Carlisle, WV Coal Mine Gas Explosion, Feb 1915
Posted April 4th, 2012 by Stu Beitler
TWENTY MINERS DIE IN EXPLOSION.
BECAUSE SHAFTS AND CAGE ARE INTACT 160 MINERS ESCAPE.
(By Associated Press.)
Fayetteville, W. Va., Feb. 6 — Twenty miners were killed and 169 escaped death in an explosion in the Carlisle mine of the New River Coal Company today. That so many men escaped after being entombed was due to the fact that cage and shaft were not damaged. While many were brought out by the cage and shaft were not damaged. While many were brought out by the cage, some managed to climb out through the air shafts. Four men were rescued by searching parties who penetrated the mine soon after the explosion which is believed to have been due to the ignition of a pocket of gas from a miner’s lamp. One of the rescued men, suffering from burns, was sent to a hospital.
Six bodies were found by the searchers near where the explosion occurred. The names of the dead have not been ascertained. It is reported the interior of the mine was damaged only slightly and that operations can be resumed within a few days.
A more extended search of the mine late today, after the clearing away of debris, led to the finding of 14 more bodies. All had been killed by the afterdamp, while at work.
State mine inspectors, who took charge of the mine, learned that 180 men had gone into the workings this morning.
All of the victims were of foreign birth or negroes.
Logansport Journal-Tribune Indiana 1915-02-07
Listing of the Casualties:
MARTIN CHILDERS, Negro.
SAM WALDON, Negro.
JESSE WADE, Negro.
DAN GRAVELY, Negro.
CLEM JONES, Negro.
CHARLES MULLINS, Negro.
BOWDEN SANDERS, Negro.
ENOS (ENNIS) STOVALL, Negro.
HENRY WOODIE, Negro.
PHIL (BILL) JONES, Negro.
HARRY (HENRY) WARREN, Negro.
TOM WALTERS (WALDRON), Negro.
HENRY CLARK, Negro.
ALEX CRYDER, Negro.
CLAYTON (PEYTON) CRYDER, Negro.
JOHN ROXIE (ROCKIE), Hungarian.
JIM LUSTER, White, Mine Foreman.
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!
NEW RIVER/CARLISLE
February 6, 1915
“Death to Twenty in Carlisle,” Fayette Tribune And Free Press, 2-11-1915
“License of Carlisle Bosses Revoked,” Fayette Tribune And Free Press, 2-15-1915
“Mine Officials Charged With Negligence,” Fayette Tribune And Free Press, 2-18-1915
Wolford Family in the Ohio Region of the Northwest Territory 