Miscellaneous newspaper articles from the Reno Evening Gazette, Reno Nevada
EXPLOSION IN MINE
Colorado Scene of Another Terrible Accident-Ten Killed.
Trinidad, Colo., Aug. 8-The rescue party at the Bowen mine,
where a disastrous explosion occurred last evening, was compelled to suspend
work at 1 o'clock this morning owing to firedamp.
At that hour the bodies of ten dead have been removed. There
were at least thirteen men in the mine at the time of the explosion and all were
undoubtedly killed.
No gas has ever been known in the mine and it is the opinion
of the officers that the accident was caused by a premature shot.
The powder house at the mouth of the mine, containing about
one thousand pounds of powder, was exploded by the shock from the mine and great
damage was done at the mouth of the slope.
The town of Bowen, about a quarter of a mile below the mine,
was severely shaken, a number of windows being broken.
Immediately after the explosion almost the entire population
of the town rushed to the mouth of the mine and the scenes there were heart
rending. The mine is almost a total wreck as far as can be determined at this
time.
The explosion occurred about one thousand feet from the
surface, the mine was quickly filled with gas and smoke and those who escaped
instant death were suffocated.
Mike Cassidy was blown to atoms. His head was picked up
nearly one hundred feet from where the body was found and his legs are still
missing. The body of James Hunter was terribly mangled.
Measures were taken today to rid the mine of gas and it is
thought the workings will be thoroughly explored by nightfall.
December 8, 1903
BATTLE AT TRINIDAD
One Striker Is Dead and Four Are Wounded
Trinidad, Colo., Dec. 8-Four strikers were shot in the battle
which took place at the Secundo coke ovens last night between striking coal
miners and guards in the employ of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. One of
the strikers is dead; one is shot through the head and will die; one is shot in
the groin and his wound will probably prove fatal, and the fourth who was shot
in the wrist, is in jail.
There were seven strikers in the party and three escaped. The
men were all Italians or Sicilians and their names have not been learned.
Previous to this fight a party of five non-union men were
ambushed when proceeding from Berwind to Primero under the guidance of Tom
Jennings, brother of the superintendent of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company's
mines at Berwind. Jennings was shot in the foot but reached Primero and gave the
alarm.
He did not know what fate had fallen his companions.
As soon as the news of the attack on the Jennings party was
received armed guards hastened from Segundo and Primero to cut off all roads and
trails leading into the told town of Segundo.
Seven men were seen to come down the hills from the direction
of the ambuscade.
On being ordered to halt, according to the account of the
guards, these men opened fire and the guards returned the fire with disastrous
results to the strikers.
None of the guards were wounded.
The strikers claim that all the shooting at Segundo was done
by guards.
The non-union men who were ambushed all return safe and sound
today.
March 26, 1904
Seizing Fire Arms
Trinidad, Colo., March 26-Major Zeph T. Hill, military
commander, has given instructions for the confiscation of firearms in Las Animas
county, and house to house raids have begun. All the houses in Sopris and
Segundo have been visited by troops and all firearms found were seized. After
all outside towns have been thoroughly searched houses in Trinidad will be
visited.
Major Hill has also given orders that no one shall be
permitted on the streets after 9 p.m. without a military pass and all persons
leaving the city must have passports. Exceptions in the former case will be made
of people who are known to have been in attendance at the theatre or club or
lodge meeting.
May 20, 1904
Military Release Miners
Trinidad, Colo., May 20-Nearly all the striking miners, 79 in
number, who were driven from Ludlow to this city, a distance of twenty miles, by
cavalry troops yesterday, have been released after having registered by the
military authorities. Several of the men, being weak, were made ill by the long
march and once dropped by the roadside exhausted.
September 30, 1904
CLOUDBURSTS IN COLORADO
Mountain Torrent at Trinidad Washes Building Away
Denver, Colo., Sept. 30-Extensive damage is reported to have
been done at Trinidad, Colo., last night by a flood in the Las Animas river. All
wires in the vicinity were down this morning and communication with the city
entirely cut off. All bridges in and about the city are said to have been washed
away and no trains can get in or out on the Santa Fe, D. and R.G. and Colorado
and Southern railroads. The latest report received was that the Santa Fe depot
had been washed away and the Harvey hotel was threatened with destruction. So
far as known there have been no lives lost.
