The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-01-12
TWENTY ONE PEOPLE
DEAD in NINE
Gas ExplodeS in the Large Workings
at COaldaIe, W. Va.
OCCURRED IN THE COOPER SHAFT.
Earth Shaken as by Earthquake for Miles
Around..Those Who Were Not Killed Instant.
IyAre Supposed TO Have Succumbed TO the
Gas That Soon Filled the Entire Mlne-ln
the Heart Of the Pocahontas Pield.

Blue6eld, w. Va. (SpeciaD twenty
one miners were killed in an explosion
of gas in the shaft of the Cooper Mine
Company at Coaldale, w. Va. Up to
midnight only one body had been re-
covered. Immediately following the ex-
plosion, which was heard for several
miles, rescue parties set to work to ex-
plore the wrecked shaft.
Never but once before in the history
of the Pocahontas coal field has there
been such fearful disaster, and the
victims of that other disaster are in the
cemetery at Pocahontas.
Before the decorations had died out
Bank Boss Thomas Williams, who was
long distance from the explosion, stag
gered to his feet, and, feeling his way
to mine telephone, called to those on
the outside that there had been terri
fic explosion of mine gas and asked for
help.
Gathering about the entries, Fastening
crowds urged by cool heads and anx
ious hearts hurried to prepare for the
rescue of the missing ones and an ex-
ploration of the wrecked workings At
4 o'clock one man was brought out. He
was H. c. Conrad, and his body was
literally torn to pieces His clothing was
hanging in shreds.
Up to late hour no other bodies have
been recovered. There. was considerable
smoke and gas in the entries and, not
withstanding the fact that the big fans
were in good order and were working
with full capacity, the gas and smoke
were not being driven out very fast
AT noon, while the Coaldale mines
were working full force, there was a
sudden and heavy rumbling mile or
more in the depths of the mountain and
through the miles of passages and air
shafts of the immense mine the shock
was felt.
Coaldale is a mining town situated on
the line of the Norfolk and Western
railway, and is IS miles west of Blue
field 1t is in Mercer county and is
difficult of access.
There were 3 white men and II me-
groes entombed and no hope is held out
that any of them escaped death.
The explosion was of terrific force and
caused intense excitement throughout the
surrounding country, and many people be-
l1eVlHR dH earthquake Hdu OSCulISQ. HC
fans, mining cars and most of the property
used in the mines are supposed to have
been blown to pieces. AT $50 o'clock
P. M. the body of one of the miners
was discovered some hundred feet away
from the mine entry so mutilated that
it is unacceptable.
All hope Of recovering alive the en-
tombed miners has been shattered by the
pouring forth of gases from the differ.
ent entries. If the Fl were not all
killed instantly by the explosion it is be-
lieved that they must have succumbed
to the accumulation of gas following
the explosion.
Great crowds were attracted by the
disaster and large rescuing party soon
began work.
The Coaldale operation is mined and
operated by Cooper Bros, who are also
owners of the Mill Creek and -IcDowell
Coal and Coke Companies. The Coal
dale plant is considered one of the best
oDerations in the field