The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-09
GENERAL NEWS
Of INDUSTRIES

APittston special to the Philadelphia
Times SAYS: The wonderful escape from
their living tomb of the four miners
whose rescue from the cave-in portion
Of the Northwest mine at Carbondale
recalls similar occurrence that took
place in the same town in the first days
of anthracite coal mining. The men
who first opened the Northwest mine
were James and John Hosie, and. by
strange coincidence. their father, John
Hosie, one Of the pioneer operators Of
the anthracite region. was the princi-
pal actor in it. Mr.. Hosle, who died at
Scranton some ten years ago, was
widely known throughout the
coal regions, from Carbondale to
Pottsville, as man OF the
most quiet and retiring dis
position, but Of indomitable will and
magnificent courage, that were splen-
didly demonstrated by his escape un-
aided from the caved-in recesses Of
mine located but short distance from
the Northwest colliery, the scene of last
weeks rescue. Mr.. Hosie was assistant
superintendent of the Delaware and
Hudson Canal company's mines at Car.
bondale. and on Jan. 12. 1916, early in
the morning, went into what was known
as the No. 2 mine, at the request of
fellow uperintendent, to examine the
workings, which were showing signs OF
Squeeze" the technical terms for an
impending cave-in of the overlaying
OF Pa Hn on a6 n
two miles distant from the mouth Of
the tunnel when, stepping aside to
allow the passage of loaded car on
its way out remained after 1t had gone
by in the position which he had taken,
waiting for the noise Of the receding
car to die out in order to detect. il pos
sible, the cracking noises that are
wont to precede and foretell to exper.
fenced miners the coming eaving in Of
coal workings AS he stood alongside
of the track with his back against the
pillar of coal that formed the side Of
the gangway, there came sudden and
fierce rush of air, and like huge mis-
sile hurled from mighty gun loaded
car from back in the remote workings
shot by him, a roaring, crashing sound
as if the mountains were being hurled
down for second filled the air, and
then Mr.. Hosie found himself in the
darkness of the blacklist night,
prisoner surrounded by heaving and
groaning rocks that threatened every
instant 10 close down upon him, and to
crush the breath Of life from his body.
Pressed between the fallen rocks and
the bottom of the gangway. there was
scarcely room left for his PROSTATE
body. About forty acres of the over.
hanging rocks and earth had caved in,
imprisoniug with him fifteen others,
none of whom never again saw the light
of day. the conclusion of the fall kill
ing them. Mr.. Hosie, however, es.
capped instant death by the refuse coal
which is ordinarily left on the bottom
Of the mine. As 1t was he was pressed
between the fallen rocks and the bot
tom of the mine, with scarcely enough
space for his PROSTATE body. In utter
darkness, with nothing but his bare
hands to work with, for twenty-four
hours. every one OF which seemed an
age, he dug for his life, throwing
behind him as he advanced the
fallen debris and refuse coal
upon which the fallen mass rested. His
fingers were worn to the bone and bore
the marks Of his thrilling experience
until the day Of bis death. At length
he reached a place where he could
stand up only to find, however, he
was still inside the fall. He next at
tempted to reach an air shaft. but failed.
1t finally occurred to him that by fol.
lowing the break in the overhanging
rock made next to the line of solid coal,
he might work his way to the main
entrance. Following up this thought
he finally, after being literally buried
in this living tomb tor seventy-two
hours, effected his escape He
had been given up for dead,
as it was known he had stepped
aside for the first car to pass, and had
spoken to the mule driver as he was
passing along just previous to the fall.
AS he emerged from his tomb he met a
party of miners, before reaching the
entrance, who had entered the mine
for the purpose Of digging for his body.
Instead, they found pretty live corpse
in the person of Mr.. Hosie himself ap-
preaching them. The news of his es-
cape sent thrill of joy throughout the
country. and it would be impossible
for pen to describe the feelings OF the
young wife who two months before
had begun married life with him, who
had given her husband up for lost.
when the glad tidings of his deliver |
anoe were borne to her.
The New York Commercial Adver-
tiser speaks in favorable terms of the
following two Delaware, Lackawanna
aud Western officials who have many
friends in Scranton: William Sloan,
the general freight agent Of the Della |
ware, Laekawanna and Western, re.
sembles lis distinguished father,
Samuel Sloan, president Of the COM
pany, 10 many respects. He has been
we'll trained for the duties of the Office,
and displays the same conservatism
and business instinct as his venerable
sire. He is still young, and those who |
are in position to know predict for |
him brilliant career. W. f. Holwill |
makes but little noise, but makes his
presence felt for all that. As the gen.
eral passenger agent Of the Delaware,
Laekawanna and western road his |
duties are very important, and he fills
the bill to the satisfaction Of the officers
of his road. as well as the public. Pre-
vious 10 his road becoming trunk |
line his work was merely of routine
character, but he has kept pace with
its development with remarkable skill
and has surprised everybody by his
complete mastery Of the duties Of his
position.
MINOR INDUSTRIAL NOTES.
Edward H. Hohl. of Mauch Oh unk, has
been appointed official inspector Of watches
and clocks for the Lehigh Valley railroad.
Mr.. Hohl is son Of George Hohl. Of Eas-
ton.
Reports from the Pettebone mine state
that the repairs to the mines are nearly
completed and coal will probably be