The March 28, 1908 Mine Explosions Explained
Chapter from THE HANNA MINER: At the Bottom of the Mine by Bob Leathers

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The March 28, 1908 Explosions

The March 28, 1908 Explosions of the Union Pacific Coal Company’s No. 1 mine in Hanna killed 59 miners.

HANNA NO. 1 MINE DUMP (WHILE FAMILY COLLECTION FROM BOB LEATHERS

On March 28, 1908, the Union Pacific Coal Company's No. 1 mine in Hanna exploded twice in the same day for the third and fourth times in the history of the mine. The explosions killed 59 men and left about 33 widows and 103 fatherless children.

A SHORT FIVE YEARS AFTER THE 1903 EXPLOSION, THE HEADLINES WERE SIMILAR; MORE MINERS DIE IN THE HANNA MINE. THIS TIME 59 MEN WERE KILLED ON MARCH 28, 1908 IN TWO SEPARATE EXPLOSIONS ON THE SAME DAY. (THE CHEYENNE DAILY LEADER, MARCH 29, 1908)

In the headline above the actual number of miners killed was 59 and not 70. The number of rescue miners killed was 41 and not 50.

March 28, 1908 marked another explosion in the Union Pacific Coal Company's No. 1 mine in Hanna,

Mine No. 1 has always been gaseous, feeders being frequently broken into. For some years preceding the disaster of 1903, a section of the mine is said to have smoldered behind airtight bulkheads. The 1903 explosion resulting in the loss of 169 miners is said to have been caused by the breaking out of gas and its ignition by a blown-out shot, while coal dust raised by the gas explosion likewise resulted in a series of local explosions. The mine was opened up shortly after the disaster and operated continuously up to the present time. Referring to the mine map, Figure 4, it will be noted that entries No. 8 and No. 10 extend south from the east slope for a distance of about 1,600 feet.  No rooms had as yet been started from these entries. On Friday, March 20th, the face of the upper entry of No. 10 (the haulage way) was set on fire. (Mines and Minerals, May 1908)

On the 20thof March, eight days before the 1908 explosion of Hanna Mine No. 1, John Burton and William Bailey were working in No. 10 entry. They fired a shot about 11 P.M., which set fire to the coal. They tried to secure water with which to extinguish the flames but were unable to do so, as the pipeline was out of order. They then attempted to extinguish the fire by spreading the burning coal over the floor of the entry. They believed they had the fire out and later started out of the mine. On their way out along the entry, they met fire boss John Evans and informed him of what had happened. Evans investigated and later told Burton and Bailey that the fire was out. On the evening of Saturday, the 21st, John Evans, in making his rounds, discovered fire in the same entry.  He reported it to the mine foreman, Burton. By this time, the fire had gained such headway that it was found necessary to stop it off. (1908 MIR)

Fires of this sort had become such a frequent occurrence that no special apprehension was felt; however, entry No. 10 was promptly walled off with stoppings placed just inside the first slant at  a and  b as shown in Figure 4. On Thursday, the 26th, the haulage-way stopping  a  was advanced 200 feet to a point  c  just beyond the first cross-cut. The mine force of 200 odd miners was idle on the following Tuesday, the 24th; Thursday, the 26th; and Saturday, the 28th, the day of the disaster. The demand for coal this winter has been light and as a result the mines have usually been idle on Tuesdays and Thursdays for several months. (Mines and Minerals, May 1908)

Saturday, March 28, 1908
Day 1

A work party lead by Superintendent Alex Briggs entered the No. 1 mine to put out the fire.

Taking advantage of the mine's idleness on Saturday the 28th, Superintendent Briggs with a picked force of 17 men proceeded to attack the fire smoldering behind the stopping in the No. 10 entry. This force comprised of Joseph Burton, Alfred Dodds and James Knox, foremen of mines No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 respectively, five gas watchmen and nine others, noted for their skill, nerve and experience in fire fighting. It thus constituted the flower of the camp of Hanna contributed by all three of the company's mines. Just what method of attack on the fire was adopted will probably never be known. Mr. E.O. Christiansen, the mining engineer, and a survivor of the disaster through a fortunate circumstance, supplied the writer with the detailed map, Figure 4. The return air-course terminates in an upcast shaft leading to a 20-foot diameter fan on the surface. The east slope, from which entry 10 was turned, is thus a downcast. The return airway of entry No. 10 connects with the air-course to the fan which passes under the haulage way of entry No. 10 by an under cast; entry No. 10 had the cross-cuts and slants as shown spaced at 200 foot intervals for the first 800 feet in from the slope. Beyond that point, cross-cuts were spaced at 100 foot intervals for the remaining 800 feet of the entry. Mr. E.O. Christiansen, thinks the following method was adopted basing his opinion on the discussion of plans the night before the disaster, when Briggs, Dodds and Burton were present. Shown in Figure 4, the stopping   c  in the haulage way was probably first taken out and advanced to   d   just beyond the second slant, then the slant stopping  e  was removed and the air-course stopping  b  removed to a point   f   beyond the slant, allowing the fresh air to clear out the gases between   d  and   f  and the slope. In this way it is probable that the fire fighters had advanced to just beyond the second slant, 800 feet in from the slope, when the catastrophe occurred. Possibly in the process of carrying the stopping  d  forward, the majority of the party were overcome with white damp allowing the air to come in contact with the gas in too great a quantity and thus forming an explosive mixture. It seems probable, that at least four of the party, Monson, Warburton and Parry, gas men at the three mines, and Raimey, the rope runner, had some warning, for their bodies were found at point   g   on the No. 10 entry parting. It seems probable that they were just going in to join the others. When feeling the air blast accompanying the explosion, they threw themselves face downward. (Mines and Minerals, May 1908)

Figure 4

FIGURE 4. EAST SLOPE MINE MAP OF THE UNION PACIFIC COAL COMPANY'S HANNA MINE NO. 1. AFTER THE 1908 EXPLOSION. NOTE: THE ORIGINAL DIAGRAM HAS BEEN REPRODUCED AND EDITED TO PROVIDE IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT THE EXPLOSION WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE OBTAINABLE. (MINES AND MINERALS, MAY 1908 EDITION)

Hanna, the scene of a double mine tragedy on Saturday, March 28, 1908, is situated one hundred thirty four miles west of Cheyenne, on the main line of the Union Pacific Railroad. It is one of the most important of Wyoming's coal camps and is said to have an annual output of about 450,000 tons. The Union Pacific Coal Co. operates three mines, No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 respectively. No. 1 and No. 2 opened about 18 years ago in 1890. The No. 3 opened in 1906. The No. 1 mine has been the scene of four separate disasters: the first, a minor one, occurring in 1890 the year it was opened, the second on June 30, 1903, when 169 lives were lost, and the last two described below. No. 2 and No. 3 mines have thus far had no disasters. The Hanna coal seams form a basin or synclinal trough. The coal outcroppings on the surface may be likened to the rim of an oval-shaped bowl, as it dips at angles varying from 14 to 22 degrees toward a central axis, running approximately northwest to southeast.  All three mines are opened on the western side of the oval outcrop; mine No. 2 occupying the extreme western position, mine No. 1 located a mile east of it, while mine No. 3 is nearly 3 miles east of No. 1. The coal basin then is roughly some 6 miles along its longest dimension (east to west) and extents and about 2 miles wide from outcrop to outcrop.  Mine No. 1 was first opened on the west side by a slope from the outcrop in the seam at an inclination of about 14 degrees. In the first 14 years of operation, an extensive territory was opened up from the west side reaching to the bottom of the basin and starting to ascend the eastern side, which was found to rise at approximately 22 degrees. To facilitate the working of the coal on this side, the east slope was started to connect in a straight line with the west slope. At the time of the 1903 disaster, an intervening 400 feet of coal separated the two slope headings. The east slope was provided on the surface with merely a hoist and fan, as no coal was pulled to the surface except enough to supply the boilers. The mine output was pulled up the west slope to the tipple located at the west entrance because of its proximity to the railroad. The coal mined in the entries driven on the east slope of the basin was lowered to the bottom where the trips were made up and pulled to the west side tipple. The coal seam worked by mine No. 1 varies from 12 to 15 feet in thickness and averages about 12 feet of workable coal. (R.L. Herrick, An Account of the Two Explosions, Mines and Minerals, 1908)

