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| Fraterville mine rescue at Thistle mine entrance. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, May 20, 1902.
HORROR IN COAL MINE.
A Terrible Explosion Brought Death to 175 Workmen.
ONLY ONE MAN ESCAPED ALIVE.
Worst Disaster In History of Tennessee Mining—Rescue Party Went Two Miles Under the Earth and Behind Slate Barrier. Found Heaps of Dead.
Coal Creek, Tenn., May 20.—The worst disaster in the history of Tennessee mining occurred at 7:30 o'clock Monday morning, when between 175 and 225 men and boys met instant death at the Fraterville coal mine, 2 miles west of this town, as a result of a gas explosion.
Out of the large number of men and boys who went to work in the morning, developments at 10 o'clock last night showed that only one is alive, and he is so badly injured that he cannot live. This man was William Morgan, an aged Englishman, who was a road man in the mine, and was blown out of the entrance by the force of the explosion.
One hundred and seventy five miners were checked in for work by the mine boss. In addition to these were boys who acted as helpers, and drivers, road men and others to the number of perhaps 50.
Fraterville mine is the oldest mine in the Coal Creek district, having been opened in 1870. It is fully three miles from the mine's opening to the point where the men were at work.
They had not been at work long before the terrible explosion occurred. There was a fearful roar and then flames shot from the entrance and the air shafts.
News of the disaster spread like wildfire, but as soon as possible two rescuing parties were started in, one at the main entrance, the other through Thistle mine which adjoins and in which no men were at work. The Thistle party was unable to make any headway, as the gas stifled the workers. The Fraterville party went fully 2 miles under the earth until a heavy fall of slate was encountered. At this barrier men worked like demons, hoping against hope that those beyond might be safe.
The scenes at the mouth, of the mine while the workers were within were beyond description. Business had been suspended in Coal Creek and all its mines as soon as the news of the disaster became known and men, women and children gathered around the Fraterville entrance. Women whose husbands and sons were within were wild with grief.
All day long the rescuers toiled at the slate obstruction and not until 5 o'clock last evening did they force an entrance through it. Up to that hour only five dead bodies had been recovered and hope was still high that many within were safe.
The hopes of the living were doomed, however, for when once the rescuers could enter and proceed they walked through a continuous tomb' of death. There was not a sign of life. Every man had perished, they believed, although it will be late today before all the rooms can be entered.
Eight dead bodies were first recovered and these were sent to Coal Creek. Twenty-six more were soon found. They were not disfigured beyond identification and each corpse, as it was borne from the mouth of the gigantic tomb, was surrounded by eager crowds of relatives of the men who were entombed.
The mine was not on fire except in remote portions, and all bodies perhaps may be reached.
The bodies of perhaps one-third of the victims have been recovered and identified.
The Fraterville mine is owned by the Coal Creek Coal company of which Major E. C. Camp is president. He was in Cincinnati and is now hurrying to the scene of the disaster.
In 1891, after inspecting Fraterville mine, State Commissioner of Labor R. A. Shifiet reported that the ventilation was not up to requirements; that the furnace was inadequate to ventilate the mine and that the air ways were choked in places.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Automobile Blows Up.
Automobiles are queer creatures. They are full of quips and cranks. Cortland automobilists have found that out. Even a little child who watched one for a short time the other day discovered its peculiarities and exclaimed, ''Auto sick; it just starts and stops and won't go.''
A man goes out with his machine and he may come back with it, or he may come on foot and have to send a team for it. But there is one peculiarity of the machine which has not developed yet in Cortland, and it is sincerely to be hoped that it may not manifest itself soon. An automobile can explode. One did in Brooklyn Saturday night, while proceeding along an avenue at a fair rate of speed. A gentleman and lady were the occupants. The latter was blown from her seat out upon the pavement where she lay disabled with her clothing in flames till passers by smothered the fire by stripping off their overcoats and throwing them upon her. The man was blown nearly over the dash, but was able to run the machine into the curb and stop it, where it burned till the arrival of a fire engine which turned a stream of water upon it and extinguished the flames. The machine was a wreck. The owner said it cost $2,500 originally and the damage would amount to $1,500. An ambulance took the two people who were dreadfully burned to a hospital. It will be some time before they are able to get out again. It is not all fun to run an automobile.
KILLED BY AN AUTOMOBILE.
Machine Run by James S. Brailey of Telephone Co.
A dispatch from Toledo, O., under date of May 18 says: The first fatal automobile accident here occurred today when Jas. S. Brailey, the Independent Telephone financier, while speeding in his automobile ran into May Schook, a 13-year old girl, riding a wheel. The girl was almost instantly killed.
Mr. Brailey is the junior member of the firm of Barber & Brailey who installed the Home Telephone company's plant in Cortland.
