The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1902-07-19

The experience of those who at
tempted to get into the mine and
who were driven out gasping and
nearly dead in few minutes shows
conclusively that those who are in
the center of the disturbance must
necessarily have been suffocated.
The general confusion about the
mine is amazing. A stupor seems
t) have taken possession of every
one and all Johnstown seems to be
stunned by the shock.
Even the disconsolate women and
children gathered about the mine
entries near their homes-a sad fea-
ture of mine disasters-have ceased
to scream for husbands, fathers and
sons whose faces they will never
see again, and they sit or stand a.
bout tonight in despairing silence.
They cannot be induced to leave
the spot.
About both of the openings to the
mine the scene early tonight was
heart-rending. Thousands of men,
women and children were congregat
ed, waiting and hoping against hope
to hear Of the safety Of their loved
one. Wives and mothers, sisters,
children of the imprisoned miners
were standing about wailing, sob
bing and praying.
Some driven to desperation by the
fear that those whom they love they
will never see again have tried to
fight their way into the mine, but
have been held back from the fool
hardy errand. Throughout the city
and especially that portion where
the miners had their homes there is
mourning tonight. Fathers, hus-
bands, sons and brothers are miss
ing, and those who loved them and
depended upon them feel all too
surely that they will never return
again. ,...
Johnstown is passing again
through an experience which it will
take years and years to efface.
About score of American min
ers who were at work in the "Klon-
dixie" district, but not at the imme-
diate scene of the explosion, notic-
ed the presence of the fre-damp in
their apartment soon after the ex-
plosion occurred, and they started
for the main entrance. They were
nearly overcome by the deadly
fumes, but managed toreach safety.
These said that they believed not
one of the men who were at work
within the area of destruction could
be saved. -
The rumor spread broadcast that
all were dead. Women and chill
dren whose husbands were some
where, dead or alive beneath the
bright green of the hillside, rushed
to the point and gathered there,
some with dry eyes and set faces,
some crying, some moaning, but all
gazing steadfastly at that dark op-
ening in the hillside; that was the
only impression that connected them
with the loved ones in the dark be-
yond.
But already from the opening in
the hillside the noxious gasses were
beginning to pour from an explo-'
sion that had taken place three
and half miles away, and the po-
lice of the Cambria Steel Company
refused to allow any one to enter.
Women with blanched faces came
and entreated that they might be
allowed to enter, with no thought
of the distance, with not the faint
est reasoning as to the utter use
lessness of the attempt, only de-
termination to do something to res
cue the loved ones from death.
Little children, little realizing the
terrible meaning of the news, but
with child's vague consciousness
t"that something that might hurt
father" was going on, clung to the
skirts of the women and added to
the piteousness of the scene.
From the stories told by some it
must be that this great mine, run
ming in all its ranifcations-gal-
leries, drifts and chambers-many
miles under the earth, honeycomb-
ing the hills hereabout, is vast
chamber of death.
Far below the surface are hum
dreds of bodies in the dark CALLER
les. By the time the rescuing par
ties shall have reached them even
those who may yet alive will likely
have perished.
stI I'M 1,Sinn a hoy Of Gha M for