Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-11-05
EVENING STAR.


FshtLoUs siTU.rIoS - F,vR sES-srrr,.
SIS 90 fikE nANF, AND KJLLtNa 80
A su-c'sl 1,s steb 20 tie Nsu ysr, r,-,,,,.,,.
from Ptttiou, p dated tle 81. h.s ~. 90
loSing s>ooahi o. thrilling adventure in =
cosl nina Zee DAYS since four M. str.a'.
cts, desiring 90 see the tsterior ~orkirsS al /.
Goa mire, entered the C0lumhia tanuei ne.,
Rough and keady mtne, - this place. some
distance iron the entrance the pNssarsway an.
versed, ieaoinE m one direction into the WarR-
ing part OF the mine, and 20 a large unused
chamber In the other. This chamber hNs been
abandoned soms time, and, ~ = co1se1 usnce
has become ulled with FIRE damp anu other nox-
ious gases arising IN . coal mine. The visitors
oeing without guide, fonnd their way along tue
dark snd shiny passage by means Of = lAutern-
carried BY one Of the party ani took he tunnei
leSding into this infested chamber. Fnter.
ING y, they walked about until they began %
Ieei tae eject OF the poisonous gases Aware
OF the prevalence OF ire damp In mines tbry
knew AZ once the cause % the pe-nifar sen..-
ton, And endeAvored 60 hnd tue way by which
they entered the chamber, in order that thew
might escape. Before the entrance ronlI IL
fonnd three Of the party were obliged 70 suc-
cume 90 the Influences OF the IRE damp anf
tel 10 the ground. The fourth, carrVtns the
lantern. found the passage. and sueceedsd an
reaching ne outside gallery, has IN A weak c.
diuon. lie soon recovered after coming Al
contact with the purer air, and ~ once set hlm
self about the reScuing, a posi- bic OF Ms com
pAnions. He was fearful that al he LETT the mine
for aid they would be dead or beyond the hope
OF reSusc tatiOn before be could return - h
determined 10 re-euter tue uONious chAmhsr
and drag his friends into the air astrninF
IN he Uncovered by the dtm light cast by his
lantern the prOStrste bodies OF hisCOmpHni0na
Hanging the lantern on one OF his arms by the
large carrying ring, he grssped two OF the
senseless inen by their collars aud being q pow
erful msn, AMI nerved 20 still greater strength
hy the circumstances, he pulled them cat into
the main passage. Psusing q second Tor q
breath OF fresh air, be again rushed into the
chamber and drew the remaining man ont.
Losing 10 time, nc dragged his senscless friends
toN Srd the mouth OF the entrance % the niue
taking one several feet forward then going
back aud bringing the others, one az a ttme,
Until he bronghttsem 60 the fresh air 81 the en-
trance. Before be got them ont, he was re-
Joiced 70 notice siRus ot returning CONSEQUENCES
iu item ail. Is wBs some time after reaching
the mouth OF the mine before the thee men
were able 10 comprehend their situation a. I 10
realize that their escape from the very Jaws OF
death was almost miracuious. Aid was pro-
cured Tor them, and they we're taken 20 one of
tie hotels IN the place; aid their remarkabIe
adventure made quite ? sensation In Pittst1n.
IN the same chamber vas enacted a fearfaI
tragedy on Friday. Wesley Wills. a voune
man who had just hired out 20 work the mi ne
while awaiting orders, thought 30 take q look a.
things inside. Unfortunately he was not aware
Of tue tire damp chamber, aud followed the
passage directly into az. No sooner had be
entered the foul place, when the gas Was e1-
EiCded by Willis mine lamp on his hat. and the
young man WIS hurled ont OF the cham Der
against the jagged ride OF the gallery. The
report was heard for a great distance rOuni.
snd the passage was soon allied with startled
miners. Willis body was found mangled and
his face was burned black, aud nearly every
bone IN his body WAS broken. He was the
only support OF widowed mother and crippled
brother.