The worst explosion in the 40 years of coal mining in Fayette county occurred at Layland, on Laurel Creek Tuesday morning. The "safest" mine in the whole New River district was the one to make a death roll that promises to reach near 200. Neither gas nor dust existed in the mine yet the destroying element roared through the two miles of workings with a thunderous shock felt for 10 miles about the country.
Only six of the near 200 men at work in the mine have come out alive. There is little hope for those still held in the heated mine.
[url]http://www.wvculture.org/history/disasters/layland01.html[/url]