Low rumbling sounds accompanied by a jarring of the earth that shook the town announced the explosion at 3:05 P.M. Investigation showed the west slope was completely wrecked and hopelessly caved in as seen in Figure 1. While the wooden top of the air-shaft was blown off, the fan itself was uninjured and the shaft was quickly repaired with brattice cloth. Evidence seems to show that the fan was stopped, however, and not started until suggested by Inspector Elias, upon his arrival. Some idea of the force of the explosion on the west side is gained from the finding of slope timbers blown out of the pit mouth toward the tipple.  Several 12 foot timbers, a foot in diameter, were blown against the tipple at distances of from 300 to 400 feet and one 15 inches in diameter fell close to the boiler plant, after a flight of more than 500 feet. The east slope was little injured by the first explosion, although the mouth of the wrecked west slope is 6,200 feet distant from entry No. 10, while the mouth of the east slope is but 2,000 feet distance. The roof of the east air-shaft sloping to the fan house was blown off in a manner similar to that at the west side, but neither the fan nor the slope was materially damaged as shown in Figure 6. The shock felt on the east side was slight.  As soon as the rescuers congregated about the wrecked west slope, they knew these facts, they rushed across the hill to the east slope, one and one half miles away, where their first efforts were expended in repairing the fan. Inspector David M. Elias was on train No. 3 going to Rock Springs at the time of the explosion and was handed a telegram announcing the explosion shortly after it occurred. He arrived at Hanna shortly after 4 p.m., hardly an hour after the first disaster. Every person of authority in the camp had been wiped out by the first explosion and up to the time of the arrival of Inspector Elias, there seemed to be no leader.  Previous to Elias arriving, however, it seems that Joseph Wood, the sole surviving fire boss, out of six, attempted some organization of the willing excited rescuers. Leaving a man at the first entry to prevent others from following behind until conditions were ascertained, Woods accompanied by several others penetrated as far as the 10th entry. At this point, however, he was overcome by afterdamp and had to be carried out. The guard left by Woods at the first entry, however, was not equal to the occasion, for the guard himself went below and was later killed by the second explosion. When he arrived at the mouth of the east slope everyone looked to Inspector Elias as the leader of the rescuers. His task was made doubly difficult by the loss of all persons of authority who could have assisted his leadership and compelled the strict carrying out of his orders. Superintendent Briggs, the foremen of the three mines, and five of the six fire bosses were dead, while the sixth had just been carried out raving from the effects of the gas encountered below. Inspector Elias evidently needed a man who would enforce his orders with a club if necessary, but the man he picked not only failed him, but lost his own life through disobedience of orders. After starting the repaired west slope fan, the east slope fan, having been run continuously, Inspector Elias with a party of ten men started down the east slope probably about 5:30 p.m. A guard was left behind at the top of the slope, with strict instructions from Inspector Elias to allow no one else to go below. The party could not have been gone long, however, before the guard yielded to the pressure of excited would-be rescuers and went below with them. After that, it seems that anyone and everyone passed at will, up and down the slope into the mine. It is now apparent that more than 50 men must have followed the inspector's party into the mine streaming down the slope in groups of three or more, without a leader, without organization and without a plan of concerted action.  In the ensuing confusion, each group seems to have taken such precautions as seemed best to it, without knowing what others were doing.  From what has been thus far said, it will be seen that it is natural to expect conflicting statements from the few who went down the slope and narrowly escaped death in the ensuing second explosion. The statement of an engineer, trained to observe and talk accurately is therefore of special value at this time. (Mines and Minerals, 1908)

In the first party of ten men with Inspector Elias was E. O. Christiansen, the company's mining engineer, who furnished the following statement: ​

"As this party went down the slope, it bratticed up the entries on both sides. They were engaged in this work on the third entry when joined by me about 6 p.m. Inspector Elias was afraid too much air was coming in and sent me to the west slope fan to slow it down to about 20 revolutions per minute, about half its usual speed. Returning to the slope, I joined the inspector's party at the 8th entry about 8:40 p.m. and proceeded with it to the 10th entry, where the bodies of the three gasmen and the rope runner were found in the parting at  g  in Figure 4. Owing to the steepness of the slope each body required at least six men to carry it out, so that from 24 to 30 men must have started back from this point with the bodies. With Inspector Elias, we went back to the 8th entry and here rested a few minutes and then went further up to entry No. 5 as the air at the 10th and 8th entry had been bad and weakening." (Mines and Minerals, 1908)

Three miners were found. All three miners were found at point  g  in Figure 4.

1. Robert Warburton, a boss driver, age 41, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in the Carbon cemetery. 
 
2. Pete Munson [Pete Monson] worked in the No. 1 mine.  He was 28 years old. He was buried in Plot 179 in the Hanna cemetery. 
 
3. Ben Perry [Ben Parry], a gas watchman, age 30, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in the Carbon cemetery. ​

Raimey was one of the four miners found at point  g  in Figure 4. His body was also being brought out of the mine by a rescue team, but the Raimey rescuers were not yet out of the mine when the second explosion occurred. "Mr. Morgan Griffiths, general foreman of the company, was expected to arrive from Rock Springs at about 8:30 p.m. and take charge of the work.  Inspector Elias therefore waited for his arrival at the 5th entry for some time, momentarily expecting to be relieved. Up to this time all the entries except No. 8 had been bratticed up. The air at No. 5 was fast becoming worse and feeling its effects, I tried to persuade the Inspector to accompany me to the surface. Failing in this, I started out. Inspector Elias was last seen at the point marked  h  in Figure 4." "General Foreman Griffiths did not arrive at Hanna until about 2:30 a.m., after the second explosion which occurred shortly after 10 P.M. The party carrying the body of the rope runner, Raimey, was resting at a point near the first entry when I passed it. Just above this point I was met by Mat Huhtala coming down the slope, and I was assisted out by him, when he again turned back. He could have hardly reached the first entry 400 feet down when the terrific second explosion occurred at 10:25 P.M., blowing his body up to a point opposite the knuckle." Huhtala must have been following close behind Tennant, for the body of Tennant was found at point i in Figure 4, near the mouth of the slope the next morning. These two bodies, in addition to those of the three gas men carried out just before the second explosion, were the only miners recovered from the mine at this time.  The second explosion entombed all who were below, and hopelessly caved the east slope. A house-to-house canvass by the company officials the next morning established the fact that 41 men were missing in addition to the 18 lost in the first explosion, making a total of 59 fatalities. It is probable that in addition to the four bodies already found at  g  and the two at  i,  the 14 bodies of the original party will be found between  g  and stopping  d  and that 48 more are scattered along the slope. While the cause of the second explosion cannot be determined until an examination can be made of the workings below, and probably not even then, it seems probable that the statement of a miner, who escaped up the slope before the explosion and immediately after Christiansen, will be found correct. He states that three men were just starting to brattice up entry No. 8 as he started for the surface. As Christiansen left Inspector Elias at the 5thentry, it must remain for evidence carefully collected from witnesses to show whether this brattice was done by orders or not. In any event, it now seems likely that the bratticing of entry No. 8 had the effect of forcing an increased air-current into entry 10 driving a body of gas onto the fire there raging, with sufficient air to provide an explosive mixture. It would take some 15 minutes for a man to walk from entry No. 8 to the surface. Allowing 10 minutes for the placing of the brattice after the witness started for the surface and 5 minutes for the increased air-current in No. 10 to penetrate the fire zone, say 1,000 feet in, it is seen why it is probable that the explosion from this cause took place just after the witness got out of the mine. The second explosion, even more terrific than the first, caught the entire rescue party. But four men, Alf Campbell, Norris and two others, escaped. They were carrying out the bodies of Warburton, Munson, and Perry and had just reached the mouth of the slope when the gases went off the second time. In the first explosion, two escaped. They were James Case and John Jones, who were leaving the shaft to get some supplies for the men who were fighting the fire in No. 10. Both were unconscious when taken from the mouth of the slope but were revived and will live, the only survivors of the awful holocaust. All attempts at rescue work were abandoned shortly after the second explosion, which wrecked and caved the east slope. General Foreman Morgan Griffiths and General Superintendent G.L. Black arrived at Hanna from Rock Springs at 2:30 Sunday morning. Other prominent company officials soon on hand were the following: D.O. Clark, vice-president and general manager, and J.J. Hart, assistant to the vice-president, from Omaha, Assistant General Manager A.E. Bradbury, from Cheyenne,  Superintendent James Needham and Foreman John Mates, from Cumberland, Wyo,  David G. Jones, Mat. Madill, and John Dykes, foreman at Rock Springs, Wyoming. With these officials was a hand-picked force of nearly 30 men, noted for their skill, nerve and experience in coal mine disasters. Under the supervision of these officials, the men attacked the debris at the mouth of the wrecked east slope and drove a tunnel through the cave-in for a distance of 20 feet. At this point, afterdamp drove them back. Feeling sure that all rescue workers within the mine had met their death; the opening was sealed with timbers overlaid with dirt. (Mines and Minerals, May 1908)

