New-York tribune., 1903-05-01
DEAD, Sc; LOSS, 800, 900
Inhabitants Perish as They Sleep
Ertent of Catastrophe.

Frank N w t. April 3O.-It is definitely
known that fifty-six persons lost their lives
before daybreak on Wednesday by the sliding
of the rocky top of Turtle Mountain down upon
the sleeping village of Frank. Besides killing
ffty-six, the slide destroyed the plant OF the
Canedian-Americap Coal and Coke Company.
did a vast amount of damage to the mine, ana
completely devastated about ten square miles
of the finest and most picturesque section OF
Crows Nest Pass.
Many of the bodies Of the dead never VIII
be found. Some cabins are buried under l3o
feet of rock Although organized efforts were
made last night and to-day to search for bodies
only nineteen so far have been recovered. Most
Of the corpses were mangled almost beyond
recognition.
The disaster happened at 4;1o O'Clock in the
morning, when the inhabitants of Frank were
suddenly awakened by tremendous crash, fol-
lowed by shaking of the buildings. 1t was
still dark. and, for time, the greatest confusion
prevailed no one knowing just what had hap
pened. AS soon day dawned, 1t was seen
that the whole side of Turtle Mountain had
fallen away ana the valley for distance of
two miles entirely choked up by rocks and
debris piled to an average height of sixty feet.
simultaneously with the falling of the rocks
an immense f1ssure in the earth opened on the
extended for three-quartars of a mile, and was
many feet in width. This yawning chasm still
remains open, according to reports brought IN
by men who have been on the other side of the
mountain.
DAMAGE WILL REACH S1.5O0OO0
In the rush Of the avalanche the entire operat-
ing plant of the French-CanadiaE Coal Com
pany was carried away. Seven houses. also
ba
kindling six Of them being entirely obliterated
and their occupants killed, while ten other
houses which were situated in the valley east
of the town were also demolished The peo-
ple living in these houses were instantly killed
they slept
The direct monetary damage will exceed
81 100000 The actual loss to the mine com
many probably will not exceed 100000 the
Canadian Pacific Railway Company loses heaVl-
" through blocking Of its track.
The scene of this awful catastrophe was orig
inaIIy one of the most picturesque valleys IN
Canada Through the centre Of the valley ran
the Old Man River, which has its source on the
eastern slope of the Crows Nest Pass. The to-
tai width OF this valley little more than
mile and sheer wall of rock rose to height
OF 800 feet above the level OF the town. The
Old Man River followed the side or turtle
Mountain, close up against the foot OF "nlch
the town of Frank was built. The mountain
wall was before the disaster. so tall and pre-
cipitous that even in the longest day in mid
summer the sunlight disappeared in Frank at
g o'clock in the afternoon, and after that twi-
light ensued.
The material from the slide came down in
almost a vertical wall of rock and crossed the
valley, a distance Of more than a mile and went
part way UP the foothills the opposite side
to a. height far above the highest building Of
the town
CAUSE WAS NOT VOLCANIC.
The land which was once Of great value, and
was rapidly increasing in price on account OF
the known presence of natural gas we'll as
coal deposits, is buried many feet deep in
waste matter and IS made almost valueless.
AS there is no geological expert resident in the
town. it is impossible to ascertain exactly the
true character of the force exerted. but judging
from the evidence now brought in by many who
have been scouting around the outskirts of the
waste of rocks and debris. many are inclined to
believe that II was huge mountain slide.
caused by earthquake or subterranean ex-
plosion of gas.
The general opinion is that the trouble was not
volcanic, as at first supposed. Rocks are still
falling from the strangely altered top Of Turtle
Mountain. These rocks in many cases are huge
masses, weighing hundreds of tons, and as they
fall, crashing down with a noise like thunder.
they start other fragments Of rock in the path
Of the slide which rush onward bearing de-
structjon. For that reason IL is extremely dan
gerous to approach Turtle Mountain to make
Investigations into the exact cause of the catas-
trophe.
The Board of Trade, which has assumed direc-
ton Of affairs, in the absence of the local
authorities, has appealed 10 nefghboring towns
for assistance to defray the expenses of buryinS
the dead and caring for the women and children