The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-25
DEAD TAKEN OUT.
TWenty-One Bodies Removed
From Lost Greek Mine.
Many of Them Are Mutilated Be-
y0nd Recognition.
WITH TERRIFIC FORCE.
Explosion Tore Up Tracks and
Destroyed Guides For Cages.
Fans Damaged and Mine Could
Not Be Ventilated.
NO HELP FOR HOURS.
Cages Repaired and Rescuers
Enter Death Chamber.
Coroner Trying to Locate Blame
For the Disaster.


taken from the improvisad morgue in
shaft No. of the Lost Creek Coal
Mining company of this place as the
result of the worst mine disaster ex-
perlenced in the history of Iowa. When
brought to the surface they presented
horrible sight. Some of the bodies
We're terribly mangled and beyond
recognition and could only be identified
by some trinket or something found in
their pockets. The eleven injured are
improving and no additional deaths are
anticipated.
The following is a list of the dead in
the Lost Creek mine Disaster:
MIKE FOX, ST., aged 48 years.
MIKE FOX, Jr.. aged 81 years.
JOHN ELDER. aged % years.
c. B. CREWS, aged 81 years.
RUSSELL FISH, aged 27 years.
JOE BERTO. aged 80 years.
S. c. CREIGHTON. aged % years.
(colored)
JAMES sTovALL, aged s5 years,
(colored.)
ANDREW PAsH, aged SO years.
SAM MFs HqMPHREY I44I.Epf5T i,2 aged s: 81 years
]. ]. HUMPHREY, aged 80 years.
DANIEL FISH, aged "a years.
DAVE WAITRESS, aged 2S years.
Frank GASPERI. aged So years.
ALEXANDER GRAY, aged "A years.
JACK BANNEALY. aged 20 years.
JOHN MARTIN, aged 29 years.
GEORGE BENOCHAK, aged 20 years.
JOE GASPERI, aged "a years.
JOHN kAVAL, aged 30 years.
Those most severely injured are:
Jonas Mabie. leg broken and head
hurt.
John Jerkin
Frank Seerees of Eddyville, arm
broken: burned
oliver Mabie of Lost Creek, arm
broken.
Charles Learnan of Lost Creek, leg
broken; burned.
Ed Swanson of Eddyville, bruised and
burned.
Jonas Mabie, Jr.. of Lost Creek, bad
burns.
VIM. Harvey.
Geo. Gogo.
Harry DerrOck.
Coroner Foehlinger of Oska1oosa, is
today holding an inquest to determine
who is to blame for the disaster. The
trouble was caused by an explosion of
dust ignited by a shot too heavily
charged 1t proved to be what miners
call ''screamer." To be more clear.
knocking down the coal, fires straight
into the ROOM This kind of a shot
causes much dust and the flames COM
ing in contact with the dust usually
causes an explosion.
In the accident of yesterday the ef-
feet was simply terrific. The tracks
cages were blown away. On this ac-
count they could not be operated for
three hours. The fans were also dam
aged and could not be used to yentilate
the mine Immediately All the entry
doors were blown completely out and
no system of ventilation could be ar
ranged until the doors were replaced
by volunteers, and it was almost GER
tain death to go into the mine.
As soon as the cages could be opera
ted, volunteers speedily stepped for
ward The first man to enter the mine
was Jeff Timbrell, general Superintend-
ent of the mine. He was eagerly fol-
lowed by many others, who took their
turns in going to the relief of the vic
TINS. AS soon as the mine was fully
explored 20 dead bodies were found.
Coroner Foehlinger of Oskaloosa, was
on the ground, took charge of the
dead bodies, removing them this morn
ing He caused them to be taken to the
company's store, about a mile distant.
Here an improvised morgue was estab-
lished and the bodies were received
wrapped in blankets. The coroner did
not deem it advisable to expose them
to the view of the crowd.
The Lost Creek mine where the acci-
dent occurred is about ten miles south
and one mile east of Oskaloosa and
three miles northeast of Eddyville. 1t
is owned by the Lost Creek Coal &
Mining company of which c. E. Laugh
lin, H. L. Spencer, Jeff TimbreH. F. E.
Green and 0. S. Ellis are the chief |
stockholders. The property has been
successfully operated a number of
years The shaft where the accident
occurred is No 2 and has been operated
about IS months. It has been thought
perfectly safe. The ventilation is per-
feet the only possible fault being found
was that it was little dusty at times
The explosion occurred east and north
of the shaft in the east entries, and al
most all in that part of the mine were
killed or hurt. All the miners in the
west side escaped injury and got out of
the mine: in fact, some did not know !
of the accident till called on for help.
ANOTHER MINER DIES.
The list of dead in the Lost Creek
mine explosion now numbers twenty
two. Oliver Mabie died this forenoon.
He had his arm broken and was terri
bly burned about the face and head.
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