New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-01
HOPE GONE FOR
TRAPPED MINERS
Searchers Find so Bodies
Think None Has
Survived.
ENTRIES TO SHAFTS
CHOKED WITH WATER
Government Officials Direct
Rescue Crews OF Eccles,
w. Va.

Eccies, w. Va, April so.-Frrty or more
miners. working under direction Of the
Federal Bureau OF Mines whose chief.
]. A. Holmes. is on the ground. today
sought hopelessly for tho bodies OF i72
men enrombed IN Mine 5. OF tho New
River Galleries Company. last Tuesday.
Fifty bodies were found az the bottom
OF n shaft. Others Will not be brought
out until tonight Reports from the
mine wers that many bodies had been
found, but go far there was no indication
that any OF the miners had escaped death
in the explosion.
As rescue parties penetrated the mine
their hopes OF taking out any OF the men
alive dwindled rapidly. The condition OF
tho bodies found in tho mine and the
wreckage that blocked passages made It
evident that all the miners had persisted.
Acanary bird taken into the mine was
killed by gas The eafety lamps went out
The crews explored a distance OF 400
feet. Several additional bodies were found,
but the rescuers did not 20 into the rooms
where most OF the miners worked
J. Tafanal. head OF the Mine Testing
Bureau OF France. arrived here to-day
from Pittsburgh, whore he had beeen VS.
iting.
Two crews from tho government rescue
cars equipped with oxygen tanks went
into the mine tonight 10 make n search.
II Is said they do not intend TO return
to the surface until they have explored
the entire mine.
Water was found IN some entries. but
the engineers hope 10 have Thorn cleared
by evening It is estimated that two days
must elspse before the entire mine IS ex-
plored and the dead recovered.
Dr. Charles ?. Neil. former United
States Commissioner OF Labor, now gen
eral welfare agent Of tho Guggenheir In
terests, arrived to-day 10 provide relief
for the families OF the dead.
J. ". Paul. chief engineer OF the Pitts
burgh station Of tho Bureau OF Mines,
descended tho SHAFT IN company with
government rescue men from the two
other crews here They had proceeded
only short distance from tho bottom
when they found ak bodies. 70 burned
that Identification was impossible. Pene-
trating further into tho galleries, they
AChifA tti4si bDNlr'
After twenty-four hours Chief Henry
and party OF West Virginia mine In
spectors reached the bottom OF SHAFT No.
OF the New River Golfers Company.
They expressed belief that come Of tho
entombed miners may be alive.
All night the inspectors had worked IN
the shaft. 125 feet from the bottom, clear
Ing away the debris and Strengthening
the leads on which the cage is operated.
Tho best worlomen IN tho district were
called into service
Chief Henry said that he did not think
the mine was on fire. and that ne e1-
pected 10 find some OF the men alive.
Many OF the mines IN tho district were
closed. and the miners and their families
Joined IN tho watch FOR news. Many OF
the miners have been deputized by the
Sheriff 20 assist in keeping back the
crowds
Governor Hatfield. who returned 70
Charleston last night. IS expected here to-
day, and VIII assume charge Of the doc
tors who have hurried here 10 care for
such OF tho men as may 20 brought out
OF tho mine alive.