The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-05-14
TELEGRAPHIO NEWS.
Death IN the Mine.

RosLYN, WASH, May 1o.-A 1:45
O'Clock this afternoon terrible gas ex-
plosion occurred in the slope OF mine
| No. of the Northern Pacific Coal Com
pany at this point, in which the loss of
life exceeded in number that of any other
disaster that has been chonicled in the
northwest or on the Pacific slope. The
exact nature of the explosion or the cir
cumstances which led to it will probably
never be known, since at this writing it
is believed that every miner who was at
work in the slope at the time has per-
ished. The accident occurred just after
the afternoon shift had gone on duty. A
driver had just come out of the slope
when tremendous explosion occurred
which upset his cars, knocked the mules
and driver down and bruised a man
standing 100 feet away. The report was
heard all over the town, and, the mouth
Of the slope was soon surrounded by an
anxious crowd, which grew in size every
minute. A hard rain was pouring, but
the crowd needed it not
RELIEF FORCES AT WORK.
1t is not definitely known as to the
number of men who were in the vicinity
of the disaster, but it is believed that be-
tween forty-five and fifty were on the
three levels affected by the explosion.
Large relief forces are at work, and at
this time two bodies have been recov-
cred. These men were working nearest
the opening and at some distance from
the point where it is supposed the explo-
sion occurred. Most of the men were
1900 or 1000 feet farther in the slope and
in the immediate vicinity of the accident.
There is no doubt, either in the minds of
the miners or the company's officials, but
what every man was instantly killed by
the explosion.
HEARTRENDING SCENES.
The scene surrounding the entrance to |
the mine was of distressing character
The wives and children of many of the |
men gathered around, and |
their distress was heartrending. In sew
eral instances the deceased miners will
leave their families in comfortable cir
cumstances, but in many cases the death
of the husband, father or son removes
their only support. During the past win
ter, however, most of the men who have
been laboring in the slope have had
steady work, and few will leave their
families absolutely destitute. The city
hall has been turned into a morgue, and
when body is recovered it is laid in the
hall to await identification and the action
of the coroner. The latter is absent, but
Justice Gamble, of Cle-Elum, has been
to officiate in that capacity.
From the fearful wreckage of the slope
interior, and the doubt as to the exist
ence of fire in the lower level, there is no
way of determining how soon the bodies
can be recovered. Several of the miners
who have been taken out are badly mutt
ated; in one instance the head being
severed from the body. /,
THE SECOND EXPLOSION.
This is the second fatal gas explosion
hat has occurred in the slope within the
past two months. The first resulted in
he death of a negro driver, whose care
essness was the attributed cause. At
he time, in an Interview ex-Superintend-
snt Ronald, who was in the employ of
he company there, said he recognized
hat the slope work was dangerous to an i
unusual degree, and recommended ex-
raordinary precautions. 1t is stated that !
Acting Superintendent Harrison has been
yery careful with the work and cautioned
he men, time and time again, to see that
heir lamps were improper shape before
'ntering places posted as dangerous.