The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-01-13
ON STAND
RIS AFTERNOON
2!.:3O O'CLOCK
Jury May Not
Z port For Week

The Court OF inquiry winch 70 'i'S"
ma an Investigation as to the cause
Of the great mine disaster at Monon-
nah Is about over. The last witness
il the person Of Chief Mine Inspector
d. w. paul took the witness stand this
afternoon and related what he has
found as to conditions about the
mines. Being asked as to the Proba.
Sic cause Of the explosion, Chief Paul
said there was more than one cause
and he then at the request Of Prosecute
ing Attorney Lowe read his opinion to
she jury:
chief paul seems to think the ex-
pIoston originated in No. mine and
was therefore not the direct result Of
The broken trip, although he thinks
the broken trip theory worthy of care
fuI consideration. He holds to the dust
theory primarily, as mas been explain
ed by other witnesses.
Chief Paul while on the stand stat
cd that he had copy Of the report of
the Pennsylvania inspectors. The
question then arose as to the admts.
sion Of this report as evidence. It
was finally decided not to admit the
report as 1t had not been sworn to
and the men were not here to swear
TO It. Chief Paul when asked as to the
mature Of the report said It in large
measure was In corroboration of other
evidence introduced.
After It was decided not to admit
the report Of the Pennsylvania inspes
tors, Mr.. Alexander, attorney for the
Fairnont Coal Company said that in
order that the company might be
placed in the attitude of desiring all
The evidence possible to go before the
jury, he waived all objection to the
report being submitted and 1t was
placed in the jury's hands.
! Court adjourned at s:s5, the jury
retiring to Coroner Amos office to
consult as to their plans for future
neetfns to agree upon verdict. They
may be ready. to report tomorrow,
and It may be week, no one knows
ast ito that.
To-days Testimony.
Robert Cunningham was the first
witness examined this morning. He
stated that he had charge of the cen
sus that was taken OF the miners at
Monongah. He told how the census
was made. The witness was asked If
a boy by the name of Caipel was in the
employ of the Fairmont Coal Com
pany. The witness did not know, but
his records would show. Gov. Daw-
son received letter from the boys
father, who is Frenchman. inquiring
Cor the boy. The father believed that
he was lost in the disaster. Whether
this is true or not the records will
probably show.
P. A. Grady, mine inspector, was
next called. He made an examination
OF the mines and concurred in the
Joint report. He had no knowledge
that would cause him to change the
opinion there expressed.
j. F. Bratt. mine inspector of the
Third district, was called. He has
had As years experience in mines and
had experience in gaseous mines and
had been where there were explo'
sions. He has been In the Monongah
mines since the explosion and made /.
report as to the cause. He was hand,
ed the report and identified it. The
/ report was read to the jury. The wit.
ness thought that 1t was a dust ex-
plosion caused by the runaway trip
which caused short circuiting of the
Y electric wires. The witness supported
his theory by certain evidences which
ne found In the mine. The witness
( still confirmed the report. He thought
! that II the dust had been thoroughly
dampened there would have been only
q local explosion. He thought that
the mines should be piped with water
pipes and a regular system OF spray
ing the dust, The dust he said was
s, very nafd TO mix with water.
Inspector LaRue.
L. s. LaRue was the next witness.
Heis the mine inspector for the First
district This district includes the
wrecked mines. He has had forty
years experience In mine work. He
mas fifty mines and 1000 men are
working IN HIS district, He visited
ttis REGION hrst in July. He was hand.
ed certificate Of inspection of No.
8, which me witness had aIled up. The
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