The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-06-06
IS MINERS BLOWN
ALMOST TO ATOMS
tcontinnea from page one.l

one hundred yhrus from the scehe VI Aho
explosion. Seven bodies were laid out
together ans the remains OF the others
were secured as fast as possible. On
account OF the terrible nature of their
wounds. Identification was difficult
Charles A. Rector OF the shurtlefr mine
describing the explosion said:
There yere about forty or sixty OF us
waiting for our train. which was coming
up the track a few hundred feet distant
A number of miners who had not yet
reached the depot were running toward II
with their dinner buckets in hand. The
train approached the depot at a mod
crate rate and the crowd on the platform
began TO move around TO secure points
OF vantage I'm getting aboard as soon as
the train stopped. At this point great
explosion occurred right under our feet
"The impact shook the buildings Of
the town and everything became abso-
1uteiy dark. few moments later the
lgroans OF the injured were heard and
people came running from residences and
stores TO the scene. l was uninJured.
The depot platform and the surrounding
objects were rent into splnters
The work OF rescue was begun at once.
Six badly wounded miners were picked UP
at different points near the scene and
were QuictSiy carried 10 tno lTaiu ana
sent TO Victor. The dead were found
after much difficulty.
100 POUNDS OF DYNAMITE
The train consisted OF two large pas
penger coaches and was without pas
sengers. as this was the first trip in the
morning and Independence was the first
station where passengers were expected.
The engineer and fireman escaped injury.
II Is estimated that at least 200 pounds
OF dynamite must have been used 10 pro-
duce an explosion
Later detectives found the machine
which set Off the dynamite. under the
platform. IL consists OF revolver and
300 feet OF steel wire. The revolver was
placed underneath the platform close 10
the powder The further end OF the wire
was fastened 20 a chair leg which was
used as lever from the crfbbings OF the
Delmonico property.
The whole district is aroused over the
catastrophe and further trouble is feared.
A number OF fist fights have already oc-
CURED. Guns will doubtless soon be
brought into play II conditions remain as
they are.
NON-UNIoN MEN VICTIMS.
The exploxsion apparently was the re-
suit of plot against the non-union MI
ners on the night shift at the Shurtleff.
Ffnd1ay and company's Lost Dollar mines
who had Just finished work and were
about TO return TO their hories. These men
had no warning whatever OF their i'm
pending fate.
The explosion occurred beneath the plat
form on which they were waiting for a
train, hurting many OF them high into the
air, destroying the adjoining depot and
rendering great hole In the earth. A
large quantity Of dynamite had been
placed under the platform and that It was
set of by revolver fired by means of
wire.
Independence is about six miles from
this city by ran A special train carry
ing physicians was dispatched TO the
ecene OF the explosion and the injured
twere taken to the Victor hospital Sheriff
Robinson with deputies and police Of
ncers OF both Cripple Creek and Victor
went 20 Independence on the special train
and Immediately began q careful search
for clues TO the perpetrators OF the out
rage.
STRIKE STILL ON.
Although the strike OF union miners in
tho Cripple Creek district. which began
August 10. 1903. and which led to the
declaration OF martial law In Telluride
county by Governor Peabody. is still in
effect. good order has been maintained
for the last six months. military rule
has bean suspended and all troops hwith-
drawn.
the Portland company, ytufm to have as
many men working as they need and |
they requested all miners TO renounce
aifagiance TO the Western Federation OF
Miners before giving them employment |
"a committee appointed by the fedora
fton. now I'm session at Denver TO in
vcstigate the situation In tho district. |
Waited the camp last week
Charles II. Meyer. president OF the |
IL In fail at Taillrtda which
Is under martial law. being held as a |
military prisoner by Gov. Peabody. who |
charged him with melting riots and re-
be1ion.
Most OF the killed and injured were non
union miners employed on the Findlay |
mine. which Is controlled by A. r. Carrie |
ton. president or the First National bank. |
man prominent In the councils OF the. |
Cripple Creek Mine Owners association |
DEATH SIGNAL,
The conspirators evidently did not wish |
20 kill or injure any of the crew In charge |
of the train which the ili-fated miners /
intended 10 take for their homes I'm Victor /
and Cripple Creek When within Is feet /
of the depot at Independence. the engine |
whistle sounded as a signal for the men 1
at the depot TO get ready 20 board ana !
20 warn any iaggards TO make haste n
they wished 70 catch the train.
The whistle was the death signal for no /
sooner had the shrir blast sounded than |
. murled roar was heard and the mour-
tain tren1bled as II rocked by an earth /
quake
The train which was running very /
slowly. was brought 10 a sudden stop
BY the nesineer and members OF the train |
crew ran hastily forward 20 investigate |
They were horror stricken at the sight |
that greeted their eyes, a spectacle The
was made all the moro grewsome by the
sickiy nickering lights from the lanterns |
and me burning torches carried By the |
railroad men. II took only a few sec
onds Tor the train men TO appreciate the
terrible situation and messengers were
hurried away for assistance.
A sIcKEHrNG SCENE.
The scene about the depot was sicken-
Ing. Portionso T human bodies were
seattered over the right Of way and IN
th> D-foot hale made by the explosion
uere found several skolls. arms. leas
apd hands. Every OBJECT within n ra-
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