Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-18
TESTS MADE THIS MORNING
SHOW TEMPERATURE OF 115,
MOST INTENSE HEAT REGIS.
TERED SINCE FIRE BEGAN,
TROOPS ON GUARD
PREVENT TROUBLE
GOVERNOR DENEEN PUTS TOWN.
UNDER MARTIAL LAW AFTER
RuMoRs ARE HEARD THAT
DYNAMITE PLOT is ON.

Cherry, Ill, Nov. 17.--The fire in the
Cherry mine now is hotter than it has
been at any time. The chances are 1t
is said. no one can enter the mine for
week. If such proves to be the
case upon investigation the mine will
be sealed again and not opened for the
day.
The temperature in the main shaft
was taken at 10 o'clock and showed
lis degrees This was an Indication
less favorable than last night when the
authorities determined to open the
mine, if it possibly could be DONE with
safety.
During the taking of the test ap.
peals from the unfortunate women of
| Cherry for the shaft to be opened were
so pathetic as to force the officials to
| turn their heads.
Gas formed rapidly in the mine this
morning, caused by the burning of coal
and action of the fire and water. An
explosion Is feared.
Troops on Hand.
| In an effort to rid the mine of gas
the air shaft will be opened today and
the big fan turned on. Upon the
success of this action will depend the
immediate plans of the men trying to
bring the fire under control and enter
/ the mine State troops arrived all last
night. Hints of possible demonstra-
/ ton against the state officers or mine
officials reached the ears of States
i Attorney Eckhart yesterday and the
troops were sent for. All night they
did sentinel duty about the mine and
the Milwaukee cars, containing mine
inspectors and nurses and the private
coach of President Earling of the Mil.
waukee. During the night tons of
water were forced into the burning
mine under the supervision of expert
fire fighters from Chicago.
Cherry is now practically under
martial law. Companies of the Illinois
national guard, ordered by Gov. De-
neen last night at Chicago, reported
at the devastated mining town during
the night. Martial law was not official
ly proclaimed Sheriff Skoglund is In
: complete control of the situation and
the military of the state Is on the spot
simply for police duty.
AT 5:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon
Gov Deneen, at the Union League
club, was reached by long distance
telephone by Sheriff Skoglund OF
Bureau county, who was talking from
Ladd
Conditions are most grave. de,
clared the sheriff. 1--WE do not know
: what may happen when the work OF
!. bringing up the bodies of the dead
t miners begin. We need troops Inn,
mediately. Please send at least one
company"
: Dynamite Plot Discovered7
Despite Sheriff Skoglund's assurance
! that no apprehension prompted tha
call for troops, many wild rumors emas
!. mated from Cherry. One was that a
crowd of men from points outside OF
/ Cherry had determined to take the sit.
uation into their own hands and carry
out the rescue work themselves.
Another said plot had been formed
to blow up a number Of private cars
on the switches here.
). One of them Is the private car of
President Earling of the Chicago, Mil
waukee and st. Paul railroad, who re-
mains night and day on the ground.
Although officials of the company
scoffed at the reports, late dispatches
from the town were to the effect that
e Sheriff Skoglund had taken immediate
SJSpS W bHWdEL Lu6 DiOLtSIB ny OTQST'
ing all the dynamite and powder in the
:. mining company's storehouse taken
O out of the county.
+ This order was carried out efta1
i dark and more than 500 pounds Of the
s explosive secretly removed from the
j town.
n Officials Believe All Men Dead.
II When the bodies will be brought uI
is doubtful. None of the officials be
4 lieve any of the men are alive. The
fire in the mine today is more intense
s than when the men were entrapped
No efforts have been made to ente.
The seal over the mouth Of the shat
was perforated yesterday It was il
q tended to force water and chemical!
: down through the pipes. A thermom
= eter plunged into the sand covering
:, the seal showed temperature of Ill
p degrees, indicating that the heat in thu
i interior of the mine is intense.
- Fire Chief Koran of Chicago arrived
- with 4his assistants and hose ant