Pottsville, PA Otto Colliery Mine Explosion, Sept 1885

THE DEADLY GAS.

An Unlooked-for Explosion in a Pottsville Colliery Causes the Death of a Boy and Fatally Injures Five Men.

[Pottsville (Pa.) special.]

A gas explosion took place this morning in the Otto Coliery, operated by teh Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, one boy being killed and five men fatally injured. Eleven others were also more or less severely burned. About 450 men and boys are employed in the mine, both inside and outside. In the new lwvel, upon which work has been prosecuted, the coal has been throwing off sulphur and this rose to the upper level, whre a gang was at work. Not long before the explosion Patrick Kilrain and his son came out with naked lights, but noticed no gas. A short time afterwrd several men came out, and as soon as the door was opened there was a terrific explosion. John Lynn was the name of the lad killed. The fatally injured were: Thomas Lynn, 27, single; burned about the hands and face. Robert Lynn, 24; burned on the breast, head, and arms. John Graham, 30, married, with wife and two children; burned about the body. Alexander Frew, 30, married with wife and two children; badly burned on the head and body. John Smith, single, 24; burned in the face ond on the body. The father of the Lynn boys was killed by a fall of coal in 1876. The explosion created more than ordinary surprise, because this colliery was considered more than usually safe. Many of the men engaged were employed on new levels, and were not taking out coal. The force of the explosion was something fearful, and resembled the report of an immense quantity of gunpowder.

The Aberdeen Daily News, Aberdeen, SD 18 Sept 1885
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Transcribed by Tim Taugher. Thanks, Tim!