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r.RliATCOLLIHRVnXPLOSIOX

§ppiiigLili, flom §eofta,

MiBRUARY ji. iS,,,.

't
I

11. 1. Pakikli.ars oI' riiF, Gki;Ari>r Mi.\[\(
l)i->\Mi;i< IN Canada, with \ 1)Kii;i-

1 )i;S(:kIl'ri()N AND I IlSli iRicAi,

Skkt( II (i|. riti.: Spkixc-

IIII.I. CMl,i,ii:Kii;s.

/V7>V./V///;/i /,'!'

H. A. Mcknight,

SPRILGHILL, N. S.

)

PRICE 25 CENTS.

Si'Kisi;nir,i. Niius Pjunt,

Kntered ^cronling to Act ,,f I'nrliaiiiunt .,f

( aiMila, III ilic

In H. A, McKXIOIIT,

year iSyi,

In the Office ..f ilie Minister of At;

n. iiltiire, at ( )tt.-i

W»*"i*«("l"^«w»*tiW«^W5»*^

AT THE MORGUE AWAITI

MORGUE AWAITING IDENTITY,

INTRODUCTION.

The Inlldwing description of the (ire:i( ColHery I^xplo-
sion at Sprini^hill, l)y which one huiKlred and twenty-five
nu-n and Ijoys lost their lives, is the most complete and
trustworthy obtainable. This account of the scenes which
followed -the direful calamity is puljlished on the spot
and is strictly accurate.

H. A. Mcknight,

rublisluv.

Si'KiNcnu.i.,

jolli March. /Sy/.

^^OSl^

iiii;

Sl'RIXCIIILL COLLlliKIHS.

The largest in Canada,

Are situated in ruiiilierlaiul rcninty, Nova Scotia, and are
coniiLCted with the Intercolonial Railway by a branch road
five miles loni^. The Collieries, three in number, are owned
and operated by the Cumberlaiul Railway and Coal Co'y,
which is composed of Montreal cajjitalists, and represents
invested capital of o\er Si, 000,000. This Com])an\' jjur-
chased, in 1.SS2, the Miniiii^ property at Sprin,<;hill, and tlic
Railway, extending to the shippini:;- port of I'arrsboro, from
St. John capitalists, by whom the coal tukl had been
profitably de\-eloi)id for ten years previously.

Since becomin,^- the property of the present owners the
capacity of the Collieries has been doubled. The average
daily output exceeds 2,000 tons, and it has occasionally
risen to 2,300 tons. The number of persons eniployed is
from thirteen to fourteen hundred. This small army of
workmen finds steady employment minint; and preparing
coal for shipment. The shipment of such large quantities
of coal, indirectly affords many others means of earning a
livelihood. The total (juantity of coal shipped since the
Collieries were oi)ened in 1873, is about 3,500,000 tons.
The underground workings are very extensive ; and already
three lifts have been exhausted, and the depth of No. r
Slope is I, goo feet, while preparations are now being made
to increase it to 2,500 feet. The supply of coal, however,
on the authority of geologists competent to form an accurate
estimate, is said to be practically inexhaustible.

The facts recited convey an idea of the extent of the
mining operations, and a description of the different seams
and methods of working will assist in understanding what
loUows. Three seams of coal, from ten to twelve feet in
thickness, are now worked, while smaller seams have not
yet been touched. These seams dip in a northerly direction

6 Springhill Colliery E.xplosioi.

at an anj^;le of 35''. The surface outcrop of each seam is
about 500 feet above sea level, and l)eginnin_t>- at the outcrop
three slopes have been sunk. The west seam underlies tlie
east, from which it is separated by seventy feet of rock,
and the top, or north seam, is separated from the east by
about 160 feet. By holding in a standing position three thin
pieces of wood, and imagining the intervening space to be
stratified ri>ck, and at a certain depth tunnels driven through
the rock connecting the seams, a clearer idea of the under-
ground workings may be obtained.

r.AST si.oi'i;, siiouiNc; dimi'

THE EXPLOSION.

Two sloi)es, Nus. I and 2, were at work on Saturday,
February 2iHt, 1S91. Owing to lack of sufhcient empty coal
cars in which to transport the output, No. 3 Slope was idle.
The pits had been carefully examined, and the reports of
the examiners for the previous night stated that the work-
ings were free from gas. Work began at the usual time, 7

Spri)ighiil Col/icrv I'^.vp/osioi.

JA.'n

o'clock, a. m., and continued without any misliap up to
12 o'clock, noon, when there was a cessation of lialf an
hour for dinner. The machinery was attain put in operation
at half-past twelve, and everything was ruiniing smoothly,
when suddenly the loud roar of a terrific explosion startled
those underground, and was felt on the surface by a tremor
of the earth.

Nos. [ and 2 Slopes, ff)r purposes of ventilation, were
connected by a tunnel at the 1,300 foot level. In No. 2
Slojie the explosion extended a short distance through this
tunnel, but in iSo. 1 Slope it swept along the 1,900 foot level
a considerable distance. I^ye-witnesses describe it as pre-
ceded by a sudden gust of wind, which swept like a tornado
through the dark [lassages, hurling timbers and clouds of
dust and Hying missiles before it. This was followed in a
few seconds Ijy balls of tire, large and small, and then came
a solid body of fierce flame that filled the passages, and
literally roasted everything in its jxith. Those near the pit
bottom, nearly half a mile from the supposed seat of the ex-
plosion, alone are left to describe it. Little John Conway,
a driver, was the furthest in the le\el of those rescued, and,
therefore, the nearest to the district where the explosion
originated. His escape was almost miraculous.

