The New York herald., 1869-12-26
THE MINING HORROR.
Condition Of the Mine-Renewed Efforts
to Recover the BOdics-HerOism Of the
Fire COmpany-PrObable Action OF
the C0r0ner's Jury.

STOCKTON Pa, Dec 90 1859.
The heavy rain storm OF yesterday was followed
by severe frost and the ground about the mouth OF
the mine Is bard as adamant. Gangs OF
workmcn were consequently sent into the pit early
this morning to their efforts for the recovery
bodies buried beneath the debris OF earth aud
houses. These men under the direction Of Mr.
William Carr, the company's superintendent Their
work Ia both difficult and dangerous. When the
face sank the houses toppled over and were
quickly covered by the avalanche OF earth tumbllng
into the cavity from the yielding slides OF the slope.
TO reacn these overturned dwellings and dig them
from beneath the overhangng ana treacherous bank,
is undertaking OF no ordinary difficulty.
Every shovel Of eartn taken out ana every plank Of
timber removed increases the risk OF slide. The
surface cracked in every direction about the pit,
and 1t only needs q slight squeeze to make it open
out and drag within the yawnlng mine everything,
animate and inanmatc within reach. The work.
men, therefore, have to proceed very cautiously and
their progress Is consequently slow. Should the
threatened slide take place while the men are IN the
hole not ono OF them could escape. 1t seems fool
Sh AFFAIR altogether this digging at the imminent
peril Of mems lives for the recovery of bodies al.
ready inferred IN deeper graves than any the GENE.
terry can give them; but the miners are extremely
supsrstliious, and will not work while there Ia
the least possible chance Of recovering the
burial. There VIII be no relaxation therefore,
IN the Efforts OF the company To exhumc the
least the further sinking Of the shall render
their recovery manifestly impossible From the
present appearance OF the pit 1 do not think that
bodies will DO found for some time, II The
cavity Is about l30 feet wide, 8o feet long aud
seventy to seventynve feet deep. Tne hard
welded the earth and ROCKS together where the
surface cracked IN the squeeze which followed the
disaster VI saturday; but when q tnaw comes the
entire neighborhood over the first lifG OF the NINE
n IA K n N mfr ocff-
cal miners and engineers here VINO comprehend tho
situation thoroughly. To Inc least in Ormed on tho
position OF the VEINS and the course Of the galleries
and breasts Jutting out from the gangways away
down beneath the surface the face OF the pit and
wear shs aspect errOs aanse S'cns as
craving for tue sensational which fills many bld, e
psope Walk sne sona Sss se au,h San oe iSs t satisfied
from the bottom OF which sounds OF pick and shovel
are heard: glance into the abandoned and shaken
houses tOtterlng over the brink; d run across the
cracking street and roadway by bursting mounds
o earth and moving wells, bring the color to ones
cheek, or take 1t away altogether. When one gess
beyond ana away IRON danger, or thinks So he cam
not well neip cnucklng over the TACT thai the hungry
specfion nave opened her Jaws and received him
wDo.e but didnh. Sufficient credit has not been gwen
to the volunteer fire company from Hazeton, winch,
under the command OF Mr John g. Eomllson. Old
New YORK fire laddle,n rushed TO the scene ut the
first alarm OF nre and worked thirteen hours without
Intermission IN the midst or imminent danger.
Men will warlly face death and dodge or
meet 1t, when 1t Is ABOVE board, and
II
oi ine destroyer blinded and with The earth giving
away beneath your ieek suppose 0Gner nre CON-
pancs would have done much, Dut that does not
ueIract from the merit OF the HaZlclOu men, Such
an act OF herOism in New York city, before shouting
crowds and In the presence OF representative Of
the press, would bring applause, but mere, amid
snenco and darkness OF the mountains, sucn acts
OF sclf-devoti0n are deserving Of more than pass
Ing notice. There is too mucn reason to fear. how
ever, that the men now at work IN the mine are
anxious emulate the daring or the firemen and it
will be fortunate II more lives are not lost
nj vynr
SACRIFICED In the first moment OF the disaster.
Pears are entertained that other mines In
the vicinity are also ''robDsd" and that the
people living above them are IN imminent danger.
The Adenred New POttsville, HazebroOk, German
and French companies mines are worked quite close
10 the surface; and Is depends altogether upon
men WHO work tnem whether tney snall fan in or
not The alarm felt by the residents Of this LOCALITY
H. therefore, felt by the mining population or the
The English miners here say that II tho mines
were under government control as they are in Eng
and such an accident US nat OF Saturday could nos
occur. Tue British Parliament exercises control
over the mines; inspectors appointed TO Visit
theE and report on the condition OF the mines
worked In regard to the safety OF the
people engaged In taking ont the coal, and
the boss miners are neid TO strict accountA-
laws made Tor their government. Accidents IRON
fre damp DC, are OF frequent occurrence In
English mines but owing TO the Jua,cIous avs
alluded to- but very few disasters occdr from roo
|, Dlngu the Jury summoned 10 investigate tna
cause of the death OF the seven persons now In the
pit and OF the three already recovered, VIII. t -
well understood add to their verdict q recommen.
dat,on to the Legislature OF the state 10 enact law
when, while aiding te MINERS ,hs Delow WIN protect
caamities like tnis OF stockton impossible. Tue
Jury IL an Intelligent one and wiz fully investigate
the matter These ale their names :--lnOmas ~
Mcyar William klsner, DR.. w. L. Lon1shoIo, q. II.
Myera, Jamos Lewis ana J. 9. Tomlinson They
have now An opportunity OF rendering the mining
oommunlty OF the ALeghanies a sgnai service. and
| Il Is hoped that they WIN aval themselves Of v