Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-20
A DAYS CRIMES AND CASUALTIES.
A Brief but Sufficiently Narrowing
Record.

BRA1DwooDy H., Feb. 19.-The work of
rescuing the bodies of the buried miners
has assumed more business-like manner.
Three companies of workmen have been
formed consisting of sixty men. Each
company has foreman and work eight
hours day and night. Tranways have
been built to haul dirt to the dam. At 10
this morning the dam was completed and
pumping commenced with two pumps and
box lowered and raised on the cage. The
box has q capacity of five barrels.
At 6 p. m. the water had lowered five
feet in the main shaft. This they
think very encouraging. Three more
large pumps will arrive at II o'clock to-
night, and be placed in position at once.
Considerable complaint is heard that the
coal company is not using sufficient effort
to get out the water. Some suggest that
the vast quantity laying on the land for
miles should be drained, that would cause
the water pumped to flow away from
the shaft and obviate the necessity of
building the dam higher, and draw water
from the ground around the hole, and
prevent more caving which is very much
feared, as the ground underneath the sur
face around the cavity is filed with quick
sand. Superintendent Carey, of the Chi
cago, Wilmington & Vermillion Coal COM
pany, says that draining the land would
be impossible, as if bitches were dug
quicksand would soon fill them up. Other
are of the opinion that the Diamond Coal
company is doing all that can be done, ex-
cept it be to get more pumping power.
At meeting of citizens and
miners of the community Major D. Nc
Laughlin presided, and announced that
Adiutant General Elliott was present by
direction of Gov. Hamilton, to inform
himself officially of the necessities of the
sufferers by the recent calamity. Gen.
Elliot. upon being called upon, said:
cannot better express to this meeting the
profound sympathy Gov. Hamilton has
with the bereaved of the community, than
byreading to you his official communication
of last night. Gen. Elliott then said that
by direction of the government of this
state, visited at an early hour this morn
ing the scene of the Diamond mine disas-
ter. went into nearly all the desolated
homes, and such pitiable sight l hope
never to see again. House after house
full of orphan children, and no one could
tell which was the baby.
Gen. /. II. Elliott, Adjutant General:
Dear Sir: A terrible calamity has fallen
upon the miners employed in the Diamond
coal mines near Braidwood, Ill. This mis-
fortune loudly appeals for public aid and
sympathy. Something ought to be done for
the suffering people. am
not sure whether it is in the
constitutional power of the executive or
legislature of the state to do anything for
them or not, but if anything can be done,
it ought to be done promptly. feel very
solicitous about the matter, and in order
to be personally advised as to the extent of
the calamity end necessity of the people,
1 advise and request you to proceed i'm
mediately to the scene of the disaster to-
highland make as full investigation as yon
can as to the extent of the calamity,
the suffering, and the immediate necessi-
ties of the case and make a report of the
same to me in writing without delay. 1
hope you can 60 at once.
Signed JOHN M. HAMILTON,
Governor.
My report to the governor will be that
that these widows and orphans not only
claim substantial and immediate assist
ance of this city and county
butt of the state and country.
A resolution was passed with hearty ap-
plause, thanking Gov. Hamilton and his
representative for the prompt attention to
tho ~ that bac bafalIau this cOm-
munity.
Communications were read from the
archbishop of the Chicago diocese saying
that he would take charge of the Catholic
orphans.
A telegram was received from Governor
Hamilton saying that bill had been in
appropriating $4,000 for the benefit of
the widows and orphans.
An official report was read, giving the
number of widows at thirty-four and
orphans at ninety.
The following contributions have been
received from abroad: Geo. D. Whit
comb, Chicago, $500; Conrad Seipp, Brew
ing company, Chicago, 800; Markert &
Co., Wilmington, 500; W. H. Odell, Braid
wood, 800; Father Hogan and friends,
Lemont, 5000.
A resolution was unanimously adopted
that each miner on the coal field pay an
average days work into the relief fund
next pay day.
The relief committee have issued the fol-
lowing appeal: Between forty and fifty
widows and about 100 orphans are left des-
titute by the Diamond shaft disaster and
their condition at present and prospective
demands prompt assistance to save from
immediate suffering. The undersigned,
in the name and for the use of the suffer
ers will receive and properly acknowledge
and apply all funds received: Robert
Huston, postmaster; VIM. Odell, cashier
Commercial National bank; and E. w.
FELTON,, vice president Citizens National
bank of Braidwood, Ill.
CHICAGO, Feb. ia Braidwood special
says: At the request of the meeting Mr..
Graham read correct list of the widows
and gave the number of orphans as fol-
lows:
Mrs. John Huber, three children, aged 8,
and years.
Mrs. Fritz Kea,* one child, babe.
Note-Those marked reported in deli
cate condition.
Mrs. John Anderson, no children.
Mrs. Samuel Atkins six children, all I'M
der 10years of age.