The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-09-19

Roanoke, Va, Sept. IA special
from North Fork, w. Va. to the o
poke Times says:
a disastrous gas and powder explos-
ion occurred in the Big Four mine of
the Algoma Coal and Coke Company
here this morning abou s o'clock
James Lester, an engineer, John
Rookie, a hungarian miner n four
teen colored miners are known to be
in the mine now and there is no chance
of their being recovered alive as they
are beyond the point where the ex-
plosion occurred, and the gas and
smoke is so thick that the rescuing
parties are being driven back. H. Z.
Frankenfield, the bank boss, and Geo.
GaSpie, a hungarian miner, succeeded IN
crawling over the fallen coal and slate
to the lights of the rescuing party, and
were taken out alive, although they are
both badly burned and nearly suffn-
Gated by the gas and mok inhaled.
The explosion was caused by an ac-
cummulation of gas catching on fire
from the lamp of a miner who was 60
ING W NoIh, anu lHlS, III lufH, iTeu SIN
kegs OF powder that has been stored
back of the mines. The explosion
knocked down all of the bratticies for a
quarter of a mile back towards the
mine entrance, thus cutting off all OF
/ the air from the men imprisoned be-
| bind the debris.
| There had been a small gas explosion
in h mine on Sunday last which
burned two mine mules to death and
Mine SUPERINTENDENT A. j. Stewart had
| personally cautioned the men who
worked in the mine not to attempt to
work again until the air had been
tested by a safety lamp. but they dis
regarded his caution and went into
their death. A party headed by Mine
Inspector Cooper attempted a rescue
his morning. but was driven Jack by
the wan of air. 1t is now learned
that the coal is burning n there is nc
hope of extinguishing the flames unit
new air passage can be built to the
point of the explosion. Superintendent
Stewart has a large force of men al
work now. and will make a second at
tempt to reach the imprisoned men to-
night.
AT s o'clock tonight the rescuring
party returned from the Algoma mine
and reported tina they were unable tc
reach the dead or dying men impris-
lee The men have been working
faithfully all day and have so far sue
ceeded in building air brattices to with
in fifty yards of the place where The
explosion occurred this morning. They
have found the bodies of the two mules
that were used by the miners when they
went to work today. The names of thu
victims have not yet been obtained
and their identity will not be known
until the bodies are reached by the res
cuing party.
Bluefield, w. Va, Sept. 15.-11:30 p
m, a telephone message just received
from Algoma states that eevlen bodie!
have just been recovered from tn
mines with six more to be X out
So far, those recovered are coloreC
miners with the exception of one whit,
miner named Luster. The names o
the other men are unobtainable at thi.
hour.
The fan runner, Frank Enfield, VIII,
was in the mine and located more thai
a quarter a mile distant from wher,
the explosion occurred came staggeril.
out nearer dead than alive, and aftel
several attempts vas finally able to tel
his story of the explosion. and how h,
a attempted to go to the aid of tn,
entombed miners, but overcome by tn,
gas was forced to retrace his steps to
ward the main entrance, and afte
continually falling, finally reached al
opening. The explosion occurred on
mile from the mouth of the main en-
trance and was distinctly heard 70
several miles. 1t is positively know
that sixteen men were cut off and it j
possible that the number may exceet
this.