Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-30
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
) EDITORIALS BY THE
; PEOPLE,
The Horror at Lost Creek and Explo
Sions in General,
South Ottumwa, Jan. 27, /

Inc 1orror at Lost Creek and Explo-
sons in General.
South Ottumwa, Jan. 81, 1902.
Ottumwa Courier:-The terrible &C
cident at the Lost Creek mines fills
everybody with gloom and consterna-
ton, and 1t would be a hard heart
indeed that did not fill with sympathy
for the poor families that were so sud
denly bereft of their loved ones; also
for the poor fellows who were cut
down in moment.
These accidents always bring many
thoughts, and stern realities to mi
ners mind, feeling that the same kind
of an accident might happen at the
mine he works at, not afraid, but feel
ing the possibility. The average mi
ner is no coward in danger, often risk
ing his life to save his fellow man.
Surrounded as he is with many dan
gers, bravery often takes the place of
fear, but when an accident happens
like that at Lost Creek when SO many
of his fellow workmen are cut down
at stroke, he staggers, and must
think of the causes and consequences.
| must confess that feel very sensi-
tive on the dust explosion question |
have been in dust explosions, also fire.
damp explosions, but fell more alarm
ed about the dust explosion
question, which the miners seem
to be so helpless to guard
against. Firedamp explosions have
become less frequent than they were
thirty or forty years ago, brought
about by good, stringent mining laws
and strict discipline by the mine mana
gers. But the dust explosion theory
don't seem to be as well understood
and is not so we'll guarded against.
Our Iowa mining laws provide for
a goodly supply of fresh air for the
miners; suitable timbers, safety
catches and other good laws for the
safety of the miner. and good mana
ger will comply with the law, as near
ly as possible. But the dust explosion
question is not as we'll in hand as the
question of firedamp. Plenty of good,
fresh air will drive away firedamp and
render it harmless, but not so on the
dust explosion theory.
When mine is dry great guam
tity of dust will gather in the rooms,
on the timber and along the entries.
In some mines the sides of the entries
oiS Sto"dSo Will 5ldlC dllu
which is good harbor for lots of
dust. | am aware the sprinkling
question comes in here. Mine bosses
are supposed to have the dry roadways
near the working places we'll sprink-
led; to sprinkle the roadways, especi-
ally, to use fine spray in the driyeways
on the roof, sides and floor. This will
guard against explosions, but in some
mines it is not properly attended to.
An explosion is never expected until it
occurs, and then 1t is bad job. q,
Blasting off the solid, which we do
in this part of the state, means that
fifty miners will explode about 800
pounds of powder each day, some
mines little more, some less. All
this blasting stirs up the dust in the
rooms and entries and the great danger
comes right here after the dust is stir
red up by the shots, If there is a
blown out shot, shot that is too
strong Tor largel and the powder can
not push the coal out it must get out
some place consequently it blows out
the tamping which shoots out a
stream of fire, with great force.
When powder explodes it generates
carbonic acid gas. When this gas is
thrown into the air with a temperature
equal to that of the flame, a
second explosion may occur,
and if the air is heavily
charged with coal dust at the time,
the explosion is very much augmented.
Then comes the. burning of the men
by the volumn of flames passing
along the roadway. The death blow
M tbn nvn1ocin,, Of ha Ao,
es some distance along the entry, will
recoil or return learving the deadly
damp to finish it's death touches to
anyone in it's path
Accidents will happen in mines, and
sometimes old miners will put shots
in too strong and cause blow outs. but,
to my mind these accidents are most
liable to happen with green hands,
or men who are not practical miners.
always feel sorry when see green
hand taking a keg Of powder to try
his hand at blasting coal among lot
more men. II he intended to dig coal
without blasting there would be lit
tie danger except to himself, but, for
him to blast coal and endanger other
mems lives is a thing that should not
be allowed. But who is to stop him?
There is no law that am aware of
to stop him. trust the time is not
far distant when man wishing to
start digging at any time in Iowa les
pecially in blasting coaD must prove
to the satisfaction of the boss, or the
miners, that he knows his job as
miner This will have a tendency to
lessen the number of dust explosions.
If inexperienced men were not al
lowed to blast coal, and the dust was
kept down by being well sprinkled,
and the men would not lamp their
shots with real dry drilling dnst the