The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-22

After n searching Investigation last
Ing six hours, the coroner's fury sum-
moned yesterday to inquire into tho
cause OF the death OF Louis Cywinski
and five others. who were killed by
an explosion in the Carbon Hill Mines,
Henrico county, carly Friday morning.,
laid the responsibility on tho Old Do
minion Development Company, owners,
whom 1t charged with negligence In
the inspection OF the mines and In
notifying the miners of the danger
bcforo them.
six men werc killed. and the one
case was used to cover tho whole list.
tho circumstances surrounding tho
deaths OF all being the same, Tho case
Will probably be put before n grand
jury on january 81, tho grand jury
in Henrico county of the last term
having been adjourned ovet to that
date. 1t Is. possible. but regarded aa
hardly probable. that some question
as to jurisdiction as between Henrico
and Goochland counties may arise
because that part of tho mins in
which the men were killed is In the
latter county. But as the main shaft
lies in Henrico county. where tho
has its offices. 1t is thought
that there will not he a legal tangle
arising from this cause.
Eleven Witnesses Examined.
should tho grand jury return an
Indictment against the Old Dominion
Development Company, prosecution for
negligence will result.
Eleven Witnesses, among them VIII
liam q. Voolfolk. vice-president OF
the company, We're examined yesterday
by the coroner's fury.
Much of the evidence wna contradic-
tory. ana two witnesses wore, recalled
TO explain certain parts OF their tes-
ttmony which had been c~ontradicted by
others ana II give other information
which tho jury desired. The officials
were unable to secure tho saryices of
a s~tenographcr, and tho statements
had to be taken down in l%onghnnd by
Deputy Coroner Fright and Common.
wealth's Attorney Julien tiunn, who
took turns In the arduous labor.
Both tho coroner and The Common
Attorney took a leading part
in tho examination OF tho witnesses.
and they were assisted by the jury.
especially By Robert TAYLOR. himself
once n fire boss iii largo mines. He
displayed expert knowledge, and his
rapid fire of questions and the harsh
criticisms he occasionally launched
against tho officials and Bosses before
often caused them n deal of un-
eastness. at times he lcctli-Gd. and at
other times he explained low measures
S''o"i' h1Np oecIi tHhcn 10 prevent
tho men from going to unexpected
doom.
Sit Around In Gloom.
The mine was not worked yesterday.
tho day shift being engaged In clean
ing away the debris left by tho ex-
plosion. Many OF tbs men hung around
the main Offices. In which the Jury sat.
curious to learn what was going on
within. But 1T took much .ima getting
thaL wItnaSGaS 4 = har L, ~ o.
them, Joe Bardina and Ralph Deter.
who We're injured in the explosion, had
to be visited in their homs3.
t. c. Hopkins. night foreman, who
was examined. resigned yesterday, and
left for his homo In Alabama yester-
day afternoon. He had been in tho
company's employ only since January
]. and the others. too. were recent ar
rivals.
Coroner Bright ard ConmonweaIth,s
Attorney Gum arrived al the mines
shortly after II o'clock, and found tha
jury waiting for them. The Jurors
were hcst taken into the presence OF
the six bodies. lying In Il row IN the
wash house. only a few yards from
the mouth OF the mine. II was q
CHASTITY sight. They were plnckened
and charred from tho effects OF the
fiery explosion. Moth OF tho clothea
were burned from the uppcr part OF
the bodies, and the flesh was scarab
and scorched. They lay Just as tfsgs
had been taken from the death hole.
Hold Euncrnl Services,
Services wore hold over the bodies In
tho settlement hall, aSout a mne from
tho scene, By Rev. John Koneeek, pna-
tor OF the New Bohemian Cungrogation
of Petersburg. who had been SEM By
his bishop to aid tho stricken 5aTTtlfsstf
OF tina dead miners Five VIII bes9sfaIs
sc rest to-day In tho rebr Of the .hasTa