Probably Fifty Lives Lost at Roslyn, Washington
Hamilton Daily Democrat, Ohio
May 11, 1892
Roslyn, Wash., May 11. -- At 1:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon a terrible explosion occurred in the slope of mine No. 2, of the Northern Pacific Coal Company at this point, in which the loss of life exceeded in number that of any other disaster that has ever been chronicled in the northwest or on the Pacific slope.
The exact nature of the explosion or the circumstances that led to it will probably never be known, since at this writing it is believed that every miner who was working in the slope at the time has perished. It is not definitely known as to the number of men who were in the vicinity of the disaster, but it is believed that between forty-five and fifty men were in the three levels that were affected by the explosion.
Large relief forces are at work and at this time two bodies have been recovered. These men are working nearest the opening and at some distance from the point where it is supposed the explosion occurred.
Most of the men were 1,500 to 2,000 feet further in the slope, and in the immediate vicinity of the accident. There is no doubt either in the minds of the miners or the company's officials, but that every man was instantly killed by the explosion.
Following is an authenticated list of the men who were at work on the three levels that were affected, and their condition as to being single or men with families:
Thomas Holmes, married
John Foster, wife and baby
Philip Davies, a large family
Thomas Rees, large family
John Rees, son of Thomas
Will Robinson, wife and baby
Robert Graham, wife and two children
George Moses, leaves an orphan son 10 years old
A. Pollard, colored, married
Jack Fergeson, a large family
George Brooks, family at Streator, Illinois
Joseph Worth, Sr., large family
Joseph Ellsworth, Jr.
John Lafferty, single, aged 65, owner of considerable property
Dan McClelland, wife and three children
Richard Forsythe, family
Scott Miles, colored, married
Pruss Luving, colored, married
Andrew Erllandson, wife and four children
Charles Palmer, wife and child
Mitchell Hale, single
Mitchell Roland, large family, brother of ex-Superintendent Roland
Winyard Steele, family. Steele's son was working with his father, but came out last trip and escaped. He was knocked down by the force of the explosion.
William Hague, single, only support of mother and crippled sister
Eben Olsifer, large family
John Danko, Italian, with family
Jake Weatherbee, late mine boss at No. 3, large family
Joseph Browitt, family
Thomas Breden, leaves wife and five children
Harry Campbell, single
James Houston, colored
Joseph Bennett, wife and two children
William Bennett, wife and three children
Joseph Ismay, son-in-law of ex-Superintendent Roland
William Penhall, married
Sidney Wright, brother of County Clerk Thomas Wright, family
Coal Miners' Memorial Statue at Roslyn, WA
More on Roslyn, WA Coal Mining 
See more mine disaster markers, memorials, and monuments.
History Link Article on the Disaster by David Wilma 
