The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-11-17
HUNDREDS FACE
EXPLOSION PERIL
At BURNING MINE
Water Thrown on Flames at
Cherry Disaster Causes Tre-
mendOus Pressure of Gas.
GRIEF-STRIcKEN WOMEN
HOLD ALL-NIGHT VIGIL
State Troops Arrive as Threats
Are Made Against Man Who
Deserted Post.

CHERRY, H., Nov l7--An eAplo-
sion today threatens the st. Paul
mine. as burning OF cual and the action
of fire and water may cause gas 70
form in large quantities
In an effort to rid the mine Of this
gas the shaft will be opened to-
Gay and the big fan will be started.
1Jpon the. success OF this action will de-
8 pend the plans of the men trying to
bring the interior fire under ,ontroi
and effect an entrance
Early today the engine pumping
water into the hoisting shaft was
stopped. The water evidently was fail-
ing to reach the flames, since the fire
is fiercest In the galleries and the
water descends beyond it to the bot
tom of the shaft.
The water has been forced to the
bottom in quantities sufficient TO nave
filed the .Sump," or drainage basin
and overflow the lower galleries. II is
possible the fire pumps will resume ac-
ton later in the day.
The fire is now hotter than it has
been at any time. The inquest over
the death of the rescuers VINO per-
ished Saturday was not continued TO-
day.
Threats have been made against flos-
eniack. the eager who Is said to nave
deserted his post the first day of sthe
disaster. and his testimony may bring
npon him violence at the hands Oh
those who hold him responsible Tor
the failure to bring at least some OF
tha Y1,iners to the surface. W
Captain Hall, in command of the
militia now on the ground, found no
evidence Of trouble when he arose to-
day.
IT can't see any need for troops here.
There seems no occasion for them
re caid. soon after dawn Captain Hal
was called to the telephone and re-
ported, to the State authorities the ar
rival Of the troops. Most of the morn
tnx he was kept busy arranging the
comn1issary department. The soldiers
were scattered about the mine. Tneir
presence eaused no demonstration from
the miners
Before dawn the daily pilgrimage OF
women 10 the mine began.
The faithful vigil of the women has
been relaxed only few hours each
day. though little hope is entertained
there wiliEbe found living man or boy
when the mine is opened.
The delay in recovering the bodies
has driven scores of women almost 10
desperation. Hints of possible demon
stration against the State officers or
mine officials reached the ears of State
Attorney Eckhart. and the troops were
sent for. All night they did sentinel
dufv about the mine and railroad cars
containing mine inspectors and nurses,
and the private coach of President
Earring, of the ST. Paul road.
During the night tons of water were
forced down in the burning mine
through the hoist shaft. Fire Chief
SHoran and Captain Kenney, with En-
rine No. 40, and a squad of Chicago
fire,nen are in charge Of this work.
The thoroughness of the persons
directing the relief will make physical
bardship and Suffering improbable If
suficient funds are received. card
index system is employed by S. G.
Kingsley, superintendent of the United
Charities of Chicago, and e. p. Bick-
nell. director OF the National Red Cross.
The following cases are typical ones
these men will have charge Of
Louis Galletto. 40; his two brothers
and his oldest son, John. 1S, also were
among the victims. Louis Galletto
leaves widow, who is chronic in
valid, and six dependent children. The
youngest. 5 years old. Joe Zeukcia, So,
perished. He leaves widow and seven
children, Oldest of whom is Annie,
aged 49,
Bishop Michael Dunno, of the Roman
Catholic diocese of Peoria; Father Sku-
lik, of La Sale. and forty sisters of
charity are among those engaged in
the work of charity today.