Trinidad is the county seat of Las Animas county and the
center of an extensive coal mining region. Its population numbers about 5000.
At the Colorado and Southern train dispatcher's office in
this city it was said that the last news received from Trinidad was that the
city reservoir had gone out early this morning. It could not be learned
whether any loss of life resulted, or what damage was done.
The rain storm culminated in the cloudburst at 5 o'clock this
morning. At Elmoro, six miles north of Trinidad, considerable damage was done,
over 500 feet of track being washed away.
From what can be learned the water reached a height never
before attained at Trinidad, and considerable apprehension is expressed.
The reservoir reported as bursting is located north of the
town on very high ground.
October 1, 1904
TRINIDAD FLOOD LOSS A MILLION
Damage Greater Than First Reported-Loss of Life Not Verified
Trinidad, Colo., Oct. -Although reports continue to be
circulated today that several families have been missing since the flood swept
through the city yesterday no bodies have been recovered and the police
officials announce that they have no reason to believe there was any loss of
life.
The property loss will approximate nearly a million dollars,
being even greater in some instances then first supposed. The damage to the
Colorado and Wyoming railroad is fully $75,000 in addition to the weakening of
the $50,000 bridge at Soprise, which may fail. Two miles of track between
Soprise and Jansen is gone. One thousand feet of Santa Fe track is in the river
at Jansen and the bridge at Starkville is gone. The Colorado and Southern road
bed in Riley canyon is wrecked, twenty four bridges and 10,000 ties having been
washed away.
A special meeting of the City Council was held to-day to
devise measures for the relief of flood sufferers. Construction of a temporary
water main to the south side to replace the mains that were washed away was
begun today.
October 28, 1904
FATAL EXPLOSION IN A COAL MINE
Seventeen Lives Lost In Disaster Near Trinidad, Colorado
Trinidad, Colo., Oct. 28-A report has been received here that
a terrific explosion occurred in the big coal mine at Terco this afternoon and
that every mine in the mine was killed. It is estimated that at least seventeen
men are dead.
The explosion took place in what is known as North mine No.
3, and is believed to have been caused by coal gas. The mine belongs to the
Colorado Fuel and Iron Company.
MINE EXPLOSION KILLS TWENTY
Only One Body Thus Far Recovered in Coal Mine Horror.
Trinidad, Colo., Oct. 29-The Rocky Mountain Coal and Iron
Company's mine No. 3 at Tercio, forty miles west of this city was so badly
wrecked by the explosion which occurred yesterday afternoon that rescuers have
not yet succeeded in penetrating to the point where mines were working.
Estimates of the number of men in the mine at the time vary
from twenty to sixty. They are mainly foreigners and not known to
Americans in the vicinity.
The mine company's officials have no record of the number
working, though it is known that only twenty one men went into the mine
yesterday morning. According to reports which have not been verified many more
men went into the mine in the afternoon. It is regarded as certain that none of
those who were in the mine when the explosion occurred are now alive.
The mine is a sloping tunnel, over 200 feet long. Rescuers
entered the slop as far as room 13, which is 200 feet from the mouth of the
tunnel.
They succeeded in reaching this point only after most
dangerous work and after crawling through many narrow places. At this point they
encountered a solid wall of rock that had fallen from above and closed the
passage. Room 26, where most of the miners are supposed to have been working, is
600 feet from the mouth of the tunnel or 400 feet beyond the point to which the
rescuers penetrated. Only one body has been recovered, that of T. Doran, a
driver, who was just entering the tunnel when the explosion took place and who
was terribly burned.
"The report that sixty men were in the mine at the time of
the explosion is untrue," said Coroner Sipe, after visiting the scene of the
accident.
"I believe there are twenty entombed in the mine and that all
are dead, I think the explosion which caused the roof of the mine to cave in,
was a dust explosion. The mine is well ventilated without artificial devices. No
bodies were recovered last night.
"The mine is burning and many of the bodies may be cremated,
thus making it impossible to ascertain exactly the number in the mine."
