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The Pittsburgh Post from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 1

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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THE WEATHER FORECAST For Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West LASHfeEDITION ALL THE LATEST NEWS. Virginia FAIR FrWyj nd Saturday. SIXTY-SIXTII FRIDAY HORNING, DECEMBER 20, 1907. FOURTEEN PAGES. jljlx vji.i j.o if xiX-ixv.

two rnvwr Explosion in Pittsburgh Coal Company's Mine at Jacobs Creek, Westmoreland County, Kills Nearly 200 Men and Imprisons Scores of Others Behind Impassable Burning Barriers; Open Lamp Reported Cause; Rescue Parties Hard at Work; Harrowing Scenes Witnessed. i a5 MAP SHOWING LOCATION AND OTHERS OF OF LATEST MINE DISASTER AT JACOBS CREEK, RECENT DATE, WHERE MANY LIVES WERE LOST. Mutilation of Bodies Testifies 0 GREEN SBURG Force of Explosion; Afterdamp, Gas and Fire Each Claims Victims. Catastrophe Third of Kind in Vicinity Since First of Month; Swells total Number of Dead Toilers of Pits to Almost 600. SEVERAL MINES ARE CONNECTED AS AT M0N0NGAH TTM 1900-21 DEAD OV 53fP Worl-Rol 0-V Prompt Measures Necessary to Quell Disorder Which Follows Mine Horror; to Bring in Police Much Disorder Adds to Confusion and Influx of Thieves Is Reported; Experienced Workmen Are Secured From Other Mines of Company.

DIFFICULTIES SIMILAR TO THOSE AT MONONGAH ARE EXPERIENCED; RESCUE WORK WILL BE SLOW. Many of Unfortunates Are Entombed Miles From the Opening and Necessity for Fresh Air Causes Vast Amount of Work. WHERE SYSTEM WAS CENSURED BY MINING EXPERTS. Blacksmith Shop Is Utilized as Morpe Coroner Takes Charge To-Day Thirty Bodies Are Located, Most of Them Badly Mangled. it AMtPRP.lLT a fiAS BELIEVED TO HAVE ENTERED FROM, ADJACENT MINE.

CLERGYMAN WITNESS OF EXPLOSION TELLS OF EXPERIENCES. BT JOHN THOMAS. JACOBS CREEK, Dec. 19. Hideous in every sense of the -word "were the scenes about the mine on the opposite side of the river from this village to-night.

The situation is not "well controlled. Mingled with the cries of half-distracted women are the shouts of rioters. There is disorder on every hand and the fact that so many of the townspeople are dead in the wrecked Darr mine seems not to weigh heavily upon any but members of stricken families. No definite arrangements have as yet been made, but extra police protection and perhaps the presence of a detachment of the State constabulary will be necessary to preserve order and to prevent the homes of the victims from being looted. Before dark to-night the hotels were overcrowded and private houses were called upon to take guests.

It is said that confidence men and petty thieves are already in town, and nothing but a most careful handling of the situation can prevent repeated outbreaks of disorder. SUPPLIES ARRIVE SLOWLY. Supplies are arriving slowly and great difficulty will be experienced in taking care of both living and dead unless the work is commenced immediately. More than 70 per cent of the employes of the mine are foreigners. The Darr mine has been in operation for nearly 20 years and many of the Bug-" BT JOHN K.

BALL. JACOBS CREEK. Dec. 19. A muffled detonation, an ominous shiver of the earth, followed by a great black cloud of dust and smoke that sent a thrill through the hearts of the villagers to-day told of a fourth big mine disaster.

The scene was at the Darr mine of the Pittsburgh Coal Company, 17 miles west of Connellsville. When night settled down over the stricken mining village it was almost certain that about 200 miners had perished in the Darr. Partially wrecked buildings in the vicinity of the mine and the condition of the bodies found early in the rescue work indicate an explosion of such terrific force that it seems Impossible that anyone could have survived it. All of the 13 bodies taken out are terribly mutilated and three of them are headless. This is the third mine disaster since the first of the month in the veins of bituminous coal underlying Western Pensylvania and West Virginia, for the Naomi mine, near Fayette City, and the mines at Monongah, W.

in which the earlier explosions happened, are in the same belt as the local workings. To-day's catastrophe swells the number of victims of deadly mine gas for the 19 days to between 550 and 600. SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS DISASTERS. The' disaster differs from those at Naomi and Monongah only in the number of men hurled Into eternity without the least opportunity to CTy for mercy. All of the pitiful features of the mine disasters of the recent past are to be found here.

