Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-17
GAS FORMS IN WORKINGS
Danger of Explosion Completing
Deadly Work of Fire.
BIG AIR PUMP TO BE STARTED
Water Forced Down the Openings
Apparently Having No Effect on
Flames-Soldiers on Scene,

! CHERRY. ILL.,. November 17.-An explo-
plosion today threatens the st. Paul mine,
as burning of coal and the action of lire
and water may cause gas to Iornl in
large quantities.
In an effort to rid the mine of this gas
the air shaft will se opened today and
the big fan will be started. Urcr the
success of this action will depend the
plans Of the men trying 10 bring the in
terror fire under control and effecr an en-
| trance.
! Early today the engine pumping water
into the hoisting shaft WIS stopped. The
water evidently was failing to reach the
flames since the fire is fiercest in the gal
| leries and the water descends to the bot
| tom of the shaft
| Water has been forced to the bottom
in quantities sufficient to have filled the
stump or drainage basin and overflow
the lower galleries. It is possible the fire
pumps will resume action later I'm the
day. The fire is now hotter than it has
been any time.
The inquest over the death of the res
cuers who perished Saturday was not
| continued today.
Threats have been made against Rosen-
Jack. the eager, who is said to have de-
serted his post the first day OF the dis
aster. and his testimony may bring upon
him violence at the hands of those who
hold him responsible for the failure to
bring at least some Of the miners to the
| surface.
Capt. Hall. in command of the militia
now on the ground, found no evidence
of trouble when he arose today.
No Work for Soldiers.
Il can't see any need for troops here
There seems no occasion for them" he
said.
Soon after dawn Capt Hall was called
to the telephone and reported to The
state authorities the arrival of the troops
Most Of the morning he was kept busy
arranging the commissary department
The soldiers were scattered about the
mine. Their presence caused no demon
stration from the miners.
The temperature In the main shaft was
| taken at 10 o'clock by George F. Rice of
the United States geological survey. A
few feet from the top the thermometer
TocOTuSu ucBTecS dnTcnHelt. 1D1S
was an indication less favorable than last
night. when the state authorities deter
mined to open the mine II 1t possibly
could be done with safety.
After making the test President Earl
ing. Sheriff Skoglund. States Attorney
Eckhart and A. r. Newsam went into
conference to consider what should be
done.
Woman's Pathetic Appeal.
TnrinC he fol of ha faS hot IN
appeals from the unfortunate women of
Cherry for the shaft to be opened forced
the officials to turn their heads. With
| soldiers standing by one woman rushed
| upon the ssnd-covered top of the shaft
and threw herself upon the earth sobbing
| open the shaft, open the shaft"
Her cries and her hysterical efforts to
resist the gentle attempts of the men to
| take her away attracted - S,ention all
over the fine inclosure.
"Open the shaft open the shaft" she
| repeated over and over. MY father was
| down i'm a mine a week and he came out
| alive, and / know my husband and my
brother are not dead,'' she walled.
A nurse led her away, the grief-stricken
woman pleading that the shaft be opened
This is typical OF the feeling at Cherry
| today. The authorities. realizing il, will
| do all in their power to open the mine.
Caring for Widows and Orphans.
The thoroughness of the persons direct
ing the relief will make physical hard
ship and suffering improbable if sufficient
funds are received A card index system
Is employed by S. c. Kingsley. superin-
tendent of the United Charities of Chi
cago, and f. p. Bicknell, director of the
National Red Cross. The following cases
are typical ones these men will have
charge Of:
Louis Galletto, forty-nine: his two
brothers and his oldest son, John. eight
cen, also were among the victims. Louis
Galletto leaves a widow. who Is a chronic
invalid, and six dependent children. The
! youngsest is Ave years old. Jo Zeuckia.
| thirty-five, perished. He leaves widow
| and seven children. the eldest Of whom Is
Annie aged thirteen.
Bishop Michael Dunno of the Roman
Catholic diocese OF Peoria. Father Skuik
! of Lasalle and forty sisters of charity are
among the persons today trying to give
comfort.
| The American National Red Cross head
quarters in this city today received the
| following telegram from National Director
Ernest p Bicknell at Cherry. ILL.,:
| Permanent representative relief COM
mittee organized. with myself chairman.
The governor issued appeal today direct
| ing that contributions be sent to Orson
Smith. We have a long, hard task ahead.
The situation here is most serious"
1