The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-03
THE PITTSTON DISASTER.

Meeting or NIiners-Orsanized Effort for the
Amelioration Of the Sufferers by the Disas-
ter-The Course of Blake & Co. Endorsed
Contributions 90 tho Relief Fund.
PITTsroN, Pa June 2, 1871.
The first meeting OF the miners employed at the
West Pittston shaft was held this afternoon in the
Luzerne House. The object OF the meeting was
stated to be the discussion OF tine proprety OF nst
tuting legal proceedings against Blake & Co.. on
behalf OF the sufferers Of the late horrible calamity.
Mr.. w. W. KendrcK. superintendent OF the mine,
was called to the chair, aud Mr.. Phillips
secretary. Upon assuming the chair the Pre-
sident availed himself of the opportunity
TO counsel the miners upon the issue presented for
their consideration. In few terse remarks he
stated that the feelings or the country aroused
In sympathy with them, ana himself and his EN-.
ployers Blake 4 Co., were in
DEEP MOURNING OVER THE DISASTER
that had afflicted this community SO severely that
an organized effort for the alienation Of The sufferers
was being made with every prospect OF success;
that Blake & Co. were doing whatever was
possible to lessen the sorrows OF the
survivors, and that the immediate wants OF
the families IN distress were being attended
TO as far as provisions ana clothing would extend
and that it his concentous belief that the most
judclous step would he The accep lance Of the dona
tons now being contributed as q satisfactory con-
sdcTanon OF all THAT money could ayail them. TO
the suggestions the superintendent there was no
opposition. Among the many present l observed
the sorrowstrchen father OF tile little boy, Martin
Graham, VINO would not leave his comrades In the
mineS without II warning, and III retracng his steps
along the dark avenues OF the NINE lost all his
chances Tor life ana died.
All address was presented and cordially ap-
Proved expressing the thanks or the miners OF West
fttston to the citizens OF l.nzerne county Tor the
great and timely aid rendered at the late disaster
The following resolution was then offered ana dis
cussed:-
TIE HOUSE OF BLAKE AND co. yNDonsEp.
s % s aeS Sss b %s %
sissis Obtaining resources relieving families Of
our deceased fellow worknsen and hereby e,.fy 10 the
%ass to the so ss thai - exists be-
we win Willingly receive On behalf Of the sufferers the FUNDS
which be collected in their behalf ia ul complete
counenance and oppose any policy and action which may
be adopted antagonistc to employers IN whom have
perfect confidence.
A number Of the employees commended the spirit
OF the resolution. and, upon being submitted to the
meeting, the resolution passed wI'houta dissenting
Upon the suggestion of a miner, Mr.. Kendrick,
the superintendent. vacated the chair ana lett the
room, allowing tuil and unelnbarrassed discussion
OF the resolutions; but the result II anything diner
ent, was more unanimous than before, every miner
a survivor Of the catastrophe, became 80 exhausted
that he had to be conveyed home in the carriage
the HERALD reporter.
SUBSCRIPTION TO THE RELIEF FUND.
This action OF the West Pittston miners cannot
lall 10 be productive OF much lniuenCe In obtaining
subscriptions to the relief fund.- without any undue
influence upon the part OF the company or any out
siders. They have said TO the country-"We accept
OF your contributions and will apply the FUNDS the
wants OF the sufferers. There snail be large law
yers bulls to be settled ont OF the fund. The whole
Of the proceeds OF the benevolent appeal shall he
used III the cause OF humanity
WORK TO BE RESUMED AT ONCE.
Blake q co. will at once commence the erection OF
a new breaker, and the men Will be employed upon
the work IN few days. The general agent 5. ii.
Brown, told the HERALD reporter that had the de-
cision OF the miners been to prosecute suits for
damages Blake Co. should not have commenced
the erection Of breaker until the end Of the suits.
which would probably have lasted for years. Now
the men will receive hundred cents on the dol
lar. At the end OF a lawsuit they would have been
fortunate Ii they got twenty-five cents the dollar.
PITTSTON RELIEF FUND.
The committee for receiving subscriptions to the
relief fund for the widows and orphans of the late
disaster at West Pittston reports to-day subscrIp-
lions received at the First National Bank, Plttston
amounting TO Sl834, Of which sl,245 were conrl-
buted by the citizens OF Pittston and $3.50 in other