The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-10-21

After full crew working all night
long and up until two o'clock this
afternoon trying to get preparations
completed SO that the brattice crews
and the mine experts can get into the
shaft at b opening OF Jamison No. Z
mine where ten men were killed In an
explosion which shook the country
for miles around Thursday noon, an.
was made that a crew Of
nine picked men would be sent into
the mine soon to get Allison, who is
about 400 feet from the opening, and
to get any other victims which may
be discovered.
These men will also be expected to
carry the air with them by tearig
down distractions and building air
routes as they go along. Following
these men will be crew of experts
who will venture toward the inner
workings where the air is still bad
and report their findings. In the sec.
ond party will be men from the Unit.
cd States Bureau Of Mines. state dis.
trict inspectors and Jamison mine fire
bosses and foremen.
The work is progressing rapidly at
the B exit, the two regular cage bull
wheels having been taken down and
the cages themselves which were turn.
ed to junk were removed to make room
for a man cage which had to be In.
stalled In place Of the two hosting
cages. This large steel cage was
swung into it's place at II o'clock this
morning and men went below to put
in the two large guides for the cage
to slide down. This consumed the
better part Of the day, the guides
having been in place at two o'clock.
The single fan at opening B, the
smaller opening has been kept run.
ming since 4 o'clock Thursday after.
noon. When the cage gets working
1t will be necessary to build set
Of safety doors or an air lock SO that
the fan and the cage can work at tho
same time. This can be done without
delaying the entrance into the mine
Of the rescue or brattice party.
The party consists OF thirteen men,
five OF them being helmet men while
the other will not use helmets. Those
comprising the first party are: vii.
liam P. Bridges. contractor, former.
ly used to be mine foreman at Jami.
son: William Hecker, motorman; Ed.
Capet, Jr., fire boss No. Jamison;
Wilbur Hall, night foreman; Frank
Berry, scraper. These men are all
helmet men. Those going without the
headgear are: J. d. Victor. mine fore.
man; Bob Mcknight. driver; Pat Dur.
kin. driver: William Berry, machine
man; Ed. Capet. ST.. fire boss No. s;
Mox Quenon, contractor; Frank Huet,
Timberman.
When 1t became known that the
party would number ~, there was a
distinct movement in the crowd which
was gathered about Bridge who Is to
lead the party. At first there was a
trace Of seriousness but It soon died
away when one OF the men spoke up
and said, Thirteen is a lucky mum.
ber." This seemed to dispel the fear
Of the men. Just before leaving for
the interior Of the mine however, sew.
eral were heard to say that they would
make the party consist Of IA men or
IL inasmuch as superstition about min.
ing towns is very pronounced.
The gang Of 10 was ready to enter
the mine at 10 o'clock but had to wait
until the men working about the en-.
trance at B could make ready for
them. While these men were working
on the cage at B, there were forces
Of men put to work to tear down the
old demolished roofs, clear away the
smashed doors and windows and make
general repairs to the buildings.
The organization was complete, no
set Of men in their respective duties
interfering with the others. Many men
were hired to help with the work of
claring up the premises and In putting
the large cage in place.
The lookerson who did not get a
chance to enter the roped off section
formed an orderly crowd, no officer
having been needed to keep 1t back
after the first few hours. The Of.
flcials from the government and the
state mine bureaus commented on this
and on the lack Of heart-rending
scenes of mothers and relatives stand.
ing about waiting for their loved ones.
There was not sign Of one in the
crowd who appeared as though he or
she had lost a relative or friend. It
is possible that II such were in the
crowd they have become reconciled
to their misfortune and bear up brave.
ly with their friends and companions
in grief.
State Inspector Eorl Henry com.
mented on the lack Of grief stricken.
He has been to every mine explosion
in West Virginia for the past Is years.
He was at Eckles not long ago when
1877 were killed. He was conspicuous
at Monongah and he states that these
two mines, Eckles and Monongah.