The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-12-07
CaVe-In Holds Back AIN
but Five in Fire Damp
Gas Fills Whole of
Mines Lower
Workings
Dying Refugees Tell of
Seefhing Mob in Panic

MOlN w. Nd.s
Dec. 6.-Six cl1arred bodies
lying in the irnprovised
morgue, five men near death
in the hospital and 36o men
imprisoned by tons of coal,
rock and mine debris in the
depth of the hills surround
ing this mining town, with
chances all against a single
one Of them being alive, is
the most accurate summary
obtainable at II o'clock to-
night of the results of a mine
explosion today, which, in all
probability, was attended by
greater loss of life tha Il any for
mer disaster in the history Of the
biuminous coal mining industry
OF America.
The list OF employees OF mines
Nos. o and 8 Of the Consolidated
coal company at Monongah has
been checked off, showing that
$50 were IN the two mines when
the explosion occurred. Neither
entry has been opened to the real
workings. and the indications are
that a majority If not all Of those
caught in the mines are dead. It
Is rumored here that mine officials
have ordered $50 cohins shipped TO
8Iouongah as soon as possible.
The explosion occurred shortly after
10 o'clock today. The mines are located
on opposite sides Of the west fork of
the river al that place. but merged in
their underground workings by a head
ing and on the surface by . great steel
tipple and bridge.
The finding Of the six bodies and the
hve dyine men is the only reward Of
uninterrupted labor by the large rescu-
ing force that Immediately set to work
al every possible point.
TELL or STRUGGLE
Tho living men. while unable TO give
sny detailed report Of the disaster. state
that imncdiateiy back OF them when
they began their frantic struggle FOR
liberty there was 4 large number OF
men engaged in = similar struggle.
while stin farther back in the workings
there was = larger number, OF whom
they knew nothing.
1t is the opinion or the mine oficials
snd others familiar with mining that
these seven men had not penetrated
the mine as far as had the majority of
the day shift when the explosion oc-
Cured, and that they headed for and
reached the main entrance before the
csvcin that now blocks the entrance
not more than = few hundred feet
from the main opening OF mine No. c.
As TIE miners are referred to By the
rescued men as having been alive when
last seen. it is believed they were
caught back Of heavy cavein and
could not have survived more than
few minutes IN the deadly gases with
which the entry filled as soon as the
ventilsting system was interrupted.
HAVE LITTLE HOPE
There IS more hope for those in more
remote sections OF the mine. as they
nav have reached workings where
fresh air is supplied by other openings.
but at best only the most slender hope
is entertained for the survival OF any
one Of the men in the mine when the
debris can be cleared away and com
uuuication with the outside re-estsb-
lished-
The two mines regularly employ
600 men. working in two shifts-5oo
during the day and 500 during the
highland the best information OBJ
fsinsble At this time is that $50 men Of
the day force had gone to work this
morning. and that al were caught. II
was shortly after 10 o'clock when the