Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1907-12-20
LIGHTS BURNED IN EVERY
HOUSE IN JACOBS
CREEK
Hundreds of Widows and Or
phans MOurned the Loss
OF Loved Ones.
FAINT HOPE FOR
ENTOMBED MINERS

Jacobs Greek, Pa. Dec. ,20.--Last
night was a terrible night for hum
dreds of women and children and
relatives, who lost husbands, fauhers
and brothers In the Darr mine ex-
plosion of yesterday. Not house
was darkened and all night long the
means and crys OF the grief strick-
en- could be head.
The work of rescue was continued
all night and this morning but all
hope is lost for the rescue of any OF
the entombed miners alive. NUM-
ber of torn and mangled and char
red bodies have been taken from
the debris, which block the main
passage but even this work was ham
pered by the presence of fire in the
mine. Smoke and hot air continues
to rush from the opening.
A meeting of the officers OF the
Pittsburg Coal company last night
discussed the advisability of sealing
up the mine with hopes of smother-
ing the fire. but the presence OF close
to 800 miners dead or alive prevent
ed the action.
1As was the case at Monangah of
a week ago, the explosion followed a
brief shutdown, the Darr mine hav-
ing been closed Tuesday and We'd
nesday. 10 was 1880 o'clock when
the tenth trip of loaded cars had
there came an awful rumbling
sound, followed Immediately by a
loud report and a conclusion that
shook nearby buildings and was felt
within a radius of mile. AT the
same time there came TO the mouth
of the mine an immense volume OF
smoke and dust that hoated across
the Youghgieogheny river.
Intuitively every one in the vicinity
knew what had happened, and also
started for the one place, the mouth
of the mine. The river separates the
mine and the homes of many of the
miners, so that only a portion OF
those who started for the scene were
able to reach II, 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 told a story OF seeming
flames back in the workings. and
from this source came reports that
were persistent until late In the day
that the mine was burning.
The ventilating fans were kept in
operation almost without Interrupt
ton, the power plant having with
stood the force of the explosion, ana
up to this time rescuers have found
no fire at any place in the mine. As
far as known only one man who
went to work this morning escaped.
ed from one of the side entries short-
ly after the explosion. He had left
the part of the mine where most OF
the men were working, and was on
the way to the engine room oiling.
II was in entry 21." he said, when
1 heard an awful rumbling. / start
ed toward the entry but the next
instant 1 was blinded, and for lit
tie time 1 didn't know anything.
Then ] got to the side entry and
worked by way out"
Mapleton was somewhat cut and
bruised, but after going home and
having his injuries dressed he return
ed to the mine and Joined the res
cuers.
William Kelvington, superintendent
of the mine, was not In the mine
when the explosion occurred, and he
quickly organized rescuing parties.
starting one force of twenty-five men
with reliefs at short Intervals. in the
main entry, and a similar force at a
side entry. 1t Is hoped to reach the
greater part of the victims through
the latter source. SO far little trou-
bile 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
that some may have found places Of