The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-01-13
LITTLE HOPE
HELD0UT FOR
THEIR RESCUE
Explosion Occurs at the Deg
nan. Me- COnnell Company
Mine in Oklahoma
DOCTORS ARE SUMMONED
Accumulation of Coal Dust in
a Pocket Believed to Have
Caused Blast
ONLY EIGHT ARE ALIVE

WilburtOn, Okla, Jan. 13.-LR
Only eight Of the lO5 men who
were cntOmbcd by explosion at
the Degnan- Met COnnell mine near
here today are known to be alive.
They are at the bottom Of the
main shaft. buried under 100
feet Of debris.
Rescue crews have been able
to reach the bottom Of the air
shaft, but their progress into the
mine has been blocked by the
prevalence Of "white DAMP"
gas resulting from the explosion.
Wilburton, Okla, Jan. 13-LP)-A
terrific explosion today at mine No
II Of the Desnan- Nc cConncl Mining
company cntombed 105 miners.
Little hope is held out for the res
cue Of the men. So strong was the
explosion that timbers were blown
from the bottom of the mine shaft.
Fans were still working after the
explosion, but rescuers were waiting
for gas helmets before vcnturing in
to the bottom of the shaft, which is
about 60 feet deep.
NeighbOring Towns Send Help
rushed toy the mine, and doctors,
nurses and ambulances have been
summoned from McAlester, Hart
shOrne and other neighboring towns.
The blast is believed to have been
the result Of an accumulation Of coal
dust in pocket.
The mine is operated on non
union basis under the 1917 wage
scale. 1t is three miles west Of town.
SOME OF THE ENTOMBED
MEN ARE STILL ALIVE
Wilburton, Okla, Jan. l3.-(P)--
Most of the l05 men working in the
Degnan- Mcconnell mine three miles
west of here are believed to have
been instantly killed today in ter
rifle explosion that wrecked the
main shaft and entombed them.
A rescue crew started work at
!, l0:3O a. nL, and will attempt to reach
the trapped men through the air
shaft which is still open. Some of
the victims are still alive and con-
versed with rescuers through the
air shaft. They were advised to re-
main near the shaft.
j. B. Hynal, chief of the United
States bureau of mines rescue crew
ut Mt->Alester, was in charge Of the
work. Equipped with gas helmets,
he and two helpers entered the shaft.
Tipple Is Wrecked
The blast wrecked the tipple and
destroyed the hoisting equipment.
Emergency hosting apparatus was
being installed to bring. out the vic
Tins after they are reached
A frantic group of the entombed
mems relatives gathered about the
mine. Word Of the explosion spread
quickly and crowds Of sight seers
from neighboring towns assembled
The shaft was roped off to hold
back the crowds and expedite the
rescue work
Workmen from other mines in the
| Wilburton Valley rushed to the
| scene and volunteered their assist
ance in the rescue work.
Rescue Work Delayed
! Rescue work was being hindcred
somewhat by the blocking of the
| main passage way into the mine
The first rescue crew was forced to
! turn back second time after they
were unable to squeeze their way
/ through the debris blown into the
manway by the explosion. Previous
| ly they had turned back to dor
smaller gas masks when larger ones
we're found to be burdensome and in
the way.
Four doctors and corps of nurses
were standing by for service il
event any of the miners brought tC
the surface are alive. Others are
on the way from Hartshorne and
McAlester. DR.. 7. l.. Henry. com
pany physician who has served ths
victims Of five previous mine dis
asters, was in charge of medical ser
vice. The local chapter of Red Cross
has started erection Of temporar!
hospital and members are serving
hot coffee and doughnuts to tn
workers.
A. +. Thompson, mining enginec
Of Hartshorne, who was here doinl
survey work for the Degnan- Nc Con
nell company, was among those en-
tombed.
One Chance In 100
f, Austin Parks. sheriff of Latimc
county, where the mine. is located
declared that any survivors have les
than one chance in hundred of be
ing brought out alive.
Parks and his full force of deputie
are assisting in the rescue work.
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