The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-08

PRAGUE, June IAN appalling accident
has occurred at the famous Birkenberg
silver mine, near Przlbram in Bohemia
Timbers used in supporting the roof of
the mine caught fire and the flames spread
from one part to another until the whole
interior of the mine was mass of fire.
After long struggle the fire was extin-
guished and volunteers went down into
the mine 10 rescue any one who might
have lived through the conhagration. The
rescuing party found no trace of life, but
they discovered twelve bodies
\ later dispatch from Przibram states
that 500 men were working i'll the mine at
the time. All but forty of them succeeded
in making their escape. Fourteen bodies
have been recovered. Many others who
were seriously injured were brought to
the surface The work of rescue was sus-
pended during the night owing to the
suffocating gases with which the mine
was filled.
The latest news from the scene of the
disaster indicates that the loss of life is
much larger than was at first reported. In
the previous dispatch from Przibram it
was said that all but forty of the men at
work in the mine when the fire started
had managed to reach the surface in
safety, but now after an investigation il
has been found that not nearly so many of
the miners were so fortunate, and it is re-
ported that the list of missing reaches the
startlingly large number of 200
At last accounts twenty-five bodies,
burned and blackened in terrible man
ner, had been recovered from the mine,
and that twenty-five OF the miners were
rescued from the death trap in very pre-
carious condition the unfortunate men
being shockingly burned and crushed,
All the injured have been removed to
hospitals and are receiving the best medi-
cal attention and nursing possible. A large
number OF persons have volunteered their
services to aid in the work of relieving the
sufferings of the rescued miners
1t has been found that most of the vic
Tins, including three men who lost their
lives while bravely engaged in the work
of rescue. died of sufocation, being over
come by the fatal gases which pervades
the entire mine
The presence of these noxious vapors
has greatly retarded the work OF rescue.
currents of pure air into the mine il was
extremely hazardous for anyone to enter
the burned passages, and as already men
toned some of the rescuers succumbed to
the fatal fumes.
Ii is believed by those who have made
an examination of the mine that the fire
was caused by the recklessness of a miner.
This man, 1t is said, in spite of the
stringent rule framed to avoid Just such
an occurrence carried a naked light into
one of the chambers and the gases com
ing in contact with the light caused an
explosion and instantly set fire to the tim
bers.
Another rumOr which prevails at the
mine and which finds some believers is
that the fire was of incendiary origin. 1t
is claimed by these persons that the calam-
ity was due to the act of some conscient-
less person or persons who, propably, from
motives OF revenge, took this means OF
obtaining satisfaction for an alleged
grievance.
Large crowds OF excited persons, con-
sisting mainly of the families of the I'M
fortunate miners, are pressing closely
about the entrances to the different
shafts.
The stricken people are loudly bewail-
ing the death OF their relatives, and as the
appalling extent of the catastrophe be-
comes apparent their grief is growing
more and more uncomfortable.
Very affecting sights are to be witnessed
on all sides. but the most agonizing scenes
occur when charred and otherwise dis
figured bodies are hoisted to the surface.
and are recognized by some of the Weep
ing crowd Rs the remains of loved one
who met death in the fiery furnace. At
such times the lamentations and piteous
means are heartrendinR, and the stoutest
hearted are visibly affected by the great
sorrow manifested by the widows and
orphans.
The fire began in the Maria shaft.
Speaking tubes connect the surface with
the galleries When the fire was discov-
cred no response could be obtained from
the tubes, but later, to the Joy of the
rescuers, voices came from the gallery
next to the burning level. A dense smoke,
which killed four men using the water
hose. they falling to an enormous depth
among the flames and smoke, soon pre-
vented further attempts to rescue the i'm
prisoned miners. The smoke must have
by this time penetrated all the galleries
and II Is thought that none of the miners
will escape. All the carpenters in Pris-
OTam are at WORK preparing collins Tor the
dead. The fire began almost on the lower
level. They are the deepest in the world,
and yield fifteen tons of pure silver an
nually.
PRAGUE, June S.-Owing to the great excite
ment that prevailed when il was known that
the fire that broke out Tuesday night In the
Gutenberg silver mine had caused
the death Of number OF
miners. many contradictory statements
were made as to the number ST those who had
persisted. One of the first reports had it that
forty had been killed. Now, however, that the
excitement has died out to a great extent,
and inquiries have been made among
the survivors, Ii is estimated that
fully 100 Of the employees lost their lives In the
disaster. Among those who were killed were
i've students from the mining academy. who
were studying the working OF the mine TO gain
Q practical knowledge Of mining operations.
Gas continues to form in great volumes In
the mine and the Maria shaft is so filled with il
that the volunteers who are seeking 10 re-
cover the bodies are greatly hampered
in their work. In fact IL is thought now that
IL will be fortnight before all the bodies will
be taken out Lares trenches are being dug In
the church yards in which the dead will be
buried. These trenches are large enough to
hold three hundred and fifty bodies.
Many Of the bodies recovered we're almost
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