The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-12
given to understand tina. the mine was not

given TO understand that the mine was not
considered dangerous at any time.
The works are examined thoroughly
every morning by competent foreman.
and the condition of all parts of the mine
IL placed On bulletin board at the en-
trance. If there is any danger the miner
il forbidden TO go in until the foreman re-
moves the danger. These bulletins are re-
corded in . book as well as on the board,
and the reports are signed daily at noon
by the mine boss. The gas is removed
from room by stretching canvass
through the center and then creating an
inward and outward air course. On the
morning of the day of the explosion gas
was reported in the sixth west entry and
the sixth east manway. All these gases
were removed by Foreman Shaw, and the
men put to work at a. m. At II O'Clock,
DIR. Harrison states, the mine was en-
trely free from gas. The o'clock shift
went off at O'Clock, and the 1:30 shift
had just entered and got to work when the
explosion occurred.
Mr. Kangley and Mr.. Harrison. who
have been industriously investigating the
matter all day, are of the opinion that the
explosion resulted from unexpected con-
tact with strong gas feeder or the sudden
outburst of gas from some one of the en-
tries. The cause is problematical and will
probably never be known. The plan of
the mine has been pronounced by experts
TO be one of the most clever device in the
country. Following is description of the
workings:
The main slope 10 thirteen feet wide and 1880
feet long, with an average downward pitch OF
eighteen degrees. Double side entries turn
faat an, n coU
the other entry proper. Manways are driven
one on each side OF and fifty feet from the slope,
leaving fifty-foot solid pillar between them
and the slope. There are ways to furnish air
and TO permit miners to travel to and fro 30 that
they viii keep OF the slope. A large cyclone
cubic feet per minute. The law requires 100
cubic feet per minute per man, and on an
average Of sixty men work In tho slope at one
time. Az the work in the slope has advanced,
tie supply of air has been increased.
Mr.. Harrison states that at no time has
there been standing gas in the mine. State
Mine Inspector Morgan, in the report of
his last visit to the mine, which was in
December last, says:
In Roslyn No the water level workings
were exhausted before I paid my first visit
there No one 10 therefore confined TO the
slope. which is now down to depth OF 400
feet, As tho slope descended entries were
opened mt intervals of 800 feet to the east and
west There are now four entries opened on
the east and west, and not single room worked
in each entry at distance OF fifty feet from
the slope. Travelling roads are opened, connect
ing oil the levels to the third, and other levels
will be completed In due time. This forms an
fugress and cgress to the men and mules on
each particular side without coming near the
hoisting slope. In tho nsar future the foot OF
Wi In tod m lars IA
thereby having two separate openings to q mine,
containing sixteen to eighteen entries. Venti-
lation Is produced by new 10-foot cyclone fan.
The outlet for this fan has been changed from
an elevation To a point near the air course,
which materially adds to the effectiveness and
by double engine.
Since the above was written two more
entries have been made on the same plan
as described. The present inspector on a
recent visit also highly complimented the
work that was being done. The miners as
rule are disposed to give the company
credit for looking after their protection.
When the explosion occurred the majority
of the men were at work in the fourth
esst and fourth west entries, the fifth and
sixth west entries, the fifth west manways
and the fifth, sixth and seventh east en-
Iics. tue iaot ewtfy DcinB sthTtou lueSuay
morning. Tho interior of the slope was
30 badly wrecked that It will require at
least month to put it in proper shape for
work.
Immediately after the explosion a relief
corps set to work with a will. moving the
debris to one side, hoping that some of the
imprisoned men might be alive. After
the frst four or five bodies were taken out
IL was concluded that all were dead, and
then workmen began restoring the venti-
lation, which had been badly disarranged.
1t is thought that the other bodies will be
reached by Thursday morning. The loss
TO the property cannot be even estimated
a, this time. but will aggregate many
thousands.
This morning Mayor Miller appealed to
the people at large. through the mayors of
Seattle. Spokane, Portland and Tacoma,
and responses have been literally made.
Portland has telegraphed $500 and several
individuals have contributed sums from $50
Co 500, General Manager Kangley. of the
Northern Pacific Coal Company. has an
nounced that the company will relieve all
the immediate wants of the distressed.