New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-15
PRICE -FOUR CENTS
TERRIBLE MINING DISASTER
EXPLOSION OF FIRE-DAMp IN COAL MINE

EAI LooioN VI rihE~DAMP IN COAL MINE.
EIGHTEEN MINERS ESToMBED-sEvERAL TAKEN
OUT DEAD-No HOPES OF SAVING THE RgsI
NAMES OF THE VICTIMS.
PITTsTON Penn, Aug. 14-Another fearful
mining disaster occurred at the Eagle shaft about mile
south OF THIS town. O'Clock this forenoon
by an explosion Of fre-damp Eighteen are known
to have been at work in the chamber in which the erpo
sion occurred five Of whom have been brought dead
and there is hope but that those remaining the
mine have with like fate. Meantime large force
Of volunteer workmen using efforts reach them.
In going to and from then work the miners used an
air shaft, which they ascended and descended by
means Of ladder, the main opening not being pro
vded with safety car and therefore considered unsafe
Ii h supposed that the explosion blew away the props
and a consequent fall Of the roof followed, completely
blocking up the passages and cutting Off the means OF
escape should the have escaped death from the
ploson which Il not probable At the present time II Is
not easy TO estimate the amount OF damage but ex-
perlenced miners say that 1t Is not possible tina, any
Of the viii be got alive. Tie mine boss, Henry
Harris; Thomas Tucker, acting iootman; James Jones'
driver; John Merrdith, MINER and Robert DAVIS, his
laborer, were working in slope running In different
direction from the in which the accident happened,
and escaped unhurt The two latter, hearing the ex-
posin fastened to the foot and hearing man groan'
ing called for assistance Volunteers at proceeded
in the direction of the noise without lamps, and In
about three-quarters OF an hour,l brought mp
INC Dody OF miner named Benjamin DAVIS.
scores OF willing hands immediately proceeded TO repair
the bratce, board partition used to keep the fresh ain
FROM rushing into the workedout chambers that IL
Will enter only TO those where men are working. AZ
about O'Clock the body OF Evan Jones was found and
brought up. During the afternoon the dead bodies of
Thos' Leyshon James Morgan, and David Harris
found and brought up The following the OF
the persons who known to In the
the time OF tho accident:
David Harris, of the fire boss is a widower, aud
has eight children.
James Morgan. Has family.
Thomas Lcyshon Leaves wife and four car
Evan Jones. Wife and six children
l.. Thomas Reese. Wife and four children.
/ James Jones. Wife and four children.
BENJAMIN Davis. Wife.
Robert Hughes, Benjamin Williams, Edward Owen
John Manean, driver; Richard Owens, son of David
ItOwens NJ Quinly laDorer aud Martin Mangan driver
On entering the chamber in which the explosion
Cured fall Of rock was first found which laid partly
upon car completely blocking up side, and leaving
space on tho other Just sufficient for TO force
himself. through. Some distance further in there
another fall, which completely filed the passage and
behind this the walled SO completely that
it will take hours OF the most persistent labor
TO reach them. Volunteers at work
endeavoring get around this fallen rock, that they
can reach the entOmbed miners but the density Of the
black-damp prevents them from prosecuting their work
with full effect. They continually being brought up
In an exhausted condition. but their places mnedi
lately supplied by other volunteers and the work goes
unremirtngy. All that mortals do is doing 10
rescue the unforunates but only blackened and dshg
ured remnants OF mortality have thus far rewarded tho
toilers
Outside the scene is heartrending in the extreme.
Thousands sympathizng citizens miners and others
present and rendering all the assistance that IL
sibe under the circumstances. Women and children
weeping, wringing their hands, and mourning aloud for
the loved and lost and waiting in anxious hopeless
pcctaton for each report from the poisonous pit.
Words of sympathy fan like empty sounds upon
their anguished souls, and nothing stll tho
aching void within. Women arc everywhere doing
what theycan to minister the wants OF the exhausted
volunteers they borne like helpless children back
from the mouth ofthe pit. Great cadrons of steamns
cofeesre ready and all the known restOratlyes
hand. womens hearts and women's hands first in
the work, and where brave falter and turn pale,
they neither shrink away from their minsterng
mission. Sad hearts are everywhere tonight
sympathy with bereaved friends, and in mourning for
their dead.
This mine has been nearly exhausted and was known
to be filed with tho blackiamp, and yet it consd
cred sae and has been constantly worked since the
clusion of the strike although full capacity.
1t is owned by Mr. J. schooley wyomng aud worked
by A. Tompkins, who is extensively engaged the
BUSINESS of mining COAL and and operates several
other openings Twelve feet OF gas found in head
ing just of the gangway, which had been trav.
ersed ell day by explorers with a naked
light the meret accident would have caused anothe,
and worse explosion, involving lOGs of 1t least "a
lives During the fore part of the night those astming
control have ordered the pumps reversed and HIS
forced down the shaft thus hoping TO increase the
volume Of pure air and eXpe the foul. At tLis hour IL
o'clock Superintendent Kendrict and Inspector sewltt
arc preparing descend ntothe mine, but shoud
they find their expectations Of replenishng the
with pure air realized they will hardly be able to draw
away the debris necessary TO reach the imprisoned
miners before morning.