The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-01-29

neSponSc TO CdI6 TOT TIeip.
Pittsburg, Pa, Jan. 25.--Bruised and
bleeding from hundred cuts, James
McCann( |, veteran miner, was hauled
up out of the ill-fated Harwick shaft
at s o'clock this afternoon, declaring
that 1t is impossible that any Of the
1874 men who were in the mine at the
time of the explosion, can be alive.
This brave miner had gone down hand
over hand, on rope held by num-
ber Of his companions, down into the
darkness of the living tomb, to inves-
tigate the conditions there. He could
not get to the bottom of the shaft.
Thirty feet from the Slump" he
found The rig blocked by timbers and
debris, thrown together in indescrib-
able confusion. Back up the 1870 feet
which he had descended he went,
drawn up carefully as possible by his
companions, but the sides of the shaft
had been shattered by the force Of the
explosion and as he went down and
came up again he was continually be
ing struck by falling timbers and rock
and slate, which peeled off the sides at
the least touch, bruising and cutting
the brave man until he almost tainted.
He had a safety lamp with him, and
by its dim light made. an examination
OF the shaft as he went down. He could
not get to the bottom within 20 feet.
The debris which fills 1t will have to
be all cleared away before any per-
son can enter the mines.
There is very little doubt but that
the
MEN ARE ALL DEAD.
It is not believed by the experts that
in the limited space before the surface,
any of them could escape. II any are
alive, every effort will be made to keep
them living until rescuing party can
get to them.
Selwyn M. Ta3 lor the mining engi-
neer and expert, under whose direction
the mine was laid out. has examined
the air shaft, and says that 1t is still
clear. Tho fans are being worked
slowly by his orders, Engineer Taylor
saying that to force a great current in
to the mine now would be to force
the deadly black damp down on the en-
tombed men. 1 suffocate any Of them
who chanced to have escaped the fiery
blast.
NOTHING FURTHER CAN BE DONE,
Is the opinion of the mine officials, to-
wards the rescue of the unfortunates
this morning.
Mine Operator c. w. Cunningham,
who lives in Williamsburg. has not yet
arrived at the scene. He is out some
where in the district and word OF the
calamity had evidently not reached
him at late hour this evening. His
coming is awaited with intense interest
by the officials Of the mine ana the
miners who are waiting a chance to do
something. He is man OF great ex-
perience and they will await his advice.
He will be the man to direct the work
of rescue.
The number of men in the mine has
been determined by the mine officials
from the number Of safety lamps taken
from the shanty this morning. or these
there were 1874. In addition are Fire
Boss j. A. Gordon and Mine Foreman
George Brown. Both went down In tho
cage with some OF the men at 6 o'clock
this morning. Fire Boss Gordon had
made his usual rounds about o'clock
and found everything in good shape
There was little or no gas, according
TO the report he wrote. and 1t was be-
lieved that the mine was secure For
over two hours the miners toiled, and
coal was being hpisted up tho SHAFT,
with no Indications of danger. Sud-
denly there came an explosion which
SHOOK THE EARTH
for miles around. The tipple, which
stood near the top Of tho shaft, was
blown to pieces. The body OF mule
which had been working at the bottom
of the shaft. pulling the cars on and
off the cage, came hurling UP through
the mine opening, and landed, broken
and llfeless 200 feet beyond where the
upple had stood. Men who were work.
ing at the top of the shaft were
thrown to the ground and some of them
badly injurcd-so badly, indeed. that
two of them hsve since died and three
others are dangerously hurt.
The extent OF the accident was not
realized at first, but as the people came
running from ell directions, and the
smoke OF the explosion was carried
away from the mouth of the shaft,
showing the
RUIN AND HAVOC
1t had wrought, the mine officials felt
that It was as bad as possible and i'm
mediately began to cali for assistance.
Word was sent 10 Cheswick and Spring
dale for physicians. ana q telephone
message for help to the plant Of tho
Pittsburg Tool and Drop Forge COM