New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-01
THE RICH HILL HORROR
GROSS CARELEssNEss OF THE COMPANY.

THREATS oF LYNCHING TIE sUPERINTFNDENr-
ALL But THREE BODIES RECOVERED.
Rich Hill, Mo-, March 81 (special.-The Keith &
Perry uline In which twepy-oue lost their lives
on Thursday, flooded last night for the purpose OF
driving out gases and foul air. and Immediately after
ward relief party, headed by Tom Bennon, pitt
boss descended and recovered eight bodies. Al
though the waters purified the air considerably the
danger was not removed, and four Of the relief party
tainted while dragging the dead to the shaft. They
were quickly pulled TO the shaft-cpenng and sent to
the top, where they revived in a few minutes
Ono OF the rescuers, who nearly lost his life, was
William Richards and after he recovered consciousness
his wife begged and pleaded with him not to go down
again, but b. dsogarcd her appeals and went bravely
down and resumed the Search
All the bodies have now been taken out but three.
Eighteen burned and blackencd corpses repose in pine
coftns In the blackmith-sbop Old BtIl7 McFaren
was in the mprovised morgue when his sons body was
brought up. He dlshgured beyond recognition.
and not until his boots had been removed did his own
father know him. Tn old miner burst out crying, and
as the tears trlckled down his cheeks to his
white beard he said: [" ! must 90 and tell his
mother God pity her One son and
two sons-in-law lie dead in his house tonight and in
the Blank cabin Just adjoining blm the three Blank
boys and the dead husbands of their three sisters all
lie In one room side by side
The cause OF the explosion has now become known
About fifteen days ago the west entrance sank sew
era feet 1t Is about 300 feet from the shaft to the
head Of the western tunnel, and the beginning OF the
west entrance Is l02 feet from the shaft The entire
entrance covered about acres and when 1t had set
tied the distance between the floor and the ceiling
six feet. After. the settling the
west entrance not safe to work In, but timbers
were put In and it bradshed7 or Theoretically
sealed. 1t is dangerous to seal up portion OF
mine, for gas collects in it and may force its way
out This the miners know ana they went to
Superintendent sweeney and protested asains' eaV-
Ing tho west entrance in thai CONDITION. but INC
company was rushed with orders and could not afford
to cUsc the mines 10 repair that portion, and sweeney
inlorbed the
They then entered protest and stated that they
were sure an explosion would occur If the mine was
LETT So and they cted the accident Whch happeh'u
when the west entrance So tied. An xpiosion oc-
CURED then and q. D. Gideon, John Gideon and an
unknown negro, were badly burn q. . GIDEON
recovered bue he IS stl wearing Dandages about his
head and hands and body. sweeney declined, It IS
alleged, to close the mine TO repair the west entrance
and the men have been anxious every day for Tear
an explosion would occur. 1t seems certain now
that this chamber flied with gas, which kept pour
Ing In until the pressure was 50 great that IL was
forced out Of one OF the crevces OF the Veln ana
miner passing ignted It with the fame from his lamp
and the fearful loss Of life was the result
When the explosion occurred the feeling against
been the Of the arc den ami declared that they
would lynch him the spot. but when he stepped
Into the barrel and began his noble work OF resculng
the who caught In the cage anu Whcn
that Was done and he led the rscuers down mo
shaft and came up so horribly burned they all Tor
gave what tnry ndu CoiiS NJ 80
and admired his hcrosm IN CALAMITY endeaVOnnS
to assist those who dying and to recover inc
bodies OF those who were dead.
Two sra &c rrcseutments were brought TO light
tonight Mrs william Kay though aim. ST ant c.
sail that the gh b-f 70 the &C drn she dreamed
that there explosion in the min" aud thaI her
thaI'e, lad OF fourteen. wa Killed. she
begged him not 10 60 10 wOr' ThUr5day morning and
followed him TO the shaft, pleading with him nor t.
60 down But h" laughed II her ta AID desc nl 'd.
III, body brou hi up hls ernoon. a slmllaf
dream came to John Gray and whom he e't home in
the morning he said to hi wife " / DIR AIMED tho
mine exploded and that was killed II YOU sec ne
not return to dinner, but MIS- cray was the first
to arrive al the mine af the explosion oc
CURED - -,
Thl teen Of the d" al men leave fam les. OF the
sixteen who escuel alive ten VIII PROB
ally die from their INJURIES their burns being fright
ful TO behOld