Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-06
300 MEN BURIED:
MAY ALL Be DEAD
Terrific Dust Explosion at
Monongah, w. Va.
TWO PITS ARE WRECKED
Property Owned by Consolidation
Company of Baltimore.
NOISE HEARD EIGHT MILES
Communication With the Place Is
Difhcult-Though to Have
Been Dust Blast.
TWO PITS ARE WRECKED
Property Owned by Consolidation
Company of Baltimore.
NOISE HEARD EIGHT MILES

ne WORST eXpiOSlCIl III lllC lllS-
tory of coal mining in America
occurred at the mines of the Con-
solidation Coal Company at Mo-
nongah, w. Va, today. Two ex-
plosions in connecting mines have
wrecked the workings, burying
between 400 and 500 men, most of
whom it is feared are dead. The
mines are filled with poisonous
gases, making the work of the
rescuers difficult and hazardous.
Four men have been taken out, all
dead. Two or three men were
blown alive through an air shaft
of the mine, having miraculous
escape. A train load of physi-
clans and nurses has been sent
from Pittsburg to the scene of the
disaster.
PITTSBURG. Pa. December Ga ter
rife explosion. burying 500 men, oc-
CURED today in mines Nos and of
the Consolidation Coal Company Of Mo-
nongah. w. Va.
A Iong-distance telephone message to
the Associated Press says that the bodies
of three miners have been recovered near
the mouth of mine No. G. They were for
eigners. Supt. John Malone of the mines
says there are at least five hundred men
entombed.
Mine No. is located on the east side
of the Monongahe1a river, and mine No
on the west side. How the explosion
occurred simultaneously in bath mines
cannot be explained at this time
All Is confusion at the scene Of the dis
aster and definite information is meager.
The explosion was heard for distance
of eight miles.
It is believed that a ma ajbritty of the
entombed men were killed.
After the receipt of the news physicians
and special cars were dispatched to the
scene from Fairmont. The mine is too
full of gas and smoke yet for rescuers to
be able to so in.
1t is said the explosion started in mine
connected.
The gravest fears are felt for the safety
of the great number Of men in the work
ings. The very earth seemed to be rent
at the moment of the shock. Some idea
of the force of the explosion may b.
gained from the fact that props from
the mine were not only blown out of tn
entry, but were hurled by the force of it
clear across the west fork of the Monon-
gahela liver. Wires are down, which is
the reason for details of the explosion
being unObtainabe yet.
Record Mine Horror
1t is feared that the accident will turn
out TO be the worst in tthe history of
mining in this country
Superintendent Malone telephones that
200 men were in the mine at the time,
and the miners do not think any could
escape alive from the forces of the ex
plosion.
The fans were started at noon to clear
out the foul air and the rescuers may be
expected to reach the men by O'Clock
this afternoon.
The min management declares
d. 8 not know the cause, but eXperienc",
miners declare that it must have been
due to dust.
The town of Monongah has a population
Of 5000 and while for the most part. the
miners are of foreign birth. there are
still many Americans. The largest stee.
tipple in the state is located at Monengah.
The min both shaft ard 90 MIN $.
They lie on both sides of the river
TIE coal company is one of the largest
in the country, and is capitalized at about
SD, 100000.
II has upward of 100 produc'nc
properties. Clarence W. Watson is the
president, with headquarters in BaIti-
more.
Rescuers Working Hard.
1t is now said the relief party which
Is working its way into the mines will not
reach the imprisoned men before 4
o'clock this afternoon. The rescuers in
clude mine carpenters and superintend-
ents headed by j. c.. Gaskill a super
intendent The coal company has its
relief arrangements down to system
and special trains are ready to bring the
wounded to the Miners Hospital in this
city as fast as possible.
Relief Trains Sent Out.
FAIRMONT, W. Va, December 6.-The
disaster is said To have been due to q
dust explosion. Nothing IS known her
Of the number of men i'll the mines at
th7 time Of the explosion. but from thc
fact that the coal company, which con
trolls the traction cars has stopped traf-
fic and are only sending out cars carrying
physicians and intimate friends OF ths
miners. it is feared the accident is g
Ser Gus The mines are pa I of
thos1 owned by the Consolidation Coal
Company Of Baltimore.
Tn company has mines in FaIrmont
Clarksburg. Somerset and near Cumber-
land
Clarence w. Watson of Baltimore is
president.
News in Baltimore.
BALTIMORE Md, December 6-At the
office here of the president of the Consoli-
dated Coal Company, in whose mines the
explosion occurred at Monongah il was
stated that information had been received
OF the disaster.
Details were lacking. but the advices
said there had been a tremendous explo-