Eureka Reporter | 1906-03-30 | Page 2 | Gas Explosion in Coal Mine

bernole accident at small mining town in west virginia r ten bodes have been recovered and it is believed that between fifty and seventy fac have lost their lives as result of the accident fairmont W va ten men are known to be dead twenty five injured and from twenty five ta seventy five missing and believed to be dead as the result ol 01 an explosion of gas in the shaft of the century coal corn pany at century a small mining town the explosion took place at 4 30 in the afternoon but owing to the tele phone wires being put out of commis slon by the high winds details are lacking and the names 0 the victims six of are known to be foreign ers have not been secured the century mine which Is owned by shaw brothers of baltimore is one of the largest independent operations in northern est virginia over men are employed dally in the shaft and had the explosion been an hour earlier the loss of life would have been appalling As it was there were but a few remaining in the shat the main body of the miners having quit work for the day the giant tan which furnishes air tor the shaft was partially wrecked by the force of the explosion but was repaired imme and within an hour after the accident superintendent james ward had a relief gang in the mine the first trip it brought ten men five dead and five badly burned they were found in the main heading near the bottom of the shaft the living could give no details of the ex saying they were on their way to the surface when the explosion took place behind them