Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-16

bodies had been found. This later was
denied by the Investigators.
A few minutes later the cage was lowered
again. This time the horns footed signals
frequently to the men above. The cage
was raised and lowered alternately until
eventually. the bottom Of the shaft was
reached. Prolonged anxiety was intense
No signal came. 1t was apparent that
something important had been discovered.
Fifteen minutes passed and the exploration
continued. Then the blast Of the horn
signalling the ascent echoed through the
shaft. Slowly the cage was raised.
None Living or Dead.
This time the explorers reported that
they had been walking in one of the veins
of the mine for $50 feet from the base Of
the shaft and that they had found no liv-
ing man or dead body.
The atmosphere in this vein was con-
siderably better than had been expected
and with the aid of their electric lanters
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.
we believe the fan will clear the
galleries OF the smoke and that before the
end Of the day more viii be known Of the
fate of the entombed men and the condi-
ton of the mine,' said Mine Inspector
Taylor.
Fan starts Fire.
After workmen had repaired the mechan-
ism of the giant fanlike wheel, a whirling
sound gave notice that the fap vas again
in operation. "What will be the result?"
was the question in the mind of everyone.
Some said thai 1t might arouse a slumber-
ing fire. Others felt assured that the fire
had been smo-hered and that ventilation
would clear the galleries and make them
passable for the searchers. In half an hour
the fan was suddenly ordered shut down.
Smoke began to pour from the main shaft.
Immediately the experts were lowered
again to investigate the cause of the in
creased smoke in the main, shaft. IL should
have been ora wn down and out through the
exhaust instead.
Into the smoking cavern the armored
searchers were sent. Again and again
they signaled for a halt. Their progress
! toward the now uncertain bottom was slow
and cautious. Suddenly a loud blast came
from the depths. Raise up" shouted
NEWMAN. Raise 1t fast" he repeated,
when a second signal was given.
The experts were jerked to the surface
and gave orders for a fire hose. Firemen
Of the mine were called out and the hose
taken into the depths. Water was turned
on and a few minutes later the searchers
came again to the top.
They accompanied mine officials into the
conference room and reported a blaze Of
which there had been no evidence on their
early trips before the starting OF the fan
had been discovered In the stable portion
of the mine. where the original fire
occurred. They might be able to ~extinguish
il with hose.
1T was attempted a second time to
drown the fire, but the lack OF water and
pressure made success doubtful. At 2
o'clock dense clouds OF smoke were pour
ing out. The temperature around the
shaft, which before had been normal, now
was excessive. For the experts to re-enter
the mine was impossible. By this time
C. II. Rice OF P~ittsburg, Of the United
States Geological Survey had reached the
scene. The mine inspectors had become
alarmed.
shaft Again Sealed.
1--WE must seal the shaft declared sew
eral OF the experts. 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, which was covered with
steel sheets and a heavy layer OF sand.
Men and women with loved mes in the
mine turned away with despair.
''The mines are on fire again. shouted
a woman as she left the shaft, where ell
day she had been waiting for favorable
news.
John will be dead now" she sobbed,
"even d he had been alive before"
For an hour after the sealing OF the
shaft and the assurance to all given that
no further search could be made until the
fire had been extinguished, the streets
were filled with men and women whose
eyes were dimmed with tears and faces
expressed utter hopelessness.
To fight the fire was determined upon
and orders for water pumps, a fire en-
CINE and train loads OF water tank cars
were hurriedly given. From La Sale. III.
a fire engine was promised, and II arrived
here tonight on a special train.
Meanwhile the fire ragged in the mine.
and some experts fear It will spread
through the coal veins, thus burning out
All the timber supports and causing fur