Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-18
MAY BE WEEKS BEFORE
BODIES ARE RECOVERED
Government Experts Who Makte DC
scent Are Hauled Up Half Exh-a aust
ed and Tell of Wierd Sights Wiin'n
Shafts-Miner Makes Fiery Spec en-
to Sulien Men.
(By Associated Press.)
to Sulien Men

first time since Sunday two men TO-
night took their lives in their hands
and descended the ventilating SHAFT
of the st. Paul mine in the fiery gal
lery cf which more than three hundred
men and boys lie. The exploit was
successfully carried out by Thomas
Morris and r. Y. Williams, both OF
the United States geological survey
They were nearly exhausted when
hauled to the top. but were quickly re-
vived under the administration OF
stimulantS
From what they discovered it is
thought the fire has moved back from
the main shaft and that it may be
possible to enter the mine soon.
Williams. much the lighter man OF
the two, descended to the second gal
lerv. where the fire started. The
shaft was comparatively cool. There
was considerable steam. but much less
smoke than on Sunday.
The buckets in which the descent
Fwx5 nande were large enough only
TO stand in and the effort Of holding
10 the rope. carrying their oxygen
apparatus on their backs at the same
time. wore both men out and impeded
exploration.
1t was declared that no other at
tempt would be made tonight to
xkA toll drift
,7 .Wierd Scene In Pit.
Morris and Williams said that the
scene in the pit was weird.
"An about u.s." said Williams, the
steam seemed to whirl and toss. There
was little smoke. and much less heat
than during the descent l made last
Sunday. For the first few feet down
I noticed the timber supports con-
siderabIy seorched. but lower down
this was less noticeable.
AS We slowly descended / gave
the signal frequently to stop hoping
when | reached certain depths to look
into the galleries. But the steam was
too dense. | did not see any bodies.
After four days the St PAU
coal mine, in which are still
entofnbed the bodies of three
hundred OF more miners as
result of last Saturdays fire. today
refused to yield up the dead Utter
failure to devise any satisfactory
method OF recovering the bodies left
the situation the same tonight as 1t
was last night.
The interior of the mine is burning
almost as fercely as ever. The partial
opsnins Of tie seal over the mouth
of the hosting SHAFT today allowed
pu5s Of >snoke to escape. showing the
fury OF the internal combustion.
While the two companies of state
troops we're present TO prevent pos
sifjIr disorders. they remained Idle IN
their cars except for guard dsty about
the mine and the sleeping cars that
serve as hotels for officers and
inspectors.
No Definite plans Made
At confer<fe OF federal state
nd iccaI mining experts il was agreed
after FIVE hours CT deliberation that
No immediate descent could be made
into the gas and heat-fiIled cavern
without risk OF killing those Who made
the attempt No definite plans were
reported for extinguishing the FIRE or
FOR entering the mine.
To alfay the anxiety OF survivors
and relatives and satisfy general
craving for news Of conditions in the
mine. those in charge q the work To-
e,v allowed spectators to gather near
the shaft. Details of what was done
were pub.ic.y announced through q
mcxaphone when Mining Engineer