Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-17
A MINING DISASTER.
A Terrible Explosion In the Ains
Under Westmelt Hill.
DEAD NAY REACH TWO HUNDRED NES


Johnstown, Pa, July 11.-Johns.
town has again been visited by an
appalling disaster, only less fright
full than the awful calamity of May
81, 1880, in cost Of life. A terrible
explosion took place in the Cambria
Steel company's rolling mill mine un-
der Westmont hill, early yesterday
afternoon, and how many are dead
II may take several days to fully de-
termine. That it is long and shock
ing list Is certain and it may reach
200 or more men.
1t was nearly an hour after the
explosion before any general knowl-
edge of what had happened got
abroad. Men who came from the
mines, escaping with their lives, told
the terrible news and soon 1t spread
like wild fire all over the city. In
scores Of homes there was the most
pathetic scenes. Mothers, wives,
daughters, sons and relatives were
frantic with grief and hundreds
rushed to the scene.
At the opening across the river
from the point the Cambria Iron
company police, with several assist
ants, stood guard, permitting no one
to enter the mine from which noxlous
gases were coming. 1t was nearly
four o'clock when all hope OF send
ing rescue parties from the West
mont opening was abandoned. Two
wen who had escaped from the mine
Richard Bennett and John Mey-
ers-went back two miles to see what
: assistance could be rendered, but
the frightful damp drove them back
and they fell PROSTATE when they
finally, after a desperate struggle
reached the outside. Two doctsr'
gave them assistance and after work
Inc with them half an hour restored
them. Their story Of the situation
in the mine made It clear that tn
rescue work could not proceed from
the Westmont opening and thsI
hasty preparations were made TO Dc D..
gin that sad mission at the NIL
creek entrance. Soon after the new
Of the explosion reached the Cam
bris officials Mining Engineer Moor
and one Of his assistants, A. q. Pros
ser, made an attempt TO enter tn
mine. They were followed by Min
Superintendent Robinson, but tn
deadly gases stopped their progress
and they we're compelled to retur'
to The surface.
Mine Foreman Rodgers, his assist
amt. William Blanch, and Fire Bose
John Whitney, John Ketallick an
John Thomas we're overcome by IN
Eases and II Is feared they perlshe
: in an heroic effort to rescue tn
miners. A son Of Harry Rodger
then tried to reach his father, bu
he was quickly overcome by the deaf
. " gases and was carried out uncol
. scious.
4 william stibich spent several houl
at the Mill creek opening. he sal
that he believed as many as 45o me
were still In the mine. In his opll
j. ion. from all he could glean' NJ
r more than $50 men had come out
At 11.2o the first four victims wei
brought to the surface from u
Klondike section. They were villa
. pobinson. who was unconscious wh'
8 found; John Retallio, alive and
/ pretty good shape, and two unknov
il slavs. both alive, but unconsclou
n Dr. John B. Lowman, OF this cit
who came up with the men, said
nassed rs dead bodies, some OF the
L. in sitting postures.
|. At 1915 o'clock this morning de
d eral Manager Moore, Of the mine
\. who with Superintendent Robins
+ had penetrated to considerable d
Q. tance In TIA. KlaudIke. had reach