The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-30
which slid from the Mouth Of the Pit
to the Bottom, n Distance of
Three Hundred Feet.
DOZEN OR MORE MEN KILLED
ALL HORRIBLY MANGLED by THE
SWIFTLY MOVING MASS.
Some Of the Boafes Recovered and
other. stilI Beneath the Debris
Various Fatal Accidents.

CARMEL, n. ", Nov. 29.-An accident
resulting in the loss OF thirteen or fourteen
lives. occurred at the Tilly Foster mine,
near here, little after 3 O'Clock this
afternoon. Foreman Patrick was descending
into the pit to take the time of two gangs
of laborers, numbering about thirty-five
men, who were working at the bottom.
when vast weight OF earth and rock slid
with the force of an avalanche from the
mouth of the pit to bottom, a distance
OF three hundred feet. The earth crashed
over the men with tremendous force. Out
of one gang Of eleven, only five came out
alive and three of the men employed in
other gang were taken out dead. Among
those known 10 be dead are: Michael Can
non, foreman; Patrick H. Murta, foreman;
John Fegan, boarding house keeper; Thomas
Dennis, James Smith and an Austrian,
known as No. ga An Austrian known as
No. 1894 received a fracture of the skull and
will probably die. The names Of the others
killed are at present unknown. Several Of
the workmen were seriously injured.
The cave-in caused the greatest excite
ment, but as soon as possible gangs of men
were set to work to remove the bodies of
those known to be under the masses Of
earth. Superintendent Tompkins and Fore
man Lynch took charge of the work. and
at o'clock five dead bodies had been
brought to the surface. Darkness prevented
the continuance of the work of rescue, and
ii will not be until tomorrow morning that
effort will be made to clear away the ruins.
The first intimation of the accident to
those below was the low rumbling sound
which preceded the fall of the mass of
earth But the shock came so suddenly
that few were able to reach places of
safety. Half dozen workmen were di-
rectly under the ledge from which the mass
Of earth fell. and they were buried under
tons of debris. The fall was tremendous,
for great pieces of rock and ore were car
ried along in the avalanche.
One of the first to be brought to the sur
face was foreman Murtha. He was found
near the top. pinned down by huge piece
of rock. The rescuing party dug him out
ard bore him. still alive, to the fresh air.
Murtha was badly mangled, and his clothes
were almost torn from his back. He was
taken to his home, a short distance awaH,
but died almost Immediately after reaching
there. Murtha was married, and his wife,
along with the wives Of other unfortunates.
stood at the top of the slope while the res
cuers were at work. All Of the bodies were
horribly mangled. the sharp edges of the
rock and iron tearing through their clothes
and peeling the flesh from their faces and
bodies. One by one the bodies were brought
out and carried to the carpenter shop.
where an awe-stricken crowd of people
looked on the remains and uttered exclama-
tions Of woe when the identity of the victim
was made known. Some Of those assembled
sought anxiously after friend or relative
supposed to be in the ruins in the pit.
William Ospell and four companions sue
ceeded in getting away by running. Five
Italians also got out alive. One of the
Italians who came down on the cable car
for the purpose Of rendering assistance was
killed by second fall OF rock. Despite the
dangers, Patrick H. Kelley and ]. McGinn
ceeded In organizing the frightened men
who had not been killed outright secured
tools and commenced to remove the bodies.
Mark Crftchlfe was removed to his home,
suffering from a fracture of the spine. Pat
Both will probably recover The bodies be-
lieved to be In the pit are those of James
Fox Bachelor, better known as James
Smith; James Clark, stranger, who be-
gan work on Nov. 13 and four Italians,
supposed to have been caused principally
by the heavy rains. which opened crevices
in many places.
The mine is owned by the Lackawanna
Iron and Coal Company, of New York and
Scranton. Pa Clinton Stephens is the con-
injured were in his employ. Many acci-
dents have occurred at the Tilly Foster
mine, but none has been attended by so
great loss of life as this.