Connecticut western news., 1879-05-07
FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH.
THE RESCUE OF THE IMPRISONED MINERS
 AT SUGAR NOTCH.

tombed miners from the coal mino near Wilkesbarre is one of thrilling interest. For more than five days had the party | of seven been imprisoned thousand feet beneath the surface of the hills, and | hundreds of anxious eyes had turned | sadly away from the small opening in the ground to the blue sky overhead, as though contrasting the brightness above with the gloom and blackness below.
 Monday the rescuing party succeeded in drilling hole through to the lower part of the mine, thus showing that 1t was only necessary to drive few feet further to effect an opening into the gangway. Work was then necessarily slow and careful, as there were indi- cations of fire damp, which necessitated the driving and cutting of the coal with the pick alone. The opening was effected at 8 o'clock, and Mine Superintendent Smith was the first to enter. The party made their way into the breast, and thence to the gangway below. The way to the imprisoned men seemed open, but they were not readily found. The explorers went down the gangway in one direction without success. Another attempt brought them to 8 spot where the roof had fallen, and they saw small hole through which they crawled. On the further side the captives were discovered quietly eating breakfast. The scene that ensued is one that cannot titly be described. Such joy as filled the hearts of both rescuers and rescued is beyond the power of pen to depict. In a brief space of time all retraced their steps, and at length stepped into the open air, where the glad sunlight fell once again upon those who for near ly week had known only darkness. The names of the rescued men are William Hawkins, Edward Price, Patrick Green, John Green, Barney Riley, Wm. Kenney, and John Clark, door boy.
 When the imprisoned miners first re- alized that they were cut off from escape by the main entrance, they set about devising means for their liberation. They went to the top of the fall and laying on their backs began to make manhole, passing the rock taken out from one to another. After going l50 yards water was encountered in such quantities as to render further progress impossible. The second day it was deemed advisable to tie the mule, lest in his hunger he should become dangerous. It was well that they did, for the animal gnawed away the prop, to which he was tied, and subsequently, demolished two doors where he was fastened. On Thursday it was decided to kill the mule to furnish food. Green struck the animal in the head with a hammer no less than seven times before he fell. Then Kenney cut off his head with an axe. Hawkins cut off the hind legs, and of that they made their first meal on mule meat. The wster was pure, having only 8 slight taste of alum, but they feared the gas. A place was selected which seemed free of gas, d, taking the covers from their cans, they cooked the meat by means of lamps placed beneath. The absence of gas emboldened them to kindle fire, and after that they indulged in mule meat whenever hunger prompted them.
 On Thursday the sound of the blast ing overhead reached their ears, and in- spired them with fresh vigor. When they became convinced that friends were working for their rescue their failing spirits revived. On Sunday when the drill penetrated the wall of coal and the blasting ceased, they feared that the at tempt to rescue them had been aban. doned. At no time, however, did thei1 spirits wholly forsake them. Certainly these brave men are deserving of all praise for the panly and courageous manner in which they bore themselves, and for the patient endurance and trust ing fortitude they preserved to the end.
 Before quitting the mines the men put out their fire and left things in good or der.
 The mine in which the men were en- tombed is distant about three miles from this city. It has long been known to miners as a dangerous place, on account of it's insecure roof. At the bottom oi the basin, 1,2OO feet below the surface
 new gangway was projected, and mel were employed night and day in pushing it to completion, in order to open uI new breasts and chambers. It was abou
 mile away from the foot of the slope
 but large fan, driven by 8 powerful
 engine, dissipated the gasses. Fol
 several days and nights previous to the
 disaster the mine sounded the alarm il
 unmistakable tones. It worked
 heavy," the creaking sounds reverbera
 ting through the abandoned chamber'
 like the cracking of the dry limbs of {
 forest in hurricane. The pillars cracked and bulged out, and othe
 premonitory symptoms were noted. A
 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning tn crisis came. The men composing tn might shift, believing by the creakin|
 noises that the mine was about to cav in, sent John Clarke, boy, to the eas gangway to warn the men of thei danger. All escaped from the mine ex | eept the six men above named and tn boy who was sent to warn them. Tn work of rescuing them was at ono l begun, and was prosecuted at times wit much difficulty, until the imprisone
 men were released. On Friday tn regcuers themselves were cut off by fall of fire clay, and were compelled t cut their way out to get air.
 5 One hundred dollars was presented each of the rescued miners by tn