The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-16
THE AYONDALE DISASTER.
Origin OF the Fire-The Suspicion OF In.
cendiarism.

The Scranton Republican, OF Monday, pub
fishes the following editorial article in connec-
ton with several columns Of evidence taken at
4he inquest which began at Plymouth on Sat
urisy, and was adjourned 10 nine o'clock
on Tuesday morning, the 14th iustant
n. The intense interest felt in the Avondale dis
aster will not be lessened BY reading the re-
norris OF the evidence elected before Coroner
Wadham's jury at Plymouth on Saturday. The
theory OF the fire, which has gradually been re-
ceiyed-namely, that the work Of the shaft was
ignited BY the heat trom the ventilatiDg fur
naes-is secuted by every experienced miner
who was examined. There was no difference
Of opinion on the point, while the working OF
mine with but one opening and the building
Of the breaker over the mouth OF the shaft
were generally condemned.
All the witnesses whose opinion on the
point ware Of any value were unanimous IN
considering the furnace entirely safe. The
4: opinion that the fire was not caused by the
furnace in the mine is supported not only by
the experience and judgment OF experts, but
by positive evidence Of we'll nigh conclusive
character. This is found in the present con-
dItion OF the brettice. or wooden partition
which divided the shaft to hoisting way and
an airway, or an upcast and downcast., This
brettice is discolored at the top, and not at the
bottom, except o few feet which was ignited
by the burning debris and ashes which fell TO
building was consumed.
{ lsThe brettice was the only material which
could have carried the fire from the bottom TO
the top OF the SHAFT, II the fire had been com
s municated to the brettice at the bottom, as 1t
would have been had the furnace communicat-
ed is. It, is impossible to believe that q por-
tion Of the brettice, beginning at point only
twenty feet from the bottom, and extending
thence upward for one hundred and thirty feet,
: could have remained unburned as 1t now re-
MI ..~ksr had Ahca
flames twenty feet from the bottom and re-
kindlsd them one hundred and thirty or one
hundred and forty feet higher mp 2 The thing
is inconceivable. Not one OF the witDessts
could assign as reason for the origin OF the fire
any cause connected with the working OF the
mine. Most Of them thought it expedient not
30 attempt-any explanation at all, and only one
of the hundreds to give positive expression to
the horrible suspicion that evidently lurked in
ne minds Of all. One witness on his oath said
he believed the mine was intentionally fred
20 Let us not sttsm pit further to excite the hor-
xors which the mere suspi,ion OF such an euor-
nifty 1t once arouses, but examine for mo.
11ent the facilities Tor incendiarism afforded
bysthe secular situation. Geo. Morgan swore
that he believed the fire began at the mouth OF
the tunne or little below it. The tunnel re-
ferred to affords the best possible cover for In
: lower side of the breaker, it ran under that
building and opened into the shaft at poiat
%asy tie :. oaneS no. nj 20 ,hs
OF ahe snan. ky ~ vAs t.eve,seS
noistius Wsy mniSn mas a., -;st nse,, oho.rS
9y sne Ca.rlsse, nsqus;y VIII on 1Sor,iS
almost certainly have been noticed. The tun-
aei openso InV Sae all sh =; AZ ~ an Sss roytS
oU 49,. u.s ,n s,s nsrsacsiy Scrsan,
1eet peneatn tne suffice, wss pef.svsg s'iIoa
90 nom ooSelvstion. WEE ep .ne .ss al S snais
tast the nre came. ana - came VIII tn9 spesa
and force OF an e1pioslo9: pursuing an,o Tue & Sa,
CINE house, as tne engineer sWoIe' Win tne
pun OF an explosion OF loose poWoeT.
) This explosive character OF tna. name .h ls
partly sccountea ior Dy Inc @ sslsSgsh ~ IN ., .ne