Manager Swift luul relie\ed Mr. Conway, and was in
charge of the pit at tlie time, about one o'clock. He went
into the west level half an hour before, and was killed.
Those at the pit bottom were without a leader. They w'ere
the first to venture into the level, which was still thick with
clouds of heated smoke and coal dust. Their names were
James Lambert, Wm. McC.ilvray, Geo. Morrison, Malcolm
Blue, Geo. (3ulton. Wm. Murray, James Ferguson, Joseph
Robinson, Dan. O'Brien, James Miller, and Chas. H. VVeller.
They proceeded to the foot of No. 3 chute, where they dis-
covered some clothing and wood on fire. James Lambert
went up the chute and extinguished the fire, which probably
prevented great damage to property. This party picked up
and carried out a number of the wounded, among whom was
Willard Carter, a 13 year old trapper, whose door was com-
pletely demolished. Cries for help could be heard, and
men, flying for their lives, howling frantically, were met.
At No. 4 Balance, with the assistance of James Harvey and

Spyi)i^/iil/ Colliery Explosion.

John Maiden, who descended from the surface, they rescued
Adolph Landry, who was lying beneath a dead horse, severely
burned. About 40 feet farther cries of " Mother " were heard,
and after removing a dead horse and a (juantity of rubbish,
John Conway, a driver, was found crazctl with the shock
and fright, but unscratched. The wounded, so soon as taken
to the pit bottom, were hoisted rapidly to the surface, and
conveyed to their homes in sleighs, warmly wrapped in
blankets. For the first two hours after the explosion a score
or more of unfortunates were brought up, ten of whom were

Pff!^'-*'''"'^'

KNTK/VNCK TO WH.ST SLOPE.

seriously injured, the others suffering from after-damp. Four
of these have siuLX- died. Medical aid was summoned from
outside places. The response was prom|)t. Doctors Bliss,
Black, Allen, Cami)bell and Hcwson, of Amherst; Atkinson,
Babbitt and Boggs,of I'arrsboro; Dr. McDougall, of Oxford,
together with the colliery doctors. Cove and Hayes, did
everything possible for the alleviation of suffering. The scenes
on the surface, as ixuiic-stricken men made their appearance,

Sprinffhiil CoUioy Explosion. g

and could give no tidings of the missing to grief-stricken
relatives who eagerly surrounded them, beggar description.
To prevent the overly-curious and anxious from drawing too
near, a rope was stretched across the mouth of the pit, and
the entrance to the buildings guarded by policemen. Several
colliery officials, among them Deputy Inspector Madden,
Assistant Manager Mclnnis, and Underground Managers
Conway, Hargreaves, and Simpson, who were on their way
to a meeting of colliery officials at Maccan, were notified,
and at once returned and descended No. i Slope. Under-
ground Manager Conway, assisted by James Ferguson,
Peter Shannahan, and John Tarris, directed his attention to
restoring ventilation with canvas. Bratticing was proceeded
with systematically. Meanwhile, Assistant Manager Mclnnis
led an exploring party to No. 6 Balance, up which he went
a short distance, till overcome by after-damp, he had to be
assisted out. Underground Manager Hargreaves and Cecil
Parsons, civil engineer, pushed their way into No. 2 Slope.
On the levels in No. i Slope several heavy falls were en-
countered, and over these the searching party had to climb
and crawl, sometimes laden with their dead comrades' bodies
spread on a canvas sheet, and carrying their safety lamps
between their teeth. After the wounded had been taken
out, and it became evident that there could be no living
person in the pits, the officials consulted, and ordered the
searching parties to withdraw from the pit for five hours in
order to admit of the circulation of air, and see if there were
any indications of fire, as reported, which might allay fear
ol a second explosion. At six o'clock the men withdrew
from No. i .Slope.

When it became known that the destructive explosion
had extended to No. 2 Slope, a crowd gathered there and
the wounded were speedily taken to the surface. The first
to enter the pit to search for the dead and wounded were
William Reese, Ralph Turner, Malcolm McMuUin, Moses
Jones and Alex. Chisholm. They penetrated through the
tunnel where the after-damp had poured out of No. 6 and 7
Balances into the 1,300 foot level, and saw at once indica-
tions of its deadly effect. Jesse Armishaw accompanied the
party only to find his three sons cold in death. A. A.
McKinnon and Daniel Murray went down to search for

Sprhiqliill Colliery Explosio)i.

