Evening journal., 1903-07-01
MANY LIVES LOST;
PROPERTY RUINED
Over 200 Men Killed il
Awful Disaster at Hanna,
Wyoming
SCORES OF OTHERS BADLY INJURED


an explosion of fire damp in mine
No. 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 cx-
plosion 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 800 feet from the mouth Of the
shaft Superintendent Il. S. Brooks
and 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 10 return 70 the surface.
An day the rescuing party worked.
the force being increased from time
10 time by the arrival of ranchmen
and others from nearby settlements
and by those OF relief train sent out
from Rawlins. -Four men we're taken
out alive. and a half hour later they
were followed by ~ others. Many
were unconscious and had 70 be car
ried from the workings. Several are
in a serious condition. but it Is be-
ueved that all VIII 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. It 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 as was brought out. The
rescuers we're unable TO penetrate any
/ further into the mine as II was Deces-
sary 10 make another opening to per
nat fresh air TO reach the lower levels.
Horses and serapers we're put at
work haukng the debris away from
tho shaN Work is progressing but
slowly owing 10 the narrow space In
which tho rescuers are compelled to
operate but shortly the mine should
be opened sufficiently 10 permit OF
deep explorations and tho rescue OF
the dead bodies. Early this mornine
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
miners say that when the imprisoned
men are reached all will be found
dead. Some of tho miners who es
caped 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 aDd thitheI
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 IT'S we're mar
ried 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
the mine. Quantities Of gas had evi
IDENTIFY accumulated, for a tremendous
explosion occurred the moment the
| gas touched the miners lamp.
! The Hanna mines are among the
best on the Union Pacific system, be
ing established In 1878. The town wal
named for Senator Mark Hanna wher
] he was member OF the Union Pacific
Coal Company. Mine No. Is practi
cally new property. II has 26 en-
tries, Is miles OF workings and a mali
5 inclined shaft Of one and one-hal
miles in length. The mine has beeI
recognized as a dangerous propertl
2 for some time on account Of the larg
amount of gas. but the system of ven
tilation has been so good that an acc
dent was not anticipated.