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| Ferdinand E. Smith. |
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BOARD OF EDUCATION
Elects Teachers of Public Schools for Next Year.
NO CHANGE FROM PRESENT CORPS.
List of Graduates from Central School—Arrangements for Commencement on June 24—Special Exhibition Day Fixed for June 13.
The school board met last evening in the office of the superintendent in the Central school, and the list of teachers for the coming year together with their salaries was made out and adopted. There are to be no changes from the present staff in the teachers for the coming year. The list follows:
The following pupils were recommended for graduation by Superintendent F. E. Smith, and the board voted to graduate these after they have completed their work in June: Cora B. Edgcomb, Nettie M. Kelley, Cola M. Alling, Sarah Sherwood, Marlea A. Wells, Addie Rynders, Bessie Watson, Florence Brown, Mary Fennell, Marjorie Colłier, Frank H. Leech, Frank J. Mullin, Earl Maas, John Sheerar, Daniel Sanders, Harold Crombie, Edward Stevens, Arthur J. Twentyman, Harold Nichols.
The graduating exercises will be held in the Opera House, Tuesday evening, June 24, when a number from the graduating class will appear. These have not as yet been named.
A day for school exhibits has been fixed for Friday, June 13, at which time the work of the pupils in every subject will be on exhibition in each school room of all the schools of the city. This will be a special day for parents and all interested to visit the schools to see the work that the pupils are doing. The work of each scholar in each of his subjects will be spread upon his desk for inspection. There will also be exhibits of work and records upon the black boards and bulletin boards of each room. Everybody will be welcome at the buildings on this special exhibit day.
CORTLAND BOARD PUBLIC WORKS.
Three Bids Submitted for East Main-st. Sewer.
ONE WAS PROMPTLY THROWN OUT.
No Certified Check Accompanied It—Contract Not Yet Let—Railroad-st. Curb and Gutters Under Discussion—J. M. Samson Complains to the Board of the Order to Remove His Plank Sidewalks, Says There Are Others.
Bids for the construction of the East Main-st. sewer were opened last evening by the board of public works at its adjourned meeting, but no action was taken in letting the contract, as only a bare quorum was present. There were three bids received: from John J. Tyne, Binghamton; James Grant, Cortland, and D. J. Malone, Binghamton. The bid of Mr. Malone was not considered, as it did not have accompanying it a certified check.
The bid of John J. Tyne was $1,188.50, and that of James Grant was $1,275. The engineer's estimate for the job was $1,026.25. The sewer is to be 1,075 feet long with a depth of from 8 1/2 to 12 feet. There are to be three manholes and one flush tank in connection with it.
It was moved and carried to put the matter over until the next regular meeting, June 2.
A communication from Engineers Allen & Farrington, in reference to placing cobble stone gutters and curbing, was read. They estimated that such gutters and curbing could be laid for 15 cents per square foot. It was decided to place such gutters and curbing on Railroad-st. from Pendleton-st. south 500 feet, which would strike a point about 100 feet below Hubbard-st. It was also voted that the abutting property holders should pay one-third and the city two-thirds of the expense. The gutters are to be 36 inches wide and the curbs 18 inches, so in reality the city will pay for the gutters and the property holders will only pay for the curbing.
J. Melvin Sampson came before the board and complained of the order of the board, compelling him to place cement walks on Homer-ave. and Arthur-ave., where he recently placed plank walks. He said that he had sent a man to Mr. Becker for a grade upon which to build the Arthur-ave. walk, but the official had denied it. He cited a dozen or more walks about the city that were in a fearful condition, and some of these were said to resemble the bogs of Ireland. He also cited a few walks that had recently been built of planks. His property at the corner of Main-st. and Groton-ave. had been damaged by the change in the walk that had been made. He thought he was being singled out by the board and the superintendent. Others could neglect their walks and nothing would be said. He had complained to Mr. Becker about a hole in the walk near the Opera House that he declared would hold a bushel of clams, but Mr. Becker had not done anything in the matter. "In fact," said he, "in all the time that Becker has been superintendent, he has never shown me a favor."
Superintendent Becker stated that he had never been asked by any one to give a grade for a walk in front of the Arthur-ave. property mentioned.
Mr. Duffey stated that there was nothing personal in the matter of ordering new cement walks built on Mr. Sampson's property. It was in accordance with an ordinance adopted by the board. If others built wood walks they are as liable as he to have to take them out. This matter was also put over until the next meeting for action.
CAME TO COACH-TOWN
And Bought a New Ten-Passenger Vehicle for Ithaca.
Mr. J. M. McDonald, proprietor of the new Clinton House, Ithaca, drove to Cortland Monday and returned with a fine ten-passenger hotel coach, which he purchased of the Ellis Omnibus & Cab Co. of this city for the use of the hotel. This is the second coach that Mr. McDonald has purchased of the Cortland company this year. His team ran away with the one he bought first and it was completely demolished.