McKinnon's brother, whom they found dead on the level,
overcome by the powerful narcotic poison. Amonji^ others
who were the first to ljo to the relit.'f f)f the wounded were
Charles R-'unie, John Matheson, jr., John Moffatt and R. W.
McDonald, all of whom exerted themselves nobly in their
endeavor to succor the dyinq; and the death W'ithin a
c(jmparatively short distance on the k\el, twenty bodies
were found lyin^' on their faces, their safety lamps in their
hands, where they fell as they ran. Some had succeeded in

MANGLED RODIES OF HORSES FROM THE MINES.

running nearly half a mile along the dark, narrow passages,
groping their way probably when they succumbed. Most
of the dead were in the attitude of making violent efforts to
escape, when they became rigid under the influence of the
poison which they inhaled. A little boy named Ross was
found standing with one arm encircling a prop ; he had
been dead for some time. Horses had dropped on their
knees and expired leaning against the side of the levels.

««■■

Springhill Colliery Explosion.

1 1

When it was found that all in this pit were beyond doubt
dead hours before, and that the lives of the searchintr party
niiyht be endangered by proceeding further, they were also
withdrawn.

THE SECOND DESCENT.

At eleven o'clock, Saturday night, a large party ot brave
men descended both No. r and 2 Slopes, and the work of
recovering the dead began. The searching i)arty in No. 2
Slope found ventilation almost perfecdy restored, and were
enabled to carry out those found in the levels. All through
the night the gruesome work went on, and Sunday morning
all the dead, with three exceptions, had been recovered in
this Slope, making 47 for the night. The work was
under the direction of Underground Manager Hargreaves,
who was assisted by Underground Manager Simpson of
No 3 Slope. Large crowds, sorrowful and anxious, watched
with eagerness each load of dead brought u[). At No. i
Slope, owing to the terrific force of the explosion, great
obstacles had to be overcome before the recovery of bodies
coukl be undertaken. The remains of two boys badly muti-
lated were picked up and taken out of the pit in bags. A
young man was found standing where he stood at the time
of the fearful blast, which piled debris around him to the
height of his waist, and where he was probably instandy
killed ik>f()re morning the explorers reached the explosion
district, which was literally covered with dead. The men
appeared as though instandy killed. They were covered
with a lead colored powder, the ash of the burnt coal dust.
They did not seem badly burned. Most of them had their
hands before their faces, to shield them from the fierce
llame. They were t)lown hither and thither by the force of
die explosion. With few excei)tions their faces wore a
peaceful look, and there were evidences of sudden death.
One man had a piec< of bread in his mouth and had not
finished eating his diiuier. Another had his teeth firmly
set upon the amber mouthpiece of his pipe, which had to be
broken to be released from his death grip. Others were
lying beside their picks and slunels. Iron rails were Vm\
up and twisted into every conceivable shape ; stout timbers
snapped like pipe stems, and heavy material driven hun-

Spyiufi/ii/l Colliery Explosion.

dreds of feet by the violence of the explosion, before which
human life could not last for a moment.

Sunday morning the recovery of bodies in No. i Slope
began in earnest, and continued during several days. Owing
to over-exertion, and the effects of after-damp, Underground
Manager Conway was completely prostrated, and his j)lace
taken by Thomas Scott. Entering the pit with Overman
Reese and others, smouldering fire was discovered in No. 2
Bord, No. 6 Balance. This was extinguished with little

.M.\.\.\(ii;K (o\\.\\> Ki.siDi'.Nri-;

ditihculty. Inspector (iilpin and Deputy Inspector Madden
descended No. i Slope, and passed through into No. 2.
They concluded that there would be no further danger from
fire. Volunteers entered the pits hourly, and it was only
during .Sunday forenoon that tlu" appalling extent of the
direful calamity became known. Including two, who died
from injuries, the dead numbered 123, antl with two, who
have died since, the number (jf killed is 125, A complete

Sp>iii!^hiU Cullicry K\ plosion. 1 3

list of the killed, together with those who died from injuries
(marked * ), compiled from official sources, giving: the ages,
and persons dependent on those killeii, is as follows :

N'amb.

Anderson, Arthur
Armishaw, Jesse, Jr.
Armishaw, Herbert
Boyd, John
Bentliffe, John
Brown, William
Bunt, Andrew
Bunt, Alexaniler ,
Bond, George
Birchell, William
Budd, Alonzo
Bainbridge, Ernest
Chandler, Ernest
C'lmpbcll, Donald
Campbell, Alexander
Campbell, John D.
Carter, Reid
Carter, Clarence
*Carter, Willard
Crawford, John
Casey, Jude
Carmichael, Andrew
Carmichael, William
Carmichael, John
Clark, Robert
Conway, James
Connerton, John
Carrigan, William
Collins, Matthew
Dawson, Richard
DaW'Son, Samuel
Dillon, Fred.
Dupee, Joseph
Dunn, John
Davis, Thomas
Ernest, Roger
Eurbow, Samuel
Francis, John
Fife, Hiram
Fletcher, Thomas
Findlayson, Daniel
Guthro, Lazarus

■ Died from injuries,

Agb.

17
21
18
27

39
19
19

27
20
16

47
30
23
50
23
13
20
21

32
21

37
24

^7
35
45
20

17
12

13
15
15

17
35
37
35
38
56

Pbhsons Df.i'endknt on

THOSR KiLI.KU.

Wife.

Wife and 5 children.

Mother.
Mother.

Wife and 7 children.

Wife and 3 children.

Wife and 4 children.

Wife.

