The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-12
RELIEF FOR ROSLYN.
Aid Is Wanted for the Many
Widows and Orphans.
AN APPEAL TO THE CITIZENS.
Subscriptions VIII Be Received by the
'Post- IntelIigeDcer"-Mfner
Families in Sore Need.

the Roslyn mines was the subject of gen.
erai sorrow in the city yesterday. The
first question to arise in every mind was
What can be done to help them2" it be-
ing taken as matter of course that any
help which could be given would be forth
coming, as the existence of need among
suffering fellow citizens has on previous
similar occasions been the signal for the
people of Seattle to open their pockets
with no stinting hand. The facts that the
Roslyn mines have been running only
irreguIarly for several months past. giving
the miners only enough work for bare
subsistence. and that nearly all the men
upon whom death came with such terrible
suddenness leave families. many OF them
large, furnish clear proof that there
is urgent need. 1t remains for those who
have sufficient To show their sympathy
by coming TO the aid of the women ana
children who have been at one blow be-
reaved of those dearest to them and of
their breadwinners. They need consoia-
tion but the most practical kind of conso-
Iation takes the form of food and clothing.
All can give this: time alone can heal the
wounded hearts.
The osT-ISTELIIGEycER will receive
subscriptions for the relief of the widows
and orphans and donates $3.50 as begin
ming of the fund. Subscriptions OF cash.
food or clothing will be received ut the
business Office of the PosT-1ETELLIGEScER
and will be promptly handed over to the
proper authority for distribution. due
acknowledgement being published. All
contributions sent by mail or messenger
should be addressed:
Roslyn Relief Fund. Business Office. Posi-
lsTELIIGEScER, Seattle.
He gives twice who gives quickly.
The reality of the need of help-prompt
helps shown by the account of the con-
dition OF affairs at Roslyn given by W. A.
Ryerson. who was until six weeks ago
booEkeeper at the mines. He said:
The mines have not been running regularly
for the last year. On January there were about
1000 men in the three mines, but No. has been
closed for about two months aud Nos. aud
have been running very irregnlarly. the No
men having only three days work in April.
The number OF men has been cut down. and
with few exceptions the married men were
tanned and the single men allowed 70 go. When
No. was closed nearly ell the married men
were brought down from there to the
other mines. The consequence is that
almost all the men who killed had
wives and children. and they had been strug-
were in hard circumstances. Their clothing
was at the last stages, and they only got such
provisions as they had 20 have in order TO live.
Anything would be acceptable in the shape of
provisions or clothing. The company has three
physicians aud there is drug store. so that
there would be no need of medical assistance,
even il those who were in the explosion had not
been beyond human aid Food and clothing is
what the widows and orphans need. Only
about one fourth OF the miners there now are
coiored. The married men are given the
preference, and as there is much larger pro-
portion OF them among the whites, most of the
eolored people have gradually drifted away.
do not believe the explosion was the result
81 any carelessness on the part of either the
bosses or the miners. The men were all ole,
careful, experienced miners, who would not so
into a dsnserous place with a naked lamp;
they were very different from the ignorant
hungarisns and Poles who are employed in
many OF the Eastern mines. No . was always
thought TO be about as safe rs mine could be.
Occasionally pocket of gas was found ana
then the men would stay out of the place for
two or three hours until ii had boon removed
In such a case warning would always be
posted on the bulletin board at the mouth of
the mine. Care was always taken to report the
presence of firedamp at every shift, before the
men would go in. 1t is long slope and there
fore not easy to get out Of in hurry. new
fan. with separate engine for this slope, WAS
put in some time ago.
II is probable that the men who were driving
the air-contse s!ruek an old drill-holo when the
company was prospecting for the best place to
sink shaft. The ground is full of sucn holes,
several hundred feet deep, aud after going down
eight or ten feet you can find water anywhere
The gas would accumulate below this aud fill
up the hole, 20 be released whenever IL found a
vent below. IL could not have been a dust ex-
rlosion. because it happened in a new part OF
sAA ,,.s, -
would not ignite.
Mayor Ronald did not delay TO respond
to the appeal for aid from the mining
city. He received the following telegram
in the morning from Charles Miller. MAYOR
of Eoslyn:
The disaster ri the Roslyu mine yesterday has
made many widows and orphans. who ara in
very straitencd circumstances. Relief is abso-
ioteiy necessary. and any assistance that can be
rendered by the citizens of your city viii be
deeply appreciated.
70 this NJ. Ronald sent the following
reply
To nc Major of Roslsa: Seattle decp,v sym.
pathizes with the >orrowing 81 yo,ir CITY. ana.
mindful of her own misfortune. will gladly r..
spond to the needs oi yonr widows and ornAans
Meeting called at which sction will he taken
He then issued the following call for a
public meeting - taSe measures of relief.
To TIE Pope q Sos;.is: \ meeting Of the cit.
t1eas OF Seattle : hereby called. AZ the chamber
"a the house o. delegates, city hail. ~ n O'Clock
u M. Nav J.. ~, 10 devise WAYS aad means to
assist the people us EoSlyn suffering fror, tha
caeets az the la,c terrible disaster It : de-
sigaed 10 raise funds sad forward other ncccs-
sag'rs 20 TIE relief ~ these unfortunate and dis
;rCsscd people J r. Rox,tn Nsvc-
The Seattle Coal and lron Company also
offered assistance. its manager. Wesley
Wilson. sending the following to John
kangley, the superintendent.
wedep!ore most heartily ,Ae SAD accident .,
your mines, Hops the loss 80 life nav be les,
thsn reported Is tacre anything We can do for
yous
To this Mr.. kangjcy rerhed.
Message received. Thsak> tor vorr svnr..
thy. Do not need any help n paeseat Al.cut
forty-three Killed.
William k,crSki. X, oG K. ana :. Queen
city lodge. knights ST Pythias. tclcrraphet
thus to Sidney Wright. chancellor com
mantler Of Welcome lodge, M. 81. Roslvn:
oueca city lodge extends be- or,aaolence and
sympaghy in this hoar oil yoD~ great distress
are any members q the order sgaoag the killef~
We are ready 20 help Answe-.
The answer was signed Gusjave Lind
strom, I. c. and reads;
BROTHER siaaey wrigA; among ua-ecove-ed.
Eight of orr order lost We nsNd no ala
now Many thanks for rendered aalR
Alexander Ronald. superintendent Of
the Raslvn mines. whose brother and SON
in-law nerished. had rendered his REGINA
ton about = month ago, but II has not vet
heen accepted. On Saturday he Left on