The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-11
Indications Are That the Men
We're Killed Instantly.
TWO OF THEM LOCATED
At a Distance of $4,000 Feet
From the Entrance.
Eight More Are Discovered in
Another Chamber.

Starkville, Colo, Oct. 11.-Fifty-
four hours after the explosion occur
red in the Starkville mine of the Colo
rado Fuel & Iron company, entombing
more than fifty men, the first of the
bodies of the victims were found. Two
men were located at $3.50 o'clock this
morning in chamber 80 of entry J-B,
10000 feet from the mouth of the
mine, and at $50 o'clock eight more
were found in chambers 81 to 35.
The condition of the bodies indicates
that the men were instantly killed by
the terrific force of the explosion. Sew
eral were badly burned but none were
disfigured beyond identification.
President Welborn of the company
who remained at the mouth of the
mine received reports from William
Morgan, superintendent of the Pied
mont mine, who was leading the rescue
party of thirty-five men, that he did
not believe any more bodies would be
found very soon for the reason that
the rest of the imprisoned men were
company men, and that they were
scattered through the various work.
ings engaged in repair work and SINH
lar pursuits
General Manager Weitzel was awak
ened by President Welborn at o'clock
for the purpose of consulting with him
Mr.. WeitZel had worked without sleep
for sc hours directing the work in and
cut of the mine and his chief insisted
that he rest for a night
Mr.. WeitZel Immediately communi-
Gated with the mine from Starkville by
telephone and ordered Superintendent
Morgan to have the bodies of the dead
carried past the debris of the first
heavy fall of coal, torn down by the
explosion and await his arrival at the
T71i0a for further orders The work
of rescue was tedious and delayed by
the presence of after damp which had
accumulated in great quantities in the
chambers off entry J. B. Stops were
necessary to give the air from the
portable fan a chance to dissipate the
after damp. Where possible the rooms
filled with the deadly damp were brat
ticed ard isolated from the entry so
that the bad air was held inside. This,
Of course was done only where rooms
were known to be without bodies.
After receiving a report direct from
the rescue leaders on arriving at the
mine General Manager Weitzel direct
ed that the eight o'clock shift should
devote its energies first to removing
the bodies from the mine to the portal
It was stated by President Welborn
that considera BILE time was required to
get out the bodies. Progress would
necessarily be impeded by the fallen
roofs.
Coroner Guilfoil was summoned from
his bed at an early hour and immedi-
ately began making preparations to re-
ceive the bodies at the temporary
morgue in the machine shop, located al
most a mile from the mine. Washing
tubs, burlap for wrapping the bodies.
and rude benches were placed and all
was in readiness within an hour.
After the bodies reach the mouth of
the mine it has been arranged to load
them upon motor cars for transporta-
tion to the morgue. The track over
which the motor cars run is in plain
view of the town.
The townspeopIe either in ignorance
of the discovery of bodies or Indifferent
to it, remained away from the mine
during the early morning hours. Per-
haps it was due to the strict enforce
ment of orders to permit no one at the
mouth of the mine. Guards intercepted
all not connected with the mine and
turned them back at a point quarter
of a mile from the entrance.
Coroner Guilfoil placed in the hands
of D. o. Lane, town marshal batch
of summons for mine superintendent
pit bosses, their assistants and men
who looked after the sprinkling of the
mine to appear before the jury which
will investigate the cause of the diSas-
ter.
ST want everybody who was respons
ible for the safety of the mine to tell
what they know OF this affair." he eX-
planned.
The date of the hearing has not been
set but will probably be after the dead
are all removed from the mine.
Austrian and italian consuls and at
tornys reached Starkville this morning
to secure data regarding the subjects
for their governments incident ally
they will inquire into the cause of the
explosion and the responsibility there
for.