The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-05-23
DEATH in THE PIT.
Awful Disaster in a Pennsyl-
rania Coal Mine.
NINETEEN DEAD MEN TAKEN OUT.

Six More I'm the Pit of Death, Mine Boss
Allen Succumbs to His Injuries and the
Other Two in a Critical Condition-The
Twenty Eight-The Cause of the Nor
tally the Reckless Lighting of a Lamp.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, May 16.-A cavern
occurred yesterday near Ashley
in mine No. s, operated by the
Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Coal COM
pany, by which twenty-seven men were
entombed in the mine. The scene Of the
disaster during the afternoon was one of
intense excitement. Not only relatives of
the twenty-seven imprisoned miners and la
borers, but thousands of others were gath
cred upon the spot discussing the best
methods Of effecting their rescue. The
company took prompt action toward liber-
ating the imprisoned men, but things were
in chaotic condition and it was some
time before order was obtained and intel
ligent efforts made in behalf of the I'M
fortunates.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, May 17-Nineteen
lifeless and blackened bodies were taken
from the Ashley mine yesterday. Thurs
day night the work of rescue was inter-
rupted by a heavy flow of gas, but early
next morning resolute men, hoping to find
some of the imprisoned miners alive, be-
gan anew the dangerous task of search
ing the tunnels under the area which
caved in Thursday. A large party of res
cuers entered the slope and commenced
work upon the cave, beyond which three
men were found Thursday night. They
soon broke through and rushed into the
chamber beyond, where in the semi dark
ness, the men stumbled over yielding
bodies. A close search revealed six black
ened corpses near the opening, none of
them recognizable. Further along at va
rious places were found thirteen other
bodies, all more or less burned, but most
of them could not be recognized. The
sight was so horrible that two or three of
the rescuers tainted away.
The Bereaved Wives and Mothers.
When the news of the finding of the
bodies became noised about, a scene ensued
around the mouth of the slope which will
never be forgotten by those who witnessed
it. A strong guard of men held back the
women, who pressed madly forward to
enter the mine Half an hour later four
men appeared, bearing a body on a
stretcher. The women tore away the
blanket, but saw only blackened and
charred remains. Other bodies were
brought out as fast as possible, and at
noon all but five of those who were in the
mine when the cave-in occurred had been
found. These bodies were conveyed, in
ambulances to undertaking rooms and
prepared for burial.
Death of Fire Boss Allen.
At 1 o'clock two more bodies were
brought out, and search for others was
going on. The body of Michael Henry,
known to be under an immense pile of
debris, may not be found for several days.
John Allen, the assistant fire boss, who
fired the gas, died yesterday morning in
great agony. His face and hands were but
slightly burned, but he had inhaled the ia
tai after-damp. Anthony Froyne and
Robert W. Roberts, the men rescued Thurs
day night, are in critical condition. 1t is
believed they will also die. General SUI
perintendent Phillips says the disaster was
caused by Allen lighting his lamp after
the cave occurred. He was warned by the
imprisoned miners, but insisted; the mine
was full of gas, and an explosion immedi-
ately took place.
Six Men Still in the Mine.
There are still six corpses in the mine, and
at p. m. yesterday operations were aban-
doned for the day. Their names are Mich
ael and John Scaly, brothers; Robert Rich
ards, Michael Henry, Richard Jones and
Joshua Williams. Those dead and out of
the mine are as follows: Ellis d. Will
Jams, Harry Parry, Owen Parry, Michael
Henry, Thomas c. Davis, John Scalley,
Michael Scalley, Daniel Sullivan, John
Hassen, John Allen, Harry j. Jones, Rob-
ert X. Pritchard, Charles James, John
James, John Williams, Jonathan Will
Jams, Richard James, William Edwards,
Thomas j. Williams, Thomas Clauss.
Owen Williams, John Hempsey, Frank
Gallagher, Michael Henry, two Hun
garians named Butts.
Worst Disaster for Fifteen Years.
The scenes about the mine have been full
of human misery and agony. Since the
awful Avondale disaster fifteen years ago,
when over hundred miners were en-
tombed alive, no such calamity has befall. |
ba ,ipiper dictrict of papnsvlvauia