Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-01-28

g; Joe Berto, aged 30; s. c. Creighton,
aged 2S (colored); James Stoyall. aged 35
(colored); Andrew Pash, aged 80: Sam
Humphrey, aged "a; James Humphrey.
aged 81; j. j. Humphrey, aged 80; Daniel
Fish. aged "a; Dave Waitress, aged 81;
Frank Gasperi. aged IS: Alexander Gray,
aged "a; Jack Mannealy, aged 20; John
Martin. aged 49,. George Benochak, aged
20; Joe Gasperi aged "a: John Kaval aged
81: Oliver Mabie.
Those most severely injured are:
Ed Swanson Jonas Mabie, leg broken
and head hurt; John Jerkin, of Eddyville,
spinal injuries, may die; Frank Secrees.
Of Eddyville, arm broken, burned; Charles
Leaman, of Lost Creek leg broken,
burned Ed Swanson, of Eddyville, bruised
and burned Jonas Mabie, JE rs OF Lost Lost
ored), badly burned, will recover; George
Gogo. spinal injuries. will recover; Harry
Derrock.
To Fix the Blame.
Coroner Foehlinger, of Oskaloosa, is
holding an inquest to determine who
is to blame for the disaster. The
trouble was caused by an explosion of
dust ignited by shot too heavily
charged. 1t proved to be what miners
call "screamer." To be more clear,
the shot, when exploded, instead of
knocking down the coal, fires straight
out into the room. This kind of shot
causes much dust and the flames COM
ing into contact with the dust usually
furnish an explosion.
Force of Explosion Terrific.
In the accident Of Friday the effect was
simply terrific. The tracks were torn
up and the guides for the cages were
blown away. On this account they
could not be operated for three hours.
The fans were also damaged and could
not be used to ventilate the mine i'm
mediately. All the entry doors were
blown completely out and no system
of ventilation could be arranged until
the doors were replaced by volunteers,
and it was almost certain death to go
into the mine.
Brave Volunteers.
As soon as the cages could be OPP
Grated, volunteers speedily stepped
forward. The first man to enter the
mine was Jap Timbrell, general super
intendent of the mine. He was eagerly
followed by many others, who took
their turns in going to the relief of the
victims.
Coroner on Hand.
As soon as the mine was fully ex-
plored 20 dead bodies were found. Cor
oner Foehlinger, of Oskaloosa, was on
the ground and took charge of the
dead bodies, removing them Saturday.
Ha cauSed than tn he fakap ~ Tho
company's store, about mile distant.
Here an improvised morgue was estab-
lished and the bodies were wrapped in
blankets. The coroner did not deem
it advisable to expose them to the view
of the crowd.
The Lost Creek Mine.
The Lost Creek mine, where the ac-
cident occurred, was about ten miles
south and one mile east of Oskaloosa,
and three miles northeast of Eddyville.
1t is owned by the Lost Creek Coal and
Mining company, of which c. E. Laugh
lin, H. L. Spencer. jeff Timbrell, f. E.
Green and O. S. Ellis are the chief
stockholders. The property has been
successfully operated a number of
years. The shaft where the accident
occurred is No. and has been oper-
ated about 10 months. 1t has been
thought perfectly safe. The ventila-
ton is perfect, the only possible fault
ever found being that it was a little
dusty at tignes.
Miasrs In West Section nssens,
sci