The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-02
DIED IN A BURNING NINE.
1ys SILVER MINERS MEET a HORRIBLE
DEATH IN BOBEML4.

| tn. Woodwork Harmed THREW zhout the
As,re-Escsps Cut or and the foor Vie
tins Perish by Flame aud Smoke.
VIENNA. June IA terrible disaster has 90
Cured In the famous Birkenberg silver mine
at Prizibrem. town Of Bohemia, celebrated
for its rich silver and lead mine& 1rs start
cd In the mine last night when 900 miners
were below. The employees made q frantic
effort to reach the shaft OF exit Their cries
could be heard even above the roar OF the fire.
and thousands hastened TO assist In the rescue.
Many escaped. and In the first confusion It
was believed that only forty men were missing.
But house house inquiry among the min
ers' families this afternoon revealed the fact
that nearly 200 miners were left In the pit.
Tho number is known to be at least as high
as IT'S.
The flames were supposed to be finally sub
dued at the time when the first rescue party
went down. but after fourteen bodies were
brought up the FIRE started afresh. Water was
pumped into the mine. but the machinery was
inadequate. and the Ere increased.
This morning help was brought from be-
raun. the superintendent OF the coal mines
there sending down q force OF mon with ma
chinery for flooding the mine moro rapidly.
When the flames seemed to abate somewhat
rescue party went down and returned with
could hear shouts and Croans far OIL In the
mine but that the smoke was so thick and the
heat 80 intense that they did not dare venture
In. None OF the party would return. and two
hours passed before foreman could nnd
seven men to 10 down with him. 1t was then
thought that the fire was nearly out. as only
thin volume OF smoke cnme from the mouth
OF tho pit. 1t was believed the miners on the
higher levels who had escaped drowning might
be saved.
The foreman and the seven mon tried to
mako their way in the direction where the
shouts and groans had been heard. but the
heat was sitting. and heavy smoke and lire
finally INSTRUCTED all progress.
About 100 yards from the shaft the party
wero suddenly developed in q gust OF fire and
smoke from a side gallery. Four mon fell un-
conscious. Their comrades tried to drag them
away. but were compelled finally to run for
their lives and leave the men to die.
This rescue party heard no sound In tho gal
lcrcs save the cracking Of the fire. All Of the
woodwork near the shaft had boon burned
away.
The four survivors eaid the fro evidently
had followed the miners from the entrance to
tho end OF the galleries. Tho foreman snys
there is no doubt that all the men who were
left in the mine are dead.
Tho heat beyond the point where the four
miners we're stricken. he said. would have
been fatal and the smoke was sitting. He saw
tools and garments. abandoned in the haste OF
flight. showing by their positions that the men
had fed away from the shalt.
Immediately after the foreman's return with
the remains OF his party the fire started UP
again. and. despite the work Of the engines.
is still burning flercely. Thousands of men.
WON On ond children are in the fields around
tho pit.
Tho list OF tho ITS miners believed to have
been left in the nit and burned has been posted.
so that II any of the number had escaped his
friends might como forward with the informn-
tion. Not namo has boon erased. however.
and the continued inquiry OF the police in the
city has been fruitless.
Ono hundred families have heen deprived OF
all their male members by the disaster. Chari-
table societies in Prague will make an appeal
for the sufferers tomorrow.