The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-11
FIVE DAYS OF TERROR.
Imprisoned in a Flooded
Coal Mine.
The Only Chance Of Escape
Is Improved.
Old Miners Surprised at the
Wonderful Escape.
Affecting Scenes Attending the
Affecting Scenes Attending the
Strange Rescue.
Had Even Hoped TO See the
Men Alive.

NANTICoKE, Pa, Feb. 9-One of the
most dramatic events that has occurred in
the coal mining regions about here in
many years was the release this morning
of the three men, John River. William
Crag.e aud Michael Shellcut from the
flooded mine in which they had bsen
imprisoned since Wednesday last. On
that day five men, the three above
named and two others, Thomas Lewis
and Daniel Davis, were at work in No. 3
mine of the Susquehanna coal company.
They were engaged in robbing pillars in
an abandoned portion OF the mine In
the one chamber Lewis and Davis were at
work and to loosen the coal resorted
TO blast. The explosion rent asunder
a wall separating the chamber, in which
they were engaged from an old abandoned
working which has been used for storing
abandoned mine water. The imprisoned
water burst through the great hole, made
by the blast, in a furious torrent
which nothing could resist. Lewis and
Davis were jerked off their feet and tossed
about like corks. Even heavy coal cars
were lifted and whirled before the flood
as though they had been corks. Lewis
and Davis fortunately were swept to the
gang-way. Here they got a footing With
the flood tearing after them, they fled for
their lives.
At one time the water enveloped them
up to their necks, but they made final
despairing effort to get beyond its clutches.
Davis and Lewis were saved, but their
three companions were left behind. There
was hardly ray OF hope that they could
be alive There was just a chance that they
might have got on some elevated foothold
beyond the reach OF the water. Those who
first suggested it were thought to be half
mad. Rut still it was ghost of a chance,
and the rescuers set to work with all that
fury of energy with which miners go to
the relief of their comrades, not knowing
how soon their own time may come to
need like effort on their behalf.
Night and day work has gone on. Even
if the men escaped drowning there was
small chance of their escaping suffocation
from the foul air Day after day passed,
and though the energy of the rescuers
never tagged their hope was well nigh
dead.
At an early hour this morning, however,
their growing despair was turned to wild
Joy. From far back in the mine came
faint cry. For a moment the men ceased
their work. They could hardly believe
their own ears. Then again as they stood
breathless the faint sound was heard. The
answer was wild cheer and with a sort
of blind fury the men fell to their work
again. At o'clock this morning the
voice could be distinctly heard; a little
later words could be made out. The
three men were alive and they were
unhurt, 'but for Gods sake hurry"
No urging was needed. In a few mo-
ments the rescuers were almost within
touch of them. a raft was made and on it
a party OF men CROPPED their way in the
darkness to the little cramped up space
in which the three poor fellows had spent
their five horrible days. In a little hole
in the top of the cross heading they were
found. The water was almost up to their
very feet.
In jiffy they were pulled down and
went onto the raft, and few moments
later they were ont in the sunlight with
their comrades, hugging them and kissing
them like mad men, and welcoming them
as the dead come to life again.
There have been many touching scenes
around the black mouths OF the mines
hereabouts, but seldom one that moved
mems hearts more than did the wild dem
onstrations over these poor rescued miners.
They are the heroes of the day and for a
long time to come until some other great
disaster has overshadowed their adventure,
they will have to tell over and over again
the story of those five awful days of dark
ness and despair. Curiously enough they
did not suffer greatly from hunger.
Their greatest misery, after their mental
agony, was from thirst and the cramped
position in which they were forced to
sit. Milk was given them to drink, and
they quickly recovered their strength. 1t
was after o'clock this morning however
before they were thought to be sufficiently
strong to be carried to their homes.