New Britain herald., 1919-06-05
Trolley Wire Breaks, Causing Sparks which Ignite High Explos- ives at End of Train Near WiIkes-Barre.
MANY VICTIMS ARE
 BURNED TO DEATH
Death List of 75 to 100 Con- stantly Growing-Catas- trophe Second Worst in
 History of Mining Dis,1ict.

Wilkes-Bar Pa, June 5-Between 75 to 100 mine workers were killed and many others injured at the Balti-i more No. tunnel of the Delaware and Hudson company near here, early today. A car of black powder att # tached to a train of work cars on which the men were riding to their chambers in the mine exploded. An electric motor drew the cars. The trolley wire broke and sparks ignited the powder.
 Men were blown everywhere, butt most of the deaths were caused by fire and suffocation.
 One Hundred Men in Cars. The accident occurred shortly before ' o'clock. A train of empty cars was sent to the mouth of the tunnel to take the men into the chambers. One hundred men piled into the cars, which were drawn by an electric motor Near the end of the train was a car of black powder. .... Sparks Ignite Powder. When 200 feet in the tunnel. the trolley wire broke and fell. Sparks ignited the powder and instantly there was an explosion that sent the bodies of men flying in all directions. Flames caused the greater loss of life many bodies being burned to n crisp. Other men who were burned and were trying to reach safety, died of suffocation.
 Dead and Dying Everywhere. When resCuers reached the tunnel, dead and dying were scattered every where. The injured were rapidly re- moved and sent to hospitals as quickly as ambulances could be provided and the dead were brought out and placed in tiers on the green. Hospitals quickly filled and morgues were filled to ovarflowing.
 Joy Is Turned to Sorrow
 East End last night was the scene of great gaiety. That section of the city welcomed home boys frofM the 311th Field Artillery. Bands were out, flags were flying red fire burned. people laughed and shouted Within 1 2 hours all was changed The fathers of some of the soldiers were among the dead.
 Death List Growing.
 Identification of the bodies is almost impossible Many of them are charred beyond recognition The limbs of some, the heads of others. are missing. At 9:3O a. m. it was said between 75 and 100 were killed or had died from injuries.
 The death list is rapidly growing. As the bodies were removed from the mine, living and dead, they were piled ! on the green about the colliery. Many of the injured lived but a short time
 Women Faint: Men Weaken. ...
 Hundreds of women and men and [ children gathered about the tunnel < As they lifted the blankets frosn the bodies, women fainted, men lost their, nerve, and children ran away in fright The bodies of scores were removed to the morgues, where the work of iden~ tification is being carried on with little success
 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 was long enough to make a heavy death toll Many of the men were killed outright, parts of bodies being found in the wreckage of life and property.
 Cries of Dying Heard.
 Rescuers got into the mine with nose ana played streams of water on the flames. While they were doing this, the cries of the dying and the injured were heard above the roar of the flames.
 Today's catastrophe is next to the greatest this section of the anthracite coal fields has seen.
 Direct Violation of Law.
 Today's accident is a direct result of violation of the law. Permission was given to the men to ride to their places of work and a special train was provided for that purpose. On these cars special seats were built and the train was in daily use
 It is a violation of the mine law to carry powder on a train. The law
 (Continued on Eleventh PaSGn