The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-30
The Coal Mine Horror.


SIXTEEN MEN sMoTHERED IN THE WEST
PITTsToN MINE.
Vest Pittston, Pa, May 2s.-The terri
BILE calamity at the mines at this place ha
cast gloom over the whole valley, ant
the excitement attending the sudden adj
vent of the king Of terrors has caused many
kinds of rumors to be put before the pub.
lie.
As near as can be ascertained from the
excited state of things, we draw the follow.
Ing facts: The West Pittston shaft, owned
by the Lehigh Valley railroad company
and operated by G. A. Blake & Co., Of
New York, and of which s. H. Brown, Of
Wilkesbarre, Is resident manager, was
DISCOVERED TO BE ON FIRE
at one P. M. Saturday. The fire was
caused by an improperly oiled Journal of
the shive or pulley over which the wire
rope for hosting carriages from thh shaft
is run. This occurred in what is called
the head house, some forty feet above the
mouth of the shaft.
The fire rapidly communicated to the
breaker, and soon the whole structure was
in flames. The scene now beggars all de-
scription. 1t being we'll known through
out town that the men were 10 the shaft
working, although contrary to the provi-
sions of the mine ventilation bill, which
provides that not more than twenty men
shall be allowed to work in mine with
only one opening, and those to be employ
ed in making new one. Notwithstand-
ing this law there were at least sixty men
"a cboft xusx tlo~c o,,J
sisters rushed to the scene of disaster, fill
ing the air with their cries and lamenta.
tions.
One poor woman had father, husband
and three brothers buried in this living
tomb. The engineer stood noby at his
post, aud commenced the work of bringing
out the miners as fast as possible, but only
succeeded in hosting the carriage three
times, when on the fourth trip the rope
broke, precipitating the carriage and its
occupants to the bottom.
The engineer still kept to his post, how
ever, keeping the fan in operation which
supplied the mine with pure air, until SO
badly burned he could no longer work,
and the betting burned, when the fan stop
ped, and thus cut off the supply of the
life-giving element for the poor fellows
below.
Dispatches were quickly sent to Wilkes
barre and Scranton for fire engines to as
sist In subduing the flames, and they were
as quickly forwarded by rail, special trains
being provided for the purpose.
Upon arriving on the ground, it was
found no water could be procured nearer
than the river, 1.-THE Susquehanna,) about
$500 feet distant. Fortunately hose
enough had been brought, and one engine
was set to work drawing water, while the
other played on the fire.
The work of subduing the flames con-
tinued till about P. M. When they were
sufficiently under control to commence re-
moving the debris of the breaker, which
had fallen over the mouth of the shaft
rigging was hastily constructed for the
purpose of lowering as soon as an entrance
could be affected, and at II P. M. this OBJ
ject was attained, and dog lowered into
the shaft to ascertain the condition of the
air. After remaining about three minutes
he was drawn up alive. This gave hopes
to the crowd of anxious watchers. A man
was then lowered thirty feet, and upon be-
ing drawn up, reported the air foul but
till bearable. Volunteers were then called |
for and speedily found for the humane yet
fearful task of entering the shaft for the
rescue of their comrades. At 1890 the |
first man was brought out alive, and |
cheer after cheer rent the air.
The work of mercy then progressed as
rapidly as possible, but still very slowly to
those watching for their loved ones.
RUp to P. M. to-day the men were
brought up one and two at time.
Thos. Edwards, one of the men brought |
up, Is able to converse, and says when it |
was discovered that the shaft was on fire |
some of the men grew frantic and vainly
endeavored to scale the sides Of the shaft,
which is 260 feet deep, only to be driven
back by the falling embers others fell to
praying and singing hymns.
Fathers and sons and brothers kissed
each other and bid farewell, knowing full
well their fearful doom. A party of twelve
went towards the eastern gang-way and
built barricade, writing on the outside,
"We are all here" They were found in
state of intense agony, having been for
twenty-four hours in the foul air of the
mine. Five of them only were living.
Mr.. William Abbott, one of the Penn
sylvania coal company's men, says, that
when he went down in the mine this
morning, he found that the water was but
three or four feet deep, but the air was so
bad that it was only by the most strenuous
exertions that he was able to retain strength
sufficient to get the men out. He had two
assistants, who were almost unable to aid
him in the least.
The people here, while sorrowing for the
dead, cannot help giving vent to feelings
of thankfulness that SO many were saved.
During the day people from Wilkes
barre, Plymouth, Scranton, Carbondale,
and all the surrounding towns and villages
have visited the scene of the disaster, and
it is thought the total number of visitors
has not been less than ten or twelve thou
sand.
1t is thought that several of those who
were brought out alive cannot live; but
all is being done for them that is possible
for any human being to do.
At the churches and Sunday schools to-
day the attendance was SO meagre that the
regular order of exercises was not at
tempted.
The feelings Of the community can bet
ter be imagined than described and now