The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-08

Greet Excitemene nc Pittst0u Among the
Mincrs-A Searching Investigation To Be
Made-The Alleged Reason Why tho
Regular Precautions Were Not Taken-De-
tails Of the Disaster. szD
PITTsToN, Pa, Feb. 7, 1872.
Considerable excitement has been created among
the miners in tins section Dy certain developments
made In regard 10 the explosion IN the Henry Col
liery yesterday morning. visit to the scene OF the
disaster and trip into the dismal chambers OF
death and destruction have furnished me with some
additional facts. which may be OF general interest,
as they tend to show now the lives OF the poor
miners are beng sacrificed to the cupid1ty OF GER
tain corporations IN this valley.
1t seems that the decline In coal or something else
has introduced questionable spirit OF economy into
the management OF the Mines and incompetent
men have found their way into places Of important
trust. Thus at the Henry Coiery 1t is ascertained
that the "nre boss most responsible person about
the mine, was discharged some time in November
because he was getting 100 much wages. He was
succeeded by good man, but he too could obtain
better remuneration elsewhere, and the mine has
cause he worked cheap Inenlclency 1t is alleged,
was Mr.. Collins fault, and not his gross careless
SO tar he is acquitted in this matter and the
great responsibility rests upon the company which
EMPLOYED nim the Lnzerne Coal ana Iron Company.
The man facts OF the disaster AZ TO its effects were
forwarded last night, Mr.. 7. NJ. Williams the mine
Inspector Tor this district, commenced his examina
ton tins afternoon. He was notified yesterday, but
being indlsposed could not give his attention 10 the
matter until to-day In the meantime it is al
legged certain alterations have been made In
the mine calculated TO convey false i'm.
preston tnat oil the requirements or the Vent1-
owners OF the mine. This may or may not be true;
but II Is certain that most searching invesuga-
ton Will be made, and some most damaging eX-
p0sures will be the result. 1t Is seldom that o ike
casualty has caused SO much feeling In this section,
ana IL Is evident thar this time somebody win be
declared accountable for the three lives snaJched
away yesterday.
the Following are the full particulars of the
dlsaSter:-
Five men descended the shaft yesterday mornin
for the purpose Of laying new car track-altering
the gauge IL seems. One OF tnem-Michael Bar
rett-carried an unguarded lamp, and the flame
communicated with the gas and caused terrible
explosion. AS soon as the alarm was given prompt
Collins happened to be absent from the immediate
nelghOOrhOod OF the explosion and escaped without
material injury. Robert Hays was brought out
dead, his clothes being torn shreds and his body
badly mgiilated. Patrick Mccullough was brought
out dead and terribly mutlated. His head was
torn from his body and his bowels prOtruded.
Richard Norris, who was the engineer at the
head or the slope, could not be reached on &C
count OF the foul air, although repeated efforts were
made, and 1t was said that brattice would have
TO be built and That there was material upon the
ground for that purpose. IL Is not probable, how
ever, that he was alive. Michael Barrett came out
alive, but was badly burned, and his recovery Is
considered doubtful. Norris had wife and one
dren. Hays was lately married and had no children
The shaft Is $50 feet deep, and the men were
working upon gangway only about ave hundred
feet from the foot
Another gang OF linen were working In differ
ent slope ana suffered no injury from the accl
dent.