The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-07-04
AWFUL NINE DISASTER
Explosion Of Fire Damp at Hanna,
WyO., Kills 234 Men.
SCORES or OTHERS ARE INJURED
The Explosion Was Terrific ard
Those Not Killed Outright Were
Buried Alive-Cebris Hurled Three
Hundred Feet.

Buried AiiNe-I@S F'~i'~~
Hundred Feet.
Hanna Wyo.. July Hanna was
the scene OF a terrible disaster. when
m explosion OF fire damp IN mine
No. of the Union Pacific Coal Com
pany suu1ed our the lives OF -5t men.
Injured scores OF others and caused
the destruction OF vast amount oi
property
The mine was not fred. as was stat.
ed in the earlier reports. but the *
plosiou was terrific and completely
shattered the timbers Of the main
shaft and numerous entrances, nliing
the workings with debris. and those
of the miners that were not killed
outright by the explosion were buried
alive The explosion was heard ior
many miles around. and attracted
people from the adjoining settlements.
Huge timbers and railroad iron were
hurled 300 feet from the mouth Of the
shaft Superintendent E. 5. Brooks
and a large force OF men began the
work on removing the debris from the
shaft that they might reach the en-
t0mbef miners. Their progress into
the mine was blocked by the foul
gases and several times they were
forced % return % the surface
All day the rescuing party worked.
,he force being increased from time
10 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 ~ others. Many
were unconscious and had TO be car
ried from the workings. Several are
IN A serious condition. but il IS BE-
Ieved that all will recover.
Two hundred and eighty-two mer
we're az work in the mine, and only -
have been accounted for. OF this
number two are dead. Il was some
time after the explosion that the
first man was brought 10 the surface.
He was followed by others, when the
last Of the IS was brought out The
rescuers were unable 70 penetrate any
further into the mine. as IL was neces-
sarv 70 make another opening 20 per
NIT fresh air to reach the lower levels.
Horses and scrapers were put al
work hauling the debris away from
the shaft. Work is progressing but
slowly owing 10 the narrow space IN
which the rescuers are compelled 70
operate. but shortly the mine should
be opened sufficiently 10 permit OF
deep explorations and the rescue OF
the dead bodies. Early this morning
A party OF rescuers reached four mules
thar were alive. and this caused re-
newed hope II is a 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 the miners who es-
capped say they saw 20 dead bodies in
entry No. IT, 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.
or the 234 dead about IT'S we're mar.
ried and leave large families. About
100 were Finlanders. 80 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-
dently 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 was
named for Senator Mark Hanna when
he was a member OF the Union Pacific
Coal Company. Mine No l Is practi-
caIly a new property. Il has 26 en-
tries, Is miles Of workings aud a main
Inclined shaft OF one and one-half
miles in length. The mine has been
recognized as a dangerous property
for some time on account OF the large
amount OF gas. but the system OF ven
tilation has been so good that an acci-
dent was not anficipated