Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-08
BODIES COMING UP SLOWLY
Local Rescuers Will Be Replaced by
Outside Volunteers.
ALL SALOONS IN TOWN CLOSED
Measure Taken Partly as a Precau-
tion and Partly Out Of Respect
to the Dead. ~

o'clock tonight a total of twenty-five
bodies had been recovered from mines
Nos. 6 and g of the Fairmont Coal Com
pany at Monongah. Scores of other vic
Tins were in sight of the rescuing parties.
and 1t was estimated that at least 100
dead will be brought to the surface before
daylight tomorrow. However, the number
of bodies recovered tonight and early Sum
day depends entirely upon the condition
of the mine.
Late today and tonight the deadly
black k-damp became more pronounced as
the further recesses of the mine were ap-
preached. 1t was physical impossibility
to go faster than the air, which travelled
slowly on account of the men having to
brattice many old entries as they worked
forward. 1t was stated tonight by Gen.
eral Manager Leo L. Malone of the mines
that AIS actual miners were checked on
as entering the mines yesterday morning.
This number, it was further stated, did
not include fully 100 trappers. mule
under the check system. Should these
figures be correct the death list will be
over $50 persons.
Town Is Dazed.
The condition of the bodies thus far re-
covered is horrible Many are dismem-
bered, some are fearfully crushed and
the rest are blackened and burned be-
yond recognition. The body of ]. M. Nc
Graw, pit boss, and one of the best known
mining men in West Virginia, was recov-
cred tonight in mine No. g. 1t was head
less and otherwise disfgured. identif1ca-
ton having been made by the clothing
and shoes he wore
of American mining. has dazed the people
of this vicinity. Tonight the streets OF
both this town and FairmOnt are crowded
with people, while thousands line the hills
in the vicinity Of the mines. Every bar
room in Fairmont and Monongah Is
closed. notices on the doors announcing
that the suspension is caused by the mine
explosion and will last antff Monday.
Volunteer Rescuers.
There is both precaution and respect In
the closing of the saloons. Throughout
the territory over sixty mines have sus-
pended operations temporarily, and about
5000 miners are visiting here and in Fair
mont. Starting tomorrow, a new system
of rescue work will be inaugurated at
both mines. 1t is the intention to dis
pense with the services of the miners
who have been employed in either Of the
mines. In their places there will be about
200 expert mining men from Pennsylva-
MIA, Ohio and West Virginia. all of whom
have volunteered. These men. under the
direction of Chief Mine Inspector ]. w.
PAUL. of West Virginia, who arrived today
from Charles Town, will be more fitted to
render effective service in the recovering
of the dead. The reason for this is that
conditions now existing in the mines are
extremely dangerous, and 1t Is feared.
should inexperienced men make an incor-
rect move, second explosion would oc-
cur. which would completely wreck the
mines.
Rescuers Overcome.
1t is estimated that $50 families are
destitute. In many places relief funds
have already been started for the widows
and children. Tomorrow in all the
churches of Fairmont, Clarksburg and
Monongah special services will be held.
and it Is probable collections will be
taken. 1t is the purpose of the ministers
to establish a permanent relief fund.
A score of men of the rescuIng parties
are in a critical condition tonight from
inhaling blackdamp. Several of them are
expected to die. One of these men, John
Gabbert, was carried from the mine to-
night almost a raving maniac. His lungs
were filled with blackdamp which pro-
duced a condition as one insane, and the
services of four men We're necessary to
hold Gabbert while doctors attended him.
All Hope Abandoned.
Up to late today many entertained hopes
that some of the entombed men would be
taken from the mines alive. AS the bod
les recovered today, however, were
brought to the surface horribly mangled.
all hope was dispelled and distressing
scenes followed. The walls of the foreign
women, inexpressibly weird, were very
pathetic and caused tears among many
of the men. From 10 to 80 per cent OF the
x,;ot to acfi cd pnn A
ma ajority of men who have been recovered
will be buried tomorrow. All day long
men have been digging graves in the
Catholic cemetery, located within sight
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