The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-07-02
TIMBERS OF THE MAIN SHAFT OF
THE MINE SHATTERED AND
ENTRANCES CLOSED.
RESCUING PARTIES AT WORK
FOUL GASES CAUSE DELAY AND
LEAVE LITTLE HOPE FOR THE
IMPRISONED MEN.

Omaha, Neb., July ia special to
the World-Herald from Hanna, Wyo.,
says:
Hanna was the scene of terrible
holocaust at 1890 Tuesday, when an
explosion of firedamp in Mine No. of
the Union Pacific Coal company snuff
ed out the lives of 234 men, injured
scores Of others and caused the de-
struction of vast amount of property.
The mine was not fired as was
stated in the earlier reports, but the
explosion was terrific and completely
shattered the timbers of the main
SHAFT and numerous entrances, filed
the workings with debris and those
of the miners that were not killed out
right by the explosion were buried
alive. The explosion was heard for
many miles around and attracted
people from the adjoining settlements
Huge timbers and railroad iron were
hurled from the mouth of the shaft, a
distance of 200 and 300 feet Super
intendent E. S. Brooks and large
force of men went at work with a will
to remove the debris from the shaft
and 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 sur
face
Forty-six Men Rescued.
All day the rescuing party worked,
the force being increased from time
to time by the arrival of ranchmen
and others from nearby settlements
and by those of a relief train sent out
from Rawlins, which arrived at 2
o'clock in the afternoon. About
O'Clock p. m. four men were taken out
alive, and a half hour later they were
followed by forty-two others. Many
were unconscious and had to be carried
from the workings. Some were in
jured, but none fatally. Several are
in serious condition, but it is believ-
ed all will recover
Two hundred and eighty-two men
went down in the mine at o'clock
and up until late hour Tuesday night
only forty-eight have been accounted
for. Of this number two are dead.
1t was some time after the explosion
occurred that the first man was
brought to the surface. He was fol-
lowed by others, until 1 o'clock when
the last were brought out. The res
cuers were unable to get further into
the mine until additional openings
had been made to permit fresh air to
reach the lower levels and clear away
gases. Horses and scrapers were put
at work hauling debris away from the
shaft and cars were pushed down the
incline, loaded and hauled back up the
tipple and dumped. The work is
progressing slowly, owing to the mar
row space in which the rescuers are
n h11th v oh
the mine should be opened sufficiently
to permit of deep explorations and the
rescue Of the dead bodies.
Faint Hope for Imprisoned Men.
Late last night party of recuers
reached four mules that were alive
and this caused hopes to arise in the
breasts of the tired workers and the
anxious women and children gathered
about the shaft. 1t is faint hope
however, for experienced mine bosses
and miners say that when the impris-
oned men are reached all will be found
dead. Some of the miners that es-
capped said they saw twenty dead
bodies in Entry No. II. They report
ed that many of the men were crazed
by the explosion and ran hither and
thither in the mine. Many of these
Ioult nave CoAopSu, UUl lLSJ ldlV
Down, buried their faces in their
hands and gave up the fight. Of the
234 dead about ITS were married and
leave large families. About 100 were
Finlanders, fifty were colored and the:
balance were Americans. Many ply
sicians are here, but they can be Of no
service at present.
The Hanna mines are among the
best on the Union Pacific system, be-
ing established in 1873 The town
was named for Senator Mark Hanna
when he was member Of the Union
Pacific Coal company. Mine No. 1 is
practically a new property. 1t has
twenty-six entries, fifteen miles of
workings and main incline shaft of
one and one-half miles in length. The
mine has been recognized as danger
Gus property for some time on &C.
count of the large amount of gas, but
the system of ventilation has been so
good that an accident was not antici-
pated.
STRANGLED TO DEATH.
nj A.