The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-03

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The weeks death list, 1I9. H.
Laredo, Tex. February .-One OF
tho greatest disasters In the history
of Mexican coal mining, which has
heretofore experienced several crnsh-
loss of human life, took place carly
to-day In the Pnlau Mine at Las
Espernnzas, Mexico. The toll of human
life which paid the penalty of negli-
gcnce on the part of some miner is
officially placed ut seventy, while tho
list of injured numbers nearly as
many, principally McLcnns and Japan
csc.
The explosion occurred In the No.
shaft of the coal mine of the Espcr-
nnzas Mining Company, and Is att
tributcd to the ignition of gas by tho
flames of miners cigarette.
About $50 o'clock those at work
above ground were startled by loud
explosion. and almost instantly vast
cloud of dust and smoke issued from
the mouth of the shaft.
Risk Lives in Rescue.
| AS soon as the air in the shaft could
be purified sufficiently to permit res
cners to descend. many volunteers were
ready to risk their lives In an endeavor
to succor their stricken brothers be-
low
Three cages were soon lowered, all
loaded to their utmost capacity with
miners bent on rescuing their COM
rades. In 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 rap
idly as the cages could be loaded
In the third level a terrible sight met
the eyes of the rescuers. Scattered
about in various positions in the work
ings, they found the bodies of the men,
suffocated, their faces indicating in
many instances the bitter fight they
had waged to reach pure air and safety.
The workers were augmented by the
addition OF many other ablebodied men.
and immediately began to work in
relays. searching for aud carrying to
the surface the bodies OF their dead
and dying companions
After the lapse OF six hours work
siNty-tve bodies We're brought to the
surface, while nearly forty injured
men We're removed to hospitals for
treatment, where three have died. The
injured owe their miraculous escape
to the fact that they We're working at
points in the third stage of the wurk-
mgs where they We're partially pros
tected from the on-rus.l ot foul air.
Distressing Scenes.
rnrn
congregateu about the mouth of the
shatt, awaiting with nope the bring
ing out of their loved ones, hope.
which was in almost every instance
was brought to the surface.
State representatives were immcdl-
atcly sent to the scene and placed in
entire charge of the work OF rescue
and investigation.
The Paiau is ono OF the best
|equipped coal mines in the republic
OF Mexico. I has an adequate venti-
lating system. Is provided with elec-
utterly at a loss to account for the
presence OF mine damp in No, . work.
Ing.
No stone Will be left, unturned BY
Isunerers. The bodies of the dead win
be inferred tomorrow.
Death Total Is 20.
Primero, Col. February 2-Mon-
I days explosion in the main line OF tho
Colorado Fuel and Iron Company
claimed II total of seventy-tfve victims
and left thirtS-hve widows and SHINY
five fatherless children.
These facts We're determined late
this afternoon, when the otiicial can.
3vass OF the camp was completed and
the names OF the missing men We're
checked with the payroll.
Exploration of the workings contin-
ued all day. hut not until o'clock
tonight were efforts of relief parties
successful, when the bodies OF two
drivers. unidentified were found in i
cross cut between entries ~ and
y IL. and brought TO the surface.
All day the number of bodies res
covered had remained AZ foftyreiSht. 4
but workers succeeded In penetrating
portions of the mine hitherto held FROM
Invasion by afterdamp.
While work, underground continued 4
unabated practically the only activity
apparent at the camp to-day was that
OF the force OF men detailed To as-8
sist the coroner in preparing tho
bodies for burial. a.
Late this afternoon Coroner tinii. E
foil sent thirty-foni bodies TO Trinidad
on a special train, and to-mprrop
probably viii forward the remaining
sixteen 10 that city, where a general
funeral will he held.
Late this afternoon AZ serii othetAl
statement was given out which siloW-Q
"a that the exploring parsies have peni.