The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-23
Explosion in a Coal Mine at
Dawson, n. M.
EntOmbs Working Force in the
Depths of Earth.
AVENUES OF ESCAPE CLOSED
ReScuerS Recovered IA Bodies
During the Night.
One Living Victim Found at
Depth of a Mile.

Dawson, N. NJ, Oct. 23.-Between
1913 and 243 men still were entombed
in shaft number 2 of the Stag Canon
mine of Phelps Dodge and Company
at o'clock this morning, more than
IL hours after the explosion in the
depths of the workings closed all
avenues of escape from poisonous
gases which filed the mine. Four
teen bodies were recovered during the
night. The twenty third living vic
tim of the disaster was found at the
depth of a mile and taken out un-
conscious at $50 this morning.
Indications early were that the first
aid corps working under the direc-
ton of j. B. Morrow would reach the
majority of the day shift which were
caught in the cave-in some time today
Hope was held out that the great
fans which worked all night would
have rarified the air SO that the
trapped men might be found alive.
Opinions as to the cause of the ex-
plosion differ 1t was first asserted
that black damp ignited and explod
ed. Later the fact developed that at
this time of year the mines in the ad-
jacent southern district of Colorado
become dangerous from the preva-
lence of coal dust, which no amount
Of water seems able to keep under
control, and led to the belief that
the same condition might have caused
the disaster.
General Superintendent DR.. James
Douglas of all of the Phelps Dodge
and Company properties was reported
hurrying here from Douglas. Ariz.
That a great loss of life is expected
was shown by the call of the coro-
ner in Trinidad and Denver for a big
supply of collins. During the nights
fight to reach the entombed men an
organization for the care of the dead
and dying was perfected.
A camp was set up for the res
cuers and a hospital and morgue pre-
pared. AS bodies were borne to the
Iorgue, women came to identify the
victims. guard was thrown about
the property to maintain order, and
the curious from adjacent towns were
kept out of the way of rescuers.
Help on the Way.
The federal rescue train which start
ed from Denver is due here at noon.
Another is coming from Rock Springs,
Wyo., and a third from Pittsburg, Kan.
Before they arrive, it is expected the
volunteer rescuers organized here will
have reached the entOmbed men. DIR.
James Douglas, of Douglas Arizona,
general manager for Phelps, Dodge &
Co., of New York, owners of the mine,
is reported from Ell Paso to be COM
ing here on a special train with a corps
of physicians.
The Stag Canon mine was considered
a model of coal mine engineering and
the disaster that befell it has staggered
this town of 1,500 composed for the most
part of italian miners. The news of
the explosion carried over the butteS
and arroyas of the mountains gathered
most of the settlers and ranchers with
in so miles and when morning broke
today thousands filled the town eager
to help the 800 or more miners who
had worked in the depths of the noun
tain all night in short shifts.
From the hour of the explosion until
nearly midnight gas filled the levels.
making it sure death to enter without
an oxygen helmet. After midnight the
air which had been steadily forced into
the mine began to gain and it was pos
s1ole to increase the rescue force.
Hopefulness Giving Way.
Hundreds of volunteer rescuers
this afternoon made heroic efforts to
with debris and filled with poisonous
gases. None there was who would
venture a prediction.
Clearly the hopefulness that per-
vaded the camp Immediately following
the explosion and throughout the
night had given way today to evil
denceS of doubt.
when we reach the airshaft we
will find many men safe,' was the oft
night. So absorbed were the officials
in the work of rescue that today an
exact check had not been made on the
number of men in the mine at the
hour of disaster and it seemed certain