http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm 29 August 2010 COOGAN story ________________________________________________________________________ appearing in "New York Times" [NY], 17 SEP 1880: THE RECORD OF ACCIDENTS (top story) POTTSVILLE, Penn., Sept. 16 - An explosion of sulphur occurred this morning at Richard Hecksher & Co.'s Kohonoor Colliery, near Shenandoah, by which Richard Fresize, inside foreman; John Hargraves, fire boss, and William Manuels, Dennis Coogan and John Coogan, miners, were seriously, and Frank Temple, a miner, slightly, burned. The men have all been take out of the mine, except John Coogan, who is supposed to be dead. ________________________________________________________________________ appearing in "Port Jervis Evening Gazette" [NY], 18 SEP 1880, PAGE 1: DEATH IN A FLOODED MINE [one of several stories] SHENANDOAH, Pa., September 16 - An explosion of sulphur took place at the Koh-I-Noor colliery this morning, burning five men in a shocking manner. They were engaged in timbering the gangway in No. three lift. The fire boss early in the morning went his round and found the mines clear of gas, but it accumulated in No. three lift a short time afterward. One of the miners in putting up a plank stuck his naked lamp among the laggings at the top of the gangway, where the sulphur nestled in a large body. Instantly there was an explosion that resounded through the mines like thunder. The five men were blown in all directions, and burned so terribly that several of them may not recover. Their names are Richard Trezise, inside boss; Frank Temple, under boss; William Manuel, John Harsgraves, Dennis Coogan and John Coogan. Temple was blown a great distance, but was not burned. Trezise was burned seriously as was Dennis Coogan. John Coogan was blown far in the gangway and is supposed to be dead, as nothing could be heard from him. The spot where he is lying cannot be reached on account of the black damp that is filling the mines. When Harsgraves was carried to the top he was groaning in agony. Fish oil was poured on his wounds which lessened the pain. The scene in the mines is one of great confusion. A courier from the colliery states that efforts are being made to turn a fresh current of air in the gangway where Coogan is lying, but considerable trouble is being experienced on account of bad gas. There is no doubt that Coogan is dead. ________________________________________________________________________