Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-05-06

ran at once to the rescue, but, al
though the ground in the vicinity was
hot and trembled violently, they sue.
ceeded in extricating her from the
ruins. She has since succumbed at
the hospital from her injuries. For
tunately her husband was one OF those
who escaped from the mine.
Mr.. Wilson states that il was pure
ly volcanic eruption, as there was
no room in the mine for an accumula-
tion of gas sufficient to cause such
destruction. Moreover, the mine was
well ventilated.
This view is confirmed from the
fact that IL miners out of 80 who
were on night shift were able to dig
themselves from the ruins. After re-
moving the fallen rock they succeeded
In climbing out Of the air-shaft, which
Is 80 feet from the mouth of the en-
trance to the mine. They do not know
as yet what became of the other min
ers, but can only fear the worst.
The area of disturbance extends
over two square miles.
Singularly, the business portion of
the town was not destroyed, although
1t has been deserted by residents,
who feared repetition and fed up
the pass to Blairmore.
Five of the company's cottages for
miners, together with their inhabi-
tants, were completely engulfed and
not vestige remains of numerous
prospectors' shacks, also the company
stables and contents.
East of the town the earth is thrown
up in places so or 60 feet high, and
two ranches in the vicinity, owned
and occupied by William and Thomas
Graham. are buried unuer so feet of
rocks.
A Canadian Pacific railroad switch
engine was standing on spur near
the mine at the time of the explosion.
The engineer saw two men running
toward him, but as he watched they
suddenly disappeared beneath the
earth's surface.
The creek which ran through the
town became damned by debris and
before Wilson left 1t had formed on
the townsite lake of considerable
dimensions.
The latest estimate of killed and
lloSluS lS luo, Dul tHeSt HsuIeS may
be increased.
OF the Leitch family. well known
here, three girls have been resuced
one with leg broken.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arkwright were kill
ed in bed, but their baby, thrown
through window, was found smiling
and unhurt outside the house.
Albert Clark, who was employed on
the tipple and who came recently
from the United States, together with
seven of his family. perished. One
daughter. alone escaped.
Court was adjourned at Macleod
upon receipt of news of the disaster
at Frank, many of the court witness
es being residents of the ill-fated
town. Accompanied by a detachment
of mounted police. they took a train
to render all possible assistance. A
detachment Of police was sent from
the barracks to replace the relief party
of mounted police.
All telegraph wires at Frank are
down and a repair gang has been
sent from here to establish communi
cation.
The railway track is covered with
trees, rocks and mud in the vicinity
of the explosion.
An eye witness who reached Cow.
ley station, states that rocks. the size
of houses, were blown over a quarter
of a mile. across a ravine in which
the town lies.
Excitement is intense in this and
neighboring towns. owing to the large
number of miners having relations
and friends living here and in nearby
towns.
The train which left here yesterday
morning is returning with passengers
having been unable to get past the OBJ
structions on the track. which may
take a day to clear.