The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-07-19

anu SanBWdye WheTe tney were en-
ployed at the bottom of the slope.
Charles 0Donnell, who lookel after
the explosives and supplies OF the
leaders, and other company workmen,
was busily iealing cut dynamite and
caps to the leaders and the starters.
The latter came TO him in groups,
usually, and between eight and ten Of
these workmen were standing about
him at the time.
The driver boys who had come down
earlier, had already passed in the
muleway, and were cleaning and har,
Messing their teams in the stable
which is built in the Wharton gang.
way, about 100 yards from the bottom
OF the slope.
These boys were the only persons
who we're in the vicinity at the time,
and the first intimation OF an accident
they received was the terrific report
OF the explosion The conclusion was
so severe as to knock The mules and
drivers about in the stable. The place
was filled with dust and flying debris.
All lights were extinguished.
Tire men were demoralized for the
time and did not know which way to
turn. Although the explosion took
place 300 yards below the surface. the
shock was felt over an area OF surface
extending to the lumber yard three
miles south, and in the adjoining
mine, No. 9, Stockton. From the lat
ter mine a rescuing party rushed
through subternahean passage ways to
No. s. As these men approached the
bottom Of the ill-fated slope they
came up with the drivers and other la.
borers groping about in the darkness.
Pushing forward toward the bottom
they came upon a scene which baf-
Hes description, Huge timbers were
twisted and torn and scattered about
promiscuously. Rocks and debris
were everywhere. Over all was strewn
human flesh, legs and arms OF the un.
fortunate victims, and from the jagged
sides hang two shattered bodies. Not
one Of the several bodies was left suf-
fieiently intact to permit identity.
Tne widest excitement took posses
sion of the villagers. Men and wom-
en- fiocked about the dark slope mouth
IN hundreds. Wives and sweethearts
OF the unfortunate men ran aimle sly
about crying for aid and for their
loved ones. Rescuing parties were
formed Immediately. A number of
miners were lowered into the pit, and
on the return cage aseended the men
and boys who had escaped the terri.
BILE catastrophe. These were covered
with dir; and dust, They we're eager
ly besieged by anxious friends, but to
the friends Of the men still below they
could offer no consolation.
kilograms were sent to Hazleton
and surrounding towns. Many OF the
men employed in No. Slived at Halle
ton, and the accident created excite
ment in that city, Crowds of people
hastened to the slope, and added to the
excitement, which was already ago
nizing. Superintendent Roderick was
early on the scene, and with party
OF miners descended, and the work OF
collecting the remains commenced.
From time to time men came up from
below to get fresh air and revive their
spirits
With the arrival Of each man from
below the excitement became aug
mented. Standing about the opening
to keep the people back were guards
1t was 10 o'clock before the workmen
| got the remains Of the victims sufii-
ciently together to arrange for hoist.
ing them to the surface. Eight rough
boxes were taken down the slope. 1t
was II o'clock before the first black
box was hoisted slowly up the slope
and, as il emerged from the darkness
a loud wall from the loving relatives
arose. The scene was heartrending in
the extreme. 1t was repeated unit
the last victim was taken oUt at noon
The undertakers took charge of thf
bodies
Charles 0'Donnell was the only one
who could be recognized. To learr
the names OF the others it was neces
sgry TO find the living men, as it wal
not known how many stood around
the supply house when the explosion
| occurred. Owing to the excitemen
this work has not yet been done, anC
the names are not now obtainable
Seven boxes we're brought up contain
ing the fragments Of the victims, 81
far as the portions Of body could b
/ recognized. while the eighth box wa
ailad with human flesh. for which n,