The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-05-16
AWFUL Mine DISASTER
Tvsng-SeVsn Miners Entombed at
Ashley, Pa.
Little hopes for the Imprisoned
Men-The Work OF Rescuers-
Much Damage Above
Ground.

wILKEsBARRE, Pa, May i5.-Informa-
ton has just reached here from Ashley
than nm extensive cave occurred at noon
In mine operated by the Lehigh &
Wilkesbarre coal company. II il rli-
mored that % miners are entombed be-
yond the cave and have as yet no way Of
escape. Many houses in the vicinity are
reported 10 he toppling.
A cave-in occurred to-day near the ASH
ley mine, operated by the Lehigh 4
Wilkcsbarre coal company. Twenty
five men are entombcd. The
scene of the disaster Is one of in
tense excitement, not only the rcla-
tives OF the imprisoned miners, but thou
sands of others have gathered upon the
spot. There is now a discussion as to the
best methods Of rescue. Things are in
such q chaotic condition that the results
are by no means certain. Many are OF
the belief that rescue is well nigh impos-
sble, while others, as they watch the con-
tinual movement of the surface and think
OF the extensive workings of the mines,
shake their heads in grave doubt. The
present cave Immediately adjoins the
mine in which the extensive cave oc-
Cured twelve years ago. imprisoninR ten
men over u week, but who were finally
rescued alive.
The present cave extends over half a
mile square and includes portion of "a
thickly settled village called Mafett's
Patch. A large number of houses have
gone down with the surface, but only a
few are badly damaged. The following
are known to be imprisoncd: John Ham
toen, Anthony Fraen, NJ. Schally, John
Schally, John Allen, assistant fire boss,
Michael Henry, Charles James Gala
CHER, Robert Roberts, Harry Frank Jones.
Ellis Williams, Owen Williams, Daniel
Sullivan. Thomas Williams, John PEN
ming, Anthony Fraen, Harry Perry and
son, Owen Perry. Thomas Cla,Iss, John
James and four Hungarian laborcrs.
Later--It is now known that there were
q miners entombed In the mine. The
cave occurred nj 3 o'clock this morning in
No. 6 colliery, covering an area of more
than 10 acres. The surface almost as far
rs the eye can reach was "A sea of mud
and cracked with long circular assures,
some of which were over two feet wide.
Thousands rushed TO the scene of the
disaster and lamentations of wives and
little ones were hcartrending. Rescuing
parties Immediately organized and
gang after gang relieved one another un-
Ill q O'Clock, when news passed that they
had succeeded in breaking through the
Gamblers beneath the cave. About q 30
the charred and blackcned form of An
thony IrOylhe was ho1steu To the surface.
He was II; alive but his injuries are con-
sidered fatal. Old miners said that
Troyne being so badly burnt lent very
little hope for the safety of his COM
panions. Wreck and ruin was wrought
on the surface Of the earth as well as in
the fatal pit, nearly "A score of houses were
shattered and destroyed and families
compelled TO Zee for their lives
| Up to II o'clock two men had been taken
out besides Troyne-fire Boss John Al
len and Robert Roberts. Both are alive
but terribly injured. II is asserted thai
Aliens lamp caused the explosion. A
midnight rescuing parties were driver
out of the gangway. The place is full o
black damp, and further approach In til,
direction of victims was impossible. ever
| with safety lamps. A vigorous effort Il
now being made to change the air cur
rent, so as to drive il back from where tn,
victims are supposed 10 he. Scenes aroun,
the mouth Of the pit are sorrowfnl an,
| impressive. Space in the immctiat,
vicinity Of the opening is lighted will
locomotive headlights, turned into tn
yawning cavern, where the details u
miners have been laboring. Outside thi
small circle all was darkness. Hundred
of men, women and children arraycd in
semi-circle around the opening. The mel
entombed are nearly all married and la v
large families dependent upon them. Pee
pie crowd close To the opening and pee
into the darkness of the fatal depth. wher
the cries Of women and little ones max
the heart sick with pity.