The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-21
CoLLIERY HORROR.
Terrible Explosion in Pennsyl-
vania Mine.
Twenty NfHe Persons Known 20 have
been KilEed-Meagro Particulars Of the
Disaster.

P1rTspURG, Feb. 20.-This morning one Of
the most terrible explosions ever known In
this vicinity occurred at West Leisering shaft
few miles from here, resulting in frightful
loss of life. The particulars are SO meagre
however, that nothing definite is known as to
what caused the disaster.
The latest report received here. at noon, was
to the effect that seventy-fve persons were at
work in the mine at the time Of the explosion
and that % persons are known to be killed.
MARY, dead bodies ns<e been taken cut and
twelve persons rescued, severl- Of whom are
badly injured aud will die, Every eESrt Is be-
ing made to get at those who are yet in the
ruins and to learn the full extent Of the acoi-
dent 1t is thought that at least so persons Of
the 75 in the mine were killed or SO badly ir-
jured that they will die.
LATER
UNIoNTowN, Pa, Feb. 21.-The conclusion
was SO great that che top of derrick, 100 feet
high, was knocked off. Two mules were
standing at the bottom of the shaft, 800 feet
feet from where the explosion occurred, and
the rush of air was so great that one was
blown through wooden cage, shattering It,.
The awful scene that ensued among the ter
ror-stricken miners cannot be described. All
of their lamps had been blown out, and they
were left in darkness and confusion. They
had not time to recover from the shock before
they found themselves unable to breathe. The
explosion left the mine filed with after damp,
which contains no oxygen, and rendered it i'm
possible for life to be sustained for any time.
OF all the men who were in the heading where
| the explosion occurred, Dick Balsley alone es-
capped to tell the awful story. When the ex-
| plosion came, Basley, who was just changing
| his clothes, at once wound part of bis cloth
| ing tightly around his face and moRth to keep
| the foul air from choking him, and gave the
rest of his garments to his companions with
instructions to take the same precaution. Then
he started for the main entrance, bidding his
companions to follow.
Bslsley's escape is regarded by experienced
miners as most marvellous.
Tne lost number nineteen, many OF whom
leave families. The all died from suffocation
| At noon 10 bodies had been carried out of the
| shaft. The company's books were then ex-
amined and the roll called when it was found
that all the men were accounted for.
The last man taken out alive was Henry
Wilson who managed to subsist on air at the
very bottom of the mine until rescued. Dick
Balsley reports that the men acted much like
horses in a burning stable. they were be-
wildered and not knowing which way to go re-
fused to go in any direction. Some of them
were so burned that the flesh dropped from
their bodies when removed Scenes at the
| afflicted homes tonight are heartrending be-
| yond description. The fire boss with a lamp
made the usual examination last night and
pronounced the mine all right.
WILMINGTON, N. O., Feb. 20.-At Rocking
| ham the cyclone struck village on the out
skirts of the town, destroying Is houses, kill
ing % people and wounding as many more.