Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-18
fBy Associated Press. ]

~ HERRY, ILL.,, Nov. II. - After
claiming them for four days, the
~ St. Paul coal mine, in which are
entombed the bodies of 300 or more
miners as a result of Saturdays dis
aster, today refused to yield up its
dead
Utter failure to deS Use any satisfac-
tory method of recovering the bodies
attended the work of rescuers.
Tonight the interior of the mine was
burning almost as fiercely as ever the
lifting of the seal over the mouth of
the hosting shaft indicating by fre-
quent puffs of smoke the fury of
smothered flames.
While the two companies of state
troops sent here TO prevent possible
disorder remained idle in their cars
except for guard duty about the mine
and sleeping cars al night an impor-
tant conference lasting five hours was
held.
Federal, state and local mining ex-
perts were present. The meeting was
called in response to a feeling that ef-
forts should be made to penetrate the
mine and bring up the bodies at all
hazards. But at its conclusion, it was
found that no immediate descent could
be made into the gas and heat-tilled
cavern, without risk Of killing the res
cuers.
The conference was attended by
President \. J. Earring of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & ST. Paul railroad, George
5. Rice of Pittsburg, of the United
States geological survey; J. w. Paul.
in charge of the government mine res
cue work, and many mine inspectors.
Have Many Schemes
Various schemes were proposed.
Among them was one to open up an
air shaft, distant from the hosting
shaft, which hitherto has been worked
and, by means of a gigantic fan, pro-
duce a false air current that would
carry the gas and heat away from the
shaft down which 1t was intended to
send the rescuers,
Some of those who opposed this de-
clared the entire project for rescue
would have to be indefinitely post
poned.
They asserted the internal fires were
intense. that it would be useless to
risk more lives. and that, in fact, the
mine would have to be sealed up for
weeks and possibly for months before
the mine could be cooled off.
Scores of women continue to linger
about the ground So great has been
the mental strain the last four days,
it is feared many women are on the
verge Of insanity. One woman, who
declared she had had dreams and Vis-
ions of her husband and brother still
living in the mine, piteously implored
the officials to open the shaft and
then fell in a senseless heap.
Determined to show the people that
everything possible was being done,
authorities threw open the mine COM
pany's grounds and allowed crowds to
gather near the shaft.
Details Announced
Details of what was being done were
announced. As Mining Engineer Rice
lowered q thermometer through bore
into the lid of the shaft to test the de-
gree of heat another man announced
through d megaphone:
"One hundred and fourteen degrees
near the top"
Mr.. Rice lowered the thermometer
the 300 feet of the shaft. and mo-
ment later the voice rang out through
the megaphone:
"One hundred and seven degrees at
the bottom"
"Why." cried a chorus of voices,
that's good; they can go down in that,
We can stand ia degrees in the sun;
surely they'll go down in that"
But this burst of confidence was soon
destroyed.
1t was explained that owing to the
gas in the mine, oxygen helmets would
have to be worn by the rescuers, and
that a much lower degree of tempera-
ture than that in ordinary conditions
necessary for those who wore helmets.
Moreover, it was said, if the seal were
opened, fresh air rushing in would
fan the fire, and before the rescuers
could get down flames might be leap
ing high.
IF the fire continues will the bodies
ever be recovered" was asked on all
sides when it became known that
plan to seal up the mine for weeks or
months had been talked of.
Have Done Everything
I'VE have gone over every detail Of
the situation" said Commissioner
Traer OF the investigating board. 1--WE
have pondered over the maps of the
mine-we have heard the opinion and
advice of everyone who is familiar with
the mine. Our only thought is to get
out the bodies if it is within human
power. That's all we can look for
ward to-"
The order for troops to guard the
string of sleeping cars and the private
car of President Earling was given by
Sheriff Skoglund after repeated rumors
that plotters would blow up the train,
Late In the day it became known that
another company of militia is in re-
serve at Monmouth, ready for any
emergency.
Demonstration of the feeling on the
part of the survivors created much
uneasiness among mine officials, eX-
perts, charity workers and others who
have business here.
This led Sheriff SkOglund to take i'm
mediate action, and at dusk he asked
the railroad officials to move the troop
cars, stationed several hundred feet
from the mine. up beside the special
cars which are serving as a tempo
rary hotel.
Il want to assure everyone who has
any fear for his safety that he will
be protected" said the sheriff
Regarding rumors of threats of Sc
cret society meetings and such things
of alarming nature, 1 have nothing to
say"
Sheriff Skoglund ordered the soldiers