Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-29
A MINE HORROR.
Several Men in Danger Many
Feet Below Earth.
People of Pennsylvania Town Thrown
Into Tumu|t of Excitement.
Most Conservative Estimates Say 100 Men
Meet Horrible Death.

Wilkesbarre, Pa. June 2s.-At 3. this
from here. was thrown into the widest
excitement by three distinct and severe
shocks accompanied by rumblings re-
semblng an earthquake disturbance
they were SO strong as to awaken the
people from their slumber throughout
East and West Pittston. The entire pop-
ulation was greatly alarmed and the gem
efal terror was a once considerably
added to by the wild whistlng at Twin
shaft at Pittston Junction by repeated
tire alarms.
Hundreds of people. experimenting seri-
Gus results. rushed 10 mad haste to Twin
shaft. operated by the Newton Coal Co.
from which the alarm came. to find the
shock was due to an extensive cave-in,
accompanied by an explosion in the sixth
or lower vein of the shaft Rumors gained
currency that no less than 100 men and
boys were entombed in the ut, The 'fear-
pidity and by s, this morning. the head
of the shaft was thronged by thousan ds
or men, women and children. the latter
wringing their hands and uttering the
imprisoned in the pit beneath. The for
eign element especially was demonstra-
the in its grief and efforts were made to
quiet the. sorrowing fathers. mothers,
sons and daughters, but in vain.
me flrst to come to surface from the
shaft below after the explosion which
volumes of smoke and dark dirt envelope
ing the entire workings and locality. was
Gil. who was at the bottom engaged in
labor The force of the conclusion threw
him with terrific force to the wall and
with intense fear, more dead than alive.
ne crept to a. the foot Of the shaft and
sineer at the surface to hoist the car
riage.
When he was brough up. his story.
freighted with direful statements. gave
to the few bosses present doubt as to the
safety of the men and boys below. From
him was secured the first information of
.r.r6l tlaty tn. no in
the shaft. The most conservative eSti-
mate was not less than 100 or more work
men had shattered or were likely to suf-
fer a horrible death. Word came from
the pit that men We're ready to be
brought up. John Riker. runner boy.
Jacob Adam and Frank H. Sheridan.
company men, were soon brought to the
surface and told the true and frightful
story.
Several days ago the officials discovered
a rock between the fifth and sixth veins
and commenced working and to pre-
vent continuation of this. all day Sat.
urday and Sunday night a full compile
pressed into service from off the streets.
were set at work pllaring and propping
me sixth vein to ensure the safety of
the workmen who We're to go to work.
Monday. Saturday night. the regular
night force was working at point about
5000 feet from the shaft at the foot OF
EXton Railroad yards. The force was
under the supervision of Superintendent
Lynott. Orders had gone forth about
midnight, that as many men as possible
should be sent down to assist in the dan
and splintering of the roof gave indica-
ton that possibilities of danger were
strongly founded.
In accordance with this order. between
Y and /. Sunday morning. about 30 aaddi-
tonal workmen left home and went 10
work in the mine.
The new force of men enlisted in the
work was placed at point beyond that
of the night hands. and three men
brought TO the surface stated that all
those 100 or more men had been caught
ana elther crushed to immediate death
Or Imprisoned and would surely perish.
Responsive to this discouraging news
the excitement and disturbance became
more demonstrative. 1t was found to tho
of the few workmen nress
nnt on the surface that all the mine fore
men, superintcndents and bosses who had
With those imprisoned. This gave the
work OF relief no systematic head. Four
,esc.srs. providing themselves with
Fiage and were lowered a thousand faas
Or more into the NINE .eee III
After q half hour of suspense they rev
,ad ,ec m,rn me mer story that the cave-in
search party had faced inevitable fiarrsSss
ma no news mad been secured OF the nnsSs
gain l%"S went men .n tho With VII no delay they
'ther men ard again made heroic efforts
o get what information they comb x.sS 4
.or ,h,s again bafiied and discouraGed.,
men they went into the pit and tried ~ 81
etr, , route to reach the prisonerx Ia
e ai'e .h tourney OF nearly thousand
ne force OF the cOncussion ha,sa-s.
Has, I Hars" Sreat havoc, the brattice WORK
.nna a,r conduits. doors. cars and ton i
congreeation oee es piled Dromiscnonsl,s,s