Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-15

superintendent Of the ST. Paul mine, to
arrange for the relief Of the destitute.
Preparations for the rescue Of the bur-
led miners or the bringing up Of their
bodies included nurses and a squad Of
who may be still living. Many stretch
ers have been hastily constructed. If
any living men are taken from the mine
they will be given treatment In rooms
prepared for them in hotels and homes
of Cherry.
There was no explosion in the mine
and the danger to the men from the fire
itself was small. 1t is said. since 1t burned
slowly In the dust-covered timbers Lack
Of air Is believed to have been the worst
thing that threatened the buried miners.
Fans Turned on Again.
Just before the cage was being pre-
pared for it's third descent the fans were
turned on again. Their effect. 1t Is hoped.
will be to clear out some OF the smoke
| in the lower veins. Streams Of water.
| said to purify the atmosphere in the lower
galleries. to carry oxygen TO the bottom
and to extfnguish any remaining IRE.
were sent In to the hosting shaft be-
tween descents.
The mine and civic officials tried during
the early part OF the day to keep secret
| their preparations for the raising of the
bodies. and endeavored to circulate among
the Inhabitants of the town and the
crowds gathered at the mine the idea
that no such move would be made until
tomorrow.
But the people felt that the real plans
were to bring up the bodies today. In
the crowds around the mine were nearly
all OF the women of the little village. The
| number was augmented constantly by
| those from neighboring towns who came
on special trains, in automobiles and by
al@
| in circle about 200 feet In diameter.
They were kept back by rope barriers
guarded by large force Of deputies.
Some Crazy From Grief.
Among the crowds were representatives
of many nations. In front Of each
group States Attorney Eckert, where
possible. placed a man Of It's nationality.
The deputies, to the best Of their ability.
| tried to calm the people.
Many bore the suspense stolidly: others
gave way to wild demonstrations OF
grief; still others appeared fiercely vim
dictive. condemning certain miners
themselves whom rumor has connected
with the cause Of the disaster.
The resumption Of the coroner's in
quest Is an important event scheduled
for today. Brought out by States At
| torney Eckert of Bureau county and
David Ross, secretary Of the state labor
the alleged fatal obedience to orders OF
Shaft Engineer Fowley is expected to
come out.
Blame Hasn't Been Fixed.
The state officers here are taking a
deep interest In the inquest. but their
guarded statements make 1t apparent
they do not expect a decision which will
blame any particular person for the fire
in the mine
The inquest so far concerns only the
men of the rescuing party who died Sat-
urday-the only persons In fact known to
be dead. Therefore the primal cause Of
and the state officers so far have been
more interested in getting into the mine,
rescuing the miners or bringing out
their bodies and saving as much az pos
Gov. Deneen. at Springfield. has kept
In constant touch with the situation.
After receiving reports fro mhis repre-
sentatives here last liight he communi-
Gated by telephone early today with Pres
ident Earring Of the St. Paul road.
No Hope Hold Out.
The nature Of the messages between
the governor and Mr.. Earling was not
given out, but 1t il said II concerned the
possibility Of saving the lives of the en-
tombed miners. Mr.. Earling is said to
nave dsSuI Gu tilc BONcfHOI Hcs de we'll d.
the other mine oficials and the state
officers. would do everything possible to
save the men.
AS proof of the lack Of hope held by
Mr. Earring. seven special funeral cars
were brought to Cherry at $50 this morn
ing. These cars were backed up near
the mine. Early today relatives Of the
buried men. miners and villagers. gather
ed around the hosting shaft.
Had to Close the Shaft.
In the soreness Of their hearts many Of
the supposedly bereaved have condemned
the action Of the officials in closing the
only openings OF the mine. but 1t. seems
that the officials took the only course
open TO them.
Though tests yesterday seemed to indi-
cate that the fire had burned out. smoke
continued last night to issue from the
air shaft until II was sealed and as II
found vent, smoke poured out Of the
ing shaft this morning as the covering
was removed.