The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-02-17

met Mr.. Dryden, one OF the superlntend
ents, who, with his men, were exploring
the caverns with lights, in search of him;
and at 5 o'clock in the morning he emer-
ged to the light of day, having been Civ
en- up as dead, and been mcarcerated in
utter darkness beneath a settling noun
tain for forty-eight hours. Mr.. Hosie
told me many of these particulars, and
the others cleaned from the principal
officers OF the Company, to whom they
were narrated.
At ono time Mr.. Hosie saw lights
from distance, but they soon vanished.
They were the lights of the lnen in No.
3, seeking for him. These lights, how
ever, assured him that he was pursuing
the right course. Mr.. Hosie's hands
were cratched and cut up by working, SO
as to be completely covered wnh sores.
He never for one moment lost his self
possession, and to this fact, added to his
tact and perseverance, is to be ascribed
his deliverance.
There were about forty men in the
mines when the catastrophe occurred, and
the twenty-six who escaped owed their
preservation, in great measure, to Mr..
Dryden, one Of the superintendents, who
conducted them out with great GOODNESS
and self-possession, while portions of the
hill, other than those which first fell,
were settling down around them. Lear
ming that one poor Irish laborer, who had
been struck down by slate, was left, with
his leg broken, he went back alone and
brought him out. Sometimes he was
compelled to creep, and draw the man af-
ter him, through crevices which were soon
after closed by the settling of the hill.-
In two hours more the whole had shut
down, so that if he had been left his
death would have been inevitable. Thanks
to Mr.. Dryden for his GOODNESS, intrepid
ty, and humanity.
The greatest possible efforts are now
made by working night and day to reach
the place where the fourteen were at
work; but faint hopes, however, are che
rished respecting them. The place can
not probably be reached before the middle
of next week, if then. The probability
is, that they have been crushed to death.
Most OF them were men with families
One boy only is known with certainty to
be dead.
Except the loss of life, this unforeseen
occurrence is not much to be regretted,
nor will it greatly impede the company's S
operations, since it has occurred at about
the time when it is usual to suspend labor
for couple of months, to repair for the
Spring, and every thing will be rectifed
before then. The immense strength of
the rock above prevented the bill from
settling in the usual way; but now that
is to be rejoiced at, as it frees from future
danger, and the roads when re-opened,
will be perfectly secure. 1t was an in
novation for it to come down suddenly
and in mass, instead of the quiet decent
way it has adopted in former instances,
and no human foresight could have pre-
dicted the manner of It's de scent, nor
could human prudence, in the present
state of knowledge, have provided against
it.
The quantity of mountain fallen, is
variously estimated. Mr.. Dryden said
that it was about three quarters of mile
long, by half mile in width, Mr.. Clark
son said that it was about half a mile
long, an eighth wide. In the former case
il would be but 240 acres, and in the lat
ter 40 acres. Mr.. Archibald, the chief
superintendent of the mines and railroad,
whose science and practical skill are not
exceeded, estimate the amount fallen at
far less than either of his assistants
Since the first avalanche, itmust be borne
in mind however, many other portions
have gone down. What the extent of
the whole is, no one can conjecture with
any approximation to certainty: and it is
exceedingly difficult at present to get any
accurate information respecting it.
do not know that the company have
any interest either to magnify or conceal
the matter, inasmuch as it is more likely
to prove benefit than damage to their
future operations. The only expense at
tending it will be to repair the roads and
remove the distractions; but these Will
then be the safer; and the knowledge ac-
quired by this experience. may prove of
the greatest utility hereafter.
This occurrence seemed to me so un-
like anything / ever heard of, that | COM
menced writing the account of it to my
friends; but it has proved so long, that to
save the multiplication ofletters, | have
concluded to send it to your paper, which
most of them are accustomed to read; and
they may, if they choose, consider it as
personally addressed to each of them.-
There may be others of your readers al
so to whom it may not be uninteresting.
With sentiments of respect, | am yours,
II. A. ROWLAND.
A baby, three months old, was stolen,
in Cincinnati. few days since. The