Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-01
THE WILKESBARRE DISASTER.

Last week an area of about one hundred
acres, of the town of Wikesbarre, Pennsyl-
vania, caved in, the ground sinking, in
many places several feet below the surface.
The residents in the vicinity of the disaster
were startled from their rest by roar resemb-
ling the laundering shock of an earthquake
and the rocking and trembling of the houses.
Shock speedily followed shock and the crash
of falling ceilings and the noise Of rending
wood were heard above the screams of the
women and children. A correspondent who
visited the town last Friday gives the follow
ing graphic account Of the terrible shock:
Eye witnesses describe the scene at the
time of the fall as being almost beyond de-
scrption. The streets affected are densely
peopled, and when the first crash came nearly
every one was buried in repOse. Within
two minutes, however, from the moment
when the shock was experienced all was a
scene of the widest excitement. The utter
ignorance of the people as to the nature of the
disaster added immeasuraby to their alarm
Their houses were falling Oh them and the
solid ground trembled and rocked us if from
the throes of al earthquake.
Mothers sprang from their couches, and,
seiZing their Children fled to the streets, their
forms exposed almost without covering to the
piercing cold. Many Of the woman tainted
Even the stout hearts of the miners were
stricken with terror at the uncertainty OF
What was to follow.
The streets presented a scene of alarm.
Here could be seen the burly form OF some
hardy worker of coal endeavoring to calm the
wife and children who, terrified almost out OF
their senses, clung to him with agonzing
cries. Further on was a woman holding the
hands of her children and bearing in her arms
helpless infant, hurrying along, fearful that
the houses would fall and bury them in the
ruins Some were busily engaged in saving
articles of value which they dragged out of
the houses and piled in the middle OF the
streets under the belief that the danger was
not yet over and that in a few minutes their
dwellings would be levelled with the ground.
Others were endeavoring to obtain light
and ascertain the nature of the calamity, while
others again, regardless of their own danger,
we're helping to convey the women and chill
dren from the tottering houses and place them
in a position of safety SO accustomed are
these aborerS in the mines to disasters OF this
kind that when the nature of the calamity
was thoroughly understood some degree OF
quiet was restored. No effort was made, how
ever, to resume the usual preparations for
breakfast or the regular labors OF the day.
All were too much alarmed. The light OF
the rising sun saw the streets still thronged
with frightened crowd, many OF them still
half dressed and too fearful to enter their
dwellings until assured 10y closer examlna-
ton that all immediate danger was over. The
most conflicting reports were current IN the
locality and were speedily spread over the city.
In a short time the roads leading to the scene
of the disaster were crowded with thrOngs OF
tho n 1ctIal lnSD4c-
tion of the destruction caused.
Although there have been many similar ac-
cidents in this locality, this is the largest and
most disastrous of them all. 1t has revived
various rumors of the insecurity of the city
which were at one time SO rife, but have
lately died out. 1t is well known that ALMOST
the whole of Wilkesbarre is undermined by
the workings of the colliers, but it is alleged
that for the most part the seams are at great
distance below the surface, and that, know
ing the fearful consequences OF cave IN on
the densely peopled city, sufficient support has
beeen left to disarm the slightest suspicion OF
danger.
Many miners state that previous to the
abandonment of the workings where the disas-
ter occurred ''pillar robbng" had been carried
on to dangerous extent, the operators trust
ing to the 300 feet of rock above them to Sc
cure the stability of the surface. For the
benefit of those unacquainted with the technol-
Ogy of mining, "pillar robbing" is the term
given to the taking away of coal from pillars
previously left to support the roof This is
frequently done by the unScrupulous operators
before abandoning any portion OF thelr mines
The officials of the Delaware and Hudson
fCOmpany are very reticent about the matter.
They will say nothing whatever except that
the accident was occasioned by the rotting of
the props left in the abandoned workings.
This statement, however, is now generally dis
credited. The best authorities agree that 1t IS
quite possible that further falls will take place,
although in all probability not for some little
time, OF unless the fire has had time to work
it's way further into the workings
Everything in and around the cave is quiet
to-day. The greater number of the people who
vacated their homes yesterday re-entered their
dilapidated buildings this morning. About
fifty miners kept watch last night, it having
been arranged that in case the ground showed
evidences of sinking the fire alarm bell would
be sounded. While political caucus was
being held in Sernhelt's Hail. in the disturbed
district, last evening, some one said the build
ing was giving way, and general stampede
was the result Men are at work to-day filling
the cracks and holes in the streets. The schools
will not open until the directors are satisfied
that everything is safe.
An exploring party entered the mine to-day
with safety lamps, to make al investigation as
to the other parts of the coal catacombs.
Real estate in the ward has received a black
eve. Thus far no gas has made it's appearance
through the cracks. The property owners are
about entering suits against the Delaware and
Hudson Company for damages. The legisla-
ture will also be appealed to to pass law
against the excessive robbing of pillars.
1t is impossible to determine the exact
amount of damage done, but the lowest eStl-
mate places it at $4,000, though others de-
clare that twice that sum will not cover the
total cost of repairing and rebuilding all the
property damaged.
THE OPELIKA DISTURBANCE.
Mention was made in these columns three
weeks ago of serious disturbances in Opelika,
Alabama, growing out of dissatisfaction with
the last municipal election for that town. The
Legislature interfered and passed al Act spe-
cialy applicable to the situation, vacating
the city charter, which it was thought would
restore harmony; but from the following dis
patches from Montgomery, it would seem
that on Wednesday of last week the trouble
was renewed, requiring vigorous measures for
it's suppression:
On Wednesday evening the marshal ap-
pointed by the commissioners, who constitute
the municipal authorities of Opelika, attemp-
ted to arrest a man who was violating the
town law. The arrest was resisted, and eX-
Mayor Dunbar and his followers went to his
rescue. The marshal summoned a posse of
citizens, and the deputy sheriff was ordered
to support the marshal with what other help
he could summon. An attempt to arrest the