The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-06-30
NOHOPEFORTHEM
Miners Who Were Caught by the
Cavcin of the PittstOn
Mine
Are Undoubtedly All Dcad-There
Were Nearly a Hun
dred.
Victims Were PrOpping Up the
Roof When the Accident
Occurred.

OcCuFFtu.
WnKEsBARRE, Pa, June @30.-The ex.
element at the Twin shaft in Pittston,
where nearly 100 miners are entombed,
either dead or alive, continues. At the
mouth of the shaft, besides the wives
and children of the entombed men,
there are hundreds Of people not resi-.
dents Of Pittston alone, but visitors
from Kingston, Scranton and Wilkes
barre. Practically nothing has been
accomplished towards the recovery Of
the men. There is scarcely an old
miner about the opening of the mine
who does not believe the men are all
dead. The rescuing party went into
the mine at l o'clock, and came out of
the shaft at z o'clock. The foreman re.
ports that the timbering in the mine is
coming on as rapidly as possible under
the circumstances.
How It Happened.
The men who were killed were at
work propping up the roof when the
fall occurred. The alarm was imme-
diately given by the ringing of the fire
bells and rescuers were put to work
without delay. Twelve hours later the
first bodies were found in the slope
some distance from the plane where
the men had been working. More than
two-thirds of the victims were married
men and leave families. Among them
were Acting Mayor Langan, who was
inside superintendent Of the mine, and
J. H.. Linott, a ward councilman.
Mine Wa in Bad shape.
About two weeks ago the surveyors
reported to General Superintendent
Law that the mine was ''squeezing,"
and that unless steps were Immediately
taken to timber it a cavein or fall
might be looked for. Superintendent
Law lost no time, but at once put q
number of men at work to brace the
falling roof. The squeeze" continued,
however, and Saturday the situation
became alarming. In the afternoon a
slight fall occurred, and the men who
were at work had to retreat before it.
A consultation Of mine officials was
then held, and it was decided that he
roic measures would have to be resorted
to to prevent heavy damage to the
mine. Inside Superintendent Langan
gave instruction that the most expe-
rienced miners should be secured. Elk
pert timbermen put in an appearance
at that hour and were oon lowered into
the workings. They made their way
to the Red Ash vein, 1900 feet down
the slope.
The Work of Propping
proceeded rapidly until IL o'clock when
another fall occurred. 1t made a low,
rumbling noise, and the flying coal and
debris drove the men back. Then the
squeeze" ceased again and the men
thought it was safe to resume work.
They labored on until 8 go O'Clock
when, SO it is presumed, the roof fell in
without warning making a tremendous
crash.
The alarm was first given by Water
Carrier John Sheridan. who, with
William Richard and Thomas Gill,
were the only ones to escape Of the
whole party who entered the mine at
night. He was on his way up the slope
to get some fresh water for the men
and when about 100 feet from the foot
of the shaft, was knocked down by the
conclusion. He was badly cut and
bruised by flying coal and rock. He lay
unconscious for 10 minutes and then
came up the shaft. The conclusion was
SO great that it was
Heard for Miles Around.
The foundations of nearly every house
in Pittston were SHAKEN, and windows
and doors We're ratified as in q tornado.
In the houses nearer to the mine per-
sons were thrown from their beds. The
first thought was that q great earth.
quake had occurred, and the inhab-
itants rushed from their houses. The
ringing of the fire bells and the shrek
ing Of the big mine whistle told the
story.
Encountered . New Dimculty.
Rescuers in the mine have
tered a new difficulty. Water is pouring
into the slope and threatens to drive
out the men at work. Superintendent
Law thinks 1t is water from the surface
and that it will Don ease 10 flow into
the mine. Others think the water comes
from the Susquehanna river. which is
close by. II it is river water the whole
mine will be flooded in a short time,
ear be gotten.