Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-18
ldor of Burnt Flesh is
Plainly Noticeable at
Top of Ground.
FIRE SEEMS TO BE- OUT
first Descent Made Through
Air Shaft, Though Main
One May Be Used.

Cherry, ILL.,, Nov. 19.-At I p. m. j.
v. Paul of the United States seoIosi-
al survey of Pttsburg entered the air
haft and was lowered to the bottom.
Paul quickly completes his mission
md came to the surface, where he was
oined by George II. Rice and r. Y.
Williams for a second descent.
LEFT LETTERS TO FAMILIES.
All left letters to be mailed to their
antilles In case of death. They will
make a desperate eff brit to ascertain
conditions in the fata second gallery.
ONE BODY FOUND.
One body wss discovered and the
,dor of burnt flesh was noticeable
when the seal was off the shaft. The
cody was brought to the Juncture OF
he gallery and the Ventiiating shaft
The most important dicovery made
aas that the attempt to enter the
main shaft, while hazardous, is still
feasible.
FOUND MORE BODIES.
In addition to one body dragged from
the shaft, it is learned large number
of dead were found in the gallery. The
three explorers emerged about o'clock
and went into secret conference with
the mine officials. No information was
given out.
All Ready mt Noon.
Cherry, H.. Nov. 1S.--At noon all
vas in readiness for q descent into the
air shaft and the soldiers surrounded
ne workings with a big crowd beyond
he lines. No demonstration occurred
when the troops assembled.
Low Temperature Encourages
Cherry, H.. Nov. 18.-Encouraged Dy
the lower temperature at the surface
his morning the decision was reached
% open the mine today and make IN
effort to recover the bodies Of the en-
tombed victims. Explorers, under the
Leadership of State Mine Inspector
TAYLOR, expect TO enter the mine be-
fore noon.
Two Men Go Down.
Cherry, Ill, Nov. 18.-For the first
time since Sunday two daring men late
last night took their lives In their
hands and descended the ventilattng
shaft of the Inflated ST. Paul mine, in
: the blocked and fiery galleries Of which
more than 300 men and boys lie dead.
The exploit was successfully carried
through by Thomas Morris and R. Y.
Williams, both of the United States
geological survey. They were nearly
exhausted when hauled to the top, but
quickly revived under the administra-
don of sttrnulants.
From what they discovered, It IS
thought the fire has moved back from
the main shaft and that 1t may be
possible to enter 1t soon
Morris and Williams, after a few
minutes rest made their report TO the
experts who had waited their return
IN the company's office.
Scene was wefr6.
The scene in the pit was weird"
said Williams. "All about us the steam
seemed to whirl and toss. There was
very little smoke and much less heat
than during the descent made last
Sunday" They saw no bodies.
Grief and Anger Shown.
Pert up grief and anger went un-
checked by the officers and Increased
aIl day yesterday. When an orator
mounted the sand-sealed shaft of the
mine, the sheriff, single-handed, Gained
the situation.
The climax came when James With
eren, veteran MINER leaped to the
Shaft and harangued the crowd of
weeping women and suIlen men.
Witherell condemned the act of the
Z authorities since the disaster and de-
clared the men entOmbed IN the mine
were buried alive. He made no threats,
but the fierce interjections OF members
OF his audiense revealed their feeling
against the mine owners and state ofi.
icdaIs. "aThe men were buried alive!"
shouted witheren
Says Men Were Crucfned.
They were alive Monday night, but
died when these mine experts shut on
their air. Can a man breathe through
four feet Of sand?"
II tell you they were crucified."
Charging the mine experts with ig-
norance of the way to save the mems
lives, and saying their deaths were due
to carelessness and blunders, Wither-
ell asked his hearers: What does a
man from college know about 1t ex-
cept the figures they get from the men
under them? What can q man know
OF mine from figures and books?"
And what are these experts do
mgr" asked a young man in Withers