The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1878-04-18
LITTLE MARTIN CRAGHAN'S SAC.
RIFICE.
A True Story.

ABOUT SIX years ago, IN one OF tne
Pennsylvania mines, several chambers
in the upper tier or vein were discover
ed to be on fire. 1t was feared that the
flames, which were raging fiercely,
would reach the shaft before they could
be extinguished. Word was hastily
sent to the men in the workings beneath
to come up before all means of escape
was cut off.
Martin Craghan, boy of twelve
years, had been promoted to the posi-
ton of mule driver the day before. He
had just taken his mule to her dark
stable, 900 feet under ground, when
comrade called to him and told him of
their danger, urging him to hurry to
the shaft, for all the men were gone.
With a sorrowful look at his mule,
which he knew he could not save, Mar
tin ran with his companion, till they
stood on carriage waiting to be hoist
ed up. Then suddenly it flashed upon
him that number of men were work
ing in distant part of the mine, and
had not been warned of their peril.
"Oh, Johnny" he exclaimed, 1--WE
must 90 tell them ere men in No. 4. or
they'll never get outr'
There isn't time. The shaft will be
on fire in a minute, then all the smoke
and gas will rush down here and suffo-
cate u.s."
but it will kill those men, too, and
they've families to support. There's
poor Bill Craghan, my cousin, with an
old mother and seven little children. If
we run fast, we can get back before
they hoist the elevator"
You may go if yer sich fool, but
I'll not risk it, replied his companion.
Almost before he had finished speak
ing. Martin had rushed away through
the dark galleries and chambers of the
mine, till he reached the imperiled
miners, and in frightened. breathless
tones told his story. Then instantly
turning, he fled back to the shaft, hop
ing the elevator had not yet ascended.
But it had gone and his comrade with
it. As Martin looked up, he saw the
glare of the fire and that the wire rope
had melted. and he knew all hope of
escape in that way was cut off.
With fleet step he once more thread
ed the deserted tunnels, back to the
men for whom he had risked so much.
But they, taught by experience of the
utter hopelessness Of escape by that one
imperiled shaft, had rapidly employed
the time in building barricade of rock
and coal, as a temporary protection
from the noxious gases and smoke that
were already beginning to fill the mine.
By the time little Martin reached the
barrier it was solidly constructed, for
on that depended their only chance to
live till the burning shaft was extin-
guished. Coming close to the wall, he
begged piteously for admission, but the
men persistentlv refused him.
"Bill, Bill Craghan!" he cried,
won't you make them let me in? l
would have been safe at home now but
but for you! Tom Reese, your brother
Johnny wouldn't come to tell you of
the danger, and he was saved. Now
are you going to let me die out here?'
The men inside trembled as they
listened to the poor boys sobs, and
many rough black hand was drawn
across their eyes; and at last tender
hearted Billrushed to the barricade to
make an entrance for the little fellow.
| But strong arms pulled him away,
while in hOarse, broken voices they
said, "No, no, man. He's but one.
We are many. To make hole big
enough to pull him through would be
death to all"
/ "But he risked his life to save us.
| Will ye let him die but Q step away
from usp"
"Not if we could help it, you well
know, Bill. But think of our wives
and children at home. Would ye have
us all perish?'
Martin heard this conversation, and
putting his lips close to the wall, said
quietly, Never mind, Bill. know
YOU would all have saved me if yor
could. / amt sorry brought you the
warning. I'm going back to poor OLD
Rosa. If you get out safely. bid good.
by for me to father and mother and
little Eddie.
Then, turning away, he went to the
stable where his mule was peacefully
feeding at her stall, unconscious of any
danger. Martins lamp was still burn
ing, and the smoke had not yet pene
trsted the wooden barriers between.
! At first he felt in hopes he would bt
safe there. But gradually the noxious
yapors forced their entrance. As hi
saw that sufFocation must soon come,
he found > piece Of board, and wrots
with chalk the names Of those that wers
dear to him.
As he wrote, memory brought thefl
I presencc before him--his tender moth
Far. Who had kissed him such loving
good shy in the morning, and had lookes