Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-11-20
MINE DISASTER
KILLS NEARLY 400
Bereayed Women Gather at the
Scene of the Horror.
ALL HOPE is ABAN D0NED
OF RESCUING THE MEN

Rescurers Work In Open Shaft
Twelve of Whom Lose Their Lives
In Heroic Work Of Attempted Life
Saving--origin of Explosion Re-
mains a Mystery.
Cherry, Ills, Nov. 15.-Three hum
bred and thirty-eight dead and miss
ing is the reported result OF the mine
disaster, so far although the total
number when full reports are in Is
expected to reach 400. Herculean eff
forts have been made to get down In
to the mine but before this could be
attempted the rescuers had to be
sure the fire was out, therefore after
thousands of gallons of water were
poured into the mine ard both shafts
sealed, men wearing specially con-
structed helmets, equipped with tanks
of oxygen descended part way into
the mine but 1t is not expected that
they will be able to penetrate to the
first 3S0-foot level until late today.
All the state mine inspectors are
present by order of the governor, d.
recting the work There is hardly a
home in Cherry without grief. One
woman has gone stark mad; she lost
her husband and two sons. There are
many heart-breaking scenes among
the women.
Thousands of persons are crowded
around the mouth of the mines
where it is certain that at least 325
men have lost their lives.
Among the earliest corners were
women, and many of these had been
made widows and childless alike by
the explosions Saturday. With all
the excitement, pathos ard confusion
attending Illinois great mine disaster
and what may prove to be one OF
the greatest catastrophies in the his
tory of the United States-it Is i'm
possible even now to accurately esti-
mate the number OF lives lost by the
great subterranean explosion at Cher
ry, III.
1t is certain that 1926 mon are dead
Perhaps there are more. Twelve Of
them died in their heroic attempt at
rescue. The r. mainder are either
burned or suffocated to death. All the
shafts to the mine are still closed
but willing hands are striving to OPP
en- the sealed shaft.
The scene is one Of the widest
chaos; with men and women working
to save those supposed 10 be yet inn
prisoned in the bowels OF the earth.
Widowed mothers and fatherless chill
dren are rushing about the scene
crazed with excitement. Although ev-
cry precaution is being taken to
ameliorate the situation, the constant
terrorizing condition OF affairs con-
tinues.
The officials of the railroad are in
a quandry. They are going from
house to house--from woman to child
encouraging, buoying, hope, offering
every possible bit of encouragement.
The disaster wipes out practically
the whole Of the mining colony. And
it is not even certain that the bodies
will ever be recovered. They are bur-
led, many fear, beyond the hope OF
elimination.
Altogether the situation is one of
complete dissatisfaction as far as in
vestigating the causes and results of
the fire are concerned. The fire was
caused either by the explosion of
mine dust in the lower levels or by
the explosion of a miners lamp at 3
o'clock Saturday afternoon.
About twenty men escaped by a
hairs breadth. but when they reached
the surface they were frightened and
worn to state of collapse. Ev n
they cannot tell what happened
These men are being closely guarded
and kept to themselves in order that
they may at least be saved. But their
homes are being besieg ii by the fam
lies OF men who are in the mines
there forever-to tell them that which
they moan and shrek and literally
scream to know. But all to no pur-
pose. They saw a fash. They heard
a deafening roar They felt a cloud
of dust approaching Then they ran.
Some men they saw perish in the red
death from which they so miraculous
ly escaped themselves. but the ques-
ton of identity is impossible.