United Coal Mining United Coal No. 1 Mine Explosion
Christopher, Franklin County, Illinois
July 27, 1915
No. Killed - 9
8 Die in Mine Explosion
Daily Free Press, Carbondale, Illinois
July 28, 1915
Christopher, Ill., July 28. -- Eight men were killed, eight seriously wounded and a dozen slightly hurt by a gas explosion in the United Coal Mining Company Mine No. 1, one-fourth of a mile east of Christopher, Franklin County.
The explosion took place in the sixth, southeast entry, where more than 100 men were working.
The cause of the explosion is not known.
The dead are:
John Parks
Everett Swofford
George Gimatis
Mike Orsega
Frank Bonaski
H. M. DuFour
Alphonso DuFour
Julius Takasch
As soon as the accident was reported rescue corps were formed by employees of the mine and the first of the injured were brought to the surface.
Members of the State Mine Rescue Corps arrived in automobiles from Benton and took charge of the rescue work.
The injured were removed to their homes and the Zeigler Hospital after receiving first aid treatment at the mines. All bodies have been removed from the mine.
Note: The official number of dead assigned to this disaster was 9.
