The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1912-03-21
fNTOMBFD Miners
DOOMED TO DEATH
TERRIFIC Mine EXPLOSION
HORRIBLE DISASTER AT NC.
CURTAIN, OKLA.-ONE HUN
DRED ARE DEAD.

mass OF Wreckage defying their ef-
forts, a half hundred men are work
ing in relays to rescue from 60 to 100
miners imprisoned since early yester-
day morning by an explosion in mine
No. 2, of the Sans Bois Coal Com
pany, at McCurtain, Okla, 81 miles
west of Fort Smith. Thirteen men
have escaped alive from the mine, five
bodies have been recovered and Is
more have been located All hope for
the entombed men has been abandon
ed and rs coffins have been ordered
shipped to the grief-stricken mining
camp.
The Sans Bois Coal Company is
sued a statement to the effect that 80
men were at work at the time of the
explosion. Other reports say more
than 100 were at work at the time.
The condition of the mine cannot be
determined for several hours read
the statement. Last night offic ais in
charge of the governments mine res
cue car, which arrived from Meal les
ter, stated there was no hope for the
entombed men.
Eight men at mork in the mule sta
bles escaped through the passage used
by the cars. A slight jar, followed by
a cloud of smoke, told them of the
disaster. Rescuers found five other
miners badly injured lying in
wrecked entry. Three of these proba-
bly, will die What caused the explo-
sion is not knokn. Either gas or coal
dust, say the government mine ex-
perts, IS responsible. The body of
John Golwas, aged II years, a trap
per boy, was first recovered. 1t was
found two hours after the explosion,
'frghtfully burned. The first rescue
party entered the mine at noon. 1t
was composed of A. Brown, superin-
tendent of the mine; George Hutchin-
son and Ben Faifimond. This party
was able to reach the sixth level or
distance of 900 feet from the en-
trance.
The explosion occurred at 9:15 yes
terday morning. The impact carried
away the tipple and damaged the fan
house so badly that it was not until
six hours had elapsed that small
quantity of air could be forced into
the pit The explosion, according to
authorities, occurred between the
sixth and eighth levels. Three
fourths of the miners were at work
below these levels, and the fact great
ly decreases the chances for recovery
of the men.
The first body recovered was found
} buried beneath the wreckage in the
shaft. The man was burned almost
beyond recognition. With a jar that
} felt like an earthquake McCurtain
was thrown into a bedam of excite
meent with the first indication of the
explosion. The explosion carried away
the tipple and a part of the fan house
A thin veil of smoke Immediately be-
gan creeping out of the shaft. A hur-
} RED call was issued for volunteers
and first rescue party crept into the
mine at half an hour after the explo-
sion. At the bottom of the pit they
met men groping about in the smoke
which momentarily became more
dense. The rescuers dragged them
forth. The men We're almost suffocat-
ed
A couple of hundred feet from the
entrance the rescuers found the body
of dead man. Apparently his
clothes had become ignited and he had
started to run to the entrance, when
he was buried by cave-in. When
the rescue party and the rescued min
ers reached the opening the mine be-
gan to cave in and the shaft became
choked with stream of the thick
black, sickening smoke. The collapse
of the mine further precludes the pos
sibility of rescuing the entombed men.
All suggestions that the imprison-
ed men have crept to the farthermost
recesses of the mine and escaped are
rejected at McCurtain.
The books of the mine company dis
closed 92 names on the records, but
the company now admits more than
100 were employed. Mayor Pagan
Bourland of Fort Smith last night is
sued an appeal for aid for the fami-
lies of the victims.