Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-11-15

Cherry. ILL.,, Nov. 15.-oficers Of the
local miners union today notified
President Lewis, of the Mine Workers
Union, that 30 lives were lost in the
mine disaster. Representatives Of the
mine owners today declared the loss
Of life will be 300. Lewis has advised
the local union that 5000 contribu-
tion of the national body will immedi-
ately be placed at the disposal of the
widows and orphans Of the victims.
That not one man Of the 800 or more
entombed in the mine will be taken
out alive is the practically unanimous
opinion of those on the scene.
No Sign Of Life Visible.
The rescuers made three descents
this morning, but no sign Of life was
seen and the rescuers declared that
every bit Of oxoygen oT i;fe-sivin5, /, al n
was exhausted and no life could exist.
For hundreds of feet beyond the shaft
entrance few miners caps and
lamps were seen, tragic tokens of the
first mad rush for safety by the miners
who escaped. but no bodies were found
This indicated that when the miners
realized they were penned hopelessly
in the pit they rushed to the further
most end of the vein, where some air
might be found that would keep them
alive till help came.
Notwithstanding the report of the
-escuers. State Mine Inspector Taylor
expressed the opinion that small sup
ply of air still exists in the mine and
there is a fighting chance for those
within. But the miners, who inspected
the opening deny this possibility. The
frantic protests against the state COM
mission sealing the mine last night were
met today by the assertion of exper-
fenced miners that it was the only way
to smother the fire and afford any hope
Of escape to the entombed men.
Mine Is Gazing Ii.
Several of the rescuing party who
went down this morning returned from
the second vein at 9:3O this morning.
They brought report that the mine is
caving in in several places. They also
declared that none of the entombed
miners were near the landing, and that
it was impossible as yet to make an>ex-
ploration more than a few feet beyond
the shaft entrance. The mine Is still
on fire and 1t is now known that more
than 800 miners are inside.
Efforts at Rescue.
Before nightfall 1t seems probable the
fate of the 300 men entombed in the st.
Paul mine will be known. This morn
fnp IL tho r1op Of tho c}a to ~;
officials, who have taken charge of the
mine since the fire Laturday, to raise
the cover over the hosting shaft and
lower rescuers to the third vein, where
If alive, the men now 400 feet beneath
the surface are waiting.
Late last night, the air shaft, the only
opening besides the hoisting shaft, was
hermetically sealed. This was done to
smother the fire and make 1T possible
for rescuers to pierce the lower levels
David Ross, secretary OF the state labor
commission, declared last night it was
be found, living. Richard Newsam
president of the state mining board
said 1t would be miracle If one man
had been spared.
Rumors Of Life Unfounded.
Rumors that a shot was heard be-
meath the surface and that rappings on
pipes had been used to indicate the en-
: torbed miners were living were this
morning declared absurd. r. r. Reid
miner who lives 500 feet south of the
mine entrances and above one Of the
branches, is said to have heard or felt
shock resembling revolver shot o,
an explosion. J.. p. Buck, chief clerl,
Of the ST. Paul Coal Company, employ
ed about the mine for thirty years, as
serted that no revolver shot could have
been heard or felt upon the surface
: Other officials declared the explosion OF
stick Of dynamite would be unlikely
anyway and that 1t would serve, if il
did occur. to lessen the chances Of the
men surviving.
Tho tests yesterday seemed to indi-
cate the fire had burned out, smoke
continued last night to issue from the
air shaft until 1t was sealed, and as II
found vent. smoke poured out Of this
hoisting shaft mis- morning as tn,
covering was removed.
coronsr's Inquest in Progress.
The coroner's inquest will be re.
sumed today, and it is expected some.
thing will be learned concerning the
cause Of the explosion and who is Il
blame. The Inquest at present will b,
as to the death Of the rescuers. A par.
I ty of nurses from Chicago who arrived
Y last night today turned into comforter.
of families probably bereft. Thruou
the hamlet were scattered cottages ii
various stages of completion. 1t seem!
likely many of these cottages never
will be finished.
Hsartrending Scenes Enacted.
The bodies of the miners probabl,
will be brought to the surface this af.
ternoon. Preparations have been mad,
aud searching parties provided wit,
oxygen helmets to guard against smok