The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-14
AN APPALLING DISASTER.
EXPLOSION IN A coALMlgE.
One Hundred and Fifty Lives Reported Lost
Horrible and Complete Dcstruetion--iiOuses
Overturned and Demolished.

One Hundred and Fifty Lives Reported Lost
Horrible and Complete Destruetien-iiouses
Overturned and Demolished.
fBy telegraph to the Dispatch.I
POcAH0NTAs, TAzEwELL COUNTY. Va,
March 13.--A terrible explosion in the
coal-mines Of the Southwest Virginia In
provement COMPANY. at this place, occur.
red this morning at 1 o'clock. The de-
struction at the mines Is horrible and COM
plete. There were $50 men in the mine at
the time OF the explosion, not one OF whom
Is believed to have escaped. Those who
were not killed outright by the terrible
force OF the explosion most likely persisted
from after-damp. The cause OF the expl0-
sion is not yet definitely ascertained, as the
entrances 10 the mine are all fnll OF bad
air, but the presumption is that one OF the
miners struck assure filed with gas.
Several parties ventured into the mines
this morning, but could rot long endure
the foul atmosphere. A number OF bodies
were discovered horribly mangled-some
Of them with the heads torn from the
| trunks. and others with limbs all gone.
presenting an appalling spectacle. The
work OF destruction was not confined en-
| t'rely to the interior OF the mines, but
| houses 200 or 800 feet distant were over
turned. and in several instances entirely
demolished. The large ventllatOr OF the
| Southwest Virginia Improvement Company
was blown TO atoms. and the mines canpOt
he entered until another is constructed for
the purpose Of freeing the atmosphere OF
/ the sulfocating fumes. This work is now
progressing speedily. 4 large force is en-
gagged on the outside OF the mines con-
structing collins and perfecting other ar
rangements for the interment Of the dead
miners. most OF whom are foreigners.
FULL DETAILS UNOBTAINABLE.
LYNCHBURG, VA, March 13.--It is impos-
sible to get a detailed account OF the eX-
plosion at POcabontas mines, as everything
! is in the utmost confusion. The telegraph
operator has been on duty for two nights.
and is unable 10 handle the business OF the
office. Pressing kilograms for particulars
receive no response. Another operator was
sent there tonight, and there will I've no
trouble, it is thought. in sccurIng full ac-
count OF the disaster early tomorrow.
A telegram received at . O'Clock tonight
| says the whole OF the east NINE was shat
| tered by the explosion, and everything in
| front OF the main entrance Is demolished.
Both Of the mne-engines are safe. but
most Of the mine-carS were completely
wrecked. Fire is now seen at the mouth
OF the mine. and no one can enter. The
| farmhouse and ian are a total wreck. A.
soon us repaired efforts will be made 10
90 into the mine. Everything possible is
being done to reach the victims.
ARELIEF TRAIN SENT TO THE SCENE.
a special train with surgeons on board
left this city for the scene OF the explosion
at 1915 this morning.
a party OF experienced miners, under
the charge OF Colonel George Dodds, from
the Coalfield miueS OF Chesterfield county
passed through Lynchburg this evening
and will arrive at PocahOntas at ~ o'clock
| tonight.
The men employed in the mines were
mostly IlungaranS. without families. A
number Of negroes from this city'and sur.
rounding section were also employed there
and the excitement here is consequently
very great.
EFFECT OF THE DISASTER.
What effect the disaster will have OF
the operations OF the mines can only be
conjectured until the full extent Of the
damage transpires. The company had got.
| ten well under way and was supplying ;
large section OF country with coal, and the
prospect was most encouraging. a large
coalnca station for the supply OF Ocear
steamers being IN the course Of construc
ton at Norfolk. While the accident vii
have the effect OF retarding work at the
/ i 81 holfoVo1 a will q.
permanent discontinuance. a. a great dea
OF money has been expended there by
northern capitalists composing the com
pany.
THE LAUREL MINES.
The mines are known as the Laurc
Mines, and are situated at Pocahontas, in
the northeastern portion Of Tazewell coun
ty, in a spur OF the Flat-Top mountains,
which divide that section OF the State
from West Virginia. They ere worked by
joint-stock company under the name OF
| the .'Southwest Virginia Improvement
Company" with John {. Ilsley, OF Penn
sylvania, us president; William \. La
throp, superintendent, and j. Baach
mining engineer. This company is under
stood TO be identified with, and I'M
der the control OF, the Norfolk and
Western Railroad Company, which
has run a branch road (the New-River di
vision from Central depot. on their main
line, TO Pocahontas, distance OF about
81 miles. The enterprise is comparatively
new, having been in active operation less
thar two years. There were between 500
and 900 hands employed. The coal is
reached by tunnelling into the mountain
at its base. No shafts have been sunk,
and ventilation is secured by forcing all
! into the mines.