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Hellraisers Journal – Friday March 29, 1912
Jed, West Virginia – Eighty-Three Coal Miners Entombed
From The Fairmont West Virginian of March 26, 1912:
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(By United Press.)
WELCH. W. Va., March 26.-Eighty-three men are entombed in the mine of the United States Coal and Coal Company at Jed, three miles from here.
An explosion of gas occurred in the mine at 7:30 o’clock this morning. Eighty-six men were at work and only three were able to reach the out- side.
Following the explosion after damp pervaded the entire workings of the mine making it impossible for immediate rescue work to be begun.
Deputy State Mine Inspector Arthur Mitchell arrived from Bluefield an hour after the explosion occurred.
Miners who had worked during the night and had gone home were roused and formed rescue parties.
It is possible that some of the imprisoned men may have escaped the explosion and may have reached a part of the mine not penetrated by the after damp.
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GOVERNMENT RESCUE ARE ON SCENE.
WASHINGTON, March 26.-Immediately after learning of the Jed mine disaster the United States Bureau of mines ordered two special rescue cars full of equipment to be sent to the aid of the entombed miners. The Pittsburg rescue crew is also enroute. Car No. 7 is reported to be only an hour’s run from the mine. The Pittsburg car is under the direction of Mining Engineer Dike.
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MINE WORKED DAY AND NIGHT.
The Jed mine worked day and night shifts employing about a hundred and fifty men, both whites and negroes.
The mine was worked on a non-union basis.
When news of the explosion spread, women and children gathered at the mouth of the mine and refused to leave, hysterically urging the the rescue parties to greater efforts.
It is not believed the mine workings are on fire.
It is thought some men may have reached pockets where they were working and closing up openings in the pockets of the main shaft may be safe.
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[Emphasis added.]
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