MINING DISASTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 313, 14 January 1902, Page 3

MINING DISASTER.

FIVE SCORE MINERS MEET DEATH.

TELLURIDE, Colo., Nov. 20. What is likely to prove the most disastrous accident that has ever occurred in a metallic mine in Colorado resulted to-day from a lire which burned the buildings at the mouth of the Bullion tunnel, through which the Smuggler Union mine is worked, and which filled the mine with deadly gas and smoke. It is impossible to give \even an approximate estimate of tlic loss of life, but it is believed that it will reach nearly, if not quite, one hundred. Twenty-two are known to have perished. ' The fire started about seven o clock this morning from a defective flue in the bunk house at the mouth of the tunnel. It quickly communicated with the other buildings. The dense smoke from the converter-house, which was saturated with oil, began pouring into the tunnel, which, with the shafts ot the mine, acted as a chimney. The day shift had just gone on duty, and before they could be warned of the danger the levels and slopes were filled with smoke and gas. . As soon as the men became aware of their danger efforts were made to reach the surface through various exits, and about half of those in the mine escaped. It will he impossible to ascertain the number still in the mine for several hours on account of the gas in some of the levels. The Smuggler Union is one of the oldest mines in the district, and has several abandoned openings, some of which were available. Most of those who escaped did so through the old Union workings and the old Sheridan tunnel. . , .. A rescuing party cut a connection through the Commission workings adicining and took out part ot the men. Although the buildings were quickly consumed the dense smoke continued to pour into the tunnel, and it was not until three o’clock this afternoon that it occurred to the management to shut off the draught by blasting rock into the tunnel. It is believed by mm- , ing men that had this been done as ' soon as the fire started all loss of life ' might have been averted. , Hugh J. O’Neill, the engineer was | .taken out alive, hut is not expected to

recover. Everv physician of Telluride was summoned to the mine, and was kept busy attending those or the rescuers who were overcome with gas. of the twenty-two bodies found were on the seventh level. Between seventy-five and ninety men were working on the ninth level, and this has not yet been expired. On account of the gas and smoke these levels could not he entered because ot the danger of suffocation for twei e hours after the flames started.