Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-11-10
AWFUL CALAMITY.
One Hundred and Sixty Men
 Buried in a Mine.
A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION
The Ground Shaken as if by
 an Earthquake.
THE SHAFT CLOSED UP BY DEBRIS

Instant Death 112 Feet Below the Sur face No Possibility of Escape The
 Night Shift Had Just Gone Down to
 work-Two Came Up Just in Time to
 Save Themselves-AGony of the Vic- tims' Wives-Dihicu1ty of Reaching the
 Bodies.
 P1TTsBURG, Kan, Nov. 1O.-The worst dis aster in the history of Kansas occurred last evening, and the town of Plttsburg is in tears. One hundred and sixty men were sent into eternity at a moments notice. It is the most horrible mining disaster that ever happened in the state. The miners working at shaft No. ? at Frontend a suburb of this city, had just entered the shaft for the nights work when a terrific explosion occurred. The shock was tremendous. For miles around the noise of the explosion heard, and its force shook the earth SC that it seemed as if an earthquake had taken place. There were 160 men ill the mine at the time. They were 112 feet below the surface. There is no doubt that all are dead.
 When the smoke and debris had somewhat passed away it was seen that the shaft entirely closed up by the cave in. There was chance for the imprisoned men and no hopes are entertained of their escape. Two men had just come up in car and these are the only ones saved
 The terrific explosion caused panic in the city, and immediately all the citizens rushed to the mine. The scene there was heartrend- ing in the extreme. Women and strong men shed tears Some of the wives and children of the doomed miners broke forth in loud lamentations and uttered piercing shrieks and cries "Oh, John! John Where is my husband? 1 know he is dead," frantic ally screamed one poor woman with babe at her breast Save him Save him!" she exclaimed in her agony. Then the babe dropped from her arms and she fell in a faint to the ground.
 A score or more of women were rendered hysterical. Many tainted but at last some thing like order was brought about. A few cool headed men compelled the women to retire, and the stronger of the latter took the wives of the dead miners to their homes, and rendered them all the consolation in their power and tried to calm them with false hopes. The men around the mine were by this time able to go to work, which they did with will. A great deal of the debris and large stones were removed from the entrance to the shaft, where it was discovered that further headway was impossible The shaft was blocked completely.
 The cave in had practically destroyed it, and the only way to attempt to reach the imprisoned men, rather to recover their bodies, for no one has the faintest hopes that they are alive, was to go to work systemat- ically. The superintendent of the mines was soon at the scene of the disaster, and divid- ing the miners into gangs all with a will bent their energies to the task of reaching the doomed men. It is doubtful whether they can reach the bottom of the shaft to- day. Meanwhile Pittsburg is a town of mourning There is scarcely family but has some relative or friend among the i'm prisoned men, and what with alternating hopes and fears the citizens are in state od semi frenzy.