The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-09

party of rescuers penetrated the i'll fated Banner mine shortly after midnight last night. In huddled mass of humanity down the slope the dead bodies of Lee Jones and o. W. Sprad- ling were identified. These men were known as sub-foremen and were in charge of unit of the mining or ganization.
 In addition to the positive identin- cation of the two free white men, the rescuers were able to see many dead bodies strewn in every direction.
 The work of rescuing at l o'clock this morning was progressing hnely' The air Is greatly improved, and the current is strong. The prevailing opin- ion is that the entire mine will be free of lifeless bodies by nightfall
 This opinion is shared by the local officials of the Pratt Consolidated Coal company, who remained in constant touch with the rescuers by phone from Birmingham.
 Thinks All Are Dead
 pr. J. J. Rutledge of the United States rescue car a recognized. mine expert, expressed the opinion here at 12:s0 o'clock this morning just before leaving for Banner that the 11S men were all dead. He said as matter of course he was not fully informed as to conditions, but from reports given him he could not believe that any of the men erntombed had sufficient strength to withstand the deadly black damp. pr. Rutledge added that the passinR of time would decrease what ever chances the entombed men may have and that unless they were reached shortly there would be not the slightest chance for their recovery.
 Dr. Rutledge, in charge of the Unit cd States rescue car. left here at 12:30 this morning. The car was carried special over the Louisville and Nash ville. He was accompanied by Dr. Rountree of wylam. Echols and Angwin of Ensley, Dr. Burns of the state con vict board; James Oakley. president of the state board of convict inspectors; pr. Wright and several men well equipped to assist in. rescue work and the recovery of bodies from the mine. The train carried a large supply of medical supplies.
 Erskine Ramsay. vice president and chief engineer of the Pratt Consol- dated. phoned to Birmingham at l o'clock this morning that the work of rescuing was progressing satisfactor- fly, but that he feared very much for the saving of any of the entombed men.
 Differs From Others
 Yesterdays explosion differs from those of the past years In Alabama in that there are practically no mourners at the openings. Usually there is a great crowd of widows and orphans waiiins for loved ones. but the men at Banner were .convicts-for the most part without friends and whose rela- tives are scattered through the various counties of Alabama from which the convicts were sent. There were no loved ones to hurry to the scene im- mediately after the shock. The mourn ing must be done in the remote homes and hamlets from which the unfortu- mates were torn to pay the penalty for misdeeds.
 The only ray of hope in the black doubt surrounding the 11S imprisoned miners at Banner last night was the in- sistent request that the United States mine rescue car be sent immediately 70 Banner.
 The car reached here last night iron, Chattanooga, in charge of Dr. J. J. Rut- ledge. On account of the company de- clining the use of the Tennessee car earlier in the day it was problematical whether the United States car would be used. However the indications that the rescuers would reach miners not deal from the black damp led to the opinion that perhaps the lives of a score or mors would be preserved.
 The net total of dead at midnight was three found and identified. The an- nouncement is also made that at least 3 have been seen who are dead. The grand total is expected now to reach at least 12l or more.
 The officials of the company last night declined to give out the names of the imprisoned miners. It was stated that score of agents for attorneys were on the scene ready to grasp any clew which would lead tEem to the relatives of the dead or imprisoned men to get a sult for damages
 Company Office Besieged
 Last night the local of! ,es of the com- pany were in constant siege of requests for information relising toithis man and the other. ILong distance messageSs Nns : z. f,|t if fs-lS 4. \