The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-07-17
IANISON NO.7
WAS UNSEALED
THIS MORNING
Mine Will be Put in Opera
ton If 1t Is Found to
be Safe.
CLOSED EIGHT MONTHS
Every Possible Precaution
Will be Taken With Re-
opening.

After having been sealed for more
than eight months, to prevent any air
from entering Mine No. Z of the
Jamison Coal and Coke Company is
now being put in condition for oper-
alton.
Work preparatory to the opening Of
the mine was begun this afternoon
when three helmet men headed by
Samuel Mcmahon, formerly State
Mine Inspector, broke the seal cover
ing the shaft and entered in huge
iron bucket.
This mine will be remembered as
having blown up on October 10, 1915
with a loss of eleven men, including
T.. M. Jones of the q. S. Bureau Of
Mines who lost his life while leading
a rescue party into the mine on the
night of the explosion. Later, after
nearly four weeks of work, during
which time about three fourths of the
mine had been explored apd ventila-
ton restored and eight bodies recov-
cred, a second explosion occurred.
This second explosion was caused by
opening up a section Of the mine that
had been set on fire by the first ex-
plosion.
In the second explosion, however
there was no loss Of life, notwithstand
Ing the fact that there were forty sew
en- men at work in various parts OF
the mine on the day it happened.
The GOODNESS, prompt action and
good Judgment Of those in charge en-
abled all to reach the outside in safe
ty a very few minutes before the Sec
ond explosion occurred. This stands
out in history of mine explosions as
one Of the few instances on record
where second explosion has taken
place in a blown up mine without
killing the rescuers.
The mine has been sealed by con,
creting the tops Of the shafts since
November 81, 1916 and It is hoped
that by this time the fire has been
smothered out. No chances will be
taken, however, of a recurrence Of
the explosion. All the mine will be
explored by helmet men working in
advance of the air current. They will
construct air locks Of wood as they
advance and as the air reaches these
air locks they will be covered with
cement by the use Of cement guns.
This will make these air locks abso-
Iuta1v efficient for holding back the
air.
All precautions possible will be
taken. The company has spared no
expense in equipping those who will
do the work with the best breathing
apparatus now in use and 1t conf
IDENTIFY expects that the work can be
carried out with a minimum danger
Of accident.
The work will be in charge Of Sam.
uel M. Mcmahon and will be under the
direct supervision Of John NJ. Wolfe,
General Superintendent of the Jami-
son Coal and Coke Company.
The No. mine prior to the eGplo-
sion was good producer averaging
In the neighborhood Of one half mill
lion tons per year output, The COM
pany has suffered great financial
loss by this shut down, just at a time
when the price Of coal is high.
It is hoped that the three bodies
that are still in the mine can soon be
recovered. hTey are located In the
part OF the mine that was last on
IRE. This has made It impossible to
recover them before this time.
Although the recovery Of this mine
Is looked upon by many mining men
81 being one Of the biggest problems
they have faced in years, it is conf
IDENTIFY felt by those in charge that
everything viii work GU tas planned
and that the mine viii soon be in op.
Grafton again.