Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-01-26
Additional Details

DENVER, Col, January 25.-For thirty
six hours force of from twenty to thirty
men has been constantly at work search
ing for the dead bodies of miners buried
in the Butte mine. The work is neces-
sarily very, slow, as the mine is badly
choked up with, displaced timbers, heaps
of coal, rock and ether distractions. At
noon to-day ten bodies had been found.
These were all in the main entry, and
being subjected to the full force the blast,
were terribly burned and blackened. In
several cases arms and legs we're found
broken and the bodies otherwise mutt
lated. In this entry were also found the
carc;isses of nine mules and large num-
ber of empty cars, which had been bat
tered out of shape. The workmen gained
an entrance to chamber No. this morn
ing, but found no bodies there. Search
ing further
EIGHTEEN BODIES WERE FOUND
almost in heap in the air passage lead
ing to the up cast near the entrance. The
men, alarmed but not injured by the ex-
plosion, had evidently attempted to reach
the furnace room, and were overcome by
fire-darnp when within 200 feet OF it.
Fifty feet further back six more bodies
were found, all had evidently been suffo-
Gated. Some had tied handkerchiefs over
their mouths. These make a total of
thirty four bodies found up to this
work in chamber No. l. These bodies
are now being brought out to the main
entry, and will soon be brought to the sur
face. The workmen will then begin the
search for bodies in chamber No. 2. This
latter is further into the mine, and is un-
doubtedly where the explosion took place.
1t is expected that the bodies there will
| be found
BADLY BURNED.
| 1t is now known that there were tifty-nine
| men and boys in the mine. TO the list of
names of last night may be added David
| Thomas, John Thomas and Miles Roach,
which makes the list complete, except one.
Among the killed were two boys-Tommy
| Lyle and VIM. Meath, each about twelve
years old, and Morgan Meath, seventeen
| years. The two former were gate-keepers,
and the other a driver. The cause of the
accident scannot be definitely told, at
this writing. AS before stated, the mine
| has been subject to gas, but the owners
| have done everything possible to over
come this by the use of all the latest and
most approved appliances for mine venti-
| lation, ard it was considered the
BEST VENTILATED NINE IN THE COUNTRY.
1t was examined by the inspector about
six weeks ago, and in his report he stated
that it had the worst air and best ventila-
| ted of any coal mine in the State. The
owners claim that the air supply is more
| than four times the amount required by
| law. The fireman made his regular
rounds yesterday before the men went to
work, and found small quantity of gas in
three rooms. In two OF these the men
were warned and given safety
| hn l,fN1 1.aln in ha
| third were told not to go into it until the
break caused by letting down the car the
night before could be repaired. The car
penter came out of the mine to get ma
terial to mend the brettice, and Just as he
reached the air the explosion occurred. 1t
is thought that the miners disregarded
| their orders and went into the room with
lamps, causing the explosion.
| OF THE MEN KILLED
| but eight or nine have families, but quite
| number OF others have families in the
| East. AS fast as the bodies are brought
out they will be taken to the City Hall,
| where an inquest will be held tomorrow.
| Many of the unfortunates belonged to the
1Iasons and Odd Fellows, and the unclaim'
ed bodies will be buried by these societies
A new danger was discovered last night
1t seems that one organization of Molly
| MaSulreS eAlStS Hefe, anu tltOuSH Soile
means the mine boss, John Gibson, ap
pears to have earned the enmity of these
men. Last night
THREATS WERE MADE AGAINST HIS LIFE.
The trouble does not appear to be because
Of any blame attached to him regarding
the accident of yesterday morning, bu
rather an old grudge, and the Mollies ap
peared to think the present occasion pre-
sented good opportunity for gettin.
even. However, no attempts at violencC
so far were made. The more timid one
fear trouble tonight. Gen. Palmer, presi
dent of the Crested Buttes Coal Minin;
Company, sent a personal donation o
$1,000 to-day for the immediate relief o
the families of the unfortunates.