Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-01-14
DEATH IN The MINE.


A Terrible Explosion in Crowded Coal
Mine-Four Hundred Lives Imperfect
OF Whom Only One Hundred and E1ity
Escaped Injury-The Others Killed OF
Iniurcd-The Usual Heartrending scenes
Around the Pit
SOUTH McALLIsTER, /. T., Jan. s.
The horrors of the Diamond disaster at
Braidwood, ILL.,, about eight years ago.
was re-enacted here last night, ana TO-
day, except that in this instance, nre
instead of flood was the instrument OF
destruction As the miners were pre-
pairing to leave shaft No. II at krebbs'
miles from here, operated by the
Usage Coal and Mining Co., shortly
after o'clock last evening,
terrific explosion occurred spread
ing death among the 400 Or more
miners at work It is impossible
at present to obtain any accurate in
formation as to the number OF the
lives lost or persons injured, but 1T IS
known that at least 100 men are en-
tombed in the mine. and it is only pos
sible to ascertain their number by q
canvass from house to house, which is
being made by committee appointed
for the purpose. 1t is generally con-
coded that the dead will number close
to 100, and the injured about as many.
a great number of whom have no pros
pect of recovery.
Physicians of the neighboring towns
and cities have rendered their services
and are worked to their utmost in car
ing for the injured. Miners from neigh
boring coal fields have aocl5ed in by
every train during the day and night
rendering their assistance and heroic
ally volunteering to enter the gloomy
shaft in which so many OF their COM
rades have persisted, and in which per-
haps death even awaited them on ac-
count of the loosened boulders, which
the shock of the explosion left upon a
fiimsy balance, and which a breath OF
air might precipitate upon them.
The NcAllister mines dot the prairie
at intervals for = quarter OF mile,
and each is surrounded by the usual
cluster of novels which serve the pur-
pose of homes to the miners. These
homes present = pathetic picture to =
day. There is not one of them which
does not mourn the loss of either mem
Der or friend. Those who have re-
covered their dead, though their agony
is pictured in their faces, seem to ex-
perience silent content in comparison
with the many who are still thronging
around the mouth Of the dismal hole
awaiting tidings of the loved ones, who
are still entombed.
Very little has been accomplished to-
day in the way of relieving those who
may still be alive and hemmed in by
falling walls. 1t is probable that a
week will elapse before the men can be
reached. Many of them no doubt, are
still alive. but they are shut off from
egress and must remain so until they
can be reached by outside help.
The exact cause of the catastrophe is
unknown, but it is supposed that, con-
trary to the custom and rule of the
mines, some miner fired a blast without
authority, the blast igniting either the
gas or coal dust and causing the ex-
plosion, which was terrific. One Of the
hosting cages had just come to the
surface with six men aboard. AS the
last man stepped from the platform.
the cage. propelled by the explosion,
blew up through the roof fifty or sixty
feet above, while the flames went sky
ward hundred or more feet, followed
by a report which was heard for miles
Nearly half the men employed in the
mine escaped by climbing the air
shaft. One man whose leg was broken
by the explosion climbed the entire $50
feet to the top Of the shaft. Others
climbed whose flesh was so badly
burned that it would strip from their
hands as they clasped the ladders. One
father started his son to the top on the
last cage. landing him safely. while he
himself persisted by remaining behind.
1t is difficult to identify the bodies as
they are brought to the surface. ALL
are blaclsened almost beyond recogni-
ton, while many are mangled and
charred to the extent that fragments Of
their clothing or contents of their
identity.
There were about 400 men at work.
and as near as can be ascertained about
$50 of them escaped injury. while the
others are either imprisoned or have
been brought up dead or injured. Each
trip of the cage brings to light @ new
victim, which the volunteers carefully
carry to the mine blacksmith shop,
which has been utilized as a temporary
morgue, and through which the anx-
ious crowds of miners wives and chill
dren surge in search of the absent
members OF their families.
No arrangements have been made as
to funerals The different secret or
have posted notices calling
special meetings for tonight, when ar
will be made for appro-
pirate services for all the dead.
Tie Proposal to Return tho Captured
American War Ship President.
T,ONnnN Ian GA bi,rb of1o;ol "a