The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-08


Slowly-Fiftecn Bodies Recovered.
PARIS, Dec. The report of ter
rible mining disaster comes from st.
Etienne, in the department of Loire,
the center of one Of the richest coal
fields in France. An explosion of fire.
damp occurred at noon yesterday in one
OF the numerous coal pits in that re-
gion, and many of tho workers were
unable to escape from tho mine. Ac-
cording to advices SO far received
seventy three men persisted in tho pit.
Immediately after the explosion im-
mensc volumes Of cvil-;nelling smoke
issued from tho mouth of this and Il
connecting pit, and in short time
crowds Of relatives and friends Of the
imprisoned workmen gathered about
the entrances of the pit and prepared
for the work ofIescue.
When the first attempt was made 10
rescue the imprisoned tho rcscuers were
driven back by the foul fumes that
poured from the shaft For nearly an
hour nothing could be done to aid the
unfortunate miners in tho pit. AT tho
u
serious obstable, as the main gallery
was found to have collapsed, thus pro-
venting access to tho imprisoned mon.
After working several hours in relays
tho party OF rcScuers had cleared away
portion Of the debris, and in q few
minutes they came &C; oSs the bodies of
four miners. Tho men, although un-
conscious, wcro still alive.
While tho reScuerS were at work sew
eral doctors and a number of ambulances
had been summoned from St. Etionne
and supply of rcstorativcs procured,
so that the promptcst assistance might
be given to all who should be brought
from the pit alive. The speedy revival
of the men rescued gave hope that the
Others in the pit might he saved, and
this hope was strengthened when, Il
short time afterwards, another roScuing
party, which had entered tho connect
ing pit, sent to tho surface four moro of
the victims, all of whom wero quickly
restored TO consciousness.
The second party of rescuers, how
ever, found that it was utterly impossi-
bic to reach the other imprisoned men,
aud there is hardly 4 doubt that all of
the latter have succumbed to tho pois-
onous gases that fill the chambers of
the mines. The work of rescue will be
resumed tonight. when, it is hoped, the
gases will have dispersed. The wives,
children and relatives of tho cntombed
miners still surround tho mouth of tho
pit, and the most heartrending scenes
are witnessed as the bodies of the vic
tins are brought to the surface.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
PARIS, Dec. 7.-[Special IA sad scene
is being enacted at the mouth of the
| Puts de la Manu- facture, the mine be-
longing to the st Eticnnc Collierv Com
pany, where the explosion occurred yes
terday. Wives, mothers AMI sweet
hearts stand about the pit mouth weep
ing bitterly and mourning their dead.
Here they have stood through tho long,
dreary night, Needless of many en-
treaties made to them to return to their
homes. They seem to have forgotten
everything save that deep in tho mine
below them lie the bodies of those who
are dear to them.
Many of those who rushed to the pit
when the news of tho disaster first
spread, have returned to their dea TIL
stricken homes, reverently following
the bodies of their relatives and friends
that the rescuing parties have sue
ceeded in taking from the pit. The
hODe that some of the mine re-, who had
been imprisoned by falling walls OF the
chambers. might DO still alive has been
abandoned. The air in the mines is
still foul and sitting and the men who
have been down in it say it would be
impossible for any ono to live in 1T for
any longth of time.
The work of removing bodies is nee
essarily slow, the efforts of rescuers
being greatly hindered by immense
masses of debris which emcumber the
passages. Since midnight last night
fifteen bodies have been taken from the
pit.
The scene when they were lifted to
the surface was most heartrending
Weeping, sobbing women would cluster
around the bodies hoping, yet dreading,
to recognize in the: smoke blackenod
and sometimes burned faces of the doad
tho features of some dear one. There
are yet twelve bodies in the lower gal
lery. The rescuers are making their
way as rapidly as possible toward them,
and it is expected that they will shortly
reach and remove them.
InDpV L. If,TDnfIrr1,n