The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-19 00:00:00

Sixty Men Imprisoned in a Coal-pit.

An accident productive of rather awkward results
occurred on Thursday morning last at Messrs.
Mercer and Evans's High .Brook Colliery, Ashton,
near Wigan. Fifty-eight men and boys, colliers,
drawers, and " datalers," descended, as usual, at five
o'clock in the morning, and they had not been at
work long before the cotter at the crank end of the
connecting rod of engine gave way while the engine
was winding. Fortunately neither men nor coal
were in the cages at the time, and no serious injury
was caused by the fall of one of the cages to the
bottom. A new casting was of course requisite,
and this was obtained in the course of the day. a
small windlass being fitted up to supply the men
' with provisions. The cotter having been replaced
an attempt was made to start the engine, when it
was found that the first fracture had caused a
second and much more serious one, the piston being
broken and a new one rendered necessary. Imme-
diate orders were given for this, but it didnot arrive
till eight o'clock on Saturday morning, and the
engine did not, begin to work till ❑early eleven. In
twenty minutes the whole of the 58 were ou the
surface, receiving the congratulations of their rela-
tives and friends. Some were a little dazzled by
the broad daylight, and all had faces which even
the colliers on the pit bank thought remarkably
black. When all were up the party assembled at
the shaft and sang, no doubt with thankful hearts,
the Old Hundredth Psalm. Nor was Mr. Mercer
forgotten, hearty cheers being gives for him be-
fore the men returned home, after an incarceration
of 54 hours. The proprietor of the colliery has been
most assiduous in his exertions for the forwarding
of the castings in order to release the captives; and
he has also attehded to their wants with the libe-
rality which always characterises his actions. Pro-
visions in abundance have gone down the shaft, as
well as a large quantity of tobacco, sundry news-
papers, and some other little things which he
thought might add to the comfort of the men. All
the work having been done that could be done, the
time seems to have passed rather pleasantly than
otherwise, singing and dancing being kept up with
very little intermission, the only fear of the impri-
soned being for their wives and families, for whom
many brief letters were attached to the rope when
rewound on the windlass.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

CITY BETTING—Tun DAY.
CHESTER CUP.
25 to 1 agst Stradella (offered)
33 to 1 agst Duleibella (offered)
33 to 1 agat Welcome (offered)
40 to 1 agat Barchettina (offered)

TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
7to 2 agst, llospodar (taken)
9to 2 agst Saccbarometer (taken)
10 to 1 agst bar two (offend)

DERBY.
11 to 2 agst Lord Clifden (taken)
40 to 1 agst Pratiquo (taken)
45 to I agst Tajo (taken)

BETTING AT MANCHESTER.

The publication of the weights for the Chester Cup has
not yet given a great impetus to speculation, with the ex-
ception of Plover, Stradella, and Le Marechal. It was only
the long prices offered that tempted investors.—For the
Two Thousand Gui eas, 7 to 2 was the highest offer against
Hospodar ; and 9 to 2 was asked fur against Sacoharometer,
who did not appear quite so firm for the Derby, 12 to 1
being offered to money. Closing prices :

CHESTER CUP.
40 to I agst Plover (taken and wanted)
40 to 1 agst Stradella (taken)
40 to 1 agst Le Marechal (offered)
Nto 1 agst Investment (offered)
60 to 1 agst Duleibella (taken)
66 to 1 agst Manfred (taken)
66 to 1 agst Double X (taken)
100 to 1 agst Ben Webster (taken)
100 to 1 agst M. Phillippo (taken)
100 to 1 agst Asteroid (taken)
100 to 1 agst Cowley (taken)
100 to 1 agst T t'. Cooke (offered)
100 to 1 agst The Brewer (offered)
100 to 1 agst The Lawyer (offered)
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
7 to 2 agst Hospodar (offered)
9 to 2 agst Saccharemeter (wanted)
THE DERE
11 to 2 agst Lord Clitden (offered)
12 to 1 agst Saccharometer (offered)
13 to 1 agst Hospodar (taken)
40 to 1 agst 'Early Purl (taken and offered)
100 to 1 agst Queen Bertha (taken)
WATERLOO CUP.
100 to 6 agst Mr. Spinks' nomination (wanted)
100 to 6 agst Mr. Blackstock's nomination (offered)
100 to 4 agst Mr. Brundritt's nomination (offered)
100 to 3 agst Lord Sefton's nomination (offered)
100 to 3 agbt Mr. Hammond's nomination (offered)
40 to 1 agst Mr. Johnson's nomination (offered)