The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-12
Additions, Detail, of the Disaster.

KANSAS CITY, Nov. ia Times special re-
ceivsd tonight from Pittsburg, Kan, says that
the searching parties at the Frontenac mine
have been working without cessation all night
and to-day, but only three additional bodies
have been taken out. The most astounding es-
cape recorded during the whole history of the
disaster was made to-day. 1t amounted to al
D.ost miracle. and the lucky fellow, taken
from the grave ITSELF was surrounded by Gu
fious and almost incredulous crowd all the
morning. At o'clock this morning the relief
squad working at the foot of the main
shaft astounded to an
bppsrition approaching them. It was not one of
their party, aud they did not believe that there
was living man in the mine besides the res
euers. Their surprise can therefore be i,r agined
whsn tina mysterious visitor staggered up to
iheIn. dimly outlined by the uncertain light OF
.heir lamps, and greeted them with: "Here,
fellows, let rs have light" It was Henry
Burns. who had for thirty six hours been counted
among the lost He was quickly taken to the
surface and there told the story of one Of the
most remarkable escapes from death on record.
de was slightly delrious, but there
siderable coherency in his account He related
his story as folsows:
Il was working in the first room, first
north entry. east side, when there
was roar and shock. 1 at first
thought I had been sleep. and in fact
was SO bewildered that did not know whether
was in this world or the next. Managing to
s,ake q light with my only remaining match, 1
found that my watch had stopped at 5 o'clock,
but did not know the day know whether it
was morning or evening I was suffering in
tsrnal aeonies from inhaling the after damp,
but was otherw unhurt, and proceeded to
make my way to the foot of the shaft. do not
know how long the journey lasted After being
removed to tho open air became more nervous
and delirious. and could not be made to under
stand the full significance Of what had under
gone"
day had passed since be had lost consciousness
and insisted that the people were joking when
they told him it was Sunday morning. He is
being well cared for, and will be all right in a
few days.
To-nigh. it can be positively asserted that
thirty nine bodies have been taken from the
mine, and that there probably nine or ten
more in the mine. Of the bodies already taken
out. thirty-three have been taken out dead. A
dozen physicians have been constantly al
the scene, ready to render any assistance
in their power. but the vast majority
of the victims were beyond their aid. Coroner
fisher inpaueled a Jury THIS forenoon, and
allowed them 70 view the remains. The inquest
will begin at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. II
will be a long one, every effort will be made
by both the company and the mon TO ascertain
the cause Of the awful calamity. The funeral
will probably take place at 10 o'clock tomorrow.
With the exception OF two or three who will be
buried By relatives secret societies. the vic
tins will be laid to rest with service. The
company will have charge of the general funeral
and will see to 1t that the men are given
Christian burial The bodies have been eleaned
pp well possible, and placed in neat collins
ready for TIE solemn services OF to morrow.
Alr. ". W. Allen, superintendent Of all the
Santa Fe mines, arrived at noon and at once
began an investigation into the cause OF the ex
plosion. Superintendent Robert Craig said this
afternoon that he more than ever convinced
that il was due TO the ignition Of coal dust fol
lowing overcharge. An overchargsd shot
produces a fame which pafs back, gathers W
the moro terrible the explosion the case oil
dust, because Of the plentiful supply oil
oxygen Mr.. Craig stated that every morning
before work, two men We're sent through the
mine TO examine it for gas Ga Friday. the day
OF the calamity, they reported no gas. usual
He was Of the cpinion that the explosion III
caused by gas would certainly have occurred
before > o'cloc. p. NJ. as l64 men were working
there al day with naked lamps But it did no
take place until Gl0 P. NJ. when they began fir
ing their shots. This convinees Mr.. Craig tina
twas dust explosion. The mine can be On
in condition for work in three four days, anC
the money damage is slight