Los Angeles herald., 1890-05-16
MINERS ENTOMBED.
The Cave-In of a Pennsyl-
vania Mine.
Twenty-Seven Men Literally
Buried Alive.
Three of the Victims Rescued in a
Dying Condition.
An Explosion of Gas the Cause of the
An Explosion of Gas the Cause of the
Terrible Collapse-Pitiful Sights at
the Mouth of the Pit.
Associated Press Dispatches.

WILKEsBARRE, Pa, May ia cave
in occurred today near Ashley, in the
mine operated by the Lehigh and
Wilkesbarre Coal Company. Twenty
five men were entombed. The scene of
the disaster is one of intense excitement.
Not only the relatives of the imprisoned
miners, but thousands of others are
gathered upon the spot discussing the
best methods of effecting a rescue.
Things are in such chaotic condition
that the results are by no means GER
tain. Many believe the rescue is we'll
nigh impossible, while others, as
they watch the continual movement
of the surface and the extensive work
ings OF the mines, shake their heads in
grave doubt. The present cave imme-
diately adjoins the mine in which an
extensive cave occurred twelve years
ago, imprisoning ten men over week
but who were finally rescued alive.
The present cave extends over half a
mile square, and includes portion of a
thickly-settled village called Mafett's
Patch. A large number of houses have
gone down with the surface, but only a
few are badly damaged.
Later-It is now known that there
were twenty-seven miners entombed in
the mine. The cave occurred at 9
O'Clock this morning, in No. 6 colliery.
covering an area of more than ten acres.
The surface, almost as far as the eve can
reach, was scanned and cracked with
circular assures, some of which were
two feet wide. Thousands rushed to
the scene of the disaster, and the
lamentations of wives and little ones
were heartrending. Rescuing parties
were Immediately organized, and gang
after gang relieved one another, until
O'Clock, when the news was passed that
they had succeeded in breaking through
the chambers beneath the cave. About
$3.50 the charred and blackened form
OF Anthony Froyne was hoisted TO
the surface. He was still alive.
but his injuries are considered fatal.
Old miners said THE fact of Froyne
being so badly hurt lent very little hope
TOr the safety of his companions.
Wreck and ruin were wrought on the
surface of the earth, as well as in the
fatal pit. Nearly score of houses were
shattered and destroyed and the fami-
lies compelled to flee for their lives.
Up to II O'Clock two men had been
taken out hesides Froye-Fire Boss
John Allen and Roberts. Both are
alive, but terribly injured. 1t is asserted
that Aliens lamp caused the explosion
At midnight the rescuing parties were
driven out of the gangway. The place is
full OF black damp, and further approach
in the direction of the victims was i'm
possible, even with safety lamps. A
vigorous effort is now being made to
change the air current, so as to drive
the gas back from where the victims are
supposed to be.
The scenes around the mouth of
the pit are sorrowful and i'm
pressive. The space in the vicinity
OF the opening is lighted with loco
motive headlights, turned into the
yawning cavern, where details of miners
have been laboring. Outside this small
circle all is darkness. Hundreds of
men, women and children are arranged
in semi-circle around the opening.
The men entombed are nearly all mar
ried and leave dependent families
The people crowd close to the opening
and peer into the darkness of the fatal
depth, while the cries of the women and
little ones makes the heart sick with
pity.