Fire was a problem in the mine. The rescue work had to be delayed.

Sunday March 29, 1908
Day 2

Two miners were found at the mouth of the mine and identified. They were both found at point i in figure 4.

1. Alex Tennant [Alexander Tennant Jr.] was employed as a miner in the No. 1 mine. He was found near the east mine entrance.  He was 34 years old. He was buried in the Hanna cemetery in Plot 215. 
 
2. Mat Huhtala was employed as a timberman in the No. 1 mine. He was found near the east mine entrance. He was 48 years old. He was buried in the Hanna cemetery in Plot 152. ​

On March 29th all the entrances to the mine were sealed up. (1908 MIR)

Figure 1

CAVED MOUTH OF THE WEST SLOPE AFTER BEING PARTIALLY CLEANED UP (MINES AND MINERALS, 1908)

Figure 2

TIPPLE AND BOILER PLANT ON THE WEST SLOPE AFTER PARTIAL CLEAN UP (MINES AND MINERALS, MAY 1908)

Figure 5

AIR SHAFT OF BRATTICE CLOTH BEING ERECTED AT THE EAST SLOPE AFTER THE EXPLOSION (MINES AND MINERALS, MAY 1908)

Figure 6

DAMAGED FAN HOUSE AT THE EAST SLOPE AFTER THE EXPLOSION (MINES AND MINERALS, MAY 1908)

Monday March 30, 1908
Day 3

On the third day after the explosion, the fire in the mine was still burning. The rescue work had come to a standstill.

After two explosions of firedamp in Union Pacific colliery No. 1 at Hanna Saturday evening, the lives of seventy men [59 men] were snuffed out. Somewhere in the bowels of the long shaft sixty-five [59] of the bodies are now lying, only five having been recovered up to the present time. It will be impossible to recover them until a fire which is raging in the No.10 level has been smothered or flooded and this work may not be accomplished for two or three weeks. The first explosion, which occurred Saturday afternoon shortly after 3 o’clock, caught and entombed Alexander Briggs, superintendent of the several mines at Hanna, and twenty men. The work of rescuing the remainder of the bodies will be very slow for volumes of deadly gases are issuing from the airshafts of the mine. The west and east slopes have been blocked, shutting off all air passages in an effort to smother the fire. Until the fire has been stopped and the gases have been fanned from the shaft it will be impossible to enter.  The bodies of Tennant and Huhtala, were found yesterday morning several hundred feet from the mouth of the east slope having been blown out of the slope by the second explosion. Tennant’s body was almost unrecognizable, being entirely dismembered.  Bits of flesh, pieces of limbs and his hands had been blown away. One of his legs was found nearly five hundred yards from the slope. Huhtala's body was also badly mutilated. In the improvised morgue in the blacksmith shop at the shaft house, the bodies of Warburton, Munson, Perry, Tennant and Huhtala were yesterday prepared for burial.  In the room are sixty-five or more coffins to be used when the dead are recovered. Grief-stricken wives, mothers and families of the victims crowd about the morgue and gaze in at the ghastly sight. The town is in the deepest gloom. The best men in the camp, including all the officers of the several mines, with the exception of three gas watches, perished. Owing to the fact that the fire had been raging in No. 10 since last Sunday there were no miners at work when the explosion occurred. Had the explosion come on a working day the death list would be two hundred for there would have been no escape for any of the men. All of the foremen, fire bosses and gas watches from the three mines were battling with the flames when the first explosion occurred. Joe Woods, a fire boss of the No. 2 mine, was the only fire boss in the camp to escape. He had just been relieved from duty a few minutes before the explosion.  Alf Campbell and Tom Wakely, gas watchers, owe their lives to the same cause. Yesterday afternoon the various lodges and organizations in Hanna held special meetings and made arrangements for burying the dead. The five bodies recovered will be buried this afternoon under the auspices of the mineworkers’ union. As the remainder of the dead is recovered the union will attend to the funerals. There will be burials in Hanna perhaps daily for the next month. Most of the victims were married men and leave large families. The grief of the wives and children is indescribable. Most of them are left in straitened circumstances and may suffer want. The Union Pacific will care for them for a time at least until matters adjust themselves. It is thought in Hanna that No. 1 colliery will never be worked again. It was in this colliery that the awful explosion in June 1903 occurred. The mine has never been considered very safe and it will be next to impossible to operate it after this second holocaust. It is probable that after the bodies have been recovered from it, it will be closed down for all time and new shafts will be sunk close by to tap the veins of coal which have added to the output of the Hanna mines more than 700 tons daily. The explosions in the No. 1 mine Saturday were fully as terrific as that which wrecked the same colliery on June 30, 1903, when the lives of 169 miners were snuffed out in an instant. Not a single man who was in the workings at the time escaped. The interior of the mine was damaged from one end of the miles of workings to the other, and the great main slope caved in at the surface, completely blocking access to the mine at this point. The first bodies of victims were not brought out until three days after the disaster, and weeks passed in the work of uncovering 168 corpses. The body of the 169th victim was never found, but lies buried in a destroyed entry of the colliery.  So extensive was the damage resulting from the explosion that it was November of 1903 before No. 1 was again producing coal. Some sections of the mine have been abandoned entirely. At the time of the explosion of 1903 a new slope, in reality an upward extension from the lower end of the old, was being driven, and this was completed after the mine resumed operation, providing it with two main exits separated by about two miles. Saturday’s explosions caused both the old and the new entrances to cave inn and access to the mine is completely blocked. While men were clearing away the debris at the mouth of the east slope of No. 1 mine this morning, a human leg was found under several tons of dirt and timbers. It is now thought that several bodies will be found in the first ten feet of the shaft. A special train bearing D. O. Clark, general superintendent of the Union Pacific coal company, arrived at noon. He will direct the work of rescuing the bodies from the mine. Sixty-five coffins have been received from Cheyenne and the work of clearing the mouth of the east slope in search of bodies will be commenced at once. (Laramie Boomerang March 30, 1908) 

