The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-02-10
THE GALLANT RESCUE
OF Three Imprisoned Miners at
Nanticoke, Pa,
THE WEARY DAYSAND NIGHTS
They Spent Under the Ground With
out Food...Burled for Ono Hun
dred aud Flftecn Hours and
Are Taken Ont Alive.

j WLKRsBARRR, Pa, Feb. 9.-IntensG
joy and excitement prevails at Grand
4 Tunnel over the rescue Of the three
miners who were imprisoned by water
rushing into the susquehsnna colliery
on Wednesday last. The names Of the
men are Michael shelsnk, William
Craga and John Riner, They were
found in the workings near the outcrop,
the water not reaching them alter they
got out ot It's swirl. They were found
almost exhausted from their 115 hours
imprisonment. Their suferiugs were
intense, but the outcrop workings being
fairly well ventilated they got enough
ar to keep them alive.
Those who first suggested that they
might be alive were thought TO be half
mad, but still it was ghost Of achance
and rescuers set to work with all that
fury Of energy with which miners go to
the relief of their comradts, not know
ing how poon their own time may come
10 need q like effort on their behalf.
Night and day the work has gone on.
Event the men escaped drowning there
was small chance of their escaping suf1o-
cation from the foul air. Day after day
passed aud, though the energy OF the
fescuefs never tagged, their hope was
well nigh dead.
At an early hour this morning their
growing despair was turned to wild Joy.
From far back in the mine there came Q
faintcry. Fora moment 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 a wild
cheer, and with sort Of blind fury the
men fell at their work again. At 3
O'Clock this morning the voice could be
distinctly heard; a little later words
could be made out. The three men
we're all alive aud unhurt, "but for
Gods sake hurry" No urging was
needed.
In few moments the Iescuers were
almost within touch Of them. A raft
was made, and on it party CROPPED their
way in darkness to the little cramped-
no space in which the three poor fellows
had spent their Eve horrible days. In
little hole in the top OF the crossheading |
they were found. The water was almost
up to their very feet. In jiGy they |
pulled down and went on TO the raft,
and a few moments later they were out |
IN the sunlight with their comrades,
LuSging them and kissing them like |
madmen, welcoming them as the dead
come to life again. There have been
many touching scenes around the black
mouth OF the mines hereabouts, but sci.
dom one that moved mems hearts more
than they did the wild demonstrations
over these poor rescued miners.
They arc the heroes Of the day and
for long time to come unless come
other great disaster has overshadowed
their adventure.
They will have to tell over and over
again the story OF thoss FIVE awful days
OF darkness and despair. Curiously
enough they did not suffer greatly from
hunger. Their greatest misery, alter
their mental agony, was from thirst and
the crampsd position in which they
we're forced to sit. Milk was given them
to drink aud they quickly recovered
their strength. It was after Z O'Clock
this morning, however, before they were
thought to be sufficiently stroDg TO be
carried to their homes.