Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-20

plOSIOn OF gas III the DdIT lIilile VI tiie'
Pittsburg Coal Co. here today entomb-
ed between 200 and 500 miners. and
there is scarcely a ray of hope that a
single one of them will be taken from
the mine alive.
Partially wrecked buildings in the vi
cinity of the mine and the condition OF
the few bodies found early by rescuers
indicate an explosion Of such terrific
force that it seems impossible that any
one survived it. All of the IL bodies
taken out up to this time are terribly
mutilated
This is tire third mine disaster since
the first of the month in the veins OF
bituminous coal underlying western
PENNSYLVANIA and West Virginia. for
the Namoi at Fayette City and the
two mines at Monongah, W. Va, in
which the earlier explosions happened
are in the same belt as the local work.
ings. That today's disaster does not
equal or even surpass in loss of life
and attendant horrors the one in West
Virginia is due to the devotion to
church duties of a considerable num-
her of the miners. In observance of the
church festival 400 or more men regu-
larry employed a the mine did not go
to work this morning. Those who es-
capped for this reason are members of
the Greek Catholic church and they
storDed work to celebrate st. Nicholas
day.
AS was the case at MonOngah, the
explosion followed a brief suspension
of the Darr mine. it having been closed
Tuesday and Wednesday. just at l1.30
o'clock when loaded cars had been
brought out to the tipple, there came
an awful rumbling sound. followed I'M
mediately by loud report and con-
cuSsion that shook nearby buildings
and was felt within a radius of several
miles. simultaneously there came out
of the mouth of the mine an immense
cloud of smoke and dust that flOated
across the Youhiogheny river.
Everyone in the vicinity knew what
Ihad happened and started for the
mouth of the river. The river separates
the mine and homes Of many Of the
miners, 50 that only portion Of those
who started for the scene were able TO
reach it, there being scant facilities for
crossing the stream.
TO those who could not cross the
water, the smoke and dust pouring
from the mines mouth seemed 10 indi-
cate seething flames back in the work
ings ana from this source came reports
that were persistent until late iii the
day that the mine was burning. The
yentilating fans We're kept i'll opera
ton aim lst without interruption. how
ever, the power plant having with
stood the force of the explosion and
IN to this time the rescuers have found
no fire in the mine.
AS far as known only one man who
went to work this morning escaped.
Joseph Mapleton, a pumper, emerged
from one of the side entries shortly
after the explosion. He had left the
part Of the mine where most OF the
men were working and was on his way
to the engine room for oil.
| II was near entry o." said he. when
I heard an awful rumblng. I started
towards the entry but the next instant
! l was blinded and for little while
did not know anything. Then | got
10 the side entry and worked my way
out
| He was somewhat cut and bruised
| but after going home and having his
| injuries dressed he returned to the mime
and assisted the resCuing parties.
| William Remington, superintendent
Of the mine. was not in the mine when
the explosion occurred and he quickly
organized rescuing parties in the main
entry and in 4 side entry. He hoped
to reach the greater part of the vic
| tins through the latter. SO far little
trouble has been encountered on account
Of gas or lack of air by the rescuers
| While the officials and the rescuers
have only the faintest hope that any
of the men may be living, all work Is
being carried on upon the theory thai
some may have found places Of safetj
and every point of the workings vii
be explored at the earliest possible mo-
ment The main office Of the company
is in Pittsburg, and immediately upor
receipts of news of the explosion the
officers hurried to the mine and ar
leading and directing the rescue work
About 1860 feet from the mouth O
the mine a heavy fall Of roof was on
countered by the reScuers. 1t is be
lieved that most Of the men will b.
found nearly Il mile and a half beyont
this point. How long it will require Z
remove enough of tho debris to open :
passage to these remote workings cal
only be conjectured. for it depends up
on how numerous these falls are,