Wife and 3 children.

Wife and child.

Wife and 2 children.

Wife and 3 children.

Wife and 6 children.

Wife.

Wife and 2 children.
Wife and 2 children.
Wife and 3 children.
Wife and 4 children.

Springhill Colliery Explosion.

— -

Pkksons Drvendent .in

Namb.

, Age,

THOSE Killed.

Gallagher, Peter

'35

Wife and 3 children.

Gillis, John

Hallet, Thomas

Hannigar, Peter

Hayden, John

Hunter, John

Wife and 4 children.

Hyde, William

Wife and 4 children.

Johnson, James

Kent, William

Wife and 6 children.

Letcher, Frank

Wife and child.

Lockhart, Dan

Wife and 2 children.

Livingston, Henry

Legere, Samuel

'^l

Martin, George

Murphy, Richard

Morrison, Thomas

•

Muckle, Samuel

Maiden, Wm. J.

Morris. James

Wife and 6 children.

Murphy, Jeremiah

Wife and 3 children.

Miller, James, Sr.

Wife and 6 children.

Mitchell, John

Wife and 4 children,

Mott, Ernest

Wife and 2 children.

McKinnoii, Allan

Wife and 2 children.

McKinnon, Angus 2nd.

Wife and 8 children.

McKinnon, John ist.

Wife.

McKinnon, I.aughlin

McEachran, John I).

McKay, A.J.

McKay, Donald 2nd.

Wife and 2 children.

Mc^Tilverv. William 2nd.

2.5

Wife and child.

McKee, VVilliam

: Wife.

McDonald, lohn J.

1 Wife and 4 children.

McDonald, Rory B.

W^ife and 4 children.

McFaddcn, Robert

McPhee, Neil

McNutt, Charles

McLeod, Neil

Mother.

McLeod, Henry

McLeod, Rory

Wife and 2 children.

McLeod, Norman

Wife and child.

McNeil, John F.

Wife and 2 children.

McNeil, Rod. C.

*McNeil, Joshua

*McNeil, NeilS.

McVey, David

, 16

*Died from injuries.

Spr'nighill Collicrv Explosion.

Persons Dki'kniiknt on

Nami:.

A(.E.

rHo>,K KlI.IlK.

McVey, James

Nash, Charles

Wile and child.

■'^Nash, Henry

Wife and child.

Nairn, John

Wife.

Nairn, James

Nairn, Malcohn

Wife.

Noiles, Roger

Wife and 2 children.

Nicholson, Malcolm

Wife antl child.

Overs, James

Pitt, Joseph

Mother.

Pequinot, James

Ryan, Bruce

Mother.

Ross, Philip i

Ross, Murdoch

Reid, Peter

Ripley, Clifford

Rogers, Thomas

Mother.

Robbins, James

Rushton, Stephen

Wife and 4 children.

Robinson, Hugh

Wife and 4 children.

Swift, Henry

Wife and 5 children.

Sherlock, Rol^ert A.

Wife and child.

Shipley, Archibald

Wife and 6 children.

Sharpies, James

W' ife and 3 children.

Simmonds, Howard

Smith, Edward

Taylor, Douglas

Turner, William H.

Wife and 5 children.

Tatterstal, Joseph

Wife and 5 children and Mother

Vance, Alexander

Wife and 4 children.

Watt, David

Wood, George

W'ife and child.

Wry, Henry

Mother.

Wry, Edgar

Wife anil 2 children.

White, Philip B.

Wife and 4 children.

Williams, John

Wife and 6 children.

Wilson, Thomas

Wife and child.

♦Oied from injuries.

mmmmmm

Springhill Colliery Explosion.

THE WOUNDED.

Anoi.i'HUS Laxdrv, 14 years old, a little French boy,
louiid beneath a horse, was painfully burned, and was
delirious for several days. He will recover.

1).\NNIK RoiuNSON, 14 years old, who distinguished
himself by saving a little trapper boy, had his face, head
and arms covered with burns.

David Lii)I>i,f„ aged 22, struck by a flying missile, sus-
tained injuries to his spinal cord that paralyzed the lower

SI'RINtilUI.I. I'ROM rHi: RAII.WAV STATION.

parts of his body. 1 le was afterwards removed to the hos-
pital at Halifax.

James Daniel McDonald, aged 30, was panic stricken,
and after recovery from the effects of after-damp became
demented. Consciousness is slowly returning.

Danill Blatox, 13 years old, was struck by a Hying
missile. His skull was laid bare by a scalp wound and he

Vv"-'t 1

f:''^<!i

Sprin^hill Co/iicty I'l.xp/o.sion.

was badly burned. He was rescued by his brother, aiul is
recovering rapidly.

Cyrus MuNRO.oneof the worst cases oi aUtr-clami), had
a narrow escape. He heard the noise of the txplosioii,
and with his companion, who was sutTocated, riislicd Ironi
his working place. He says he became (piite di/zy, as it
intoxicated, and the after-damp tasted sweet.

Others seriously etfccted by the after-damp were ]ows
Dykf.ns, Daviu Mkrritt. Hyatt Noii.ks, and Joiix B.
Anderson. All have reccnered.

