Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 244, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 February 1925 — Page 1

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VOLUME 36—NUMBER 244

BUDDIES OF MINE VICTIMS RISK OWN LIVES IN SEARCH * . •*

Another’s Body Is Recovered in Mutilated Condition May Bea Week Before All Men Are Reached in Underground Tomb. BULLETIN *' '""aTTHE MOIA'H OF CITY MINE, SULLIVAN, Ind., Feb. 21.—Rescue workers brought three more bodies to the mouth of the City Coal Company Mine this afternoon, making twenty-one bodies recovered and thirty noe yet reached. Two of the three bodies found last were those of h rank Cottingham and John Collins, officials said. Officials disputed whether the twenty-first body was that of Earl Robertson. X By DICK MILLER. / Times StaiT Correspondent AT THE MOUTH OF CITY MINE, SULLIVAN, Ind., Feb. 21. —When rescue workers brought the eighteenth body of the fifty-one men killed in the explosion in the City Coal Mining Company mine near here today they said it probably woulc 1 be a week before all the remains could be recovered. The eighteenth body was so horribly mangled it could not be identified. A gas and dust explosion at 10:25 a. m. Friday rocked the mine. At 11:30 a. m. today Robert Robertson, Sullivan, a rescue worker, was brought to the top exhausted. He had been working in the charnel hole for seventeen hours. He was revived in an ambulance and sent home. Description of Blasted Mine Jack Ogilvie, Bicjcnell, of the Knox County rescue squad, said, when he came to the surface for a brief rest, that all but about 100 feet of the 1,600-foot length of Run 3 ha? been explored. No attempt has been made to go back into Run 4, another 1,600-foot passageway, or the far end of the main entry way, a large hall from which the runs branch. A number of men are entombed in both these sections of the mine, officials believe. The vork in Run 3 has been heartbreaking, Ogilvie said. The workers must push the poisonous gas back ahead of them as they proceed. This is done with the ventilation machinery from the top of the mine and by “brattishing.” Bratti|hing is the process of curtaining passageways to other runs from which gas might get into the purified section. . * Slate Falls From Roof “We are further hampered,” Ogilvie said, “by the fact that slate keeps falling from the roof of Run 3, endangering lives. The heat of the explosion apparently acted upon the slate so that when the cold fresh air strikes it it contracts and falls. ’ ’ Off of each run there are dozens of rooms out of which the miners dig coal. “Opposite Room 19 in Run 3 we encountered a big cave-in, caused by the explosion,” said Ogilvie. “This cave-in extends for about twenty-five feet. There is no way telling how many men, if any, are buried beneath the tons of coal and slate. ‘To get around this cave-in it was necessary for the workers to go into the rooms at one side and tunnel new passageway through the walls of several rooms. Th’i is slow work. “There is about 100 feet more of Run A to be explored.” It is expected several more bodies will be found in it. More Workers Sent Down With the brattishhg work well under way and Run 3 made safe for workers, two squads were s&it down immediately after the eighteenth body was brought up. The rescue workers expect to encounter further cave-ins in Run 4 and the end of the main entryway. “This will not be a ‘Sand Cave affair,’ ” said Ogilvie. “There is no chance for any one behind the cave-ins to be alive.” The seventeenth body taken out was that of Earl Laughlin, Sullivan. Fifty-One Men Are Dead The bodies of Laughlin, an unidentified man and Russell Oarby, Sullivan, removed a few hours earlier, are the only ones recovered between noon today and 7 p. m. Friday, when gas, breaking down of air pumps and pouring rain hampered the work. , The horrible condition of Laughlin’s body indicated he was facing the explosion when it occurred. Coal, blown by the blast, was buried in his face. The body was badly burned. Rescuers were forced to pull Laughlin’s body about four feet on their hands and knees. One man pushed on Laughlin ’s feet and the other pulled his arms. If reports of cave-ins and earth slides are vertified, rescue workers said that anywhere from six to twenty-one bodi?.} have been hopelessly buried in the earth. These probably never can be brought out. . v All Are Dead There is no question that all the men are dead, S. J. Wilton, deputy State mine inspector, said today. The land is reported to be sinking into the mine at the rate of an inch an hour and human power is unable to stop it. At 7 p. m. Friday a shout went up from the mouth of the mine. Workmen called for doctors. Women, wives of miners, some of them carrying babies, crowded toward the shaft hoping that some of the men had been brought out alive. Their hopes were shattered when it was found that the call for assistance had been lhade in behalf of rescue workers who had come to the top bleeding at mouths and noses because of gas and lack of air. An air test was made and workers were (Turn to Pa** S)

