The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-11-22
TERRIFIC MINE EXPLOSION.
The Lives of Two Hundred Work.
men Iin inperilied-FOUr Killed and
several Badly Injured.

The Lives of Two Hundred Work.
men Im mperiIsed-Four Killed and
several Isadiy Injured.
SCRANTON, Nov. ia terrific ex-
plosion of fire damp took place this
morning in the Jermine Colliery, with
in the city limits, while the mine was
in operation. fatally njuring number
of men and boys, and producing a
scene Of the most intense excitement.
About two hundred workmcn were
in the mine when the accident occur
red, little dreaming of danger, until
-enveloped in the darkness which fol-
lowed the fash and the underground
tempest by which they were Overta-
ken. The explosion occurred nearly
1000 feet from the foot of the shaft,
where force of workmcn were build
ing cross-cut to regulate the course
OF the air in a distant portion or the
colliery. 1t is supposed one OF their
lamps was held too high, and came in
contact with the explosive gas, which
usually seeks the 1Iface. and then
followed an appalling scene.
The laundering shock was felt
throughout the mine, and made the
massive breaker above the shaft shake
like an aspen from the base to tower.
Men felt the coal pillars, which they
clasped, torn from their grasp and
shattered into fragments. Mine props
were swept from their places. Coal
cars were overturned and demolished,
and the mules, several chambers from
their drivers, were buried in the do.
bris OF the chaos. A miner, named
Malta, standing at the foot of the shalt,
nearly two thousand feet from the
scene of the occurrence, was flung
bodily into the dump, and the coal car,
by which he stood, npturncd over him.
In some instances loaded cars were
swept twenty yards away.
AS soon as the storm had spent its
force, those who had escaped unhust
proceeded to assist their less fortunate
comrades. At q short distance from
the fearful spot, Antony Collins and
Patrick Brennan were found Patrick
beneath u heap of rocks and coal, and
moaning piteously. They were set
free, and carried out in dying condi-
tiOn. Both are badly burned and lac
Grated about the head and body. They
cannot possibly recover, although at
last accounts they were still alive. a
driver boy, named Luke Burns, was
found lying crushed beneath u shatter-
ed coal car, with one of his legs almost
torn of. His recovery is doubtful.
William Llnyon, OF Greenridge, was
found " iih leg broken. Max. Phil
lips. OF Ward Street, was frightfully
burned, the flesh almost dropping from
his bones. He is also internally inJnr-
ed, and cannot live. Mr.. Metz is ter
ribly burned and mangied, and several
others are more or less injured.
The news Of the accident spread
like wild.fre and men, women and
children ran from all parts OF the city
to the mouth of the shaft, each peering
anxiously forward to see the faces OF
those brought up from the dismal
depth, and fearful lest some dear friend
had met his fate. AT last accounts it
was feared that three men were still
in the mine, but the gas was burning
fiercely where the accident occurred,
and more tremendous explosion was
expected during the day, so that it was
dangerous to 60 down the shaft. The
mules are all in the mine, and must
have persisted by this time.
Immense volumes of fire damp are
generated in the .Termine Colliery, and
the rushing jet of gas escaping from
all sides will feed the flames now rag
ing there, until the entire place is a
seething furnace, unless the expensive
process of flooding should be resorted