The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-04-11

~ 4@tN - tt4INAt &t*&-
laa1 ~ &sandsd man Was n b found.
III. Jekn Q'Nsils Who was 90 terribly
beaten b be rioters, with clubs, is now
lying at his residence In Goal Valley village,
a serious condition. II b feared that
brain fpssr may SET In and result fatally.
yrsn the Scranton pa Register. April l.
TKnRsDLR NINE AcclDHsf.-Again, Is
chroniclers Of passing events. we are called
upon 10 record another Of those serious and
fatal accidents 90 frequent OF occurrence in
large mining districts, and which Some like
q vivid hash or lightning from cloudless
sky. They come without warning; there Is
q jar, crash, and the whole community is
moved to the deepest depths Of feelings by
the awful results which follow. Such was
the character Of the terrible accident that
occurred at No. 2 Diamond Shalt, yesterday
morning, at about 8 o'clock, by which
means Ia or 10 men out Of seventeen met
With sudden death.
At this hour, the miners who worked the
day shaft at the number shaft Of the Dia-
mond mines were assembled to go down
into the mines to commence their daily
avocation. Some seventeen, mostly msn,
took their positions on the platform, and the
moment the weight OF platform and men
pulled on the rope, link of the chain which
fastened the platform to the rope broke, aud
the men fell distance of 100 feet to the
bottom Of the mines. The awful sensations
experienced by the poor men, as like light
ming, the truth Of brief moment flashed
through tneir brains, can only be imagined,
as but few, il any, will be left to tell.
The news spread with rapidity, and
caused the widest and most intense excite
ment. As soon as. possible, the mangled
bodies Of the dead and injured men were
brought up and removed. DIR. Gibbs, acting
Coroner, was summoned, and rendered all
the assistance in his power, as did others
who arrived early az the scene Of the dis
astef.
We saw many incidents while gathering
up facts, that LEFT vivid impression on our
mind-clouds obscuring the bright sun
shine Of human happi ness. Tbs inmates OF
the dwellings, whose friends were among
the victims, could be easily traced BY the
low plaiutive cry Of wives who had lost q
husband. aud little fatherless children stood
clasped in each others arms, while tears Of
deepest grief rainsd down their sunburned
checks. This terrible accident has carried
darkness to many happy home it has
robbed many a fond aud loving wife Of hin
? loyed and leaned upon; it has thrown
many little child upon the mercies Of The
world. 1t is Gods jud sment sent 10 tell
who are actuated by feelings Of sympathy.
to do unto others as We would that Others
should do unto you. Here is a broad 6rld
in which to exercise those cardinal Christian
virtues, TO comfort the widow, 10 pour words
II consolation into her ear, and to provide
for the atherless. See tn t the opportunity
il not lost.
The cause Of the accident was from {
defective link in the chain which connecteC
the platform TO the rope. We heard it wa
about new ut made 10 defective manner.
While standing at the mines and hearing
the men talk, one man remarked that al
these lives could have been saved had the
company put on bride, which would have
prevented the platform iTJm going entirely
down, even in case Of an accident. W,
don't exactly know what bride Is, out Il
is = piece of IRON attached to the works
above and to the platform, one on each ide
If IN accident happens to the rope, the { rain
comes next to the bridles-they ordinarily
hanging with the slack until called into use
by an accident. There is also an apparatus
attached to the platform or lower frame, BY
which springs catch it in case Of accident
On this occasion, we were informed By gen
tleman connected with the works, that tbs
accident y as 50 sudden that the springs die
not have time to perform their duty, before
the platform was beyond the reach Of human
aid.
We also were told that the company pro
hbit more than seven persons passing dowr
At one time, but that The men, in violation o
this order, frequently crowded upon the plat
form until there can be no more standing
room.
We are not disposed to censure the com
pany or men. The accident is terrible IN IL
nature and consequences. Ii il one that il
liable to occur at any moment, and if this il
the result Of carelessness on the part Of i'm
perfect machinery or material used, or frou
violation OF orders by the men, we hope tn
cause will be remedied, and that we shall no
again be called upon TO record SO fearful al
accideat- the most appalling one that IA
ever occurred IN our vicinity.