Governor B. B. Brooks today ordered State Mine Inspector Noah Young of the northern district to proceed to Hanna and make a thorough investigation of the explosions and their cause, and particularly of circumstances incidental to the second and greater catastrophe.  Inspector Young reported on the mine after the great explosion of 1903, at which time he was in charge of the southern district. The announcement that no further effort to open the mine would be made for several days relaxed the strain under which the town has been since the first explosion, and this afternoon business was to an extent resumed. The funerals of Robert Warburton, Benjamin Perry and Peter Munson were held during the afternoon, and were attended by hundreds. Many who mourn the dead in the mine expect before long to be chief mourners at similar ceremonies. The bodies of Perry and Warburton were taken seven miles to the abandoned camp of Carbon, where they served their apprenticeship in the mines, and where many of their loved ones rest. As the long procession wound up the hill south of town, behind an improvised hearse, the scene was reminiscent of many such processions that traveled the same dreary road in 1903. A majority of the Hanna people formerly resided in Carbon and it is a pathetic circumstance that affection still binds them to the abandoned camp and that they prefer to bury their dead in the city of the dead. The body of Munson was interred in the bleak little graveyard here, before the funeral of Warburton and Perry, and practically the entire population of the town, with the exception of the men working about the ruined mine, marched in the cortege. There are few vehicles in Hanna and funeral processions walk. Tomorrow the mangled remains of Alexander Tennant will be given back to the earth. The intention has been to hold this body in the hopes that the missing head might be found in the mine, but the decision to keep the slopes sealed has caused a change of plan, and it is a headless corpse the coffin will contain. At the east entrance today forces of men, laboring in half-hour shifts, removed much of the debris resulting from the caving of the slope, and tonight this work is still in progress. The entrance will be gotten into the best possible shape without actually opening the mine in order that there may be as little impediment as possible when Thursday’s tests, which will be at this portal, are made. A force of claim adjusters is already at work among the relatives of the victims of the disaster. (Cheyenne Daily Leader, March 30, 1908)

Tuesday March 31, 1908
Day 4

Today for the first time since the awful holocaust of Saturday when nearly seventy [59] lives were snuffed out in explosions of firedamp, the little town of Hanna awoke to renewed life. Preparations were made for resuming routine life in the stricken camp.  Heavy-hearted and palled by indescribable grief, the citizens this morning began preparations to resume work in the collieries No. 2 and No. 3. With the thoughts still fresh in their minds of the sixty-five [59] or more charred bodies of their fellow workmen in the bowels of the ill-fated No. 1, the men tomorrow morning will reopen No. 2 and No. 3 which have been closed down for several weeks. All hope of rescuing any more of the bodies of the victims of No. 1’s treachery for several days, perhaps weeks, has been abandoned and until the deadly gases have spent themselves, there will be no effort made to enter the mine. It will remain sealed until those in charge of the rescue work are certain that the fire raging in its depths has been smothered and the gases have been forced out. In preparing to reopen No. 2 and No. 3 the broken forces of officials are being re-organized.  Of all the officers of the three mines in Hanna, but three survived the two explosions of Saturday. Joe Woods, the only fire boss who survived is to be made foreman of collier No. 3. Tom Wakely, one of the two gas watches who escaped will be made pit boss of colliery No. 2.  Alf Campbell, the other surviving gas watch who proved such a hero in the rescue work at No. 1 will be given an important position at No. 2 or 3. Other bosses and minor officials will have to be picked from the ranks of the common miners, as all were lost in the horror at No.1. Although there is a feeling of dread and horror among the miners there will be no trouble in securing a full complement of workmen to operate the mines, which will be opened tomorrow. The men will cast all feeling aside and return to their work, endeavoring to forget that when they last entered the dark, winding slopes they were in company with many comrades whose bodies now lie molding in the compartments of the ill-fated No. 1. Business was resumed in the little camp this morning.  Stores, workshops, saloons etc., were re-opening and the village for the first time since Saturday took on an appearance of life.  The schools will not be reopened before next Monday if they are then. It may be some time before they are re-opened for it would be useless to attempt to resume work in the schools when so many of the children are grieving for their lost fathers and brothers.  The wives and families of the victims are becoming reconciled to their grief, but there still hangs over the residence of the little town a heavy pall of doom. Yesterday the funerals of Peter Munson and Ben Perry were held. The remains of Robert Warburton were taken to his old home at Carbon where burial will be made. The bodies of Tennant and Huhtala will be held in the Finnish hall and will be conducted by the Finnish society and the local lodge of Knights of Pythias. Workmen are clearing away the debris from the mouth of the east slope so that when the mine is in shape to be entered there will be no delay in getting to rescue the bodies. While working in the debris yesterday workmen found the leg of a human being. There was nothing else to be found.  This find has led the workers to believe that there are many bodies within the first few feet of the east slope, the victims having fallen and succumbed to the gases within a few feet of the fresh air which meant life to them. (Laramie Boomerang March 31, 1908)

Wednesday April 1, 1908
Day 5

Tomorrow an attempt will be made to enter the east slope of Union Pacific colliery No. 1, where the sixty [54 still missing] bodies of the victims of the awful explosions of last Saturday are lying. In anticipation of the opening of the shaft and the recovery of the bodies, the little town of Hanna is breathless for the fate of the bodies unknown. Will there be nothing but heaps of ashes scattered through the winding slope of the ill-fated colliery or will there be charred, unrecognizable corpses, the remains of those brave men who gave their lives in an effort to save their fellow beings. Workmen have succeeded in clearing away the debris from the mouth of the east slope and everything is in readiness to break the seal of the tomb. State Coal Mine Inspector Noah Young of the northern district, who will make an investigation for the state, has not yet arrived. The coal company investigation is already advanced as far as is possible at this time, but no information regarding what it has divulged is given out. Finnish hall, a barn-like building at the summit of a low hill and exposed to the full sweep of the storm, yesterday afternoon was the scene of the funeral of Matthew Huhtala, one of the five victims whose body was recovered, it having been blown out of the mine by the second explosion. The services were in the Finnish tongue. Many of the inhabitants of Finn town, a separate settlement, braved the weather to attend. The body of Alexander Tennant is still unburied. (Laramie Boomerang April 1, 1908)

Thursday April 2, 1908
Day 6

T. H. Butler has been appointed superintendent of the mines at this point, filling the vacancy caused by the death of Alex Briggs who perished in the explosion in No. 1 colliery last Saturday. An attempt was made to open the east slope of the ill-fated No. 1 mine in which the bodies of sixty [59] men are lying, but on removing the stopping the shaft was found to be reeking with gas. Experienced gasmen in charge of the work were made deathly sick several times before they abandoned the attempt to enter the slope. They could remain in the slope but a few minutes at a time. A new stopping has been placed across the slope thirty feet below where the first one was placed and work was then stopped. No bodies were found in the mouth of the shaft but it is thought there may be some under the cave-in a few feet farther in the slope. (Laramie Boomerang, April 2, 1908)

Saturday April 11, 1908
Day 15

Joseph Bird was appointed State Mine Inspector to succeed Mr. Elias, who lost his life in the second explosion. (1908 MIR)

Friday April 17, 1908
Day 21

On April 17th, I made my first official visit to Hanna mine No. 1, the property of the Union Pacific Coal Company. 
 
In company with Noah Young, inspector for District No. 2 of the State of Wyoming, General Superintendent George L. Black, and Superintendent Thomas H. Butler, I visited the west slope which was caved and sealed as a result of the explosion of March 28, 1908. At the east opening the slope is stopped and the fan shaft closed. On investigation I found fire damp leaking at both stoppings. The safety lamp shows the presence of light carbureted hydrogen. In addition, tests made at a standpipe also showed the presence of explosive gases. I would recommend that great care be exercised in the breaking of the stoppings as the mine is still in a very dangerous condition. There should be no undue haste in the opening of this mine and it should be given plenty of time to cool, and if possible to damp the fires which are burning inside.There seems to be no suffering for the necessities of life among the families of the unfortunate men who lost their lives in the explosion. The company store, operated by the Union Pacific Coal Company, is open to the needs of the widows and orphans, and very liberal contributions are coming in from the different locales of the United Mine Workers of America, and the generous and sympathetic people of this and neighboring states. (Joseph Bird, 1908 MIR)

Thursday May 14, 1908
Day 48

On May 14th, 1908, I made my second official visit to Hanna Mine No. 1, the property of the Union Pacific Coal Company. The east side stopping is being carefully watched night and day, and any leaks occurring are reported and immediately repaired.  Records are being kept of barometer and thermometer readings, which are being made regularly every three hours. An examination of the test hole with a safety lamp still shows the presence of fire damp. The west side of the mine is caved and closed. (Joseph Bird, 1908 MIR)

Wednesday June 24, 1908
Day 89

On June 24th, at the request of A. E. Bradbury, General Manager of the Union Pacific Coal Company, I went to Hanna to attend a conference called for the purpose of devising plans for the re-opening of the mine. Inspector Young, superintendent of the coal company, and members of the miner’s union also attended this conference. A committee was appointed for the purpose of formulating plans for the re-opening of the mine. (Joseph Bird, 1908 MIR)

