Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-06-20


ing pit will not reach them, as the two
courses are in different directions. Mr..
Fernan is also authority for the state
meut that the explosion did not iniure the
men.
A pitiful sight was that of many chill
dren who. lad lost fathers and brothers in
the disaster, gathering in group above
the mine to-day Watching anxiously, as
the work proceeded. Some of them were
crying, but they were those who were
able to realize just what death was and
also able to appreciate the loss of father
or brother. The others were tots who
knew not what was going on and appeared
as much amused at the crowd OF people
as at the innocent games in which some
of them were interested. One little tot
brought the tears to many an old eye by
insisting that his sister, who was crying,
should cease. Heart-broken sighs are
plentiful indeed, and there is no telling
when they are going to end.
In long talk with miner from Con-
uellsville ON the train to-day, he stated
that to his knowledge safety lamps had
been in use in Hill Farm mine for quite a
long time. The safety lamp is something
the shape of small lantern, the blaze
being covered with globe and wire
screen. They are filed every morning
with oil, at the weigh office, and there
they are locked so they connot be opened
by the miner or anyone else who has not
got the key, which is kept by the weigh
master. The miners claimed that it was
only in places where fire.damp and gas
existed in abundance that such lamps are
in use and in his opinion it was not safe
to work where the use of such lamp
was required.
He stated also that the mine had been
condemned some time ago, but that not
wlthstanding this, the company continued
to work it. He also stated that many of
the mines in this region were in the same
condition, and that it was his opinion that
more explosions would follow. He claimed
the mine inspectors were too careless in
enforcing the law, but he hoped that, bad
as the Hill Farm disaster was, it would
have the effect of causing reform in the
mines in this respect.
DUNBAR Pa June 19.-Since the dis
aster at the Hill farm mine it is seventy
two hours. Tie question is: Are the
men still alive?" 1t all depends upon
where they are. If they keep at the head
of the entry the chances are that they still
live and are anxiously waiting for the
sound of the picks againstth walls which
shut them in from life and sunshine.
In that right entry where the thirtY-two
men are shut up there was at the time of
the explosion thirty-two buckets of food
and twenty-three mules. Each buck ct
held about halt gallon of tea, and there
is rot drop of fresh water in the entry.
Sixteen gallons of tea is not great deal
to last seventy-two hours, but it is better
than nothing.
Beth Worman's steady belief that he is
going to bring some of the men out alive
has increased confidence in all hearts
here, and nearly every one is now ready
to hope thai some of the men are alive.
1t is believed that the men are not only
alive, but have made efforts to dig their
way out. In no other way can the in
crease Of air in the Mahoning mine be
oaconptad for Mon1oyr 40 o,,,
rent only measured twenty.eight thou.
sand cubic feet minute it has increased
steadily till it is now forty-five thousand
cubic feet minute, and the fans which
are ready to be put in operation are at
present useless.
This current has been caused by the
breaking down of the brattice which was
built between the opening that led from
the Mahoning mine to the Hill Farm.
Who broke down the opening? That is
the question which is puzzling the miners
who gathered on the outside. Men or
the outside hold that the men in the entry
are all together, and have cut through this
brattice. The only danger would come
from the black damp on the other side
but there were old and experienced mer
in the entry, and they would make every
preparation for such an event. The cur
rent would be sufficient to clear away the
damp and then they would have nothing
to do Dut wait for help.
There are three butts in this entry. Ii
the two upper butts farthest from the fire
in the main entry, and in the one farthes
up, are Robert McGinell and William
Shearin, and in the next are Daniel Smith
John Mitchell, James McCleary Thomas
McCleary, John Divilin, John Cope, anC
Andy Cope. The remainder are in thu
butt nearest the air. Some of these mel
are the oldest employed at the mine, an(
have been in other accidents. They arr
apt to have kept their heads and nov
must keep up their courage.
f The rescuing party, under charge o
Beth Worman, met with some drawback
| last night, and the line they are workin,
for will not be reached before afternoon
: Then they have to push over to the Hill