The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-11

JoHNsTowN. Pa. July 1O.-Two hun
dred miners entombed by an explosion in a
mine whose main shaft opens within the
limits of this city was news to check with
terror the pedestrians on the streets here
to-day
AT first the rumor said that all in the
rolling mill mine of the Cambria Steel Com
pany were dead in danger, but later re-
ports showed that the lower figure was
correct and that 400 were safe.
The mine is one of the largest in the
country and to-day 600 men were at work
there When the news of the disaster
reached here il spread like wildfire and III
less than a quarter of an hour the Point,
an open space at the junction of Cone
maugh and Stony creek was crowded with
women and children. Across from them. in
the center of the green hillside. could be
seen the dark opening of the mine. 1t
looked Al usual. but the women who looked
across the waters saw a meaning there
that they had not seen before. Some cried.
some moaned and little children clasped
their skirts and cried in sympathy.
Brave attempts at rescue were made here.
Mining Engineer Moore and his assistant
Al. G. Prosser. tried to make some headway
toward the imprisoned miners. three and
one-half miles away. but they were driven
back by the deadly gases Richard Bennett
and John Meyers. two miners who were IN
the mine at the time of the explosion, 5u;
who escaped unhurt went back two miles
70 see what assistance could be rendered
but they. too. were driven back by the
damp and reached the threshold just in
time. only TO fall unconscious. Then the
attempt TO do any rescue work from the
main opening was given up and il was
shifted to Mill creek. five miles from this
city. The rescuers were followed by hun
uTeds of relatives and friends.
During the afternoon IL became known
that many men hal escaped and that drift
No. 5. known as the Klondike. was practi-
cally the only one affected. But here 2OC
men were at work and still the women
watched and waited for the end.
TWO RESCUED ALIVE.
From 80 in the afternoon until clock
this evening the work OF the searching
parties was in vain. but then the first ray
o. hope came when the bodies of a man
and a boy were brought out into the day
light unconscious but alive. Then. at IL N
tonight. four more men. unconscious, were
brought 10 the surface but A doctor who
came with the men reported passing twen-
ty-five dead bodies on the way
President Powell Stackhouse I'm a state
ment issued at midnight. said the number
OF dead would reach 125 men.
II was nearly an hour after the explo-
sion befor; any general knowledge of what
had happened got abroad. Men who came
from the mines. escaping with their lives.
told the terrible news and soon it spread
like wild fire all over the city. In scores
OF homes there were the most pathetic
scenes. Mothers. wives, daughters. sons
and other relatives were frantic with grief
sobbing hearts awaited news that did not
come from the Inflated mine
At the opening across the river from the
point the Cambria Iron Company police,
with several assistants. stood on guard.
permitting no one 10 enter the mine from
which noxious gases were coming. 1t VAS
nearly 4 o clock when ali hope of sending
rescue parties from the West Mont open
capped from the mine-Richard Bernett and
John Meyers-went back two miles TO see
what assistance could be rendered, but the
frsghtful damp drove them back and they
fell PROSTATE when they finally. after a
desperate struggle. reached the outside.
Two doctors gave the men assistance and
after working with them half an hour re-
stored them. Their story OF the situation
~ the mine made IL clear that the rescue
work could not proceed from the West
Mont opening and then hssty preparations
were made TO begin that sad mission at the
Mill Greek entrance. Soon after the news
or the explosion reached the Cambria off,
cials Mining Engineer Marshall G Moore
and one Of his assistants a G. Prosser
made an attempt 70 enter the mine They
we're followed By Mine Superintendent
George 4. Robinson. but the deadly gases
stopped their progress and they were COM
pelled 20 return TO the surface
MAY HAVE PERISHED.
Mine Foreman Harry Rodgers and his
assistant William Bianch. and Fire Bosses
John whitney. John Retallick and John
Thomas. were overcome by the gases and
"a Is feared they perished in an heroic effor,