The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-13

Soon after 2 o'clock last night tho
noise of two heavy explosions aroused
the people Of Anaconda. It Was a Sc
we're shock causing a rattle of windows
and articles on shelf or table. The re-
port would have startled those
who heard it but for the fact that SINH
lar ones. although hardly as severe,
have been al frequent occurrence OF
late, these being due to the tunnel con-
struction work in progress on the bluff
just north of town and along the line Of
the fiume that reaches the upper works
from the dam above the city.
The unusually heavy reports heard
last night at the hour named, occasioned
passing comment. but the incident soon
passed out of the. minds Of all who
heard 1t.
Nearly four hours later, last night Mr.
Jennings, of the firm Of Hartman 6
Jennings, whom business engagements
had delayed in town, concluded to go To
the tunnel where work was progressing
There are two tunnels being driven by
Hartman & Jennings. one of these is
nearly opposite the foot of Main street.
north. and close TO the upper works.
near a point where the fiume Is now
carried on a trestle. Mr. Jennings ap-
preached the west end of this tunnel.
Mr.. Jennings was surprised. as ha
approached the tunnel to find no lights
burning and no signs of life or of work.
Approaching the entrance of the tunnel
his surprise became astonishment when
he discovered that the little blacksmith
shop which had stood near the tunnels
mouth, had disappeared AS completely
as ii a whrlwind had swept it away.
All was dark. Mr.. Jennings, half sus-
pcious of wrong. hastened around the
buff to the east end of the tunnel. Ha
found the workmen employed there and
without delay an investigation was
started. a hurried trip was made to
the city and upon inquiry II was
learned that some Of the men engaged
in the west-end works were nor at home.
but We're understood to be al work az
usual. Then more help was summoned
and a hasty return made To the work on
the buff.
Several men. provided With lights.
found the first set Of timbers at the en-
trance to the tunnel blown away. As
they advanced ii was seen that tho
timbering was evidently out Of line; ar
a distance Of 30 feet they ran squarelv
up 10 a cave of earth fiIling the entire
face Of the tunnel AT that time there
was a crealxing Of timber and sliding
of the ground which had closed the tun-
mel up completely and hasty retreat
was made.
Then the terrible fact forced itself
upon these men that. beyond this eaying
of ground and buried doubtless far be-
yond in the tunnel were five human be-
/ ings Any communication by word or
otherwise. with these unfortunate be-
ings was simply beyond human passibiI-
| ity. The first thing 10 do was TO plaza
| the first 30 feet Of the work in such
shape that those Who had been gath
! cred there could with any degree of
safety undertake the work Of remos-
i ing the ground with which the tunnel
i was choked.
To open the place looked. at / o'cloek
/ this morning. like 4 hopeless task. ID
the cave seems 10 extend from the ro1r
i of the tunnel clear 70 the surfaca Of fha
/ hill. However. all the men Who could b.,
turned 10 account were promptly ag
work and at this hour they are Doing
What they can by way Of making sags
/ the approach 10 the eaye-in
The tunnel in question Is worked fraus
both ends. At the west approach the
distance from the entrance 10 fhsS
breast of the tunnel i $50 feet From
4 the eastern entrance the second crew
has built about 10 feet and the sNo
crews are supposed u have heen asssat
100 feet apart The men on shift liz
the eastern end say that they noticed