The Indianapolis Times

! SCENES AT INDIANA MINE WHERE FIFTY-ONE MEN LOST LIVES

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(UPPER LEFT): O. C. THOMAS. MINE WEIGHMASTER, WHO IDENTIFIES THE BODIES AS THEY ARE BROUGHT OUT;( TOP, CENTER) CROWD STANDING AT MOUTH OF SHAFT WAITUNO FOR WORD FROM THE 1 ESCUERS; (TOP. RIGHT) CROWD LOOKS ON AS FIRST CREW GOES INTO MINE. LMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN THE FIRST BODY WAS BROUGHT TO THE SURFACE: (LOWER LEFT) AMBULANCES READY TO RUSH THE BODIES TO THE UNDERTAKING ESTABLISHMENTS. THE “DEATH CARS” WERE RECRUITED FROM SURv FOUNDING TOWNB; vLOWER RIGHT) NEAR ENTRANCE TO MINE AND VIEW OF HOPPER WHERE CROWD STARTED GATHERING

La* l Words Times Staff 'Correspondent SULLIVAN. Ind., Feb. 21. “My God, save us! Do something!” These were the last words from the stricken men whose bodies lie in City mine here today. They were shouted over a shaft telephone following the explosion which wrecked ahe mine. The words were shouted and then the telephone was still.

$200,000 IN INSURANCE Family of Each Mine Victim to Receive $4,060. Times Staff Correspondent SULLIVAN. Ind., Feb. 21.—Each family or group of dependents of miners who died in the City mine exp lesion Friday will receive 12,960 aqd |IOO for funeral expenses, according to Thomas Herbert, Terre Haute, representative of the Lynch Coal Operators Reciprocal Association, a mutual insurance association. The total compensation which the association will probably pay out will amount to more than 2200,000, it is estimated. The association was organised under the workmen’s compensation act and is under supervision of the State industrial board. Thomas Riley, member of the State Industrial Board, went to Sullivan today to watch administration of compensation to the miners’

Getting The News EVERY facility of The Times’ own organization and of two great news gathering organizations, the United Press and the NEA. has been put at the disposal of Indianapolis Times readers to obtain for them rapidly and completely ali, the details of Indiana’s greatest mine disaster at Sullivan. In additio.n to representatives of the two organizations mentioned, The Times has the following staff members on the scene: DICK MILLER EDWIN V. O’NEEL ROBERT G. BATMAN HAROLD McBRIDE GUY BOWSHER MISS MABEL McKEK. Feature Writer J. M. MOORE, Staff Photographer.

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, FEB. 21, 1925

DALLY IN FULL CHARGEAT MINE Chewing Gum Distributed to Rescue Workers. Times Staff Correspondent SULLIVAN, Ind., Feh. 21.—A. C. Dally, chief State mine Inspector, Is In full command of the mine rescue work, with four State deputies. Working with him are Charles Herbert of the Federal mine rescue station at Vincennes and three deputies, and John J. Ogilvie of the Knox County Operators Association, with five men. Mrs. Louise Plgg of the Business Women’s Club is director of a group of women who worked throughout the night preparing ham sandwiches, doughnuts and coffee for the mine rescuers. Work is being financed by popular subscription. Large quantities of chewing gum are being distributed to the workers prevented from smoking by gas in the mine.

