Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-02-12

the light of day.
To present distinct idea of this
occurrence, must give brief descIip
ton of the mines, and the manner o.
working them. There are several OPP
enings to the coal, which are number
ed as 1, 2, 3, 4, sc.
The method of mining is, to cut out
and remove the coal, leaving only piers
oft to support the hin above, aided
by wooden props made Of sections o.
trees, cut of a suitable length. As
fast as the coal is removed, the later
al branches of the road are abandon
ed, and the main avenues pushed on
TO the coal beyond. In this way the
coal has been removed for a mile and
half under the mountain, and the
roads extend that distance. About a
mile from the mouth OF mine No. l,
an air-ho!e was cut to the surface, up
an inclined plane, by which access
could be had to the surface of the
earth, and down which props We're ia
ken. The excavation for coal extends
half a mile or more beyond this open
ing. TWAS in this vicinity that the
accident occurred, and by closing
the mouth Of this passage, cut off
all hope of escape to those within, in
this direction.
Symptoms of the working of the
mass above had been for some time
observed; and these symptoms had
greatly increased for a few days preyi-
oas to the catastrophe. Every thing
was done which could be done in these
circumstances to avert danger. No
one supposed it possible that the rock
above would prove SO firm, Or that it
would settle suddenly Or in mass.
Only a few of the workmen, of whom
there are nearly four hundred employ
ed in the mines, had gone in on Mon
day morning, when Mr.. GARRISON, the
superintendent, discovered the ominous
appearances, and Immediately set some
hands to work in proping up the slate
On coming out of the mines, about
s 1-2 O'Clock, he met Mr. John Hosie,
(who is well known on the Croton wa.
ter works, as one of the abest masons,
preparing himself to take charge Of the
new mines to be opened a few miles
below Carbondale,j and told him that
be had better wait till he could go with
him, and they would examine the
mines together.
Mr.. Hosie went on, however, into
No. 2, intending to Join Mr.. Clarkson
presently, and had proceeded about a
mile, when instantly the mountain ov-
err his head descended with an awful
crush of every thing which opposed its
progress, and shot down over him,
filing up the road with crushed coal
and bending him double, leaving not
a foot Of space between the solid mass
above and the crushed coal below
The distance descended was the height
of the mine, or from six to eight feet
So great was thepressure the air that
1t produced painful sensation, as if
some sharp instrument had been thrust
into his ears. All was total darkness,
every light in the mine being instantly
extinguished. Ever and anon the
thunder of the falling masses roared
through the cayerns. After waiting a
suitable length Of time for the rocks
to cease falling, Mr.. Hosie began to
remove the loose materials around him
and to creep. He tried only one way,
and it was closed. He then proceed
ed in the other direction; and after nine
hours incessant toll, creeping, .emov-
ing loose coal and slate, and squeezing
himself past obstacles, he made his
way into the open mine. Here he
tried to strike light, but his matches
had become damp and would not ignite.
He then felt around him, and dlscov-
cred by the direction of the railroad
that, instead of making his way out,
he had gone farther into the mine. and
was cut off from return by the mass
which had settled down upon the road.
He then bethought him Of the air hole,
and attempted to reach it; but that
passage had been crushed in and clos
ed. Being in the vicinity of the mi
ming operations, he found some pow
der, and spreading it on the floor, en-
deavored with pick to ignite it, but
could not. He found also can OF oil,
which he reserved in case Of necessity
to use for food.
All was total darkness, and the part
Of the mountain over him was also set
Ting, throwing off huge pieces of slate
and exposing him TO imminent danger
at every step; for but part of the a.
boye had come down at once, and tn.
other seemed likely to follow. Sensi,