Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-21
DANGER AT MINE
The Fear of Another ExpIo-
 sion Is Retarding the Work of Rescue.

short distance rescuers were able to penetrate the Darr mine, scene. of Thursdays awful explosion, last night, half dozen bodies were found and brought to the surface, making the total number that has reached the morgue up to this morning, twelve. A number of others, it is said have been located.
 While vast amount of work was done during the night, not much pro gress was made towards the entries in which the great mass of bodies are entombed. The danger of another explosion is imminent and the rescu- ing forces dare not venture far ahead of the forces erecting the temporary brattices. Vast quantities of gas have been encountered and the volume seems to be steadily increasing, due possibly to the opening of new tis- Sures in the earth, resultant from the terrific explosion. There is also a strong suspicion, prompted by the waves of hot air that are said to come from the direction, that fierce fire is already raging far back in the workings, and if the flames should reach the deposits of coal dust known to lie in the rooms. nothing could prevent q new catastrophe, with the would be rescurers for victims. Con- pany officials have ordered that eX- plOring parties shall advance only as fast as the apssageway can be clear ed of gas, ventilated and otherwise made safe.
 So bad is the general idea of the conditions in the mine that contrary to all precedents in mine disasters there is no enthusiasm over joining the rescuing parties. Few volunteer for the service and those who do enter are exercising the greatest caution. While what appear to be the most l reliable estimates on the number of victims are near POO, there are many who insist that the final list of deal will contain many more names. Con spicuous among these are Michael Hal lahy, national organizer fof the United Mine Workers of America, who has assumed charge here for the Organiza- tion. He says:
 T have made house to house can vass among the families here and am certain that there are 300 dead men in | the Darr mine"
 One of the most serious difficulties encountered-one that may explain hn al in, I,rit to the surface is to get the bodies across the river to their former homes. The only direct means of communca- l ton between the two points is the 'sky l ferry" used by the miners. This bas- ket car, travelling on a cable will not hold a casket alone, not to mention the men that would have to accompany 1 it to propel the car. There are bridges some miles above and below the mine, but it would be almost impossible to haul the casket across the country on either side of the river to and from the bridges. II may be decided to erect a sky ferry on a larger scale to accommodate the collins and their attendants.
 Evidence of much suffering anu distress among those dependent upo. the victims has already been dis closed and steps have been taken to organize relief committees. James E. Boderick, chief os tht state department of mining, has or dered the nine mine inspectors Ot the state to meet him here to-day to assist in rescue work and to il, vestigate the cause of the explosion
 Clark Adams. said to be the con ot wealthy parents, living in New York a young man just out of his teens. i' said to have met death in the mines Three months ago Adams sought err, ployment as a day hand at the mines He intended to leave for the cas- next Sunday. His body has Tot ye been recovered. but summons ha! been sent to his parents.