Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-07-19
MEN. BLOWN TO FRAGMENTS.
Shocking Mine Disaster Near
Hazleton, Pa.

Two Hundred Sticks OF Giant Powder
Exploded, with Awful Erfect-Men's
Bodies Torn to Pinoes-rho Number of
Victims Not Known.
HAzLEToN, Pa, July 17.-Another
mine disaster occurred at Stockton, No.
8, to-day, which in detail is the most
shocking that ever took place in the
Lehigh coal fields. Two hundred sticks
of giant powder exploded in the midst
of gang of miners, and not enough of
their bodies was left intact to recognize
them.
Stockton coliery is about one mile
east of this city and is operated by
Linderman & Skecr. On account Of its
isolation from the main breaker, it has
been customary to send the dynamite
and other explosives in boxes TO No. 8,
and distribute them to the workmen at
the bottom of the second shaft as they
appeared in the morning on their way
to work. The first men 10 60 down the
shaft this morning were the drivers,
and these are the only men who re-
turned alive from the opening. How
many men, or who they are, who fol-
lowed in the next boat is not definitely
known, and for this reason the exact
number of men killed will not be known
until list of the living is taken.
The drivers went into the stables to
harness their mules and it was while
thus engaged the explosion took place.
Charles Shugert says he saw about a
dozen men standing about Charles
O'Donnell, who distributed the powder,
moment before the explosion took
place. The drivers and mules were
hurled about promiscuously.
The men were paralyzcd with fright,
and fearing an explosion of gas had
taken place and that a collapse of the
entire mine was about to follow they
simply waited for death. 1t was in this
position they were found by some miners
from No. 2, who FASTENED through the
subterranean passageways to No. 8.
AS soon as lights were seen, the
delnoralized drivers fastened to the
bottom of the shaft. There terrible
sight met their gaze. The entire place
was wrecked, stout timbers were twisted
and torn to matches, huge boulders
were knocked out of the roof, while
coal and rock covered the bottom. Over
| it all was strewn fragments of human
flesh, bones and limbs of the unfortu-
| nate miners. The men were too sick to
attempt to remove the remains Of their
comrades and gave the signal to be
hoisted to the surface.
Tue work Of recovering the bodies
was at once begun. 1t was difficult
task. Fragments of human flesh were
found some distance up the slope cling
ing to the rails and ties and sticking to
the roof, while everywhere We're boues
and limbs.
At 10 o'clock Foreman Shugert came
up and gave out what information he
could to satisfy the distracted relatives
of the unfortunate miners.
Arrangements for bringing the re-
mains to the surface were then made.
Orders for 10 boxes We're given to the
I undertakers.
At the bottom of the slope different
scene was transpiring. As each frag.
ment of human flesh was found it was
taken TO the turnout, which is wide
opening; improvised table was erected
there and the work of sorting out the
pieces of flesh was put in charge of sew
eral men. AS each limb and article Of
flesh was brought out it was washed
and cleaned and placed where it fitted
with the body.
After all had been arranged the hoist
ing to the surface commenced. In order
that the feelings of the relatives Of the
men might be shared, it was. arranged
to hoist each box to the top of'the towel
and from there take them to their sew
eral homes.
AS each box appeared on the surface
an agonizing wall went up from the
multitude in waiting. Women tore theil
hair and shrieks of agony rent the air.
The officials did everything possible
to assuage their grief, but very littit
could be done.
Eight men are known to have beer
killed, four OF them married men.