The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-10-25
EXPLOSION EnT0MBS MINERS.
TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY MEN
BURIED UNDERGROUND IN
COLLIERIES AT DAW-
son, n. Nj.
Still Some Hopes for Their Safety as
Mine was Well Equipped and Men
May Have Escaped dust and Gases,
and There was no F1re-Relief
Work Commences ut Once.

Dawson, N. NJ, Oct. 22.-,rwo hun
dred and eighty miners, according to
an unofficial estimate. were entOmbed
in shaft No. 2 of the Stag Canon mines
here, when an explosion occurred in
the property at o'clock this after
noon.
Two men found on an upper level
were taken from the mine and three
Italian miners were rescued alive
from the debris at the entrance to
the mine. The men rescued were
sparated from the main body Of
miners at the time of the explosion
and could tell nothing Of it.
Rescuers were called from all parts
Of the southern Colorado coal fields.
The day shift working in shaft No.
2 numbered 230 workmen. The cause
Of the explosion is unknown. Fire has
not broken out, though smoke was
seen issuing from the second level Of
the shaft. 1t was believed by rescuers
that this smoke came from the ex-
plosion.
Immediately after the explosion all
shifts were called to work Of res
cue and those miners who were en-
ployed in other shafts were put to
work drilling through the debris,
which was aiding in the attempt to
reach the entombed miners. Reports
from the miners did not state at what
level the explosion occurred, but that
the mine shaft was blocked from the
second level.
The mine property Is owned by
Phelps Dodge & Co.. of New York.
Five mines are connected in the
workings and it Is thought that if
any of the miners escaped death in
the explosion they would be able to
reach safety.
F. l. Miller, superintendent of the
Colorado Fuel & Iron company res
cue department, with q crew Of train
ed rescuers. left Trinidad, Col. on a
special train for Dawson with oxygen
helmets and other apparatus.
BY 10 o'clock tonight the rescuers
had penetrated more than 100 feet
into the mouth Of the mine and
reached five Of the entombed miners
who were alive. They had suffered
much from gas. and were in no con-
dition to tell what happened at the
time Of the explosion. Immediately
upon being brought to the surface the
men were given into the care Of ply
sicians. many Of whom have arrived
here from nearby towns.
1t is believed the explosion occurred
In a stope deep within the mine. From
conditions rescuers have found since
digging within the debris, it is believ-
ed the air supply is plentiful as the
air has improved as the rescuers pro-
gress further towards the centre Of
the mine.
Mayor Kinney of this city has or
ganized a relief camp at the mine,
where rescuers are being cared for,
and where miners as they are taken
out will be given medical attention if
needed. The mayor tonight declar-
ed it impossible to make any conjec-
ture concerning the possible loss of
life. None OF the mine officials or res
cuers on the ground would make any
constructed as to permit Of the least
possible danger from such explosions.
According to Mayor Kenney no
cause for the explosion has been
learned and it Is believed it will not
be known until the miners now en-
tCmbed half q mile from the entrance
have been rescued and tell their story.
The air supply within the mine is
the chief concern OF the rescuers who
believe they will be able to reach the
interior of the mine by tomorrow
night at the latest.
In the relief camps near tha en-.
trance to mine No. are gathered the
women and children of the entombed
miners families. They are cheered by
the knowledge that Superintendent
McDermott Is among the main body
OF imprisoned miners because, they
have confidence, as have mine officials,
In the superintendents resources in
such a plight.
Relief parties from nearby owns
constantly are arriving and by tomor-
row morning the number Of rescuers
in Dawson will be we'll into the hun
dreds. all equipped with the latest
apparatus for combating gas and 9TH
er dangers of mine explosions. To-
night the work of rescue is practical
La