The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-20
DIE IN Mine FIRE
Nine Men Killed in Explosion
Early Today.
Four Others Injured Not Ex-
pected to Survive.
GAS IGNITED BY SPARKS
Falling Rock Was Actual Cause
of Disaster.
Over an Hour Before Rescue
Crew Could Dig In.

McCurtain, Okla, Oct. 20.--Nine
miners of the Blue Ridge Coal COM
pany are dead this afternoon while
four others are reported dying as the
result of injuries sustained in No. IL
mine of the company here this morn
ing when a blast occurred shortly af-
ter the men had entered the mine for
their days work.
Sparks believed to have come from
falling rocks are thought to have ig-
nited the gas-filled pit of the mine,
resulting in a sheet of flame rushing
up thru the pit and into the mine,
mouth.
1t was over an hour before rescue
crews could make their way into the
pit. The nine men were struck down
instantly, some being crushed by fall
not instantly killed were removed to
the surface and hurried to hospital,
where it was stated this afternoon
they are not expected to live. All of
the dead men were married.
Women Wanted To Enter.
While crews fought to enter the
gas-filled mine, pitiful scenes were
enacted as women relatives of the vic
tins gathered at the mouth of the
mine and begged to be allowed to en-
ter. 1t was necessary to establish
guard about the mine mouth to pre-
vent their forcing their way in.
An investigation to determine the
cause of the explosion will be held
probably tomorrow, the coroner of
Haskell county, who took charge or
the bodies, announced.
An inspection of the mine had only
been recently made by the state de-
partment, it is said.
According to miners, a much
greater loss would probably have oc-
ON rod IIJt for "a ia acf
was working a short shift and, there
fore, only a small crew was in the
mine at the time of the explosion.
Caused by Gases.
According to those on the outside,
the explosion apparently was caused
by gases and the black damp of the
mine ignited by a spark.
Both miners and officials of the
company declared themselves mysti-'
fled by the formation of gas in the
naval level where the blast occurred.
The men were victims of gas ex-
plosion in the 800 foot workings of the
Blue Ridge Coal company's No. IL
mine.
The dead:
Everett Seaton; John Sanders; Bob
Edwards; Clarence Greenwald; Walter
Brasher and Claude Everett.
The injured, none of whom are ex-
pected to live:
Roy Caldwell, Joe Parsinger, Charles
Irvine, Bob Warner.
Had just Entered Mine.
According to reports of the accident,
the men had just gone into the mine
on the early morning shift and had
reached the third level where they
were assigned their coal rooms for the
day.
Suddenly a blast occurred. Invests
cation this afternoon had failed to re-
veal the cause OF the explosion, but is
believed by mine officials that sparks
from falling rocks sent a wave OF
flame thru the gas-filled pit.
The explosion was heard thruout
the district and windows half a mile
from the mine were shattered by the
explosion. Isolation of the place made
reports of the accident tardy in reach
ing the outside world.
Make Investigation.
Oklahoma City, Oct. 20.-Ed Boyle.
state mine inspector, left here short
Iy after noon today for McCurtain to
begin a complete investigation of this
mornings mine disaster.
''The report I have of this morning s
mine disaster" Mr.. Boyle said, war
rants a complete investigations from
all augIeS''