New-York tribune., 1909-11-14

Cherry. III. Nov. f3.-Ofcials of tho
St Paul coal Company mine. where
an explosion occurred to-day. say that
four hundred men are dead in the mine
Twelve bodies have been taken out. Five
OF these we're men not employed in ths
mine. who gave their lives in a futils
effort 70 save the imprisoned workers.
Mine Superintendent James Steele d.
cIared five hours after the explosion that
il vas almost impossible thar any OF
those still Imprisoned could have escaped
death
The mine Tad a day shit of asa men,
OF these, ff-y left ar noon. Twenty-ivs
or more escaped after the IRE broke cut.
All the others are believed to be dead.
Ths entrance 70 the mine has been
sealed I'D in the hope Of checking tho
flames. The building above the pit en-
trance was blown up 70 permit this. De-
spite the frantic efforts OF the officials
and the scores of volunteer assistants
IN the little town OF Cherry. il seeaed
assured at O'Clock that only bodies
would be taken from the mine
Until tomorrow morning. when the
covering viii be removed and rescuers
will endeavor 20 penetrate the snoks
and gas choked shaft and veins the fate
Of the men inside cannot be learned
The FIRE causing the explosion which
NAV prove one OF the greatest tragedies
in the Itsr OF mine horrors. had an origin
almost trivial A pile or hay allowed 20
snoulder too long. finally igntted the
tinlbers of the mine. and before the
workers. realized their danger the mine
was Sled with smoke. gases ard flames.
and all exit was impossible.
FIVE HEROES GAVE THEIR LIVES.
Heroisnn such as Is rarely exhibited
was shown By officials OF the nine and
residents Of the town Of Cherry. These
men. who were outside the mine when
the IRE originated. contributed i've to
the Hst Of twelve known dead
Alexander Nerbsrg. a pit man. gave
his life unhesitaunzlv in a futile ef-
fort 10 save those OF his comrades who
risked their lives with him. Standing az
the bottom OF the shaft he carried the
bodies Of four men into the cage. tho
OuIy- vav Of ssca Dc. As Jne taSl Was
carried in he fell across the body
He was dead. as were all his corpan-
ions. when the cage was lifted 20 the top
Those who had gone into the pit with
him we're John Bundy. the mine super
;nrendent. John Flood. and Isaac Lewis
n merchant. OF Cherry. and Don1intc
Fonentf DR. W Howe, a physician OF
the citv. who had sought 20 90 with the
men when they descended in the cage.
had been thrust our by Bundy. VINO ex-
claimed. They viii need you at the TOD
if We get any one out, No risktng your
life down here
The physician vainly sought 70 resusci-
tate the men when they were carried TO
him a few minutes later He said they
had died from sunocation.
SCENE AT THE Staff
At The entrance Of the shaft a scene
az disaster OF this kind Hundreds %
screaming women. weeping children ard
frantic but helpless men crowded about
the place.
A few survivors We're surrounded ~
groups OF the women. and the answers
of these men 70 the shrielSed inquiries
only added 20 the terror OF the women
Almost 70 a man the survivors declared
that there was no hope for those still IN
the mine Nearly two hundred OF the
men imprisoned. they declared. were IN
the third vein. the only entrance 20 which
was from the second vein. almost i've
hundred feet from the main shaft of the
pit
When the extent of the rre was -
allied. the officials saw that ordinary
measures were inenectuaI The IRE had
burned away the t.mhers OF the shaft.
and the flames soon-reached the escape
shaft a few minu,es later the fan watch
supplied air 20 the shaft collapsed ard
tumbled through the opening
The flames then swept on 20 the mouth
Of the pit. where they were carried n
the surface forcing back All those who
ventured near The officials knew that
the IRE must be eating its way back
into the shaft. and then the measure cs
sealing the mouth 81 the pit was
adopted
Before tins. water had been rou-ad
down the escape shaft. but with no oct
ter effect than 20 food the roor and
further impede any EFFORT or those inside
20 escape
That those OF the men who were aba
had retreated 20 the f,lrthernaost ends
of the veins was the statement OF the
miners on the surface. There they
might huddle together. gasping what n,-
tie oxygen remained IN the sealed and