Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-06-28
IN FEARFUL PERIL.
The Farm Hill Mine May Prove
To Be a Volcano.
ALL HOPE OF RESCUE BLASTED.

The Mine on Fire and a Magazine of Gas
Behind the Flames, Pregnant with
Death and Destruction-A Column of
Smoke Lifts It's Head into the Clouds as
Funeral Pan for the Dead-The
Flames Break Loose and Turn 1t into q
Pillar of Fire-Brave men Risk Their
Lives in a Final Effort.
DUNBAR, Pa. June 2s.-There is no
longer any hope. The entombed miners
can not be rescued now. A furious fire
has sealed their fate. and if their dead
bodies escape the hungry flames the pill
fering rats that infest the mines will have
gnawed them beyond recognition. Death
never came to men in more revolving
form and affiiction never fell heavier on
the bereaved Yesterday WAS an awful
day, yet eyel greater disaster threatens.
A fire, fierce as whirlwind, is raging for
1000 feet down in the yawning mouth of
the Hill Farm mine.
FrightfuI Explosion Possible.
Deadly gas has generated back of the
flames and the ponderous hill into which
the Hill Farm, the Ferguson, and the Ma
honing pits are driven, is mighty maya
zine, fairly pregnant with death. The
liehtest stroke of a miners pick would ex-
plode it, and the effect of such an explo-
sion would be awful to contemplate. The
rescuing party has been withdrawn from
the face of the Mahoning pit. A strong
guard has been placed at the mouth of the
Ferguson mines to keep out the impa-
tient, restless miners who would rescue
the unfortunates on their own account
The flames at the Hill Farm mines are hot
enough to drive away invaders
The Outbreak of the Fire Fiend,
Fire broke from the mouth of the Hill
Farm pit shortly after o'clock last
night. 1t followed promptly after the
drill entered the burning mine. For two
hours before the flames burst out huge
pillows of smoke, black, dense and dead
ly. rolled over each other into the air. and
+ drifted upward, forming a ponderous
monument of mourning to the dead in
side. A rumbling, rushing sound, like
swiftly moving train through a tunnel,
preceded the flames. Secretary Watchorn,
superintendent Hill and the United Press
reporter were at the pits mouth await
ing the outbreak. To the experts the
smoke indicated approaching fire for half
an hour before its arrival, and its coming
could be heard long before the fire
reached the pits mouth. 1t could be
seen licking up the timbers in the mine,
and the steady stream of water, which
rippled down the slope, seemed only to
inspire and encourage to wilder efforts
the angry fiend.
Scene of Awful Grandeur.
1t was indeed an awful sight, and when,
with brilliant flash, the great column of
smoke was ignited the heavens seemed
afiame. Fantastic figures of fire darted
hither and thiiher, chasing each other to
the clouds aud burning huge hole
through the gloom of night. The sur
rounding country was lighted up, guiding
the excited, nervous crowds to the scene.
Those who had been watching at the Ma
honing mine hurried over the hill to the
fire. The people of Dunbar who could
see the Redeemed heavens from the village
rushed about in confusion, fearful that
another calamity had occurred
The Bereaved Families.
The families of the entombed miners
who have waited and watched until their
grief has become desdened are aroused
and their suffering and distress come to
stricken home and while they comforted
the living they prayed for the dead, and
while they watched the fire they seemed
mentally TO bury their loved ones.
Heroic Labor in Vain.
The heading in the Hill Farm mine was
not accompanied with accident James
Barnhill. a practical miner, guided the
drill, aud when he touched the objective
point he secured bag full of the air and
then the rescuing party was ordered out
of the pit, Inspectors Keighley, Blick and
Evans then examined the face of the mine.
after which they left the place to consult.
They decided that any attempt to break
through the dividing wall might be ac-
companied by accident.
Gone to Face Death.
The conference lasted for nearly an
hour. Every possible plan of rescue was
discussed, but none of them accepted. Fl
nally Inspectors LOuttit, Keighley, Secre-
tary Watchorn, Master Workman Ker-
foot, and Manager Hill (of the Furnace
company decided to face death itself that
the entombed men may be rescued. They
decided to go to the face and together dig
through. There were eleven feet of coal
to dig, or about two hours work. They
were all provided with appliances for
their safety, but they carried their lives
In their hands, and everybody about the
pit babe them goodbye and wished for
their safe return.
A Bitter Feeling Abroad.
The suspension of work jus. when the
unfortunate miners are almost within
reach has been great disappointment
here and has still further enraged the peo-
pie. The false reports sent out daily by
the mine inspectors had led them to hope
against themselves, and when the fire
broke out last night the feeling was in
tensely bitter against those whom they
held responsible for the delay.
Lynehing in Georgia.
WAY CROSS, Ga, June 2s-Andrew Rob
erts, colored. was lynched at 12 O'Clock