The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-16

ono OF the bosses. He complained Of the dan
ger, and the boss retorted: "You needn't bo
scared; I'll take care Of Your widow" II there
is anything that will drive miner to run risk.
IL is the taunt OF cowardicc and strange to say.
this natural inherent bravery OF the miner and
his eagerness 20 maintain that character are an
element OF danger. In il is certain
recklessncss and indifference which should I'M
press the management with the fact
that when such men complain of danger
1t is a warning which should not 20 by un-
needed. 1t is the warning of men accustomed
to danger from chiidho9d. Il. is needless 10
multiply instances regarding the genera. appre-
henson entertained OF the danger known 70
haye existed for some time in the slope. The
widows and children aliude 20 i; directly and
casually in various ways; sometimes expressed
without bitterness. in repeating last words OF
fathers, ana other times il Is told with poignant
reproach, bitterly criticsinc the management.
Nj. Bridges states That in Great Britain every
man before descending into q mine is searched
Tor matches or tobacco, must wear mining shoes
without nails. and is provided with q safety
lamp securely locked and of the best make, II
the Rosly1 men need safety lamps at AL is
is necessary for every man and hoy who goes
into the mine to have one. Thirty forty
would not be sufficient, If there is one man who
does not have one. But at Rosyn men are only
provided with safety lamps when they work in
dangerous places, and the company had not
enough Tor the use of the volunteers
Inspector Eimunds told mo the first knowl-
edge he had of the explosion was from the Posr-
INTERCHANGEABLE received no notice from tho
company. When he got there the law gave him
no power to take charge OF the mine. The COM
pany had warnings Of tho explosion: in fact,
there was slight explosion 4 few weeks ago.
but the inspector not summoned and did
not investigate the cause OF the death of the
man who was killed. The inspector is not given
large enough powers by the legislature, and the
new burial ground of Mountain View, which 10
filed with the graves OF the killed, is mouu-
ment to the negligence of the legislature. There
were volumes OF black dust extending 200 feet
from the mouth Of the mine aud covering tho ,
snowshed. and that space was roped Off as
unsafe.
The force OF the explosion terrible as
shown by the condition of the remains One
man had the bowl OF n scoop shovel driven right
into his body and they had TO cut Off the handle.
Biancos body lost all semblance to human
frame and was simply charred mass. Ono
mans hand was cut clean of. Another had n
pick driven into his skull. Another body had
to be picked up in pieces ard put in the sheet.
The top OF another's skull cut of clean
and the brains cleaned right out leaving it like
an empty bowl. Several did not have a scar aud
two had crawled 80 feet, their knees being
ehafed in consequence. One mans head was
bent right down ana his teeth were sunk in his
breast. Another. scared OF the afterdamp had
dug hole and put his mouth in 1t. Another
had torn his shirt and stuffed piece OF it in
his mouth
A boy named Steel rode up the slope on coal
car contrary TO orders, and Just es he reached
the mouth the explosion occurred. 1t knocked
him off the car and rendered him senseless for a
minute or two. AS soon as he recovered he ran
to the telephone and gave the alarm to the
doctor.
When volunteers were called upon they were
quick to respond. and in going down that terri
BILE slope they were taking their lives in their
hands, as they knew perfectly we'll by expert.
encc. In many ex plosiops many of the rescuers
have lost their lives by second and third explo-
sions. To add to the danger the tracks were all
torn up and the slope was much damaged. max
ing progress very difficult. After they found
the bodies they had to carry them one by one up
the steep slope. They could only stand about
two hours work at time and had continual re-
lays. The two fire bosses and superin-
tendert went down first, and they
were followed by the others. The
work of the rescue began on Tuesday, the day
of the explosion. aad the last bodies were not
brought out till midnight on Thursday. Though
the rescuers did their work at the risk OF their
lives, and though ii involved most exhausting
labor and hardships, they showed no disposi-
ton to boast of it. They took il matter of
course theat they should rescue the bodies of
their comrades, for they are Injured to hardship
and danger from childhood Yet think ther
heroism entities them to some recognition from
the state.
The plan adopted by the local relief commit
tee is based on the needs of each family, aud is
to give a certain sum for each widow and for
each child up TO IA years of age. The company
has promised to attend to immediate wants by
supplying provisions and any clothing which
may be urgently needed.