Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-05-21
JOHN DOLIN, NAT SANDS GASSED
At SILVER DYKE SATURDAY NIGHT

Matt Sands. aged 81. and John Do
Ian, age 20, miners employed at Ia.
Silver Dyke property at Neihart wer'
ssphyxiated by gas at an early hou
Sunday morning. The bodies wsr,
found in a sitting posture by a rescu.
party after long search.
Gas formed in as inactive drift Of
the mine is believed to have been the
cause by DR.. Leeroy McBurney, Cas-
cade county coroner who arrived in
the mining town a short time aftnE
the bodies were found.
When Sands and Dolan were unme-
counted for early Sunday morning
after their shift had finished its night
work, their foreman Immediately or
ganizad a searching party. All drifts
of the mine were searched. In several
of these there was a strong odor OF
gas.
At 10:45 q. m. searchers found the
two. For a time they doubted that
the miners were dead for both were
seated in an upright posture. Sands
was found with q pipe clenched in one
hand while Dolan held a haIf-burnt
cigaret.
Officials believe that as the two
were leaving kork they encountered
gas IN the drift formed by dripping
water and other elements. Sensing
the presence Of gas. ii is believed
that the miners went in search OF
water, found it, and set down to
snspke, Death cams instantly. Dr.
McBurney believes.
Several members Of the rescue par
ty were partly overcome by the gas
but were fully recovered late Sunday
night. When the gas was found. q
call for masks was sent to Great Falls
bat through an error the cali went 20
the central fire station. Thinking thar
n lungmotor was wanted, Assistant
Fire Chief Grover started for the min
ing town but was stopped at the Mon
fana Power station near Neihart and
informed that the miners were dead.
Mr. Sands had been 3 resident Of
Nedhart for 30 years and is survived
by widow and IL children, ranging
in ages from two to %.
The other victim Is survived by hts
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. John Dolin, Sr.
Of Belt. ak brothers and three sisters.
Mrs. Dolan was taken IN Sunday
and her condition did not
permit her being informed Of her sons
death according to the attending
physician.
The bodies were taken to the W. H.
George mortuary in Great Falls.
A eOroner's jury was convened Sun
Gay afternoon in Neihart by DR.. Nc
Burney and verdict Of @asphyxiation
'y gas was returned.
(Great Falls Tribune)
John DoIin oldest son Of Mr.. and ]
lars. John DOiin Of Belt in company I
# Mat Sands WIS asphyxiated by
leadly gas in one Of the workings Of
he Silver Dyke at Neihart Saturday c
light
John finished helping his father put
n the crop on the ranch in Armington {
Joulee and on Wednesday la@t he :
eft for Neihart where he secured
york with Schenck and Sands who 9
nd a contract for running 8 drift on z
IiIver Dyke property. Carl Schenck q
nth Harvey Hill as mueker worked Z
ls day shift and Mat Sands and John n
D0Iin were on the night shift. 2
Schenck and Hill came off their = =
hift and Sands and DoIin took their 2
Iaeen and worked until O'Clock when :, !,
big charge Of giant was set off in !. !
be giOry-hoie.
An miners were called out before "
hia shot was fired and this was the
Ast sean Of Sands and John Dolin !
Hive.
Il is supposed that sitter the blast = !
.na fired the tsD men rsturncd tDs !.
.oFk buf sneOunsering gas they enme s
aek kasnouRh gAa drifs and passing :
- raise ekseaRA which they asad :.
sacbed aasar wnsA EAaw lay down in :
An drikS end wars aesrpcne. II Enay y
: ahms sAag kuses ksnsmsalves unablei &