Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-24
ONE VICTIM KEPT DIARY
IN MINE FOR TWO DAYS
Details Pathetic Story Of How Men
Tried to Escape, But Were Driven
Back by Flames and Finally over
come by BIaekdamp Which Poured
into Tunnel.
ORy Associated Press.l

CHERRY. ILLS, Nov. 2S-Hope
that there might still be alive some OF
the 1879 men known to be entombed
in the st. Paul coal mine. was aban-
dcned today.
An exploration into what IS known
as the second vein, where it was
thought probably miners had barri-
caded themselves and managed to ex-
lst on cats and corn kept there for
mules. showed that great portions CT
the tunnels had collapsed.
1t is thought that many men were
buried under the debris and that il
the obstruction is not soon cleared
away at least 100 bodies may never
be recovered. Fire is still raging n
these tunnels, and these portions of
the mine, in which imprisoned min
ers might have found a retreat. are
sad TO be full of black damp.
The death today of one of the sur
vivors brought to the surface last Sat-
urday reduced to, 1870 the totals of
|Th6se saved out of the 80 entombed
by the fire a week ago Saturday. No
bodies we're found today as the ex.
plorers met with great obstacles.
Fire Cuts of Mems Escape.
In one instance fire broke out in
tunnel, temporarily cutting off the
escape of % men who had ventured
1000 feet from the hosting shaft.
The smell of smoke gave the warning
above and fresh men rescued the ex-
plorers.
Following a telegram sent to Gov
ernor Deneen today by the executive
beard of the miners state Organiza-
ton asking that some one be design
ated to take charge of the mine, Mine
Inspector Hector McAlster was placed
in charge of the exploring work
Despite the fire and the falling in OF
tunnels the work of clearing the mine
will be pushed night and day.
Miner Kept Diary Two Days.
A diary was found today in the
clothing of Samuel ID. Howard. 81
years old, whose body was found in
a pocket of the mine. The diary was
begun on November 10, the day the
fire started. and covers period Of
two days, describing the struggle for
life until black damp ended the weird
tale. written with a pencil on loose
leaves of an account book The diary
follows:
Alive at 10:30' O'Clock yet by Sam
uel ID. Howard. Brother Alfred, is
with me yet A good many dead mules
and men. I tried to save some. but
came almost losing myself. If am
dead give my diamond ring to Mamie
Robinson. The ring is cousng at the
pcstcfice Henry can have the ring
have in my good clothes. The only
thing 7 regret is that my brother
tAlfred. IS years old. could not help
my mother cut after l am dead and
gone.
Il tried my best to get him ont. but
could not saw jim Jameson and
steve Timke lying along the road and
could not stand It any longer.
Air Bad at Times.
1t Is five minutes past II O'Clock
and the air is fine. ba; sometimes !,
20 bad j; almost puts a fellows
lights cut II Is something fierce to
see men ami males lying down all
over like that To keep from thinking
thought ] would write these few
lines. There l. rock falling all over
Us. We have our buckets fun Of
water. pump water. and We drink u
and battle our heads with H.
Ten 10 y O'Clock. : after ! O'Clock
? O'Clock. 3 o'clock, and poor afr and
black Camp.
ais O'Clock. change Of place. Nun