St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-28
ALL HOPE ABANDONED
Fire Seals the Awful Fate Of
the Miners Entombed at
Dunbar.
Death Never Came to Men in
a More Revolving
Form.
Will O. the Wisp Tascott or
His Double Arrested in
Arkansas.
Georgians Hang a Negro
Brute and Riddle His Body
With Bullets.

DUNBAR, Pa, June 27-There Is no
longer any hope. All faith in the III
dustrious rescuers has been abandoned.
The entombed miners cannot be res
cued now. A furious fire has sealed
their fate, and if their dead bodies es-
cape the hungry flames, the rats thatln-
fest the mines will have gnawed them
beyond recognition. Death never came
to men in a more revolving form, anG
affliction never fell heavier on the
bereaved. This has been an awful
calamity, and yet even a greater
disaster threatens. A fire, herce
as a whirlwind, is raging for 1000 feet
down into the yawning mouth OF the
Hill farm mine. Deadly gas has gener-
ated back of the burning coal, and the
ponderous hill into which the Hill farm,
the Ferguson and the Mahoning pits
are driven is tonight a mighty maya
zine, fairly pregnant with death. The
IighteSt stroke of miners pick would
explode it, and the effect of such an eX-
plOsion would be awful to contemplate.
The rescuing party has been withdrawn
from the face of the Mahoning pit. A
strong guard has been placed at the
mouth of the Ferguson mine to keep
out the
Impatient. Restless Miners.
who would rescue the unfortunateS on
their own account. The flames at the
Hill Farm mine are hot enough to drive
away invaders. Fire broke from the
mouth of the Hill Farm pit shortly after
O'Clock tonight. 1t followed promptly
after the drill entered the burning
mine. For two hours before the flames
burst out huge pillows of smoke, black,
dense and deadly, rolled over each
other into the air and drifted up
ward. forming a ponderous mon
dead inside. A rumbling, rushing
sound like a swiftly moving train
through a tunnel proceeded the flames.
Secretary Watchorn, SUpt. Hill and a
reporter were at the pit mouth awaiting
the outbreak. To the experts the smoke
indicated approaching fire, and for half
an hour before its arrival its coming
could be heard long before the fire
reached the pit mouth. 1t could be seen
licking up the timbers in the mine and
the stream of water which rippled down
the slope seemed only to inspire and en-
courage to wilder efforts the angry flend.
1t was indeed an awful sight, and when.
with bright flash, the great column OF
smoke was ignited, the heavens seemed
af1ame. Fantastic figures OF fire darted
hither and thither, chasing each other
to the clouds and burning huge hole
through the gloom of night, The sur,
rounding country was lighted up, guild
ing the excited, nervous 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 heavens
from the village, rushed about in con-
fusion, fearful that another calamity
had occurred. The families OF the en-
tombed miners, who have waited and
watched until their
Grief Had Become Deadened
are aroused and their suffering and dis
tress come to them anew. Neighbors
gathered 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 heading
in the Hill Farm mine was not accom-
panied with accident. James Barnhit,
a practical miner. guided the drill, and
when he touched the objective point he
secured green bag full of the air, and
then the rescuing party was ordered
out of the pit. inspectors Kelghley,
Biick and Evans then examined the
face of the mine, after which they left
the place to consult. They decided
that any attempt to break through the
dividing wall might be accompanied by
accident. Watchorne, Wise and other
miners were present at the conference.
The suspension of work just when the
unfortunate miners are almost within
reach has been great disappointment
here. and has still further enraged the
people. The false reports sent out daily
by the mine inspectors had led them to
hope against themselves, and when the
fire broke out tonight the feeling was
intensely bitter against those who they
would hold responsible for the delay.
BraveHen Tempt Fate.
The conference lasted for nearly one
hour. Every possible plan of rescue
was discussed, but none of them adopt
ed. Finally Inspectors Louttit, Keigh-
ley, Secretary Watchorn, Master
Workman Kerfoot and Manager Hill of
the furnace company decided to face
death itself that the entombed men
may be rescued They decided to go
the face, and to get there must dig
through eleven feet of coal, or about
two hours work. They are all provided
with all appliances for their safety. but
they carry their lives in their hands,
and everybody about the pit babe them
good bye and wished for their safe re-
turn.