The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-07-30
TIE BBAR RIDGE EXPLOSION.


AIN NllNNitl bltElllt "a hlNtIf IiNl NHNH
deaths, was the subject Of inquiry Mt Girard-
willie last evening by Deputy Coroner =. O.
Bleiler and % jury comprising Mcssrs. Alfred
Kitto, foreman. John Green, Michael Gill
lespic, Thomas Green. James Lavellc aud
Thomas + Koran, all prominent residents of
GimrdvilIe and men Of considerable expert
cucc In mine work.
Mine Inspector Stein was in attendance
and upon request Of the Deputy Coroner and
jury conducted the examination Of the wit
nossos aud he made it an exhaustive one.
The inquest Was conducted upon the theory
that there had been neglect somewhere, but
it was clear that the position could not be
maintained,
John Kline, the inside foreman, was under
examination for three-quarters Of an hour.
He was not in the part Of the mine where
the explosion occurred and could only give
hoarsay evidence Of tue accident. His
theory was that the explosion was
occaoioncd by two sticks of dynamite
that were stale and had softened. Mr.. Kline
explained that these sticks were taken into
the mine ON the Friday before the accident.
They were put into one of two holes that
Lad been drilled in a breast and fresh sticks
were put in with them. His theory of the
explosion was that the fresh sticks exploded
in accordance with the arrangements, but
the other dynamite simply caught fire from
the exploded dynamite and burned like
tabaleau lights. This burned, Mr.. Kline
thought, until gas which had been displaced
by the explosion came down and ignited.
After the gas exploded the charge in the
second hole exploded.
quite a discussion took place between Mine
Inspector stein and Kline as to the duty of
fire bosses to keep daily records of their
examinations. Kline said his fire bosses re-
ported their examinations daily to him and
he kent a record of them. Inspector Stein
said chat was not sufficient and read from
article XII. page 40. section b. of the mine
laws. which reads As follows: Every report
shall be recorded without DELAY in q book
which shall be kent at the Gallery for the
puruo-e and shall be signed by the person
making the examiuatiou."
Mr.. Kline SAID that had not been the
INTERPRETATION of the law gt the c~olIierv. but
he would see that each fire boss keeus a book
of his own hereafter.
Inspector Stein said it was not contcuded
that the omission had ANYTHING 10 do with
th, accident he only wanted 10 call attention
ta the law in that respect. since the omission
had been discovered.
.Nu@enL f0--. a miner who WIS AT work IN
breast No. Al. was the next witness. The ex.
plosion occurred in breasts No. ~ and a.
which are Of a p~eculiar Joint formation.
lie said himself and his butty. BRAZIL. one
of the victims. were working i'm headings.
Each in 10 different one. BRAZIL got n rap
from the fire boss to 20 down and told Foss 70
come down if the fire boss sbould ran for
him. Foss' story from this point was Of an
interesting and thrilling character. He
said. 81 heard a shot and then Thought ia
myself if WAS all right. then heard
q heavy fall. became uneasy. fearing that
the pillar might run through. didn't
4 know whether to Start to run. or what TO do
tbutT took No a nick aud Started at the face
llof tie heading and lust as I did. about two
milnltes aftor the shot was fired. a strong,
hot breeze came. / didn't see any flame. ]
nut my light out rghen / felt the breeze. !
waited until 1t settled and then | went down
the breast. When I breathed I thought
scalding water was going down my throat.