When the list of the dead and wounded was completetl,
it was found that a number of families had been tVar-
fully decimated. In one household the father, Reitl Carter,
and his two sons, Clarence and VVillard, were all dead.
Clarence was to have been married the fust of the Inl-
lowing week, and Willard was killed on his thirteenth
birthday. The family of Fred. Carmichael was sorely
afflicted. Three sons, John, Andrew and William, wcie
killed, and another boy, Gordon, carried home uncon-
scious from the effects of after-damp. Three members of
Jesse Armishaw's family, Jesse and Herbert, and Ernest
Brainbrid^ \ an adopted son, wete taken home at the same
time, all suffocated by after-damp. John N'earing and his
grown up sons, Malcolm and James, wt're laid low. Tin y
were all miners, and worked in the vicinity of the seat of
the explosion. In several other lamilies two of the bread-
winners were snatched away. Richard Dawson and his
son Samuel worked together, and their bodies were found
within a few feet of each other, covered by stone, with the
exception of their heads, which could be seen. Two young
sons of Hugh Bunt, who were assisting in the supi)ort of a
large family, were killed. Their names were Andrew and
Alexander. Neil Ross lost two sons, Philip and Murdoch ;
and the family of Robert McVey was reduced by the death
of his two boys, James and David, who were found clasped
in each others arms, overcome by the choke damp. Two
brothers, Allan and Laughlin McKinnon, were killed.
Donald Campbell, the father of a family of seven children,
worked with his nephew, John D. Campbell The body of
John D. was found lying across that of his uncle. A young
man of strong physique, Alexander McKay, worked in the

.\/'/ /i/i;///// Collin \ li\f>losion.

pit only a coupli- (jf days, and was numbered with the
dead. A lnoken hearted lather, Oliver Dupois, whose son
josepii was killed, was ttMulerlv conveying the remains to
liis house. His lour year (jld boy ran out to mei-t him,
slipi)cd on the iec, and struck his head so violently in fallinj^
that he expired instantly. The grief of the little family was
\i'ry s^reat, and the sad event added to the gloom which
overspread the community.

rwff-

(;oiN(; TO Tin-: (toietkrv.

THE SEARCH.

Though the absence of Ihx' made the work of recovering
the bodies tolerably easy and safe, yet, owing t(j the tiinl)ers
for the support of the roof being in many cases blown out,
access to the working places where the men were suddenly
killed was rendered somewhat dangerous, and many of the
dead were buried beneath immense quantities of roof stone

p^^^*^^"

ARRIVAL AT THE MORGUE OF BODl

iiMMfeMi

-Tv^ Mr~t ! *?'" y- "^'

RGUE OF BODIES FROM THE PITS.

Spn')ifiiii// Colliery I\xfylo<;ion.

that had caved in. The search, h()\ve\er, was prosecuted
with tlie utmost \i,ii;or, and with s^reat success. Two and
three bodies were brought up at a time during Sunday, and
the crowd which surrounded tlie Slopes' mouth made way
in silence for the men who carried some poor victim on
tlieir shoulders, wrajjped in a sheet or blanket, with only
the boots visil)le at one end to denote that another human
being had gone to rest. The bodies were all taken to the
carpenter shoi), which was used temporarily as the morgue.
There, on two rows of benches, from si.xtcen to twenty
could sometimes be seen at one time awaiting identification.
The sights within the large building, illuminated at night by
the electric light, were sickening. The door was closely
guarded. Outside, sleighs awaited the bodies, which were
first strii)])cd of the clothiiig worn at the time of the accident,
prepared for burial, and then conveyed to their former
homes. This work was most trying, aiul few men could
stand it longer than a few hours. 'I"he men hail to be con-
stantly refreshed with stimulants. .Spectators surrounded
the building, and those unable to gain admittance, an.xiously
peered through the windows. The dead were identified
amid most pathetic scenes. Fathers wept piteously over
sons, and widowed mothers and wi\'es ulteretl Ijitler wails
of anguish as they were taken to the side of a co\ered body,
which proved to be the lost one. " That's poor dear John,"
was the broken-hearted cry heard as a grief-stricken woman
leaned for support on the arm of a friend and itlentified her
relative. These tragic scenes among the deatl will never
be forgotten by hundreds who looked in upon the rows of
corpses. From Saturday atternoon till Thursday evening
— five long days — this building was ne\er closed. During
that time the bodies were taken up and buried. Those re-
cox'cretl after Tuesday were in a bad state, and carbolic
acid had to be used as a disinfectant. .Still the attendants
continued faithful. Bodies that had begun to decompose
had to be at once interred. Some of these were in places
not accessible earlier, and those found beneath falls of stone
were well preserved. The last to come out ot the ill-fated
pit was that of Henry Swift, the Manager of the Collieries.
His remains were found near the face of the 1,900 foot level,
covered by nearly three feet of stone.

Sprin^/ii// Co/fiery lixplosion.

THE FUNERALS.

