Preparing Mine for Operation
Coal from No. 1 Mine Likely to Be Coming Forth Within a Week
Coal from No. 1 Mine Likely to Be Coming Forth Within a Week
Monday morning a large crew of workmen entered Frontier Mine No.1 to prepare it for operations as soon as possible. From the time of the explosion until Monday, the mines of the Kemmerer Coal Co. had been closed. The mine where the explosion occurred was not damaged greatly by the blast, although the stoppings and bratties were partly carried away.
This week is being devoted to cementing up stoppings, and erecting brattices, and in every way preparing the mine for proper circulation of air, preparatory to resuming operations, which may begin early next week.
Next to Greatest
With the exception of the Hannah mine explosion in 1903, when the lives of 159 miners were lost by a gas explosion, the Kemmerer disaster is the greatest mine catastrophe in the history of the state. The No. 1 Hanna, where a terrific explosion took place in 1903, was a particularly dangerous mine in which to work. Again in 1908 there was an explosion there which took 59 lives. Frontier No. 1 mine at Kemmerer, where last week's disaster took place , is not considered particularly dangerous, although all the mines in this district generate considerable gas and damp. The greatest loss of life ever recorded here was about seven years ago when seven miners were killed in the Susie mine three miles north of the Frontier mine by a gas explosion. Frontier No. 1 is the oldest mine operated by the Kemmerer Coal company and has never had a serious explosion. It was closed for some time due to a water flow which had to be pumped out but was re-opened about a year ago.
Source:
The Kemmerer Republican, 24 August 1923, page 1.
Most of the old crew that are left will return to work in the mine, but a few have resigned, unable to bear the thoughts of the fate of so many of their fellow-workers.
Mining Coal At Frontier No. 1
Operations Began Wednesday Morning, First Since Day of Explosion
Production of coal was resumed at Kemmerer Coal Co., mine No. 1 at Frontier Wednesday morning, after remaining idle for exactly two weeks following the explosion of August 14, which cost the lives of 99 of the workers in the mine. A small crew of diggers entered the mine at the usual hour for the morning shift, and began sending forth the coal that had been loosened for the crew that went to work on that ill-fated day two weeks previously.
For ten days prior to Wednesday a crew of repairmen had been in the mine cementing stoppings, erecting battices and in every way putting the mine into first-class shape. It is reported that the mine is now entirely free of gas, and the air is working perfectly.
Most of the old crew that are left will return to work in the mine, but a few have resigned, unable to bear the thoughts of the fate of so many of their fellow-workers.
Source:
The Kemmerer Republican, 31 August 1923, page 1.
Watkins Resigned
N.J. Watkins, repairman of Frontier Mine No.1, the scene of the terrible explosion recently, has resigned his position at the mine after 13 years' service, and during the week left for Dines, where he may locate, or go to Salt Lake City. His many friends will regret his departure, but wish him well in his new location.
Source:
The Kemmerer Republican, 31 August 1923, page 1.Full Crew at No. 1 Mine, Frontier
Measures of Safety Adopted in Mine where Explosion Occurred
Report from Frontier is that Kemmerer Coal Co. mine No. 1, which was the scene of the terrible explosion of August 14, when 99 miners lost their lives, is being worked steadily, with a crew about the same number working on the ill-fated morning, when an explosion in the deep 30th entry snuffed out so many lives. Eighty-five diggers and the usual number of company men are now at work.
Every known safety measure is being rigidly enforced; no smoking is permitted in the mine, and every man entering the mine each shift is searched for anything inflammable on his person. A new safety lamp has been adopted, that cannot be opened for any purpose, and another kind of powder has been adopted, one that has no flame, which serves not only to render explosions impossible from its use but prevents setting fire to dust and coal which has been responsible for several fires in the mine before the explosion.
The crew now working is comprised almost wholly of new men to the district, and many of them are not used to bituminous mines, but are gradually growing more efficient. This with the fact that the new powder that is less efficient, but safer, than the black powder formerly used, has served to cut down production compared with that before the explosion, but in time everything is expected to be normal.
Great care is being exercised in examining the mine for gas, which still accumulates at times, but not more, if as much, as some of the other mines of the district at the present time.
The explosion, costly as it was, will serve to instill the principles of safety and rigidly carry out its provisions.
Source:
The Kemmerer Republican, 31 September 1923, page 1.
