Evening star., 1928-05-22
MAN FOUND ALIVE
IN BLASTED MINE.
67 Known Dead, 1870 Still En-
tombed in Coal Shaft
Disaster.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MATHER. Pa, May 22.--One man
was found alive today by rescue workers
exploring the blast-wrecked interior of
the mine OF the Mather Galleries Co
here in which nearly 200 men we're
killed or entombed Saturday The man
was found in butt Ia, and nearby were
the bodies of five miners
The living worker was located by
Bruce Diehl. member of the safety
crew. who said the air in the vicinity
Of butt IA was in good condition.
Rescue workers said they hoped to find
other men alive. The miner found this
morning was Frank Krubik
Supported by two men, Krubik
walked from the top of the shaft to the
first aid station, a distance of about so
feet. He appeared In good physical
condition. despite his nearly so hours
entombment.
He said he recognized Diehl. a for
mer boss in the mine, and called to
him as Diehl entered butt IA. Asked
what he said, Krubik replied: "If you
don't come quick I'll die. Somebody Is
choking me-"
Krubik said his helper left the butt
following the. explosion and was suffo-
Gated in the main heading.
13O Still Entombed.
Seven additional bodies were brought
from the mine during the morning.
making the total known dead 81, and
leaving l30 entombed men unaccounted
for. Despite the rescue Of Krubik, vet
eran reScuerS said they believed all the
others were dead. They said Krubik S
case was exceptional, and that through
freak In the air currents, the man had
escaped death by gas.
The disaster was brought home force
fully to sorroWing Mather residents to-
day when public funeral mass was
celebrated In the public square, In front
of the recreation hall, In which the
bodies of the victims lay. Some Of the
bodies were 10 be shipped TO nearby
mining towns, while others were to be
buried In this section.
A series Of fires which ragged in the
mine Yesterday and hampered rescue
operations we're checked for the time
being. Because OF the presence of gas
In the shaft and the ever-increasing
danger of another explosion, the en-
tries were rock-dusted to prevent such
an occurrence.
Rescuers said that when found.
Krubik was on his hands and knees
crawling among the bodies nearby and
mumbling. Doctors believed the deadly
afterdamp had affected the mans
throat causing him TO think he was be-
ing strangled
Some OF the bodies near him were
burned and mangled. This led rescuers
to believe that Krubik had crawied to
that point from some other section of
the mine and they spurred their efforts
to explore the far recesses Of the work.
ings In the hope that others would be
found alive.
Rescue Gives Hope.
Krubik was taken to the company
hospital as soon as he
reached the surface All persons were
excluded from the hospital while doc
tors and nurses treated the patient
Doctors thought that he has escaped
the gas and afterdamp by remaining
cool when the blast came, and by
keeping his face near to the floor OF
the mine, where the death-dealing gases
we're not 80 thick
The rescue Of Krubik gave hope to
the scores Of relatives OF entombed men.
and TO the rescuers who started q drive
through the debris In the tunnels to-
ward butt No l0 They explained that
this butt was of the main heading
ana was isolated Supplies of canvas
and timber we're in the butt and the
80 or 40 men known TO have been
working there might have erected A
brattic to keep out the gas.
The scene Of the living tomb when
Dieni came upon Krubik brought tears
70 the eyes OF the begrimed rescuers.
hearing the entombed man cali, the
rescuers rushed TO the butt and forced
their way in, led by Diehl Krubik
was on his hands and knees and had
stopped to bathe his face in cold mine
water. He staggered to his feet and
with shouts of Joy threw his arms about
Diehrs neck. The rescuers brought
him out, and as Krubik breatEed the
surface air and found himself free of
the death-ridden pitts, he said: "Gee.
It's good TO be out"
Funeral services In the Mater public
square were arranged for today A
Catholic service was set for morning
and q Protestant memorial for after
noon
The masses for the victims of the
disaster was celebrated by Rev. Father
9. r. Dwyer OF Waynesburg. He was
assisted by several other priests. Spe-
cial permission was obtained from the
bishop TO say the mass In the open.
protestant services were 10 be held In
the public square late today. Mather
ministers, and pastors from nearby
mining villages. were 10 take part.
e.