No services were held, except short ones in the ICpiscojxil
and Roman Catholic Churches, on Sunday, the day after
the explosion. Throughout the precedinf,^ ni^ht few of the
inhabitants of the town sle[)t, and at day break many were
astir. The clert^ynien of the different denominations moved
anions the bereft widows and children and offered conso-
lation; but the whole population centred its thoujjht on the

I.i:.\VING THE CHtlRCH.

tragic scenes that attended the recovery\)f bodies at No. i
Slope Anxiety was depicted on the faces of even strangers
by whom the town was thronged. Sunday evening admass
meeting was held in Fraser's Hall ; Mayor Hall presided.
Arrangements were made for the funerals. P'or the pur-
pose of attending to the burials, and relieving the stricken
families of care, a committee was appointed to attend to the

Springhill Colliery Explosion.

digging' of the gra\es and to appoint the time of funerals.
Sub-committees at the cemetery and at headquarters in
town assisted greatly. The digging of graves was difficult,
owing to the earth being frozen hard. Volunteers were
called for, but it was found on Monday that little progress
had been made, and at another meeting held Monday even-
ing, another call was made for more volunteers. Tuesday
morning the grave diggers faced blustery weather, and at-
tacked with greater success the frozen earth. \ lot coftcc and
other refreshments were provided for the workers, near the
cemetery. When more than one member of a family were
to be buried, they were buried side by side in one grave.
Two and three were laid in several graves, made large
enough for this purpose. The strangers were buried in a
large grave sixteen feet square. The funerals began Mon-
day afternoon, and continued every day till Friday. It was
not an unusual sight to see two and three coffins on a sleigh
followed by sorrowing relati\es. At times the Clergymen
of different dennminations conducted burial services simul-
taneously in different parts of the cemetery. The resident
Clergy were assisted by others. Twd members of the 93id
battalion Band, Jesse Armisiiaw and Thomas b'letcher,
were\ictims of the exi^losion ; the band i)layed at their fune-
rals Tuesday. Monday afternoon one long procession
followed ele\'en of the dead to the cemetery. The funerals
each day were: Monday, 33 ; Tuesdaw ,S3 ; Wednesday,
14; Thursday, 3 ; Friday, i. besides these funerals, the
remains of 21 were taken by rail to other places for burial.
The committee appointed to look after the funerals were
F. L. Peers, Wm. Wylie, U. J. Weatherbee, (ieo. A. .Smith,
William Cargeig, A. D. Ferguson, James Murphy, James
Highton, Martin Black and Robert Dykens. At the Pro-
testant cemetery, .Samuel Russell and John Murray, sr.
directed operations, and at the Roman Catholic cemetery,
Thomas Shannahan attended to the placing of the graves,
of which there were over twenty. Several funerals were
conducted by the different Societies, among them the Odd-
fellows, Orangemen and Masonic lodges. The funeral of
Manager Swift, P'riday afternoon, was of the nature of a
public funeral ; it was largely attended. The procession
was nearly three-quarters of a mile long, and the streets

Springhill Colliery li.xplosion.

were lined by luiiKircds of sorrowful people, many of whom
followed thf remains on foot to the i^-rave. The Masons
took charj^e of the remains, which were buried accordiiig- to
their rites. The jtrocession was headed hy the 93rd Bat-
talion Hand, reinforced by members (jf the Cumberland
Cornet Band, and played a mournful dirt>e. The closing
scene of the calamity will long be memorai)le.

HEROISM.

There were many instances of heroic conduct. Those
who disiilaycd the coolest courage, and faced the greatest

^,, -■'%'*"

A LONELY I'UNEKAL.

dangers, were Mie men who, momentarily expecting a second
explosion, risked their own lives for the sake of their
wounded comrades, whose plaintive cries for help fell upon
their ears. They penetrated the smoking levels as far as
they could without endangering their lives from the choke-
damp, which met them after proceeding about half a mile.
When the first party left the pit-bottom they were accom-

spring hi 11 Colliery Explosion.

panied by John Dan Beaton, whose thirteen-year-old brother
was working not far from the scene of the explosion. When
nearing the place where his brother was supposed to be,
young Beaton — who is seventeen years old — dashed ahead,
and was soon met carrying his wounded brother toward
the pit bottom. He declined assistance offered him, and
succeeded in taking out his brother severely wounded.
Beaton's heroism is greatly admired.

Little Dannie Robertson, though badly burned himself,
assisted little Judson Tarris, a ten-year-old trapper, to make
his escape. Robertson was badly burned about the back,
arms and face.

Malcolm Blue and Joseph Robinson exerted themselves
nobly for the rescue of their comrades, antl succeeded in
carrying out many of the wounded. Robinson was more
than once overcome by after-damp, but never gave up.

Assistant Manager Mclnnis pushed ahead too far and
fell. Me was assisted out by those who were with him.

Underground Manager Conway displayed great cool-
ness, and at once exerted himself to render the work of
recovering the dead less dangerous.

Overman Reese rendered most heroic service, which was
gratefully ajjpreciated by at least one of those rescued, who
has shown his appreciation of such a noble act.

J. R. Cowans, the General Manager of the Company,
who had just returned from Montreal, did not hesitate to
descend No. i .Slope, and see for himself the extent of the
disaster.

Rev. David Wright went down No. 2 .Slope, and re-
freshed the exploring part}- with hot cottee.

