Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-08-19
ANOTHER FEARFUL sruNE DIS
ASTEEs!
Explosion Of Fire Damp,

PTTTsTON, Aug. IA. 1871.
Another fearful mine disaster occurred
about 8 O'Clock this forenoon at the Eagle
Shaft, owned by Jesse Schooey, of Wyom-
ing and worked by Mr.. A. Tompkins, in
connection with other mines. This mine is
said to be nearly worked out, and is known
to have been full Of fire damp for some con-
siderable time.
The explosion blew away the props and
blocked up the passage way, thus cutting
oil the means of escape, If even the men
were not intently killed. At the present
time it is impossible to estimate the extent
of the damage but there is np hope Of saw
ing the men alive.
In the ncighborhood of the Shaft the
most heat-rendiug scenes are Icing enact
ed. Women and children, bcrctt of their
loved ones, are wiling their agony in the
most piteous manner, and awaiting in anX-
ious, hopeless expectation for the results
of the efforts which arc being made to res
cue the living, If there be any, or to re-
cover the remains of the victims.
Henry Harris, the mine boss, Thos
Tucker, acting iOotman, and James Jones,
n driver, with John Meredith, miner, and
Ropt. Davis, his laborcr, (who were work
ing on slope running in another direction),
were in the mine at time of the explosion,
but escaped unhurt. The two latter, on
hearing the report hastcned to the foot,
and heard man groaning. Volunteers
at once proceeded in the direction of the
noise, without lamps, and in about three
! quarters of an hour brought out the lifeless
body of Benjamin Davis. The deceased
was q miner, and leaves q wife and young
child.
Scores OF willing hands Immediately sci
to work to repair the brattiCc and allow
the air to proceed out the main road. Al
about two O'Clock the body of Evan f
Jones, miner, was found and brought ou
of the mine. lie leaves wife and four OF
five children.
The following persons are in the mine
and arc supposed to be dead:
James Jones, miner; David Owens, min
or, and his son Richard, driver aged 10
Edward Owens, miner, single; Richart
+, Owens, miner, single; Thos. Owens, miner
Martin Morgan, driver, aged about l3
Thos. Lcyshon, miner; Pat'k Quinlan
laborer; David Harris, miner, and his son
laborcr, single; Bcni. Williams, laborer
single Jas. Morgan, miner, and his sol
John, driver, aged Il Thos. Reese, mi
nCr.
Wm. II. Davis, one of the men rescuct
from the recent disaster at West Pittsto
Shaft, is also reported to be in the mine
and one or two others, whose names W
could not ascertain, and who, it is thought
commenced work this morning. Most {
! the unfortunate men leave large la"nilils.
Thc volunteers are now al work, irwin
, to get around the wall Of fallen rock, an
bring out the cntombcd miners. TT
!, mine is hlI"y'. The profusion of blao
, damp prevents wOrkmcn from prOsccutip
thcir ianors vigorously, but all is bein
Gone that mortals can do to rescue Il
| victims.
- 5.3O, p. M.-The following bodies, 4
I dead, have been brought out.
? Bcnj, Davis aged 2S, leaves n wife ar
Z family.
S Evan L, Jones aged 42 years, leaves
= wife and six children.
II Thos. Lcyshon aged about 30 yea
leaves wife ana children.
James Morgan.
:: David Harris, leaves a family Of six hel
u les children, his wife having died some tv
:, months since.
d The air in the mine is bad, and many
> the volunteers come up much exhausted.
> The Welsh women, in particular, a
II very active in miuistcring TO the relief
2 the exhausted volunteers.
: The shaft is about 300 feet deep. II
o fall of the roof is supposed to have bc'
c caused by the explosion, as we are rrliab
II informed that an explosion did take plac
y thought not n severe one.
T. This will be a terrible night OF soicitu
u to many q dCsOlatc hCarthstonc.