There were only two Americans in the mine, George Brandenburg
and John Hatton. The others were Slavs and Mexicans.
MANY ELKS HAVE NARROW ESCAPE
Train Carrying Hundred of Texans Runs Into Landslide and Engine and Two Cars Are
Derailed
Trinidad, Colo., July 16-Passenger train number seven on the
Colorado and Southern railway, carrying hundreds of Texas Elks to the convention
in Denver, was wrecked three miles north of Forbes Junction at an early hour
this morning.
Engineer Martin J. Cullen was killed and Fireman Charles T.
Garroll badly hurt.
That the whole train was not carried into the deep arroyo,
resulting in seriously loss of life in probably due to the fact that it was
running slowly on account of recent heavy rains.
The train ran into a landslide while rounding a curve and the
engine rolled over, carrying the two baggage cars with it. None of the passenger
coaches left the track.
Cullen was caught under the locomotive and his body crushed
to a pulp. Fireman Garroll jumped, thus escaping death. Though severely injured
he walked three miles to Forbes and notified the officials there.
Two special trains from the south carrying Elks to the Denver
convention and held here on account of the wreck and will be delayed for some
time until the track can be cleared.
TWENTY KILLED IN A TERRIFIC MINE EXPLOSION
Women and Children Surround Mine Entrance in Frantic Endeavor to Get News of
Husbands and Fathers.
Trinidad, Colo., Jan. 23-An explosion occurred in a Colorado
Fuel and Iron Company mine at Primero early this morning and 20 mines are
reported to have been killed. It is said the death list may even exceed twenty.
Division Superintendent J. O'Neil with several physicians
left here on a special train at 8 o'clock today for Primero.
The explosion occurred in the main entry and is supposed to
have been caused by a windy shot. The body of Frank Hobat, timberman, has been
recovered.
Great excitement prevails at Primero.
Later reports say the Primero mine is badly caved in and as
yet it has been impossible to gain an entrance. The explosion occurred at 3
o'clock this morning. The miners employed on the night shift are in the habit of
going home any time after midnight when they have taken out the required amount
of coal. This circumstance makes it impossible to learn the exact number of dead
until the mine can be completely explored. It is believed there were at least 20
men in the mine. Women and children are gathering about the mine entrance
seeking for husbands, fathers and brothers.
Miners have been called in from adjoining camps to assist in
the work of rescue. All the dead are believed to be foreigners.
TORN BODIES TAKEN FROM PRIMERO MINE
Rescue Party Works All Night to Recover Men Caught By Explosion.
Death List Is Now Placed At Sixteen
Hardly Possible That Any of Entombed Men Are Still Alive.
Trinidad, Colo., January 24-Heroically at work the rescuing
party has so far succeeded in recovering but four bodies from the Primero mine,
where the explosion occurred yesterday morning.
Following is a list of dead whose bodies have been recovered:
Angelo Pezitti, Fortunato Gracamato, Enrico Stiff--, C. Casagranda.
The missing supposed to be dead in the mine are: J. Reece
Lumley, mine boss; Madisto Formali, Louis and Joseph S-pas, John Tokar, John
Toth, John Toth Jr., M. Omadono, Angelo Maddelena, Robert and John Fatur and
Julius Randolph.
At the local office of the Colorado Fuel & Iron company it
was announced this morning that the rescue party worked all night at the mine
but that little progress was made, owing to the large quantity of wreckage in
the way. The death list is not expected to exceed sixteen. Had the accident
happened in the daytime over 100 mies would have been entombed. It is
believed now that a week or ten days will be consumed in recovering the bodies.
WORK OF RESCUE
Volunteers from adjacent mines are assisting in the work of
rescue. Excitement continues to run high and relatives of the entombed miners
are anxiously awaiting at the entrance of the mine for the sight of any of the
victims that might be brought to the surface.
An effort is being made to force air into the mine in hope
that some of the entombed men may be alive and thus prevent their suffocating.
Late advices are that the mine is badly wrecked, though at this time it is
impossible to determine the exact loss.
SEVEN MINERS MEET DEATH IN TUNNEL
Trinidad, Colo., May 20-Seven miners, including
Superintendent Alexander Jacobs, were burned or suffocated last night in the
Engleville mine at Engleville, Colo. The bodies were recovered during the day.
