The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-05
TWENTY-SIX MEN PERISHED
Their Bodies Being Roasted In the
Depths of a Mexican Coal Nine.
and SufFocating Smoke Quickly Carried to
Inner Chambers by the Air Shafts.

EAGLE fASS, i eA., a Juic 4.-At tn6 uent6
coal mines on the Mexican International
railroad, few miles across the Rio Grande
f. o n Eagle Pass. has occurred frightful
mine disaster in which twenty-six lives
were lost. Full particulars of the disaster
ns nearly as can be learned are as fol-
lows: The Mexican international railway.
which recently came into she posses
sion of the mines. is operating q mar
row-gauge road with small engine.
which penesrates the main entry,
hauling empty cars in the mine and
bringing out loaded ones. This main
entry is lined on the sides and at the top
with creosoted lumber and three air shafts
from which to supply the mines with
ventilation. The entrance of the track is
on the north side of q range of hills.
through which is passes down on incline
to the mouth Of tho tunnel on the banks Of
Rio Escondido river. The workings are
all to the east of the main entry. and some
fifty men are employed taking out coal.
At O'Clock yesterday evening. shortly
after the locomotive left the mine was
discovered to be on fire. and smoke and
flames were seen issuing from the air shafts.
About one-half of the miners were working
near the main tunnel. and these made
their escape, leaving etwenty-six of their
number tc perish from heat aud smoke and
from the poisonous gases. which spread
the mines. When it was seen that all ef-
forts were useless to rescue the i'm
prlsOned miners every energy wRs directed
20 saving the property from destruction.
hand pump was placed In position
on the Escondido river. Pipes were laid
into the mine as far as any work could be
done. and the hose attached and the water
poured into the burning timbers. A porta-
ble engine was speedily obtained from
Piedras Nesras. and 10 three hours the fire
CLEANERS in the mine. and the dead miners
ore supposed to be well to the front of the
mine. At IL O'clock to-day one body had
been recovered from the seventh
chamber. and shortly afterwards an
corpse was brought to the surface.
The tenth chamber has been reached, and
men with ropes tied to their bodies, so as
to be dragged ont il overcome by heat and
smoke. are ghting their way to where the
bodies of their dead comrades are lying.
Superintendent George Spence ventured in
too lar and was overcome by heat and
smoke. He was prOstrated, but was res.
cued. 1t is believed that by tomorrow the
mine VIII be cleared OF the heat and suf-
locating gasses which at present il
is impossible to cope with. aud
that all the bodies Will be recov-
cred. All the miners employed were
Mexicans and most of them have left des-
titute families. ltis reported that all the
parties responsible for the management of
the mines have been placed under arrest
pending an investigation of the cause of
the disaster. But for the prompt action of
the officials of the Mexican Interna tional
railroad, and their heroic efforts. the mine
would have been destroyed, and mono of
their bodies would have been recovered.
This is the first disaster in the his
tory of coal mining in Mexico. Largo
numbers of the friends and relatives
of the unfortunate miners are now here at
the mouth of the mine mutely awaiting
recovery of bodies of their sons and hus-
bands. When body ls taken out there Ia
no outburst of grief. but look of quiet
resignation and deep sorrow appears
on every countenance. Hundreds of
people from Eagle Pass and Piedras
Negras have visited the scene to-
day. and the smoke is still issuing from!tbe
air shafts. impressing on all the folly OF
hoping any of the imprisoned miners are
yet aliye.