The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-15

LONDON, Dec. IA fearful explosion
occurred today at the Bamfurlong colliery
at Wigen, by which not less than fifty
lives were lost. the men went TO work
this morning after the usual inspection OF
the coliery. They had been at work but
few minutes before a terrible explosion
took place. 4 multitude of people rushed
toward the mine aud the greatest excite
ment prevailed. II was soon ascertained
that large number of miners had perish
ed, and the wailing and weeping OF the
women and children made an indescriba-
ble scene. a number of men volunteered
to explore the pit II is believed that the
explosion was caused by accumulated coal
gas which escaped the notice of the in-
spector.
Later advices state that the loss of life
may be less serious than at first reported.
One hundred men remain in the mine, un-
able TO get out owing TO lire, which foi-
lowed the explosion, and which Is raging
fercely in the mine, making 1t difficult FOR
the rescuers to get at the imprisoned min
ers. Notwithstanding the fire aud other
obstacles, the work of rescue is proceeding
and the volunteers are not deferred Oy
danger or difficulty in their efforts to save
their fellow miners from a terrible death.
Hundreds of women and children sur
rounded the mouth OF the mine, waiting
anxiousiy for news of fathers, husbands,
brothers and sons Some of the women
volunteered to assist in the work of res
cue, but their assistance was not required.
No effort is being spared TO put out the
fire and to bring the men TO the surface.
Until this is accomplished the loss Oh lie
will be difficult toestimaJe.
Twenty miners have just been brought
up by the rescuers. The remainder Hre
still imprisoned below. The rescued men
are in bad condition. As they Came TO
the surface the women and children
crowded around to see who they were, and
those who recognized relatives overwhelm-
ed them with caresses. The men who are
still below are imprisoned in seam that
is under where the fire Is raging. Strong
homes are entertained that many viii be
rescued alive.
Despite the efforts to extinguish the
fire, the flames spread to the engine house
at the tunnel, stopping the pumping OF
air into the miRe and adding greatly TO
the peril of the entombed men.
The fire was subdued at o'clock, and
soon the bodies of twenty miners, who
had been suffocated by noXious gases gem
Grated alter the explosion, were brought
to the surface by the rescuers. The work
of rescuing the men is very dangerous,
but will be kept up steadily. LII is Thought
that more will be rescued alive.
The rescuing parties report horrible
scene IN the mine In the main roads the
bodies lie in twos and threes, as the men
fell face downward, with heads toward
the entrance TO the shaft. Large sections
of the roof and galleries collapsed. Amid
the ruins are fouud mangled bodies and
half-buried limbs The ruins have blocked
many parts of the mine and the searchers
are unable to give definite idea OF the
mum Der of the lost Several miners, who
were Just alive wneu found, died Oh the
way to the surface. One rescuing party
reached the surface half suffocattd. The
miners who worked away from the shaft
tried 90 rush through the fire and smoke
and were suffocated in the effort.