People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1894 — EIGHT TORN TO PIECES. [ARTICLE]

EIGHT TORN TO PIECES.

Terrible Result of an Explosion of Gian* Powder In a Mine. Hazelton, Pa., July 18 —Two hundred sticks of giant powder exploded in the midst ot a gang of miners at Stockton colliery No. 8, and not enough of the mens’ bodies was left for identification. On account of the distance of the Stockton colliery from the main breaker it has been customary to send the dynamite and other explosives in boxes to No. 8 and distribute them to the workmen at the bottom of the second shaft as they appear in the morning on their way to work. It was Charles O’DonnefiJs duty to distribute the dynamite and caps. The first men to go down into the shaft today were the drivers, and these were the only ones to return alive from the opening. How many men or who they were who followed in the next boat will not be known until a list of the living is taken. The drivers went into the stables to harness their mules, and it was while they were thus engaged that the explosion took place. Charles Shugert says he saw about a dozen men standing about O’Donnell receiving their powder a moment before the explosion took place. The drivers were hurled about promiscously. The men were paralyzed with fright, and, fearing that an explosion of gas had taken place and that a collapse of the entire mine was about to follow, they waited for death as though paralyzed. It was in this position that they were found by some miners from No. 2 who hastened through the subterranean passageways to No. 3. As soon as lights were seen the demoralized drivers hastened to the bottom of the shaft. There the terrible sight met their gaze. Strewn over the twisted and torn .timbers were fragments of human flesh and bones and limbs of the unfortunate miners. The men were too much affected to attempt to remove the remains of the dead.

Rescuing parties were quickly formed, and, headed by Superintendent Roderick, a corps of miners descended into the mine. The work of recovering the bodies was at once begun, but it was a difficult task. Fragments of human flesh were found some distance up the slope clinging to the rails and ties and sticking to the roof, while everywhere were bones and limbs. It is believed that at least a dozen men were blown to pieces.

The names of the victims as far as known are: Charles O’Donnell, aged 25, married; Andrew Jabol. aged 38, married: John Primbone, aged 22. single; John Koehleda aged 23, single; Anthony Morcaritz, aged 25, single: John Krinock. aged 28, married: John Motefeski, aged 44, married; John Brizzon, aged 25, single. After surveying the work of destruction Foreman Shugart emerged from the pit and instituted preparations for bringing the remains of the victims to the surface. The dismembered fragments were put together as well as possible at the bottom of the slope. After all had been arranged the hoisting to the surface commenced. In order that the feelings of the relatives might be spared it was arranged to hoist each box to the top of the tower and from there take them to their several homes. As each box appeared on the surface an agonizing wail went up from the multitude in waiting. Women tore their hair and shrieks of agony rent the air. The officials did everything possible to assuage their grief, but very little could be done.