Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-05-12

An Explosion Causes tho Doath OF
Forty-two Mon.
II Occurred In the slope Of Mine No. Of
tho Northern Pacific at Rosiyn, Wash.
a FUN aud Complete List of
the Killed.

RosLYN, wash, May il.-Yesterday
afternoon terrible gas explosion oc-
Cured in the slope OF mine No. Of the
Northern Pacific Coal Co., at this point
in which the loss of life has exceeded in
number that OF any other disaster that
has ever been chroniclcd in the north
west.
Forty-two miners were killed in the
explosion The men were working on
fourth level Six bodies have already
been taken out The following Is an
authentic list Of the men who were at
work on the three levels that were af-
fected and their conditions ms TO being
single or married men; Thomas Holmes,
married; John Foster, wife and baby;
Philip Davies, large family; Thomas
Rees, large family; John Pos; win Rob
inson, wife and baby; Robert Graham,
wife and two children; George Moses,
leaves an orphan 10 years old; A. Pol
lard (colored), married. Jack Gerguson,
large family; George Brooks, family at
Streator H.; Joseph Ellsworth, Sr.,
large family; Joseph Ellsworth, Jr;
John Lafferty single aged G5, ownor OF
considerable property; Dan Mcclellan,
wife and three children; Richard For
sythe, family; George Forsythe, son of
above, single; r. Is. Cooper, married;
Lishc jackson (coloredl, married;
Scott Giles (colorcd), married; Russ
Living tcoIoredl, married; Andrew
Erlander, wife and four children;
Charles Palmer, wife and child; Mitch
ell Hald, single; Mitchell Roland, large
family. brother of eN-Supcrntendent
| Roland: Winston steele family; Steele's
son was working with his father, but
came out on the last trip and escaped
by jumping out; he was knocked down
by the force Of the explosion, William
Caguc, single, only support of mother
and crippled sister; Ebcn Olsifer, large
| family; John DanlSs, Italian with fam
! ily; Jake Weathcrby late mine boss at
No. 3. large family; Joseph Brewcll,
family: Thomas Ticnden, leaves wife
and nine children; Harry Campbell
single; James Houston, colorcd; Joseph
Bennett. wife and two children: Will
! lam Rennctt, wife aud three children
in Europe; he had just gone in. Joseph
VI
Roland; viii pcnhnls, married, Sidney
Wright, brother Of County Clerk Thomas
Wright, family
The exact nature OF the explosion or
circumstances that led to Il will prob
ably never bc known, since it is be-
licved that every miner who was at
work in the mine At the time has per-
| is,i1,i. iisi
1t is not definitely known how many
men were in the vicinity Of the disaster
but it is believed that between forty
five and llfiy were on the three levels
that were affected by tho explosion.
Large relief forces are at work and
at this time six bodies have been re-
covered. These men were working
nearest 10 the opening and at some dis
tanec from the point where IT Is SUP
passed the explosion occurred Most of
the men were 0Oand . O00 feet furthr
in the slope and in the immediate vicin'
ity OF the accident There Is no doubt
In the minds of miners or the company
officials that every man was instantly
| killed
The Roslyn mine Is one OF the largest
In the state, supplying the western di-
visions OF the Northern Paciii, and
Union Pacific railroads with coal, aud
has a capacity OF 900 tons day
The explosion occurred just as two
gangs were shifting at 1880 o'clock The
cause Of 1t is unknown. The two boys
who were in the tunnel escaped, but
they are the only ones from either gang
so far recovered. Reports so far re-
ceivcd indicate that the explosion has
closed mp the shaft, that the mine is on
fire and that II is impossible 10 recover
the bodies. The company will forward
forty collins from SEATTLE by he mid
night train
The accident occurred about l.il yes
terday afternoon, just after the after
| noon shift had gone. The driver had
Just come out Of the slope when trc-
mendous explosion took place. The
shock upset his car, knocked the mules
and driver down and bruised man
standing 100 feet away. The report was
heard all over the town, a mile away.
The mouth of the Slope was soon sir
rounded by an anxious crowd, who grew
IN size tNttA illlAtiAAN+ Ahhitt lAih was
| pouring down but the crowd needed il
not.
The number of the men in the slope
were not actually known, but it was
known to b. from forty-four to fifty
There scarcely is possibility that one
of them escaped death. One body was
recovered in about two hours. another
| an hour later and two more at 1850. All
are terribly bruised and Indicate that
death was instantaneous.
The lower floor Of the city hall has
been converted into a morgue. The
bodies are being viewed by crowds
The larger portion Of the probable
victims leave large families Work had
been very scarce for the past few
months and the men had just got TO
work steadily.
Men. women and children are stand
ing out in dazed condition and pitiful
lamentations of negroes add TO the hor-
ror.
| Clippings.
Rochefort, already under sentence Of
| iunrisonmeut for life for consniracv is