Violent Mine Explosion

The following details have been obtained about the mine disaster last night: About six o'clock a violent explosion occurred at the Vale colliery, six miles from here, in the new slope which was being sunk at the McLean seam, and flames from burning gas came rushing up the main slope.

There are supposed to have been [...] men in the pit at the time of the explosion. After several efforts a large number succeeded in reaching [...] and were brought to the surface alive.

All with the exception of a few slightly injured were [...]. Shortly before anything else could be done, the [...] were sought and brought up. All the horses, eleven in number, were killed outright. The damage to the [...] was not nearly so great as was at first [...].

Thirteen men were in the colliery at the time of the explosion. The others have been taken out alive. Some of them are badly injured. Most of the victims leave families. The explosion took place about [...] feet from the surface. The exact cause is not yet known.

It appears that the ordinary open lamps were used instead of safety lamps, because of the absence of any suspicion of the existence of gas in that locality. The Vale seams have been operated since 1873, and during all that time no accident of any moment has occurred from explosions.

The wounded men are doing well and are out of immediate danger, with one or two exceptions.