The men went to work last night, and as they did not come out this morning, an
investigation started. It was discovered that fire which broke out in the mine a
year ago and was still burning in some sections, had suddenly spread and swept
across the incline tunnel, cutting the men off and preventing them reaching the
outside.
The point where the flames crossed the tunnel is fully three
miles from the opening, and it was necessary to dig a temporary tunnel around
the fire in order to reach the bodies of the ill-fated miners.
The Engleville mine is one of the oldest coal producers in
Colorado, having been operated fully thirty years.
June 17, 1907
ONE KILLED, SCORE INJURED IN WRECK
Trinidad, Colo., June 17-Eastbound passenger train No. 8, on
the Santa Fe railroad, was wrecked shortly before noon today near Earl, a small
station twenty miles east of Trinidad, and it is understood one man was killed
and a score of others injured. Details are lacking, but it is believed spreading
rails caused the wreck. A special train, bearing physicians, was sent from this
city to the scene of the wreck at noon. The injured will be taken to the Santa
Fe hospital at La Junta, Colo.
Two men and one woman, probably fatally injured were brought
to the hospital here. They are unconscious and their names are not known. They
had been crushed between the seats. Seven coaches left the rails and the smoking
car was smashed to splinters. The tracks will be blocks at least twelve hours.
Meantime, Santa Fe trains will be transferred to over the Colorado and Southern
road.
LOVER AND GIRL ARE DEAD
Man Suspected of Splitting Open Heads of Four Murders His Sweetheart in
Lonely Place Then Commits Suicide
Trinidad, Colo., Dec. 8-Maggie Garcia, 18 years old, and
Francisco Martines, who was suspected of having murdered the four members of the
Garcia family, who body were found at their home last Friday night with their
heads split open with an axe, were found dead yesterday about 20 miles west of
the Garcia ranch in Las Animas county. Both had been shot in the head.
Apparently Martinez had murdered the girl and the committed
suicide.
A posse located Martinez and the girl Sunday night i a lonely
canon and a guard was placed. Finding escape cut off Martinez killed his
companion, who undoubtedly he had abducted after murdering her parents, and then
blew out his own brains.
Martinez, who had no horses, had forced the girl to walk with
him to the place where they had been found.
Martinez, it has been ascertained, was pardoned a year ago
from the New Mexico penitentiary at Santa Fe, where he was serving a term for
theft. His attention had been refused by Maggie Garcia and he had been ordered
away from the Garcia ranch, 85 miles from Trinidad, in an isolated region. The
quadruple murders at the ranch and the abduction of the girl followed.
November 18, 1909
Fatally Hurt at Football
Trinidaad, Colo, Nov. 17-Ben Bartholemew, 17 years old
probably was fatally injured in a football game today. He was kicked and
internally injured.
November 23, 1910
INQUEST OVER MINERS
Trinidad, Colo., Nov. 22-Inquest into the death of 56 miners
in an explosion at the Starkville mine of the Colorado Fuel and Iron company of
October 8, was begun here today.
Testimony tending to show that the mine was dusty and
imperfectly sprinkled was heard.
November 28, 1910
Stream Causes Miners to Quit
Trinidad, Colo., Nov. 28-A disagreement has arisen in the
severe curtailment of the output of the Frederick coal mine of the Colorado Fuel
and Iron Company the output showing a decline of several hundred tons in the
last three days.
Juan Mestaf a Mexican miner, dreamed a few nights ago that
the mine blew up. He told the story to his fellow workers and in less than an
hour 150 men had quit. Some have returned, but many others have thus far refused
to take up their picks.
January 31, 1911
LAST TRIBUTE PAID
Trinidad, Colo., Jan. 31-Slav and Croatian coal miners from
all parts of this district gathered here today to pay a last tribute to the
memory of the thirty-seven Austrian mine workers who lost their lives in the
Primero mine disaster a year ago today. The ceremonies include the dedication of
a monument at the Catholic cemetery where the victims are buried. More than a
thousand miners marched in the parade to the cemetery.
