The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-31
THE PENALTY OF GIVING NEWS
Black Diamond Miner Threatened With
Discharge on SUSPICION of Talking.

The effort of the Post-InteIligencer to
print full particulars of the mine explo-
sion at Black Diamond Tuesday has given
an insight into the difficulties that cor
respondent meets at that place and of the
penalties visited upon the miner who is
suspected of breathing anything for pub
LEGATION. This paper was first informed OF
the accident by a special from Franklin
to the effect that seven miners had been
burned by the explosion. and there were
indications the lives OF the miners had
been sacrificed. Upon receiving the dis
patch the Post-Intelligencer did a great
deal of telegraphing TO. Black Diamond,
ana finally sent message to Morgan
Morgans, general manager of the Black
Diamond Coal Mining Company, asking
him for the names of the men injured or
dead. After an interval the following an
swer came back
NO explosion here. Rumor false.
M. MORGANS."
On the principle that where there Is
smoke there must be fire. the first train
out or this city carried special corrsspon-
dent 10 run the rumor down and find out
what had happened to give rise TO such
a report. He reached Black Diamond
Wednesday evening. and at once hunted
up the superintendent. Mr.. Morgans said
the dispatch, to which an answer signed
by his name had been received the previ-
GUS evening. had not been delivered until
did not know OF any explosion. Al this
point young man at Mr.. Morgans' resi-
dence, presumably his son, said that n
slight explosion had taken place and that
Johnny Raymond loader had been main
fully burned about the face and hands.
rms statement appeared TO surprise MIR
Morgans. and he Immediately volunteered
10 visit the miners cabin. He went alon-
with tho newspaper man, and learned the
ftory OF how the explosion. which was not
so serious as it might have been, had hap
pened.
Up to this time there had apparently
been little in Mr.. Morgans' conduct To
call Tor criticism. lie had shown unex-
pected courtesy, and his efforts TO reach
tho truth OF what had taken place were
appreciated. But IN the course OF con-
versation the name of George Lawrence.
coal miner, had been mentioned IN cen
necuon with the report. Inquiry devei-
ored the fact, and it was 50 stated TO Mr.
Morgans more times than one. that Law
renee had not been In the mine the dav
OF the explosion and consequently could
have had nothing 20 do with II. Mr.. Nor
gans however who claimed not TO know
Lawrence at all. made minute inquiries,
and was told that Lawrence had been
mentioned IN the Franklin dispatch as a
miner who had performed the fooihardv
feat OF thrustiNg a naked iausr tied ~
the end Of a long stick into a chute ~
md out neither any gas vas acctynv-
lated. Such performance. provided pas
were present. practically would mean su!-
eide, and every miner knows H.
How f.awrence's name came TO be con-
nected with the report is unknown but q
was connected with 81 In fhe dispatch from
Franklin. and that fact understanding
that Lawrence no is capable workman.
knew nothing about what was going ON
and had nothing whatever 10 10 with the
matter, was enough 10 bring down on hin,
the wrath % the superintendent As soon
as the Post-Intelhgencer Representative
had left Black Diamond Morrans sent for
Lawrence. and Informed him that he coola
no longer work IN the mine until he had
SquaFed himself Consequently Law
renee vas forced 10 come 10 this city and
get letter from the observation-disclosures
statlng that Lawrence had in no way been
connected with the Franklin report. a con
ciassoa apparent from the very facts that
had been brought cut in the presence o.
MorEans himself.
Watssn Evans. the man Who caused III.
explosion. has been discharged.