Wednesday July 8, 1908
Day 103

On July 8tha conference was held at Hanna by the state coal mine inspectors of Wyoming and Utah, the officials of the Union Pacific Coal Company and representatives of the miners union for the purpose of formulating a plan for the re-opening of the mine to rescue the bodies. The following committee was appointed which drafted plans for the opening; John Mates, Noah Young, John McNeil, Morgan Griffiths, M. E. Harvey, Jos Bird and J. E. Pettit. The east slope was opened the following day, and the slope penetrated to the first crosscut a distance of 100 feet. One body was recovered, but on account of the presence of deadly gases, the slope was then walled up together with the return air course, and the debris in the mouth of the slope removed. The committee was then discharged, but I have learned that since then, on July 17th, the stoppings were forced further down the slope and thirteen bodies were recovered. It was impossible to proceed further and the mine was again sealed up. (Noah Young, 1908 Report to Gov. B.B. Brooks)

Friday July 10, 1908
Day 105

In accordance with the plan proposed by the committee we broke the stopping at the east entrance to the slope. Immediately below the stopping we encountered a very large cave-in about sixty feet in length. (Joseph Bird, MIR)

Saturday July 11, 1908
Day 106

​One miner was found.

​1. Robert Armstrong, a railroad signalman, age unknown, worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and not the Union Pacific Coal Company. He was buried in Illinois. 

On July 11ththe cave was passed over and the body of R. W. Armstrong was found in the cross cut leading from the slope to the air course and about midway between the two. Stoppings were built in the first north cross cut, the main slope and the return air course before the cave was cleaned through. (MIR)

When the Robert Armstrong’s body was found in a horrible condition, State Inspector Young recommended the mine be abandoned.

State Coal Mine Inspector Noah Young arrived Sunday night from Hanna, where he was present when the Union Pacific Coal company unsealed the east entrance to mine No. 1, which was wrecked by two explosions March 29th last. He states that expert miners imported for the purpose succeeded in penetrating the east slope a short distance before the gas became unbearable, and that they erected a brattice. The debris near the mouth of the slope is now being removed. As soon as the mouth of the slope is clear an effort to push the brattice further down the slope will be made. Inspector Young states that the effect of the explosion on the mine, as indicated by the small part of the slope now exposed, was terrific, and he is of the opinion that the fifty odd bodies in the workings are in such horrible condition, mangled and putrefying, that the effort to bring them out should be abandoned and the mine left undisturbed and forever be the tomb of the victims of the explosions. The miners who pushed the brattice a short distance down the east slope discovered one body, that of Robert Armstrong, an electrician, who met death in the second explosion while repairing electric light wires damaged by the first. This body was in such an advanced stage of putrefaction that it could hardly be handled. Armstrong was killed just inside the east entrance of the mine and did not receive the full force of the explosion; consequently his body was not mangled. Inspector Young is of the opinion that the fifty odd other bodies will be found headless, limbless and terribly mangled, having been subjected to the full force of the second titanic blast that blew the lining out of the mine. To handle such mangled remains when they are far advanced in decay will be a frightful task, and Inspector Young believes that for this reason the mine should be sealed and abandoned as a tomb for its victims. The body of Armstrong, although not mangled, was in such condition that identification was possible only through the dead man’s watch. (The Cheyenne Leader, July 14, 1908)

An effort will be made to reach a distance of fifty feet where it is believed the bodies of many of the victims will be found. The body of Armstrong was found lying face downward. There was a slight bruise on one shoulder; otherwise the corpse was in a splendid state of preservation. The face was slightly bloated by the gases, but was not greatly discolored. From the position in which the body was lying it is evident that Armstrong survived for several minutes after the awful concussion that shattered the mouth of the slope. He had probably laid down and was trying to crawl out of the hellhole when he was overcome by the deadly gases. The remains will be prepared for burial and will probably be sent to Armstrong's home in Illinois. Armstrong was employed as a signal maintainer on the Union Pacific and happened to be in Hanna on the afternoon of the first explosion. He volunteered to assist State Inspector Elias in the rescue work by stringing the light wires, which had been broken by the first explosion.  He went into the east slope with the inspector and the party of rescuers, all of who perished. Engaged in the work of attempting to force an entry to the east slope where the majority of the bodies are known to be lying are State Mine Inspector Young, John McNeil, an expert from Pennsylvania coal fields; Inspector Bird of the First district; General Manager Clark of the Union Pacific Coal Company and Joe Woods, foreman of No. 2 and a survivor of the two big explosions. It is believed that more bodies will be recovered this week. The work of recovering the bodies will be very slow on account of the strong gases that are still issuing from the mouth of the east slope. (Semi Weekly Boomerang July 16, 1908)

Thursday July 16, 1908
Day 111

Thirteen miners were found.

On July 16th, the bodies of thirteen miners were found on the slope above the switch and No. 2 top entry. (MIR)

1. Andrew Birchall, a miner, age 25, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in Plot 254 in the Hanna cemetery.
 
2. Harry Foster, a laborer, age 27, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
3. John Hoy, a miner, age 33, worked in No. 1 mine. He was buried in Plot 256 in the Hanna cemetery.
 
4. James Larson, a shot firer, age 46, worked in the No. 2 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
5. Abel Pura [Abel Puro], a miner, age 30, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
6. William Joki, a miner, age 33, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
7. Ensti Karrikka [Ensti Karikka] [ Ensti  Karrika], a miner, age 26, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
8. August Lakson [August Laksonen], a miner, age 21, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
9. Elmer Johnson [Yalmer Stalin], a miner, age 24, worked in No. 1 mine. He was buried in Plot 250 in the Hanna cemetery.
 
10. James Tyner, a miner, age 26, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
11. Charles Harris, a pumper, age 22, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
12. Albert Riley, a rope runner, age 21, worked in No. 1 mine. He was buried in Plot 296 in the Hanna cemetery.
 
13. Gus Raimey, a rope runner, age 31, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in Plot 296 in the Hanna cemetery. ​

All of the bodies in the Hanna mine discovered Friday night have been identified and have been buried.  They are Abel Pura, Ensti Karrika, James Larson, Albert Riley, John M. Hoy, August Lakson, Elmer Johnson, William Joki, Andrew Birchall, Charles Harris, Gus Raimey, Harry Foster and James Tyner. The bodies were all found on the main slope, near the second entry and as soon as they were taken out the work of cleaning up the debris in the slope was begun and quickly completed. This morning the workers advanced down the slope where a new stopping will be put in while this section is being cleaned up and put into condition for use. More bodies, it is expected, will be found here. (Wyoming Tribune July 20, 1908)

Saturday July 18, 1908
Day 113

On July 18th smoke was encountered at No. 1 top entry.  (Joseph Bird, MIR)

Monday July 20, 1908
Day 115

On July 20th the mine was again sealed up on account of gas and smoke (Joseph Bird, MIR)

Tuesday July 21, 1908
Day 116

Hanna, Wyo., July 21.  On the body of John Larson, which was recovered from wrecked mine No. 1 last Saturday, was found a purse containing $653.05. Larson had little faith in banks and was in the habit of carrying his savings on his person. He was one of the fifty members of the relief parties that met death in the second explosion of March 29th while endeavoring to rescue the victims of the first explosion. The thirteen bodies recovered from the mine by the searching party, which is pushing past the second entry, were buried as soon after they reached the surface as was possible, this being necessary because of their condition. There have been no further developments of importance resulting from the work of exploring the wrecked workings. (Cheyenne Leader July 21, 1908)

Thursday July 23, 1908
Day 118

​After 118 days, the mine was still burning.

