The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-02
Two Hundred and Thirty
four Men Killed by an
Explosion.
DISASTER IN WYOMING
Two hundred and Eighty Men Went Into the
Mine Yesterday and LAS. NigAs Dut
48 Had Been Taken Out
Alive.
lBy the Associated Press.)

Hanna, Wyo., June 30.-Hanna was the
scene of terrific disaster at 1875 a. m,
when an explosions of the fire damp in
mine No. ! of the Union Pacific Coal
Company snuffed out the lives of 234 men.
injured scores of others and caused the
destruction of vast amount of property.
The explosion was terrific and complete
" shattered the timbers of the main shaft
and numerous entrances filling the work
ing with debris, and those of the miners
that were not killed outright by the ex-
plosion were buried alive.
The explosion was heard for many miles
around and attracted people from the adj
joining settlements Huge timbers and
railroad iron were hurled 300 feet from the
mouth of the shaft Superintendent e. S.
Brooks and large force of men began
the work of removing the debris from the
shaft that they might reach the entombed
miners. Their progress into the mine was
blocked by the foul gases and several
times they were forced to return to the
surface
All day the rescuing party worked the
force being increased from time to time
from nearby settlements and by those of
relief train sent out from Rawlins, which
arrived at O'Clock in the afternoon
About O'Clock this afternoon four men
were taken out alive and half hour
later they were followed by forty-two
others. Many were unconscious and had
to be carried from the workings. Several
are in a serious condition, but it is be-
lieved all will recover.
Two bundled and eighty two men went
down in the mine at o'clock this morn
ing, and up to a late hour tonight only
forty-eight have been accounted for. Of
this number two are dead. It was some
time after the explosion occurred that the
first man was brought to the surface.
He was followed by others until one o'clock
when the last of the forty-eight was
!. brought -Sut. The Fescuers were unable
TO penetrate further into the mine, as it
was necessary to make another opening
to permit fresh air to reach the lower
level.
Horses and scrapers were put at work
hauling debris away from the shaft The
work IS progressing slowly. owing to the
narrow space in which the rescuers are
compelled to operate, but by daylight the
mine should be opened sufficiently to per-
nit deep explorations and the rescue OF
the dead bodies Late tonight party of
rescuers reached four mules that were
alive. and this caused renewed hope 1t
Is "a faint hope however, for experienced
mine bosses and miners say that wher
the imprisoned men are reached, all viii
be found dead Some of the miners who
escaped, said they saw twenty dead bodies
in entry No. IT. They reported that many
Of the men we're crazed by the explosion
and ran hither and thither in the mine
Many OF these could have escaped, but
they lay down, buried their faces in their
hands and gave up the fight. OF the 2S4
dead about It's were married and leave
large families. About 100 were Finlanders,
fifty we're coiored and the rest were
Awericans.
The Hanna mines are among the best
of the Union Pacific system, being estab
lshed in 1873 The town was named fol
Senator Mark Hanna when he was q
member of the Union Pacific Coal Com
pany. Mine No. l is practically new
property. It has twenty-six entries, fit
teen miles of workings and main incline
shaft of ore and one-haf miles IN length
The mine has been recognized as dan
gerous property for some time % account
of the large amount of gas, but the system
of ventilation has been SO good that an
accident was not anticipated.