The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-16
Success of the New Efforts TO VEN
tilate the Mine.
Eleven More Bodies Re.
covered.
EIGHTEEN LIVES SACRIFICED.
Have the Mines Been Duly In
spected
A COaONER'S INQUEST BEING HELD.

PIrrsTON Pa, August 49, 1871.
Alter sandng my last special despatch to the
HERALD relative TO the great disaster OF Monday
morning returned TO the mine TO watch events
and observe the efforts made to ventilate those
places where II was positive death TO remain
any considerable length OF time. In these places
the gas and choke damp were rapidly increasing and
every moment OF delay increased the dnlculty OF
reaching the men. IL was found after experiment.
ing for some time that the pursued for con-
Quoting air into the gangway where the men were
supposed to be must DO changed, as there was no
success In getting up current Therefore the brat
ticing OF another gangway was opened, and the
gangway first used was closed I'D. This air
course proved TO be successful. by two O'Clock
air was comparatively pure. and the exploration
party set out upon their hazardous undertaking Of
FINDING THEIR LOST BROTHERS.
BY circuitous route they succeeded IN getting be-
hind the two falls OF coal spoken OF IN my despatch
Of yesterday, and IN this place and vicinity the re-
naming eleven men found. They were III
taken to their respective homes, and this morning
placed in collins.
The shaft this morning presents a plcturetof
mOurnfu aspect. Now and then a visitor from
abroad comes, who has travelled from New York
and Philadelphia expressly TO view the scene, aud
others who merely chance Visitors are to ba
seen going to and returning from
THE MOUTH OF THE sEPULCHRE.
Others nger near by, while an Old miner watches
the shaft with bowed down. medItatlng MEN. A
low murmur sounds as harsh ana out OF place NJ q
laugh at funeral and feeling OF deep mourning
pervades the whole atmosphere. There are no
buildings In close proximity to the shaft. but 1t IS
bounded on the west by the Susquehanna River and
on the three other sides by the oregon grove. The
surroundings Of the shaft and the slow movements
of the visitors. they tread about with hanging
heads, are themes for solemn and Denefcial medita-
ton.
THE MINES HAVE NEVER BEEN INSPECTED.
have learned from Mr.. Alva Tompkns the Opo.
rator that neither Inspector Bewtt nor his prede-
Cessor Inspector Nichols, have ever been down into
the mines This may be damaging evidence against
the Inspector upon the Coroner's inquest, If 1t be
considered that there was any negligence upon the
part OF the operator inspector in providing proper
ventilation. learned from superintendent OF a
particularly careful in ierreting out the causes OF
accidents and has not paid the attention to the
ventilation requirements OF The law that Is deemed
essential.
THE INQUEST.
The Coroner TOR. =. j. O'Malley) empanelled q
Jury, wed the bodies of the deceased to-day.
The following are the names OF the jury and their
r. Ges dzem proesor - w.
ent; Thomas Smiles. NINE SUPERINTENDENT; John
LewelIyn. miner; Enoch Cartwright, miner.
After viewing the bodies the Coroner adjourned
the inquest until Friday morning. at ten O'CLOCK 10
give ample time for the Miners Association to APP
point committee of experienced miners
and engineers to examine the mine. and. .
If possible solve the mystery Of the
Bewltt, who seems TO be u gentleman very anxious
to nave nothing go Tor facts until they are sasiac-
torily proven 10 be SUCH and desires that Justice
| done. He does not seem imagine that the
verdict OF the jury might turn out to he an
! INDICTMENT AGAINST HIM FOR NEGLIGENCE
and we have heard one prophesy that It would.
But should 1t he substantially proven that the mine
was not properly ventilated, VINO must bear ina
with me he said al shall hold an investigation into
the matter Of the accident . II IL the Coroner
examination into the causes by an Investigation.
by the proper authorities. | am not satisfied what
explosion OF gas but am not confident as TO its
origin 1t may have been produced by fall OF the
roof In some OF the old workings and forced the hre
damp down into the gangways, where IL was
doubleday ignted, or there was an unloOked-for
Saented by the drivers ana runners These propo.
sltlons are also advanced by Superinrendents Law
and Dryden aud mining boss Smiles.
The boy drivers and runners were badly burned.
John Mangan. sixteen years OF age, was scOrched
both arms brOken-an incident that Is unaccOuIyted
for, AZ far as | am aware. The mine was Ddlng
worked under the provisions OF the Safety Inv.
The mine boss told me that he had been IN the
mine twice Monday morning and found every
ana duty OF The mine boss investigate the condi-
ton OF the mine every morning. l think the men
sUFFOCArroN FROM CHOKE DAMP,
gas that accumulates Always after an explosion
and being heavier than air. lies OH the bottom OF
the mine IL Is certain death II inhaled In the lungs
to any extent. do not believe the men died from
any other element The driver boys that
burned might have become insensble from the
ploslon OF the gas, they bearing the evidences of
being where the gas exploded and after falling To
the ground were envelopcd III the gas and persisted
There Is no evidence that know OF TO support the
theory that the men died OF conclusion OF rushing
air at this place. The men when found were
not lying In position to Indicate they
survived for any considerable length OF time
alter the explosion. They lay In groups, much AZ
they might have been IN at the Instant that the
plosOn occurred. The son OF David owen (Richaru)
lay In his iathers arms when found. Richard was
burned, but his father was not. The iOOtman,
Tucker, and mine boss, Henry Harris, are the only
ones that nave escaped, and though they may not
be able 10 elucidate the origin or the explosion,
they may be able TO throw some light upon the sun
Ject as to the cause and where the blame II any
where.
The funerals VIII be neld tomorrow. The services
will he very impressive, and business Will be
pended in PittstOn. The ODD Fellows and teul-
perance societies Will take part In the obsequies.