Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-06-18
The Men III the~Coal Mine--A Thrilling
Narvatiyel

Mr. Gilmore, of the GAINESVILLE Gazette. has
laid upon our table pamphlet of some fifty
pages, giving full and detailed particulars of
the four men buried in the coal mine, on the
6iuskingum, Of which we have already pub
ished accounts.
This most extraordinary affair excited inter
est throughout the whole country, and thou
sands rushed TO the scene of disaster to lend
a helping hand add their sympathy in be-
half of the sufferers.
We are glad that a full and authentic his
tory is before the public in a form satisfactory
to the public. Such was the rush for this lit
tie Narrative that the first edition of two thou
sand copies was sold in two DAYS Another
edition is now out, and Mr. EdgeH, one of
the rescued after fourteen days imprisonment,
will wait upon our citizens on Friday next with
copies of the Narrative.
In their thrilling Narrative they say:
We experienced but little difficulty for want
of air, though we were very much ANNOYED by
the dust of which our bed was composed 1t
was very fine and dry, and every time we tur-
ned or moved, it seemed to raise a cloud
Even clearing our throats, when our faces
were turned downWards, would blow the dust
all over each other. Our throats and tongues
and teeth would become coated with this disa-
greeable substance, so that it became neces-
sary to scrape it off with our fingers, wherev-
er we could reach it. 1t seemed to add very
much to our thirst and kept us using the cop
peras water continually This water, although
disagreeable at first, became rather pleasant
toward the last. 1t seemed 70 possess some
nourishment. 1t began to have taste finally
like sweet milk or rather like the whey of
buttermilk. We always felt better after
drinking it
We cla IL
at a time. We were too cold to do So Some
times one of us would be able to sleep q little
by getting in the middle and having another
lie on the top for a coverlet Edgell says
that Pearson made the heaviest coverlet they
had, and they couldn't bear him on very long
at time. We sometimes used the heads of
others for pillows; but the pillow generally
grumbled considerably before we occupied it
as long we desired
We, OF course had no way of measuring
time, bat thought we could tell from the
GOODNESS of the air when evening came. We
supposed there must be some crack in the
bank through which the air was admitted, for
there was evident difference at regular in
tervals. We did not attempt, however. to
keep any account of the days. 1t was long
unbroken night to US.
Toward the last Pearson did not 90 TO the
breakdown at all. Savage and Gatwood say
that they finally became so weak that they
could not go the whole distance without stop
ping once, and frequently twice to rest. Ed
geil, however, was able to make the distance
without resting.
Very little merrineut was INDUCED in fy
any of US. Gatwood remembers having ia
ken one laugh at an amusing quarrel which
took place between Pearson and Edgel. as to
who should sleep in the middle. Edgell also
had laugh AZ Ned Savage once They had
started on their hands and feet to go to the
breakdown, and Ned, who was behind STUN
bled and fell, exclaiming it happened, 'I'n
be darned if that amt down once, for the
first time"
Savage seemed to keep in better spirits than
any OF US. Tie was in the habit of lamenting
less about his friends. His principle cause of
trouble was concerning his want of sleep
lie frequently became spunky because not al
lowed to sleep in the middle. and when his re-
quest was not granted he would threaten n
tell his uncle g Duck" Menear. and ret ma ,II
a thrashing after he got out.
We did not make use Of the oil as food
Edgell says that after they had been in about
q week, or thereabout, he took one swallow of
it. He found it very pleasant, resembling
chicken gravy, as much as any thing else he
can think Of He did not taste it afterwards,
nor did he tell the other boys, but threw the
can into one of the empty rooms. He says,
II thought that death was certain at all events,
and using che oil would only have prolonged
our sufIerings. I did not wish to be the last
to de-"
As possibly referable to the use of Copperas
water, it will interest medical men, and perhaps
cll5i iarfs ff fla iva