June 19, 1912
EXPLOSION IN MINE PROVES FATAL TO MANY
Thirteen Men Are Entombed In Hastings Mine, Near Trinidad, Colo.
Main Slope Caved in and Rescuers Having Difficulty in Their Work
Trinidad, Colo., June 19-Thirteen miners are entombed and are
believed to be dead as a result of an explosion in the new slope of the Hastings
mine of the Victor American Fuel company shortly after midnight today. Another
miner, badly injured, has been rescued. The mine is located 16 miles north of
Trinidad.
The main slope is badly caved and rescuers have been able to
make but little progress. Rescue equipment is being rushed to the scene of the
disaster.
Superintendent James Cameron and David Reese, head of the
company's rescue service, are directing the operations of a large force of
rescuers. The officers believe the explosion was caused by a "windy shot" which
set off a quantity of gas. The explosion took place in the new slop of the mine
where development work is in progress. The fourteen men who were in the night
shift were shot firers and entrymen.
General Manager W.J. Murray of Denver has been notified and
started at once for Hastings. The rescue crews of other companies are also on
the ground.
Rescuers who entered the mine early today returned soon
afterward with a Greek, who was badly burned. A number of bodies have been
located. According to the mine superintendent who came out after a hasty
investigation, both of the main slop and the new air course, the only means of
exit, are badly caved. He thinks the thirteen men were killed. Air is now
being forced into the wrecked entry and the rescue parties hope to recover the
bodies within a hew hours.
The Hastings mine is one of the largest produces in the
southern Colorado fields. The new slope is adjacent to the old shop but the
explosion is said not to have damaged the main portion of the colliery.
John Thomas, fire boss, is believed to have lost his life.
The other victims are believed to be foreigners. The new mine taps what is known
as the "B" seam of coal, which lies below "A" seam, or old workings, and which
has been driven a distance of 4,5000 feet. The explosion is believed to have
taken place shortly before 10 o'clock last night. No concussion was felt even in
the immediate vicinity of the mine, and the first warning of the disaster came
when a night watchman saw smoke issuing from the mouth of the new slope shortly
before midnight.
Superintendent Cameron and party succeeded in locating a
number of bodies behind heavy falls and no hope is held out that any are alive.
Those not killed outright died soon after, Cameron believes, from suffocation.
The mine fan was not damaged and the wrecked slope is slowly
being cleared of poisonous gases.
January 8, 1913
COLLIE SAVES LIVES OF TWO
Master Attacked by Hunger Crazed Coyotes and Faithful Dog Fights to Death
Trinidad, Colo., Jan. 8-Fighting to the death, a Scotch
collie dog saved the lives of his two masters, Louis and Samuel Salverno, 10 and
12 years old, respectively, who were attacked by three hunger crazed coyotes on
the snow clad plains 10 miles southwest of here yesterday. The boys were badly
bitten by the infuriated beats and their clothes were practically torn to
ribbons. The dog was so badly lacerated it is dying.
The children had been to an uncle's ranch to get provisions.
Half way over the trail they were attacked by the coyotes. The collie charged
the beasts, killing two and pursuing the third as it sneaked away. The dog is
terribly torn and it is feared it will not survive.
October 13, 1913
WOMEN ARE KIDNAPED
Trinidad, Colo., Oct. 13-Mrs. John Ludwig and Mrs. Matt
Bentgar, wives of miners working at Delagua, were kidnaped today by a party of
women from the strikers' tent colony at Ludlow and are held prisoners, according
to a report issued by the Victor American Fuel company officials this afternoon.
Deputy sheriffs left for Ludlow at once to investigate.
October 14, 1913
KIDNAPED WOMEN FREE
Trinidad, Colo., Oct. 14-The two miners wives kidnaped
yesterday and held prisoners in the coal mine strikers camp at Ludlow are at
Liberty today, having been brought to Trinidad in an automobile by John
McLennan, president of district 15, United Mine Workers.
October 22, 1913
STRIKERS ASSAULT CAMP
Trinidad, Colo., Oct. 22-Strikers today fired on Hastings, a
camp of the Victor-American Fuel company, according to mine officials here. The
fire was returned by guards. No damage was done in the camp and so far as is
known none of the strikers was wound-wounded.
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