Omaha daily bee., 1907-12-07

FAIRMoNT. w. Va, Dec. e.--An explo-
sion Of coal dust in mines Nos. and of
the Consolidated Coal company OF Balti-
more, located on opposite sides OF the Mo-
nongahela river at Monongah. six miles
from here, this morning. resulted In what,
from present reports. is indicated to be
the worst disaster in the history of the
coal mining industry OF America
The most conservative reports place tho
number OF men entombed by the explosion
at 800, and nearly all estimates. including
those Of most OF the coal company officials,
place the number ct least 500 Some esti-
mates place the number even higher. About
1000 miners are employed in the two work.
ings and most Of them, It is said. had en-
tered the mine before the explosion oc-
CURED. Only five bodies have been re-
moved.
Mining experts, a large corps of phys
icians and others familiar with mining
matters, hold out practically no hope TO
waiting friends that single person in tho
mine at the time OF the explosion has es-
capped death.
The bodies of three miners have been re-
covered near the mouth of Mine No 6.
Mine No. is located on the east side OF the
West Fork river and Mine No. s on the
west side How the explosion occurred
simultaneously in both mines cannot be
explained at this time.
All is confusion at the scene OF the dis
aster and definite information is meagre.
The explosion was heard for eight miles.
Immediately after receipt OF ths news
physicians and special cars were dis
patched from Fairmont to the scene. The
mine was too full Of gas and smoke for
rescuers to enter
Spreads to Two Mines.
1t is said the explosion started in No. 9
and spread TO No. 8 mine, the two being
connected. Another report says the first
explosion was followed by the blowing up
OF the boiler house in No s. The gravest
fears are felt for the safety of the great
number of men in the workings
The earth seemed to be rent at the mo-
ment OF the shock. Some idea OF the force
of the explosion may be gained from the
fact that props from the mine were not
only blown out OF the entry but were
hurled by the force OF Il clear across tile
western fork Of the Monongahela river.
Wires are down.
1t is feared that the accident will turn
out to be the worst in the history of min
ing inNthis country.
Superintendent Malone telephones that Of
the 500 men who were In the mine at the
time he does not think any could escape
awe from the forces of the explosion.
The fens were started to clear out the
foul air and the rescuers were expected to
reach the men by 2 o'clock this afternoon.
The mine management declares they do
not know the cause, but experienced min
ers declare that It must have been dust.
Workings Largest In state.
The town of Mononagh has a population
of about 5000 and while for the most part
the miners are of foreign birth, there are
still many American workmen. Possibly
the largest steel tipple in the state is
located at Mononagh. The mines are
both shaft and slope mills being worked
by the rope and haulage system. They lie
on both sides OF the West Fork river ana
are connected by a steel pier bridge
owned and operated by the coal company.
Until about ten years ago only American
miners were employed. Al that time the
miners OF Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois
and Ohio were on strike.
The coal company Is one OF the largest
companies Of the kind in the country and
Is capitalized at about S2O,OOOOOO They have
upward OF 100 producing properties. Clar-
ence A. Watson Is the president with head
quarters in Baltimore. Superintendent Ma
lone is said to be one of the most compe-
tent and practical mining men in the coun-
try,
Five Hundred in Mines.
Later II was said the rehe1 party would
not reach the imprisoned men before 4
o'clock The reseuers include nine SUPER
intendents, headed by Superintendent J. c.
Gaslrill
Special trains are ready to bring the
wounded TO the Miners hospital here as
fast as possible hospital was arranged
at the opening OF the mine. where the
wounded win receive attention.
Several men were practically blown out
ot mine No. through an air hole Their
escape was miraculous.
Twenty physicians from Fairmont are
now on the grounds and every attention
Is being given the men. The mines did not
work yesterday. From best estimates go
men were in each mine today