TERRIFIC MINE EXPLOSION ENTOMBS 105 VICTIMS.

RESCUE WORKERS FEAR GREATER PART OF ENTRAPPED DAY SHIFT FORCE WAS INSTANTLY KILLED.

BLAST WRECKS TIPPLE AT MOUTH OF MINE, DESTROYS HOISTING EQUIPMENT.

AIRSHAFT, INTACT, USED FOR RESCUE ATTEMPT.

SURVIVORS ABLE TO CONVERSE WITH PERSONS ON SURFACE THRU SHAFT.

Oklahoma City, Okla., Jan. 13. -- (AP) -- Gov. M. E. Trapp today ordered a company of national guards at McAlester to report to Wilburton where more than 100 men were entombed in a mine explosion. They are wanted for guard duty.
Oklahoma City, Okla., Jan. 13. -- (INS) -- State Mine Inspector ED BOYLE, of the Oklahoma bureau of mines, in a long distance telephone conversation from Wilburton with his assistant in the bureau's office here this afternoon, stated that 105 miners, entombed following an explosion at the Degnan-McConnell mine No. 21, early this morning, were all dead.
Wilburton, Okla., Jan. 13. -- (AP) -- Most of the 105 men working in the Degnan-McConnell mine three miles west of here are believed to have been instantly killed today in a terrific explosion that wrecked the main shaft and entombed them.
A rescue crew started work at 10:30 a. m. and will attempt to reach the trapped men thru the airshaft, which is still open.
Some of the victims are still alive and conversed with rescuers thru the airshaft. They were advised to remain near the shaft.
J. B. HYNAL, chief of the United States bureau of mines rescue crew at McAlester, was in charge of the work. Equipped with gas helmets, he and two helpers entered the shaft.
Hoister Is Wrecked.
The blast wrecked the tipple and destroyed the hoisting equipment. Emergency hoisting apparatus was being installed to bring out the victims after they are reached.
Frantic groups of the entombed men's relatives gathered about the mine. Word of the explosion spread quickly and crowds of sightseers from neighboring towns assembled. The shaft was roped off to hold back the crowds and expedite the rescue work.
Workmen from other mines in the Wilburton valley rushed to the scene and volunteered their assistance in the rescue work.
Rescue work was being hindered somewhat by the blocking of the main passageway into the mine. The first rescue crew was forced to turn back a second time.
Erect Hospital.
They were unable to squeeze their way thru the debris blown into the manway by the explosion. Previously they had turned back to don smaller gas masks when larger ones were found to be burdensome and in the way.
Four doctors and a corps of nurses were standing by for service in event any of the miners brought to the surface are alive. Others are on the way from Hartsborne and McAlester. DR. T. L. HENRY, company physician who has served the victims of five previous mine disasters was in charge of medical service.
The local chapter of Red Cross has startged erection of a temporary hospital and members are serving hot coffee and doughnuts to the workers.
A. P. THOMPSON, mining engineer, Hartshorne, who was here doing survey work for the coal company, was among those entombed.

Waterloo Evening Courier Iowa 1926-01-13

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ONE WHITE MINER CRAWLS OVER SCORES OF DEAD COMPANIONS TO SAFETY WHEN FLAMES IN OKLAHOMA MINE DIE DOWN.

TOLL OF DEAD SET AT 93, WITH NINE RESCUED ALIVE; TAKE FEW BODIES OUT.

Wilburton, Okla., Jan. 14. -- (AP) -- CECIL McKINNEY, white, one of the 93 miners entombed by the explosion in Degnan-McConnell mine No. 21, near here early yesterday, was rescued this morning.
McKINNEY is the first survivor to come out of the lower levels of the mine.
McKINNEY said he had crawled in the mine passage over dead bodies for 23 hours. He was in a state of nervous exhaustion, when rescue workers brought him to the surface. His clothing was watersoaked and his face covered with soot. A physician called from the throng about the mouth of the mine said he would recover in a short time.
"I crawled and crawled after the explosion in utter blackness," McKINNEY chattered between clenched teeth as he was almost carried to the shower room.
"There are 15 dead bodies in entry 16, east, where I was working at the time the explosion occurred."
Thinks All Are Dead.
"I don't know where I crawled or how long I crawled but I just squeezed thru and finally found a slope and came to the bend where you found me."
McKINNEY said he did not think any in the mine were alive.
Fire which has been raging in the fourteenth level was extinguished early today, rescuers said, and the work of rescuing the bodies went forward rapidly. Between 50 and 75 men were on hand to aid rescue crews as they are needed.
Three more bodies have been brought to the cage shaft and are ready to be drawn out. Six were brought out last night. Three others were uncovered and can be brought to the surface at any time. The other men are believed to be buried so deeply beneath debris that it will be two or three days before their bodies can be removed.
Work Closed Down.
Regular work in the Wilburton valley was closed down today and between 350 and 400 miners were here to give any possible aid.
The interior of the mine is a scene of destruction, workers said, altho they declared there was little damage below the slope outside of the cave-ins and burned timbers. A string of coal cars in the main passageway was found partially burned with the driver dead in the seat evidently killed by concussion. Rescue workers were unable to get close enough to identify him.
Bodies of the men brought to the surface indicated that they had burned to death.
Despite the tragedy that touched many of its homes, an air of calmness prevailed generally thruout Wilburton and there was little hysteria. The small crowds on the main street did not talk much of the disaster. The death toll now stands at 92. Eight negroes were rescued last night.

Waterloo Evening Courier Iowa 1926-01-14
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!