Victims

Bv United Prett SULLIVAN, Ind., Feb. 21.—City mine officials said these are the fiftyone men who died when trapped by the mine explosion here Friday: Harry Anderson, Cecil Carty mine foreman. Gills Eaton J. J. Dunning Wayne Walters Everett Metcalf Phil Walters John Collins John Row Frank Cotting- Frank Hawhee ham John Brown James Burris Gilbert Taylor James Eller . R. L. Jackson Emile Leooquoc Roes Boothe Florence Le- John Thomas coquoc Charles Sheedy Charles McCam- Clinton Higgenmon bottom W. H. Moberley Harry Maxwell James Boyle ( Frank Smith Everett Keller John A. Ward James Miller Silas Wagner Dwight McClan- Earl Robertson ahan Pearl Hawhee Frank Mason Blaine Gibson Dan Purcell John Salmon Claude Trader John Baird Earl Laughlln Arthur Sullivan Olived Keagy Russell Dowdy Mike Cusac Lex Robertson John Neal Claude Sanders Robert Freeman Dave Smith Russell Garby Convict Caught at Dance Bv United Prett SOUTH BEND. Ind., Feb. 21. Jack Kennedy. 19. escaped convict, was arrested in a dance hall here today. He fled from the Indiana State Reformatory at Pendleton last October. He was serving a sentence of burglary from Ft. Wayne.

Cause Times Staff Correspondent 3ULLIVAN, Ind., Feb. 21. Experts believe the explosion in the City mine was caused by dangerous gas from a run of an abandoned mine getting into Run 4 or the main entry way of the City mine and being Ignited. Lamps on miners’ caps or an electric motor spark might have set the Mast off, they said. Veteran miners said the course of the run of the abandoned mine is such that the coal diggers might have unwittingly tunneled Into it, letting in the gas at the end of either Run 4 or the main entry way.

KING GEORGE IMPROVES Convalesence of British Monarch Slow But Steady. Bv United Prett LONDON, Feb. 21.—Althbugh his temperature is unchanged. King George’s condition continues to improve. Progress in fighting the bronchitis attack was reported slow but steady. HAYNES PRAISES INDIANA Prohibition Commissioner Says Other States Should Follow. Bv Timet Special WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.—Prohibition Commissioner Haynes today praised the recent action of the Indiana Legislature in enacting stricter prohibition laws. "When other States realize that responsibility for enforcement devolves entirely upon them and follow Indiana’s example, the Federal "Government's biggest problems will be solved,’’ the commissioner said Identified Bv United Prett SULLIVAN, Ind., Feb. 21.—Bodies of miners killed in the gas explosion at the City Mine yesterday, which had been recovered today, follow: John Salmon, Sullivan. Claude Saunders, Terre Haute. John Rowe, Sullivan. John Brown, Sullivan. Frank Hawsee, Sullivan. Ellis Eaton, Sullivan. Arthur Cl Sullivan. Sullivan. George Neal, Sullivan. • Gilbert Ward, Sullivan. Robert Freeman, Sullivan. Earl Robertson, Sullivan. Mike Cusack Sullivan. Philip Walters, Sullivan. Cecil McCarthy, Sullivan. Russell Dowdy, Sullivan. Oliver Keagy Sullivan. Earl Laughlin. Sullivan. UNIDENTIFIED One body .taken out. i

Twenty-One Bodies Are Taken Out —Gas Slows Up Efforts of Rescuers

1 PUT’EM DOWN, I’LL GETEM OUT Engineer Refuses to Leave Post at Shaft Mouth, • Times Staff Correspondent SULLIVAN. Ind.. Feb. 21.—John Slieder, hoisting engineer at City coal mine, which was wrecked by explosion Friday, today sat grimly at the top of the shaft, eyes glued on the Indicator showing position of the cage in the shaft, refusing to leave his post. He went on duty at 6 a. m. Friday. The explosion occurred at 10:25 a. m. "I put ’em down in the shaft and I’ll stick till I get ’em out again.” Slieder said, his pipe gripped firmly between his teeth. Ola Wilson, assistant engineer, attempted to relieve Fllder at his post. "Its no use. I couldn’t sleep. I’m worth more here,” was. Flider’s answer. He has been a miner for ten years. ‘WATCH YOUR STEP’ Snlhvan Mine Victim Forewarned of a Fateful Explosion. Times Staff Correspondent SULLIVAN, Ind., Feb. 21. "Frank, this is Friday. Watch your utep.” * This was what a neighbor shouted to Frank Mason, 50, one of the victims of the City mine blast, as he left for work. Mason repl'ed: "I will.” Don Puree jI, 46, a cousin, met his death with Mason. They were mine “buddies.” Purcell had worked only a short time. Mason had been a miner for twenty years. GLORIA JN HOSPITAL Surgeons Anxious About Screen Star In Paris. Bu Times Special PARIS, Feb. 21.—Gloria Swanson’s departure from the hospital where she was rushed Wednesday to undergo a mysterious operation, probably will be postponed. Although it was supposed Thursday the was out of danger and It was announced she would leave the hospital within a week, it is learned surgeons are still anxious about her condition.

