The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-03
DEATH LIST
PUT AT ESQ
Continued From First Page.

some of the Firms recently imported,
secretly took giant powder down into the
mine to assist them in their work. They
were exceedingly anxious to make a good
showing and as much money as possible,
and it is thought this form of explosive
was used in order that great bodies OF
coal could be more easily dislodged. II
is thought that when the giant powder
was touched off, it ignited some of the
dust, of which every coal mine has more
or less.
Inquiry among the miners disclosed the
fact that they entertained various opin-
ions regarding the terrible affair. some
being exceedingly bitter in their denuncia-
ton of the company and others took a
more conservative view of the matter
and said it was one OF these things over
which no man has control and for which
no man or men should be held respon-
sfble
One Of the miners sent over from Castle
Gate TO aid the rescue work, talked in
terestingly when he came out of the tun-
mel. This explosion is the most de-
structive, so far as los sof life is con-
NOIilCds that IDS 6NCl OINulAGd III
America" said he. There will be zoo
dead when we are through work. In the
great explosion at Almy Wyo., a few
years ago, sixty-five were killed. We
had some hard experiences digging
through the mine Several times mem
bers of our party were overcome by the
damp. but we got them out IN time. We
found the bodies of the men in every
conceivable shape but generally they
were lying on their faces with their arms
about their faces. Then men died al
most instantly when struck by the damp
and did not suffer They just become I'M
conscious and were asphyxiated. Their
faces were all calm and peaceful as
though they had just fallen asleep Ehe
men in No. 1 might possibly have es-
capped had they started to run as soon
as the explosion in No. 4, which is con-
nected with It, occurred Evidently they
did not appreciate this fact until too lote,
as they put on their coats and arranged
their tools before starting. They started,
however, just in time to meet the damp
halfway. The bodies found near the
entrance are badly crushed, as they got
the Aull 4OAtC VI LiIC VAPIO-lcil. LilCy S1AC
few in number. however. Mine No. is
damaged comparatively little, but No
is badly damaged"
A curious fact connected with the af-
fair is that five men. Thomas Sellers,
Alex c. Wilson, John Wilson, Harry Tay-
Tor and John Beddoes, who were work.
ing outside Of the mine, were severely
huhrt. John Wilson was blown with his
horse a distance OF 200 yards across the
bottom of the canon. The back OF his
skull was crushed and something had
been driven into his abdomen. He is in
terrible plight. Thomas Sellers was
fifty yards away from the mouth OF thu
tunnel, but he had his right foot crush
ed shoulder knocked out OF place and his
back badly broken. Harry Taylor had his
jaw broken. John Beddoes was severely
bruised.
Three hundred and ninety-eight men
entered the mine for work yesterday
morning, and great majority of these
have persisted. 1t VIII not be surprising
if the total death figures aggregate 800.
The mayor Of this city has issued
proclamation, appoisting a committee to
solicit and receive subscriptions for the
relief of the destitute ones.