Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-12-08
EXPERTS CALLED TO THE Scene
Men Who Have Had Experience In
Digging For Bodies Under Danger
Ous Circumstances VIII Be Put a,
Work Tcday-many of the Dead
Are Americans--seenes of Horror
In Afflicted Town.
an Associnted Pressl

-hONONbAli. w. a., DEC. AT IL
o'clock tonight total OF - bodics
had been recovered from mines Nos.
1 and S of the Fairmont Coal Com
pany at Monongah. Scores OF othor
victims were in sight OF the rcscuing
parties. and II was estimated that nj
least loo dead will be brought to
ihe. surface before daylight tomor-
row. However the number OF bodies
recovered tonight and early Sunday
depends entirely upon tho condition
Of the mine. It is said. Late today
and tonight tho deadly black damp
became more pronounced MS the turin
e. reccsses OF the mine were ap-
preached.
II was stated tonight by General
Manager Leo l.. Malone OF The mines,
-th,lts-A AIS actual. miners were checked
off as entering the mines yesterday
morning. This number. It was furth-
er stated. did no. include fully 100
trappers. mule drivers, bumpers and
boys who are not under the check
system. Should these figures. be cor
rect, the death list will he over Gao
persons.
The condition of tho bodies thus far
recovered Is horrible. Many are dis
mcmbered, some are fearfully crushed,
and the rest are blackened and burn
I'D beyond recognition. The body OF
+. NJ. McGraw pit boss. and one OF
the best known mining men in West
Virginia, was recovered tonight in
mine No. s. 1t was headless and
otehrwise disfigurcd. Identification
having been made by the clothing and
shoes no wore.
People of Vicinity Are Dared.
The accident, the greatest in the
history of American mining, has daaei
the people of the vicinity. Tonight
the streets of both this town and Fair
mont are crowded with people, while
thousands line the hills In tho yicin-
ity OF the mines. Every barroom In
Fairmont and Monongah is closed.
notices on the doors announcing that
the suspension Is caused by the mine
explosion and will last until Monday.
There is both precaution and re-
spect In the closing OF tho saloons.
Throughout the territory over 60
mines have suspended operations tenn
porarlly. and about 5000 miners are
visiting here and In Falrmont.
Starting tomorrow morning a new
system OF rescue work will be III.
augurated at both mines. It Il; tho
intention To dispense with the SER
Vices OF the miners who have been
employed III either OF the mines. In
their places there will be about 200
export mining men from Pennsylva-
MIA. Ohio and West Virginia, all OF
whom have volunteered.
These men. under the direction of
Chief Mino Inspector j. W. Paul or
West Virginia, who arrived today
from Charlcstown, will be more fitted
10 render effective service III tho
recovering OF the dead The reason
for this Is that conditions now exist
Ing In the mines are extremely dan.
Gerous and 1t is feared should inox-
porienced men make an Incorrect
lnovo n second explosion would oc-
Cur which would completely wreck
the mines.
Funds For Destitute Started.
II ID estimated that $50 families
ere destitute. In many places relief
funds have already been started for
tho widows and children.
Tomorrow In all the cliurches of
Fairmont, Clarkesburg and Monongah
specinl services will be held and 1t
1t probable collections will be taken.
1t is the purpose of the ministers TO
establish permanent relief fund.
a acore OF men of tho rescuing par
ties are In critical condition tonight
from inhaling black damp.
Several Of them are expected to
die. One of these men. John Cab
bert, was carried from the mine to-
night almost a ravlng maniac. His