There is no new story to tell. lish speaking employes own snug little homes here." Many families have lost two or three members, and as the community depends largely on this mine for its existence it is destined to suffer greatly. Jacobs Creek has a population of about 400, the remainder of the mine employes living at VanMeter on the other side of the river. CHARLEROI BELLE YERN California DYNAMITE LETS GO AND SHAKES A TOWN; 25 PERSONS KILLED. itary Magazine in Palermo, Italy, Explodes Troops Quell a Panic, EY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

PALERMO, Italy, Dec. 19. A terrific explosion occurred this evening In the military powder magazine, where a large quantity of dynamite was stored, and was followed by a number of lesser explosions, the whole town being badly shaken and the people thrown Into a panic. Almost Immediately flames shot high In the air and spread to the ruins of houses that had fallen, adding greatly to the terror of those who were in the immediate neighborhood of the disaster. It 13 estimated that about 25 persons were killed and 100 others injured.

Wild rumors followed fast upon the explosion, placing the number of killed and wounded into the thousands, and troops were ordered out to aid the firemen In clearing away the wreck and succoring the wounded. Several houses that stood above the nagazine partially collapsed and their destruction was completed by the fire. One of these was an emigrant's lodging house and a number of emigrants were killed. The explosion did considerable damage throughout the city, among the buildings thus suffering being the historical Ma-zarin palace, where It is said the great Cardinal Jules Mazarin was born. The palace contains a valuable art collection and was visited by King Edward when he was here recently.

WHILE MEN SEARCH VICTIM FOR MONEY WOMAN GETS PLUMES. Remarkable Holdup Reported on Northside Police Looking for Footpads, A nervy woman, who has been accurately described to the police, figured In a daring holdup on the Northside early yesterday morning, when another woman was waylaid and robbed of the plumes on her hat and some money and jewelry. M'ss Irene Hoffman, 24 years old. who resides with her parents in East Robinson street, was on her way home at 1 o'clock in the morning and when she reached Bell alley, a few feet away from her home, two men pounced upon her. One held her mouth while the other searched her.

Just then a woman, described as blonde and about 25 years old, appeared and snatched three valuable ostrich plumes from the victim's hat. Miss Hoffman had over $15 in cash, a pair of earrings and other jewelry, which they took. Last night Detectives Dillon and Ede-burn arrested Guy Thompson, 31 years old, of Anderson street, and Harry Has-ley, 27 years old, of Cedar avenue. North-side, In connection with the holdup. The woman says she can identify the men who robbed her.

The prisoners will be brought before her to-day. LANDS TRAIN SAFELY; THEN ENGINEER DIES. Faint and Sick, He Sticks to His Post With Death Angel Hovering by Side, BY ASSOCIATED PRESS. CLEVELAND. Dec.

19. Engineer Frank Krag, 50 years old, of Buffalo, N. though 111 and faint, stayed at his throttle till he had brought his fast Lake Shore train safely into Collinwood yards this afternoo.n. Then he stepped from his cab, and in a few minutes was dead. Krag was in his usual health when he took his train out of Buffalo.

His illness came after the train had left Erie, and he had hardly strength enough to lower himself from the cab at Collinwood. TWO KILLED BY ENGINE. SCRANTON. Dec. 19.

During a heavy snow storm to-day William Wurtz, a section hand on the Ontario Western railroad, and Iay Murke, a Delaware Hudson timekeeper, walked in front of a switching engine near Carbon-dale and were V5v BROWNSVILLE, )) Toko, Dom Bieres, Dick Tararo, Andy Ells, Barney Boll, Dom Moncone, Na-tallo Ballo, John Kovach, Carl Paegert, B. Bencosko, Joe Ladoga. George Lesso, Rosie Flora, Mike Frock. Dave Anderson, Mike Homia, John Kogell and Rosie Fole.nl. Thirty bodies have been located and will probably be brought out before daybreak.

The little blacksmith shop at tra mine entrance has been turned into a morgue. Here the dead will be prepared for burial. Coroner Hogan is expected here early in the morning to assume charge of the morgue. The coal company this evening solicited bids from all undertakers in this vicinity for burial of the victims. Two hundred and fifty box caskets are ordered from a Pittsburgh company.

