Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-22
Il STILL ENTOMBED.
But Little Hope Now of Finding the
Flooded Out Miners Alive.
A RESCUED MAN TELLS HIS STORY.
he Signaled 70 Those Without by Rapping
on the Solid Walls.
PROPER PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN

PoTTsvILLE, April 21.-The work of
rescuing the men, if they are alive, or of
recovering their bodies, if dead, goes
briskly on at the Lytle colliery, which was
so disastrously flooded Wednesday evening.
Duplex pumps, each lifting 1000, 900 gal
Ions of water every "a hours, were started
late this afternoon in addition to the other
machinery already busily at work in clearing
the flooded parts OF the mine. 1t will re-
quire another day at least of pumping
before there is a chance of reaching any Of
been authorized by the company to take
charge of the bodies when recovered and
give them a Christian burial. A reporter
interviewed this morning the men who were
rescued from the Lytle colliery, near
MInersville, after being imprisoned seven
hours. William Bell tells thrilling story
Of his experience. Said he:
William Bells Story OF His Escape.
Yesterday was my second days work at
the colliery. Thomas Buggy was my ''butty."
We were on our way out, having completed
our days work. heard William Adams,
the boss, call out that the water was COM
ing. I then called to Buggy to throw away
his cans and tools and run. The noise was
so great that did not know whether he was
behind me or not, as both of our lights had
been put out by the damp. When the ex-
element was over l found myself on the
Saddle" several feet above the water. I
thought that by remaining relief would come
soon. 1t took me about three minutes to
cover the distance from where was when
first learned of the danger to my place of
safety.
The water, however, followed me closely
and was only few feet below me. From
my height could hear the water rushing
in. did not know what became of Buggy,
and knew nothing of the whereabouts of the
1 began to rap. Shortly afterward heard
rapping, as IL someone were drilling a hole.
I surmised that my signal was heard and
that parties were trying to cut hole
through the solid rock to reach me.
Several shots were fired. I continued
rappinx now and then. Hope came and l
never faltered, but kept my presence of
mind throughout. The water began to re-
cede after several hours, and work ceased at
the hole. 1t was then but halt hour before
the heroic bard of rescuers, headed by In
side Foreman William E. Adams, my brother
Dave, John jenkins and my brother-in-law,
John Schopp, and Hungarian whose name
/ do not know, came to my relief. l was
about 20 feet from the airshaft. / heard
1890 when 1 reached the surface, and then
went home.
Anxious to Rescue Fellow Workmen.
Dolbin was not in the least dismayed by
his experience. He was very anxious to
Join the rescuers in the search for his
'butty" Buggy, whom he thinks was over
taken by the flood; and when taken from his
perilous position last night, asked the priv
lege of going back at once. He was taken
to his home, however, and after a few hours
rest set out for the mine, and is now one of
the party working for the recovery OF the
bodies of the unfortunate men.
The exact number of men imprisoned by
the Lytle mine flooded near Minersville, has
been ascertained to be II. The water broke
in about o'clock yesterday afternoon, and
after six hours of agonized imprisonment
William Bell and James Dolbin, who had
fled to high portion of the mine, were
rescued through the heroic efforts of their
fellow workingmen. The unfortunate men
who are still imprisoned are undoubtedly
drowned, as they have no chance of escap-
ing like the two rescued. Two of the un-
fortunates are John Scribe, of Llewellyn,
and Thomas Buggy, of Black Heath. The
others were italian laborers. At its high
est point the water reached 200 feet up the
slope, and it will take day or two to re-
move sufficient to reach the place where the
men are imprisoned.
Proper Precautions Were Taken.
Superintendent ]. 81. Hosie was in town,
and, being interviewed, said that they had
been taking the utmost precaution in open
ing new work; and while the law requires
drilling ahead distance of only 20 feet,
they bored, as in this instance, 211 feet, not
only directly ahead, but also to the side, as
the tunnel advanced. The chute where the
water is supposed to have burst through
was not for the purpose of mining coal, but
to give proper opening for carrying air to
the face of the gangway. He says that
until all water had been tapped from the
workings they allowed only as few men as
they could possibly get along with.
Speaking of the risk run in working at
this colliery, he said he would never allow
any of his men to work in any part of the
mine in which he was afraid to enter him.
self, or in which he had the least idea of
danger. He made it point to go to the
different parts of the mine every hour or
two in the day to see that his orders were
carried out In his inside boss, Mr.. Adams,
he places the utmost confidence. Had there
been any suspicion of immediate danger, he
surely would have done all in his power to
avoid the calamity.