Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-10-14
NO. 7
For the Shenandoah Herald.

MEssRs. EDITORS Every mode of life
has its labor and care, but every mode of
life is not attended with the same danger
and risk. Living as we do in this beauti-
full Valley wonder whether we vlaure our
heritage and are content to improve and
cultivate the lands which God has given
US. Such were my thoughts upon read
ing an account Of the dreadful disaster
which occurred at Plymouth, Pennsylvania,
a few weeks ago send you letter
written by my Brother law, the Drug
gist Of that place. Though not intended
for publication, it may be of interest to
your readers. J. M c.
PLYMOUTH, Sept. 26th 1869.
Dear Brother - You have doubtless
read of the Avondale disaster. This is
the place where Mr. NJ Weir, fell down
the shaft some time since and was dashed
to pieces.
1t is not known how the fire originated
Harpers and Leslies both had reporters
present, and both have full illustrations of
the scene.
The fire shot up the shaft with such
sudden velocity that the engineer had
barely time to save himself, and directly
the whole structure was ablaze The
wives and children of the men imprisoned
by this sea of fire ran frantically about
calling in vain on husband and fathers.
Can the men in the mines be saved ?
was the first question.
Experienced miners said no, but to the
weeping friends held out false hopes that
all would be well.
Soon two engines were on the ground
pouring water down the shaft half filled
with fallen, burning timbers. to quench
and cool, so that men might 90 down, with
the faint hope of aiding the sufferers.
First dog and light, and then man
ventured through smoke and heat as far
as fallen timbers would permit Then
two men with axes cleared the way to the
bottom, ran back into the mines some way
found barrier, pounded and called out
> got no reply.
Then two others went down. and sent
up the cage for more men and tools, but
: ere it had half reached the top shouted fol
it to return, but were not understood
t When the next two men came down they
found the first lying dying and signalled
to be drawn up. In ascending one over
come, fell backward but his comrade by
standing on his feet held him in the cage
3 and he was drawn out with his head and
body hanging down the shaft. and with
much trouble was revived. Two more
now go down for the dying men, one re,
turns with one of the men who after long
/ efforts was revived.
, Before help could return for the Other
two it was too late During the subse
D quent efforts many men were brought vi
. in an exhausted state by their comrades
: but no more volunteers persisted.
After long hours of dread and despair
' the men were at last all brought out
The larger part were found together where
they had attempted to construct alright
S barbados against the poisoned air from
the fire. I dare say you have read it all
I was there one day with my team to aic
in hauling away the dead. AS each was
: brought out his name was announced tt
r the vast crowd, and from some spot would
u each time break forth the wall of wife, o.
child, or mother.
Nearly the first body was placed on m,
:. wagon AS I started woman cried il
frantic tones 1t is my husband, it is m,
husband and struggled to reach him.
Strong men held her as drove away
In carrying away the next I was accom-
c panied by his Nephew 1 think tho hat
several still nearer in the mine. We pass
e ed the dead mans sister The Nephew
tried to soothe her by saying it wa
her brother (not her husband still laying
: unfound.) She stared moment, thcr
: cried Let me see my brosher,' don't taxi
away my brother, stopped. She climb
IS ed in the wagon and pressed her lips tt
his in long convulsive embrace, ther
r was torn away and held till [ drove off
At the house we found two weeping wo
men to receive the corpse. The wifi
It about to be confined, lay in another room
: in commissions. AS | passed the mex
house some children caught sight of th'
t corpse and sent up the wai!ing screams
1t is father, o my father, 0 my father
my father, and SO they cried till ] hae
L passed out of sight. The next brough
to this neighbours house, house will
o three families, only one smitten. As VT
t were earring in the body another team
drove up with another body, still thirC
e undiscovered in the mines, three in one
family.
In some families the dead numbered
four and FIVE. The wife of the mining
{ Boss, when she heard the alarm of fir
clasped her hands in violence, and during
all the hours of dread and despair sh
wrung her hands in silent, hopeless woe
! l am told that during all the time since
she has never once smiled, never once shet
tear.
Among the victims were some bad men
. but many valuable citizens. The Welcl
i church nearest the mines lost nearly all it
q mem bers The other Welch church los
. many. An Irish funeral that day save'
= several Irish miners. The large sum
raised will give much aid, but the lon;
J wears of grief to follow who can tell.
. Yours Respectfully,
j. W. WARTON.