The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-01-09
RV 0RBAGH HES
away 1O.DISTANT
new YORK
ne Investigating
Committee Leaves

+ SON. chief mine inspector, Ebenezer
Jones, assistant mine inspector Of the
Fourth district, w. H. Turner. assist
ant inspector of the Fifth district, and
w. II. Miller assistant inspector of
the Seventh district, gave their testi-
:mony this morning. The major part
OF their evidence was a joint report
made by these men, which was given
to Chief Mine Inspector ]. w. Paul.
This report was handed to each wit
ness as ne went on the stand and he
was asked If that was the report that
+ he had subscribed to. and each one
said that 1t was. John t. Harris read
the report. While 1t suggested sever
al things that might have caused the
explosion. It did not decide upon any
one thing. They were rather inclin-
led to think that 1t was a dust eXplo-
sion started by blownout shot. The
report stated that the real cause may
never be known. They saw evidences
x Of excessive shooting. and that the
number OF parallel headings were
thought to be dangerous, as they were
additional places for the accumula-
tioh Of dust.
Assistant Mine Inspector LaRue is
Of the opinion that the explosion was
caused by the broken trip, and the
question that he asks the witnesses
indicate that he will insist upon bring
ing this theory out clearly.
1t is notknown yet when the inquest
viii come to an end Hany witnesses
are to be examined yet and some that
win take considerable time. 1t is
thought that the examination of Cen
eral Superintendent ]. C. Gaskill will
take a day. One day win probably be
given to Rev. C. L. orbach, of New
York. who represents the slayish Ey-
angelical Union. Rev. orbach claims
that he has some. evidence that tends
to prove the cause of the disaster.
orbach will be represented when
the time comes by Edward Duffy, an
attorney of Pittsburg. orbach left
last night, but will return later
The testimony win make about one
thousand typewritten pages. Besides
tn g original copy. i've carbon copies
are being made for the parties inter
sested. The original copy will be filed
in the circuit clerks oflce.
The Legislative Commission had a
meeting this afternoon at the Manley,
which detained Chief Inspector Paul
two hours. The committee gathered
good many facts and left for
Clarlsburg In time to catch train No.
55 that goes to Parkersburg.
The Legislative Mine Investigating
Committee will meet at Charleston on
the morning of the 23d day of Janu.
ary, 1908, in the finance COMMITTEES
room Of the Senate. for the purpose
OF continuing their work, formulating
preliminary report and preparing
bill amendatory OF the mining laws
Of the State, for submission to the
Legislature at the extra session.
To.Day's Evidence.
William Sloan was the first witness
examined this morning. He was a
coupler at No. 6. He was at the foot
4 Of the slope of No. 6 when the broken
trip OF four cars ran into the mine,
which occurred about month be-
fore the explosion. He did not see
any fame at this time. He noticed
some charred coal. There was short
circuit made at that time. He said
that the heading was dusty.
John Talbot. shipping clerk at Mo
ncngah, was the next witness examln-
ed. He was talking to Port Knight
when No. blew up. Witness saw the
nash and heard the report of the ex-
pIoded mine and when he turned he
saw the smoke coming out Of No. 6.
The witness was looking toward No.
B g when the concussion came. The
smoke from No. 8 was black; that of
NO. was light and black. He thought
that there was four seconds between
the time the smoke came from the two
mines.
Frank Morris. clerk In the Monon.
gnh once. He was in the Office at the
U time. He could not see either mine
q from where he was. He felt the con.
cussiun and then made inquiry. Mr..
knight brought him piece of the
coupling pin. The pin was exhibited
= in9court.
Charles Dean, outside foreman at
the Monongah mines. was the next
witness. He has charge of the live
stock and keeps a record OF them, and
when an animal is killed 1t Is brought
& 10 his notice. he knew nothing Of
horse being KILLED a few days before