Morris tribune., 1885-12-23
AWFUL MINE DISASTER.
A SWAMP OVER THE MAIN GANGVvAY
CAVES IN,
Flooding the Mine with Resistless
Torrent Which Casts Men About
Like Straws-MaAy Lives Lost
Calamity in Russia.

at No. slope of the Susquehanna Mine COM
pany Friday was caused by the caving in OF
swamp covering several acres which was
being used as a coal-dumping ground, and in
which there was an accumulation of several
million gallons of water from the recent
heavy SHOWS and rains. The swamp was
directly over the main gangway of the slope,
and the pressure upon it by the continual
dumping of coal is supposed to have forced
its bottom out The heavy body of water
rushed into the mine below in a large and
powerful stream, drilling a hole through the
earth intervening that was upward
of 800 feet i'll diameter at the
surface and about ten at the point where it
struck the gangway. Large quantities of
dirt and culln were carried with it into the
mine, and the force of the stream was such
as to tear large mine-props from their places
and hurl them along with the death-dealing
torrent The miners and laborerS heard the
rushing waters, and at once surmised the
danger that was fast overtaking them.
Driver-bOye stood aghast at the spectacle
and door-boys screamed with alarm. They
stood, powerless to act until the fleeing
miners and laborers, who had dropped their
picks and shovels in horror, apprised them of
their danger. Then the boys hurriedly left
their posts, forgetting all about the mules
they were driving, and, leaving them to
their fate, joined in the flight for life The
water was then three feet deep in the gang
way, and rapidly rising. The alarm spread
rapidly, and all the miners and laborers
hurried to the openings that would let them
come to the surface. The current had
velocity of thirty miles an hour, according
to the estimates of several practical miners
hoI ,1rl, f1a
ences of the day. 1t lifted them from their
feet and dashed them about in every direc-
tion. How many lives were lost in the
first rush of the waters cannot be ascertained
until all who escaped have reported to the
mine boss.
The following men were reported Friday
night as still in the mine: Oliver Kivler,
William Kivler, F. Kivler, Isaac Sarber,
John Sarber, Thomas Clifford, William
Delaney, William Elkie, Lewis Turbey, An
drew Lowe, John Shuts, John Hawks,
Augustus Mitul, Edward Hargraves, Ed
ward Matthews, Abram Lewis, and number
of Polish laborers, whose names could not
be ascertained. Seven of those men are
married and each of the married men has
one OF more children
The hillside above the farmhouse at the
slope was thronged with people, fathers,
mothers, sisters, and brothers, who were
sorrowfuliy awaiting tidings from below.
Occasionally the piercing shrek Of a woman
was heard as she seemed to realize the terri
BILE situation of her husband or brother.
Superintendent G. T.. Morgan went among
the crowds, assuring them that every
measure necessary to rescue the men
would be undertaken, and if it were possible
they would soon be restored to their
friends a relief gang, comprising Inside
Reese, Mine Boss Corgan,
and five workmen, at once descended into
the slope With hopes of communicating with
the imprisoned men, but found it impossible
to reach them. They reported the rapid
accumulation Of foul air, and the necessity
Tor extra precautions in the work Of rescue
superintendent Morgan then called for men
To- organizing into relief gangs, and
promptly 100 or more brawny, brave miners
stepped forward and enrolled themselves for
the work They were apportioned into Sec
tions, and the work of driving a tunnel
to reach the men was at once begun.
-l The pumps of the slope are at work trying
10 reduce the depth Of water so that the re-
pair men can at once get in and remove the
debris. : All work will be suspended at the
two shafts until the slope is free of water.
! LIS VIII CAUSE buc oulOICSu lulcuSSS Ol OV0T
800 men for some weeks.
It is feared that before help can reach the
imprisoned men they will die from exhaus-
tion and foul air.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, Dec. The men at
work rescuing the imprisoned miners stuna-
bled across the dead body of one of the men,
John Kveleo, Saturday morning. 1t is
presumed that Kiveleo separated from his
cornpanions, and in trying to reach the air
shaft, Whera 80 many reached before him, in
order that hs might be heisted to the top,
was overcome by the water and
drowned This does not say that
his companions have met Hike
fate, as it is possible that when they saw
that all escape was cut off, they sought the
highest part Of the mine. The question now
is whether the men are not drowned or suf-
located The latter seems the more likely.
II is now believed that it will take fully
four days TO cut 9 passage to where the
men are; only twelve men can wqrk together
at a time In removing the debris which
blocks the main gangway leading
to the mouth of the slope, where the exit
from the mine is made. !
The excitement in the vicinity of the dis
aster is greater than ever. The relatives
and friends have now given up all hope of
seeing their dear ones alive An expert
anced miner gives it as his opinion that tho
raen are all dead from suffocation.
=