The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-11

this point. The exact nature of the explo-
sion or the circumstances that led to it
will probably never be known, since at
this writing it IS believed that every miner
who was at work in the slope at the time
has perished. 1t is not definitely known
as to the number of men who were in the
vicinity of the disaster, but it is believed
that between forty-five and fifty men were
on the three levels that were affected by
the explosion.
There is no doubt, either in the minds of
the miners or the company officials, that
every man was instantly killed by the ex-
plosion. Following is an authenticated
list of the men who were at work on the
three levels that were affected, and their
condition as to being single or men with
families:
THOMAS HOLMES married.
JOHN FOSTER, wife and baby.
PHILIP DAVIES, lsrge family.
THOMAS REEFS, large family.
JOHN REEs, son OF Thomas.
WILL ROBINSON, wife and baby.
Robert GRAHAM. wife and two children.
old.
A. POLLARD, colored, married.
JACK FERGUSON, large family.
GEORGE BROOKS, family at Streatof, Ill
JOSEPH WORTH, ST., large family.
JOSEPH ELLwoRTH, jr.
JOHN LAFFERTY single, aged IS, owner OF con-
siderable property.
DAN MCCLELLAN, wife and three children.
RICHARD FoRsYTHE, family.
GEORGE FoRsYTHE, son of above, singla
7. B. COOPER, married
LIsHE JACKSON, colored, married.
ELDER GEORGE WILLIAMS, colored, married.
SCOTT GILAs, colored, married
PRUss LUvING, colored, married.
ANDREW ERLANDsoN, wife and four children.
CHARLES PALMER, wife and child.
MITCHELL HALE, single.
MITCHELL RONALD, large family, brother ex-
Superintendent Ronald.
WINSTON STEEL, family. steers son was
working with his father, but came out on the
last trip and escaped by jumping. He was
Knocked down by the force of the explosion.
WILLIAM HAGUE, single, the only support OF
his mother and crippled sister.
EBEN OLsIFER, large family.
JAKE WEATHERLY. late mine boss at No. 3;
large family.
JOSEPH BRowITT, family.
THOMAS BgRNDEN, wife and nine children.
HARRY CAMPBELL, single.
JAMES Houston, colored.
JOSEPH BENNETT, wife and two children.
WILLIAM BENNETT, wife and three children In
Europe; had just gone in
JOSEPH IsMAY, son-in-law Of ex-Superintend.
ent Ronald.
WILLIAM PENHALL, married.
SIDNEY WRIGHT, brother OF County Clerk
Thomas Wright; family.
JAMES MORGAN, single.
JACK BONE, single; soon to marry . lady at
Durham.
HERMAN DEUsTEE.
The above named miners, thirty-two
in number. are known to be imprisoned in
the slope, and with scarcely doubt are
dead. 1t will be observed that nearly all
are men of family. The slope in which
the explosion occurred runs frome mine
No. down to the point to which the pro-
posed shaft will be sunk, and is a couple
of thousand feet in length. Seven levels
have been worked in the slope. and it is
supposed that the explosion occurred at
some point on the fourth or fifth level
For the past few months more or less DAM
ger has been connected with the work in
this part of the slope on account of the
unusual generation Of gas, and the
management is credited with having exer-
cised unusual precautions. Two air
courses were in process of construction in
the supposed vicinity of the explosion,
with the intention of Joining. and it is
presumed that when the two courses met
the explosion occurred. Persons who
were at the opening to the slope pro-
nounce the conclusion terrible, 1t being
sufficient at least to throw coal car some
distance from point where it was stand
ing near the entrance. Great volumes of
after-damp and smoke rolled from the en-
trance, making approach dangerous.
As soon as it was possible to enter the
roof crews were set to work. but progress
kx, Ea
which the tunnel continued to emit At
4 30 O'Clock the first bodies were reached,
being those of John Bone and Harry
Campbell. After that work progressed
more rapidly, and at 6 o'clock two other
bodies were brought out, and at 7:30 two
others. As progress was made the fright
full execution of the explosion became
more manifest. The timbers were torn
out for hundreds of feet, and the whole
interior was frightfuily wrecked. 1t is be-
lieved that a fire was started in the lower
| level and arrangements are being made 10
turn on the water as soon as the fact Is de-
veloped.
The air fans are working to their full
capacity, and every effort is being made to
recover the bodies of the imprisoned men.
All the miners in the camp who are able
| to work have volunteered their services.
and the men are working in shifts As
| soon as one force is fatigred another takes
i its place Coffee and refreshments are be-
| ing supplied by the company, and relief
| work is progressing as speedily as sym-
| pathy and willing men will permit The
scene surrounding the entrance to the
| mine was of the usual distressing charac.
| ter, so often described at mine disasters in
other large camps. The wives and
| children of many of the i'm
prisoned were there, and the