On the surface, while there was a possibility of fire.
Deputy Inspector Madden ])laced thermometers in the
return air shafts, which registered the temperature of the
pits. These were frequently examined, and any change of
temperature carefully noted. These and other observa-
tions were taken as a guidance for the men. The Deputy
Inspector was present from a short time after tlie explosion
took place, and stated that in his experience at four
coliierv explosions, he had never observed greater spon-
taneity on the part of volunteers. When appealed t(j, the
response of the men was hearty. Many were disappointed

Spyi)i^hill Colliery lixplosion.

because their services were declined, owing to the number
who were anxious to descend to succor their icllow- work-
men. From ten to fifteen men went down in each searching
party, and these were relieved hourly.

SYMPATHY AND RELIEF.

Sunday afternoon a meeting of prominent citizens, Town
Council, rcprescntati\e workmen and Clergy, tt)ok place, at

A SAD SCENE IN THE CEMETERY.

which it was decided to issue an appeal for aid for the
sufferers. The appeal, which was as follows, was telegraphed
free by the telegra])h companies to the principal cities of
Canada and the United .States:

A minin,^; disaster. atlendt;tl with fatal results unparallelled in
the history of Canadian mines, lias fallen upon the town and
peo|)!e of .Spririi;hill. The loss of life is prul)aljl3- as ^leat as the
conil)ined appallini;- loss at the Dniinniond and Iniord pit explo-
sions. About 117 lives are known to be lost. Fifty-one widows
have been left behiiul, and 157 children made fatherless. The
widows and fatherless will reciuire alnuidaiit assistance, and that

Springhill CoUicry lixplosion.

•

^^.•^

promptly, from a pul)lic ^lluckl'(l and liorrilk'd l)y lliis liorrible
calamity. Seventy tliousaiul dollars will he rtHpiirnd to niLC-l the
demands and to alleviate the sul1'erin,<;s of the bereaved and dis-
tressed tinriii};- the most i)ressin,L; period ol" their direful misfor-
tune. The residents of Sprin,L;liil1, in meeting assembled, have
appointed a committee, consistin.n of the Mayor, Town Council,
and all the resident Cler^^y, to soli<-it and acknowled|;e subscrip-
tions to the .Siirin.uhill Relief lund, and tln-y conlidently and
earnestly ask for an mimediato response of all denominations,
societies, guilds, trades, and nationalities.

Wii.i.iANt IIai.i., A/avDr.

A. Mtl,i:< )i>, Si'i /■('/(! ly.

The response to the appeal has been hi.uhly j^nitifying,
and it is expected tlial the amount asked tor will he sub-
scribed. Among those who contrilnited was Oueen Victoria,
who also sent a tcleg-ram concerning the loss ol" life and the
wounded, asking lor particulars, to which Mayor tlall
replied. The Governor General subscribed S500, and other
amounts followed.

Since the appeal was issued several names have been
added to the list, making 125 deaths. The number of i)er-
sons dependent on those killed is 57 widows, 169 fatherless
children, and S widowed mothers. These will be provided
for out of the relief fund.

THE INQUEST.

Coroner Dr. C. A. Black, of Amherst, began his inquest
Monday evening, February 23rd, in Fraser's Hall. The
twelve jurors sworn were: William Hall (foreman), A. E.
Fraser, Richard Piennett, Robert V. Scott, George Watt,
Daniel Coghill, R. W. McDonald, Timothy Leadbeater,
Daniel Ferguson, Robt. Gray, Charles Simpson, and Simon
Fraser. After viewing the remains of John Connerton, the
jury visited the scene of the explosion, descending No. i
Slope for that purpose.

The inquest continued during Tuesday, and was then
adjourned till March loth. The workmen were ably rei)re-
sented by Robert Drummond. Inspector Gilpin watched
proceedings for the Government, and Hector }fclnnis, of
Halifax, on behalf of the Comjiany.

Voluminous evidence was submitted. From the begin-
ning it was asserted that the explosion was caused by coal
dust, and took place in No. 3 Bord of No. 7 Balance. It

Sprin^i^hill Collioy hlxplosion.

w.ns also broui^ht out in the cxiclence that it had hcen cur-
rently rcporti-'d tliat Mrs. (\i(), a reputed prophetess of
niininm^ tlisasttrs. had |)redicted an explosion in May, which
had causeil a feelinjr ol' uneasiness amoni; the men. Manager
Swilt consulted I'ndermround Mana,t;cr Conway re^ardin^q;
this, and to ri'assure die men ol" the sat'ety ot tlu' pits, they
were invited t(j make a thorough inspection. This they

A niKlAL.

did. Wm. I). Matthews and Thomas .Scott, who examined
No. I Slope, i)resenletl the following; report:

"We, tlie undersigiied C<Mnniittee, appointed l)y I'ionier lx)clge
to e-Naniiiie No. i Slope, in accordance witli tlic- law, as contained
in the Mines Regulation Act, snbniil llie lollowiiii; Report: On
enterint; the Mine at 6.4a a. ni. we were met i)y W'ni. Conway,
Underground Manager, who accompanietl us through the work-
ings and |)rincii)ai airways, and we are jileased to state that the
ventilation is all tiiat could be desired, both in distribution and
quantity, and the workings generally we found in good condition.
'I"lu; system of ventilation is such that it is almost impossible for
gas to accumulate even in the goafs, a sullicient current of air

