The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-06-30
A HUNDRED PERIsHED
BY the Sudden Gazing In Of the Roof
Of a Pennsylvania Goal Mine.
WAILING WOAEAA8oUT THE PITS MOUTH
Mony of Them Had to BE Borne
Away Senscless When H Was
Men Were Dead-Rescuers Arc af
work But They Have No Hope.

Wilkesbarre. Pa. June 29.-There are
no new developments at the twin shaft
OF the Newton Coal Company where a
hundred men and boys were imprisoned
yesterday by an explosion and fall of
coal. The work of tae rescuers is going
on rapidly 1T may be two days or it
may be two weeks, before the men are
reached. James McMahon, one of the
bravest miners in the valley, crawled
about the mine this morning, and 1T Is
asserted was within six hundred feet
from where the unfortunate men are
supposed to be. He called out ITO them
on many occasions, but COULD get no
answer. That all are dead is beyond fur
ther question
1t Is learned this afternoon from some
miners coming out of the shaft that
water has been pouring into the pit
since yesterday morning. Near this
shaft runs the Lackawanna and Susque-
hanna rivers, and what Is also known
as n river wash, which Is located OIL the
surface. The cave being just under this
wash has affected the surface to such
an extent that the water is pouring into
the shaft. If The men have not been
killed by the falling of the mine roof
they have certainly been drowned by
this time. The cave H. extending this
afternoon. Fissuros can now be seen on
the surface and no little excitement pre-
walls in the neighborhood OF the Inflated
shaft.
Wilkesbara, Pa. June 2s.-while
ninety miners and other employees. MAX
ing total of one hundred men, were at
work In the Red Ash vein of the Twin
shaft at Fittston about 3 o'clock this
morning the roof caved in and it is be-
lieved that all of the men persisted.
About forty of the imprisoned men were
English speaking men, the others for
eigners.
The men were at work propplng up
the roof when the fall occurred. The
alarm was Immediately given by the
ringing OF the fire bells, and rescuers
were put to work without delay. More
than two-tllirds of the victims were
maried men and leave families. Among
them were Acting Mayor Langan, who
was inside super!nt teEtieri:i of lihe mine,
and j. II. Lynott a ward councilman.
About two weeks ago the surveyors
reported 10 General Superintendent Law
that the mines were ''sques zng," and
tha. unless steps were Immediately taken
to timber II a cave-in o: fall might be
looked for. Superintendent Law at
once put a number OF t!mhermen at
work to brace the falling roof. The
"squeeZe" cont:nued, however. and yes
terday the situation became alarming.
In the afternoon slight fall occurred.
and the men who were at wo k had to re-
treat before 1t. y consultation of mine
officials was then Lcld, and It was de-
cided tha, heroic measures would have
to be resorted to 10 prevent heavy dam
age to the mine.
Inside Superintendent Iangan gave in
structionS that the most experienced
miners should be secured. and that the
party would go down the mine at Z
o'clock. Expert timbe:men put in an
appearance ait that hour and were soon
lowered into the workings They made
IN DAl cl
down the slope. The worR of propping
proceeded rapidly until Il o'clock, wiaen
another fall occurred. 1t made a low
rumbHng noise. and the flying coal and
debcis drove the men back
Then the squeeze" ceased again. and
the men thousht ii was safe 10 resume
work. They labored on until 3:2O o clock
when, 1t Is supposed, the roof fell in
without warning, making tremendous
crash
1t Is supposed, however, that the men
were not all together but some near the
slope, and these probably ran up the in
cline when the fall occurred. This Is the
only way the finding of Mayor Langan'.
body in the slope can be accounted for
If the men received any warning they
mad time to run up the slope and the
adjoining gangways. completely shut
ting off all avenues of escape
II was az, first supposed that the men
might have escaped being caugh: in the
fail. and that they were imprisoned be-
mind the debris. 1t is possible that liv-
ing men may still be behind the fa,l
although 1t is extremely !mprobable
even II they escaped being crushed by
the falling roof. the possibility of their
being alive for any length OF time in
gaseous mine is remote.
The alarm was frat given by Water
Carrier John Sheridan. who, with Will
nam Richards and Thomas Gill. were
the only ones 10 escape of the whole
party who entered The mine last night
he was on his way up the slope to get
some fresh water for the men, and when
ABOUT one hundred feet from the foot
OF the shaft wns knocked down by tho
concussion. He was badly cut and
bruised by flying coal and rock He lay
unconscious for ten rninutes and then
came up the shaft
The conclusion was so great that It
was heard for miles around The foun-
dations OF nearly every building in Pitt
sion were shaken and windows and
doors ratified as in q tornado. In the
houses nearer the mine persons were
thrown from their beds.
The first thought was that n great
earthquake had occurred. and the inhatb
itants rushed from their houses. The
ringing OF the fire bells and the shrJek
Ing OF the big mine whistle told the
story.