The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-03-22
EIGHTY MEN
EN7OMBED
When Explosion Occurred
In Mine.
Shaft Caved In And Fire
Ragged Around Lost
Miners.

Fort Smith, Arkansas, March 2o.-The
fate Of fifty-four men imprisoned by
an explosion in the Sans Bots mine at
McCurtain, Okla, today was still in
doubt at O'Clock. One body has been
recovered, so badly burned that at first
little hope was entertained for the day
shift Of sixty-four miners on duty at
the time, but later nine men emerged
unhurt for bruises.
The mine is said to have caved I'm
after the explosion. Most of the miners
imprisoned are beyond the obstruction
and a fierce fire makes work or rescue
practicable impossible. The cause Of
the explosion has not been determined.
A report reaching here to the effect
that a man had been arrested charged
with firing the mine remains uncou-
firmed. .
The explosion occurred in Sans Bots
mine. No. 2, between $50 and 10
o'clock. Most Of the day shift of min
srs were at work. They numbered, acA
cording to the statement of the man.
ager Of the mine. sixty-four men.
Their work lay beyond the ninth level.
where the explosion did its deadly
work. The few who escaped unhurt
from the mine were above the ninth
level attending to special tasks. One
body, the sole one rescued, was found
near the eighth level entry, mangled.
The mine men who escaped were slight
ly bruised by flying wreckage in the
shaft.
Men on duty in the shafthouse ran
from that structure when the noise Of
the explosion came to their ears as a
muffled roar. soon followed by puffs Of
smoke belched forth from the mouth
Of the shaft. The alarm spread quick
ly and for a time wild confusion
reigned. Volunteers were called for to
enter the shaft. Dozens stepped for
ward. A party was selected and had
been lowered but a short distance into
the shaft when the thickening smoke
them that a fire was in prog
ress below. burning fiercely. They
persisted. but were forced soon to re-
turn to the surface because of the
deadly fumes, after coming to the con-
clusion that assurediy there had been
q cavern at about the ninth level.
Within half an hour after the ex-
plosion dense clouds of darkening black
smoke, tinged at times blue with sheets
Of flame. were pouring from the mouth
Of the mine. Pending the arrival Of
experts from McAlester. guards have
been stationed and no one Is permit
ed to approach the mine closer than a
block away.
Fifty collins have been ordered by
from McAlester and are said
% be en- route to McCurtain on a spe-
,ial train. When news OF this order
'pread. the crowds In the vicinity of
he mine. already grief stricken. sue
to wild manifestations of grief.
Here and there were to be seen groops
II aged mothers. kneeling in the street
md praying with tremulous voices for
husbands. or sons. Young wives wept
loud. chung to each other In despair.
ome finally to sink thoroughly OK
,austed to the street. moaning or
gasping out the names Of
owed ones for whom little hope lie now
The Federal mine rescue car and
rev are expected to arrive at Mccur-
ain this afternoon. railroad officials
ave issued orders giving the special
rain to which 1t is attached right OF
vay for fast run TO the mining town.
Relatives are said already to have
iled fifty death messages with the tele-
raph companies at McCurtain.