The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-12
THE ROSLYN MINE.
The Work of Recovering the Bodies Pro-
crossing Slowly.

RosYLN, Wash, May 11.-Up to mid
| night last night fourteen dead bodies had
been taken from mine No. 2 of the North
ern Pacific Coal company, where the ex-
ploslon took place yesterday All the
bodies were terribly mutilated. No signs
of life were discovered in the slope where
the disaster occurred and it is believed
that not one of the fOrty-eight miners in
the slope when the explosion took place es-
capped death. The slope in which the ex-
plosion occurred is a couple of thousand
feet in length. Several levels have been
worked in the slope, and it is conjectured
that the explosion occurred at some point
on the fourth or fifth level. For the past
two months more or less danger has been
connected with tine work in this part of
the slope, on account of the unusual gen
Grafton of gas, but the management is
credited with having exercised unusual
precautions. Two air courses were in
process of construction in the supposed
vicinity of the explosion, with the view of
joining them. it is thought that when the
two courses met 1.-THE explosion occurred.
Person who were at the opening of the
slope pronounced the conclusion terrific,
it being sufficient to throw a coal car some
distance from whereit was standing near
the entrance. Great volumes of after damp
and some fame rolled from the entrance
making approach dangerous.
As soCn as it WAS possible to enter men
were set to work, but their progress was
impedcd by the smoke and damp which
the tunnel continued to emit. At 4:30
o'clock the first bodies We're reached
being those of John Bone and John Camp
bell. Work now progressed more rapidly
and at g o'clock two other bodies were
brought out, and at 7:30 o'clock two
others All terribly burned and mutila-
ted. Those whose bodies were recovered
last night are Tom Brennan, Thomas
Reese, A. Pollard, John Bowen, John
Campbell and William Cague. AS prog
ress was made the frightful extent of the
explosion became more manifest The
tinbers were toru out for hundreds of
feet, and the whole interior was fearfully
wrecked 1t is Thought that a fire has
started in the lower level, and arrange
ments are being made to turn on the
water as soon as the fact is developed.
The air fans are working to their full
capacity, and every effort is being made
to recover the bodies of the imprisoned
miners. All the miners in camp who are
able to work have volunteered their SER
vices, and the men are working constant
ly in shifts. From the fearful wreckage
of the slope and interior, and the doubt as
to the existence of fire in the lower level,
there is no way of determining how soon
the bodies eau be recovered. Several of
the bodies that have been taken out are
being severed from the body.
This is the second fatal gas explosion that
has occurred in the slope within the past
two months. The first resulted in the
death of negro, whose carlessness caused
the accident. superintendent Ronald,
who was In the employ of the company,
said that the slope work was dangerous to
an unusual degree, and recommended
extraordinary precautions. 1t is stated
that Acting Superintendent Harrison has
been very careful with the work. and
cautioned the men to observe that their
lamps were in proper shape when entering
the places posted as dangerous.
The work of recovering the bodies OF the
miners, which was suspended temporarily
at midnight last night on account OF the
accumulation of fire damp, was resumed
early this morning. The bodies so far
recovered are those of John Bone, Harry
Campbell, 6. Pollord, David Reese, Jr.,
Thomas Reese, Sr., Thomas Brennan,
William Cague, Thomas Holmes, Ben
Osslit, George Moses, Pruss Loving, John
Matte. Robert Potts and Joseph Lewis.
The total mum Der of dead will reach at
least forty eight.
The exact cause of the terrible explosion
in the coal mine yesterday, in which forty
three men perished, will probably never
be known As il IS now certain that every
man was killed The most reason a bic con-
clusiOn is hat a miner struck gas
pocket. or feeder, which suddenly filled
the slope and became igni;ed by the lamps
This afternoon four more bodies were
taken out The accumulation OF gas in
the nldue was too great TO allow the search
for more bodies today, and no more bodies
viii be recovered until tomorrow. The
families Of the unfortunate miners are o
destitute circumstances, and unless help is
sent tnem their sufferings viii lie very
great