Mother Jones,
quoting a mine superintendent:
“Dagos are cheaper than props.”
Hellraisers Journal, Friday January 25, 1907
Near Trinidad, Colorado – Explosion at Primero Mine
From the Cherryvale, Kansas, Daily Republican of January 23, 1907
TWENTY MINERS KILLED.
—–
Explosion in C. F. & I. Mine
at Primero, Colorado.
—–By the Associated Press.
Trinidad. Colo., Jan. 23.-An explosion occurred in the Colorado Fuel and Iron Co., mine at Primero early this morning. Twenty miners, all believed to be foreigners, are reported killed. The explosion was in the main entry and is supposed to have been caused by a windy shot. The roof of the mine later caved in making it impossible for rescuers to enter. Great excitement prevails among women and stricken relatives of the entombed men who are gathered at the mouth of the pit.
—–
From the Kansas Pittsburg Daily Headlight of January 24, 1907:
CAN’T REACH THE BODIES
—–
Bodies of Victims of Primero Mine
Explosion Still Entombed
—–
Death List Will Probably Exceed Twenty-
Nearly All the Victims Italians.
—–Trinidad, Col, Jan 24-The rescue party which has been at work since yesterday when the explosion occurred at the Primero mine of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Co, have as yet been unable to reach the bodies of all the victims.
It is certain that over twenty have perished or are entombed, either living or dead, in the mine.
The known dead:
R. J. LUMLEY, fire boss.
FRANK HOBATT, timberman.
FOURTEEN ITALIAN MINERS, names not ascertained.It is claimed by the company that these sixteen men were all that were in the entry which blew up, but it is believed that there are at least half a dozen others entombed in the shaft.
The rescue party worked all night but little progress was made owning to the large quantity of wreckage in the way. Four bodies all those of foreigners, have been recovered so far. Twelve others are known to be dead.
Occurred When Shift Changed.
The explosion occurred in the main entry when the day shift was going to work. A large number of miners were in the entry when the unexpected blast occurred.
The mine is badly caved in and as yet it has been impossible to explore the entries. The miners employed on night shift are in the habit of going home at 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.
Miners have been called from adjoining camps to assist in the work of rescue. All the dead are believed to be foreigners. The exact cause of the explosion has not been determined yet.
Division Superintendent Robert O’Neil with several physicians left here on a special train for Primero.
Ten Killed Outright.
More than ten men were killed outright. Others were pinioned under huge quantities of debris.
The names of the men killed have not been learned. All the men except Lumley were foreigners, most of them being Italians.
Primero is 20 miles west of Trinidad, and is one of the most important coal camps of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Co.
Won’t let News Out.
The company owns the only telegraph wire connecting with the camp and will allow no news concerning the disaster to be sent except to the company’s office. The Colorado Telephone company has a telephone to the camp but the Primero office is in the fuel company’s store, and the employes there are not permitted to give any information.
———-
SOURCES
The Daily Republican
(Cherryvale, Kansas)
-Jan 23, 1907
https://www.newspapers.com/image/117819439/
The Pittsburg Daily Headlight
Pittsburg, Kansas
-Jan 24, 1907
https://www.newspapers.com/image/94735568/
IMAGES
Primero Mine Explosion, Ottawa (KS) Dly Rpb, Jan 24, 1907
https://www.newspapers.com/image/76963684/
See also:
Colorado Fuel and Iron Company: Primero Mine Explosion of 1907
http://usminedisasters.com/saxsewell/primero_news_only.htm
For local reporting and list of victims:
http://www.kmitch.com/Huerfano/primero.html