The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-27
ACROSS A CHASM IN A NINE.
HAND OYER HAND ON A SWAYS0
ROPE THE MINERS WENT.

Have Marrow Escape from Death, aaA
Arc C.s or from Escape when the
Bottom OF tho Ledge Drops Out-A
Thrilling and Dangerous Journey or
Ninety Feet Over the Abyss.
sHAMoK1S. Pa. Sept. 26.-For eight hours to-
day sixteen mon were imprisoned In an old
chamber in the Hickory Ridge coal mine. not
knowing what second they would be crushed
to death. They were Carson belong. Zach
Ham. Frank WalthofY. Daniel Oyster. and .
dozen Hungarians and Italians.
When they entered tho mine at o'clock In
the morning Inside Foreman william Rein
hardt directed the men to rob pillars. This is
considered tho most dangerous OF inside work.
A pillar divides one breast or chamber from
another. and after all the coal is taken from
the chamber the pillar is usually removed.
A chain pillar divides the lcvels At tho
Ridge the mon were working on the first level.
and 100 feet Of rock and coal lay between It
and the second lift, which had been weil
worked out
An hour after tho first pick had been sunk
into the coal the miners experienced ting,
ling sensation in their feet. 1t was as though
bunch Of needles had been thrust into the
soles Of their feet. They grew dizzy.
Tho bottom Of tho gangway was cracking in
hundreds Of places while through the assures
came blasts OF air and dirt. A violent swaying
then ensued mingled with sudden roar and
crunching of coal, Then came a succession Of
reports like an artillery battery In action.
Boys" shrieked Hem. 1.-The chain hfier
must be running. and IL we don't get out Of
here It means DEATH" -
A rush was made for the closet chamber
Wolhoff was in the rear and was lifted to the
ledge in safety just rs the bottom Of tho place
At>o,, h. u Neskl =
chasm 100 feet deep and 90 feet wide. When
the pillar began to disappear the men on the
lower level escaped.
Tho imprisoned men were surrounded on all
sides by falling coal. They went up the cham
Der as far as possible and had conference.
They found that there was no possible way Of
exit, other than by the way they had entered.
But there was an impossible chasm between
them and it. Suddenly they heard voices.
Are you alive 2" cried Foreman Reinhardt.
who. with Tom Llewelyn and David
Williams. had gained the entrance of the gang
way as soon as the rush occurred. The rescu-
ing party were overioyed on learning that the
men were safe
How to get the miners across the abyss was
next in order. A rope was procured. and for
four hours Reinhardt and his men tried to cast
an end across Sometimes 1t would land on a
treacherous ledge almost within reach. and
then 1t would 60 whistling down in darkness
and dust
Once It fell on rock which seemed solid.
but as Dan Oyster was about to seize II the
rock and rope wont down. The men then grew
timid and glanced into each others faces With
fear. They were almost without oil. and had
only what was in their cans. Was it to be sec-
ond Evansville horror. and yet within shouting
distance OF rescuers2
These gloomy meditations were cut short by
. whirling noise and the crack Of q bolt. The
prayed-for rope had fallen at their feet
~Fasten your end OF the rope to TIMBER
they heard voice cry. land We will do the
same"
Once securely tied about post, the men
consulted as to who would make the attempt
to Cross the chasm hand over hand suspended
from the rope. 1t was perilous undertaking.
but as the way led to liberty 1t did not take
long for Carson De Long to make up his mind
to try It. Bidding his comrades good-by. the
intrepid fellow flung himself into space and
went hand over hand.
The rope cracked and swayed. Several
| times he thought he would fall but with
strained muscles and stout heart De Long
went on and on. and at last was safe. The
| others followed. and when tho last had crossed
they first wept like children and then cheered
| loud and long. When they were hoisted to tho
surface 1000 persons cheered and danced
with JOY.