Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-06-05

More than 100 mine workers were
riding to work on what is known as %
trip of mine cars drawn by a motor.t
The rear car carried twelve kegs Of
black powder used for blasting the
coal in the chambers The mine Is
modern and equipped electrically.
The trolley wire snapped when the
train was about 200 feet within the
mine, and sparks it emitted touched
off the powder. There was roar and
in an instant every man and boy on
the train was either dead or dying.
Terribly mangled bodies were found
everywhere by rescue crews. Fire
fighters quickly succeeded in subduing
the flames which followed the blast.
Those who had not already succumbS
ed were so badly burned that recovery
is impossible.
Carelessness and violation of mine
laws caused the great loss of life. One
of the most drastic provisions of the
anthracite mine code is the section
forbidding the transportation of meu
on a car or train which carries ex-
plosives. M
The death list is rapidly growing
B66dYses<0f ffe~ifi56red1neil ltaken from
the mines were piled on the green
about the colliery Scores of bodies
have been removed to moE.ues
Identification of the bodies Is al
most impossible. Many are charred
beyond recognition. The limbs of
some, the heads of others are missing.
Many of the injured lived only short
time.
The death list was made large by
the flames and the sulphur fumes
which filed the tunnel. Many rescu-
ers got into the mine and layed
streams of water on the flames. Cries
of the injured were heard above the
roar of the flames.
There will be scores of widows and
orphans as the result of the catastro-
phe. Hundreds of terrified relatives
and friends gathered about the tun-
mel.
Mine and state officials were on the
scene early. Tht chief trouble DUR
ing the early hours was in getting
nurses, doctors and supplies.
At 1890 o'clock the company OFF,
cials announced that at least seventy
one were dead and that thirty-five
were at the hospitals. 1t was stated
that the death list would increase.
Along side of the tunnel there Is q
creek and at the flash of the flames
some men who were walking along the
side of the car dropped into the water
and saved their lives.
The accident occurred shortly be-
fore o'clock. A train of empty cars
was sent to the mouth of the tunnel to
take the men INTO the CndmDeTS- lVV
men piled into the cars. which were
drawn by an electric motor. Near
the end of the train was a car of black
powder. John McGroarty drove the
motor.
When 200 feet in the tunnel the
trolley wire broke and fell. Sparks ig
nited the powder and instantly there
was an explosion that sent the bodies
of the men flying in all directions. The
force was so terrific it was heard
through the greater part of the city.
Flames caused greater loss of life.
many of the bodies being burned to
crisp. Other men who were burned and
were trying to reach safety died OF
suffocation.
When rescuers reached the tunnel
there were dead and dying scattered
everywhere. The injured were rapid
ly removed, sent to hospitals as quick
ly as ambulances could be provided
and the dead brought out and placed
in tiers on the green.
Doctors and nurses were somewhat
late in reaching the scene as many OF
them were a bed when the accident
happened Hospitals quickly filed
East End last night was the scene OF
great gayety. This section of the city
welcomed home boys from the 311th
field artillery. Bands were out flags
were flying red fire burned. people
laughed and shouted. Within twelve
hours all was changed. Many homes
were made sad. Some of the soldiers
had their joy turned to despair. Their
fathers were among the dead.