The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-01
MINE DISASTER ID
 BE INVESTIGATED Governor JeIkS Confers With
 Inspector Gray EIGHT MINERS ARE DEAD "windy shot' Is Cause Assigned to Mine Explosion at Piper In Ribb
 county-Mine Inspector
 Gray Talks.
EIGHT MINERS ARE DEAD

Gray Talks.
 Governor Jelks spent yesterday in Bir- mngham making a preliminary investiga- ton of the explosion caused from windy shot' at mine No of the Little cahaba Coal company at Piper in Bibb county. Tuesday afternoon. which, accord ing to the latest reports caused the death of eight men and the injury of fourteen others. The Governor had long conference with State Mine Inspector J. NJ. Gray during the afternoon, and as a result a thorougth investigation of the disaster will be made by the state au- thorities.
 Early yesterday morning Joseph R. Smith. Jr., president, and Walter E. Hen ley secretary and treasurer of the com pany, went to Piper and during the day MT Henley telephoned the following list of those killed and injured to Birming- ham:
 The Dead.
 LOUIS TANGO.
 PETER COSTELLO.
 MAT EI.PS.
 JOHN STONE.
 STEVE NEMETH.
 RICH SMITH.
 WILL MEADE.
 WARD MOSS.
 All white except Rich Smith.
 The Injured.
 A. N. Nann, Dave Woodman, George Pepcheuer, Frank Brinskel, Will Keys, W. T. Phillips, Ventura Leopolda, B. Celto, Henry Coker Sam Fisher, Q. Orizini ]. orizini, Frank Tozzi George Parker, Ike Foster.
 Piper is about thirty-six miles south of Birmingham, on the Birmingham Min eral railroad and although the news of the explosion reached Birmingham early Tuesday night. it was impossible for any one to reach that place from here until the morning train went there yesterday. The accident occurred about o'clock In the fifth west heading while the men were at work. It Is said that the shot had great force in the heading. Including drivers and trap boys, there were about one hundred and forty men at work in the mines at the time of the explosions and it appears to be remarkable that the fatality list is not greater.
 Rescue Party Organized.
 A rescue party was immediately or ganized. and 1t is said that within an hours time every one had been taken from the slope. Physicians from Piper and the surrounding territory were sum moned to render medical aid to the in- jured A majority of those killed met their death instantly, 1t seems.
 Reports of the explosion spread like wildfire, and there was considerable ex- eitement in the little mining town. Moth- CTS and sisters and brothers gathered around the mouth of the slope fearing for the safety of their loved ones.
 A windy shot follows sometimes the shooting down of coal. It can be caused by too much explosive material being used In Alabama considerable trouble has been caused by windy shots and it was only recently that Mine Inspector Gray cautioned mine superintendents and operators to be careful.
 Immediately upon being advised of the explosion the mine inspector telegraphed to Governor Jelks informing him of the disaster "M. M. Kuffner, my associate, was sent to Piper on the first train leav- ing Birmingham" said MT. Gray yester- day afternoon James Hilhouse, the other associate inspector and myself would have gone to Piper but inasmuch as we are witnesses in the Virginia mines nd in tba cult court we could not get away.
 Preliminary Investigation.
 MT. Kuffner has instructions to aid in every way possible the rescue work and to make preliminary investigation. He will forward n preliminary report to this office and it will in turn be sent to the governor at Montgomery immediately. Later MT. Hillhouse, MT. Kuffner and myself will go to Piper and make a thorough examina- tion of conditions and we will prepare d detailed report for the governor. Until this investigation is made l cannot give out anything, as l am not informed on the subject. l have not received any of fical list of the killed and injured"
 Governor Jelks Talks.
 Governor Jelks will return to Montgom- cry this morning. While here he was the guest of E. H. Cabaniss. 'I had a con- ference with Inspector Gray this after noon," said Governor Jelks last night, ''and he informed me that Associate h. spector Kuffner is now in Piper. A thor ough investigation of the disaster will be made by the three inspectors and nothing will be done by me in the premises until receive their report.