Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-09
NEARLY TWO HUNDRED
Killed in q Coal Mine Explosion in
Indian Territory.
SAD SCENES AT THE NINE MOUTH.
There Were Nearly Four Hundred IN the Nine 81
the Time Of the Explosion, and It IS Not
Known Ys. How Many Got Out
Lliye-Terrible Scenes

Times special from Soutn McAiHsters
Indian Territory, says: Twenty-four
hours have elapsed since the terribly
fatal explosion in the Usage mine AT
Krebs, but il Is still impossible TO even
estimate the number Of the victims.
The number who came mp alive after
the explosion Is still undetermined, and
can be determined only by house 10
house canvass which is now being made
as rapidly as possible.
From the facts now at hand IL Is be-
lieved that the killed will number fully
one hundred and the injured lis, about
one-half OF whom will probably die from
the effects Of their injuries.
AT the hour of the explosion, hve
o'clock yesterday afternoon, there were,
as near as can be learned, about 400
men in the mine. They were the day
shift aud were just preparing TO ascend
when the explosion took place.
Six men who had already been hoisted
I'm the cage had just stepped onto the
platform at the side OF the shaft. Tho
cage was blown through the roof OF tho
tower and fifty feet into the air.
a tongue OF name shot up the shaft
and above the ground full 100 feet which
was followed by terrific report which
was heard for miles.
The men already above the ground
were prostrated by the force OF the ex-
plosion but did not receive severe In
juries.
The scenes about the mouth OF tho
shaft Immediately following were fear
ful I'm the extreme, Weeping wives,
mothers, and sisters focked 10 the scene
from the VILLAGE at the sound OF the ex-
plosion, their faces blanched with
dread and many OF them hysterica,to
the point of insanity.
The air shaft, the only way OF escape
for the entombed miners was the point
where the relatives CT the miners con-
gregated. Many OF the miners were
able TO make their out OF the tomb and
they were welcomed at the surface by
their friends.
The injured were quickly taken TO
places of shelter and were tenderly
cared for. One man with broken leg
climbed all the distance OF 400 feet
through the air shaft and fell uncon-
sclons as he reached the surface.
Others, who were terribly burned, Ia
bored painfully up the ladder. strips OF
flesh falling from their hands and arms-
as they grasped the ladders rung.
1t is believed that fully one-half Of
tho entombed miners escaped by the air
shaft. Many OF these, however, re-
ceived mortal injuries, and although
none OF them are known TO have died at
this hour 6 p. m.) II is believed that In
some cases death is not far distant.
The news OF the disaster spread quick
ly through the villages surrounding
Krebs. Every physician at once yolun-
teered his services and FASTENED TO
Krebs ready 10 do his duty OF mercy. /
The work OF rescue was begun q
once and has continued all through th
dreary hours OF last night and to-day
The work was terribly hazardous and,
dangerous. Notwithstanding these
dangers the rescuers kept bravely aI
their work and at o'clock this evening
had recovered about forty bodies;
The rescuers worked at both the aiH
and the main shafts and bodies werd
rescued by both routes. The identifledl
were Immediately claimed and carried
away by relatives or friends 30 that o.
accurate count OF the number has notl
yet been made.
Those identified number twenty-three
and are: Geo. Lindsay, Geo. Lindsay,
Jr., VIM. Russell, VIM. Russell, Jr.,
Geo. Russell, John Sierra, Silva Sierra,
Michael Jacomo, Edward Blondon,
Joseph Blondon, Joseph Gennessio.
Stephen Verzeno, Eugene Campassi,
Bennett Moss, Joseph Caronto, Antonio
Gennesseate, Thmas Cain, Grago Rocco.
John Quinn, James Quinn, Matlock
Quinn, Michael McShane and Edward
Kirtle.
At the various places used as morguos
there were about seventeen unidentified
bodies.
The search by the rescuing party still
continues. There is one edlsheartrending fact
connected with the search up 20 the pres
ent time and that Is not one live miner has
been found All the bodies 80 far recover
ed have been found 10 be burned, charred
and manned in almost every case beyond
recognition.
There are two encouraging facts which
urge the rescuers on 10 their work. No
fire followed the explosion, at least there
have been no signs OF any, and there arc
known 10 he live men entombed In the tun-
mel behind fallen boulders. The rescuers
can hear faint knockings and far on shout
ings.
They are digging Ia the direction
whence the sounds come and hope yet 10
rescue some Of the men alive. The wreck
about the mouth Of the mine and at tho
bottom OF the hosting shaft Is 50 nearly
complete that the work Is dreadfuily
slow.
The cause OF the explosion is still undc-
termined. Tue probability Is that some
miner fired blast without orders, which
ignited either accumulated gas or coal
dust
The scenes In the village Of Krebs to-day
were nathetIc ia the extreme. Those who
did not 20 70 the scene OF horror ana WHO
had missing relatives were nearly crazed
with anxiety, while those whose relatives
had returned TO them safe from the Jaws OF
death were dearly crazed with Joy.
Compared with those whose rcisuvcs
,rare missing. those who bad recovered
,beir dead were almost content. All were
ssddened beyond measure. The different
,,iners' organizations met tonight 70 ar
range the details for the funerals OF the
dead. u..us.,.x
+ IT.. special says that at ~ o'ciock uo-
night forty eight dead oooies nave DoSA 80
covered from the mine
The dispatch gives the names OF ten more
of the victims as follows: .,,,,,
" Geo leo Lowry, o. S. Felts, John Willismh
r. HINT Robert Powers, VIM Mitchell
Joseph Clark, Willie McSh2ne, Timothy
Collins, James Tanner.
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