The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-24
DAY OF FUNERALS
WILL MARK THE END
OF AWFUL TRAGEDY
Several Unidentified Bodies
Are Still With Ensley
Undertakers
CAUSE OF EXPLOSION
STILL DEEP MYSTERY
Mine Inspector HiIlhouse Will Not
Make Statement Until Thorough
Investigation of Mine Has
Been Made

| The last chapter of the Mulga mine
disaster, so far as the victims are con
cerned, will be concluded today. Every
relatives for interment.
Today will truly be a day of funerals
The work of Identifying the bodies was
one of much Importance and was care
fully carried out by the undertakers and
the officials of the company. There still
remain at the undertaking establishments
several unidentified bodies, two of them
white men. Since the first body was
brought to Ensley and until a late hour
last night the undertakers have been be-
sieged by anxious ones seeking their rela-
tives, while hundreds of others have
viewed the remains.
The larger number of the victims will
be buried In this district. though num-
Der have been sent away. The disposal
of the unknown dead will end the chapter.
Second Only to Virginia
The appalling disaster at the Mulga
mines is the second largest on the list of
mine accidents in the state of Alabama.
Twelve white men and twenty-five me-
groes were the toll demanded by the grim
reaper Their bruised and burned bodies
told the story Of the awful suddenness Of
their death.
Cause of Explosion
The cause of the explosion is still a
mystery and will remain so until the Off
clal report is made by the mine inspec-
tors. No mines in the state are better
equipped nor are there more favorable
conditions for successful operation than
those that existed at Mulga.
The property is owned by the Birming-
a nj Trn Onr NJ a N IT,
uated six miles west of Ensley.
Nearly $2,000,0O0 was expended to make
the mines the most perfectly equipped
mining plant in the world Leading mine
experts had pronounced it So Yet with
out the slightest warning an explosion
occurred that changed happy and pros
porous community into a scene of death
and desolation The accident happened
Wednesday night about $50 o'clock. A
terrific explosion, followed by a flame 100
feet HIGH told the tale of the terrible af
fair, and soon the mine was surrounded
with the friends and relatives of the EN-
tombed miners. Almost before the flame
had died away rescue party was at
hand. Superintendent Sam Johns and his
corps of assistants were at work at once.
Aid Is Summoned
Aid was summoned from the surround
ing camps and in less than two hours the
actual work of rendering any possible
aid had commenced. superintendent
Johns and A. Verehot led the first rescue
party He was followed by trio Of the
volunteers. Angus Brown, Francis Draw
ley, and Tom johnson, who braved the
dangers OF the deadly black damp to save
If possible their fellows entombed in the
mine. They were taken out unconscious
and by prompt medical attention were
brought back to life. This happened to
the others who followed, and 1t seemed
the task was impossible. However, by
brave and persistent efforts the rescue
party finally entered the mine and con-
ditions were revealed that destroyed any
hope of saving any of those imprisoned
alive.
The officials, experts and life saving APP
paratus of the Tennessee company were
generously offered by the company and
proved a factor in the work of recover
ing the bodies and opening the mines.
Volunteers were plentiful and from the
night of the disaster until l o'clock Sat
urday morning the rescue work was car
ried on day and night increasingly. 1t
was at 1 O'Clock Saturday morning, when
the last body was brought to the sur
face. Work was then stopped until day
light yesterday morning, when the work
of getting the mine In order was re-
sumed The damage to the mines is enor-
nous. and can only be ascertained after
the full investigation Is made.
James Hillhouse, state mine inspector,
who was one of the first at the mine and
the last to leave, was seen yesterday
morning. He positively refused to make
anv statement as to the cause of the
accident until he and the other inspectors
have made a complete investigation OF
the mine.