The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-12-10
BY Associated Press.

BY ASSoctaTed PRESS.
Briceville, Tenn, Dec. 9.-One dead
boy has been removed from the III
fated Cross Mountain coal mine,
operated by the Knoxville Iron Com
many, in which an explosion occurred
this morning. 1t is anticipated that
by midnight the rescuers will reach
portion of the entombed miners and
hopes are entertained that many will
be found alive. The estimated num-
ber of men imprisoned vary, but 1t is
semi officially stated the total is 2O7.
The mine rescue. crew of the federal
government arrived late this afternoon
and Immediately undertook an en-
trance into the mine by means OF
oxygen helmets. The rescuers pro-
ceeded about a mile up the main shaft
until distractions of fallen slate, rock.
earth, timbers and other debris were
encountered. 1t will be necessary to
remove this before the inner chambers
can be reached. A.,
II was the party of helmet wearers
who discovered the first and only body
removed. He was Lee Polston, an
operator of the fan machinery. The
body was horribly mangled.
An unconfirmed report is current
this afternoon that representative
of the state inspector recently made
an inspection of the mine and is said
to have found conditions unfavorable.
The report lacks confirmation. Other
inspections of late are said to have
resulted In favorable reports as to the
conditions in the mine.
There are three theories as to the
cause of the explosion. One is that in
some manner the powder or dust ex-
ploded; another that an electric wire
came IN contact with explosives, and
another that it was caused by the poor
tamping of q drill
-. Av-A eli I've TfnxY
had entered the lateral or off main
shaft and succeeded in getting into the
open before the flames and smoke
RRIcEVILLE IN MOURNING.
Briceville tonight is a house of
mourning, as the fact has dawned
upon women and children there is
scarcely any ray of hope that a single
miner lives in the Cross Mountain
mine. In scores of homes the pitiful
walls of women and children are
heard, while at the mouth of the mine
fully fifty women, some with babes
in their arms, battle bravely to keep
up their spirits and hope against
hope.
entombed men can be reached before
Sunday morning.
A new fan was installed at the main
entrance of the mine, to force fresh |
air into the shaft, while a suction fan
was placed in the passageway of the
Beachy mine, at the opposite side of
the mountain, which connects with the |
Cross Mountain mine. By this means
1t is hoped to draw out the gases and
permit the entrance of the rescuers. |
Members of half the families of the |
little mining town of fifteen hundred |
are included among those entombed |
and there is weeping in nearly every |
home.
Tonight nearly two thousand per-
sons are at the mouth of the mine and |
the sobs and cries of women and men |
as we'll are heartrending. Miners from |
other mines have come to assist in the |
rescue work Many wives remained |
at the mines mouth from early morn !
ing to late tonight, refusing to be con- |
soled. They begged to be allowed to
enter the mine to search for husbands, |
and mothers for sons. |
THREE MEN ESCAPE.
Three men who were in the lantern |
shafts at the time of the explosion |
escaped safely and without injury. |
These men were John Lang, Sar
Farmer and Bert Hatmaker. They |
came out almost simultaneously with |
the conclusion that was felt from the |
explosion. They report that no unto
ward conditions were discovered by |
them in the interior before they left |
the works this morning.
The exact location of the explosion |
IS thought to have been about two |
miles in the interior and about 500 |
feet beneath the crest of the noun
tain.
The number Of men in the mine is
variously estimated at from 125 to 26s. |
One OF the miners. who is believed to
have knowledge of the number of |
men who entered the mine this morn
Ing gave it as his opinion that the |
number would not exceed 140.
Hopes were entertained that the men
will escape alive, or. at least MANY of |
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