McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-02-28
sUFFocATED IN A SHAFT.
Mysterious Explosion Of Fire Damp In q
Coal Mine Shaft---Ninetsen Per.
sons Taken Out Dead.

known In the coke region. The Connelville
Coal and Iron company have coke ovens
which give employment to about 100 men.
The coal is obtained by means of a shaft
which reaches the mine at a distance of 400
feet from the surface. This morning part
Of the force who had worked all night left
| the mines little after 3 O'Clock and seventy
others took their places, making the usual
morning shift. About half-past six o'clock
while the men were digging, without warn
| ing occurred an explosion that convulsed
| the mine in every apartment and threw the
men into the utmost CONSERVATION. The
scene Of the explosion was fully 800 feet dis
tant from the bottom of the shaft, and about
1 200 feet from the surface opening, yet the
report was heard on the outside for a con-
siderable distance, and caused such jar
that the top OF the derrick, 100 feet high,
was knocked off. Two mules were stand
ing at the bottom Of the shaft, 800 feet from
the explosion, and the rush of air blew one
Of them through a wooden cage, SCATTERING
it to pieces. An awful scene ensued among
the terror-stricken miners. All the lamps
WClC UiOWh OuG ouu tuCy WCIC IClt III udl NJ
ness and confusion. They had not time to
recover from the shock until they found
themselves unable to breathe. The explo-
sion Of fire-damp left the mine without
oxygen. The men lowered near the bot
tom, but even here did not long find relief.
OF all the men who were IN hearing of where
the explosion occurred Dick Balsely alone
escapek to tell the awful story. When the
explosion came and all the lights were
blown out, Balsely had just changed his
clothes. He at once wound a part of his
clothes tightly around his face and mouth
to keep the foul air from choking him, and
gave the rest Of his garments to a compan-
ion with instructions to take the same pre-
cautions. He then started for the entrance,
bidding his companion to follow. They ran
over the bodies Of the men, and over shat
tered wagons. They could see nothing,
but could hear the groans Of dying men.
Presently Balsley's companion protested
that they were not going in the right direc-
ton and turned back. Like Lots wife, he
persisted. Balsley pushed on until he final
ly saw light and was taken out. His escape
is regarded as most marvellous. He says
some Of the men kept their heads under
water as long as they could, and would have
to change from water to the damp until
they finally gave up the unequal struggle.
When news of the explosion flashed around
the families of the men gathered about the
shaft crazy with suspense. Balsley's story
gave them little ground for hope that any
could be got out alive, and it was fully two
hours before any volunteers could enter the
mine. It was about eight O'Clock when the
first body was brought out. 1t was that of
Michael Kicks, whose wife and two little
ones were waiting at the shaft. There
were no marks Of violence. He had evident
ly died of suffocation. At noon 10 bodies
had been carried out. The company's books
were then examined. the roll called, and it
was announced that all the men were ac-
counted for.
The identified dead are as follows:
Michael Heffein, leaves wife and six chill
dren; John Buckley, unmarried; Patrick
Kennedy, unmarried; James Tracy, sim
gle; James Baker, wife and two children;
David Lloyd, single; William Davis, single;
Thomas McGarey, wife and three children;
John Harry, single; Michael Kicks, wife
and two children; George Calls, wife;
David Buckner, wife and two children;
John Murray, wife and child; Peter Wa
tiers, single; VIM. Tearing, wife and four
children; Joe Banks, wife; Fl. Warmus,
single; Alban N. Hackney, wife and one
child; Carey E. Mace, unknown relations.
Most of the above had died from suffoca-
ton. Their faces were generally very black.
The last man taken out alive was Henry
Wilson, who managed to subsist on air in
the very bottom until rescued. He was al
most gone. Many of those who were in
other parts of the mine suffered severely.
UNIoNTowN, Pa, February 21.-The
scene of yesterdays terrible disaster was
visited by large numbers to-day. The ma
jority were simply curious, but many came
with the earnest intention of investigating
and, if possible, ascertaining the cause of
the explosion. A close examination of the
mine leads many to believe that the disaster
resulted from improper ventilation. The
mine inspector said he was convinced that
heavy gas must have come from a leak in
some vacant room and, the room filling up,
ran over and followed along the roof until
some miner touched it off with his head
lamp. These facts are borne out by the
fact that only four men killed by the explo
sion bore marks of violence. The company
is doing all in their power to alleviate the
suffering of the wounded and the sorrow of
the afflicted. The funerals will take place
from here tomorrow. The coroner will
begin an Investigation on Saturday.
A Fight With Horse Thieves.