Hanna July 23:  Driven back from the east slope by great volumes of gas and dense smoke, the men who have been forcing an entry to Union Pacific colliery No. 1 to recover the bodies of the victims of the explosion last March have, for the time being, abandoned the effort to penetrate the shaft further than the mouth of the second entry, 400 feet. Since last Monday several efforts have been made to push on farther into the mine, but each time the rescuers have been driven back by the dense smoke from the fire, which is still raging in the tenth entry. It was thought that the tenth entry would be flooded and the fire extinguished, but such is not the case. No bodies have been recovered except the thirteen, which were brought out last week. The rescuers at the mouth of the second entry have seen three bodies but have never been able to reach them on account of the smoke and heat. (Semi Weekly Boomerang, July 23, 1908)

The Union Pacific Coal Company was alerted that another explosion could wreck the entire town of Hanna.

Acting on advice of experts who declare that should Union Pacific colliery No. 1 at Hanna explode again, the whole town will be wrecked, the Union Pacific coal company will seal for all time the ill-fated shaft, once one of the best producing mines in the state of Wyoming, now a veritable death trap, a seething furnace. For days, experts, men who have for years risked their lives in the pursuit of their dangerous professions, that of gas men in some of the most treacherous mines in the United States and England have attempted to enter the east slope of mine No.1 in which fifty-nine men lost their lives last March. Repeatedly they have been driven back. Roaring flames leaped out in their very faces. Deadly gases polluted the air until it was impossible for man to live. The brave men did their best to bring to the surface the mutilated and blackened corpses of the heroes who perished in the awful explosion but it was of no use. It was impossible for a living object to penetrate the shattered shaft which reeked with foul air and dense smoke. So all hope of entering the mine farther than the mouth of the second entry has been abandoned. Experts declare that efforts to open the mine may at any time cause another explosion, the terrific force of which is only a matter of conjecture.  The expert gas men, judging by the area of the mine now afire and the great strength of the gases, believe the next explosion of the mine will wreck the entire camp of Hanna. Although the mine is nearly a mile from the town, the experts declare the force of such a terrific explosion as the next will probably be, will rent the earth for a much greater distance and will engulf the little village in a rain of fire and chaos. Little wonder then that the citizens of Hanna by night and day cast furtive glances at the barren hills whose bowels are a roaring furnace which threatens at any time to wipe from the face of the earth one of the most promising little cities in the west. Hanna, the ill-fated, oft-stricken camp is fully aware of her danger. But like those people who dwell in the shadow of death, such people as those whose homes are over towered by a death dealing volcano, the citizens of Hanna will continue to live there trusting in fate to be merciful. (Semi Weekly Boomerang, July 23, 1908)

Saturday July 25, 1908
Day 120

It has been definitely settled here by officials of the Union Pacific coal company that Hanna No. 1 in which fifty-nine miners perished 1st of March will never again be worked. It has been hermetically sealed again and it is not probable another attempt will be made to enter it to recover the bodies of its victims. It is the plan of the company, it is said here, to sink another mine a short distance from the ill-fated shaft, striking the same vein of coal, which has proven an alluring proposition to the company.  The No.1 colliery was the best mine the Union Pacific owned in Wyoming, the production being larger and, for many purposes, the coal being superior to the Rock Springs or Superior products. But while the mine has been remunerative, it has cost the Union Pacific much grief and the officials will no doubt be glad to hear that the treacherous shaft has been abandoned. In explosions alone the mine has snuffed out about 225 lives. (Laramie Boomerang, July 27, 1908)

Monday July 27, 1908
Day 122

Mine Inspector Noah Young blasted the Union Pacific Coal Company on the way they run the mine.

In accordance with your request of March 29, 1908, to proceed to Hanna, Wyo. and make an investigation and report on the disaster in Mine No.1 of the Union Pacific Coal Company at Hanna, Wyo. in coal inspection district No.1 of  David M. Elias, who met his death  in said disaster, I herewith submit the following report, setting forth the details of the disaster, the probable causes of the two explosions attending the disaster, which occurred on March 28th, 1908, and such recommendations regarding the regulations of coal mines in Wyoming as will best tend to safeguard not only the property of companies but the lives of employees. No. 1 mine has been the scene of three separate disasters, the first, a minor one occurring the year it was opened; the second on June 30th, 1903, when the lives of 169 miners were lost, and the third, as described below. The other mines at Hanna so far have had no disasters. (Office Coal Mine Inspector District No. 2. For the State of Wyoming, July 27th, 1908)

The following are excerpts from the report by Noah Young.

Office Coal Mine Inspector District No.2.  
For the  State of Wyoming,
Glenrock, Wyo., July 27th, 1908
 
To His Excellency,
Governor Bryant B. Brooks,

The total casualties from the disaster were fifty-nine. Eighteen men met death in the first explosion and forty-one in the second explosion. By the disaster thirty-one widows were created and one hundred and three children were left fatherless. That the first explosion could have been avoided by proper care on the part of the officials of the Union Pacific Coal Company is evident in my opinion. It was undoubtedly due to the desire of the officials to open up this entry as speedily as possible. It is my belief that the first explosion was caused by the negligence of the mine officials in not waiting a proper time before opening No. 10 entry. The second explosion was the direct result of the conditions created by the first explosion. That is, the blowing out of the stoppings which let out the deadly gases from the abandoned entries, and the creation of a roaring furnace and consequent terrific draft which drew the gases down the in-take course until they came in contact with the flames. It is probable the second explosion could have been avoided by erecting stoppings at the mouth of the entries as the men advanced down into the mine and by erecting a stopping in the west slope. This would have shut off the supply of fresh air rushing toward the fire in No. 10 entry, and an explosion could not have occurred unless this fresh air and gas, in the proportion of 9 to 1, came in contact with the flames. That is, the gas being carried down to the fire would not have exploded unless it had at least nine parts of fresh air in combination with it. For several years before the 1903 explosion part of the mine was on fire, which smoldered behind airtight bulkheads. The explosion cost the lives of 169 miners and was probably caused by the breaking out of gas and its ignition by a blown-out shot.  These bulkheads or stopings were what is known as single stopings and were constructed of wood. The mine was opened up shortly after this disaster and operated continuously up to the time of the recent catastrophe. In my opinion, and I believe in this every experienced coal miner in the state will concur, the only safe method to have adopted was to wall off No. 10 entry with double stone stopings and left it for 30 or 60 days, in which time the fire would have been completely extinguished and the entry could have been re-opened without danger to property or the lives of the miners. The construction of stone stoppings is required by the laws of Wyoming. I state that the fire would have been extinguished from 30 to 60 days by proper stoping because no rooms had been opened along this entry. It is generally understood that fire existed, prior to the explosions of March 28th, in entry No. 10 only. My investigations revealed the fact that fire also existed in Nos. 1, 2 and 3 entries and probably in entries on the west slope. The fire in No. 3 entry had been walled off but four days before the explosion while those in Nos. 1 and 2 had been built last September. All of these fires were walled off by wooden stoppings instead of stone in DIRECT VIOLATION of the laws of the state. It seems to me, after the experience of the 1903 disaster, that the officials of the mine would have taken proper precautions against the fires in their abandoned entries and walled them off with stone stoppings, with sand between, and a third wall about 30 feet distant, even if they did not construct the legal stoppings. No.1 mine is a highly-gaseous colliery and such mines require double or triple the precautions needed for the ordinary mine. A fire properly walled off, and protected by stone stoppings, ceases to be an element of danger compared with wooden stoppings even in cases of explosions in other parts of the mine. (Office Coal Mine Inspector District No.2. For the State of Wyoming, July 27th, 1908)

Friday July 31, 1908
Day 126

Noah Young called the Union Pacific Coal Company's Hanna No. 1 mine a "death trap" and condemned the mining methods used to develop the mine.

Severely condemning the Union Pacific coal company for its responsibility for the terrible explosions in the Hanna mine in which fifty-nine miners lost their lives last March, and denouncing the colliery as a veritable death trap, State Coal Mine Inspector Noah Young has made his report to Gov. Brooks. The report is plain spoken and there is no mincing of words, the inference being from perusing it that the inspector has made a careful and thorough inquiry into the disaster and is not afraid to speak his convictions. (Wyoming Tribune July 31, 1908)

Governor Brooks has received from State Coal Mine Inspector Noah Young a special report covering the recent disasters in the Hanna mine No. 1 and making recommendations and comments upon the cause of the explosions and for the prevention of further disaster. Mr. Young begins his report by giving details of the two explosions of March 28, in which fifty-nine men were killed.
 
