The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-07-09
n NINE DISASTER.
Many Miners Buricd--A Scene or DcS.
olation and Horror.

olation and Horror.
WiLNESBARHE Pa, Juno 2S.-At 3
O'Clock this morning the city OF Pitts
ton, nine miles from here, was thrown
into The widest excitement by three
severe, distinct and separate shocks,
accompanied by rumblings resembling
an earthquake disturbance. They
were SO strong rs to break the peace
tul slumbcrs Of the people throughout
east and west Pittston. immediately
alter an alarm OF tho most thrilling
population, which was considerably
added to by the alarming whistle OF
irwin Shaft, at Pittston Junction, ac-
companicd by repeated fire alarms.
Hundreds of people, appcnding serious
results, rushed in mad haste to the
Twin shaft, operated by the Newton
Coal Company, from which the alarm
came, only to find that the shock so
distinctly felt was due to an extensive
cavc-in, accompanied by I'm explosion
which had occurred in the sixth or
lower vein OF the shaft. Their excited
apprchcnSions were by no means cXag-
geratcd for over leo men and bows
were cntombcd in the pit. The fear
ful and distressing news spccad with
lightning rapidity and by s o'clock this
morning the head Of the shaft was
| thIongcd BY thousands OF men, women
| and children, the latter wringing their
| hands ana expressing most hcurt-rcn-
dCring cries for their beloved ones,
who were imprisoned in tho dark pit
beneath. The hour following the
alarm is one long to be remembered
by those Witnessing the sights, the
anxious suspense of tho wOrkmcn, the
grief Of the friends and the tender
l. ..I.>
spectators, were indcscribable. The for
clgn clement in particular were cX-
ccsslvcly dcmOnstrative in their grief.
The first to come to the surface from
the shaft below after the explosion,
which forced from the pit solid vol
umcs OF smoke and dark earth, was
John Gill, who was working at the
bottom OF the shaft. The force of tho
conclusion throw him to tho wall and
moro dead than alive, he crcpt to the
foot OF the hoist and with great din-
Guilty signalcd 50 the engineer at the
surface and was brought up.
A moment later John ltikcr, a run
ncr boy, jacob Adam and Frank Shcr-
idan, company men, were brought to
the surface, they told the true and
frightful story.
IL appears that several day ago the
tween the fifth an sixth vein had com
mcnccd "working" and TO prevent
continuation all day Saturday and Sat
urday night the full compliment OF
day mcn and such others us could be
press cd into service from of the streets,
were set at work pillaring and prop
ping the sixth vein so as to ensure the
safety OF the workmcn who were to
go to work on Monday. Saturday night
the regular night force were working
at q point about 5000 feet from the
shaft at the foot OF the No. 3 place at
point under which is known as the
flats, a little east Of the C0xton rail-
road yards. The force was under the
supervision Of superintendent Langun
and his assistant, Michael Lynott
Orders had gone forth that about mid
night as many men as possible should
be sent down to assist in this danger
Gus work, as constant. cracking and
splintcr!ng of the roof gave Indication
that the possibilities OF danger were
well founded.
In accordance with this order, be-
tween - and o'clock Sunday morning
about 80 additional wOrkmcn entered
the pit. The new force Of men were
placed ut ii point beyond that Of the
night hands and the terrible ncws
brought 10 the surface by the four men
who will likely be the only ones to live
80 Ucll the tale, was that all Of these
100 or more men had been caught and
either crushed to immediate death, or
imprisoned to perish in aohorrifying
manner.
HEROIC EFFORTS TO RESCUE.
IT was found, to the consternation OF
the workmcn on tho surface, that all
the mine forcmcn, supcrintcndcnts and
bosses who had gone TO supervise the
work werc also with those who are
imprisoned. This gave tho work OF
relief no systematic head and yet
nobly, unsacrilicin2 ", possibly to faco
death, the rcscacrs, provided with
safety lamps, hurried on the mine car
riagc and were lowered Il thousand
icct on m we to tnc mission Of relief.
They were: John Daily, John Doyle,
Charles Mcdonald and james Tenyon.