Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-09
FLEEING FROM FIRE,
The Graphic Story of john Kerwin's
Escape From the Burning
Hill Farm Mine
TOLD AT THE DUNBAR INQUEST.
Counsel Have Several Lively and Windy
Encounters Over Testimony
Given and Withheld.
CAUSES THAT LED TO THE DISASTER.
The inspectors Give Some Pertinent Testimony Be-
gardIng Mine Management
TOLD AT THE DUNBAR INQUEST.
CAUSES THAT LED TO THE DISASTER
The inspectors Give Some Pertinent Testimony Be-
gardIng Mine Management
rrro,,z -rrxenAx TO THE psrLroH,

Krrc1AI rELKGRAM TO THE DIsfATcHi
DUNBAR, July S-There was a most
dramatic scene at the Hill Farm mine in
quest this afternoon. John Kerwin, the man
who struck into the fatal coal hole, was on
the stand and told his story. The room was
crowded and while he graphically described
the mighty rush of water and the fash OF
the gas not a person in the crowded room
moved. Nothing could be heard but the
steady voice of the black-eyed, black-whis-
kered miner, which only faltered once or
twice. The inspectors, the attorneys, the
Coroner, every one leaned forward and
listened in rapt atte ntion. When he finished
an audible sigh went up. His story was
told SO concisely that but few questions
were needed on cross-examination. The
attorneys INDUCED in q number of spats.
PLACING THE BLAME ON KEIGHLEY.
Mr.. Downs, of the knights of Labor
opened up new phase of the case by ques-
tions which would indicate that part of the
blame is on Inspector Keighley. Mr. Lind
say, for the Dunbar Company, fought every
question which looked toward an inquiry
into the result of the work of the rescuing
party, and at times the arguments were
rather loud-voiced.
The loss of David Hay and the reason
for it was feelingly told. Kerwin said:
"Hav shouted to me is my boy down the
slope" and then plunged into the hre and
smoke to try and reach HIM"
Inspector Keighley admitted he told COM
mittee of the miners that he would close the
mine if he found it as bad as they said. He
also admitted he told them after the examina-
tion that it was worse than they reported. He
said, though, he found other things that he had
to report, and would tell what they we've when
he took the stand.
THE MORNING SESSION.
THE first witness called to-daywas Robert Lang
Superintendent of the Hill Farm mines, who
testified that the Hill Farm and the Ferguson
mine were operated by the same company as
one mine. 1t was at his instance that the drill
hole was tapped. He did not think there was
any gas in the hole, and thought the water could
do no damage. The Hill Farm and Ferguson
mines have the same ventilation, and Hay and
Shearin were warned of their danger but they
did not heed the warning Witness had been at
the Hill Farm for six years. The mines were
inspected often and were thought by the mine
boss to be in good condition. They drilled q
similar bore hole some time ago and expert
enced no bad effects. Witness thought if Hay
and Shearin had needed the warning they would
have escaped.
Mine Inspector James Blick, Of the Seven
teenth district, sworn: Water holes are gen.
water in this hole could have done no damage.
Have mines in my district as large as both Hill
Farm and Ferguson, where but one mine boss
is employed. They generally have three
sistants. Think fan in the mines would have
been very dangerous. The smoke coming out
the manwav would have been driven back to
where the men were found. Brattice in all
mHes is imperfect generally. Could have
tapped the bore hole with a small drill. There
would have been no danger there if the mine
had been full Of men. There was not enough
water in the hole to be dangerous. The map
which guided us while seeking the imprisoned
men did not show the point where drilled
say how a mine shall be ventilated. 1t is not
an unusual thing in this region to ventilate
mines by steam pipes 1t is a hard matter for
an inspector to close mine down. He is CON-
PEELED to call another inspector ano obtain an
Injunction from court prohibiting work in the
mines.
MINE INSPECTOR LoUTIT's SAY.
It was nearly 2 o'clock before Henry Loutit,
Mine Inspector of the Sixty-frst district, was
called. He said:
I've been mine inspector for six years; came
here Tuesday morning after the accident
"How would you have proceeded to tap that
bore hole?" asked Mr.. Byrnes.
hole"
fWould the accident have happened, thenf"
81 think not; saw such hole at the Cincin-
natl mine. A drill hole had been drilled, would
open such a hole when no one was in the pit"
In answer TO questions OIL MI. LINDSAY, Mr.
Boutit said: 81 have no such holes in nay dis
trict; have formed my opinion of this from
what learned here"
Inspector Keighley took charge of the wit
ness: Amy slope mine in your dlstrictF'
Three"
ANY fans usedf'
None"
ANY difficulty in satifying yourself what
constitutes one coal mine or two?''
A great deal The law is indefinite.
would be JusIIted in closing the mine on
hfE NJ
famous report.
u do not You would have to 90 to court,
and courts don't always act promptly. My
mind is not clear whether these two mines are
separate or not"
A WRONG MOVE.
William Jenkins, Mine Inspector Of the
Maryland district was called He said: with
the experience 1 have would have tapped the
bore hole with small drill. l think it was
wrong to put man to dig through with pick.
AT the Standard, near Mt Pleasant the men
cut through hole and the entries we're flooded
Two feet deep. If proper precaution had been
followed think the accident could have been
Rverted. l think there was explosion, and
smoke was the evidence of it.
Mr.. Lindsay held that the smoke might have
come from fire.
Mr.. jenkins was asked by Mr.. Keighley about
closing the mine down.
He said: Il don't think l would close the
mine down. Then promise to regulate these
difficulties, and then going to work to make
them relieve YOU"
MIR. Jenkins then told of difficulties he had in
his district about the employment of mine ip-
spectors. He said: II have cases irving to Get
the companies to appoint additional mine
bosses. The law says for every mine there
must be mine boss. They appealed the cases
and the decision is still hanging Went to the
Judge some weeks ago and asked him to do
something. He promised to appoint a commit
tee to determine the fact. The mines are not
connected underground nor ventilated by the
same current If were mine boss 1 would
have tested that bore hole and been present
when it was cut"
THE LAW IN QUESTION.
Mr.. Downs asked if the promise to fix up the
mine would relieve him. He then read the law
on this subject and asked:
is that not mandatory"
Yes"
SHOULD he not give them q written noticef"
1sn't that a notice, Mr.. Downs?" and In
epector helghley handed him a piece of paper.
well, but promise don't hold, does it?"
inspector keighley then testified that he
heard orders given to remedy these defects.
J, n Adams, Mine Inspector from the Third
olstrct was called. He said: II would have
raped that bore with small drill 1t was
dangerous in my opinion to open ii with pick
~ there was water OF that depth would know
there was danger \
Austin King, Mine Inspector from the Eighth
district, testified. He said: Il would have
tapped that bore hole with small drill hole. /
was In tins district at No. g. Leisenring in this
Iekion. Gon Know the custom. wouldn't
nave tapped that hole with drill while a man
was in the mine" ~
KEREYIN'S GRAPHIC STORY,
John herevln, the man who picked
through INTO the bore hole, was sworn. He
said:
was about 100 feet from the bottom of the
main slope. / was digging into that hole:
Hughie Doran put me there. That morning l
went down, and Jos. Beighley was with me.
Beighley saw Hughie, and the latter called me
and put me to work into this hole, 1 COM
menced to dig. and dug one car of coal and
went TO get wagon. told Doran had struck
o clay vein; got a car and loaded 1t: loaded an
otter car, and the boy Hayes placed the next