While investigating Cherry Valley Mine No. 2 last Friday to ascertain if the part of the mine which had been walled in on account of fire was safe to operate, John FERRELL, an expert attached to the United States Bureau of Mines, was overcome by gas and died before he could be rescued. FERRELL's body was found about 225 feet on the other direction at right angles to the rooms which he was about to investigate, two hours after he had entered the mine. James REYNOLDS, a first-aid man, went into the mine with mouth-breathing apparatus to look for FERRELL. He soon discovered his light, which was shining through the darkness and as he advanced toward the light found FERRELL at the face of a room lying on his back. FERRELL's helmet was lying within a short distance of him and looked as if it had been torn from his head. He had two electric lights, both burning, which were lying within a few feet of him. It was discovered then that FERRELL was dead. The body was picked up and in trying to carry it through a space 14 inches wide REYNOLD's noseslip was dislodged. He too was overcome and fell, but was rescued and resuscitated by the use of oxygen. When he returned to consciousness he told his rescuers where he found FERRELL and they brought the body out of the mine. Before REYNOLDS was revived Engineer George H. DUKE made three attempts to enter the mine and bring out FERRELL, but before he could locate him was driven out by the gas. FERRELL's apparatus was found to be completely exhausted of oxygen. The facial pneumatic was still inflated in the helmet, but not on his face. He had bruises on his forehead which showed that he had fallen and dislodged his helmet. There was also an abrasion on his hand. FERRELL, whose home was at Ellsworth, Pa., where he has a wife and two infant children, was considered on of the best mine experts in Pennsylvania. He had been in charge of the government's rescue car No. 5 since last October, although he was not operating the car at the time of his heath. At the mine disaster at Briceville, Tenn., a few weeks ago, FERRELL rescued five men. Coroner HEFFRAN came to McDonald on Monday and impaneled the following jury to determine the cause of FERRELL's death: D. L. WILLIAMS, D. CAMPBELL, F. A. THOMASSY, R. G. VERMILLION, R. D. WOOD, A. S. GOLDSTEIN. Mr. WILLIAMS was elected foreman. After hearing some testimony, the investigation was adjourned until Thursday morning, when considerable expert testimony was abduced (sic) from which the jury arrived at the conclusion that John FERRELL met his death by asphyxiation by gas, having failed to follow the instructions given by the Bureau of Mines, in that he went in without being attended by one or two of the bureau's employees. It was also found that the helmet was defective or had become so while in use. It was recommended that the air cell be placed on the apparatus in such a condition that it cannot get out of order from a jar or blow. It was also recommended that no person be permitted to wear a helmet in dangerous gases unless thoroughly instructed in the use of the same.