The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-11

Griffiths- Then the wind blew MS light
out as suddenly as it did mine. l tried
to run for the slope. but
stumbled and fell. Then John Boyle
and John Mems came running out.
Mems lamp was burning, and through
the aid of Neems light we got to the slope
The water came pouring after us as we
ran. As we got to the slope the light went
out. We clambered up as fast as we could
ana the water came running after us, ris-
ing very quickly. In five minutes the
water raised $50 yards to the mouth of the
slope, the pitch of which is eighty-three
degrees"
The civil engineer in charge of the
Evansville mines was man from Potts
ville-La Fevre WolmsdOrf. Many theories
are advanced as to the cause of the disas-
ter Some charge it to neglect to notify
the workmen of the dangerous proximity
OF the water. The slope in question where
the accident occurred is a new slope which
was sunk from the bottom of worked out
slope. The latter has been flooded for at
least sixteen months and only few of the
old miners knew of the presence of the
great body OF water and many time had
the remark been made that If the lower
gangway workings were driven up TO,
dreadful accident would result. None of
the workmen had any idea that the work
lngs were driven as near to the water as
they were.
HAZLEToN, Pa, Feb. 5.-The awful min
ing disaster has plunged the community
into grief and mourning. Great crowds
have gathered today at the scene, which is
about mile and half from this place.
1t is certain that the seventeen missing
men are all dead, and that most OF them
were drowned in their chambers. The
water in the pitch of the slope has raised
200 yards, which is a higher point than anv
OF the breasts reached. Even though they
were not drowned they would die from
sutfocation long before the water can be
pumped out. The large inside mine pump
which was stationed at the bottom of the
slope to keep the lower level free from
water is covered with water and is useless.
Two smaller mine pumps have been placed
side by side in the gangway of the first
level and the work OF removing the
vast body OF water was commenced at 8
o'clock last evening. 1t was at first re-
ported that the water had broken through
from the abandoned workings of the old
No. shaft. This Rangway had been
stopped in a ledge of solid rock, and ac-
cording to the maps OF the engineer was
about seven feet higher than the gangway
OF tie lower level. and was separated from
1t by seven yards of solid rock. 1t is be-
lieved that while Charles Bowie and
Patrick Coll were drilling hole in the
face OF their breast they Unexpectedly
broke into the old abandoned workings OF
No. S shaft, and that the water instantly
tore away the intervening rock and rushed
in upon them. Some of the miners and
officials are inclined to doubt the correct
ness OF this theory, however, as upon ex-
aiming the old works it was found that
the water was disturbed but very little, if
at all. Another theory advanced is that
the water is from Carter's old mine
These mines have been abandoned for
many years and were filled with water.
and the lines between them ran close to-
gether. Until it is learned where the
water is from it will be impossible 10 say
how soon 1t can be removed, as they can
not ascertain the amount OF water that
will yet run into these works as it is being
pumped out of the slope.