Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-29
ANIME HORROR
Continued from page "a

| all the cofnpanys workmen, II having
been learned that the mine was still
caving. Near the foot of the shaft.
making it impossible to continue the
labor of rescue without propping up the
way, carriage after carriage of props
We're sent to the bottom. The props
were quickly put in place, then 80 men
pushed the way TO the foot of number
3 plane. the scene of the extensive cave
in. Word was soon sent up that the
mules at work were running about
alive. This encouraged the belief that
the explosive sounds heard were due to
no gas explosion, but the rush of air,
created by the sudden cave.
The supposition that a gas explosion
had occurred, was. however, later re-
peated emphatically by Gen. Manager
Law. Later discoveries left no doubt
that all the men were beyond i'm
mediate help. All inside it was con-
cluded, We're most likely corpses.
At 6, this evening. the outlook was
gloomy as early this morning Mine
Inspector Mcdonald was on the ground
and went to the foot of the shaft where
he made most through investigation.
He determined that no rescue could
then be made. The fan house of the
mine suffered no injury from the ex-
plosion. AS far as travel was impos-
sible the air currents were perfect
This fact gave the hope. this forenoon.
that perhaps sufficient volume of air
could be forced to the rear of the cave
in by sending it in roundabout way.
This afternoon, at the consultation of
the leading superintendent of the
Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys it
was decided that this idea was not to
be banked upon.
AT this conference reports were made
by experienced foremen who had taken
part in the rescuing trips and the work
done was fully endorsed. The fear was
expressed that possibly the SusQuehanna
riFcr near by the cave was running into
the mine.
The pump in this locality is under the
cave and its work is entirely stopped.
imprisoned was mentioned. This Is
wholly cnnjectural. as all those from
whom this informa ton could be derived
are in the pit below. Among the lost is
NJ j. Langan mine superintendent and
ma yor pro tenn of Pittston. who leaves a
wife and 10 children
The one or two mine officials left of the
Twin shaft at 2. tonight say il =
hard TO estimate the number in the shaft.
though ii is not less than 50 and may
reach 125.
The rescuing party has cleared away
nearly 900 feet of debris and is propping
as it goes along. All this hour there are
no signs of finding the men. 1t may be
morning before they can he reached.
II II. M.-Sixty men from the neighbor-
ing collcres have gone into the shaft to
aid the ,reseuing party. The men are all
experienced The work of the resruing
party is being pressed forward with all
possible rapidty. Very little is being
made known. tonight, to the outside
world by those in charge.
AT Midnight-The rcscuing party de-
cided the best thing to do was to drive
Sangway through the coal from Clear
when it Is expected it will be possible TO
locate the entombed men. The work Is
being pushed with all possible. speed
Four shifts of men. each comprising fve
experienced miners and laborers. are en-
ployed in this task, which is expected to
the meantime the work will he pushed by
rescuers into the fatal shaft also. 1t is
now the opinion of the most able miners
that twill take several days to find the
entombed men.
1 AT l.. 80 "A. NJ, a gang of men belong
ing to the rescuing party who went
in at 6, last night. came to the
surface and reported they were
making Roadway. though 1t was
slow work. The roof continues to set
tie and more or less danger is immi-
.nent The resouers are within 500 feet
of the cave-in. Gas appears accumu-
lating. which makes labor difficult and
delays the work to a great extent NO
hopes are entertained of the safety OF
any of the men. M