The Topeka state journal., 1900-05-02
APPALLING.
Hundreds of Men SmOthered to
Death in a Mine
By Fire Damp Resulting From
Powder Explosion.
AT SCOFIELD, UTAH.
2OI Bodies Taken Out and Res
cue Work Continues.
Dead Are Found in Heaps and
Clusters.
Some Had Buried Their Faces
in the Ground.
STORIES OF DISASTER
Told by the Few Fortunate
Enough to Escape.
Loss to the Mining Company
Will Be Heavy.

Salt Lake, Utah. May Two num-
dred or more lives We're lost in an ex-
plosion in mine No. a of the Pleasant
Valley Coal company yesterday at
scoheld, Utah. One hundred and thirty
seven bodies have already been recov-
cred. The work of rescue is still pro-
crossing although there is no hope that
any of the men who are unaceounted
for have escaped death. The scene of
the disaster is just outside this place
on the line of the Rio Grande Western
railroad. The explosion. which occurred
in the winter quarters of the mine. is
attributed by some to the blowing up
of a number of kegs of blasting powder.
The company has two mines. known
as Nos. and 4. The explosion occurred
in No. 4. A special train was sent from
Salt Lake bearing Superintendent
Sharpe of the coal company, Superin-
tendent Welby, of the railroad COM
pany, and some doctors.
AS fast as bodies are reached they
are taken to the boarding house and
other company buildings where they
are dressed and prepared for the cor
oner's inquest These buildings are
numerous, and in each are from ten
to thirty-hve bodies, which are laid in
long rows. To those which have been
identified are attached tags, with name
and address. These await the coming
of relatives or friends Two hundred
coGins have been ordered from local
undertakers, to be sent at once to the
scene Of the disaster. A special train
bearing the seriously wounded has
started from Scofeld for Salt Lake.
pol BODIES TAKEN OUT.
Salt Lake, Utah. May "A special tc
the Deseret News from Scoheld at 1926
today says:
At this hour POI bodies have been re-
covered. 1t is now known that be-
tween 500 and 400 men entered the
mines. and it is also known that q
great majority of them have beer
killed.
The appalling nature of the disaster
had not fully dawned upon the people
of this place last night as the compan!
kept the grief stricken wives and chill
dren away from the scene Of opera
tions.
All night lights were kept burning il
every home in Scofield and White
quarters and the means of mothers an,
,piteous cries of the many orphans ar
heard on every hand.
The two camps have always beer
. conspicuous for the large number o
married men employed. This fac
makes the disaster more appalling an
far reaching in its results. Severa
families have been robbed of all thei
male representatives.
In the Hunter family seven are miss
ing.
Among the dead are about 20 youn
boys who acted as couplers and ira
boys
Just how the catastrophe occurred
not known. and probably viii never b
definitely known. as various reason
are being attributed.
At Provo. a mass meeting has bee
held for the relief of the families {
the victims, and $1,000 subscribed.
DETAILS OF THE DISASTER
Salt Lake, Utah. May "A special 7
the Tribune from Scoheld. Utah. says:
An appalling disaster occurred here
1925 yesterday by an explosion in mir
NO 4, Of the Pleasant Valley Coal con
pany by which certainly 200 men an
upwards have lost their lives.
The first news of the disaster recei7
ed in Salt Lake gave the list of kilIe
at about % This even was horrifyir
and caused a profound sensatie
throughout the city. Later detail
showed that the disaster was more av
ful even than the first reports indicate
but it was not until evening that Il
full extent of the tremendous ealamii
WAS understood. Many people Of tn