The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-09-07
Flooded Mines.

SCRANTON, Pa, Sept. 4, 1s7s.-A terrible
thunder storm, accompanied by lightning
and rain, prevailed in this section last night
and this morning, causing considerable hav
oc along the stream; culverts and bridges
were swept away, houses overturned, trees
tore from the embankments, and several
families whose houses had been flooded
narrowly escaped. The most destructive
feature of the storm was the flooding of
Fairlawn and Pine Brook mines this alter
noon. The Pine Brook which runs near
the mouth of the slope leading to Fairawn
colliery, broke from its bounds, and, rising
to height of fifteen feet from its ordinary
level, tore away trestling and embankment
and swept like a torrent into the mine, where
about fifty men were at work. An immense
lake which had collected on the flats near
the collery found vent in rushing into the
slope, carrying driftwood and debris of all
kinds in its wake and producing thrilling
scene. People ran from their houses in dis
may and women and children wrung their
hands in agony as they thought Of the fate
of their friends, 800 feet below the surface.
The news spread like wildfre,and hundreds
were soon at the scene looking in helpless
despair at the roaring flood that dashed into
the mine. .. -. Doe
=, The suspense was intensified when it was
thought that there was no other means of
escape for the imprisoned miners; but relief
came at last About quarter Of a mile
from where the river ran down the slope
couple of miners emerged through a small
hole in the grimy hillside, and bore the joy
full tidings that they thought most of their
companions would escape from the food
They knew not what to do when they first
found the mine filling 50 rapidly, and were
unable to estimate the extent of the catas-
trophe; but they soon learned that escape by
the slope, which formed the regular means
of egress, was impossible. The rush of
waters, bearing mine cars of railroad ties and
lumber Of various kinds through the dark
chahnels of the mine, filled the minds ofthe
men and boys with terror, and produced a
panic, as they splashed TO their arms in the
treacherous current, that swept along with
great velocity. At last some Of the most ex-
perienced led the way to an opening COM
municating with the Pine Brook colliery of
the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company.
Through this they managed to reach the
muleway, from which they emerged. 1t
took many hours to calm the fears of those
having friends in Fairlawn mine, aud rum
ors of the widest nature were set ahoat as
to the number Of lives lost.
The same cause to which the Fairlawn
men owed their escape carried death and
destruction into the adjacent Pine Brook
colliery. The latter being on a lower level
the food, after traversing the other mine,
rushed through the openings leading TO Pine
Brook and swept in the direction of what is
known as the dip, ,"where a number Of men
were at work. They heard the roaring sound,
and, not knowing what it was, grew very
much alarmed. They were not kept in sus-
reached them, and the scene which followed
is indescribable. The panic-stricken miners
cried out with fear and intensified terrors
of the gloom.
A pump runner named Job Davis, work
ing along in the GLOVER dip" heard the cries
of his comrades with dismay and started up
the food was then upon him. He did not
have time TO snatch his coat and watch, close
by, but breasted the swift current for dear
life. His dog, which he kept in the mine
followed closely but was swept away and at
various times Davis had TO grasp the jagged
sides Of the tunnel TO prevent being swept of
his feet. Another danger was presented in
the rising of the railroad 10 the surface Of the
current, ties and rails are usually laid loosely
in the mines, and these foated in the flood
Several times the men were forced to dive
to escape some obstacle, and reach the foot
most awful adventure of all was that of John
b, Davis, who with two driver boys, named
Toester and Fasold, and an old man named
Bushe, struggled up TO the slope where the
flood was strongest. On several occasions
| he was almost overpowered by the obstacle;
striking against him on the swift current, ,but
he stood bravely by his charge while strug
Cling to escape a tangled mass of ties and
| driftwood.
Frankie Fasold was swept from his grasE
and carried back in the darkness, where hi
cries for help were soon stifed in the water
Mr., Davis was powerless 10 render the pool
boy any assistance, and he was lost. All tn,
others, as far as can now be ascertained
made their escape.
The damage done to the Fairlawn mine
which is worked by Hose & Sons, is great
1t will not be in working order again for I
long time.
The Pine Brook mine, although consider
ably damaged by the food; can be placed il
working order shortly.
'JermynS mine is also slightly flooded ,anC
a number Of accidents OF lesser nature ar
reputsd all round the city.