The report says:
 
“Entries Nos. 8 and 10, which were connected with the recent disaster, extend south from the east slope about 1,600 feet.  No rooms had been started from these entries. On Sunday, March 22, the night fire boss discovered a fire near the upper face of entry No. 10, which had been started probably by a shot. The true cause of this fire will probably never be known as no witnesses are now left.” “Entry No. 10 was walled off with stoppings placed just inside the first slant near the mouth of the entry.  On Saturday, Superintendent Briggs with a picked force of seventeen men proceeded to attack the fire in No. 10 entry. This force constituted the flower of the camp contributed by the three mining companies. Just what method was adopted will never be known.” Some information received from Mr. E. O. Christiansen, mining engineer who was present when plans were discussed, is quoted in the report as follows: “The stoppage in the haulage way was probably first taken out and advanced a distance of about 600 feet beyond to permit the second slant when the slant stoppage was removed to permit the air current passing down the entry and through the cross-cuts to carry out the impure air. Possibly while carrying the stopping forward to complete the work of walling off the fire, the men were overcome by white damp, giving time for the air to come in contact with the gas in too great quantity, thus forming an explosive mixture.” “Some idea of the force of the explosion,” says the report, “and which should have shown to any experienced mining man that no one could possibly have been alive in the mine is gained from the fact that several twelve foot timbers securely wedged in rock were blown against the tipple from 200 to 400 feet from the mouth.  It is important to know that most of the stoppings on the east slope were blown out. The blowing out of these stoppings let out into the main entry deadly gases which were carried down the slope and came in contact with the blazing furnace at No. 10 entry, causing the second explosion.” David M. Elias, inspector of district No. 1 arrived about 4 p. m. Every person of authority had been killed in the first explosion and up to the time of the arrival of Elias there appears to have been no leader. When Elias arrived all looked to him as a leader. He evidently needed a man who would enforce orders but the man he selected failed him. Inspector Elias with a party of ten men started down the east slope about 5:30 p. m. The man left behind on the surface at the head of the slope had strict instructions to allow no one to go below, but later yielded to the pressure of excited would be rescuers and went below with them. After that, apparently, anyone and everyone passed at will up and down the slope and into the mine. “That the first explosion could have been avoided by proper care on the part of the officials of the Union Pacific Coal Company is evident in my opinion. It was undoubtedly due to the desire of the officials to open up this entry as speedily as possible. This entry, like No. 8, was a new entry and no rooms had been opened in from it. The opening of this entry would permit the working of about thirty-four rooms. Just six days after the fire broken out an effort was made to extinguish the fire by forcing the stoppings backward toward the face of the entry.  In my opinion, and I believe in this every experienced miner in the state will concur, the only safe method to have adopted was to wall off No. 10 entry with double stone stoppings and left it for thirty to sixty days in which time the fire would have been completely extinguished.” The report then states that this fire and others which are mentioned in detail were walled off by wooden stoppings rather than stone, in direct violation of the state law and the officials of the company are sharply criticized for permitting the walling off of fires with wooden stoppings or partitions, particularly after the disaster of 1903. The report gives but brief mention to the second explosion, stating that it was the direct result of the conditions produced by the first and that the loss of life was due to the violation of the orders of Mr. Elias who forbade any others than his crew of ten to enter the mine. The remainder of the report is devoted to the testimony of one of the miners as to the precautions taken to extinguish the fire, which caused the explosion, and a number of recommendations not directly concerned with the explosion. One of these is that the miners should not be permitted to fire shots or blast out coal when the mine is filled with workmen on account of the danger of dust explosions from “windy shots” and the use of flameless powder is urged. The fact that the number of fire bosses in the mine is often reduced in quiet times is also commented upon and the use of stone stoppings, the character of crosscuts and other technicalities of mine practice are also dealt with at length. (Wyoming Tribune July 31, 1908)

Wednesday August 12, 1908
Day 138

Three miners were found.

1. Anthony Dodds, a boss driver, age 44, worked in the No. 2 mine. He was buried in Carbon, Wyoming.
 
2. A. C. Corley, a miner, age 39, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery. 
 
3. Aaron Madden, a shot firer, age 52, worked in the No. 2 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.

On August 12th General Manager A. M. Bradbury notified me that the mine was again to be opened and the next morning I reached Hanna. After the stoppings were broken through three bodies were found on No. 1 top entry between the slope and the manway. The work of building stoppings in the entries and cross cuts went on as we went down until every entry and cross-cut on both sides of the slope and air-courses were stopped off. (1908 MIR)

Sunday August 16, 1908
Day 142

Six miners were found.

1. Frank G. Burton, a trackman, age 37, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in Almy, Wyoming, in a marked grave.
 
2. Emil Hendrickson, a driver, age 25, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
3. Jonas A. Lindman [Jonas Lynn], a miner, age 25, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
4. Jalmer Ollila [Jalmer Olila], a miner, age 21, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
5. James Smeaton, a shot firer, age 50, worked in the No. 2 mine. He was buried in Plot 202 in the Hanna cemetery.
 
6. John Tully, a laborer, age 26, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.

On August 16th, four more bodies were found on the slope between No. 4 top and back entries.  Another body was found on the slope about 25 feet below No. 4 back entry and another on No. 4 back entry, 35 feet from the slope. (1908 MIR)

Tuesday August 18 1908
Day 144

Two miners were found.

1. Alfred Holliday [Alfred Halliday], a laborer, age 55, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.
 
2. Charles X. Hughes, a miner, age 49, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in Plot 109 in the Hanna cemetery. ​

On August 18th, two bodies were recovered from No. 6 top entry and on the 21st a third body was found on the slope at the second cross cut to the manway below No. 6 entry. (1908 MIR)

Friday August 21, 1908
Day 147
 
One miner was found.

1. Sam McCormick, a laborer, age 22, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

It was on this date that water was encountered 320 feet below the No. 8 top entry. (1908 MIR)

Saturday August 22, 1908
Day 148
 
One more miner was found.

1. John Cookson, a driver, age 22, worked in the No. 1 mine. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Hanna cemetery.

On August 22nd, the body of John Cookson was found on the slope opposite the second cross cut leading to the manway below No. 6 entry. Since then, no further work or rescue has been undertaken. From July 10th, when the first opening occurred, until August 22nd, twenty-seven bodies were taken out, and it is believed there are twenty-seven more bodies in the mine.  It is possible they will never be recovered as the water is rising at the rate of four feet per day in the mine. (1908 MIR)

Thursday September 17, 1908
Day 174

An inquisition was held in Hanna to rule on the death of the coal miners.

At Hanna, in Carbon County, on the 17th day of September, A. D., 1908, before me, H. K. Bennett, Coroner of said county, upon the bodies of fifty-nine miners as per list attached, lying dead, by the jurors whole names are hereby subscribed, the said jurors upon their oath do say that under the conditions all the men with direct testimony was killed in the explosion and from evidence produced before us we find that they all came to their deaths in Hanna Mine No. One on the 28th day of March 1908, by an explosion of gas or other combustibles. (Cheyenne Daily Leader, February 23, 1909)

The inquest began on the 17th, the coroner’s jury being composed of Grant Routt, Arson Clavel and E. A. Wallace.  Ten witnesses were examined and while much testimony regarding the management and operation of the mine was adduced, all of the witnesses who could give direct testimony had been killed in the disaster. (1908 MIR)

February 23, 1909
 
State Mine Inspector Noah Young was not re-appointed to his job.

The Union Pacific is to be blamed for not re-appointing Noah Young as state mine inspector. Mr. Young, you know, told the plain truth about the Hanna mine disaster, and the Union Pacific is still suffering from the shock that report gave it. (Cheyenne Daily Leader, March 6, 1909)

March 6, 1908

​The governor appointed Noah Young, from Glenrock, on February 18, 1899 as State Coal Mine Inspector.  He held the job for over 10 years before he was not re-appointed. Many in the state of Wyoming accused the governor of the political hacking of Noah Young from being influenced by the Union Pacific Railroad to fire him.

