Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-16
ABANDON HOPE
FOR ENTOMBED
COAL WORKERS
300 MINERS MEET DEATH IN
DARK LABYRINTHS
FIRE AGAIN STARTS AND RES
cUERs QUIT WORK
Shaft to Subterranean caverns Is
seaIed-1ooo Orphans Left at
Cherry to Mourn Bread
Winners
tCont,nued from rnre One,

tContinurd from Tnre One'
said: "I want you men to appreciate
the gravity of this situation, to com
prehend the feelings of the poor peo-
pie and to explain to them the neces-
sity for perfect order
No Violence Allowed
"If any one attempts to break
through the line explain and argue in
a gentle, manly way. Do all you can
to dissuade them, and under no cir
cumstances resort to violence or lose
your tempers. Should occasion require
call for assistance"
The deputies were then stationed
around the inclosure walled with hu-
manity.
"I am ready" said Inspector Tay
lor as he buckled on his helmet Will
liams and James Webb also stood pre-
pared in the shaft cage.
Are the signals understood" asked
Newsam Of his assistants, who nodded
assent
The automobile horns carried by the
explorers, which We're to give signals
were tested
Let CO." shouted Newsam, and the
cage was lowered. Down deep 1t went.
until the bottom was reached, the sig
. nails from the horns finally calling for
an ascent. Several thousand people
leaned forward eagerly al the experts
emerged from the shaft. A conference
with the officials followed and a report
was spread that bodies had been found.
This later was denied by the investi
gators.
A few minutes later the cage was
lowered again. This time the horns
footed signals frequently. The cage
was. raised and lowered alternately
until eventually the bottom of the
shaft was reached.
Anxiety Intense
Anxiety was intense. No signal
came. 1t was apparent that something
important had been discovered. Fif-
teen minutes passed. Then the blast
of the horns echoed through the shaft.
Slowly the cage was raised
This time the explorers reported they
had been walking in one of the veins
of the mine fer $50 feet from the base
of the shaft and had found no living
man or dead body. The atmosphere
in this vein was much better than had
been expected, and with the aid of
their electric lanterns the searchers
could see plainly.
In other veins leading from the shaft
much smoke was encountered, and
nothing could be seen.
A consultation of officials followed,
and it was determined to start the
ventilating fan at the opposite side of
the mine.
I'VE believe the fan will clear the
galleries OF the smoke and that before
the end of the day more will be known
of the fate of the entombed men and
the condition of the mine," said Mine
Inspector Taylor.
After workmen had repaired the
mechanism of the giant fan-like wheel,
a whirling sound gave notice that the
fan was again in operation.
"What will be the result" was the
question in the mind OF nearly every
man on the ground. Some believed
1t might arouse a slumbering fire.
Others We're sure the fire had been
smothered and that ventilation would
clear the galleries.
In half an hour the fan was sudden
ly ordered shut down. Smoke began
TO pour out of the main shaft.
Descend to Investigate
Immediately the experts were low
cred again to investigate. Wien the
experts returned to the surface orders
for a fire hose were given.
Soon after the water had been turned
on the searchers conferred with mine
officials and reported a blaze in the
stable portion of the mine where the
original fire occurred. At o'clock
dense clouds of smoke We're pouring
out. The temperature around the
shaft which before had been normal
now was excessive.
BY this time c. F. Rice of Pittsburg
of the United States Geological sur
vey had reached the scene. Mine in
spectors had become alarmed.
I'VE must seal the shaft" declared
several experts and Mr.. Rice after a
hurried examination agreed with them.
The sealing was ordered and within a
few minutes the smoke was choked
back into the shaft. Men and women
who had relatives in the mine turned
away in despair
It was determined to fight the fire
and orders for pumps. a fire engine
and tTaiulOads of watertank cars
were hurriedly given. A fire engine
arrived tonight on a special train from
La Sale, Ill.
Inspector Taylor, one of the dis
coverers of the second fire. said that
the flames had not spread beyond the
stable section. This caused President
EarlilAg of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
ST. Paul railroad to explain:
Hopes They Are Alive
"If that is so, then the men, if they
are alive, are just as we'll off as they
were had the second. outbreak not Oc-
Cured"
The plan to perforate the lid, or seal,
over the mouth and force steam and
carbonic gas through pipes to the bot
tom Of the pit may be tried tomorrow.
Chief j. W. Paul Of the government
mine rescue work said the chemical
would have a tendency to smother out
the fire and would penetrate to every
corner
Mr.. Mcdonald of the Miners union
believed that what would put out a
fire certainly would eXtinguish human
life, if any existed in the mine.
Funerals of two men who died in an
attempt to rescue the miners Saturday
and of one boy employe were held
today.
One of the men, John Szebranski.
was an alderman as well as eager"
on the second vein. His bravery in
sacrificing his life has made him a
hero in the eyes of his fellow country
men.
Just before dark officials of the
Miners union began taking an Off
cial roll call of widows and orphans.
The work was difficult because of the
congestion of crowds and because of
the hysterical condition of the women,
some of whom had three or four small
children tugging at their skirts. Many,
when questioned for data for the roll
call, were so incoherent in their re-