New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-02
FATAL SLIDES IN COLORADO.
SNOW. ROCKS AND TIMBER RUSH DOWN
>SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN AND GRE
ATE FEARFUL HAVOC.

Telluride col. March Fourteen dead, as
many injured, and score or more missing. are
the result. far as known, Of the series OF
snowsIides which occurred in the vicinity of the
Liberty Bell mine on Smuggler Mountain. three
and "A half miles north of Telluride. The roads
between here and the Liberty Bell are almost
impossible and details of the accident are diff
cult TO obtain.
Not fewer than four slides occurred, each one
taking two OF more victims. Several bodies
have been recovered. but quite number OF the
known dead are still buried under the tons OF
snow rocks and tmbers by which they were
carried down.
The first slide carried away the boarding and
bunk houses and the farmhouse Of the mine.
About 80 men are regularly employed in the
mines and mills OF the Liberty Bell mine, but
large number Of men from the night shift were
in Telluride and were prevented from returning
10 the mine by the terrible storm which was
raging. The day shift had just gone to work.
leaving comparatively few underground work
the clubhouse.
The slide came without warning. The three
large buildings were carried down the steep
mouutaiusde, distance of about 1000 feet,
and literally ground to pieces. not board being
left intact The snow and debris piled in the
bottom OF the canyon twenty-five feet deep.
Those who escaped at once began the work Of
dozen OF more We're taken out alive. some badly
injured. however. Word was sent to Telluride
and a number OF citizens left for the scene Of
the disaster TO aid in the rescue OF the victims
Soon after noon. while the work Of digging
out bodies was going on. the second slide came
down almost IN the track OF the first. The noun
taiuside Is very steep. and the descent OF the
mass was so swift that twenty -four of the
cuers were caught. two being killed Their
bodies have not been recovered The others
were more or less injured. but none wcr"
fatally hurt.
Superintendent Chase, Of the Liberty Bell
mine ordered the work of rescue suspended, de
Claring that il was useless TO cndanGer life fur
ther while slides were running Several parties
started at once for Telluride. Two Of these par
ties were oVcrtaken by slides. In one. Gus Won
Fontcl. John X. Powell and Paul Dalphres Were
killed and in the other George Rowher and w.
:. Gregory lost their lives. None of these bodies
had been recovered at last accounts.
4 large number OF men missing, and IL IS
thought probable that the death list will he
swelicd 10 twenty. and possibly to thirty when
the bodies shall he taken from the snow mass
Among those killed were Raymond Bishop
Wade Grove and Harry A. Chase. last years
graduates from the state School of Mines. at
Golden. col. They had taken positions with the
Liberty Bell To acquaint themselves with prac-
teal mining. They belonged 10 good families
IN Denver and Pueblo
Several other slides reported in this viCin-
ity. one at the Camp Bird mine, In the Snef-
fels district, resulted in the death of one man
and the probable fatal injury of three others
From the condition of the more slides are
expected