The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-02-13
ENT0MBED MINERS RESCUED,
BROUGHT OUT ALIVE.

NANTlooKB, Pa, Feb. O-One OF the
most dramatic events that have occurred
in the coal mining region about here in
many years was the release Monday
morning Of the three men, John River,
William Craglc and Michael Shellouk,
from the flooded minein which they had
been imprisoned since Wednesday last
On Wednesday OF last week five men,
the three above named and two others,
Thomas Lewis and Daniel Davis, were at
work in No. 3 mine OF the Susquebanna
Coal Company. They were engaged in
robbing pillars in an abandoned portion
OF the niue.
In one chamber Lewis aud Davis were
at work, and to loosen the coal resoried
to a blast. The explosion rent asuodrr
wall separating the chamber in which
they were engaged from an old abandon
ed working used for storing surplus
mine water. The i'm prisoped water
burst through the great hole made by the
blast in furious torrent, which nothing
could resist.
GHOST CF A CHANCE.
Lewis and Davis were jcrked of their
feet and tossed about like corks. Even
heavy coal cars were lifted and whirled
before the food as though they had beep
corks. Lewis and Davis were fortunate.
ly sw.pt TO the gangway. Here they got
footing. Will the food tearing after
them they fled for their lives. At one
time the food overwhelmed them up 10
their nCcks, but they made final des-
pairing effort and got beyond it's clu'c es.
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 chance
that they might have got on some elevat-
ed footing beyond the reach OF the water.
Those who first suggested it were thought
to be half mad, but still it was q ghost OF
chance, and rescuers set to work with
all that fury OF energy with which miners
90 to the relief Of their comrades, not
knowing how soon their own time may
come TO need like effort on their be-
haf.
DESPAIR TURNED TO WILD JOY.
At an early hour Monday morning,
however, their growing despair was turn
ed 10 wild JOY. From far back in the
mine there came faint cry For NOM
ent the men ceased their work. They
could hardly believe their own ears. Then
again, as they stood breathless, the weak,
faint voice was heard. The answer was
q wild cheer, and with sort OF blind
fury the men fell at their work again.
Ats o'clock In the morning the voice
could be distinctly heard; u little later
words could be made out. The three
men were all alive and they were unhuIt,
''but for Gods sake bu.rs;"
No urging was needed. In few NOM
epts the rescuers were almost within
touch OF them. A raft WAS made. and on
tia party Of men erop'd their way in the
darkness to the little crsmped up space
In which the three poor fellows had
spept their five horrible days. In little
hole in the top OF the cross leading they
we're found. The water was almost up
10 their very feet
AS TBR DEAD CONE TO LIFE.
Ina jiffy they were pulled down and
went on to the r,ft, and few moments
later they were out in the sunlight with
their comrades huggirg them and kifs-
ing Them like madmep. 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 m"Yed
mems hearts more than did the wild DEM
onstrations over these poor rescued. MIN
ers. They are the heroes OF the day, ana
for q 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
2 O'Clock in the morning, however, be-
fore they were thought to be sufficiently
strong to be carried to their homes.
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