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Show Energy Edition, January, Disasters fill The coal industry contributes greatly to the local economy, and mining has played an important role in Carbon Countys history. New technology, equip- ment and mining procedures have vastly improved underground safety over the last several decades. But despite the industrys monumental strides toward safer working conditions, coal mining remains classified as one of Americas most dangerous occupations. During the first 25 years of the 20th century, Carbon Countys coal industry experienced two major min-in- g disasters that claimed the lives of more than 300 underground workers. Winter Quarters The town of Scofield planned to join Utah and an ethusiastic nation in celebrating Dewey Day to honor the Hero of Manila on May 1, 1900. But the little coal mining communitys May Day celebration never took 199433 frightening chapter in local mining history sonous gas called after- permeated the underground shafts and damp flooded into the companys No. 1 mine. More than half of the 398 employees working in the two mines that morning were killed. The men in No. 1 might have escaped had they started to run as soon as the explosion occurred, an article in the Deseret News reported. Instead, they put on their coats and arranged their tools, then left and met the afterdamp halfway. Sixty of them smothered to death. Braving the deadly afterdamp, heroic rescue workers entered the mine shafts to search for survivors and retrieve the bodies of the accident victims. One newspaper report vividly described what happened at the scene during the d vigil: As every man is brought out from the mine on a above-groun- stretcher, everyone rushes forward and raises the cov-(Continued on Page 34) Caskets arrive at the Wasatch Store after an explosion at Winter Quarters claimed more than 100 lives. place. At 10:25 that morning, the sound of a muffled explosion came from the entrance to Winter Quarters No. 2 mine. The states worst min-in- g disaster had just occurred, and the towns most frightening nightmare had become a reality. But it would be several days before the small community, Carbon County and Utah realized the full impact of the explosion. The mining accident at Winter Quarters claimed the lives of 200 men and boys. The fatalities included fathers, sons, brothers and 'Pita 90 The Ultimate Heating Machine Afumace built with care and craftsmanship. We build more gas furnaces than anyone else In the world because we know how to build them right It's that simple. And we've been leading the furnace industry for more than 75 years by creating the best products you can buy. Products that offer you comfort reliability, and value. We build our products to be worthy of our reputation. friends. The disaster impacted virtually every family in leaving 105 widows fatherless children. The company had to post Scofield, and 270 guards to prevent from rush- anguished people ing into the dangerous mine shafts, and the sheer horror of the tragedy stunned the entire nation. The disaster at Winter Quarters actually involved two connected coal mines. The explosion occurred when black blasting powder was accidently set off in the No. 4 mine, igniting coal dust and 30 other kegs of powder. Following the blast, poi PRICE SHEET METAL AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERATION BOILERS GAS COAL OIL - SALES 594 S. Carbon Ave., Price, (801)637-258- 0 HEATING Ul 84501 SERVICE |