West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1886-01-29

ShatTer. James Niece, T. ID. Howard
j. {. Mayer, JAS. Stuck, j. C..Ilowell
VIM. Shaw, G. A. Holmes, Jas. lar.
rinSton, VIM. Lswarnce. John Meme
fee and Frederick Richter
But the progress was slower than
the Coroner expected, and the inquest
was postponed for an hour. 1t than
became apparent that there was lit
tie probability Of any bodies being
brought up tonight, and the inquest
was adjourned until s o'clock to.mor-
row morning, The work in the mine
will continue through the night by
relief parties, composed in part OF
men who have fathers and brothers
below. At this hour the crowd still
stands about, discussinl the chances
of life and death. people from along
the railroad, and farmers for miles
back in the country, eager to do
something and nothing for them to do.
The origin Of the disaster is vari-
ously determined by experts, who
vary in their theories. The general.
ly accepted theory which is that Of
the company's representatives, is
that NcWilliams, who was cutting q
ditch at the extreme end of the work.
ing, to let the water off. knocked
down door to give him better
chance at the work. The door play
ed an important part in the system
of ventilation which was thus derang.
ed The foul gas collected in great
volume and WAS fired by a miners
lamp.
One Of the last men TO come out
of the mine before the explosion says
he heard McWilliams say he was CO.
ing to knock the door down, and as
he came out he heard heavy pound
ing as though the door was being
battered down. The State Inspector
of Mines in his recent visit here rec
commended the company to put in an
air shaft, but this has not been
done vet. There is much talk of an
indefinite kind about foul air in the
mine, but have not found a miner
who does not say the air was good,
though have not been able to talk
with:all. Mackall & Co.'s manager,
who came out from Baltimore today
says they have never had trouble
with the air, and have always kept
ahead of water, One fear has been
that the entombed men would be
drowned, but fortunately the pumps
have not been stopped since the ex-
plosion.
Mr.. James Wilson, shipping clerk.
was standing fifty feet east of the
shaft when the explosion occurred.
lie says: Il heard thud which
was accompanied with dense mass
of fog and mud. Before had time
to realize the situation, in half q
minute the second shock came, ter
rife burst of gas ripping off weather
boarding and demolishing the upper
part of the shaft. But it had caught
thirty nine poor fellows down there
and | think their doom is sealed.
The engineer blew his whistle. This
following the first noise was all the
notice the town needed. The people
knew there was something wrong at
the mine, and those whose husbands
and fathers and brothers were down
there knew that, too. There was a
rush to the works. The women came
Aocking and then began the pitiful
scenes which you have seen here.
1t was a terrib night. There was
hope then, and the men at once be.
gan putting water down the shaft to
scatter the sitter damp and create a
draught Men tried their best to get
down in the bucket, but they only
got part of the way, as their lamps
went out, Superintendent Laxton
took that party down. A big chunk
Of ice hit him on the shoulder and
nearly knocked him out of the
bucket.
Engineer Steel went down during
Thursday to oil the pump, and over.
come by the black.damp, he fell and
cut his face and bruised himself
badly, but he is still on duty.
Fireman Carroll, an intelligent
observer, says: There was nothing
the matter with the air in the mine
1t was good You may Judge what
the men thought of it when they
could go down at seven in the morn.
ing and come up at four in the after.
noon. Sometimes they would sleep
down there four and FIVE hours, /