The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-21

Mouth of the Mlne-5odies Taken
Out BY Reseuers Are Terribly Mutt.
iated-only One Man Escaped.
Jacobs Creek. Pa, Dec 20.-An ex-
plosion OF gas in the Darr mine Of the
Pittsburg Coal company entombed be
tween 200 and 250 miners. and there
is scarcely ray of hope that sin.
gle one of them viii be taken from
the mine alive Partially wrecked
buildings in the vicinity of the mine
and the condition OF the few bodies
found early in the rescue work indi-
cate an explosion of such terrific force
that it seems impossible that anyone
could have survived it, All OF the
thirteen bodies taken out up to this
time are terribly mutilated. and three
of them are headlesS.
This is the third mine disaster since
the first OF the month in the veins OF
bitumlnOus coal underlying western
Pennsylvania and West Virginia, for
the Naomi mine. near Fayette City.
and the two mines at Monongah, w.
Va. in which the earlier explosions
happened are in the same belt as the
local workings This catastrophe
swells the number of victims of deadly
mine gas for the nineteen days TO be-
tween 55) and 600.
As was the case at MOnongah, the
explosion followed a brief shutdown,
the Darr mine having been closed on
Tuesday and Wednesday. When the
tenth trip OF loaded cars had been
brought out to the tipple there came
an awful rumbling sound. followed
Immediately by a loud report and a
conclusion that shook nearby build
ings and was felt within a radius OF
several miles. AT the same time there
came out Of the mouth of the mine an
immense cloud of dense smoke and
dust that floated across the Yong
hiogheny river.
Intuitively everyone in the vicinity
knew what had happened, and all
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
10 reach il. 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 G story of seething flames.
back in the workings, and from this
source came reports that were per
sistent that the mine was burning.
The .ventilating fans were kept in
operation almost without interruption.
however the power plant having
withstood the force Of the explosion,
and I'D to this time the rescuers have
found no fire any place in the mine.
AS far as known only one man who
went to work in the morning made his
escape.
Joseph Mapleton. pumper,
emerged from one OF the side entries
shortly after the explosion. He had
left the part of the mine where most
his way TO the engineroom for oil
Il was near entry twenty-one, said
he. when | heard an awful rumbling.
I started towards the entry. but the
next instant was blinded, and for
little time / didn't know anything.
Then got to the side entry and work
ed my way out"
Mapleton was somewhat cut and
bruised. but after going home and hav-
ing his injuries dressed he returned
to the mine and joined the rescuing
parties.
William Kelvington, superintendent
of the mine, was not in the mine at
the time 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 4 similar force at a
side entry. It is hoped to reach the
greater part of the victims through
.iaez lakk2is--O-.--
The only means OF reaching the
mouth of the mine from Jacobs Creek,
where most of the miners homes are
located. is by means Of SKY ferry
A basket-like car suspended from
cable. in which the men pull them
selves back and forth. This car only
accommodates six persons, and there
IS almost a riot every time IT. starts