Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-07-18
AWFULMINE HORROR
Hundreds Lose Their Lives in a
Pennsylvania Colliery.
Explosion Imprisons the Men in tho
Bowels of the Enrth-Dend1y
ConI Gns Hinders the
Work Of Rescuers.

Johnstown, Pa, July 11.-An explo-
sion of fire damp in the Rolling Mill
coal mine of the Cambria steel COM
pany, under West Mont hill, just after
noon Thursday brought death or in
jury to great number of the 600
miners at work. Conservative esti-
mates place the number of dead at
175, the mine officers admit that over
100 men are entombed in the mines,
while some miners declare at least
400 persons are still buried. The scene
of the accident is known is the "Klon-
dixie" Late at night less than 200 of
the 600 workers are known to have
escaped. At midnight General Manager
Price told Mayor Hendry 65 bodies are
in sight.
Cause of Explosion Unknown.
About a score of American min
ers who were at work in the Klon-
dixie district noticed the presence of
fire damp in their apartment soon
after the explosion occurred, and
started at once for the main en-
trance. They were almost over
come by the deadly gas, but reached
the outside world in safety. One of
the men who got out safely said it
is not known what caused the ex-
plosion, and that it will probably
never be known, as he believed none
of the men at work in the Klondike
district can be saved.
Rescuers Meet Death.
Mine Foreman Harry Rodgers, his
assistant, William Blanch, and Fire
Bosses John Whitney, John Retail
lie and John Thomas were overcome
by the gases and perished in he
roic attempt TO rescue the fated
miners.
Mining Engineer Moore and George
T. Robinson, superintendent, are at
the head of rescuing party from
the Franklin slope and Conemaugh
mine. They are slowly working
their way toward the scene of the
explosion, but must fight the dead.
~ gases every step of the way.
Miners Reach the Surface.
Several miners have reached the
surface who were working near the
scene of the explosion. They say that
they passed through portion of the
Klondike district and saw the bodies
of at least so men. The men who came
out were foreigners and were in such
an excited condition that it was inn
possible to get connected story from
them.
Say 800 Got Out
Two miners who came out of the
mine at the Mill Creek opening esti
mate about 300 of the 600 men at work
-, ha ,1,r;a ~ NJ hnt
opening. They think the other 300
still there and probably dead.
Condition FrightfuI.
The few survivors describe the con,
dition as frightful. Outside of the
Klondike the mines are safe and un
injured. Within the fatal limits of the
mine the havoc wrought by the ex
plosion is such as beggars description
Solid walls of masonry three feet
through were torn down as if barriers
of paper. The roofs of the mine were
demolished and not door remain.
standing.
Pathetic Scenes.
1t was nearly an hour after the ex
plosion before any general knowl
edge of what had happened go
abroad. Men who came from tn,
mines, escaping with their lives, tolt
the terrible news and soon it spreat
like wildfire all over the city. Ii
scores of homes there was the mos
pathetic scenes. Mothers, wives
daughters, sons and relatives wer
frantic with grief. Hundreds rushe,
to the point and with sobbing heart
awaited news that did not come from
the ill-fated mine.
yictIMs Brought Out.
Johnstown, Pa, July 11.-At 11:2
Thursday night the first four victims
were brought to the surface from tn
Klondike section. They were William
Robinson, who was unconscious whel
found; John Retallic, alive and in pret
ty good shape, and two unknow1
Slavs, both alive, but unconscious.
Entirely Unexpected.
Johnstown, Pa, July 11.-Presider
Powell Stackhouse was seen at tn
mouth of the mine at midnight an
gave out the following statement:
"The disaster is an unusual one and cam
on us entirely unexpected. The mine ha
been inspected only three days ago an
was pronounced in satisfactory CONDITION
The number OF casualties Is now placed 8
125. No list of the names of the dead mil
ers can be given, for the majority of theI
were foreigners and We're known only b
check and not by name. The only wa
their names will ever be known II III
bodies are not recovered In time for ident
fication will be by their families sendin
their names to u.s.
Corn Acreage.
Washington, July 11.-Preliminar
S-afnrpc tn tho q, af tha n,
partment of agriculture on the acre