The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1892-01-14
OVER A HUNDRED DEAD.
TERRIBLE NINE EXPLOSION IN THE
I'M IAN TERRlToRY.

AZ Least 400 Minors Were at work
when the Expaosion Occurred = The
Number Of Dead Placed at 100. while
As MANY More Are stin Entombed.
Pathetic Scenes at the Mouth Of the
Shaft. ~
SOUTH McALLIsTER, I. T., Jan. o.
J, The horrors of the mine disaster at
shaft No. II, of the Usage Coal and
Mining company at Krebsy FIVE miles
from here, is much worse than at first
reported. at least 400 miners were at
work at, the timethe explosion occurred.
It is impossible at present to obtain any
accurate information as to the number
of lives lost or persons injured, but tbs
known that at least 400 men are still en-
tombed in the mine, while it is gener-
ally conceded that the dead now number
close to 100 and the injured about as
many more, great many Of whom
have no prospect of recovery. Physi-
clans from the neighboring towns and
cities have rendered their services and
are worked to their utmost in caring for
the injured. Miners from neighboring
coal fields have hocked in by every
train during the night and day, tender
ing their assistance and heroically vol
unteering to enter the gloomy shaft in
which so many of their comrades have
persisted, and in which perhaps death
even awaited them on account Of the
loosened boulders which the shock Of
the explosion left upon aimsy balance
and which a breath of air might pre-
cipitate upon them.
The McAllister Mines
dot the prairies at intervals from .
quarter to half mile and each is sur
rounded by the usual cluster Of novels
which serve the purpose Of homes to
the miners. These homes present q
pathetic picture. There is not one of
them which does not mourn the loss OF
either a member or friend. Those who
have recovered their dead, though their
agony is pictured in their faces, seem to
experience silent content in compare
son with the many who are still throng-
ing around tho mouth of the dismal
hole awaiting the tidings of loved ones
who are still entombed. Very little has
been accomplished by way of relieving
those who may still be alive and hemmed
in by falling walls. 1t is probable that
a week will elapse before all the men
can be reached. Many of them no
doubt are still alive, but they are shut
off from egress and must remain SO un-
til they can be reached by outside help.
The Cause of the Catastrophe
is unknown, but it is supposed that con-
trary to the custom and rules of the
mines some miner fired blast without
authority, the blast igniting either the
gas or coal Gust and causing the explo-.
sion, which was terrific. One Of the
hosting cages had just come to the sur
face with six men aboard. AS the last
man stepped from the platform the
cage, propelled by the explosion, shot
up through the roof, fifty or sixty feet
above, while the flames went skyward
100 feet OF more, followed by report
which was heard for miles. Nearly
half the men employed in the mine
escaped by climbing the air shaft. One
man whose leg was injured by the ex-
plosion climbed the entire $50 feet to
the top of the shaft. Others climbed
whose flesh was SO badly burned that it
would strip from their hands as they
clasped the ladders. One father started
his son to the top on the last cage, land
ing him safely, while he himself per-
ished by remaining behind.
BODIES ALL RECOVERED.
Work Of fsescuipg Entombed Miners nj
Krel,s 1T. Conn uleted.