The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-08-03
NINETEEN ARE KILLED
IN MINE EXPLOSIONS
More Deaths May Result Among
Injured at Tower City,
Pa. Workings.
RESCCERS AMONG VICTIMS
Premature Blast 1900 Feet
Under Ground Followed by
Igniting Of Gas.
HESCrERS AMONG VICTIMS

PoTTsVIi.IE. IA. Aug. 2.-Nlnetecf men
are dead and as many more are injured
seriously. some OF them fatally. as the
result OF explosions this morning In
the East Brookside coliiery OF the Phila.
deiphia and Reading Coal and Iron Com
pany near Tower City.
The first accident was caused by two
tons OF dynamite used in driving a
new tunnel exploding prematureiy. With
a tremendous roar the massive mine
pillars $500 feet below the ground were
shattered
A rescue party started into the mine
Immediately. and they had hardly been
lowered into the shaft when the second
explosion followed. This was caused by
the flame reaching a pocket Of gas In
the second disaster Supt. John Lorenz
and Harry Schoeffstal the FIRE boss. who
led the rescuing party. were overcome
For Ave minutes the bottom OF the
mine which Is reached by the deepest
shaft in the anthracite coal region. was
like a furnace. with all the miners with
in reach OF the flames lying PROSTATE on
their faces to avoid breathing the fumes
The terrible heat. however. either
scorched the life out OF most OF them. or
the concussion and flying rocks killed
them. -
Rescuers Drins oar Bodies.
second rescue force was then formed
and they got the bodies Of Supt. Iprenz
and Schoeffstal. besides those Of three
miners.
Hospital and il is said he may recover.
Schoeffstal. however. is fatally injured.
The three miners revived almost as soon
as they reached the surface.
In the first explosion II Is supposed
that thirteen were killed. and In the
second Ave of the six rescuers. The dead
were scattered about for a quarter Of a
mile. Only three were taken out alive,
and one Of those died on the way to the
hospital.
About II 40 o'clock the men on the
surface heard . dull. rumbling noise. and
from the mouth Of the slope and from the
air passageway at the fanhouse there
came forth clouds OF dust. They knew
that there had been a bad explosion. and
a rescue party was organized quickly.
This party was composed Of Mckinley,
c.k-
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% a 1s,,,h -, ooo Goo, It,. -.
On -. a.. ,,.. 80
49, -. ~. w
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80 ,,,, ~
-. 500 ""N .' W
10" W. ''o"' VI. "'ou,' "
Five workmen were found dead in one
p"t,
In the mine at the time who escaped
with practically no injury He was
standing near the slope when the nrst
explosion occurred and was hurled ten
feet. but was not rendered unconscious.
When the rescuing force finally came
upon Supt. Loren.. they found him barely
able to crawl When asked how he was.
he replied:
on am pretty sore and tired Dus
never mind me. go and help Jack Far
rell he needs your help. Leave me
alone and take care OF those who need
help more than do
Howard and william Hand. two Of the
men killed. were the only support Of a
mother whose husband died within the
last six weeks. 1t Ia feared she will die.
The explosion set fire to the mine and
the rescu'ng force worked In helmets con-
taihinS stored oxygen.
M''iohs OF dollars worth OF the hnest
re" Ssh 'oai IN the anthracite region was
threatened DN the nre anu the OFFICIALS OF