The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-22
Grief Stricken Relatives, Weary With Long Vigils, Are Under
 Care of Attending Surgeons.
Rescuing Party Keeps Steadily at Their Task and Work of Recover
 ing Bodies Proceeds Rapidly
BY FRANK H. BELL.


 einia mines shortly after midnight last night were that forty-five bodies-thirty- four white and eleven negroes-nad been taken from the mines. The work Of res cue is progressing as rapidly as possi- ble.
 Gas in the mines has delayed the work of the rescuers since o'clock last night. and from the present indications 1t VIII be late tonight or early tomorrow morn ing before the last of the men are found. The best estimates secured at mid night were that there were seventy more men in the mine, and all hope of bring ing any of them to the surface alive mas been abandoned The fourth right the fourth left'' and the third right and "third left" are still closed up and It IS thought that most of the men will be found in these lifts, and in the man hole, which is just to the left of the main en- france as one goes down the mines. It is believed that many are caught in this manhole or air shaft.
 Are More Badly Burned.
 As the rescuers work upwards from the levels they find the dead men more badly burned and blackened, indicating that the force of the explosion was in '+ba third and fourth levels on either aide Indications in the mine point to inc explosion having commenced in the third left"
 The manner in which all the men were found indicates that they had a few seconds warning and that some or them at least attempted to escape. Some were found lying face doMnwards wsth their hands over their faces
 Only one man has been brought to the surface alive and ke died before the physicans could take a step to save his life. This was John Pendey boy who was breathing when he was lifted from the tip" but the sudden entrance into the air prevented any chances Of Ewing that he might have had. John coheley. who was brought up early in the afternoon, was rtill warm, and the physicians state that he had not been dead more than few minutes.
 The rescuers are averaging about four bodies an hour. The water is gradually rising in the bottom of the mines, but will not effect the work of rescue.
 Relatives of the deceased are fiocking to the mines from every direction, some coming as much as hundred miles, The entire camp was alive last night with buggies and vehicles which brought the spectators to the scene.
 Aided by Other Miners.
 The rescue parties have been greatly aided by delegations from Johns, Adger. Blue Creek, Pratt City, Bessemer, Stump ter Sayres. Greedy and other mining camps. The first rescuers are still bear ing the brunt of the work, and relief vas needed last night It will also be needed today.
 As fast as the bodies are brought up and Identified they are placed on the special train furnished by the Louisville and Nashvilent and sent to Bessemer to the undertakers.
 The saw mills of the mines were run portion of the day yesterday turning out lumber to be used in making improvised stretchsrs for the dead. The fan house, on top and back of the slope, was wreck ed by the explosion, and only enough of if remained together to protect the sue tjon fans which take out the gases and 
 smokes from the mines. The fans were working within fifteen minutes after the explosion and aided greatly in the work of rescue.
 phvsicians have been at the mines since soon after the explosion and have agreed to remain until 1t is all over. Everything is being done for the stricken families. Few. if any. of the miners carried in- surance. The company's loss will be very heavy.
 Will Never be Forgotten.
 When dawn broke into daylight yester- dav at Virginia Mines it disclosed a scene which will never be forgotten by those who were it's witnesses.
 All night long the murky darkness had been lit up by camp fires and miners lamps. Around the former were gath cred little groups of men, women ana children awaiting daylight to see the full axtent of the deadly explosion of the ,rev;ous afternoon. The latter were car r,sd in the caps of the anxious faced miners. who were clustered about the mouth of the shaft. Both lights gave weird appearance to the place and added to the weight that seemed to bear down on the soul of everyone present.
 Not a laugh was heard. Even the smile that occasionally followed some sally dried up instantly. All seemed deeply impressed with the presence of death fin A form that none of them had ayer witnessed it. All prayed that tbev might never witness 1t again.
 With daylight came thousands of spec tators. From every direction they came on foot, in buggies. in wagons and in every conceivable kind of vehicle. Many had walked for miles and miles, some from as far as Ensley and Pratt City.
 Dense Crowds at Mines Mouth.
 As the day grew older the crowds in-