The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-20
THE PERILS UNDER GROUND.
FEAR or an Explosion MAKES 4
PAHIC IN SHlMOKIN

Over SOC Families Flee FroHa the NeiGhbors
hood of n BurainE MIns-ThriIiInR Res
cue OF Several Miners Overcome by Gas.
SHAMoK1N, Pa. May 19.-The Nelson break
or. which was destroyed by fire on Friday
night, stood Immediately over a shaft nearly
400 feet deep. from which CanEways led
across to the different coal veins under the
west end of the CITY, 1t was discovered on
Sunday afternoon that the fire dropping from
the burning breaker had ignted the mine
below 1t has long had reputation OF being
a very dangerous mine on account Of the gas.
Tho company. to prevent the spread OF the
flames stopped the fans and blocked up the
air passages. They also quickly notified three
families living In the neiRhborhood OF one OF
the openings to move away, rs the under
ground workings were RAPIDLY filling with gas,
which would explode when the column came
would come up through the opening near their
The hurried moving Of the families caused a
panic il that part Of the city. and in less than
All hour people we're fleeing from their houses
in all directions. over 500 families moved out
wife had been confined during the fire on FRI
day, rushed into his house. grasped his vile
AMI baby in his arms. and never STOPPED until
he had deposited them in the home OF a rela-
tive. six blocks dist ant.
The ministers in several OF the churches
we're notified 10y the panic-strcken miners not
to hold services, and the CONGREGATIONS turned
out OF them and egan hurrylnE their families
TO places Of SAFETY
waited on the principal OF the schools and or;
dered him not to hold session. The school
directors were called together. and 1t was de-
ciGed that the usual sessions should be held.
A. hours passed md no explosion occurred n
party made w OF fire and mine bosses yolun-
teered to go into the travelling way and ex-
pInre the condition Of affairs.
Thomas Quinn led OF and was followed at
intervals by George Steel. David Roach. and
William Shew. They had been gone but twen-
" minutes when feeble cry for help was
heard through the speaking tube. Thomas
miners and Superintendent Gray. started III TO
rescue the men. These men succeeded In
passing the first trap door when they were
overcome by white damn and fell senseless
Another set OF volunteers were called for,
and 1ames NolltCharles Zerby Urias Phillips.
in. They took with them a long rope and.
after terrible sufferngs succeeded In bringing
all the men out but Quinn, who was the first 10
enter the mine. He was given up for dead. but
after the lapse Of two hours the plucky little
miner James Noll. having recovered from his
He found his man 800 Yards beyond the point
reached By any of the others where he lay rs
one dead. Aoll tied the rope about Quinn's
body and siEnaled those outside to pull. In
this way By holding the limp form up ne sue
ceeded In bringing him out OF the mine. where
dead. The thick cable had drawn 30 tight
when attacked with jack knife while blood
Cushed from his eyes, ears. nose, and m outh
For some time il WAS thought that Quinn was
dead. but when the rope was cut n sign OF life
will recover The men were all taken home in
an ambulance.