Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1894 — MINERS BLOWN TO PIECES. [ARTICLE]

MINERS BLOWN TO PIECES.

Inful Explosion of Giant Powder Wear Hazelton, P». v il Jir Two hundred stacks of giant powder jxploded in the midst of a gang of mitten it Stockton colliery No. 8, Tuesday, near Hazelton, Pa., and not enough of the men's bodies was left for identification. On account of the distance of the Stockton collierv from the main breaker, it has been customary to ?ond the dynamite and )ther 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'Donnell's duty to distribute the dynamite. * The first men to go down into the shaft were tb« drivers, and these are the only ones to return alive to the opening. The drivers went into the stable to harness their mules, and it was while they were thru engaged that the explosion took place. Charles Sugart says lie saw about a dozen men standing about O'Donnell, receiving the powder a moment before the explosion. The drivers were hurled about promiscuously. 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. Ai soon as possible the shattered remains of the men were collected and brought to the surface The scene that followed was agonizing. Women tore their hair and shrieked and children wailed. Eight men are kuowx to have perished. William Reed, of Jefferson township. Huntington county, over one year age noticed a sore on his toe. Various remedies were applied without effect, and finally a portion of the foot was amputated. T!i|s failed of relief, blood poisoning developed and last week he died. It is claimed that gold has been discovered on the grounds owned by W. F. Manley, a preacher of the denomination ot Friends, of West Richmond, h was located by Professor McDougall, who claims tp have invented a machine which readily detects the presence of natural gas or precious metals, and, according to McDougall. the gold is located in a little cavern at the depth of 113 feet. A drill was run down the reqnlred depth, bronghl up sand, which a Chicago expert said was impregnated with gold. ■ A number ol gentlemen have Joined with Mr. Manley in sinking a shaft to th« supposed cavern.