The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1895-09-14
NO. 81

journey. Alter tne unsuccessful at
tempt OF this party 1t was plainly seen
that netting further could possibly be
done for the unfortunate men imprisoned
In the mine. Any further attempt to
enter the mine would have been fool
hardy, and could have resulted only In
the sacrifice Of other lives, without
availing TO save the men already cut off.
The smoke kept increasing 10 volume
from all of the shafts except No. 3,which
had been partially sealed.
HEART-RENDING SCENES ON SURFACE.
AS soon as the news of the fire was
made known, which was in an in-
credibly short time, all who had relatives
or friends working in the mine gathered
about the shafts AS the miners came
to the surface one by one there were
joyful reunions, there being few who
had not some anxious wife, child or
other relative to welcome their escape
When the men ceased coming, those
whose loved ones were still below grew
almost frantic, hoping against hope, vet
fearing the worst. AS time passed, and
IL became certain the last man who
would come to the sunlight again was
already up, the cries and prayers of
those who had watched in vain grew
heart-rending. The ominous clouds Of
gray smoke arising from the shafts IN
creased in density and volume, and it
was plain that all hope OF egress from
the mine was cut off.
The fainting OF women, the sobbing Ct
children aud the cries of strong men.
mingled with the prayers of those who
hoped that God might work miracle to
save their loved ones from certain de eth,
combined to make an experience the
memory of which will never be effaced
from the hearts of those who witnessed
the terrible sceue. Thousands were at
tracted to the shafts by the news Of the
catastrophe; the ever-growing columns
of white smoke drifting above them
made scene the picturesque feature of
which was forgotten by all in the in
tonsity OF the tragedy being enacted
deep in the bowels OF the earth, below
the feet Of the thousands watching the
smoke wreaths and hearing the cries of
those so cruelty bereaved.
Several men who escaped claim to
have passed others on the ladders who
were unable to proceed further, beng
overcome by smoke and gas. One miner,
over sixty years of age, picked up Il
young man overcome by gas and sue
ceeded in carrying him from 200 to 800
feet when he felt his strength giving
out and had to drop the young fellow
and save himself. At the time word was
sounded two hundred we're underground
and all could have escaped had they used
proper precaution. Several miners in
their flight passed a group Of seven or
eight men who had stopped to res, ard
were smoking their pipes. They seemed
to be in no hurry or think Of danger.
When told to hurry up they remarked
that they had plenty OF time, and not
one of them reached surface.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
1t will probably never be known how
the fire originated, us some are Of the
opinion that 1t was the work Of an in
cendiary, while others believe that it
was due to the carelessness of some OF
the miners.
BODIES RECOVERED.
Shortly after Z o'clock Thursday morn
Ing preparations we're begun for explor-
i1g No. shaft In a search for the bodies
of the miners,
An exploring party. consisting OF Cap
| tain Richards and FIVE miners. was
lowered in the skip, stopping III each
| level down to the fourteenth. This
| party was down for over an hour aud
before they reached the surface L lart
| crowd had gathered about the mouth ui
the shaft, watching most anxiously for
the return OF the party. When they did
come up 1t was only to disappoint the
crowd for a time, as they brought no
bodies with them. They reported that
much gas was still in the mine. Captain
Richards reported that his party had
located tweDty-threc bodies within
| fourteen hundred feet of surface, being
| stretched along from the fourth level TO
the fifteenth. 80.
1
men then went down aud by o'clock all
the bodies seen 10y the FIRST party had
been brought TO surface. James VIII
liams was tound only three hundred feet
from surface. CAPITALS Tremeath was
found on the ladderwaY at the four
teenth leyel IN position which denoted
that he was in the act OF taking hold OF
tile bell rope 10 signal To the lander on
surface. In the afternoon more search
ing parties were sent down and sue
ceeded in finding two more bodies. This
made twenty-five bodies recovered,
There were still five missing.
The bodies showed no sian that the
men had suffered any before death aud
no doubt death TO most OF them was
painless. The bodies were laid out In
the carpenter shop and presented q
! grewsome sight.
| A coroner's jury has been empanellcd
and will investigate the cause OF the
death OF the unfortnnates. The fuDer-
ais were mostly held today.
- speciaI Rates on d., = s.&A
Round trip tickets on the d.. s. $. q