New Britain herald., 1924-01-26

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 Caused by Spontaneous Combustion
 Johnston, Ill.,, Jan. 26.-A check-up today definitely placed the number of dead in yesterdays explosion i'll the main level of the McLntoch Coal mine here at thirty. Two more are reported missing. Eight arc in a hospital and two are not expected to recover. The explosion is believed to have resulted from spontaneous combustion of coal dust. The mine is operated by the Creair Clinch Coal Co.
 It was midnight before mine rescue workers could penetrate the dense fumes to reach the imprisoned min CTS, who were caught in entries II and 12, situated about mile from the shaft on the 2s0-foot level. Of forty men working here, 30 bodies had been taken out this morning. five were resuscitated by pulmotor, and three were able to make their way to the top. Two were unaccount- ed for.
 There were approximately 450 men working in the colliery. and most of these were brought quickly to the surface.
 One of the saddest incidents of the explosion was in the home of Mrs. Jesse Kaplinger, whose husband was killed in mine disaster 12 years ago. His death left the widow with seven small children and she struggled valiantly to rear and educate them. Yesterdays explosion claimed the breadwinners. Wilson, 1a. and Clyde, II.
 In three cases, father and son were claimed. Peter Neck and his son, Jo- seph, were brought up the shaft dead. Governor Smith and his son, Robert; and Marion Bryant and Marion. Jr.
 Women were frantic. They hugged and kissed the scorched faces of their dead, begging them to speak,
 The mine mas been worked Is years and is said to have been inspected daily and to have conformed to regu- lations as to safety appliances and accident preyentions.
 Under Illinois law, s3. 800 must be paid for each death, and about s6bn for burial.
 A number of the bodies brought to the surface last night and carly today were burned beyond recognition and attempts 10 identify the dead were mine officials giving up the attempt until full check of the force could be obtained.
 Men Underground Are Safe.
 Rescue teams have recently organ ized in Johnson City and aided by squads rushed here from Herrin and Benton, H.. made desperate efforts 10 save the trapped men. and 1t at first was understood the men under ground had telephoned 10 the sur face that they were safe.
 The hundreds of relatives and workers grouped about the shaft in the bitter cold were totally unpre- pared for the announcement that 80 1f the men had been killed.
 The bodies brought up bore mute 1 estimony as to the force of the ex. plosion. Their clothing had been al- i most torn away. and all were badly | burned, even the hair being scorched | lway.
 The men near the entrances es- 'aped easily but entries numbers 2. 10, il and l2 locked In the depths. where the actual explosion occurred. we're farthest from possible means of l .scape and the men there suffered he full terror of the terrific blast.
 Use Gas Masks.
 Hundreds of men volunteered to rave the poisonous gases of the in- fer recesses after four Johnson City physicians had announced their in- ention to go dov but were driven ack by the fur which poured from he main shaft with such density that he faces of bystanders literally were lackened. The volunteers had to walt the arrival Of gas masks. ii
 Among the known dead the bodies [ Herbert Mccullough. mine man. , ger. and Jesse Ford. mine boss first ere identified. ii Various organizations immediately ! egan efforts 10 alleviate the suffer- lg among the miners families. their | rst work being serving coffee and { sndwiches to the family groups and 1 sscuers standing in the zero weather bout the mine shaft. Scores of ] omen and children remained about l ie mine shaft from afternoon until ( fter midnight their faces purple ! -om the cold whipped by A stiff T ind. | Rescue work Has impeded by ] arkness. cold and the gases issuing I om the mine and it was more than 1T hours after the explosion before T .scue teams could penetrate fe The | assages where the blast created ifs k lief havoc. Dead men were found strewn . iout. while others helpless from in- ! rtes or dazed by their experience T
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