Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-14
DIGGING FOR THE BURIED MEN
The Work of Rescue at Plymouth, Pa.
Being Pushed.


There Is one way in which the men who
were entombed in the Gaylord slope at
plymouth Pa. yesterday may have escaped
instant destruction. but only to meet death
In slower form by imprisonment and
starvation In old workings. Opening from
the gangway where they were at the time
OF the cavern are a number of cross head
ings leading to an old gangway. which
runs along the boundary line of the Del
aware and Hudson Canal Company's
property. and this gangway is supported
by solid wall of coal on the Del
aware and Hudson side II the men had a
few moments warning. which is quite DOS
ings waiting for help. This help is coming
sound always given out before a cave &C.
ours. they are possibly now In these work.
sible because Of the premonitery cracking
to them as fast as work can be pushed.
The distance to this gangway from the
foot of the shaft is about 900 feet through
closed up passages. which must be reopen
ed and retimbered before they can be
traversed. Gangs Of men as large as can
be accommodated in the tunnels have been
working with feverish haste, being relieved
at frequent intervals. Even then 1t is a
question If this gangway viii not be found
to have been closed by the cave-in. as well
as the main passage.
In this case the only hope for the i'm
prisoned men is that they had warning
enough to retreat in another direction
toward old workings which open a
mile aSay on the mountain side. where
the vein crops out an old airway Men
nave already entered this airway and are
searching about the abandoned chambers
for the men, but with little hope of sue
cess.
Inside Superintendent Picton, whose son
was in charge of the imprisoned party,
said he would not give up hope OF finding
the men until their dead bodies were
brought out.
Half past seven O'Clock last night re-
ports were sent up from the rescuing gangs
that the squeeze showed signs of contin-
uing and that chunks of rock from the
roof We're falling around them in all direc-
tons. The mules were taken from the in
side as rapidly as possible. and careful
watch is being kept of the air courses. The
fans to supply air to the workers inside
are being run to their fullest capacity to
furnish air and - keep the open spaces
clear of deadly mine gas, which the i'm
mense fall has liberated in fearful guam
titles.
All the men are working with wire gauge
safety lamps as a precaution against explo-
sions. and this is hindrance in their opera
tions. as these lamps give almost no work
ing light.
In the little office Of the colliery are a
number of the most prominent officials of
the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre. Plymouth, Par
IRISH. Delaware and Hudson and Kingston
Coal Companies in consultation over the
best means for rescue, should all plans now
being attempted fail of success. The Della
ware and Hudson Coal Company has volun-
teered to cut through from their No. i
mine, few hundred feet distant on the
east, and the Parrish Coal Company also
stands ready to cut through the pillars from
their workings on the westerly side
1t is probable that the workings of the
Gaylord colliery are completely wrecked
and rendered useless. The coal land is
owned by the Frishmuth and Mason estates
of Philadelphia and is leased to the Kings
ton Coal Company on a royalty basis