The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-11-09
An Appalling Accident.

WILLIAMsPoRT. Pa. November A.
The officers OF the Kettle Greek Coal
Mining Company, belonging in this
city, are in receipt OF information that
a terrible explosion occurred at their
mines located in Clinton county on the
line OF the Philadelphia and Erie Rail,
road last evening. The Superintendent.
George l.. Miller. upon hearing a heavy
report at the new No. 2 drift, proceed
ed to the spot when he at once saw
that a violent explosion had taken
place. The necessary arrangements
were quickly made to carry the air to
the race OF the wreck and men entered
the mine TO learn the particulars of
what occurred.
An appalling state of affairs was
ounc inside. or the 21 men who had
been working in the drift only three or
four had escaped death or injury. At
the end of an hours hard work IA dead
bodies were recovered from the drift.
i wo or these who were Injured suDse-
quently died. One man WIS missing
and his remains were found out in the
woods, where they had been blown by
theforce OF the explosion through the
air shaft. The total number of killed
or 'atally injured was found to be IL.
Al but four of them were Hunparians
or Italians whose names are not fur-
nished. The four English speaking
men are named Samuel Killiuger. Pat.
rick Dounell. Michael Curran and ].
Carliston. The driver, named ]. Far
rel, was entering the drift when the ex-
piosion occurred. He was thrown to-
Ward the mouth and escaped. His
mule was killed
The force of the explosion was shown
ha bod
out OF the mouth of the drift. Eyery-
thing possible was done for the injured
oy the mine physicians. The bodies of
the dead were taken charge of by an
undertaken and prepared for interment
The corner OF the county was notified
and Will hold an inquest to morrow.
The mine inspector Of the district has
also been summoned, but a. latest re-
ports had not arrived.
A dispatch from the superintendent
this evening states that there is nothing
new In reference TO the disaster. They
have all the help they require and are
preparing for the inquest. Captain Bly,,
the president. and other officers of the
company Will leave here tomorrow for
the scene of the disaster. Although
the accident occarred before dark yes
terday IL was not given out by the OIL
they having been advised OF il late last
night.
It is thought that In making a blast a
''gas FEEDER was struck, filling the
chamber with gas, which, coming in
contact with a naked lamp, produced
the explosion. A ''gas feeders is a
a pocket OF gas imbedded in the coal.
As soon as pick is stuck into it the
gas escapes, and il anything ignites il
an explosion follows. 1t is generally
conceded that there was good ventila-
tioD, and the mines were well supplied
with air appliances. The superirtend-
ent say says the accident could not have
been fo.eseen and that no blame at
taches to anyone
Many rumors are going the rounds.
and among them is one that the direct
cause OF the explosion was the ipexper-
fenced use or dynamite in the mines.
In conversation with one of the drivers
who escaped it was learned that An
ltalion had gotten 100 sticks of the
deadly stuff from the storekeeper in the
morning and had also gotten 100 cans
and had returned after q fuse, but as
there were none in stock, it is supposed
that be had tried TO set 1t off in some
other way. thus causing the explosion.