The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-15

ton was taksn 70 protect the lives OF the men
who went 70 the rescue of the entornbed miners
John Shaw. the slope foreman, was next called.
He testified that ne went into the slope al
O'Clock a. N. on the day OF the explosion, ana
his trip through the various entries, levels ete.,
showed that gas was found on the fourth west
uaingey, three feet out from face of the WALL
in the fifth east entry and the fifth east man
way, but not TO an explosion point
In either place Gas In some quanilIy
was found IN six places and was duly removed.
The men were working with safety lamps.
Three men, Sidney Wright, Robert Graham sna
Herman Dsastsr, were working In cross-cuS
from the sixth mainway 70 the slope. The cross
cut YVES only seven feet wide, too narrow Tor
three men to work advantageouslT, aud wright
was taken out and placed 10 work in the oppo-
ate or slope side. Gas was in the eross-cut ana
I'm Gaping condition two feet from the
roof The men were ordered TO drill hoie IN
the face, and Wright asked the privilege OF
pumping in ashot. which was denied Inc men
did not object either 10 safety or naked lamps,
and shaw was satisfied that all three were skill
fuI aud experienced miners. 1t is thought that
the gas was ignited at this point shaw stated
that sudden com preston when gas ID shown
causes an explosion, and he further remarked
that there was more or less danger from dust, a
feature OF this entry.
Robert Peetgrew, foreman in mine No. 2, cor
Yoborated the statements OF MI Shaw, ana
dweit at some length On the action and pecul-
ierity Of gas. lie declined TO give theory as 70
the cause Of the explosion at this time.
Robert Nelson, a MINER who was working in
tie mine east OF the mainway until IL o'clock
or tho day of the explosion, did not notice any
gas in his quarters. He had heard that gas had
been located In the sixth east msinway. He
was forging with naked lamp.
Walter Steele, the l6-year-old son OF "infred
81 s-.ox4 IN IN
rider and had just left the opening to the siope
when he was knocked senseiess by the concus-
sion. He noticed no gas, 30. being allowed to
go TO the face OF the workings, but he heard
Danster say that there was gas in the sixth east
nsiaway.
Frank Hodges. James Mccullough. James
Reck, James ingalls,, Peter Brown, william
Herold and several Others testified to know.-
edge OF gas In the lower levels OF the slope, bu'
on the day of the explosion no inconvenience
was experienced until II o'clock a. m, when
the air was light and not very goo1.
Mr. Harrifoa on being recalled stated that IN
his opinion the gas was ignited in the cross-cut
in the sixth east mainway, and that the disaster
was occasioned presumably by carelessness on
the part OF either Wright Danster or Graham.
The only sensational testimony was given by
John Larkins. OF Encmciaw, who was going to
Eoslyn from Cie-Eum on the night succeeding
the explosion and overheard a conYersation
between ex-superintendent Ronald and George
Harrison, in which the latter was accredited
with saying: al expected this, Sandy, and /
warned you OF it." Mr.. Ronald on being sworn
etstcd that he made the remark: "George, be
cautious, because that gas is wicked lie did
not hear Harrison make the statement attributed
70 him by Iarkins. Several other witnesses
were examined, when an adjournment was
taken until Monday.
The course of the investigation is 20 ascertain
the condition OF the slope before and after the
explosion, and then endeavor to find out the
cause. Tomorrow the scene OF the explosion
will be visited by A. 7. Davis, OF Carbonado;
Charles Burnett, of south Prairie; T. b. Corey,
of Seattle: K. L. Lewis, OF Car
bonado, and Wesley Wilson, president
of the Seattle Coal and Iron Company, and who
win give expert testimony. The miners have
appointed committee of FIVE. consisting of
James MeGoyern, Joseph Watson, James Ash,
John Graham and Andrew Daily 10 visit tho
slope with the committee of experts and give
testimony on the same before the coroner.
Relief continues to come in quite freely. Mr..
Kgneley tonight gave his individual check for
$1,000 to the relief committed Everett re-
sponded with 500. and credits were telsgraphed
from other cities.