The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-15
LITTLE HOPE LEFT.
Fire in the Mine Is Believed to Have
Burned Out.

Cherry, ILL.,. Nov. 15.-Before nightfall
lit seems probable the fate of the 300
men entOmbed in the St. Paul mine will
be aScertained.
This morning it was the intention of
the state mining officials who have ta-
ken charge of the mine since the fire
to raise the cover of the hosting shaft
and lower a cage of reScuers to the
400 feet beneath the surface, are await
ling.
Last night the air shaft, the only
opening besides the hosting shaft was
permanently sealed. From the time the
descent to the second vein was made by
7 .en in buckets. force of laborers
worked until nearly midnight covering
up the entrance with layers of heavy
plank and sand. Athwart the opening
of the hosting shaft on the top, lies
g. pile of planks three feet high, and
tons of sand make the place air tight.
All night few men and women sur
rounded the openings of the mine. The
women complain bitterly. as the seal
air. While it was true that the air
would be shut off, mining officials de-
clared that the men if alive would not
be affected by the total sealing except
that it would probably put an end to
the fire, still Smoldering in the tiTnbers
and thus leave more necessary oxygen
for the men.
Improbable That Any Is Living.
David Ross. secretary of the state la
bor commission, declared it was highly
improbable any one would be found
living. William Newsam. president of
the state mining board. said it would
be miracle if any one man had been
spared. Yesterdays attempt to send
men to the bottom proved futile, be-
cause they could not reach a foothold
at the entrance of the galleries from
the buckets in which they were lower
Tn6 diraHti0r1 Ia Tox rl<x-
state mining inspector of the Third dis
trict and President Newsam, the regu-
lar cage will be lowered. It fits the
shaft like a piston and the persons it
will carry can step from it into any
gallery entrance.
Mrs. Fanny Buck, wife of ]. P Buck
| chief clerk of the mine, has organized
| the women of the little town of Cherr ,
| into society to extend relief and COM
! fort to those needing it. AT present
there is no destitution and the suspense
/ Of the women whose sons, husbands
| After allowing the cage to remain al
| the bottom long enough for the load tc
have been discharged and a new load
put aboard it was brought to the top
70 the horror OF the crowds about the
tower the cage contained only the dead
bodies of the 13 men in the rescue party
| and fathers are buried 400 feet in TIL,
| earth is more in evidence than any
| physical want.
| A party of nurses from Chicago. who
| arrived last night, today turned into
| comforters of the families probably be-
| reft. Throughout the little hamlet are
/ scattered cottages in various states OF
completion. families of men entombei
are living in the small houses still need.
1 ing glass for all the windows. 1t seems
4 likely that many of the cottages never
will be finished.
President Earling of the Chicago
| Milwaukee & St. Paul railway will
| share the burial expenses of the moro
needy families, and offers of aid have
come from the more prosperous in.
/ habitants of Cherry.