Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-07
DOWN INA COAL-MISE."
Thrilling Adventures Of Party OF
Minerva widows Only Son Killed
by an Explosion of Fire
Damp.
From the sew York Republic.


PITTsoTN, PENN, November 2, 1874.
A few days since four men, strangers, desiring
TO see the internal workings of a cOal-mine,
entered the Columbia tunnel, near Rough
and Ready mine, at this place, some distance
from the entrance the pssssge-way DIVORCES,
leading in one direction into the working
part of the mine, and to q large unused cham.
Der in the other. This cham Der has been aban-
doned some time, and, as n consequence, has
become filed with fire damp and other nOx .
ions gases arising in a coal-miDe. The WIS.,
itors, being without guide, found their way
along the dark and Shiny passage by means
o. a lantern carried by one of the party, aud
took the tunnel leading into the infested
chamber. Entering 1T they walked about un-
IN thew began TO feel the effect of the poison
Gus gases. Aware of the prevalence OF fire.
damp in mines, they knew at once the cause
OF the peculiar sensation, and underworld 70
find the way by which they entered the
chamber, in order that they might escape.
Before the entrance could be found three of
the party were obliged TO succumh to the in
fuepces OF the fTe damp, and fell to the
ground The fourth, carrying the lantern,
found the passage, and succeeded in reaching
the outside gallery, but in weak condition.
He soon recovered after coming in contact
with the purer air, and at once set himself
about the rescuing, IL possible, OF his compan-
ions. He was fearful that II he left the mine
Tor aid they would be dead or beyond
the hone of resuscttation before he could
return, so he determined to resenter the nox-
ions chamber and drag his friends forth into
the air himself. Fastening in, he discovered
by the dim light cast by ms lantern the pros
ffata bodies Of his three companions. Hang
ing the lantern on one OF his arms By the
LARGE carrying ring, he grasped two of the
sanseless men by their collars, and being a
powerful man, and nerved to still greater
strangth by the circumstances, ne pulled
them out into the main passage. Pauslug q
second FOR a breath OF fresh air, he again
rnshed into the chamber ana drew the re-
mainine man out. Losing no time, he dragged
bts senseless friends TO ward the mOuth.Of the
entrance TO the mine, taking one several feet
forward, then going back and bringing the
Others, one at time, until he bro ught them
10 the fresh air at the entrance, before ne got
thaT,, ont he was reiOiced to notice signs OF
returning consciousness in them all. IL
was some time after reaching the
mouth of the mine oet9te tn s9t,s sn 1io,S
and to realize that their escape from
the very Jaws of death was almost mtrac'
ulous. Aid was procured ioI Lnen, ~, anu I,i tes
and their remarkable adventure made quite
a sensation in Pittston.. In the same cnainoei
was enacted fearful tragedy on FIqay
Wesley Willis, young man VINO hao yus'
hired out TO work on the mine, whlie await
ing orders thought to take LOOK at things IN
side. Unfortunately he was not aware OF tns
fre-damp chamber and followed the passage
directly into IL. No sooner had ne entered
the foul place, than the gas was expioded oy
Williss mine lamp on his hat, ana the youhe
man was hurled cut of the chamber against
the jagged side of the gallery. The report Was
heard for a great distance round, ana the pas
sage as soon filled with startled miners
Willis's body was found mangled and mutt
lated so as to be almost unrecognizable. His
| face was burned black, and nearly every Dont
/ in his body was broken. He was the only
support OF widowed mother and crippled
| hrpther.
The amended canon of ritual Yhi oh
was reported by the conference committee in
the general Episcopal convention Saturday
6nd which has been agreed 10 by both houses
1 Is practically the same canon as originally re
/ ported, with the exception that the first two
i a
| Specifications forbid the use of incense or cru
cihxes during the celebration OF the holy
communion, Many mem belE stated that how
ever much they might disapprove the use OF
| incense and orucif1xe5, they could not vocs fol
canon declaring that they symbolized falls
doctrine.