The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-05-09
IN A LIVING TOMB.
Seven Men Imprisoned Five Days I'm u Coal
Mine-rhriiling Experience.

NV N ANU AVnns
Seven Men Imprisoned Five Days In Coal
Mine-Ihriiling Experience.
The fall of mines roof near Scran-
ton, Pa, imprisoned seven miners, whose
fate remained matter of uncertainty
for nearly a week. A correspondent
gives the following interesting account
OF their experiences and final rescue :
For five weary days and nights the per-
ilous work of excavation had been going
on, meeting with so many obstacles as
to make the undertaking little else than
a forlorn hope, when, about 8 o'clock
last night, the joyful discovery was
made that the drill had passed through
the wall of coal, and had communicated
with the portion of the mine that was
intact, and which had been their object
i've point from the outset. When the
drill was withdrawn strong stream of
air and gas followed. The lights were
Immediately extinguished until the gas
had passed, and ID explosion occurred.
The hole was at once plugged, and work
commenced with renewed and vigorous
rapidity, for at last they had found an
opening, and knew that in few short
hours the imprisoned men would be
found. The blasting was stopped, and
the work of going through nine feet of
coal was done with the pick, as there
were indications of fre-damp, preclud-
ing the use of powder for fear of an ex
plosion. After twelve hours laborious
digging the pillar of coal was piei ced,
and the last obstacle was over
come. the limit of the cave being
past. Word was Immediately sent to
the anxious watchers above ground, who
awaited tie tidings with bated breath,
for the imperiled men were half mile
distant. Mine Inspector Williams and
Superintendent Smith, accompanied by
two trusty miners, organized themselves
into an exploring party and began to
tread their way through the labyrinth
of passages, and in doing so the party
became separated, some of their lights
being extinguished. The party who had
made the greatest descent hallood to
their companions that they might join,
when they were thrilled through and
through by an answer from far 9own
the depths-the voices of the imprisoned
men. It was but the work of a few min
utes to form a junction, and every man
was found alive and well. The men say
that on Wednesday morning last, when
the young hero, John Clark, came furi-
ously riding a mule through the gang
way to warn them of their impending
danger, their first impulse was to seek
escape through the tumbling rocks, but
were persuaded to desist and remain in
the secure portion of the mine. To this
wise decision they owe their lives. The
roof continued falling for many hours,
after which the men penetrated in every
direction, but found every avenue of
escape blocked, and with 500 feet of
rock above their heads. There was a
plentiful supply of pure air, as the fan
in the engine-house was never stopped
for moment, while an abundant natural
flow of water satisfied their thirst. The
first days experience was a horrible
one, filled with fears of slow, lingering
death, but after the second day the re-
ports of the blasts fired by the relief party
came TO their ears from time to time and
encouraged them to hope. Their pro-
visions soon gave out, and, on Thurs
day, the mule was tied with ropes,
killed with heavy hammer, and dressed
and quartered with an ak, affording
them food for many days. A fire was
built, and the mule-steaks boiled In the
dinner-pails, or broiled on the covers.
The carcass was with difficulty saved
from the hungry rats, which were pres
ent in droves. Not watch was owned
by the party, and they were in ignor
ance of the time, losing their reckon
ing by twenty-four hours. The time
was passed in explorations, in occasion
al examinations of the roof, and in
weary waiting, with but little sleep.
The entire party united in fervent pray
er each day, and say that they never
lost heart until Sunday night, when, as
the blasting ceased, owing to the final
approach into the lowest gangway, they
feared that the workers had either been
driven from their post by gas, were go
ing in the wrong direction, or had
abandoned the search. It was after
eigt teen hours of dead silence that they
heard the call of their rescuers. This
morning the scene at the mouth OF the
pit when they made their appearance,
cannot be described. The multitude
could hardly believe their eyes, and it
was several minutes before the situa-
ton could be grasped, when shout
arose that made the hills ring and echo
with Joy as friends received their dear
ones and comrades grasped the hands
of the rescued. The spectacle was 80
thrilling as to break down strong men
in tears. Conveyances and physicians
were in waiting, but none were needed,
as the men looked none the worse for
their terrible experience, and stated
that they could have lived for days to
como.
A Polysphenic Ship.