The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-03
Oae of the Greatest Disasters
 h History of Mexican Mining Is Recorded
OVER SEVENTY KILLED
 AND DOZENS INJURED
Little Crops of Grief-Strickcn Mexican Women Arc Gathered Around the Mine Opening Waiting For
 Rcscucrs

Laredo, Tex, February 2.--One of the greatest disasters in the history of Mex lean coal mining which has heretofore experienced several crushing blows, re- sulting in tremendous loss of human life, took place early today in the Palau mine fat Las Esperanzas, Mex. The toll of human life which paid the penalty of negligence on the part of some miner is officially placed at 70, while the list of injured numbers nearly as many.
 Tonight is a night of sorrow and la mentations in the little coal mining vil- lage. Its gathering of adobe huts pre- sents a weird appearance as the shaded light from candles which are placed at the head and feet of the corpses of the victims of the disaster penetrates through the open door into the black night. Little knots of griefstricken Mexieans are con gregated without the humble homes of the victims and are rendering their sin sere sympathy and in their simple way demonstrate their innate grief over the death of relatives or close friends.
 According to the latest reports from the
 
 to have been lost. After the official re- port showing 5s dead, 12 additional bodies were recovered, bringing the total up to s, while three others have died in the hospitals, making the grand total of vic- tims thus far 6S.
 Cigarette Causes Explosion
 The explosion occurred in the No. 3 nf he mil of f1,a Mining company and is attributed to the ignition of gas from the flame of min er's cigarette, who was smoking contrary to the rules.
 The miners, consisting principally of Mexicans and Japanese had assumed their various places in the different work ings shortly after ' o'clock and work was progressing along the usual monot- onous lines when without warning those working above ground were startled about S:30 o'clock by a loud explosion and almost instantly a vast cloud of dust and smoke issued from the mouth of the shaft When the onloolkers realized the mean ing of the disaster assistance was immed lately forthcoming, and as soon as the air in the shaft could be purified suf- heiently to permit rescuers to descend many volunteers were ready to risk their lives in an endeavor to succor their strick- en brothers below
 A cage was immediately sent down. followed later by another and then an other all loaded to their utmost ca pacity With miners bent upon rescuing their comrades. When the cages de- scended and the men had made an ex- animation of the first and second levels everything was found to be intact and beyond being terribly frightened the men working in these levels were safe. They were brought to the top as asdy as the cages could be loaded.
 Search For the Dead
 The rescue party continued its explora- tons and went down to the third level and as soon as the air could be suffi- ciently cleared entered the various shafts and began a search for the dead terrible sight met their eyes.
 Scattered about in various positions in the workings they found the bodies of the men suffocated. Their faces indicated in many instances the bitter fight they had waged to reach the pure air and safety without the workings.
 The workers were augmented by the addition of many other able-bodied men
 
 searching for and carrying to the -s,.--sace the bodies of their dead and dying com panions.
 After the lapse of six hours work 53 bodies were brought to the surface and nearly 40 injured men were removed to hospitals for treatment These men say their escape is due to the fact that they were working in certain parts of the mines where they were protected from the onrush of foul and ,noxious gases. As the bodies were Drought up by twos and threes, screaming women and children were congregated about the mouth of the shaft awaiting with hope the bringing out of their loved ones, hope which was in almost every instance turned to despair as body after body was brought to the surface.
 Heartrending Scenes
 Many heartrending scenes were enacted as tho bodies were brought up from the shaft and stretched out in rows upon the ground to await Identification.
 Most of the killed were Mexicans. as the Japanese miners were employed in other parts of the mines. As soon as the authorities learned of the explosion state representatives, were sent to the scene and immediately placed in entire charge of the work of rescue and in- vestigation a detail of experts A de- tailed report of the explosion and | deduction as to the proDable cause was N at once telegraphed to the governor of / the state of Coahuia at Saltilo. An an- syer returned instructing the local au- thOrities to take such action they deemed necessary in the premises and to thoroughly investigate the cause of the disaster
 The mining companys officials lost no time in making provision for the care of those who were injured. An order was telegraphed to Eagle Pass and Monterey for coffins for the interment of the dead and money and food have been pro- vided for the suffering families.
 The paula is one of the best equipped coal mines in the Republic of Mexico. It has an adequate ventilating system, is provided with electric lights and the Sninine nflicials ara llftarlY at q loaa