Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-11
AT WORK.
But Few Escaped---Some Of the
Rescuers Killed by the
Deadly Gases.

Johnstown. Pa, July 10.-An expIo-
sion occurred in the Rolling Mill coal
mine Of the Cambria Steel Co, at
noon, today, by which scores OF
miners lost their lives. The number
cannot be definitely estimated at this
time, but it is believed to be in the
vicinity of 400.
The cause of the explosion is thought
to have been fire damp. When the
news of the explosion reached the sur
face several of the mine officials at
tempted to enter the mine, but Were
prevented by the deadly gases.
The scene of the accident, known as
the Klondike, is two miles from the
surface, and the work of rescue, which
has already commenced is attended
with great difficulty and danger
About score of American miners
who were at work in the Klondike dis
trict noticed the presence of the fire
damp in their apartment soon after
the explosion occurred and started at
once for the main entrance. They
were almost overcome by the deadly
gas but reached the outside world in
safety.
y
said it was not known what caused
the explosion and that it will probably
never be known, as he believed none
of the men at work in the klondlke
district can be saved.
He also said that only a few days
ago the officials issued order to
the employees in the mine not to play
with the gas and that the very next
day young Hungarian was seen
pushing his naked lamp along the roof
of the mine in search of it.
Mine Foreman Harry Rodgers, his
assistant. william Blanch, and Fire
Bosses John Whitney, John Retallick
and John Thomas were overcome by
the gas and persisted in heroic at
tempt to rescue the fated miners.
Mining Engineer Moore and George
r. Robinson, superintendent, are at
the head of mining party from the
Franklin slope and Conemaugh mine
They are slowly working their way
toward the scene of the explosion, but
must fight the deadly gases every step
Of the way Canvas screens are being
used to wall all the side entrances ana
rooms, SO as to force direct current
of pure air ahead of the rescuers.
Engineer 4. G. Prosser, who with Mr..
Moore entered the mine at the main open
ing came to the surface at Mill Creek,
and Immediately set about securing men
and material to aid in the rescue 1t Will
he absolutely impossible to state the loss
of life until the rescuers reach the scene
of the disaster.
Harry Rodgers and his party were not
in the Kiondikc when the explosion TOOK
Mace but started down a short time lat
or. Griffith Powell and Thomas Foster
two other fire bosses, carried John Whlt-
ney 200 yards in the hope of saving ~
life. when they were conAcllcd to drop
their burden and save themselves.
The 15-year-old son of Harry Rodgers,
when he heard that his father had been
overcome with fire damp, started down
toward the Klondikc to help rescue him
if possible, and he had no sooner entered
the drift that the deadly gas almost over
came the lad and ne had to be carried
back.
Several miners have reached the surface
who were working near the scene Of th2
explosion. They say that they passed.
through portion Of the Klondike districl
and saw the bodies of at least ~ men
| The men who came out were foreigners
and were in such an excited condition
that it was Impossible to get connected
story from them.
| The mine has been open for about y
years and is producing 5000 tons per day