.ADDITIO# , DETAILS OF THE W iSTER AT SULUVfIr ft \D„ WILL BE FOIVIoN PAGE S

Entered a* Second-class Matter at Postoffice, ffWA fiTT/NTTS Indianapolis. Published Dally Except Sunday. XtJ

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The best way to get a rise out of an Army officer is to play “The Star-Spangled Banner.” SCOUTS AND LEGION AID Put on Uniforms and Handle Crowds at Disaster Scene. Timet Stair Corretnondent SULLIVAN, Ind., Feb. 21.—Thirty members of the Sullivan post of the American Legion in uniform, under command of Lawrence Ford, 80, are handling the crowds which are flocking to the mine. Boy Scouti also are assisting. CANARIES PUT IN MINE Birds Used to Detect Traces of lias in Shaft. * Timet Staff Corretnondent SULLIVAN, Ind., Feb. 21.—Three canaries were in the mines with rescue workers all night. The birds were purchased from local stores to detect fatal gas. Workers watched them as they dug. PASSES BIRTHDAY MEAL Chief Weighmai? at Mine Sticks to His Grewsome Post. Timet Staff Corretnondent SULLIVAN. Ind.. Feb. 21. Friday vms the fifty-sixth birthday of O. C. Thomas, chief welghman and hero of the mine explosion rescue work. t While Thomas stood over the shaft to Identify the bodies of the miners, his wife was keeping a birthday supper warm for him. Thomas refused to leave his post however and sent word to his wife: “I’m staying be**.”

Forecast CLOUDY tonight, followed by fair. Sunday. Colder tonight with lowest temperatures slightly above freezing.

RED CROSS HERE AWAITS CALL TO DISASTER SCENE Eugene C, Foster at Sullivan —Workers Ready to Leave Any Minute, Awaiting: definite Instructions as to relief needs at Sullivan, officials of the Indianapolis chapter of the American Red Cross today were ready to rush assistance to the stricken district. Eugene C. Foster, director of home service, left Indianapolis Friday midnight for Sullivan. Miss Agnes Cruse, secretary of the Indianapolis chapter, will act on his instructions. “I talked to Miss Martha Hays of Sullivan, who was In Indianapolis Friday night,’’ Miss Cruse said. ‘‘According to Miss Hays there Is an excellent hospital at Sullivan and others at Terre Haute only twenty miles away. “Our information la that relief for families of the victims will be needed more than medical altention. Mrs. Hugh McGibney is director of volunteer service, Mrs, Wilbur Johnson Is head of the motor corps and Mrs. Phil Watson of the canteen department. On very short notice they will be ready to have their departments in operation should the need arise.” Miss Cruse talked with W. R. Nesbitt, chairman, Sullivan County Red Cross chapter, who said Foster had not reported at his headquarters at 10 a. m. He said he was waiting action until Foster’s arrival. Nesbitt told Miss Cruse he might ask the Indianapolis chapter to send at least one nurse to help care for miners' families. Miss Cruse said several nurses were In readiness. Many persons had telephoned local headquarters during the day offering their services. ‘STRIKE’ ~STILL RAGING Lafayette Pupils Demand Reinstatement of Coach. LAFAYETTE, Ind.. Feb. 21.—A majority of the “strikers" at the Jefferson High School here announced their determination today to remain out of school until F. J. "Orosshans, athletic director and manual training teacher is reinstated. HOURLY TEMPERATURE a. m...... 62 10 a, m. (1 7 a. m 61 11 a. m 61 I*l