The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-11-04
WORKINGS ARE
FLOODED WHEN
SWAMP BREAKS
Forty of the Men Were Mar.
ried and All Except a few
Leave Children
FEW BODIES RECOVERED
Months May Be Required to
Clear Shaft-Mine May
Be Abandoned
FEW BODIES RECOVERED

lshpeming. Mich, Nov. 4-LP>-A
grief stricken crowd Of women and
children, most Of them widows and
orphans Of the victims, kept vigil
throughout the night about the great
gaping mud-pit which marked the
grave Of the 62 miners cntrapped in
the Barnes Hecker Iron mine near
here yesterday when the bottom Of
swamp over the shaft gave way, flood
ing tho workings.
Forty of the men unaccounted for
and believed drowned or suffocated
were married and all except few
leave children.
Huddled about bonfires, and in conf
pany shacks on the mine surface, the
little groups presented a pathetic pic
ture. Hollow-eyed with despair, they
clutched ut the scant hope that in
some miraculous manner their loved
ones may have been spared.
They refused to leave the scene for
any rest and spent the night alter
nntely praying and lowering above
the workmen draining the shaft.
Curiosity seekers were barred from
the company property shortly after
the cave-in, and only officials and
relatives Of the cntrapped men were
permitted on the grounds. Thou
sands of persons came to the mine in
automobiles from all over the iron
range district following first reports
of the accident and large staff Of
state police was kept busy clearing
the roads Of traffic jams.
Heavy Rains Deepen Swamp
Mine officials revealed that the
cavern occurred in an offshoot work
ing about 1000 feet from the main
shaft Of the mine. Recent heavy
rams had dcepened tho swamp, press
ing the bed into the cavity. A Sec
tion approximately city block in
width and length fell into the work
ings and quickly made its way to the
man shaft, flooding the three levels
Of the mine.
The entrapped men are believed to
nave been killed almost instantly as
the mountain of slough chokcd every
outlet Of the upper le.el and then
worked it's way to the lower reaches
until the entire shaft was filled. As
the mud and water rose to the sur
face the bodies of seven Of the vic
tins were brought up and rescue
crews Succeeded in recovering them.
One OF the bodies was that Of William
Tippett, foreman Of the mine, who
was conducting w. E. Hill. a mine in
spector. through the shaft. Hills
body has not been recovered.
The terrific force Of the cave-in is
shown in the unsubmerged parts Of
the upper level Of the mine. Huge
stones and timber bracing were torn
away as though matchwood. Timber
mating and 50-feet-wide earth par
titions were carried completely away
and churned into the general mass of
wreckage. The bodies of the men
brought to the surface were battered
almost unacceptable.
Five Had Marrow Escape
About 100 men were employed ut
the mine in day and night shifts.
Fifty.scven were on duty at the time
of the disaster but five Of these were
on the surface. having come to the
top for lunch. They reported that as
they were leaving the shaft they heard
a low rumbling noise somewhere in
the mine and there was an unusual
draft of air which blew out their
torches.
Scores OF mine rescue teams and
other disaster relief agencies arrived
at the mine shortly after the cave-in
but were p0werless to be Of any as
sistance. The shaft was filled 50
quickly it was soon impossible of
penetration.
Mine officials last night installed
pumping apparatus and began draw
ing water and mud from the first
level in the hope that some OF the
bodies may be recovered from that
section. It was doubtful, however, if
the work would be carried farther
than that level. Officials said it
would require months to clear the
shaft and indicated the mine may Be
abandoned.