, 1884-01-27
NJ I'll IIfL UOfI0.
The Testimony of Witnesses
About the Disaster.
The Mine Declared Both Safe
and Unsafe.
Terrible Sights Revealed as
Rescuers Proceed.
The Terrible Result.

Denver, January 26.-Twenty-three
more burned bodies were recovered to-
day from the Crested Butte mine, max
ing tlfty-seven in all. But two yet
remain. Those recovered to-day were
all found in chamber No. 2. Many
have their arms and legs broken and
their skulls crushed in. The clothing
is burned in many cases 80 hat 1t drops
off in rags when the body is moved.
The hair is burned from their heads,
and all the skin is burned off the face
and other exposed portions OF the body,
leaving an utterly unacceptable mass
of raw and bleeding flesh.
The appearance of these bodies is
horrible beyond description, and it is
not likely any of them can be recog-
nized. Many of the faces have coal
dust ground into them until they are
black as coal itself.
To-day the company began the cree
tion of a large frame building where the
bodies will be placed and where the
funeral services will be held. Crowds
are coming on every train and or snow
shoes from all the surrounding camps.
The Colorado Coal and Iron company,
besides the erection of the building
spoken Of. will bear all the funeral ex-
penses and make ample provision for
the needy families of the deceased.
1t Is thought that the other two
bodies will be got out of the mine by
midnight. The inquest began at noon
to-day. The coroners' jury was sum-
moned by Coroner N. S. Snyder, and
after viewing the thirty-four bodies
already brought ont, the jury adjourn
ed. Since that time the hearing of
evidence has been going on in the par
lor of the Elk Mountain house, and
will be continued tonight and to.
morrow.
The witnesses examined so far have
been DR.. Cockrell, of Gunnison; DIR.
Gorham, of Crested Butte; DIR. Corwin,
chief surgeon of the Colorado Coal &
Iron company; Colonel Cameron, James
X. Robinson, superintendent of the
mine; Fire Boss Luke Richardson and
Engineer Robert Gibson.
Cameron testified as to the ventilation
Of the mine, which, he claimed, was
from five to six times what was re-
quired by law.
Superintendent Robinson explained
the workings 81 the mine, and said he
had given positive orders that no miner
should go in the mine without having
read the report of the fire boss, so as to
know positively there was no danger
from gas, and when gas was found
safety lamps were always insisted on.
Richardson, the fire boss, testified
that on the morning of the accident he
had found two boards broken from the
brattice in room Is, second entry, and
considerable gas in the head of the
drift, and had given the men who were
to work in there positive orders not TO
enter until he returned and repaired
the brattice. He came out to get tools
and before he got back the explosion
took place.
The witnesses who heard the orders
given will testify tomorrow.
When Room IS was reached to-day
nobody was found in 1t; but in front of
it, as if blown out by concussion, one
body was found, and, although un-
recognized, 1t is supposed the man was
a Swede who was forbidden to enter.
The collins ordered from Denver have
not arrived, and no date has yet been
fixed for the funeral. E.r4- R.y
Cameron testified that the mine had
a Murphy fan which forced $4,000 Gu
bic feet of air per minute.
Richardson said the mine was very
much troubled with gas. but was con-
sidered safe when the brattices were In
order.
Robinson said old miners considered
the mine the worst for gas they eveI
saw. s7
The Odd-fellows took away the re.
mains of Dan Mcdonald, end Mrs
Meath has removed her two boys.
This evening mine boss Gibson CANT
running into the hotel and said that b,
was in the mine when a miner cam,
running in, gave him a pistol, snatchet
his lamp and told him to run for hi