The event ranks among the 15 deadliest coal mine disasters in U.S.
It is likely that an accidental spark ignited gas in the air, which directly killed seven men and knocked out a ventilation fan.
Without the fan, levels of blackdamp rose in the mine.
Seventy-two of the casualties were black convicts leased from the state and from Jefferson County.
[3] The explosion brought enough attention to horrific mine conditions for new governor Emmet O'Neal to push a mine safety bill through the legislature.