Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-09-28
correspondence.
From Pennsylvania.
POrrsvIllr, Pa. Sept. IS, 1869.

| Ed. NENsDEAbbh u'i iSP''N~ -
fearful disaster at the Avondale mine
have already reached you from other aud
better sources through swifter channels OF
of communication.
One who desires clear and reliable ac-
count could not do better than to read the
article hy Albert D. Richardson in the
NJ Y. independent of Sept. l6. Though
probably at fault in his conjectures re
specting the origin of the fire, his state
ments are in the main correct and his
criticisms just
But the history ofthis horror is only a
fair illustration Of the low rate at which
human life is held in the coal region
The world is startled at the spectacle OF
hundred men, inclosed within a living
tomb, perishing in single hour: Yet it
ought to know, and be startled at the fact,
that tragedies like or more fearful than
this are enacted here every day on small
Ter scale. "Pure religion and undefled''
ought to find ample exercise here, " for
the fatheress aud widows in their affection
abound on every hand
The casualties of war are h" F4Op66,fFt(llIoin
TO the numbers engaged), than those con.
nected with mining operations. And IN
this war there is no discharge and no ces-
satiou of hoStilties. The Sehuylkil re-
gion filled its quota and had its share
in the battles Of the late war, yet not one
in five of the many who have lost an arm
or lc!, will reply when asked the cause,
g In the army" The men manned for
life, the widows and orphans, nearly all
trace their Affections % accidents connect
ed with mining. Three. towrthS Of these
disasters result from rant Of prorer pre-
caut onS on the part Of those acAo control
these operations. Yet men must work un-
der such conditions or starvc. Can we
wonder they desire reasonable compensa-
ton? Here one can feel the full force Of
Dangers stand thick through all the ground."
-Four miles out Of town is a little village
nestled snugly down in curious valley
from which millions Of tons Of pure anthrac-
lite are every year mined. The other day
[ conducted service in its church which
stands directly over mine from which
the coal has been removed to within twen-
ty feet Of the surface. Ga either side of
the edifce, but a few rods away and in
direct line with it, huge CULTS, each large
enough to swallow up four such buildings,
open their horrid mouths disclosing the
subterranean passages Of the mine, There
are many such openings in the vicinity.
Indeed the region abounds with them.
Mining interests have the "right of
way" and even public highways have no
exemption from the danger Of being sud-
denly drawn toward the centre of the
earth in a manner not altogether agreea-
BILE. Yonder, public road passes around |
the edge and uncom 'ortably near a deep
chasm. The former course Of the high
way was directly across its centre and a
man was driving there only moment be-
fore it went down! Such surprises are
common.
Only the the other night similar gulf
opened within twenty feet Of dwelling
by a large family! The garden
is mostly gone, but lads accustomed to face
LANCER hare entered the pit anil pic1edMe
,pp5eS from one Of the trees achich rent
ioUn. And, though the house may 20
my moment, the family are still in it.
Alas, how truly does this represent the
he natural state Of man!
Sinful human nature descends into the |
very jaws of hell to pluck the fruit it
owes, and wants to cling to its doomed
initiation until the very last moment!
NJ. B. p.
Il.