The Savannah morning news., 1901-02-27

,,hevenne. Wyo., Feb. 2e-The worst
disaster in the history of coal mining in
wyoming since the Almy horror eighty
wears ago, occurred at Diamondsville last
night Thirty-six men are believed to
hove persisted in a fire which started in
mine No. of the Dianondsville Coal and
Coke Company.
The blaze was first discovered shortly
after the night shift commenced work. 1t
&c thought to have originated from care
less miners lamp in the oil room The
flames made such progress that only one
man escaped from the two entries in
which it was confined. His name is John
Anderson, and he was frightfully burned
in running the gauntlet of the flames. He
WAS suddenly confronted by a we'll of fire
and smoke and wrapping his head in an
overcoat he ran in the direction of the
main entrance.
He fell unconscious and was carried to
the mouth of the mine. The alarm was
sounded and hundreds of miners at work
in the mines and on the outside rushed
10 the rescue of their imprisoned COM
such progress that it was impossible to
enter the rooms for the flames, The en-
lire night was spent in combining the fire
tn the two entries. This morning 1t was
necessary to seal them up to prevent the
flames from spreading to other parts of
the mine.
This step was only decided upon after
ell hope of saving the lives of the men
mad been abandoned. Nothing could live
anti in thn fire 1yni oh VUaG
creasing in fierceness every minute.
The plugging of the two mines will
smother the fire. but it may be. several
days before the barricades can be remov-
cd and the chambers explored. The ex-
act total of men entombed is not yet
known. as a number are missing, some on
sick leave and others in the hospital suf-
ferng from burns received while fighting
the flames so that an accurate count is
at present impossible.
The scenes at the mouth of the mine
during the night and to-day were heart
rending. Re atives and friends of the en-
tombed miners rushed to the mine, fran
ticaliy waving their hands and crying to
the mine officials and miners to save their
dear ones. Many of the women and chill
dren were slightly injured in the crowd
and by falling over obstacles in the dark
ness.
number of disastrous fires since the coal
mines were opened there ten years ago.
but the CONGREGATIONS were never attend
ed with serious loss of life.
The mine is owened by the Oregon Short
Line Railroad. Its output is about 80, 600
tons Of coal per year, and upwards of 700
miners are employed.
Brave Conduct of Boys.
The fire was discovered by boy named
James Hetson, who bravely ran and told
many men who were inside. Richard
Fern, 10 years old, also ran through levels
Nos. g. and and notified the men and
many were saved through his courageous
action. Seven men, headed by mine fore
man Griffin, made several desperate at
hmpts to reach the men through the low
g level, but their efforts were in vain,
four Of the seven being knocked down
by fire damp, the others being compelled
4 to carry them to fresh air.
Il is given out by Superintendent Thorn
as Sheldon and confirmed by others ia
miliar with the conditions, that the lives
4 Of all the men were certainly extinguish-
ed within three minutes after the fire
gained ascendancy.
The fire is fully under control tonight
and Superintendent sheldon announces
that he will open the mine tomorrow
for the recovery of the bodies and re-
sGme work before the week closed
Thomas Simpson, with his young son.
who are among TIE victims. came to Dia-
nondsville fl, m Alabama, about six weeks
ago. bringing his wife, in the hope that
the change of climate would benefit her
health. The shock of last nights tragedy
resulted in Mrs. Simpsons death to-day.