Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-07-04
FATE OF MANY MINERS.
Buried by n Cave-In at Piliston, Pa, 100
Are Probably Dead.

| Buried by Cave-In at Piilston, Pa, 100
Arc Probably Dead.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, June 29.--One hun
dred miners were caught Sunday morn
ing under n fall of rock in the Twin
Shaft mine at Pittston, nine miles north
of here. 1t is believed that all per,
ished instantly, but there is possibi-
ity that some are imprisoned in the
drift between two cnve-ins. In that
case they are confined in n small and
almost oir-tight space, so that even the
powerful fans cannot supply air enough
to sustain life until the searchers can
cut through the walls of debris. IL it
prove that the men are dead SO women
will be left widows and 200 children
be fatherless. This is the most terrible
mine accident which has occurred in
the anthracite region since the great
disaster at Avondale, this county, in
1860, in which 100 lives were lost.
1t appears that several days ago the
officials discovered that the rock be-
tween the fifth and sixth veins had
commenced working" and to prevent
n continuation of this all day Saturday
and Saturday night the full compile
ment of day men and such Others as
could be pressed into service from off
the streets were set at work pillaring
and propping the sixth vein so as to in
sure the safety of the worlSmen who
were to go TO work to-day. Orders
went forth that about midnight Satur-
day that as many men as possible
should be sent down to assist in this
dangerous work, as constant cracking
and splintering of the roof gave indica-
ion that the possibilities of danger were
most strongly founded. In accordance
with this order between twelve and one
o'clock Saturday morning about 30 adj
ditional worltmen left their homes and
loved ones and iourneyed to what now
seems their end.
The men worked hard and faithfully
until little after three o'clock, when.
probably without warning, the roof on
the 1.00o-foot slope where the men were
Mt work fell in. The concussion was
so great that it was felt for distance
of four miles. The foundations of
nearly every house in Pittston were
shaken, and the citizens first thought
violent earthquake had taken place.
Immediately after the accident oc-
Cured there was call for volunteers.
Two hundred men responded at once,
and, despite the great dangers sure to
be encountered, entered upon the work
of rescue. The men were divided into
relief gangs of 40 each. for the work is
very tedious. as the roof has to be
propped as fast as the men work their
way through the debris.
The danger from fire and choke
damps is incredibly great, as the Twin
shaft is known to be subject to these
gases except under favorable condi-
tions of ventilation. Any minute may
thrust the rescuers into a pocket of
fire-damp ard result in terrible ex-
plosion.
The greatest excitement prevailed
about the mouth of the shaft all day.
The relatives of the imprisoned men
gathered in large numbers and their
grief was pitiable. "Oh, my poor papa"
were the cries of anguish heard. Many
of the women swooned and had to be
carried away. Some knelt on the wet
ground and prayed that their loved
ones might be brought out alive.
At midnight after looking over the
situation carefully the rescuing party
decided that the best thing to do was to
drive gangway through the coal from
the Clear Spring colliery adjoining into
the Twin shaft when it is expected pos
sibly to locate the entombed men. The
work was at once begun and is being
pushed with all the speed possible. Four
shifts of men are employed in this task.
which is expected to be completed in at
least three or four days. In the mean
time the work will be pushed by the res
cucrs. 1t is row the opinion of the most
able miners that it will! take several days
to and the entombed men and that it is
an impossibility to recover them sooner.