The morning call., 1892-05-11

and it is presumed that when the two
courses met the explosion occurred. Per-
sons who were at the opening of the slope
pronounce the conclusion something terri
BILE. 1t being sufficient at least TO throw the
cOalcar some distance from point where it
was standing near the entrance.
After the Explosion.
Great volumes of afterdamp and smoke
rolled from the entrance, making all APP
proach dangerous. AS soon as it was posi-
bic to enter the slope reseuers were set to
work, but their progress was impeded by
the smoke and damp which the tunnel con-
tinued to emit. At 4:30 o'clock the first
bodies were reached, being those of John
Bone and John Campbell. After that the
work progressed more rapidly, and at 6
o'clock two other bodies were brought out,
and at Z 80 two Others-all terribly burned
and mutilated. The recovered bodies we're
those of Tom Brennan, Tom Rees, a.
Pollard, John Bowen, Ii. Campbell and
William Hague. AS further progress was
made the frightful execution Of explosion
became more manifest. TimberS were torn
out for hundreds of feet and the VIII ole
interior was feaTfully wrecked.
The Mine to Be Flooded.
Itis thought that the fire was started in
the lower level, and arrangements are being
made to turn on water as soon as that fact
is developed. The airfans are working to
their full capacity and every effort is being
made to recover the bodies Of the i'm
priSoned men. All the miners in the camp
able TO work are working in shifts.
The latest theory of the disaster is that
an immense leader of natural gas was
struck ard by some means ignited. Nothing
but safety-lamps are used in this part of
the mine From the fearful wTeckage of
the slope interior and the doubt as
to the existence of FIRE in the lower
level, there is no way Of determining how
soon the bodies can be recovered. This is
the second fatal explosion that has oc-
Cured in the slope within the past two
months The first resulted in the death Of
a negro driver, to whose oarelessness was
attributed the explosion. At that time eX-
Superintendent Ronald recognized that the
slope work was very dangerous, and recom-
mended that extraordinary precautions be
taken. 1t is stated that Acting Superin-
tendent Harrison has been careful with the
work. and has cautioned the men to always
have their lamps in proper shape.
Fourteen Bodies Taken OCT.
At midnight fourteen bodies had been
recovered as follows: John Bone. Harry
Campbell. G. Pollard, David Rees Jr.,
Thomas Rees Sr., Thomas Brannan, Will
liam Hogue, Thomas Holmes. Ben Ost-
tiff, George Moses, Pruss Luying,
John Mates, Robert W. SPOTS, Joseph
Lewis and Frank Hanna A brother-in-
law Of William Robinson, who was work :
ing with the latter. was among the killed.
The total loss will foot up 1t least IS.
In conversation late tonight Assistant
Superintendent Harrison stated that in his
opinion the explosion occurred either In the
sixth level west or in the seventh level east,
and his theory is that some of the miners
struck a hole full of gas and water, the
former forcing the latter cut and bringing
it in contact with the miners lamps. He is
convinced that every miner who was at
work on either Of the three levels at the
time of the explosion is dead. The bodies
recovered are all burned. and in some in
stances very badly.
Others show that death resulted simply
from concussion. Itappears that those who
were on the upper levels sustained greater
mutilation than did those lower down.
The relief work still continues, and the
miners are working boldly to re-
cover the bodies of their dead
companions. 1t is thought that
the lower levels are free from fire from the
fact that the interior air is growing purer
hourly.