Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-05-02
DEATH IS MET IN
MINE EXPLOSION
A TERRIBLE DISASTER OCCURS
NEAR DUBOIS, PA.
\ DOZEN MEN ARE KILLED
Only One Is injured, But He May Die
Official Investigation Will
Be Required to Deter
mine Cause.

DUBOIS, Pa, April 29-The mine dis
aster that occurred at Eleanora shaft
Thursday night is the worst that has TAX
en- place in this region since 1896, when
13 men were killed in the Berwind- White
shaft, near this city. Twelve were
killed and one had both legs
and both arms broken. He will prob
ably die. The explosion occurred at
9:35, but for some unaccountable rea-
son word was not sent to surrounding
towns until morning.
The Victims.
The dead, so far as known, are:
George Kirkwood, married, six children;
Adam Kirkwood, married, four chill
dren; Joe Lonna, married, five children;
Frank Schrum, married, three children;
August Wastcavitch, single; Martin
Westcavitch, married; Nick Fro
mansky. single: John Fromansky, wife
and three children; George Tansky, sin
sic; John Hopkins, trap boy. Also two
foreigners whose names could not be
learned.
Injured: Harry Mooney, arms and
legs broken, married and has family.
Work Of Resouers.
At midnight the rescuers found Harry
Mohney, motorman. He was uncon-
scious, and did not revive until morning,
when he was taken to the Adrian hos
pital. He could not talk, however. It
was not until nine o'clock in the morn
ing that any more victims were found.
John Hopkins, the trapper boy, was the
first, and his body was taken to his
home, few rods from the tipple. 9th
ers were brought to the surface fire.
quently until the last was recovered
late in the afternoon. An examination
OF the bodies as they were laid on the
floor Of the little building near the shaft
indicated that death had come instant
ly. Those that had the black dust
washed from their bodies showed evil
dences Of having been burned, scarlet
spots showing all over their bodies.
Their clothing tears as though it were
made Of paper. There could not have
been much flame, however, as the hair
of the victims was not scorched.
Probable Cause.
OAtlA Iuo OluCldl luVeSLlBatlOQ mas
been made 1t cannot be said what caused
the explosion. The mining officials are
emphatic in the assertions that it was
not caused by gas. 1t is claimed that
this shaft was exceptionally free from
gas, although there was some present.
1t is the theory Of the officials that the
charge that caused the disaster was put
in a hole surrounded by hard material
probably slate that was extra heavy
and resisted the powder, blowing the
charge out Of the hole. or it may be that
It was not properly tamped, although
this y conjecture. Superintendent
Fleming and Assistant Superintendent,
nTisooll were all through the min,
Wednesday. and there was no gas pres
ent at that time. Mr.. Driscoll made an.
other trip Thursday, and everything
sesasd to be in good shape. Fire boss
Rue wss In the west heading, neal
where The explosion took place IS min
utes before 1t occurred, and says there
was not the slightest indication OF the
presence Of gas. Thirty-two men were
working In the mine when the explosion
let loose. Those who were uninjures
had 10 dmCulty In reaching the surface