Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-10-25
SEVENTY-FIVE RECOVERED
FUNERALS ARE HELD AS RAPID
LY AS coRPsEs ARE PRE-.
PARED FOR BURIAL
MINE FILLS WITH GAS
THE HELMETMEN ARE SERIOUS
LY IMPEDED IN WORK THIS
MORNING

Dawson, N M, Oct. 25.-From 4
O'Clock this morning until 10:SO o.
clock anxiety gripped every man in
charge Of the rescue and exploration
work at Stag Canon Mine No. 2, and
momentarily it was feared that word
would be received of the death of
helmet men, The mine, cleared Of
gases yesterday afternoon, re-filled
with carbon dioxide in the faces,
and helmet men we're driven back al
most to the manway.
For six hours and a half not body
was brought from the mine. though
more than 25 entombed miners had
been located under the debris in the
fatal Chamber, 1S east. Government
ment helmet men were sent into the
mine for the purpose Of fighting the
tricky ventilation, and they went for
ward in groups Of fours. Half an
hour after each crew had departed
another crew was ordered down to
follow them closely and relieve them
as soon as they met In this manner
every possible precaution was taken
to preserve the lives of the rescuers.
BY 9 O'Clock the atmosphere was
clearing rapidly Mules were taken
into the mine by helmet men as far
as the air would permit animal life.
BY degrees they pushed forward, un-
til the sledge containing the seventy
fourth recovered body had been
reached, and at 1O;9O o'clock, total
of rs dead had been brought to the
surface since the explosion Wednes-
day afternoon.
Government rescue men made the
hazardous attempt to enter the mine
in a motor, traversing the east high
line. If this can be accomplished,
the work of bringing forth the bo-
dies will progress much faster. Grave
dought was expressed for the success
of the attempt, for the tracks along
the high line are covered with much
debris, fallen timbers and rocks. The
removal eof the debris from the track
1t is believed, is accompanied BY
much danger. Some Of the props may
be supporting portions of the loosen
ed roof, and their removal may bring
tons Of wreckage upon the rescue
party in the motor car. Helmet men,
afoot, carrying axes and picks, follow
ed the car on its initial trip
Chief G. J. Roberts of the govern
ment mine rescue service watched
his men go into the cavern of death
with misgivings. The work was a
volunteer task, the chief declaring he
would not use such extremely peril
GUS methods for rescue when it was
morally certain that not a man was
living among the entombed miners.
Funeral services were held this af-
ternoon over the second group of /
dead miners which have been buried
The rites were observed over the
long line Of plain black caskets laid
on the floor Of the temporary morgue,
Just as was done yesterday over the
first group Of 30 dead. The burying
Of the dead has brought keener reali-
zation of the horrors Of the disaster
to the townspeople
Business was suspended for two
hours during the services, and hun
dreds Of men, women and children
gathered at the morgue to pay their
tribute TO the memory Of the dead.
TO the list Of dead previously report
ed IA have been added since mid
night, including eight unidentified
bodies. The known dead recovered
today were:
JACOB sUBAT.
ANTOINE BONO.
DOM PEsETTo.
II ID. BROOKS
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