Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-03-26
BODIES RECOVERED.
Nine of the Brentwood Miners.
Intense Excitement Among the
People.

CHICAGO, March PA DailyNews'
Brentwood Oils special says: There
are marks of the destroying angel
plainly visible in the little town of
Diamond, where tonight at midnight
there were brought to the surface nine
OF the miners who lost their lives By
the sad catastrophe of February 16.
From the earliest hour of the morning
up to the time of the recovery of the
bodies, the roads leading to the scene
Of the awful disaster were blocked
with excited people going to and from
the mine. Late last night it was an
ncunced that the bodies, which had
been found by an exploring party,
would be brought to the surface and
placed in the morgue. By 10 o'clock
the available grounds in the vicinity
OF the hosting shaft was completely
packed with crowd of people, mum.
bering not less than 1000, who we're
excitedly mingling with each other
and discussing the probability Of the
Identification of the bodies when
they should appear above the mouth
of the hoisting shaft. The water was
virtually out at midnight last night,
enough so to permit a party of
workers to carry on the operations of
renewing the soapstone and debris
that had fallen in the passageway,
blocking it enough to prevent the
searching party from removing the
bodies from where they lay. When
the first entrance was made to the
main shaft it was ascertained that the
roof had caved to a slight extent, and
that before the search could be ex.
tended this matter must come out.
When it was found that there was
great excitement among those who
composed the groups of lookers>ou, it
was determined that it would be iniu-
dicious to bring up the bodies in the
morning, as was at first supposed, and
the fact was announced to the crowd
that no bodies would be taken out
until to morrow morning on account
Of the inside work that had to be
done. During the day, however, a
private search was instituted and a
Thorough examination of the various
passages was made. While in the
south workings of the mine this party
came across the trap door, which was
partly imbedded in the caved roots.
Bursting open this door the party
made an entrance into the passage, in
spite of the black damp, that almost
chOked them, and discovered not far
ahead two bodies, both lying upon
their faces; proceeding further, two
more bodies, and still further two
more. Upon two of them were huge
piles of soapstone, which had dropped
from the roof. Without removing or
any way touching the bodies the party
retreated before the black damp, that
was coming faster and faster, to the
main shaft, where they we're raised to
the surface. When it was learned
that six bodies were found. the Dia-
mond mine officials made active
preparations to get the searching
party into shape, SO that just as soon
as darkness came they could 60 down
and speedily remove the bodies
already located. At 8 o'clock this
evening this party secretly prepared
for the journey below, and without
attracting any more attention than
was absolutely necessary they were
lowered, and after a descent of
minute or two stood on the cage
plates at the bottom in pine inches Of
water, and proceeding to where the
bodies lay. They were placed on can
vas stretchers and borne to the mouth
Of the main shaft, where they were to
remain until midnight, when they
were to be eneased in wooden boxes
and hoisted to the surface.
At midnight two great soft coal
torches were lighted and the party
below instructed to send up the first
body. Aslight putting Of the engine,
a gentle glide of the cage up from the
gloom of the shaft, and body was at
the surface ready fer removal. Will
ling hands seized the box and it was
borne to the morgue, where it was
placed on the floor and a crowd allowed
to pass around and view the dead in
hopes that some one would be enabled
to identify the corpse. Nearly half
the crowd had passed when a small
boy, looking into the box, recognized
the features and cried out : ut is my
father"
Childish Identification proved to be
correct, and it was the body of Paddy
Wall. The face was in horrible
condition, the face being red while the
scalp was bady bruised. Other bodies
we're then raised, and two of them
identified as William johnson and
John Huber. Further developments
are expected tomorrow, when two
shafts will be at work all day working
their way through Immense piles OF
soapstone that has fallen from the roof
and blocked the way.
The searches that have been made
we're attended with no serious disas,
ter, though il is said they are in great
danOar