Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1896-07-01
|ree of the Men Alive But the
Others Are Believed to
Have PeriShed.
brk of Rescue Promptly Be-
gun But So Far With
out Result.
ctims Were Propping Up the
Roof When the Cavein
Occurred.

t1LKEsBARRE. Pa, June 29.-While
1miners were at Sxork in the Red
vein of the THfC shaft at Pittston
Roof caved in and it is believed all
he men perished. About 40 of the
3risoned men were English, the 9TH
|were foreigners. fhe men were at
k propping up thes roof when the
occurred. The alarm was imme-
tely given by the ringing OF the fire
5 and rescuers were put to work
hout delay. Twelve hours later the
bodies were found in the slope
e distance from the plane where
men had been working. More than
Thirds of the victims were married
! and leave families. Among them
h Acting Mayor Langan, who was
DE superintendent Of the mine, and
j. Linott, a ward councilman.
Mine Was in Bad Shape.
bout two weeks ago the surveyors
brted to General Superintendent
that the mine was squeezing, !"
that unless steps were Immediately
en to timber it q cavein or fall
Dit be looked for. Superintendent
lost no time, but at once put a
hber of men at work to brace the
ng roof. The squeeze" continued,
ever, and Saturday the situation
lme alarming. In the afternoon a
bit fall occurred, and the men who
He at work had to retreat before it..
Consultation of mine officials was
held, and it was decided that he
measures would have to be resorted
10 prevent heavy damage to the
e. Inside Superintendent Langan
b instruction that the most expe-
ced miners should be secured. Ex-
timbermen put in an appearance
hat hour and were soon lowered into
workings. They made their way
be Red Ash vein, 1900 feet down
slope.
The Work Of Propping
eeeded rapidly until IL o'clock when
fher fall occurred. 1t made low,
bling noise, and the flying coal and
fis drove the men back. Then the
heeze" ceased again and the men
light it was safe to resume work.
y labored on until 3 20 O'Clock
Hn, so it is presumed, the roof fell in
bout warning making tremendous
b.
he alarm was first given by Water
her John Sheridan, who, with
|liam Rechard and Thomas Gill,
tie only ones to escape of the
Ple party who entered the mine at
ht. He was on his way up the slope
et some fresh water for the men
when about 100 feet from the foot
he shaft, was knocked down by the
ussion. He was badly cut and
sed by flying coal and rock. He lay
pnscious for 10 minutes and then
Q up the shaft. The concussion was
reat that it was
Heard for Miles Around.
foundations of nearly every house
ittston were SHAKEN, and windows
doors were ratified as in tornado.
ne houses nearer to the mine per-
We're thrown from their beds. The
thought was that a great earth
Ike had occurred, and the inhab-
is rushed from their houses. The
Bing of the fire bells and the shrek
of the big mine whistle told the
b.
ne work of rescue wos prompt and
lent. The best miners who re-
ned ON the surface joined. volun-
y in the hazardous task--for haz-
BUS it certainly was. There was the
btant menace of another fall or an
osion of firedamp. Special efforts
made to keep the air fan in good
Pr, so that if, by any chance, the
We're alive they should have fresh
70 breathe. The blocked slope and
gways