Milford chronicle., 1903-07-03
234 MINERS KILLED
Fearful Explosion of Fire Damp in
Workings at Hanna, Wyo.
SCORES OF OTHERS ARE INJURED
The Explosion Was Terrific, and
Those Not Killed Outright Were
Buried Alive-Debris Hurled Three
Hundred Feet.


Hundred Feet.
~ -
Hanna, Wyo., July Hanna was
the scene of a terrible disaster. when
an explosion of fire damp in mine
No. l of the Union Pacific Coal Com
pany snuffed out the lives Of 234 men,
injured scores of others and caused
the destruction of a vast amount OF
property.
The mine was not fired. as was stat
ed in the earlier reports. but the ex-
ploslon was terrific and completely
shattered the timbers Of the main
shaft and numerous entrances, filling
the workings with debris, and those
of the miners that were not killed
outright 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 500 feet from the mouth of the
shaft Superintendent E. S. Brooks
and a large force of men began the
work of removing the debris from the
shaft that they might reach the en-
tombed 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 by the arrival of ranchmen
and others from nearby settlements
and by those of a relief train sent out
from Rawlins. Four men were taken
out alive, and a half hour later they
were followed by AZ others. Many
were unconscious and had to be car
ried from the workings. Several are
in a serious condition, but it is be-
lieyed that all will recover.
Two hundred and eighty-two men
were at work in the mine, and only As
have been accounted for. OF this
number two are dead. 1t was some
time after the explosion that the
first man was brought to the surface. |
He was followed by others, when the |
last of the 48 was brought out. The |
rescuers we're unable to penetrate any |
further into the mine, as it was neces- |
sary to make another opening to per
NIT fresh air to reach the lower levels. |
Horses and scrapers were put at |
work hauling the debris away from |
the shaft. Work is progressing but |
slowly owing to the narrow space in .
which the rescuers are compelled to |
operate, but shortly the mine shCulG |
be opened sufficiently to permit Of |
deep explorations and the rescue of
the dead bodies. Early this morning
a party Of rescuers reached four mules
that were alive, and this caused re-
newed hope It is faint hope how
ever, for experienced mine bosses and
men are reached all will be found
dead. Some of the miners who es-
capped say they saw 20 dead bodies in
entry No. II. They reported that
many of the men were 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 234 dead about ITS were mar
lied and leave large families. About
100 were Finlanders, so were colOred.
and the rest were Americans.
The explosion was caused by a man
going into a condemned entrance Of
he nine Quantities Of gas had evil
iently accumulated, for a tremendous
explosion occurred the moment the
gas touched the miners lamp.