The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-01-30
WORST in IOWA HISTORY
TWENTY-oNE KILLED IN LOST
CREEK MINE EXPLOSION.

Volunteers Bravely Went in Search Of
Victims as Soon as Cages Were
Put in Order.
Oskaloosa, Jan. 25-As the result
of a terrible mine disaster at Lost
Creek, ten miles southeast of here
yesterday, twenty-one dead miners
are in an improvised morgue and
eight are in temporary hospital.
The dead: Joe Gaspers, Frank
Gaspers, Jim Etohal, Joe Berto, Andy
Pash, Frank Secress, John Martin,
John Bros, Mike Hraha, Jack Manley,
Mike Fox, Jr., Mike Fox, ST., Boone
Fish. Russ Fish, A. b. Crews, Jack
Elder, Dave Walter, Sam Humphrey,
Jim Humphrey, Alex Gray.
The injured: Ed Secress. Ed
John Jerlin, VIM Harvey, George
Gogo, Harry Dorrock.
An explosion occurred at noon, be
ing what is known as dust eXplo-
sion" The miners had just fired their
usual noon shots, one of which failed
to explode. The burning powder ig-
nited the gas and the explosion fol-
lowed. Smoke and debris was blown
out OF the shaft to height of 200 feet.
Part OF the top wofns was torn away
and the fans and cages were partial
ly wrecked. This made the work of
rescue very slow and it was 3 o'clock
before the volunteer parties dared to
venture into the east entry, where
the explosion occurred.
When they had fought their way
in, horrible sight greeted them. The
dead and injured We're terribly burned
and mutilated. some of them almost
beyond recognition. Fire had broken
out, and this added terror to the spec
tacle. The flames finally were con-
trolled and, after several of the res
cuers had succumbed to the fumes,
all the dead We're found and carried
to the top of the shaft.
AT the time of the explosion more
than 100 men We're in the mines, but
all except those in the east entry
escaped with only slight injuries. The
total property damage will be about
$4,000. 1t was nearly 6 o'clock last
evening when the last of the dead was
taken and the last of anguish among
The families of the men were most
pitiful Nearly all of the men were
married and leave fam---es in poor
circumstances The mine is owned
by the Lost Creek Fuel company, of
this city. and has been in operation
ABOUT one year.
Oskaloosa, Jan. 27.-The inquest
held over the remains of the twenty
two miners ..-lled in the Lost Creek
mine explosion was held Saturday at
the mine by County Coroner Charles
Foehlinger The entire morning was
given to getting witnesses together,
and in special examination of the mine,
conducted by Fire Inspector John Ven
ner. Inspector Venner testified in
the afternoon.
Fourteen witnesses, including num-
Der of miners who were in the mine
at the time of the accident, were ex-
amined. After hearing the evidence
of the mine inspector and other wit
nesses the jury returned a verdict
that the twenty-five men came to their
deaths as the result of dust expo-
sion caused by shot which was fired
by Andy Pash, one OF the dead men,
and they attached blame to no person
or party, thus generating both the
miners and the company
In the course of the evidence it was
shown that the Lost Creek was almost
an ideal mine. When examined re-
Gently it was found to have nearly per.
feet conditions. There was not great
deal of dust in the mine at any time.
According to the testimony of several
miners, these dust explosions are liable
to occur in the rooms at any time that
a windy shot is exploded. But in
most cases the fire does not leave the
room and go into the entry
There was testimony to show that
several shots We're fired close together
on this occasion, which is against the
rules of the company and of me min
ers association. The testimony of
John Zaeber was most interesting. He
was the only miner in the east side
who escaped alive, and he was badly
hurt. In the room where he was stand
ing the bodies of eight miners were
found. This witness said that Just
before the explosion he heard several
shots very close to gether. Then there
was a sound something like a distant
lumbling OF a train over a bridge, or
like thunder. and next kissing sound
and wall of flame rushed by him and
he fell to the floor face down. He
laid on the floor but a moment, then
sprang to his feet and ran into the
entry. From there he hurried to the
shalt whence he made his way to
safety. He knew an explosion had oc-
Cured. but all the lights were out
and he could get no assistance to his
comrades. He new that he was being
overcome and would have to hurry to
tAc surface if he saved himsen.
The citizens of Denison and Craw-
foru county rendered farewell recep.
ton to Leslie M. Shaw on the vening
Of the oath at the opera house, pre-
vious to his departure for Washington
to assume his duties as secretary of
the treasury. 1t was a great outpour-
ing of the people, over 1000 being in
attendance. Colonel Sears McHenry
acted as chairman and introduced the
speakers, F. w. Meyers, Carl F..
Kuehnle, ]. B. Romans, and p. e. C..
Lally. Mr.. Shaw spoke in his hap
piest vein and acknowledged his ap-
probation of the kindness and friend
ship of his neighbors and fellow
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