Warning for Young Fishermen.
Many boys as well as men seem ignorant of the law which forbids the taking of bass before June 16; also of the law relative to the use of snares, snatch hooks or spears. The Cortland Sportsmen's club has the names of several violators of these laws and will in future cause the arrest of all such. Parents should caution young fishermen to obey the law.
THE COAL SITUATION.
No Advance in Price—Enough to Fill Orders for Some Time.
There has been no advance in the price of coal in Cortland as a result of the strike, nor does it appear that prices will advance soon, as the most of the dealers have their usual supply for this season of the year. A canvass among the dealers today shows that only two of them are short, and these can fill orders for some time yet.
Maxson & Starin state that they have their usual supply for this season of the year.
S. N. Holden & Co. report that they are 1,500 tons short, but that they can fill all orders for a week, one ton to each family.
J. C. Seager has plenty of coal to fill all orders for a considerable length of time.
D. E. Call has plenty of coal unless the people rush in to fill the winter orders.
Wallace & Hout have a shortage, but will be able to fill orders for some time.
RICHARD O'BRIEN
Expired, Suddenly on Main-st. Monday Afternoon—Heart Failure.
Richard O'Brien, a mason, aged 60 years, died very suddenly about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. While talking with some companions on Main-st., he fell suddenly, but was caught by one of the men and expired within five minutes. Dr. VerNooy was at once summoned, but Mr. O'Brien was dead before he arrived. The body was taken to the undertaking rooms of McEvoy Bros. and Coroner E. M. Santee was notified. Death was due to heart disease and the coroner decided that no inquest was necessary.
Mr. O'Brien leaves one son, Mr. William O'Brien of Westfield, N. Y., who was at once informed of his father's death and arrived in Cortland this forenoon. He also leaves two nieces, Mrs. Ira Hyde and Mrs. Daniel Lucy, and one nephew, Mr. Patrick Ryan of Cortland.
Last evening the body was removed to the home of Mrs. Ira Hyde, 7 Monroe Heights. The arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed.
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| Soldiers' Monument and Cortland Normal School viewed from Church Street, Cortland, N. Y. |
MEMORIAL DAY.
Plans for its Observance Friday, May 30.
ARRANGED BY GROVER POST, G. A. R.
Exercises at Opera House, Monument and Cemetery—Addresses and Music by Cortland City Band and Children of the Public Schools—Memorial Sermon on Sunday Evening Preceding.
On Sunday evening, May 25, Grover Post, No. 98, G. A. R., and Grover Relief Corps, No. 96, will meet at the Post rooms at 7 o'clock to attend divine service at the First Baptist church where the sermon will be preached by the pastor, Rev. W. J. Howell. All war veterans are invited to join Grover Post in this service, as well as on Memorial Day.
The Cortland City band has been engaged for Memorial Day and the singing by the pupils of the public schools of our city under the direction of Miss Elizabeth Turner will be a pleasing feature of the exercises.
At the Opera House.
Under the auspices of Grover Post the following program will be carried out in the Opera House on Friday, May 30, beginning at 2 o'clock, p. m. A general invitation is extended to the public to be present:
Selection, Cortland City Band.
Salute to the Flag, School Children.
Reading Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, Comrade B. T. Wright.
Singing, School Children.
Prayer, Rev. G. E. T. Stevenson.
Singing, School Children.
Address, Rev. David Keppel, Ph. D.
Singing.
Benediction, Rev. Robert Clements.
At the Soldiers' Monument.
At the monument the exercises will be as follows:
Music, Cortland City Band.
Floral offering in memory of the absent dead.
Prayer, Rev. H. L. Rixon.
Address, Commander O. P. Miner.
At the Cemetery.
At Grover Post burial plot in the cemetery, Rev. U. S. Milburn will read a poem written for the occasion by Mrs. Emma D. Pitts, a member of
Grover Corps, three volleys will be fired by the gun squad and "taps" will be sounded by the bugler.
Further particulars respecting the observance of the day will be given later.
BREVITIES.
—The Lackawanna tracks in front of the new passenger station are being raised today.
—The regular meeting of the N. T. L. will be held tonight at 7:30 in the I. O. G. T. lodge rooms.
—J. H. Webster of the City farm, Cortland, N. Y., has recently sold five ponies. A pair of these was sent to Michigan.
—The Ladies' Literary club will meet tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. J. H. Turner, 25 Tompkins-st.
—New display advertisements today are—Gas Light Co., Gas ranges, page 7; M. A. Case, Dry goods, page 6; J. W. Cudworth, Optical talks, page 6; W. J. Pęrkins, Paints, page 6.
—If Mrs. Angeline Bradley, formerly and possibly still a resident of this city—will call at the Standard Office or send us her address she will learn something to her advantage.
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