The Ledger of Grief After Franklin

Although the subscription yesterday to the Franklin relief fund was very small—only $15—the prospects for a larger subscription within the next week are promising. The Roslyn miners are preparing to come to the front in good shape, as can be seen from a dispatch from them below. Mayor W. H. Harris, of that city, has posted a call for funds, and the miners have signified their intention of contributing liberally from their September pay.

The Post-Intelligencer relief committee at Franklin now has in its hands $834.80 of the funds subscribed, which is receipted for as follows:

“Franklin, Aug. 29. To Post-Intelligencer, Seattle: I received today by Northern Pacific Express three hundred and forty-three dollars ($343) for the relief fund of the Franklin miners. R. H. Irwin, on behalf of the Relief Committee.”

“Franklin, Wash., Aug. 29. Post-Intelligencer: Received by Northern Pacific Express this evening four hundred and ninety-one dollars and eighty cents ($491.80) for relief fund. Relief Committee, per R. H. Irwin, secretary.”

The following letter from the relief committee at Franklin, received last evening, shows that the distribution of funds will be made intelligently and systematically:

“Franklin, August 29, 1896. Post-Intelligencer: The relief committee met this afternoon and transacted the following business:

“First—Prof. Charles Weatherbee desired to be excused from the committee on the grounds that he did not have time to properly attend to the duties required. John D. Jones was elected in his place.

“Second—The following basis of funds was adopted:

“Widow and one child under 15 years, $20 per month. “Widow and two children under 15 years, $24 per month. “Widow and three children under 15 years, $27 per month. “Widow and four children under 15 years, $30 per month. “Widow and five children under 15 years, $33 per month. “Widow and six children under 15 years, $36 per month. “Widow without children, $15 for the first two months and then be dropped from the list. This will enable her to look around for something to do.

“Third—That the distributions be made every two weeks. Same can be had by applying to the secretary, R. H. Irwin. On behalf of the committee, R. H. Irwin, Secretary.”

The following dispatch from Roslyn shows that the mines there are at work:

“Roslyn, Aug. 29. Special.—Mayor W. H. Harris has posted a call for contributions to the Post-Intelligencer fund for the relief of families and individuals distressed by the Franklin mine disaster, and the miners and other citizens here will respond as liberally as they can under existing circumstances. The active interest taken by the Post-Intelligencer for the speedy relief of the unfortunate families at Franklin is heartily indorsed and warmly praised by the miners and business men of this city, who well remember the good services performed by the same agency on behalf of those who were bereaved and distressed by the disastrous slope explosion on May 10, 1892. Out of a total fund of nearly $14,000 the Post-Intelligencer was credited with securing contributions to the amount of nearly $11,000, which was placed at the disposal of the Roslyn relief committee and disbursed among the families of the hapless miners without a penny’s expense to the fund. The generous response of public charity and the sums secured through the different secret orders placed the thirty widows and ninety-four orphans in comparatively easy circumstances, to the end that they are all in a great measure self-supporting. At the present time the miners of Roslyn, who fully appreciate the situation at Franklin, cannot do much toward the relief of the afflicted, but substantial aid will be forthcoming after the September pay.”

W. T. Ramsey, the veteran mine superintendent who had charge of the Franklin mines, became so affected mentally and physically by the disaster of Friday as to render him unfit for active service. Accompanied by his wife, he left Wednesday afternoon for a visit to friends and relatives in Illinois. He entertains a hope that a brief change of scene will be beneficial to him. Mr. Ramsey is 64 years old, has been a coal miner forty-one years and a superintendent of mines for twenty-five years. He has had charge of many dangerous mines, but never before has an accident like that at Franklin taken place in any mine under his charge. In the disaster at Franklin not only was he personally acquainted with every victim, but among the dead were persons related to him by marriage. Being an old man, he was simply overcome, and when the reaction set in was unable to perform his duties. Mr. Ramsey’s family are still at Franklin, and are being looked after by a son-in-law and General Superintendent Corey.

Mr. Ramsey gave unmistakable signs of breaking down last Monday, and Superintendent Corey, seeing that the excitement had been too much for him, watched him closely and Wednesday, acting on Mr. Corey’s suggestion, Mr. Ramsey concluded to take a trip East. The rumor that Mr. Ramsey was discharged is not true. Superintendent Corey said yesterday: “The statement in this morning’s Telegraph that Mr. Hawkins had been appointed superintendent in Mr. Ramsey’s place is false. I am superintendent there myself at the present time and will look after affairs. It is true, however, that Robinson was not there at the time, for he was sent to Kangley on business by Mr. Ramsey. No demand was made by the miners that either Mr. Robinson or Mr. Morgan be appointed superintendent; in fact, such a change was not even suggested.”