Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-07-01
MINE CAVES IN.
Ninety Miners Caught in the Trap Of
Death.

Wilkesbarre, Pa, June 2S-While
ninety miners were at work in the Red
Ash vein of the Twin Shaft,at Pittston,
about 3 O'Clock this morning, the
root caved in, and it is believed that
all the men persisted. About forty
of the imprisoned men were English
speaking miners and the Others for
eiguers.
The men were at work propping up
the roof when the fall occurred. The
alarm was Immediately given by the
ringing of the fire bells, and forces
were put at work without delay. At 3
O'Clock this afternoon the bodies we're
found at the slope, where the majority
OF the men had been working. Three
fourths of the men were married and
had large families.
Among them was acting Mayor
Langam and j. w. Mott, q Ward Conn.
Gilman.
Aoout 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 cave in or fall
might be looked for. Superintendent
Law lost no time, but at once put a
force of men to work to brace the fall.
ing roof. The squeeze" continued.
however, and yesterday the situation
became alarming. In the afternoon a
slight fall occurred, and the men who
were at work had to run from it. Su.
p~erlntendent Law decided that heroic
measures would have to be resorted to
to prevent the cav in. Superintendent
Langam gave orders that the most ex-
perienced miners should be secured.
and that the party should go down the
mine at 7 o'clock. Part of the miners
put in an appearance at that hour, and
were soon lowered into the working.
They made their way to Red Ash vein,
100 feet down the slope. The work of
propping proceeded rapidly until II
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 3 o'clock.
when, it is presumed, the roof fell in
without warning, making a tremendous
crash.
1t is supposed, however, that the men
were not all together, but some neal the
slope, and these probably ran up the in
cline when the fall occurred. This is
the only way the finding of Mayor Ian.
gan s body in the slope can be account.
ed for. If the men received any warn.
ing they had time to run mp the slope,
but not to any great distance. The fall
ing rock and coal filled up the slope
andthe adjoining gangways, complete.
ly shutting off all of escape.
1t was at first supposed that the
men might have escaped being caught
in the fall and that they were impris-
oned behind the debris, but the finding
of the two bodies would go to disprove
this. 1t is still possible, however, that
the living men may be behind the fill,
though it is extremely improbable.
Even if they escaped being crushed by
the falling roof, the possibility of their
being alive for any length of time in a
gaseous mine is remote.
The alarm was first given by water
carrier John Sheridan. who with Wm.
Richard and Thomas Gill, were the
only one to 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 100 feet from the slope of The
shaft was knocked down by the con-
cusslon. He was badly cut and bruised
by the flying coal and rock. He lay
unconscious for ten minutes and then
came up the shaft.
The conclusion was so great that it
was heard for miles around. The
foundations of nearly every building
in Pittson were shaken and windows
and doors ratified as by a tornado. In
the houses nearer to the mine persons
were thrown from their beds.