The New York herald., 1869-09-08
The Shaft Cleared and Air Pumped
Into the Mine.
Several Descents Made With
out Results.
Hope Abandoned of Any Lives
Being Saved.
Great Excitement in the
Mining District.

Arrival Of an Engine and Fan--Air Being
Pumped into the shaft-Meeting Of Miners
Descent OF Miners Down the Shnft-Narrow
Escape of Two from Death by suTocation-
Carbonic Acid Gas and Black Damp Prevent
Rxpsorations-An Hope Abandoned Of Any
Lives Being Saved.
eCRANToN. Pa, Sept. !. 1882
The following bulletins 10 tho Scranton Aorntn0
Rspuotcan have been received from Avondale:-
o'oLooK A. M.-The train with the donkey
engine and fan has just arrived They will be hauled
up the hill to the mouth Of the shaft at once, and all
haste MADE to put them in place and get ready for
work.
O'CLOCK A. M.-The engine is nearly ready
AND preparations are going on rapidly. rope has
Just been stretched around the shaft and large
police force has been deputzed and is under charge
Of Chief Daniel Brown, Of Plymouth, assisted by
Levi CarvicKaner constable for Plymouth township
The ground has been cleared of all not actually
engaged in busy preparation. The hill side rising
abruptly back Of the shaft, Is crowded with women
and children and men from other localities.
O'CLOCK A. M.-The most experienced men all
agree that every person IN the mine has perisned.
Preparations are hastily being made to force air
down the shaft. A descent will! be made within an
hour. All mining experts feel sure that every man
IN the mine is dead.
meeting Of miners has just been convened IN
the woods near by, James George acting as presl-
dent. He stated in spirited speech the object Of
the gathering to be to organize force OF fifty ex.
perienced men from among the representatives Of
the several districts present to hold themselves In
readiness to volunteer to descend the shaft. He
stated that seventeen miners were there from Hyde
PARK and called for nominations from other iocali-
ues.
Thomas J. Phillips Superintendent Of the Jersey
Mines, waited upon the meeting to say that when
the preparations were ready the carpenters machin
lists and others would give place to the miners who
would cooperate with the ofncers Of the company
In exploring the mine.
sa6 O'CLOCK A. M.-The engine and fan have just
started, and every pulse is quickened at the busy
hum they create.
$50 O'CLOCK A. M.-Men are pouring in from all
q6arters in great numbers. Mr.. J. c. Wells has Just
arrived, with 800 miners. from Coalville.
slo O'CLOCK A. M.-The fan was worked only
tsw minutes on trla, when 1t was stopped 10 con-
neot the canvas air conductor. which viii reach
the bottom Of the shaft. 2s7 feet. All is nearly
ready; the miners are close at hand and a roll
Of their names is being called.
1905 O'CLOCK A. M-The fan has Just been
starred. Forty.six miners have been enrolled
under the superintendence Of James George Of
Plymouth, ana Henry W. Evans, Of Pittston.
George Morgan, Of the Nanticok Mines, is appointed
foreman on the part Of the mines, and Thomas e.
Davis, Of Nanticok, and John H. Powell, Of Tsyior.
vsNe, as advisers. They are to bave TIE direction
Of operations after shS descent ls made.
1920 O'CLOCK A. M.-Thomas Corwin, supern.
tendent of the Hampton Mines, and John p. Davis
carpenter at Avondae, are making the first descent
Of the sDsft. They proceed only 100 feet ana lower
thfe.. lamps, which burn freely, The distractions
prevent the lamps from reaching the bottom within
nseen feet
I0:4b O'CLOCK A. M.-Carson and Davis remain In
their position reconnoitering the shaft. The lamps
ssi burn and the fan continues to force down air.
The Rev. Thomas P. Hunt appeared on the ground,
ana after few remarks proposed the following
Rentlemen as a committee to solicit aid for the
families Of the suGerers:-E. @. Wadhams, James
McAiarney, J. Fuller, Reynolds @. Evans DR.. Rich
ards, jacob Roberts, J. W. Emo, II. ]. Taple, Harry
HaKes. Samuel shaffer B. J. woodward, r. N. E.
woodward, Robert Boston, ]. q. Wren, Nathan Van
Horn, F. Thorner, H. Turner H. H. Harvey, Richard
stillwell ana John B. Smith. several small books,
previously prepared, were handed to all the com.
mitteemen present, and the canvass Of the immense
multitude here is progressing
IL O'CLOCK A. M.-The two men have ascended
and the miners' committee are getting ready to &c
down. They VIII take axes. saws, &C., to clear
the passage.
The crowd has become 30 great az to interfere
with the relief operation, and the free passenger
trains are necessarily suspended.
nls O'CLOCK. A. M.--George T. Morgan, OF Nsnti
coke; John Howell. OF Tsylorvilie Thomas Davis, Of
Bellevie, and Thomas E. Davis Of Nanticoke, q
committee OF miners, begin to descend the shalt
They pi oceed slowly and with care.
1885 O'CLOCK A. M.-They now ascend to tht
mouth of the shaft They report that after leaving
the platform on which they went down they pro
oeeded about thirty feet into the gangway and find
ing great deal Of carbonio acid gas and blacl
damp, retreated, after conveying the end Of th'
large canvas cir conveyer as the lode as the
went The damp was between two and three fee
deep on the bottom Of the mine.
1855 O'CLOCK A. M.-Rees Evans Thomas Car
son. Charles Jones and Isaac Thomas, another min
ers' committee, now begin to descend the shaft.
1880 O'CLOCK p. M.-The second party OF mel