The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-03-09

to
Reach Men
Three Explosions at Castle
Gate Coal Mine Bury Vic.
Tins in Bowels Of the
Earth.
Relatives Panic Stricken

Castle Gate, Utah, March Slope
was practically abandoned tonight for
the 175 coal miners entombed today
IN mine No. of the Utah Fuel COM
pany, following series of explosions
that occurred less than two hours
after the men. all members Of the day
shift had gone underground at 7;5o
this morning.
IA p. carnley, chief clerk Of the
company. said tonight that chances
of rescuing any Of the victims alive
were almost impossible"
Rescue workers. he said. lad sue
ceeded in penetrating through the
blocked mine portal TO a distance of
about a quarter of a mile into the
manwav. Working in RELAYS OF two
and three and wearing gas masks,
the rescue workers had been unable
at an early hour tonight to reach the
main tunnel. Huge masses OF debris
in the manway. and a choking &C.
cumulatIon OF gas and black damp
hampered progress
Shortly after the crowd gathered
az the mouth OF the mouth became
panie-stricken when report cir-
culated that fire had broken out in
the underground passage ways.
Members OF the rescue crews. how
ever. failed TO confirm this report.
declaring that they had found no
signs of fire as yet, but were en-
countering clouds of heavy smoke
belching out of the manway.
Despite their equipment OF gas
masks and oxygen apparatus, the
rescuers were finding II more diff
cul, hourly to penetrate 70 the main
tunnel ~ the mine.
II was believed that the first ex-
plosinn. a terrific blast. occurred
nearly two miles from the mine en-
trance.
At least two or three other deep
run,blings were heard.
Whether fire is raging In the work
ings could not be determined by The
re scue workers who first entered the
manway.
The mine. according to carnley. un-
derwent the usual daily inspection by
crew of three men early this morn
ing. and VAS then reported safe.
First Blast at 9.
The first explosion came shortly az
ter this morning. Word Of the dis
astsr spread rapidly through the
small mining community and within
half an hour frenzied. hysterical
women crowded about the mouth Of
the mine.
At l:+e rescue workers reported all
air shafts in the mine we're broken.
II was nearly two hours later before
any of the rescuers were able 10 get
beyond the mouth OF the mine. The
breaking Of the fan shafts spread
gloom among members 81 the rscue
teams. and hope Of the rescue alive
Of any Of the men rapidly waned.
A. soon as word OF the explosion
reached the comrsny's offices. which
are located nearly two miles from the
of the accident. hurry calls were>Sent
to Salt Lake. Helpers and the sur
rounding mining camps Of Carbon
ducing districts in the west. and all
available doctors and nurses were
rushed to the scene.
The mine i a so-caileti tunnel or
slope operation
Mine experts expressed the opinion
tonight that the Castle Gate disaster
is one ~ the worst IN the hls.or>
Of coal mining in Utah.
Relatives Frantic.
Hear,rendlng scenes were enacted
throughout the afternoon and early
evening as relatives and friends Of
the imprisoned men remained Just
outside the Gordon drawn by mine
officials around the mouth ot the
death mine. Fathers. mothers and
sweethearts. agony revealed in their
stoisal faces. noaned. walking hack
and forth trying TO console each
other with the almost vain pros
pect that any OF their loved ones
misht be brought out alive.
Castle Gate tonight. as darkness
crypt down from the mountains TO
which II IS veritahle gateway. was
scene Of sorrow and mourning.
Standing by. helpless 10 even AZ.
bands and brothers. the women folk
of the thriving mining town Of some
l,soo persons. faced the stern reality
that Their hreadwinners were prob
ably dead With some brave atteupt
al resignation.
Mine eempany officials tenigh, de-
clined to give ont a list of the men
who entered the workings this morn.
ing They said their number was
pr"haely rs, although reports varied
the number Of probable Victims from
l's 70 lSe. Company officials said
they were carefully checking over the
list 10 determine definitely the exNst
number 81 workers who checked .nfc
the doomed mine this morning..
Ohio Hikes tru1e D,l