The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-06-05
Car of Black Powder cts go When
Trolley Wire Breaks; Scores Burned
tosDeath and suffeeated by ssmelltke
.MORGUE F|LLED.W|TH Unidentified BODIES
Twelve Hours Before Miners Were Taking Part In Gala
Reception to Boys of the S14th
Field Artillery
tBy Associated press.l

WILKESBARRE, Pa June 9-75 to 100 mine work.
ers were killed and many others injured at the Baltimore
No tunnel of the Delaware and Hudson Company near
here early today of black powder attached to
trip of cars on which riding to their cham
bers in the mine exploded An electric motor drew the
cars The trolley wire broke and sparks gnited the pow
der Menwere blown everywhere but most of the deaths
were caused by fire and suffiocation
The accident occurred shortly before seven o'clock
train OF empty sent to the mouth of the tunnel
to take the men into the chamber 100 piled into the
cars which drawn by an electric motor Near the
end of the train of black powder.
When two hundred feet in the tunnel the trolley
broke Sparks ignted the powder and instantly there
was explosion that sent the bodies of men flying in
all directions The force terrific that was heard
throughout the greater part of the city.
Flames caused the greater losses of life many of the
bodies being burned to crisp. Other men who were
burned and were trying to reach safety died Of suffoca
on When rescues reached the tunnel there were dead
and dying scattered everywhere The injured 1ere rapid
y removed, sent to hospitals quickly ambuances
could be provided and the dead were brought out and
placed in tiers on the green.
Doctors and nurses were somewhat late in reaching
the scene This was because many of them were abed
when the accident happened. Hospitals quickly filled
and morgues filled t2 overflowing.
East end lastsnight was the scene of great gayety
That section OF the city welcomed home boys from the
314h Field Artillery Bands out flags were flying,
was changed many homes being made sad Some of the
soldiers had their JOY turned into despair their fathers
were among the dead. identification of the bodies is
almost impossible. Many of them are charred beyond
recognition The limbs Of some the heads of Others are
missing.
The death list is rapidly growing as the bodies are
being removed from the mine living and dead thew are
piled up on the green about the eOiery Many of the in
and children gathered about the tunnel shrieng and
crying they lifted the blankets from the men, They were
terrified at the sight. Women tainted men lost their
and children away in fright Bodies of scores
have been removed to the morgue There the work of
identification is being carried out with little
Brave men and women are seeking to aid the relatives
to give them news but the scene is pitiful
The death list was made large by the flames and the
sulphur fumes which filled the tunnel The fire did not
last long but it long enough to make heavy death
toll Many Of the men were killed outright Parts of
bodies were found in the wreckage of life and property
Rescuers got into the mine with hose and played streams
of water on the flames While they were doing this the
cries OF the dying and the injured heard above the
roar of the flames There will be scores of widows and
orphans S result of todays catastrophe next to the
greatest in the anthracite coal fields
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