Sp I /f/j^ h ill L 'oilier} • li i plos ion .

beinj^carrifd to ki'tp tiu'in clear. In visitiiif;; N'os. 6 and 7 I'.alanccs,
west side, main seam, we found tlie places very dry ami dusty, and
the air in a condition, from tlie (juantity of ilnst lloatini; in the air.
to make it a possible source of dan.t;er, whicli iiossilijluy, Imucxcr.
is rendered nil l)y ;i system of water woiks curviii!.; uatti- to cadi
hord, and uidi a liose attaciied for sprinklinj; and damjinii; the
places. In fact, we find cver\ tliin.i; as afoiisaid in 'j^tunl ordci' lor
safety."

Evidence was adduced to shrnv tliat the district in which
the explosion occurred had been inspected by the (",o\ern-
rnent InsjK'ctor, Mr, Madden, tlie day before the explosion.
He found it in oood condition. It was also shown that
precautionary measures had been adopted for the safety of
the jMts that weri' not known in other collieries.

After the adjournnient of the in(iuest, the Ins[)ect(n- of
Mines began a searching investii;ation into the cause of the
disaster, and tiie system (jf workini; the pits. Tart of the
evidence taken by him was put in at the Coroner's intpiest.
The inquest was resumed March ioth,and lasted two da\s.
All the evidence was in at five o'clock of Wednesday, the
nth, and, after three hours' consideration, the ibllowiny
verdict was unanimously agreed u[)on :

''The Jury do say upon tluir o.itli tiiat tlu- late Jolni Connertoii
and others came to their deatii by an exjilosion which ori,iL;inated
in No. 3 Piord of Xo. 7 ISalance, in the west side of the Kast .Slope
on the 2ist of February, 1S91. Tliey further believe said e.\i)losion
was caused by the llame from a sliot fued in said ISord i.nnilin^;
coal dust, and a certain portion of gas whicii mii^iit have been
present at the time. They also believe that there was an unusual
tiame from the said shot owiui;- to a slip in the stone. They believe
the ex|)losion was accidental, that no blame can be attached to
the management, and th.it they iiave taken every iirec.'Uilioii for
the safety of their workmen. 'I'he jurors do make the following
recommendations: first, that in future, where safety lam|)s are
used, and in very dusty jilaces, [lowder sliould not be allowed.
.Second, they recommend that in gaseous pt)rtions of the mine,
before the men resume work after dinner, the places should be
examined by competent ofHcials. Third, they recommend that
the local government procure for the use of the Deputy Inspector
of Mines a .Shaw machine for testing gas."

THE LATE MANAGER SWIFT.

HENiiY SwiiT, the late Manager of the .S[iringhill
Collieries was a self-made man. He was born at Bicker-
staffe, Lancashire, England. His fother was a miner, and

S/>r/fii^//f7/ CoUicty Ii.\/>losion.

atU.T ixxcivinj; a meagre education at llic Natidii.il School,
yf)iin},f Swilt entered tlic employ of the Rainford Coal
Company. In iSo^ he Ictl ICnglaiid ior the rniitid States,
wlure he w Hiked as a miner in the anthracite coal region,
attciuard going to Maryland.

Mr. .Swift (lid not reniain long in the States, lie removed
to the .Albion .Mines, Tictou County, when: he was married.
He then came to .Springhill, and for si.xteen years hekl
various positions in tiie colliery here, beginning as a miner
and ending as manager.

Mr. .Swift was 42 year old at the time of his death. His
wife and live children survive him. He was Vice-I'rcsident
(if the Xova .Scotia Institute of Mine ( )fticials, and took a
deep interest in mining subjects. Ten years ago he was
appointed a Justice of the Peace. He was a memljer of the
rresbyteri-in Church, and for manv years had been .Secre-
tary of the Congregation.

The Colliery I'jigineer of .Scranton, I'a., referring to Mr.
Swift's untimely death, says :

" hi llif (leatli iif Iliiuy .Swift, llie late manager of tlie C'lini-
herlaiid Railway and Coal Coiiii)aiiy, the miiiini; fiat' rnity of .\i)\a
Scotia loses one of its brightest lights. Mr. .Swift met his death
in the sail .Springhill calamity while in the pursuit of his ofticial
duties. While the loss (if each of the victims was to his own
immediate friends and family just as great as that of ^b■. .Swift,
the hitter's attainments and liie prominent position which he filled
so skilfully and .icceptably, makes more than a passing n(Aice of
his vlealh necessary. While we never had the i)leasure of Mr.
.Swift's ac(iuaintance, we knew him through corres|)ondence and
ri_pute. Professionally, he ranked very high as a successful col-
liery manager, and he possessetl the good-will and respect of all
Ills subordinates, as well as the confidenct; and esteem of his
superior officers in the directory of the Com|)aiiy. When this is
said of a man who has managed successhilly interests ;is large as
lliose of the Cuml)erland Railway and C(jal Company, and has
had control of a small army of workmen, it furnishes such an
inde.x of his ch.iracter and attainments that nothing more need
hu said."

4^' 4

i I
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DATEDERETOUR