Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-11-04
A Tragedy in a Coal-pit.

About seven years ago, when the ole
Lady-well shaft, in -Stafiordshire
was nigh worked out, and there Were
galleries and galleries stretching out
the men said, for miles of old workings
which trey, or even their fathers before
them knew nothing Of, and could no
find their way about, it was determined
by our owners to sink fresh shaft ant
commence working the other side of thu
hill, and so leave off working the Ole
mine, for ominons rumors of choke-damE
and falling roof warned them that il
would not be safe much longer. Aecor
dinghy the new works were begun; they
found thick seam, and very soon they
were in full operation, and the old mine
deserted. The viewers told the laehtc
avoid the side nearest the old workings
but the seam ran that way, and the men
worked and worked. till at last they
broke in one or two small places, and
these the viewers had closed in as soon
as possible.
There was at that time in our employ
as viewer, or overseer, a man by the
name of Timlnins, a rigid Wesleyan,
and good workman, but of a reserved
and dmorose temper, and with whom the
men did not care much to lneddle. They
often said Black Jack (for such was the
nickname he wept.by}} was not right in
his head, and indeed his manner was at
times eccentric; but, as before said
he was most excellent hand IN the
pit, and that was all his employers
wanted.
About that time the smallpox com
inenced its ravages dreadfully in this
neighborhood, and Timmins' wife, tc
whom ne was devotedly attached, be-
came one of its first victims, being car.
ried off in a very shorfstine.
The loss seemed quite to have chang
ed the man. From stern rehgionist
he turned to drink, and no one was
more reckless, more debauched and de-
graded. 81
His employers demonstrated with him,
and told him they would be obliged te
part; that he was only setting the men
bad example instead Of keeping them
OUT Of danger; but remonstranee was
thrown way, and finally they were
obliged to tell him that at the end ot
the week he would be discharged. He
went to his work, but after day or sc
he was missed, and when pay might
came he did not appear at the table; SC
the cashier said:
q suppose Timmins is drunk again
he II come some other time.
But the men shook their heads dark
ly, and said among themselves, they
never thought any cook would come O.
Black Jack
Now it happened about this time
there was appointed to our mine new
manager, for the former one was tot
old and superannuated. He came from
the coal-felds in the neighborhood o
Newcastle, and was a widower, Will
one daughter. Mr., Woodward soor
showed himself clever man, and from
the kindness and geniality of his TEN
per made himself beloved among tn
men, a race always grateful for kind
ness. His daughter. Meta was seven
teen, and possessed one of those charm
ing English faces which to look at wa
to love. Her bright auburn curls clus
tornd ronn1 4 fair. open brow dove
like eyes and sweet mouth expressed
the gentleness of the spirit within
Meta s features might not separated.
have been regular, but, taken as a whole
the effect was perfect. Her looks, how
ever were not her only recommenda
tion-her sweet disposition, hndlines
of heart, and charity, endeared her t
Fall her friends. She often visited tn
works with her father, and begged hin
to let her descend the mine, but he re
fused. Constant dropping, they say
will wear away stone; and so Meta
supplication must have worn away he
fathers resolution, for one day it wa
!. settled that Meta should descend wit
her father and a pitman and explor
the mine. They arrived at the ne1
shaft about noon, and, after the Gag
had been arranged, Mr.. Woodward, hi
daughter, and miner named Baccur
descended. They were each provide
with candles, and, arriving at the bot
tom, proceeded to visit the men in thei
several workings. They had been int
several and were thinking of returning
when Just MS they came to an interceT
ting gallery. violent gust of wind eS
tingushed all their three candles, an
left them in perfect darkness. For tn
first few moments no one spoke, an
then Mr.. Woodward encouraged hi
daughter by telling her that, althoug
doubtless very un-toward to be LEI
without light, still there could be n
possible danger, as all they would hay
to do was to keep straight forward, all
they would come to the foot of the shat
and most likely some of the men woul
- -. ono,tol,a tbam when they cOul