Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-05-03

SALT LAKE, May 1.-Two hundred
or more lives were lost in the explo-
sion in mine No. of the Pleasant
Valley Coal Company, at Schofield,
Utah. Up to this morning 1871 bodies
had been recovered. The work of res
cue is still progressing, although there
is no hope that any of the men who
are unaccounted for have escaped
death
The scene of the disaster is just out
side this place, on the line of the Rio
Grande Western Railroad. The explo-
sion, which occurred in the winter
quarters of the mine, is attributed by
some to the blowing up of number
Of kegs of blasting powder The COM
pany has two mines, known as Nos.
and 4. The explosion occurred in
No. 4.
AS fast as bodies are reached they
are taken to the boarding houses 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-five bodies. which are laid in
long rows.
To those which have been identified
are attached tags with name and adj
dress. These await the coming of rel
stives or friends. Two hundred cof-
ins have been ordered from this city.
The State mine inspector is still
without the data to lay blame on any
one. OF course an inquest will have
to determine just where the blame
rests, and perhaps it never can be fully
determined.
w. G. Wilson was one of those for
tunate ones on the lower level of No.
l who escaped. He tells his story as
follows: There was a low rumbling
noise heard in the distance, followed
by sort of wave that can hardly
be described but that is known to all
who have been in explosions, and /
have been in several. l said to my
partner that if gas was known to exist
in the mine, | should say that an ex-
plosion had occurred. l advised that
we run to the tunnel and with me
came six men working in that section.
In the main tunnel we met the driver
and asked him if he had noticed the
strange occurrence. He replied that he
had almost been knocked off the bar
by the rush of air. was then con-
WINGED that it was indeed an explosion
and advised my comrades to hasten
with me to the mouth. We met two
others farther on, and they proceeded
with us. We were none too soon for
the afterdamp reached us some three
or four minutes before we reached the
open air. almost suffocating u.s."
All men on the raise known as
Pixies Peak, were lying in clusters.
John James, a county commissioner
was found with his son, George. en-
twined in each others arms. All these
men apparently had realized that death
was coming, for all were found as
though in attitudes of defense. Some
had their cloaks about them. Others
mad tried 10 protect themselves by
burying their faces in the ground floor
Of the mine, hoping thus to ESCAPE the
deadly gas that was fast enyeloping
them. Bernard Dougall, a young en-
gineer from Springfield. who had lust
entered the mine few minutes before
with his assistants. was found with his
instrument set, While he and his men
lay dead around it. As fast as the
bodies were removed they were car
ried to the company barn across the
canyon, where they were prepared for
Identification. Between the blackened
and stalwart men lay about a dozen
lads WHO had been engaged as couplers
and trbppers. Some lay alongside of
their fathers and elder brothers. 1t
was a s@ene that made strong men turn
away Tx tears.
After the foul air cleared away from
No. / the work of rescue began and it
was soon found that a great many of
the miners of No. had been suffocat-
ed. The men of the lower levels had
been warned of the explosion and had
made their escape before the gaseous
air had reached them.
Cars wera taken in and the de- we're
brought IN Athe mouth ar In ina