The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-31
FATALCOAL-MINEEXPLOSION
Ignition of Fire-Damp in Fairlawn Col
liery Causes the Loss of Five Lives.
Survivors, Story of the xplosion-Wound-
ed aud Helpless, in Cimmerian Darkness
and Surrounded by Dead Comrades.

SCRANTON. Pa, Aug 90.-A terrible explosion
occurred in the Fairlawn colliery this morning,
which resulted in the death of five men. Two
others were seriously injured. John Fl. Hosie
and j. Gallagher were standing at the head Of
the slope at the time of the accident, and felt
the force of the explosion as the rush of air
came out of the mouth of the mine. They at
once started to go ia and ascertain the extent Of
the damage. The August quota of coal had
been mined last week, and no men were en-
Tdoyed in the mines. ST14j came, however,
thet party of FIVE or six men had gone into the
mines to clear up their chambers.
Mine Inspector Blewitt happened to
come along about this time, and
he and Gallagher, with a party. entered the
mines, going down to the third, or lower vein,
and then, following the air course, stopping to
repair damages as they went along Their
progress was necessarily slow, and the course
they followed took them to the right-hand side
of the mines They came at last to point
whore they found repairs necessary, and re-
turned to the foot Of the mines for more ma
serial. when they learned that groans had been
heard in the east gangway. They worked over
that way and found the party who had gone in
the mines before the accident, near or about the
entrance of one Of the chambers, a
short distance from the foot of an In
side plane, about $50 feet from where
2he heading branches of. Three of them were
alive and three dead. The killed were: Hugh
Conners, of Bellevue; Edward Gaughan and
Michael Pryle. The first man brought to the
surface was John Nafn, who is badly burned
about the face and arms John Kerrigan was
alive when found, and talked the strongest of
all, but he died before being brought to the sur
face. The next vas John Copnor He has two
large scalp wounds, bad cut on the knee and
another on the arm. His face and hands are
badly bruised. He was taken to the hospital.
The body of Edward Pierce, the fire boss, was
found about 150 feet from the others
Patrick Connor says that he and the others
waited for some time at the mouth of the mine
vein. He said he had not been in the lower vein
yet, but told them TO come on and he would see
If everything was all right. They went to the
foot of the new road when Pearce went ahead to
where he had box with some lamps and oil in
it. He carried q safety lamp and they had naked
lamps. They stood there waiting for him, when
suddenly there was fash and the explosion fol-
lowed quickly, He fell fat on his face. He felt
that he was in too exposed position, and
leaped to the side of the pillar. To this action
ne probably owes his life. When the explosion
was over he called out to the men. Kerrgan,
Nafn and Pryle answered him, but
no word came from Gaughan or Connors.
Kerrigan wanted him to try to 60 with him TO
the foot of the shaft, and he rose on his feet to
do so, but felt so sick that he could not go and
had to lie down again. They waited there in the
blackness of night, sick, wounded and helpless,
with their dead comrades lying near them. At
last they heard voices, and Connor called. Pres
emily the voices came nearer; then they saw
lights approaching, and soon the rescuing party
were with them. The position in which the
bodies were found bears out his statement He
could not tell whether Pearce ignited the gas, or
whether it was ignited by their lamps. The ex-
plosion came like flash, too quickly for any one
TO tell anything about it. They had no reason
10 expect to fnd any gas there. How the fire
originated is mystery