Rev. A. Kallassy, pastor of the Hungarian First Reformed Church, of Pittsburgh, arrived here this evening. He lost 91 members of his congregation in this disaster. He also suffered a loss at Monongah and Naomi.

Bodies Are Mutilated. Most of the bodies recovered are mutilated almost beyond recognition, and a few present no marks of the frightful explosion. Thev were smothered to death. As at Monongah, some escaped the awful force of the gas and fire wh-ch rushed through the mines like a cyclone, only to be throttled where they stood by the dreadful afterdamp. Bodies have been found without heads, others minus legs and arms.

The effects are similar to those at Naomi and Monongah, and it Is believed that the explosion was caused by the same elements. The Darr mine is located at Van Meter, just across the river from this place. It is one of the oldest in the Pittsburgh district, and Is but a short distance south of the Port Royal mine, In which half a hundred men were killed about two years ago. South of the Darr mine lies Banning mine No. 2, Wick Haven and CONNELLSVILLE.

CHURCH BURGLARS DROP BOOTY AFTER DRINKING MUCH COMMUNION WINE. Two Houses of Worship on the Northside Entered by Sacri-' legious Pilferers, A flask of communion wine, found In a church entered by burglars early yesterday morning prevented the robbery of the First Christian and the Fourth United Presbyterian churches on the Northside. The edifices are located opposite each other in Montgomery avenue, near Arch street. The Fourth United was the first entered. One of the side doors was "jimmied." Two missionary boxes, containing several weeks' contributions, made by children, were broken open and the contents emptied into a bag.

Tlie burglars next went to the First Christian Church. A missionary box, with eeveral dollars In pennies and nickels, was untouched. While ransacking the place for the silver service, the thieves ran across wine, which had been stored for the next communion service Whether it was the flavor of the wine or conscience that caused 1 the burglars to throw aside their booty is not known, but this was done, i A report of the burglary at the Fourth United was sent to Assistant Police Superintendent Glenn yesterday afternoon. Several detectives were sent out on the case with the result that all of the booty i was found in the second church entered. The empty wine bottle was on the floor.

Not a penny of the money in the mission ary box was missing. REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO INDORSE MR. HUGHES FOR THE PRESIDENCY. Resolution Favoring the Governor Turned Down by New York County Committee, BT ASSOCIATED PRESS. NEW YORK.

Dec. 19. At a session which lasted less than 10 minutes the Republican county committee, of New York county, to-night, by an almost unanimous vote, refused to consider at this time a resolution indorsing Governor Charles E. Hushes for the Republican presidential nomination. No sooner had ihe resolution been offered by the friends of the governor and Its adoption moved than there came an amendment to receive and print the docu ment and make it a special order for the regular meeting in January.

This latter motion was carried with a shout that could be heard far out into the street. An immediate motion to adjourn was also carried with a whoop. CORPS OF INSPECTORS GO TO JACOBS CREEK. Pittsburgh Officials Among Those Who Will Investigate Mine Disaster. BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

HARRISBURG, Dec. 19. When the department of mines received word of the mine disaster at the Darr mine, inspectors were ordered to the scene and James E. Roderick, chief of the department, left at once for the scene of the accident. The following inspectors" were ordered to the scene to make an investigation: Elias Phillips, of Dubois; John R.

Pratt, of Crafton; Joseph Knapper, of Phillips-burg; T. D. Williams, of Connellsville; Alexander McCanch, of Scottdale; Roger Hampson, of Funxsutawney John P. Bell, of Dravosburg; F. W.

Cunningham, of Wilkinsburg; Charles P. McGregor, of Pittsburgh, and W. J. Neilson and D. li.

Blower, of Irwin. FLEET INCREASES SPEED. ON BOARD U. S. S.

MINNESOTA, Dec. 19 (Noon). At noon to-day, the battleship fleet is due east of Jupiter Inlet, Florida. The speed to-day was increased to 11 knots. The ships are still in double column formation.

The weather is perfect. All hands are dressed in white. 1,100 MEN GOING BACK TO WORK. Announcement was made yesterday that the W. Dewees Wood null, near Me-Keesport, which has been closed several weeks, will resume operations in full January 6.

