The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-02-08

fornation II retaiv.d tonight of a
gas explosion il, the Grove shaft oi
slie Midlothian coal mines, in Ctes-
ieiiieid county l'Inrty-twa men
were c,tugit usder ground. No sie-
,su.s yet received.
a later siis - =, s.ates there -
litss- az so i,ols ~ II tue thir-
ty-two men an tie shs.it. The gas
tester ~ebs i.,wl ,,earls to the bot
tali VI the pi, three tin,es but were
forced to return on account of the
suffocating smoke and gas they
report the PIT on FIRE, bnf viii make
another eiios; IL llie morning 10
search for tie unfortunates. The
news OF tbe disaster spread very
rapidly and IN Il short time crowd
had gathered. The scene was most
distressing, as nearly everyone had
some relative or friend among the
lentombe,. miners.
The shaft is nearly six hundred
feet deep, running about three
quarters OF Il mile in u lateral direc-
ton. The Midlothian coal mines
belong to the estate OF the late Ii.
II. Burroughs, of New York, and
cost about twelve years ago between
100000 and s500,000.
LATER.
RICHMOND. Feb. Information
received here this morning from the
Midlothian disaster is OF Il most
discouraging nature There is no
earthly hope that any Of the en-
tombed men are now alive. Every
effort is being made to enter the pit,
but it will be impossible TO reach
the point where the men were for
days and perhaps week. The ex
plosion destroyed all the apparatus,
including that used for ventilation,
and this will have to be replaced be
fore successful operations can be
resumed.
| A Especial from Coalfeid, Va, says !:
The Grove shaft, the scene of the
horrible explosion yesterday, il sur
rounded with women and children.
Despite the fact that the ground is
covered with snow, and falling rap
idly, hundreds are about the mouth
Of the shaft. The appeals Of wives
and mothers for assistance in getting
10 their loved ones are heartrending.
x later telegram frord c'oaltield III
relation to the mine disaster at Mid
lothian says: Superintendent Dodds
and two Others went down into the
shalt about noon, but returned be-
fore reaching the bottom. Thev
found no indications of fire. Anoth
er party OF five wentdown this after
noon to repair the brattice and re-
store ventilation, which was cut off
! by the brattice being tumbled in by
the force OF the explosion. This
party remained below until after
four o'clock. when they came up and
reported there was Il slight prospect
of reaching that portion OF the mine
where the men were entombed to-
night The miners are still at work,
however, and ventilation at s P. VI
had been restored to the bottom of
the shaft. This disaster has left
twenty seven widows and one-hun
dred and eight orphan childrea. 4
subscription has been started in
Richmond for the benefit OF the
stricken families.
The latest intelligence from the
Midlothian mire disaster is that the
miners at work clearing the shaft
discovered one body. but the air
was so foui they were forced to sus-
pend Operations and come out it
is not probable anything more will
/ be done tonight.
THE LATEST PARTICULARS.
Sunday.-The latest reports from
the Midlothian mine isaster state
that during the morning n relief par.
ty descended the Grove shaft, but.
were compelled to return before
reaching the bottom. At 1:15 P. II.
another party went down to the bot
tom, and upon the return reported
pure air below. At half past two,
Superintendent Dodds with a third
party made the decent, remaining
nearly an hour They explored the
tannel for some distance. At the
mouth of one of the chambers in the
vicinity they discovered another
body, which is supposed to be that
of the colored fireman, Robert Sam.
mels. This body, together with that
discovered last night, was brought
to the surface this evening. The
work of repairing the brattice forthe
improvement of ventilation is pro-
crossing, and it is expected tha. by
tomorrow a more satisfactory .ex-
ploration can be made.