The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-28
THE HILL FARM VICTIMS.
FURIOUS FIRE SEALS THEIR UN.
HAPPY FATE.

All Hope Abandoned Even Before the
FLAMES Broke Out-Huge pillows o.
smoke Stop Further Work of Rcscuing-
Bitter DISAPPOINTMENT.
DUNBAR, PA, June 27.-There is no longer
any hope. All faith in the industrious res
cuers has been abandoned. The entombed
miners cannot be rescued now. A furious
fire has sealed their fate, and il their dead
bodies escape the hungry flames the piifer-
ing rats that infest the mines will, have
gnawed them beyond recognition. Death
never came TO men In q more revolving form,
and affection never fell heavier ON the be-
reaved.
STILL MORE AWFUL DISASTER.
This has been an awful, yet even great
er 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, and the ponderous hill
into which the Hill Farm, the Ferguson
and the Mahoning pits are driven, is to-
night mighty magazine, fairly pregnant
with death. The lightest stroke Of u miners
pick would explode il. and the effect OF such
an explosion 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The rescuing party has been Withdrawn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 mines to keep out the impatient,
restless miners, who would rescue the un-
fortunates on their own account. The
flames at the Hill Farm mines are hot
enough 10 drive away invaders.
THE DEADLY FIRE.
Fire broke from the mouth of the Hill
Farm pit shortly after . O'Clock tonight. IL
promptly after the drill entered the
mine. For two hours before the flames
burst out, huge billows Of smoke, black.
dense and deadly, rolled over each other
into the air and drfted upward, FORM
ing pOnderous monument Of mourn
ing TO the dead inside. A rumbling,
rushing sound, like a swiftly NOV
ing train through tunnel, preceded
the flames. Secretary Watchorn, superin-
tendent Hill and the United Press reporter
were at the pits mouth awaiting the out
break. TO the experts the smoke indicated
approaching fire, and for half an hour be-
fore its arrival its coming could be heard.
Long before the fire reached the pits mouth
il could be seen licking up the timbers in
he mine. and the steady stream OF water |
which rippled down the slope seemed only |
N inspire and encourage TO wilder efforts |
he angry fiend.
A WEIRD AND AWFUL SIGHT.
1t was indeed an awful sight and when |
with a brilliant fash, the great column OF
smoke was ignited the heavens seemed |
,llame. Fantastic figures Of fire darted |
lither and thither chasing each other to
he clouds and burning huge hole |
through the gloom Of night. The sur
'oundng country was lighted up guiding |
he excited nervous crowd to the scene.
Those who had been watching at the Mabo-
ling mine, hurried oyer the hill to the
lre The people Of Dunbar who could SET
be red dimmed horizon rushed about fear
u that another calamity had occurred.
HE FAMILIES OF THE ENToMBED MINERS,
Who have waited and watched until their
,rief had become deadened, are aroused
nd their sufferngs and distress come 10
hem anew. Neighb0rs gathered into each
tricken home, and, while they comf0rted
he living, they prayed for the dead, and
While they watched the tire, they seemed
mentally to bury their loved ones.
THE FINAL CONFERENCE
The heading in the Hill Farm mine was
Ot accompanied with accident. james
,arnhill, a practical miner. guided the
rill, and as he touched the objective point
e secured a green bag full Of the air, and
hen the rescuing party was ordered out ol
be pit. Inspectors Kelghtly, Bllck and
vans then examined the face Of the mine,
lter which they left their places TO consult.
hey decided that any attempt to break
through the dividing would be accompanied
y accident. Watchorn, Wise ana other
miners were present at the conference.
THE DEsPAIRING PEOPLE.
The suspension of work just when the I'M
Drtunate miners are almost within reach
help has been great disappointment,
nd has still further enraged the people. The
ilse reports sent out daily by the mine in-
pectors had led them to hope against them
elves, and when the fire broke out tonight,
hey were intensely bitter against those
shom they would have held responsible for
be delay.