About 1,100 men are affected by the resumption. BLOOD FLOWS ON FLOOR OF HOUSE; MEMBERS FIGHT. John Sharp Williams Has Gash Below Eye; David DeAr-j mond's Nose Bleeds, FISTICUFF FOLLOWS WHEN LIE IS PASSED, Blows Fall Hot and Heavy Until Friends Rush in and Stop Contest, SPECIAL TO THE PITTSBURGH POST. WASHINGTON. Dec.

19 RnrM.nt... tive John Sharp Williams, of Mississippi, I and Representative David DeArmond, of Missouri, the intellectual heavyweights, but the physical bantamweights on the Democratic side of the House, engaged in a fist fight on the floor of the chara- i ber this afternoon, directly after th House had adjourned for the day. First, there was a conversation result-. Ing in a difference of recollection, the lie i was passed and then there was an ex-! cKange of blows. How many were struck no one can tell, but there were several, and when the combatants were separated by their colleagues, the minority leader was bleeding from a long gash under his left eye, while blood oozed from the swollen nose of the dignified member from Missouri.

The affair was entirely impromptu, but it could scarce have been more spectacular so far as surroundings go. If it had been pre-arranged. Only two or three minutes before, the speaker had declared the House adjourned and left the hall. There were still on the floor, however, a hundred or more members, newspaper men and clerks and the galleries had not yet been cleared of spectators. Former Conversation Renewed.

Mr. Williams, who occupies the not altogether enviable reputation of minority leader, was seated near the center of the Democratic side of the House, talking with Paul D. Porter, the Democratic pair clerk, when Mr. DeArmond went back to continue a conversation he had begun with him a short time before, regarding his recommendation to the speaker that Representative Booher, a new Democratic member from Missouri, shomd be placed on the committee on coinage, weights and measures. It appears from subsequent developments, that Mr.

Booher had sought to be assigned to the committee on census, but that through some misunderstanding, Mr. Williams, whom Speaker Cannon permits to make recommendations as to where Democrats shall be assigned, had recommended him for the committee on coinage, weights and measures. Mr. Williams, according to his statement, entertained the opinion that Mr. DeArmond had told him that Mr.

Booher would be satisfied with that place, inasmuch as it was one held by two of his predecessors, the late Representatives Bland and Cochran. Mr. DeArmond maintains that he made no such statement to Mr. Williams regarding Mr. Booher.

Williams Admits Possibility of Error. The conversation on the subject began to-day just before the adjournment. After the gavel had fallen, Mr. DeArmond sought out Mr. Williams and it was resumed.

Mr. DeArmond insisted that he had made to Mr. Williams only a general suggestion regarding the committees to which he should recommend the Missouri members. Mr. Williams declared that while he might be mistaken, it was very clear in his mind that Mr.

DeArmond had suggested that Mr. Booher should go to coinage, weights and measures. Mr. DeArmond reminded Mr. Williams that he (Williams) had many conversations with different members regarding committee assignments and that he had had only one with him and that therefore, his (DeArmond's) recollection of the matter was more likely to be correct than Mr.

Williams'. Up to this point the conversation was not such as to attract the attention even of those who were near to them. Mr. Williams persisted in his belief and saying the matter was now settled and CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR. Every man, woman and child in both villages realized In an instant what had happened and with one accord they rushed to the yawning, smoking entrance to the Darr mine.

They could not go any farther. It required only a few minutes for experienced miners to perceive that not a man could live In the inferno that enveloped another army of toilers of the pits. Just a flash and another Monongah was recorded. Just how many men are entombed in the Darr mine is uncertain. The system under which miners work makes It impossible for the company to say Just how many men were in the pit at the time of the explosion.

The most reliable information obtainable places the figures at 190. There may be 250. Partial List of Men in Mine. Mine Foreman W. S.

Campbell. Assistant Mine Foreman John Markey. Firebosses Ilarman Tanyquay, Mart Markey, Joseph Murphy. Pumpers William Hough. Patrick Llnough, John Task, Mike Tovorske.

Wiremen C. Beach, Carl Munbury. Drivers William Shepherd, Steve Clp-pers, John Bobby, Paul Kish, Mike Sokei, Ernest Dobbins. M-ke Planey, Ollle Mike, Steve Bolls. Julius Borrough, William llewett, Faher Balore.

John Lark, Albert Johnston, Arton Lancaster, John Sabodosh, Mike Damana, Joseph Damana, Louis Rosett. Machine Men Samuel Markey, Steve Conney. Trapper Boys H. Gehringer, H. Snyder, Joseph Storey, Bruce Burthold, Frank Lata Arthur Pagart, George New-house.

