Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-04-13
JEDDO NEWS.

lie recent mine ulSaSCer AT f1aZleUOn,
and the one at Jeanesville few years
ago of a similar nature, brings to our
. imagination vivid picture of what may
, happen to ourselves at any time. 1t is
not pleasant to picture these CHASTITY
negligence, in which the victims take no
part, we believe an investigation of a
different nature to that which is made
now should be had and by persons who
are impartial and competent.
After every loss of life about the mines
we are treated to two-act farce-comedy
known as the mine inspectors investiga-
ton and the verdict of the coroner's s
jury. The former is generally on hand
to explain how it occurred, but seldom on
time to prevent it; while the latter is
composed of six men who must be non-
employees of the company and always
receive great credit for giving a verdict
on something which they previously
knew nothing about.
Of this we are convinced, and from
what we haye seen after long years of
toll in this region, the only conclusion
we can reach is that the above combina-
tion of actors is simply an imposition on
justice.
In the collieries here we are hedged
in by old workings containing enough
water to make small Missippippi. The
Oakdale mines has about sixty-feet of a
pillar which is keeping all the water of
the Ebervale and Harleigh mines from
rushing in Although this has been in
this condition for a number of years we
have no guarantee how long it will
remain so.
The pillar is sweating" now in a
manner that any experienced miner or
or miner or mine inspector would pro-
nounce dangerous. At times little jets
of water can be found spouting through
invisible creyices in the coal, and this
constant working of the water is bound to
have its effect some day unless the tun-
mel that is being driven to dry it out is
soon completed. All we can say is
."God help us" if it ever comes through
to the Oakdale collieries. There will be
4 widows and orphans here in countless
numbers.
On the other side of the town the
mines are not any better. No. 5 Pink
ash coliery adjoins the old slope, which
is nearly filled to the top and contains
probably the largest body of water of
any drowned out slope in the region.
Here the men are working, some claim
under this water, others say they are
only going towards it, and if any one
does know just how near they are to it,
they are very silent on the subject If
it is ever tapped unexpectedly, there
will not be hope for even a rat. All will
certainly drown before they can think
of means to escape.
Instead of having this water pumped
out so as to prevent disaster, as was
witnessed at Hazleton, it is more con-
,,aninpt 70 rioly II nd nt tha tipoa
more cheaper, besides it won't annoy
the company so much. In the mean.
time if the flood should sweep in on us,
to relieve the company of any response
.bility. the farce-comedy will play here,
Is it does elsewhere, for the qualification
Of the few and to the disgust of the
many.
Readers of this column will remember
our announcement some time ago of a
palatial summer residence that will be
erected here this spring for John Markle
The following from the Wilkes-Barre
Leader is description of the building
taken from the plans prepared by Archi
tect Kipp, of that city:
The building is to be 40x66, two
story frame, and to be of the old English
architecture. The roof and sides are tc
be covered with shingles. A notable
feature is the hall which will be entered
from handsome veranda l3 feet deep
This hallis 20x2S in size. This is in the
center of the building and on the left ii
large billiard room 1Sx23 feet and 6
dining room on the right is the same
size.
The hall and these rooms have the
sides and ceilings ribbed and panellet
with beautiful designs in wood and
metal. They are lighted with the ole
fashioned diamond shaped window light
and those are loaded. Another pretty
bit is the Ingle nook fire place with seats
The second floor contains a boudoi
and bedroom in one suite and connecting
Nth these are other bedrooms and batl
rooms. This floor is lighted with I
stained glass dome light. In the atti
are the other smaller rooms. TIT
kitchen on the first floor is large ant
leading from it is.the buffers pantry ant
lavatory. The cottage is very handsom
in interior as well as the exterior finish