The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-11
R. scuing Parties Max ng Their Way
Into the Depths of the Cam
bria Nine.
lGHTlNG DEADLY GASES AT livery sTEP
Until Tk'y Reach tie 'KondikA" the Scene
Of ire Terrific Explosion, the Number
Who Have PeTished Win Not
be Kncwc.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Johnstown, Pa, July 1O-Johnstown
has again been visited by an appalling
disaster
1t is only less frightful than the aw-
full calamity of May 81, 1889 in cost of
life, but in its terrible consequences it
! has brought the shadow of sorrow in
hundreds of homes made desolate bv a
mine explosion which took place in the
Cambria Steel Company rolling mine. un-
der Westmont Hill at 1920 o'clock this
afternoon.
How many are dead it may take sew
eral days to fully determine, but that it
is long and shocking list is certain
1t may reach 200 or more men.
1t was nearly an hour after the ex-
plosion before any general knowledge of
what had happened got abroad Men
VINO came from the mines, escapiss -vvfe4r-
their lives, told the terrible news and
soon N spreal likess.:1,1rlr,- all over the
city. In scores Of homes there was the
most pathetic scenes. Mothers. wives.
daughters, sons and relatives were fran
point and with sobbing hearts awaited
news that did not come from the ILL
fated mine
AT the opening across the river from
the point, the Cambria Iron Companv
police, with several assistants. stood
guard, permitting no one to enter the
mine, from which noxious gases were
coming. 1t was nearly o'clock when
all hope of sending rescue parties from
the Westmont opening was abandoned.
TWO men who have escaped from the
mlne-Richard Bennett and John Meyers
went back miles to see what assistance
could be rendered but the frightful damn
drove them back and they fell PROSTATE
and after desperate struggle reached
the outside The doctors gave the men
assistance and after working with them
halt an hour restored them. The his
tory OF the situation in the mine made
IL clear that the rescue could not proceed
from the Westmont opening and then
nasty preparations were made to begin
that sad mission at the Mill Cree en-
trance. Soon after the news of the ex-
ploslon reached the Cambria officials
Mining Engineer Marshal G. Moore and
one OF his assistants, Al. G. Prosser
maze an attempt to enter the mine. They
were followed by Mine Superintendent
George I. Robinson, but the deadly
gases stopped their. progress and thew
were compelled to return to the surface.
WINE FOREMAN Harry Rodgers, his as
sistant, William Blanch, and fire bosses
Johh whitney, John Retallick and John
hohas, were overcome by the gases and
Is reared they perished in an heroic
ehoTt 10 rescue the miners. son of
hurry Rodgers then tried to reach his
Iather, but he was quickly overcome by
the deadly gas and was carried out un-
conscious.
william Stibich spent several hours at
the Mill Creek opening He said thats
ne believed as many as $50 men were
still IL the mine. In his opinion from
all he could CLEAN, not to exceed $50
men had come out
When the news of the exnlosiop
reached the surface Marshal G.. Moore
mining engineer, and one of his assist
ants, A. G. Prosper. promptly made an
attempt to enter the mine. They were
followed in a short time by Mine Super
intendent George T. Robinson. After
much trouble they reached one of the
telephones located in the mine and COM
municated with the Gambia general of
fees. They were unable to give any
details of the effects of the explosion. but
feared the loss of life would be large.
The damage to the mine must be se-
rious Their progress was stopped by the
deadly gases. and they stated that an at
tempt would at once be made to reach
the scene of the accident, which is known
as the 'K1ondiSe,' IN the miners par
lance. No entranc9 b she working por-
tion of the mine can be effected from
the main entry. MANY If the miners es-
capped at Mill Greek. d shaft reaching
the mine near the power house at that
point
About score OF American miners who
were at work in the Kloadike district
roticed the presence of the frst damp in
their apartment soon after the explosion
occurred and started at once for the main
entrance. They were almost overcome
by the deadly gas but reached the out
Continued on Page Two.l