Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-01-09
MINERS ENGULFED ALIVE
At Least a Hundred Victims of
the Awful Explosion.
THE HORROR OF THOSE ENToMBED.

Many Of the Men stin in the Bowels Of
the Earth Arc Not Dead, Yet a week
Mnst Eiapse Before They Can Bo
Reached-rhe Work Of Rescue.
SouTH McALLIsrER, l. T.. Jan. 9.-The
horrors Of the Diamond mine disaster at
Braidwood, Ills, about eight years ago was
re-enncted here, except that in this in
stance fire, instead Of food, was the instru-
ment Of destruction. AS the miners were
preparing to leave shaft No. II, at Krebs,
five mile from here, operated by the Osage
Coal and Mining company, a terrific explo-
sion occurred, spreading death among 400
or more miners at work II is impossible at
present to obtain any accurate information
as TO the number OF the lives lost or persons
injured, but 1t is known that at least 100
men are entombed in the mine, and 1t is
only possible to ascertain their number by o
canvass from house TO house, which is being
made by committee appoif@sd for the
purpose. 1t is generally conceded that the
dead win number close to 100 and the in
| Iured about as many more, great many Of
whom have no prospect Of recovery
Physicians from the neighboring towns
and cities have rendered their services and
are working 10 their utmost caring for the
| injured. Mixers from neighboring coal
| fields have flocked in by every train during
the night and day, rendering their assist
ance and heroicaliy volunteering to enter
the gloomy shnft IN which 20 many Of their
comrades have perished, and in which per-
haps death even awaited them on account
Of the loosened boulders which the shock
Of the explosion left upon fimsy balance
and which breath OF air might precipitate
upon them.
Entombed Alive.
The McAlister mines dot the prairie at
intervals from quarter TO half a mile, and
each il surrounded by the usual cluster Of
novels which serve the purpose Of homes to
the miners. These homes present q pathetic
picture today. There Is not one Of them
which does not mourn the loss Of either
member or friend. Those who have recoy-
erred their dead, though their agony is pic
tured Ia their faces, seem TO experience a
silent content IN comparison with the many
who are stlll thronging around the mouth
Of the dismal hole awaiting tidings of the
loved ones who are still entombed
Very little has been accomplished ia the
way Of recovering those who may stir be
alive and hemmed in by falling walls. It is
probable that at least a week win elapse be-
foro 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
until they can be reached BY outside help.
The exact cause Of the catastrophe Is un-
known, but it il supposed that contrary to
the custom and rules Of the mines some
miner fired blast without authority, tho
"a.
causing the explosion, which was terrific
One Of the hosting cages had just come to
the surface 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 flames went slzyward a hundred or
more feet followed by report which was
heard for miles,
A Fathers Herolsm.
Nearly half the men employed in the
mine escaped by climbing the air shaft.
One man, whose leg was broken by the ex-
plosion, climbed the entire $50 feet to the
top Of the shaft Others climbed 30 the top
whose flesh was so badly burned that il
would strip from their hands as they
clasped the ladders One father started his
son 10 the top on the last cage, landing him
safely, while he himself persisted by remain
ing behind.
Il is difficult TO identify the bodies as they
are brought 70 the surface. All are black
ened almost beyond recognition, while
many are mangled and charred to the ex-
tent that fragments Of their clothing or con-
tents Of their pockets alone serve to prove
their identity.
The injured are SO numerous and scat
tered so widely among the village houses
The only record that has been kept was Of
the recognized.
There were about 400 men at work and as
near as can be ascertained about $50 Of whom
escaped injury, while the others are either
imprisoned or have been brought up injured
Each trip Of the cage brings to light a few
victims which the volunteers carefully carry
to the mine blacksmith shop which has
been utilized as a temporary m0rgue and
through which the anxious crowds Of miners
wives and children surge in search of their
families.
Rescuers Facing Death.
The rescuers encountered many serious
drawbacks ia their work Many tunnels
were closed entirely and big loose bouldcxs
were balanced perilously on shelves OF rock
adjoining the air shaft and the main shaft,
which a breath Of air might almost hurl
| uOWu upon tine rtHcuers. NOtWitnstaud1nR
these dangers the rescuers kept bravely at
their work until they had recovered forty
bodies The rescuers worked at both the
air and the main shafts and bodies were
rescued by both routes.
AT the various places used as morgues
there are about twenty unidentified bodies
and pieces Of human flesh.
No arrangements have been made as to
funerals. The different secret organizations
have posted notices calling special meetings,
when arrangements win be made for appro-
pirate services for all the dead.