Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-02
BURIED ALIVE
About Thirty Miners Caught in an Explosion Near fsyeite
 City, Pa
WORK OF RESCUE ON

Fayette City, Pa, Dec 2.-Between p and 30 miners, possibly are entomb- ed in the Naomi mine of the United Coal company, located three miles west of this city and there is prac- tically no hope that any of them are alive. Their imprisonment is due to all explosion of black damp about S o'clock last night, soon after the night force went to work.
 It is said miner entering the old working with a lighted lamp caused the explosion. Had the disaster oc- cured on any other night except Sun day, the number of victims would have been twice as large. The mine employs from 275 to 300 regularly, about one fourth of them driving entry at night, but on Sunday nights only half the night force goes to work.
 The mine is of the shaft type, and
 
 broken down so as to completely close the passage back a considerable dis tance. About 100 feet from the en- trance is located the first air shaft, and from this deadly gas is pouring ill great volume. The gas found in mines in this territory is so poisonous that no human being can live in it for more than few minutes, and for this reason it is not believed single one of the entombed men is still alive.
 One man, an unidentified foreigner, managed to climb to ne top of the first air shaft, but dropped dead there. No sign of life has come from the others.
 Just after the night force entered the shaft there was flash which lighted up the mine and all around it. There was a roar as tons of coal and slate crashed down into the entries crowded with workmen. Then utter darkness followed, the explosing put ting out of business completely the lighting and air facilities of the mine. The mine immediately filled with gases and several not hurt by the eX- ploson perished while running to get into the fresh air.
 The shock of the explosion shook buildings in Fayette City and could be heard for miles.
 In the homes of miners, the eXplos- ion fell like a death signal and emptied cottages in the vicinity. The occupants of these, men, women and children, gathered around the mine this morning. The women and child ren cry continually and stare with horror at the seemingly fruitless work of rescue.
 The Naomi is one of the oldest op, erated by the United Coal company, which has its principal offices in Pitts burg. It is one of the biggest mines in the soft coal region, aLd gave work to two to three hundred men all the year round. The property loss vii! be enormous, as the mine was equip ped at a cost of thousands of dollars with up to date appurtenances.
 The exact number of men entomhed in the Naomi mine of the United Coal company near Fayette City, Pa, or their condition is not known yet. By noon to-day it is thought an entrance can be effected. but it will not be safe to risk entering the gaseous hole until hours later Nearly all the men en- trapped are foreigners and worked under numbers.
 Not more than thirty men were working in the mine at the time of the explosion, so far as I can estimate" said Superintendent ] ID. 0'Neil, Of the Naomi mine to-day.
 'The men are working heroically to save their comrades. Mine Inspector Henry Loutitt was on the ground im- mediately after the explosion and organized a relief corps.
 Mine superintendents of all the mines along the MonOngahela river volunteered their help in the work of rescue.
 The Naomi p~fne is owned by the United Coal company of this city. Of- ficials here say the regular Sunday night shift is So men. Machine Boss HopwoOd. of the mine. is positive