The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-08
This Estimate Is BASED
on Statement of Cen
eral Manager Malone
RESCUERS ARE
IN EIOU R5LY PERIL
One Man Made Insane by Inhal.
ing Black Damp-Nearly Half
of Victims Are Americans.
Pathetic Scenes as
Doom Becomes
Certain.

lilyf !
p 3IONONGATr, w. VA, December -
AT o'clock tonight a total OF twenty.
i've bodies had been recovered from
mines Nos and s OF the F'airmort
Coal Company, at Monongah. Scores OF,
other victims were in sight of the
rescuttns parties. and it was estimatede
that at least one hundred dead VIII
be brought TO the surface before day.
light Tomorrow. "
However the number of bodies re-
covered tonight and early Sunday de.
Ponds entirely upon the condition oil
the mine, 1t Is sa.d. Late to-day and
tonight the deadly black damp be.
came more pronounced as the furtllcs
recesses of the mine were approached
1t was stated tonight by General
Manager Leo. l.. Malone, OF the minea
that AS actual miners were checked
off as entering the mines yesterday
morning. This number, it was further
stated did not include fully 100 trap
pers, mule drivers. bumpers and boys
who are not under the check system.
should these figures be correct, the
death list will be over $50 persons
Bodies Horribly NInnEled.
Tile condition OF the bodies thus fal
recovered IL horrible. Many are dis,
mcmbered. some are fearfuliy crushed
and the rest are hiackened and burned
beyond racoguitsnn. The body OF ]. NJ
Nct;raw. pit boss. and one of the besis
known mining men in West Virginia
was recovered Tonight In mine No. g.
II was headless and otherwise dts.
figured. Identification havinE beer
made by the clothing and shoes hts
wore. q ~ 80 lSs, 80
The accident. the greatest In tbs
history of American mining. has daxed
the people Of this vicinity. Tonight,
the streets Of both this town and
F'airmont are crowded with people
while thousands line the hills In til.
vicinity of The mines Every bar
room in FairInont; and Monongah Ii.
closed notices on the doors announr,
Ing that the suspensionsis caused by
the mine explosion, and will last until
Monday.
There is both precaution and respect,
III the closing of the saloons. Through
out the territory over sixty mines
have suspended operations temporarily,
and about 5000 miners are visiting
here and In Fatrnont.
E e. = ~
Expert Miners For Rescue Work.
Starting tomorrow morning new
system of rescue work will be inau-s
EurHted at both mines. 1t is the In
tention to dispense With the services
Of the miners who have been employed
In either of the mines. In their places
there will be about zoo expert mining
men from Pennsylvania. Ohio and West
virginia. all Of whom have yolun-
These men under the direction Of
Chief Mine Inspector j. W. Paul. at
West Virginia, who arrived to-day FROM
Charlestown. will be more fitted to-
render effective service In the recovery
ing OF the dead.
Tho reason for this is that conditions
now existing In the mines are extreme-
" dangerous. and 1t is feared that:
should inexperienced men make an in--ss
correct move,3a second explosion would
occur which would completely wreck
Z the mines. n5s
thousands Arc Destitute. 81
1t is estimated that ESQ families are
destitute. In many places relief funds
have already been started for the
widows and children. To morrow in
all the churches of Fairmont. Clarlss-
burg and Monongah special services
lions will be taken. II is the purpose
OF the ministers to establish pernla-
jnent relief fund. MI
A score of men of the rescuing party
are in a critical condition tonight
from lphaliing black damp.
Several OF them are expected to dte,s
One of these men, John Gabbert. was
carried from the mine tonight almost
a rayins maniac. Hia langa arc fled
.4..t.l