The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-05-08
At a Clarksburg Nine while the
Men arc Preparing to
Enter for work.
FOUR MINERS KILLED.
Had the Explosion Occurred
Five Minutes Later the Re-
suit would have been
More Terrible.
An Heroic Searching Party Thrice
Driven Eack by the Heat, and Two
Bodies stu la the NIns-Fearfal Con-
dItIOn Of One of the COrpseS Found.
Not the First Explosion at the Mine.


Special Dispdteh 10 tAt IateEItGRea.
CLARKssuRG, W. Va, May IAN ex-
plosion took place just as the workmen
we're preparing to enter the main shalt
Of the Ocean mine, near here, early this
morning, causing the death of four men,
who had gone in at the big air shalt,
three.fourths OF mile from the main en-
trance. Seven men had entered the
air shalt-three Of them, Martin Feath-
ers, John Yeager and William Donohue,
escaping uninjured, being only 100 feet
in the cut when the explosion occurred.
The other four men, Joseph Feathers,
Charles Welsh, Nathan Gaines and
William Dougherty, wcre caught in sew.
eral headings leading to their rooms and
burned to death.
A searching party was organized,
which entered from the big air shaft and
proceeded carefully toward the cham.
bers. When about one.fourth OF mile
in they discovered the body OF Charles
Welsh. He was lying on his side Liter.
ally skinned by the FIRE, there being not
= particle oil akin left on him. His body
was carried to the shalt and placed In
the hands Of friends and the searchers
returned into the mine. They were IN.
able 10 get over three.quarters OF mile
in from the big shaft, on account OF the
extreme heat, aud 1t was estimated they
we're within 700 feet Of the other men.
THE SEARCH ABANDONED.
At1Oa. m. the search from the north
side was abandoned and the party pro.
ceeded to the main shaft, where they
entered the mine and penetrated about
two thousand feet, when they were
again driven back by the heat, being at
least 200 feet from the men on that side. |
The search was then abandoned until
late this afternoon 10 allow the mine to |
cool. About 8 p. m. the search was re-
newed and the body Of Joseph Feathers
was discovered bstween the fourth, lett
and black diamond chambers, burned 70
acrisp. The other two men are still In
the mine.
A week ago 10 day there was q slight
explosion and several men were scorch.
ed. Since thst time the Superintendent
has gone in early each morning IN the
lead with the oniy safety lamp belong.
ing to the mine,. and gas has shown up
each time. A shot which was put in
yesterday opened the coal, allowing the
gas to fill the mine, and it Is supposed
that the FIRE originated from the lamps
Of one OF the miners who entered by the
air shaft.
DEsoIATE FAMILIES.
The men whe lost their lives were all
married. Welsh was young man, son.
in.law of Joseph Feathers, and without
children. Joseph Feathers leaves a wife
and ten children, Gaines wife and
Eeven children and Dougherty wife
and five children. The mine is leased
by Black, Sheridan & Wilson, Of Georges
Creek, Maryland, and works twenty.four
men. II the explosion had occurred hye
minutes later the entire force would
have been in the mine, and the loss OF
life would have been appalling. The
eearch will be renewed In the morning
for the other two men itsthe heat is not
too great.