Albert Carsoro, Ernest Kobeski. Timber Men Edward Schlin, Andrew Pagert. Road Cleaners Mateo Colock. Samuel Natarona, Mike Dahonlck, Samuel Crock, Samuel Floray, Charles Cardjk, Paul Fitch, Ira Browkey, Orton Lancaster, Andrew Brattice Men Frank Blber, S. Sebastian.

AJr Way Cleaners William Hunter, George Gorvick, Paul Berthold, D. Mc-Cormlck, Samuel Bruce, S. Klnnell, George Regina, jonn cauanan, ueorge Hollister, John Sloyke. Among the Known Dead. John Koncko.

Martin Celon, S. Monkoski, George Hambus, Steve Koncko, Joseph Joseph Simons, Steve Somask, Martin Vargo, Joseph Terrence, Albert IJndway, Charles Hudak, Steve Epislise, John Korain. John Wiva. Andrew Mike, Peter Lacotos, William Horwatt, Benjamin Nicholson, Hugh Stangron. Paul Klh.

Steven Fresbko, Steven Mike. Alexander Mike, Joseph Mike, Frank McCalllgan, Joseph Sharpenburg, Andy Sladish. Joe Somady, George Yupok, John Kollesen. Albert Balosh, Andy Cha-bi. Ignatius Kotner, John Yoho, Steve Katino, Mike Farnlch.

Andy Wandney. Joe Slodish. John Berdi, Mike Sokel, Joe Meko. Andy Hayden. John Barkoni, Joe Kuhll, John Oronko, Martin Oronko, Joe Thomas, Frank Houser, Steve Tarda, Peter Slnko, Mike Belk, Mike Hausen.

Mark Bedich, John Demeter, Mike Po-povltch, Steve Bolk, Louis Poster, John Toko, Frank Wagner, Joe Riezo, Mike Meago, Steve Pastor, George Lawrence, Andrew S. Swlt. John Schmidt, Bert Ko-vasco, Andy Kuynak. Kovach, Pete Nirdella, Bill Doma. Frank Len-hart, Alex.

Yoeksis, Frank Barconi, Joe 'roth. Charles Lewis, John Truckgk, John Toko. Peter Molner, Martin Moser, Alex. Arlst. Lewis Hogadish, Alex Latak, Martin Valach, Andy Bolas, George Nagg, Jo Necastln, Mike Dandle, Ajidy Hudlck, Pete Brasl.

Rome Deslne, VelJah, Max Shecht, Steve Berch-r, Frank Bower, Frank Ward, Joe RIke, tve Mike, George Krobert, Peter Such supplies as cots, stretdhers, medicines, food and the tools necessary to rush the rescue work are arriving slowly. If warm weather should set in, more ample means for caring for the dead must be devised or an epidemic of some sort is sur to result. Officials Pour In. As fast as a very limited railway service will permit, mine experts and State officials are arriving on the scene, but they are comparatively few, because most of them are busy at the scene of other recent explosions. Practical miners, pit and fire bosses and the like, are being brought from other mines of the company, but because of the enormous quantity of debris It is said the rescue work will be unusually slow.

Many of the sections of the mines where men were working are miles from an opening and hundreds of brattices will have to be built in order that the air may be driven along with the rescue parties. According to experts, who as yet have vouchsafed no opinion, this explosion was a most unusual one in many respects, especially as to the large volume of smoke which poured from every opening after the first detonation. Cleravman Tells of Horror. One of the four who saw the first puff of flame and smoke was Rev. F.

B. Williams, of the Baptist Church. "It was a sight I shall never forget," he said, "I heard a heavy detonation, it seemed that a second later it was followed by another and as I reached the yard and looked across the river I saw heavy columns of blue smoke pouring from the mouth of the mine. It soon crossed the river and enveloped everything. "The odor of gas was sickening and It seemed much heavier than the atmosphere, because it settled at once and rolled along the ground in great clouds.

