Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-07-05
THE ENTOMBED MINERS.
All Hope of Their Rescue Aban-
doned.
Fire, Fierce as whirlwind, Ragcs for
Two Thou'and Feet Down Into tho
Death Trap-Three CoIlieries at
Dunbar n Mass of Flames.

DUNBAR, Pa, June 2s.-There Is no
longer any hope. All faith in the in
dustrious rescuers has been abandoned.
The entombed miners can not be res
cued now. A furious fire has sealed
their fate and, IL their dead bodies es-
cape the hungry flames, the pilfering
rats that infest the mines will have
gnawed them beyond recognition. Death
never came to men in a more revolving
form and affliction never fell heavier on
the bereaved. This has been an awful
calamity, yet even a greater disaster
threatens. A fire, fierce as a whirlwind,
is raging for two thousand feet down
into the yawning mouth of the Hill
Farm mine. Deadly gas has generated
back OF the burning mine and the pom.
derous hill into which the Hill Farm,
the Ferguson and the Mahoning pits are
driven is now mighty magazine, fatal
ly pregnant with death. The lightest
stroke of a miners pick would explode
it, and the effect of such an explosion
would be awful to contemplate.
The rescuing party has been with
drawn from the face of the Mahoning
pit. A strong guard has been placed at
the mouth of the Ferguson mines TO
keep out the impatient, restless miners,
who would rescue the unfortunates on
their own account. The flames at the
Hill Farm mine are not enough to drive
away invaders. Fire broke from the
mouth of the Hill Farm pit shortly after
nine o'clock last night. 1t followed
promptly after the drill entered the
burning mine. For two hours before
the flames burst out, huge billows of
smoke, black, dense and deadly roll d
over each other into the air and drifted
upward, forming ponderous monument
of mourning to the dead inside.
A rumbling, rushing sound like
swiftly moving train through tunnel
preceded the flame. Secretary Watch
orn, Superintendent Hill and the
United Press reporter were at the pit
mouth awaiting the outbreak. To the
experts the smoke indicated approach
ing fire, and for a half hour before it's
arrival, its coming could be heard. Long
before the fire reached the pit mouth it
could be seen licking up the timbers in
the mine, and the steady stream of
water, which rippled down the slope,
>emed only to inspire and encourage
to wilder efforts the angry fiend.
1t was indeed an awful sight, and
when, with brilliant fash, the great
column of smoke which ignited the
heavens seemed ahame, fantastic figures
of fire darted hither and thither, chas-
ing each other to the clouds and burn
ing huge hole through the gloom of
night. The surrounding country was
lighted up, guiding the excited crowds
to the scene. Those who had been
watching at the Mahoning mine hurried
over the hill to the fire. The people of
Dunbar who could see the Redeemed
skies from the village rushed about in
confusion, fearful that another calamity
had occurred.
The families of the entombed miners
who have waited and watched until
their grief had become deadened were
aroused and their suffering and distress
come to them anew. Neighbors gath
cred into each 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. The drilling into Hill
Farm mine was not accompanied with
accident. James Barnhill, practical
miner, guided the drill and when he
touched the objective point he secured
bag full of the air and the rescuing party
was ordered out of the pit. Inspectors
Keighley, Blick and Evans then exam
ined the face of the mine, after which
they left the place to consult. They de-
cided that any attempt to break through
the dividing wall would be accompanied
by accident.
The conference lasted nearly one
hour. Every possible plan of rescue
was discussed, but none were adopted
Finally Inspectors Louttit, Keighley,
Secretary Watchorn, Master Workman
Kerfoot and Manager Hill, of the Fur
mace Company, decided to face death it
self that the entombed men may be res
cued. They decided to dig through.
There are eleven feet of coal to dig, or
about six hours work. They are pro-
vided with all appliances for safety, but
they carry theirlives in their hands and
everybody about the pit bade them
goodbye and wished for their safe re-
turn.