Take for instance, the case of Noah Young, ex-State Coal Mine Inspector for the northern district. Because he had become obnoxious to the Union Pacific, he was not re-appointed and an inspired effort to blemish his character was instigated. Whether or not the charges against him were true matters little, the fact exists that they were not made until his usefulness to the Union Pacific had been impaired, and until the useful servant of the Union Pacific, upon whom the people of Wyoming is mistaken confidence, and conferred the appointive power, was given to understand that he had been placed on the corporation’s list of undesirables. The real reason for the relegation of Young to the political junk pile was that he had the temerity to expose the Union Pacific Coal Company's amazing reckless disregard of even the ordinary precautions for the protection of the lives of its employees. That his report, submitted to the Union Pacific Coal company before it was permitted to become public, which was persistently rumored at the time, and by the corporation's agents was toned down, modified and as nearly as possible emasculated, did not tend to mitigate his offense in daring to discover that the company placed greed above humanity, and the minute he decided to tell the truth regarding the corporation's system that instant he signed his official death warrant.  The Union Pacific did not control his job, but it reached to the man that controlled his job, and when the report went into the executive office,it destroyed the good standing of the man who wrote it. And this is what Young reported: That the system of the Union Pacific Coal company, in the operation of its No. 1 mine at Hanna, in which the lives of hundreds of men had at various time been sacrificed, did not include precautions necessary for the protection of the miners employed. Young was sent to examine the wrecked mine as an expert and as a representative of the State of Wyoming. He was sent because fifty-nine men, including the only other coal mine inspector employed by the state, had just met death in the colliery, and because it was a subject of general belief that the mine was dangerous and was not properly operated. The fearful toll of life paid for its production shrieked for investigation. Young was employed by the State of Wyoming as an expert, and he was expected to do his duty. He did it, but he menaced the dividends of the Union Pacific Coal Company in doing it, and the Union Pacific Coal Company was not in Wyoming politics for its health. A man that would do his duty once, without regard for whom it affected, might do so twice and was dangerous to those whose success had given them cause to consider themselves more powerful than the state. The instantaneous removal of Young would have smacked too strongly of instigation by jeopardized interests, so he was permitted to serve out his term. (Cheyenne Daily Leader, March 6, 1909)

July 23, 1908
 
The Hoodoo Mine, as the Casper Press described the Union Pacific Coal Company’s No. 1 mine in Hanna, was abandoned.

The machinery and tipple at mine No. 1 of the Union Pacific Coal Company here, are being removed in preparation of the complete abandonment of the mine. It has been the scene of more disasters than all other mines in the state combined. Ex-State Coal Mine Inspector Noah Young last year reported that the mine was a menace to the safety of those who entered it. He recommended that state authorities close the colliery. His recommendation was not acted upon and he was removed as inspector, but his report had the proper effect upon the coal company, even though the state authorities were found wanting.  Everyone will rejoice in the final closing of this death trap. (Casper Press, July 23, 1909) ​​

In the spring of 1909 the Union Pacific Coal Company abandoned production of coal at the No. 1 mine.

UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA CONGREGATED OVER THE MOUTH OF THE EAST ENTRANCE OF THE NO. 1 MINE, WHERE THEIR FELLOW WORKMEN ARE ENTOMBED, COMMEMORATING THE 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE EXPLOSION OF MARCH 28, 1908. (HANNA BASIN MUSEUM)

Summary Of All Men Killed on March 28, 1908

First explosion, Fire Crew:
 
18 men were killed, 14 bodies remain in the mine today, 4 bodies were recovered.
 
Second explosion, Rescue Crew:  
 
41 men were killed, 13 bodies remain in the mine today, 28 bodies were recovered.
 
Totals:
 
59 men were killed, 27 bodies remain in the mine today, 32 bodies were recovered.
​
​First Explosion, About 3:00 P. M., Killed 18 Men
 
First Explosion, Fire Crew: 18 miners were killed, 14 of the 18 bodies remain in the mine, they were:

1.   Alexander Briggs - superintendent for all Hanna mines.

2.   Joseph Burton - mine No.1 foreman.

3.   Alfred Dodds - mine No. 2 foreman.

4.  James Knox - mine No. 3 foreman.

5.   John B. Evans - gas watchman, worked in No. 1 mine.

6.   W. H. Pascoe [William H. Pascoe] -  gas watchman, worked in No. 1 mine. 

7.   John Rimmer - gas watchman, worked in No. 1 mine.

8.   Harry Lyon - gas watchman, worked in No. 1 mine.

9.   Robert Herrin - gas watchman, worked in No. 1 mine.

10. P. A. Boyd - dumper, worked in the No. 1 mine.

11. John Ikonen - rollerman, worked in No. 1 mine.

12. Gabriel Lahte [Gabe Lahti] - timberman, worked in No. 1 mine.

13. Emil Silvast [E. Silfast] - timberman helper, worked in No. 1 mine.
​
14. Thomas Flint - mason, worked in No. 1 mine.

First Explosion, Fire Crew: 18 miners were killed, 4 of the 18 bodies were recovered from the mine, they were:

1. Ben Parry [Ben Perry] - gas watchman, worked in No. 1 mine.

2. Gus Raimey - rope runner, worked in No. 1 mine.

3. Robert Warburton - boss driver, worked in No. 1 mine.

4. Peter Monson [Pete Munson] - pipeman, worked in No. 1 mine.

 
Second Explosion, About 10:30 P.M. Killed 41 Men
 
Second explosion, Rescue Crew: 41 miners were killed, 13 of the 41 bodies remain in the mine, they were:

1.   David M. Elias - State Coal Mine Inspector.

2.   Matt Joki - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

3.   B. L. Frink - pumper, worked in No. 1 mine.

4.   Peter Travis - trackman , worked in No. 2 mine.

5.   William Johnson - shot firer, worked in No. 1 mine.

6.   George Case - boilerman, worked in No. 1 mine.

7.   Andrew Hoy - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

8.   H. G. Birchall - miner, worked in No. 1 mine. 

9.   John Tate - shot firer, worked in No. 1 mine.

10. F. E. Collins - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

11. William Bryne [William Burns] - laborer, worked in No. 1 mine.

12. T. D. Penn - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

13. Richard Wilson - ex-employee.

Second Explosion, Rescue Crew:  28 of the 41 bodies found, identified and recovered from the mine, they were:

1.   Alex Tennant [Alexander Tennant Jr.] - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

2.   Aaron Madden - shot firer, worked in No. 1 mine.

3.   James Tyner - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

4.   Yalmer Stalin [Elmer Johnson] - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

5.   William Joki - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

6.   A. C. Corley - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

7.   Charles Harris - dumper, worked in No. 1 mine.

8.   Emil Hendrickson - driver, worked in No. 1 mine.

9.   Jalmer Ollila [Jalmer Olila] - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

10. Jonas Lindman [Jonas Lynn] - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

11. Abel Puro [Abel Pura] - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

12. Anthony Dodds - boss driver, worked in No. 2 mine.

13. Sam McCormick - laborer, worked in No. 1 mine.

14. James Smeaton - shot firer, worked in No. 2 mine.

15. John Tully - laborer, worked in No. 1 mine.

16. C. X. Hughes - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

17. Harry Foster - laborer, worked in No. 1 mine.

18. John Cookson - driver, worked in No. 1 mine.

19. Alfred Holliday [Alfred Halliday] - laborer, worked in No. 1 mine.

20. James Larson - shot firer, worked in No. 2 mine.

21. Albert Riley - driver, worked in No. 1 mine.

22. Mat Huhtala - timberman, worked in No. 1 mine. 

23. John Hoy - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

24. Andrew Birchall - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

25. August Lakson [August Laksonen] - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

26. Ensti Karrikka [Ensti Karrika] - miner, worked in No. 1 mine.

27. F. G. Burton [Frank George Burton] - trackman, worked in No. 1 mine.

28. Robert Armstrong - railroad signalman, did not work for the coal company. ​