The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-07

The Remains of the Late Secretary of
War Lying in state-Washington
in neutrality-suspicious.
of Sympathy from Vir-
ginia - Naval
Orders.
FROM THE COAL REGIONS.

The Fearful Disaster mt the Av0ndale Mine
Two Hundred Men Locked Up In the Bowels
of the Earth-NOt One Supposed to be Alive
Heartrending Scenes about the Pit.
Special Despatch to The EUening Telegraph
SCRANTON Sept. I'll A. M.-The latest in
telligence from the awful fire in the Avondale
mine works up to this hour this morning holds
out but very slight hopes for the safety of the
two hundred or more men who have been shut
up in the earth since yesterday morning. The
escape of gas and choke damp pre-
cludes the possibility of any further
attempt at exploration being made.
Until the steam fan which is now being set up is
finished, nothing can be done to aid thoseJin the
mine or ascertain if any one is living. 1t is
feared (but no one dare express it) that not q
human being is now alive within the horrible
pit. Numerous theories to their safety or
death areadvanced. 1t is asserted by some that
the almost instant suffocation of Williams and
Jones, who went down seventy feet last night
pronounces, beyond doubt the awful doom of
those who are hundreds of feet below and cut off
from all supplies of air.
Others assert that if the doors leading to the
principal avenues and chambers were shut, the
choke and fire damp could not reach them and
no gaseous matter would be generated when en-
tirely cut off from the fire. Old and practical
miners shake their heads evidently afraid to
venture prediction of what the investigation
will bring to light.
There is now no fire in the main entrance or
shaft.
All possible haste is being made in getting the
steam fan into position. 1t will be ready about
3 o'clock this afternoon, perhaps sooner. Thou
sands of people are focking here The scene of
afflicton among the wives and children, fathers
and mothers, sisters and brothers of those below
ic hoo in thn aNtra hoy
waited and watched all night, without sleep or
shelter, praying for the deliverance of those
most dear to them, and bewaing the awful
calamity which threatens to desolate their house
holds. Operations in neighborng mines have
ceased, and gloom pervades the whole COM
munity.
No Entrance Yet Effected to the PIt-Every
Miner TO be supposed Dead.
SCRANTON, Sept. 10 A. Mt will be an
hour yet before an entrance can be effected into
the Avondae mine.
All the mining experts feel sure that every
man in the mines is dead.
The Steam Fan at wogCk,A Descent Impossible
Special Despatch to The EUenirlg Telegraph.
| WILKEsBARRE, Sept. 7-Noon.-A despatch
| lust received here states that the steam fan is
now in operation, forcing pure air into the shaft
but the air is still so foul that descent be
made at present.
| APrObabIe Avenue of Escape.
tunnel is being rapidly eXcavated from an
abandoned drift to intersect with the shaft in
| which the men are entombed, but they will not
| be able to get through before o'clock this
| afternoon.
In the meantime the anxiety increases, and
the scene about the mines is narrowing in the
extreme. There is barely any hope of any of
the men being rescued alive.
The Mining Commup%i!y % demonstration by
Despatch to the Associated Press.
| SCRANTON, Sept. 1.-THE amentable mining
disaster is the universal subject of inquiry,
thought, and feeling, while the whole commu-
nity is thrilled to the centre with horror. The
mining population, as might be expected, are
more deeply and painfully touched than any
other class. All work is suspended in the mines
| in this vicinity, and nearly the whole force OF
miners in the mining districts have gone to Avon
dale. TO remain there until their brethren are
| brought out dead or alive.
| people FIOcking 10 the Scene.
| Sneciol trains are run down from here, and
no fare charged those going to Ayondale. Thou
eo,ds boyo rome from this direction alone and
| the whole country Is arouseu' an" "o'N'"s "
the scene of disaster.
| The streets of Scranton.
In the Fourth, Fifth, and SlNth' OF hyue r"rh'
wards of this city, the streets are throhgeu Win
women. relatives and friends OF the men In the
,rondoIa nit eagerly beseeching every person
or,;,,iro, from below for information, and their
weenin9 aronses the sympathy of all spectators.
NT;Uing connot be resumed at any of the works
oethe Delaware. Lackawanna and Western Rail-
rood Comnonv within week, or at least until
al tbe funerals of the Avondale dead are over.
- The he fact of the long and severe strike just
ended adds greatly to the desttution which will
eamo'r the coIamity. The widows and orphans
"isi sornMTos TuTol Sept. THE crowd at Avondale
has become so great as to interfere with the
h". ond the free passenger trains