Evening journal., 1902-07-14
DAY OF FUNERALS
IN JOHNSTOWN
Victims Of Mine Explosion
Laid to Resi-
Believed That Few Bodies Now Arc
in the Mines Operations 70
be Resumed

Johnstown. Pa. July 14.-After al
consultation last evening with the four
state mine inspectors. summoned here
to make a thorough inspection Of the
rolling mill mine of the Cambria Ste FL
Company. James E. Roderick. CHIEF of
the state bureau of mining inspection,
dictated a notice to General Manager
c. S. Price. of the Cambria Sompany
granting formal permission TO resume
operations in all sections OF the mine
except the Klondike this morning. The
Klondike workings will likely be closed
for several days until perfect security
is assured through the bratticing OF
openings and repairs necessitated by
the explosion.
We know where the explosion in
the rolling mill mine occurred. We
know what caused it. We know who
caused it, If he were alive criminal
action might reach him. He is dead
undoubtedly There is nothing sensa-
ticnal about the cause. l will only say
that the explosion was not caused by
a blast"
These poignant statements were
made by Joseph A. Roderick, chief OF
the state bureau of mines. lie also said
there was nothing to conceal and
everything would be made public at the
coroner's inquest.
Two more deaths of rescued victims
have occurred. Yesterday morning
John Sehr and Yasante Sibolia ex.
pired at the Cambria General Hospital.
These men were among the six living
brought out of the mine on Friday al
ternoon. Of which four Others have ex.
pired These deaths raise the total
list to III. Much confusion has
attended the compilation OF the record.
Mine Superintendent T. G.. Robinson
last evening said: 81 would not like
to asesrt that there are no more bodies
in the mine. but / don't think there
are There may be a few"
Il is generally regarded as certain
that the fun extent of the disaster is
now known. State inspectors say that
the condition of all the workings are
now free Of gas, and the almost perfect
ventilating apparatus are rushing cur.
rents of pure air into the uttermost
recesses Of the subterranean workings.
There has not been a single place out.
side of the old abandoned chambers
that have not undergone the scrutiny
of experts to pronounce everything in
as good cohdilion as could be asked or
demanded.
Saddost of an the scenes following
The mine disaster of Thursday were
those attending the funerals Satur-
day and yesterday of the 164
victims. Under the black pail OF
smoke that hangs over the city
church bells tolled continually, and all
day long the dead carts rumbled
through the streets to the Slav. Crea-
ton. Greek and Roman Catholic
churches. where the scenes of leave
taking were most affecting Nearly
all the funerals took place in the oem-
etery where are buried the dead of the
great Johnstown food.
The burial was simplifed by the dig
ging Of long trenches. in place OF sep.
arate graves. In one Of these 25 cof-
Ems we're lowered.
Ihc funeral OF Mike Sabot one of
the conspicuous self-sacriicing heroes
of the disaster, took place from st.
Mary's German Catholic Church. The
large church was packed with friends
and those who did not know the little
dead fellow. but who had heard the
noble story of his achievement, which
brought him glory but only at the ex-
pense of his life. Sabot was about II
years old. He was trap boy and
knew the mine like a book. He was
out at the mouth of one of the head
ings when the explosion came He
found himself unscathed and imme-
diately rushed to the rescue of the
falling men beyond him. lie had drag
ged three into a working that the af-
ter damp had not reached, and to his
help they owe their lives today.
Back he plunged into the main head
ing and on TO more bodies. Faintness
overcame him and he toppled over and
died When found his hands we're
still clutching the clothing of one man
in manner which showed conclusive
ly that the boy was in the act of drag
ging him out to safety when overcome.
Mikes coffin was dmped in pink and
a profusion of handsome flowers we're
strewn on top AS the cortege moved
away from the church there was not a
dry eye in the crowd which stood
about, the men with barred heads.