
sorrow of the bs reaved. The former
class are now able to be about.