The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-05-15
BURIED IN A COAL MINE.
"They Are AL Aliv. Prayers, Hymns and
Mule Meat.
From the Ne,O York Herald.

caving in of a portion of the Lchigh and
Wilkesbarre Colliery, Pennsylvania, on
the 23d ult., in which seven miners were
buried alive, but who were, by herculean
efforts by their friends, rescued safe ana
sound at the end of six days:
WILKEsBARRE, PA, April %, 1879.
Since Wednesday morning, when the
imprisonment Of the miners took place
III consequence of fall of several acres
of roofing, up to the moment the final
stroke WAS mado this morning for their
release, the populace of the Wyoming
Valley has been kept on the tiptoe of cx.
pectatlon, but rs the hours sped by and
the proclamation of success was DELAYED
day after day the most sanguine spirits
gave way to sense of despondency.
Last night word came that the mine was
fiooding despite the constant use of the
pumps also that the presence of gas in
large bodies was apparent, and the
knowledge that the mine had been on
ire on Thursday ut the west end of the
fall created melancholy impression.
Last night during the long and tedious
hours the friends of the seven men kept
their vigils upon the esurface, near the new
entrance to the mine. The Herald repor.
ter passed around the camp fires " about
three o'clock, an hour before DAYLIGHT.
The numbers present were not great Mt
that hour, but there were hearts burdencd
with great sorrow.
WATCHING RELATIv- s.
The sire bowed down with years, sat
close to few half-burned faggots, whose
dying embers cast sickly glow upon the
silver head. His chin rested upon his
breast and his hands were clasped about
his knees. From his trembling lips came
now and then low moan, deep drawn
sigh. He paid no heed to his surround
lngs. The forms that lay stretched out
upon the green sward about him had no
Interest for him. Eow and then he
would cast q glance toward the mouth of
the pit, where wearicd but hopeful
watchers kept an ear open for tidings of
cheer. But he slept not. He had two
sons in the underground dungeon. His
heart was bursting with unutterable emo
lions. Near him was the father of an only
son and he also was entombed. Reason
threatened to yacate its throne. "Barney
Wiicrc are ye, Barney? My God, spare
my child!' The bosses were anathema-
tized for what he felt was an unpardona-
pie SIN III letting men enter a mine that
had been pronounced so dangerous.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
A sister and some companions were
huddled together at short distance in
the back ground. The tearstained
cheeks and swollen eyelids told story
more Impressive than the pen o. the most
gifted writer could describe. A brother
sat silently at the Threshold of what to
even him seemed to be sepulchre.
They might be found, but the fearful
impression that they had met and sue
cumbed to the overpowering influence of
the angel of death was burning into his
very heart.
DEATH DEFERRED.
The night shift was down. They had
expected to make the breach into the
lower gangway which was 1eing driven
by the men previous to their imprisor-
ment by midnight, but that hour camo
and passed, and the knells of recedinp
hours were repeated. and still no JOYOUS
messenger came. The gray streaks of
dawn fired the eastern sky and tho sun
came over the hilltops and gilded the
western horizon, but it brought no cheer
to the hearts of the mourners. At length
at half.past seven o'clock the sLif came
up with the news that but q few more
inches of the c ,al block remained to be
pierced. The crowd was growing now.
A hundred warm hearts throbbed quickly
at this information. An hour passed.
People we're coming Oh foot and by every
vehicle that could be pressed into service.
Representatives of the best society, gen.
tlemen with their families and miners
and laborers in their dusky suits. The
throng was very large, but orderly.
Conversation was conducted in a low
tone of voice.
THEY ARE ALL ALIVE"
1t was just four minutes to line o'clock
when strong knocks in rapii succession
were heard upon the trap door that leads
to the dismal abyss. The utmost silence
prevailed. Men with bated breath
awaited the opening of the mouth of the
messenger. 1t might be voice frcigh-
ted with excessive joy; it might be
weighted down with the bitterest woe.
The familiar head garb of a miner ap-
pcared Mt the hole Il wns Daniel Lewis
and he cried out, "They are all alive p'
Never have the rock-ribbed hills of Sugar
Notch echoed with joy as they did in
response to this intelligence. Huzzah
after huzzah was waited out on the at
mosphere, and the people in the valley
came out of their houses and gazed up 10
the place where the devoted men had
been laboring upward Of six days in sue
cession without stoppage for the rescue
of their fellow men. Speedy messengers
were despatched TO Ashley for physicians
and rcstoratives. Miss Riley, sister of one
of the rescued men, tainted. While men
raised their voices in exultaton, women
cried with Joy and thanked God for the
blessing. Old Mr.. Green, upward of
seventy years of age, started off at once
for his home with the glad tidings.
Despite his old age and in6rmities he
noIa,iei over iiie nils with step as
light as a youths. There was rejoicing
all around, and all gave expression to
their feelings and congratulated one an
other upon the result Of cir protracted
search.
"EERE THEY COME"
Hardly had the cheers died away be-
fore another rap was heard at the trap
door, and another miner came out with
the shout upon his tongue, Here they
come |" Twas true, one after another Of
the imprisoned men was helped through
the trap. AS fast az they came up they
fell into the hands Of friends with unsl-
loyed pleasure. The meeting was one of
those scenes that cannot be faithfully
portrayed. To the friends who had aait-
ell so long for their return it syemed as
if the dead had risen. The rescued felt
then, if never before, the blessings of
friends and the gloriousness of Code