Narrative: The explosion of a box of powder in the boiler room of the mine set fire to the building, and in a few minutes, the entire shaft house and hoisting works were burned to the ground. Ten men working in the lower levels were killed.
The Silver Cliff Disaster
Biddeford Daily Journal, Maine
November 23, 1885
Silver Cliff, Col., Nov. 21. -- The coroner's investigation into the cause of the Bull Domingo mine explosion reported. The search for the direct cause was thorough, though strenuous efforts were made to excuse the company and superintendent.
The jury found "that the deceased came to their deaths by reason of the criminal negligence of H. W. Foss, superintendent of the mine, in failing to find means for the prevention of said fire, and criminal negligence of said Foss in failing to provide means of exit from the mine." Foss was arrested and held in $2,000 bail.
