New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-20
HEROES OF THE MINES.
THRILLING SCENES IN A BURNING COAL
PIT
PANIC IN TIRE TOWN OF HAMoKIN-PEoPLE
FLYING FROM'AN EXPECTED EXPLOSION.
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.

IBr TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.1
Shamoln, Penn, May 1o-The burned Nelson
Breaker, which went down in flames on Friday night.
was burned directly over shaft nearly 400 feet
deep, from which the workings run across the coal
veins under the western portion of this city. Yester-
day afternoon it discovered that the fire dropping
from the burning breaker had gnited the coal In the
mine far below. The mine has long had reputation
a. dangerous one on account OF the immense guam
titles OF gas that accumulated I'm IT, In order to pre-
vent the spread Of the flames the authorities at the
mine ordered the fans stopped and blocked up all the
air passages. They also told several families who
were living In the immediate ncighborhood Of one OF
the openings to move away as the underground work
ings were rapidly filling with gas, which would ex-
plode when 1t came in contact with the burning part
Of the mine. The hurried moving Of these people
alarmed tie other residents. and in a short time a
regular panic ensued. The people vacated their homes
and fled in al directions. fully 800 families leaving
their homes. The alarm spread to the churches and
In several Of them the congregations were dismissed
suddenly.
AN the hours few past and no explosion came a
party made up Of mine and fire bosses decided to go
into travelling way, and explore the condition of the
inside Of the mine Fire Boss Thomas Quinn led of.
and he followed shortly after by George steel.
David Roach and William They. Tlicy Rad not been
gone many minute, when up through the speaking
tube there came feeble cry for help. Thoma, Moore.
Patrick Kelly and William Rohrback, miners. and
superintendent Gay started ia 10 the men Inc
little party Of ic.curr, had Just reached i'm their pas
sage the r-t trap door, when they overcome by
the nrdHmp. and fell Scn.cle>s Another set Of vol
unt"crs wa, asked COR, and James NO Charles eerhy,
John Philips, Peter Hcash and Thomas Brennan
started. They took with them long rope and after
many hardship, succeeded IN bringing out all Of the
men except quinn. who had gone iu hr>t The black
smith shop was full Of PROSTATE men. and the
whole medical fore" OF Shamolun was called. Quinn
was given up for dead. After TWO hour, had passed
thc little miner. James No having s0mewhI Tecov-
cred from hi, first trip volunteered To after Quinn.
Away down In the mine. 500 yards beyond any point
Yet reached. h" found Quinn. lie was lying as one
dead bu M" plucSy little miner tied the rope around
him and esnalled 10 tho hundreds Of hands to pull.
They cra- ped the rope and he at last pulled %
the surface. where rescued and r',cucr, lay as II
dead. gulun, Who had been pulled through A2 llS
passage. mass Of wounds. The heavy rope
arjuud HIM lad been worn that IL parted easily.
and The blood ,rcamcd from III, nose and mouth
some ~, - he were visible and his condition Is
critical 81 thi- writing.
1t ha, been decided to turn the shamokn Creek into
the mines.
Wikc,barre MAY l0.-Rotcrt WatchOrn, secretary
of the United Nine Workers Of America
arrived here today. Tie long number of accidents
i'm th. Wy coming coal hcd- Of late has attracted the
aticntsn Of the organization. and they have deter
mined Il possible 20 put au ond 10 tn" wholesale
slaughter III the mincs Through Mr. Natchnrn ei-ht
suits flr damage, for loss ~ life have ALREADY hcrn
entered IN the Nottingham case, against the LehSh
ard Wilke-barrc Coal Company. ana counsel Wa IN
,tricted to n,xht 10 bring criminal action az once
| against the general and assistant Supernt'ndentA
and bosses at m" various mines for mansIauShtcr'
The warrants to BE- issued In "A few days.