New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-19
PRICE THREE CENTS.
BURIED IN A COLORADO NINE
PROBABLY FIFTY LIVES LOST.
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION OF COAL GAS AT
NEWCASTLE. COL.
THE TOWN SHAKEN AS BY AN EARTHQUAKE
THE MOUTH OF THE SHAFT CLOSED AND
BOTH EXIT AND EGREsS BARRED
MOST OF THE MEN WE'RE ITAL-
IANs-EvERY PRECAUTIoN HAD
BEEN TAKEN TO AVOID

IANs-EvERY PRECAUTToN HAD
BEEN TAKEN TO AVOID
SUCH AN ACCIDENT.
Newcastle. Col Feb. 1S.-The Vulcan coal
mine in the Hog Back just b.low this town, was
wrecked and set fire oy terrific gas expIo-
sion shortly after IL o'clock to-day. About ffty
men, including firemen and coal operators. were
In the several rooms along the slope when the ex-
plosion occurred. Probably not one Of them has
survived the shock the gas or the fire which i'm
mediatey ensued.
With the exception of few bosses the killed
are Italians but in the confusion and excitement
It is impossible at this time to make complete
roster OF their names.
The town Of Newcastle was shaken as II by
an earthquake and dense black cloud obscured
the site Of the Vulcan mine. indicating only too
plainly what had occurred. The entire population
rushed to the scene to behold the surface work.
men I'm the midst of thick cloud OF dust, trying
in vain 10 start the work Of rescuing their un-
fortunate fellow-laborers within.
The earth hal settled perceptbly near the hill
side. and the dense volume Of black smoke Issuing
from crevices in the upheaved mass gave evil
dence that the coal vein had surely been set anre
by the explosion. Women and children rusned
shriek,ng and screaming to the scene. adding 10
the confusion.
The mine owned by the Colorado Fuel and
Iron Company, two and half miles away, was
promptly closed down. and all hands hastened
70 assist superintendent Herrick, of the Vulcan.
in the work OF rescue, but II was quickly seen
that little could be done. Herrick and several
men had torn away the broken timbering at
the landing. and rushed into the slope soon
after the explosion, with wet sponges on their
nostrils only to be driven back again by tho
deadly fumes A special train was sent to tho
mine by the Colorado Midland Railway Com
pany with medical aid prepared to assist IN
caring for the wounded. II any were rescued
but the sun went down behind the mountains
before opening could be made
An idea Of the force Of the explosion may DO
gained when II is known that the buildings ana
treste at the mouth Of the slope were COM
pletey wrecked. hole 100 feet square was
carved out Of the hillside at the mouth OF the
incline. and timbers two feet square were oio"n
into the Grand River. 400 feet away. One miner
was on his way down the slope when the ex-
plosion occurred and his mangled remains were
subsequently found several hundred feet away
from the mouth Of the slope. There were iio
men employed in and about the mine at the
time, and about Atty were at work under
ground this morning.
State Coal Mine Inspector Gr.fhth was mere ON
February 8. and pronounced the mine In better
condition than it had ever been before. An I'M
mense fan in the slope, which was about 900 feet
in depth. seemed to afford complete ventiatlon'
and every possible precaution was taken TO pre-
vent an explosion OF the gas known TO exist IN
the mines Of this district 1t Is believed that
high-ghted fuse ignited the gas In one OF the
new rooms while the men were blasting DOWN
coal. The old Vulcan mine has been abandone1
for several years and was In no way connected
with the present property, new slope haVlnS
been driven into the hillside.
The Vulcan Fuel Company operates the prop
erty which Is owned by the Atchison. Topeka
and Santa Fc Railroad Company Just at this
time the mine being worked to Its full ca
pacity. the output being from seventeen to twenty
cars per day
The entire slope is filed with debris. and It -
plainly evident that many days must eapse De-
fore tie bodies OF the en.ombed miners can DO
rescued Since darkness fell the smoke seems to
have perceptby diminished and 1t may be tnae
the fire will not destroy the property. as was
feared earlier in the day, but the force OF the en-
ploslon was sufficient In itself practically TO de-
stroy the mine, and new workings will have to %
started