I did not need to be told what was the matter when an instant later I saw groups of agonized women rush to the river. I instinctively knew that something awful had befallen their sons and fathers and husbands, as they fought like demented people to get over by the little' ferry, which can take only six people at one time." Such a great volume of smoke is unusual In a gas explosion and gives rise to the opinion that the exact cause will remain a mystery. The Darr mine was very old and consequently had vast areas of "gob" or worked out portions which are known to be a menace to the safety of the miners. In these abandoned and uncared for workings great quantities of highly explosive gas are frequently produced. Experienced miners who have worked in various States say that this mine had many entries and headings driven into old workings and into other mines and that it could not be classed as a model mine.

COMPANY OFFICIALS ARE SATISFIED THAT NONE ARE NOW LIVING. "We have given up hope that a man is left alive of the many in the mine at the time of the explosion, said vice president W. R. Woodford, at a late hour last night, in the Pittsburgh Coal Company's offices, in this city. "A report received just now from the mine places the number of dead at 140, but some may have been overlooked and the number may possibly reach 175.

Almost the entire number were beyond the point 5,000 feet from the entrance, where the passage is blocked. "A Illustration of the terrific force of the explosion was given In the fact that one of the five bodies found had a leg blown off. Yet the mystery Is that Superintendent Kelvington found little evidence of the explosion until after he had penetrated more than 2,000 feet from the -mouth. "Every effort will be made to care for the dead bodies that may be recovered, and relief will be extended to needy fam-111s. Our plans at present are In a nec-essarilyl unsettled state.

"One of our mining experts reported to me a few minutes ago that the cause of the explosion was a mystery. Darr mine was operated by electricity and was considered one of the safest of our mines. The coal was steam coal and not gas coal, a-nd open lamps were used by the miners. "The mine workings ran back for nearly 10,000 feet. As there Ib no other opening than the mouth, no hope is entertained for the miners.

Even if some escaped death from the force of the explosion, they were penned in back of the fall of debris, and would have been smothered by poisonous gases. Not a a sound Jias been heard to indicate that a soul is alive, of all those in the mine at the time of the disaster. "Nearly all the miner were foreigners. Mine Foreman William Campbell is I the only American known to have beer in the mine, certainly. The fact that yesterday was a Hungarian holiday is hoped to have saved a number of lives." MINERS BECOME SCARED BY SERIES OF HORRORS AND LOSE THEIR NERVE.

BT A STAFF CORRESPONDENT. TtrORS Tiff. 19 TTCn moraTninlng for me after January 1st, Sym Davis, a well-known miner, had said to a party of his chums, after paving read of the horrors of the Monongah disaster. But Sym Davis fixed his date too far ahead, and his body is among those burled in the Darr mine to-nlgit- There are many Instances of this jsort where men who had been employed In the mines of this vicinity the greater part of their lives, had "lost their nerve," to use the expression of one of them.land were anxious for a safer employment. It is said that many others have been going to their work of late with frightened, dogged steps with the firm conviction that their mine would be the "next." When questioned to-night, one of a group in a country store here said, "It seems to me as if the fellows felt they were being pursued by what these story-writers call 'relentless fate.

I ara kind of sore on the business myself and intend to be working at something else by thfrs time next year." With that remark the man left for his home, while another spoke up, "I've heard hundreds of them talk that very way. Oh, yes, he'll quit digging coal all right, but like the rest of us, never until we are blown to pieces by an explosion or crushed as flat as that sheet Of paper under a 10-ton block of slate." Banning No. 1. These mines are connected, a system which has been condemned by every mine expert in the country. i Thin Partition of Coal.

Only 125 feet of coal separates the Port Royal and Darr mines. This vein had been perforated with several small holes, and it is the opinion of old miners that gas from the Port Royal pit entered the Darr mine. The Darr mine itself had been gaseous for some time. The accumulation of gas and dust is supposed to have reached an open light on the cap of some miner and the explosion resulted. Both safety and open lamps were used in the Darr mine, another practice which Inspectors have characterized as dangerous.

About one month ago the Wick Haven mine was discovered to be on fire. In investigating this, Charles Brundover, fire boss, lost his life. He was overcome by afterdamp. The Wick Haven mine is still burning, although the section on fire has been brattlced off. The theory is also advanced that gas from this mine passed to the Darr pit and added to the danger In the latter.

Among the miners, the Darr mine has been considered dangerous for some time. W. S. Campbell, the mine foreman, was brought here from Finleyville by the Pittsburgh Coal Company about four months ago. He found the mine in such condition that he refused to accept the responsibility of managing it.

However, the company finally persuaded him to take charge, as they were anxious to improve the mine. His recom- CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO..

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