Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-12-09
Fear Of Fresh Explosion Stops
Exploration of Gas Filled
Depths Which Have Already
Yielded 53 Bodies.
LATEST ESTIMATE PLACES
NUMBER DEAD AT GOO
Heartrending Scenes At Mine
Entrance As MangIed Re-
mains of Victims Are Recog-
nized by Stricken Relatives,

Monongah, w. Va, Dec. S.--But fif-
ty-three bodies had been recovered
from mines Nos. and s, of the Fair
mont Coal company, when darkness
closed over the little .cwn of Monon-
gah tonight On account of fire in
mine No. 3 and imminent danger Of
an explosion in mine No. 6. all res
cue work has been suspended for the
night. Fifty-six hours had elapsed
since the awful explosion, and ma
jority of the bodies brought to the
surface were in a terrible condition.
necessitating almost immediate burial.
1t is now believed that the number
Of dead will not be over six hundred.
A thorough investigation was made
by the company today and ii was dis
covered that many miners believed to
have been entombed, escaped because
they had not gone TO work Friday af-
ter Thursdays holiday.
A score or more of these men re-
ported to the officials during the past
twenty-four hours.
Shortly after 5 O'Clock this after
noon fire broke out again in No. s,
and the rescuers were at once ordered
TO the surface.
Thousands of sightseers from the
surrounding towns had gathered
abou, the openings. Through mega
phones the crowds were notified Of
the fire and the danger of another ex-
plosion. but they refused to leave, and
1t was with great difficulty that the
special police, assisted by many min
ers, forced these people TO seek places
of safety.
Efforts were then directed toward
eXtinguishng the fire, and il Is
thought II would be subdued within a
few hours.
1t was said by members Of the res
cuing party that over hundred
bodies have been located in both
mines, and that they will be brought
to the surface as soon as the fire has
been extinguished. 1t is not believed
the fire will reach any Of the bodies.
Heart-rending scenes and incidents
crowded fast one upon another in this
sOrely afflicted mining community to-
day Funeral professions were in
sight in all directions during the en-
tire day. on the way to the ceme-
teries the solemn little professions
were constantly going and passing We
hicles coming from the mines laden
with victims en- route to the morgue,
there to be placed In caskets and pre-
pared for another series OF funerals.
About twenty victims were buried
today in the three cemeteries near the
town. The services were simple and
brief. and except for the grief Of the
mourners, which at times bee" me
most frantic, were without 81 cial
feature.
Several Of the services were (. ter
rupted by women fainting, cat sing
momentary excitement. but this was
soon dispelled
Many women believe their husbands
or sons will be still found alive and
refuse to leave the vicinity of the
mine. When bodies are carried from
the mine these women become almost
insane, screaming and pacing back
and forth. and calling aloud the
names of their loved ones
one woman overheard a man say
that most OF the bodies were badly
mutilated. With a piercing shrek che
fell To the ground and was carried 10
her home nearby. Tonight she is still
unconscious and her condition Is crit
ical. An American woman who lost
her husband refused TO believe he is
dead. She has nut clean linen on his
bed and insists that he win be brought
to her. Il know he is injured and no.
body can take care OF him like / can"
she says. She prepares his meals reg
ularly. neighbors saw. as she has done
for years, thinking he may come for
them.
That stage has been reached where
relief for surviving dependents Of the
victims Is necessary. and much prog
ress was made in that direction to-
day. Several organization. nave been
Incorporated and the work Is being
systematized. Churches are taking the
lead In this work. The coal company
Is showing a liberal spirit. and Is us
ing money freely TO relieve distress.
Great Quantities Of food we're distrib-
uted today.
The fire which started in mine No
5 this afternoon is nov under control
and is said TO have done little damage.
Rescue work viii be resumed as soon
as the federal and state authorities
finish an investigation they are maxi
ing and pronounce conditions safe.