Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-30
TwENTY-EIGHT DROWNED.
The Terrible Disaster Of the Mausfel a
Mine.

Twenty-eight miners were drowned in the
Mansfield mine in Michigan Thursda,
night. With a terrific rush the water O,
the Michigamme river broke through q bee
weakened by mining into the mine, between
and 10 o'clock Thursday night Their.
were forty-six men in the mine when the
accident occurred. but eighteen of then
who were working in the lowe- levels man
aged to escape.
The names Of the drowned miners are:
Sam Peters. married: James Strongrnan
married; w. H. Pierce, married; Charlie.
PohL married; Ole Carson, married; Joe
kohia, married: Swan johnson. Mike Har-
rington, Frank Rocko. Al Torreani Frank
Johnson, Sam johnson. Shellimo Zadra
Peter furry. Nicolo Fontani. John Regula
John Holmstrum, Ross Fortunate, John
Kirsche. John Radala, John Warner, Oscar
Lundquist, John Arcangelo. Anto Stefano
August Cologne. o. CONSTANT. Vigilis Zadra
and Celesti NegT
None OF the bodies have been recovered
and 1t Is believed it will be necessary to
divert the channel of the river before they
can be secured.
side world. The nearest telegraph office is
at Crystal Falls, six miles away, and
though a railroad track runs into the
Mansfield mine camp it was only used to
maui Out VIC anu DIfHk III supplies.
A courier carried the news to Crystal
Falls late Thursday night. but not until
yesterday morning was the news sent
abroad. 1t is believed to have been the
worst disaster that ever occurred In the
Lake Superior iron region.
When the night shift went on duty 1t was
noticed that more water was coming into
the mine than usual. but no alarm was felt
oy the men at the pump. as they managed
to keep the drifts free. The miners pursued
their work as on every night when they
started In to pass the twelve hours under
the ground earning bread for their families.
Suddenly, few minutes after 8. there was
a loud report and an overpoweing rush OF
water. and the men felt themselves being
overwhelmed by an avalanche OF mud. ore
and water.
Drowned Like Rats.
So fast came the flood that IL Is doubtful
whether the men on the upper levels had
time to drop their tools and run for thei-
lives to the old shaft. Had any of them
reached the perpendicular opening. how
ever, 1t would have awaited them nothing,
for the shaft known as ''Old No. 1" COL
lapsed as soon as the water reached and
undermined its base. This occurred at pre-
cisely $50 and 1t was then known to those
in charge Of the mine that the men In the
upper level had been trapped and drowned
like rats by an accident which had been
long expected. Had there been time the
men might have descended by some means
to the lower levels and crossed over to
shaft No. 2. but the inrushing food came
too fast and 1t is thought that most Of
them met death within five minutes after
the break occurred.
The men at work in the lower levels were
warned in time to escape. A few minutes
after they heard an ominous roar. and at
once suspecting the cause dropped their
picks and fed for their lives.
The water, pursuing as II did the devious
course necessary In running from one level
to another, was already ankle deep in the
lower levels when the men reached the
shaft, and were drawn up from what SEEM
ed certain death. The news of the disaster
sped on swift wings through the little ham
let and a wild cry Of alarm was voiced by
the Inhabitants as they rushed from their
homes and gathered about the shaft just as
the last one OF the eighteen men was
brought to the surface.
The Work of Rescue.
There was a call for volunteers, which
was at once answered, to descend the only
available shaft and succor, il possible, any
miners who might possibly be found alive.
But the courage and strong intent Of the
hardy miners was of no avail. and the
waters had already reached the lower level
shaft, and the angry roar which greeted the
would-be rescuers as they peered over into
the dark channel at once precluded all hope
of rescue. and the twenty eight men were
given up.
All night the water poured into its new
found bed. and not until o'clock yesterday
morning did II resume its natural course.
after having effectuaiiy filled every cavity
and crevice of the great mine. The death
of these twenty-eight men marks the end
OF Mansfield mine for unless the river can
be forced to seek another channel the
bodies cannot be secured nor can this rich
deposit Of iron ore be worked again.
The Mansfield mine is situated on the
banks Of the Michigamme river. about six
miles east OF Crystal Falls. the county seat
of Iron county. 1t has been worked be-
tween three and four years. and has ship
ped about CSC. 900 tons Of bessemer ore.
John NJ. LOngyear of Marquette Is one OF
the chief owners Of the Mansfield property.
His belief is that the disaster was caused
by "robbing" the mine-that is. by working
in a reckless manner. and taking down pill
La of in the llnuer levels that should