The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-10
MORE LOSE LIVES.
Two Rescuers Dead Following
Colorado Mine Disaster.
Fifteen Are Missing as Result OF
an Explosion.
FIVE BODIES FOUND.
Nine Known Dead and Six Unac-
counted For.
No Narrowing Scenes Around
Pit Mouth as Is Usual.

trinidad, Col, Feb. 10.-TO the list
of nine known dead and six missing in
the Cokedaie mine at the time of the
explosion last night, this morning were
added the names of E. A. Sutton. as
sistant superintendent of the mine and
Robert Meek. Colorado Fuel and Iron
volunteer rescuer who lost their lives
while trying to reach the missing men.
Sutton overestimated the amount Of
oxygen in his helmet and fell a VIC
tim to the black damp. He was drag
ged to within the air circuit by rescu-
ers who themselves almost succumbed
where his helmet was removed. He was
alive when carried out but died while
efforts were being made to resuscitate
him with a pulmotor. Meek fell un-
conscious, after volunteering ahead of
the air circuit and died a few minutes
after being carried out.
Five bodies Were located this morn
ing and will be brought out soon. Be-
Iofe the SIX missing can be reached
1t VIII be necessary to put up more
bratt1ces and enlarge the air circuit.
A number Of the rescuers have been
overcome by the black damp.
The mine is being slowly cleared Of
the aftefdamp but it may be several
hours before all of the bodies can be
taken out.
Fell Off High Trestle.
DR.. I. ]. Forham, of So-ris, was SER
lously injured near the mouth of the
mine early today when he fell off 4
nigh trestle in the darkness. His
shoulder was dislocated and it is fear
ed he sustained internal injuries
Franklin Guiterman, president and
| general manager of the Carbon Coal
and Coke company, has assumed per-
sonal charge. Superintendent f. p Bay
1iss had been in the mine almost con-
tlnuously since reaching the scene soon
after the explosion last night. Good
order is maintained about the mouth
of the mine ana IN the camp avoiding
the narrowing scene SO frequently en-
acted about mines following disaster.
Coroner Lake and a force of deputies
are in charge of the bodies of the re-
covered victims which have been placed
/ in the blacksmith shop.
The force of the explosion, which
was distinctly felt at Trinidad, seems
to have been greatest in the main
slope. Timbers were blown 200 feet
from the mouth of the slope. but the
explosion seems to have been attended
by no serious falls of rock.
The explosion wrecked the fan
house, but the fan was uninjured and
| is still working. although the air has
been short circuited" by the blow
Ing out of battrices and doors.
Other Rescuers to Scene.
Trained rescue men are being rushed
to Cokedale from all over the district.
| 1AS Inlne rescue car
charge of J. c. Roberts has been sum-
moned and the rescue car of the Colo
rado Fuel and Iron company is on the
way to the wrecked mine.
There are five exits from the Coke
| dale mine and none but the main sope
was injured. 1t is hoped that some
of the men in the mine may make their
way from one of these exits. The two
/ shot frerS who we're rescued were
working near the surface in No. en-
/ try md lxs-itk Ia
| gas, they were able to go to their
| homes without assistance.
/ There were no hsr~or.'--~ scenes
around the pit mouth, such as have
been common at other coal mine disas-
ters. The miners on the surface are
quiet and the majority are engaged
| in carrying supplies to the rescue party.
The cause of the explosion is un-
known. but 1t seems most improbable
/ that it could have been an explosion of
dust. Precautions against the accun-
ulation of dust were most strictly en-
forced at Cokedale. The mine was fur
nished with water pipes throughout
and a force of men was employed con-
stantly in sprinkling and removing dust.
! The Cokedale mine has been opera
| ted for four years and the camp was
! known as the model coal camp of
| America The property is owned by
| the American Smelling & Refining conn
! pany and supplies the Guggenheim
smelters. It is said that more money
| mas been expended in equipping the
| mine with safety appliances and mod
ern methods than at any coal mine in
America