New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1906-03-14
AWFUL, MINI HORROR
occurs IN FRANCE.
EXPLOSION IN coLL1ERY IN
CoURIERREs DISTRICT EN-
ToMBs 1900 MEN.
FEARED THAT MANY OR
ALL HAVE Persisted
Gas Causes Terrible Catastrophe.
Crowds Of Weeping Women and
Children Surround Shaft-Work
of Rescue Begun.


trophe has occurred at a coal mine in
the Courierres district of the Pas de
Calais, Is miles from Be,hune. An ex-
ploslon of gas has killed many miners
and three chambers Of the mine are
on fire. The number OF victims is not
known, but 1880 miners descended
into the pit in the morning.
Believed Ali Are Lost.
1t is believed every one OF the 1900
miners entombed by the explosion pei
ished. Reports from the scene OF
the disaster show that terrific fire
IS raging in the workings, that the
air shafts are clogged with smoke AMI
flames, and that ii any OF the miners
escaped death when the explosion OF
flre-damp occurred, none could scarce
ly live in the fire
Hundreds OF tons Of rock were hurled
down in the mine by the tremendous
explosion. First reports announced
that at least 100 miners were crushed
to death by the fail of rock. A miner
who escaped injury in the blast man
the surface that the explosion had
killed scores OF his comrades and tina.
a fire was then started at the scene OF
the explosion. Since then no word
has reached the surface concerning
the extent OF the fire or the fate OF tie
men,
1000 Reported Killed.
Later it was announced that the ex-
plosion occurred in pits II and 4 and
that the flames spread to all the com
munlcatlng pits, embracing Mere
court, Coron and Lens The number
OF victims is undoubtedly consider
able, but it is not possible at present
to ascertain how many Of the miners
succeeded in reaching the galleries.
which are still closed. A dispatch
culatlng there that over thousand
men have been killed, which has
caused CONSERVATION. 1t is added,
however, there is nothing to indicate
that this number is correct Not
single miner has yet been taken from
pits Nos. 2, 3 or 4. The spectacle sur
rounding the scene is fearful. Great
crowds Of weeping women and chill
dren gathered to ascertain the fate
OF male members of their families.
Long Known as Dangerous.
The mine is situated in the great
coal region Of middle France, and the
workings are far below the surface.
1t has long been known as a dangerous
mine, and for this reason was wei!
equipped with air shafts and ventilat-
ing machinery. No provision, however.
was ever made for the escape Of the
miners in case their exit by the main
shaft ever became blocked
Because Of this, all the 1900 men
weer absolutely helpless when the fire
damp explosion cut them off from the
main shaft. They were imprisoned
last IN a living tomb. Meantime tie
flames created draught through the
various air Shafts and carried the
dense smoke throughout every part of
the mine.
When the explosion shook the earth
for miles around the shaft and sci
the t1pple rocking at the mouth of the
shaft, the mine officials and EMPLOYEES
hurried to the scene OF danger. all
realizing at once that many lives must
nave been sacrificed. They found the
snaft closed up by great masses Of
Jagged rock and the hosting apparatus
wrecked and useless.
Rescue Parties at Work.
Rescuing parties were organized at
once, some to attempt to clear away
the debris and others to stop the
flames.
1t is probable the government will
send several regiments OF soldiers to
assist in the work of rescue
NJ. Dubiof, who held the post of min
lister of the interior in the recent CAP
met, has started by train for Cour-
1erres to take personal charge of the
attempts at rescue. The local author
tiles are on the spot, but they have nci
been able to accomplish anything. as
1t is impossible to descend into the
mine. The fire was raging through all
three of the galleries and the flames
have reached the top of the shaft.