New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-16
THE EAGLE SHAFT DISASTER
SEARCHING FOR THE DEAD.
VOLUNTEERS EXPLORING THE UNDERGROUND
RUINs-TIIE NIGHT SCENE ON THE HILLSIDE
LIST or THE VICTIMS.

! LIST or THE VICTIMS
| lBf TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUNRl
PIrrsToN, Aug. 15.-Up to o'clock last
evening there were still II remaining in the mines
Previous to that time however IL had been decided in
consultation between Mine Inspector Blewtt OF
ton, W. W. Kenrick Of the West Plttston Mines. Mr.
Smith, Mr.. Brisbin. and others. who had taken
active part In the work. to put out the furnace fro
and turn water down the mne This having
been done, and the current OF air in the shaft being
deemed satisfactory by the Mine Inspector party OF
volunteers we're called for Mr. Kenrick selected from
the number who offered themselves party Of his own
men the West Piston Mines with whom under the
guidance OF Mr.. Henry W. Evans who was well ac-
Quainted with the mine he descended tho shaft This
party consisted Of 10 men. After repairing brcakages
In the car-ways, the party proceeded cautiously,
meeting fallen roofs and broken timbers In every
direction The carcas OF dead horse, which emitted
sickenng STENCIL was found some distance within tho
gangway, and little beyond the horse lay the dead
bodies OF six Of the unfortunate workmen The effects
OF the poisonous air had begun to tell upon the living
wormen and after getting the bodies to the main gang
way the party recruited their strength They again
turned to the search proceeding before with
caution. Two bodies found These also were
taken to the shaft mnecar and sent to the surface
After short respite fresh party OF volunteers was
called for, and the call Immediately and CALAMITY
responded to- This about O'Clock. Mine Inspector
Blewitt, Mr.. c. Smith, and VIM. Brisbn accompanied
the party, which, after organizing. divided, body
being led by Mr. Konrick, and the other by Thomas
Evans careful search Of every available part OF tho
mine resulted only in the discovery Of driver-boy en-
tombed beneath Of the mnecars, frghtfuy burned
and otherwise disfgured. After consultation, 1t was
deemed unwise for the same party to remain longer
under ground some of them being seriously affected by
the gas. They accordingly reached tho top al about
O'Clock thoroughly exhausted 1t will be recoeced that
Mr. Kenrck quito in his Efforts to save life
at the West Ptstond saster Mr. VIM c. Smith Of Pleas
ant Valley, Mr. Vim. Brisbin OF the Pennsylvania Coal
Company, Mr.. Henry W. Evans former miner In these
works. and Mr.. Kenick the leading spirits but all
the volunteers deserving equal praise In very
short time another party Of volunteers numbering Is
%, and accompanied by Mine Inspector Bewitt who
TO have been indefagab In his exeriiOns, de-
sCended and in about hour succeeded In bringing out
the remaining victims Some OF the dead men had
their limbs broken and all terribly scorched and
disfgured.
All night long, and until sunrise in the morning the
hillside back OF the shaft, crowded with anxious
Watchers and the arrival of each corpse the signal
for fresh outbreak OF heart-rendiug grief Little chill
dren nestled under the bushes and went to sleep while
their elders kept their weary hopeless watch the blaze
from lamps and torches lit up the scene for
rods around, and gave werdlike appearance to the
living picture. Below the river, ripping and fash
ing beneath the glare oil light the hillside densely
packed throng wild and picturesque in attitude and bear
ing Around the top OF the shaft were stretched and
watchmcn were constantly moving about, endeavOrng
TO keep back the eager multitude At the West Pttston
disaster horses and mules taken out alive five days
after the occurrence but here not living thing was
found The Angel Of Death had passed over all. The
| victims OF this disaster were, without excep-
ton, sober, industrious. and highly respectable
| men. Many OF them belonged 10 the Good
Templars and other temperance organizations. Some
odd Fellows; somes Masons The lodges of these
different Orders holding meetings tonight TO make
preparations for the funerals which to take place to-
morrow. The bodies will be placed iii the Odd Fellows
Cemetery tomorrow afterdoon, at which place appro
pirate funeral ceremonies will be held. The different
Societies mentioned and the great body Of citizens from
| this and the neighborng towns will attend