Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-11-17
WATER FAILS FIGHTERS WHEN
THEY HAVE FLAMES NEARLY
MASTERED.
EXPERTS CALLED EDWARDS
Victims Relatives in Panic When
Openings Are sealed-Disasree-
nient Among Officials Over
Methods of Rescue Work.

Cherry, ILL.,, Nov. 16.-Fire famed
to fury by the mistaken effort of the
rescuers may have killed the faint
hopes for the rescue of the men en-
tombed,in the st. Paul mine here. Res
cuars were forced from the shafts and
the mine is sealed at every opening.
Sixty hours have passed and it will
probably be days before relief can
reach the men below.
Water failed the fire fighters at the
moment they had mastered the flames.
No pumps were on hand and in des-
peration the conference of experts or
dered every opening closed. Panic
ruled the miners families when they
learned of the new disaster. Weak
ened and worn by two days of heart
breaking suspense, women screamed
threats of condemnation at the work.
ers.. They called them towards. Then
Some threw themselves on the ground
in wild hysteria giving up, even the
hopes born by love.
Revived Fire Added Calamity.
Not only have 60 precious hours
each, one of which may have meant
life or death-been lost. but the re-
vived fire is an added calamity no less
serious than the first one.
Disagreements have arisen among
the officials over the methods of res
cue work. President A. R. Newsam
of the state mining board wanted the
mine sealed two days. He was over
ruled by the conference of inspectors
and owners. Others think that every
miner below was killed when the
mine was scaled.
Blame for the renewal of the fire
lies between the conference of ex-
perts and the company. The experts
disagreeing among themselves, or
dered the immense fan in the air
shaft turned on. 1t sent-a current of
air through the second vein galleries
and up the main shaft that turned the
smouldering tunnels into catacombs
of flaming coal. Deadly gases, smoke
and flames were unquestionably sent
into the remote galleries, driving the
fumes of the first fire still further
and using up much of the priceless
oxygen that might have kept the i'm
prisoned men alive until help could
reach them.
Experts Descend Shaft.
When the main shaft was opened r.
Y. Williams, the geological survey ex-
pert and his volunteer aide, Henry
Smith, donned their oxygen helmets
and went down. State Mine Inspector
James Taylor went into the second
vein nearly to the air shaft.
81 could have put out the fire then
If buckets Of water had been fur
nished me-" he said. But there was
no pressure. The water couldn't be
thrown three feet with the hose. Just
little pressure would have mastered
the fire. 1t burned in three spots
along the vein. We might have
reached the men in an hour. How
long will it take now? wish l knew"
1t took AZ hours to smother the first
fire SO the mine could be entered.
1t is not expected this one will take
during that time has made the ex-
perlS desperate.
1t is the intention of the officials to
reopen the mine to-day and fight the
fire with chemicals, with the hope of
reaching any person that may be alive
In the remote air pockets. If it fails
the mine will be sealed again and it
may be week, or even two weeks,
before the trapped men can be re-
leased. Miners have been taken out
alive after Sc days of Imprisonment,
but never where a second fire had
broken out.
Funeral Cars Were Ready.
Doctors, nurses, the hospital and
several funeral cars were in readiness,
SO certain was everyone that men
would be released. When the mine
divers announced that the shaft was
clear when they came to the surface