The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-18

ture led TO his death yesterday after
noon In the Riverside coal bank, at the
head of Twenty-sixth street. The boy
was While Campbell. aged IS years.
SON of Patrick Campbell. Of 2725 Wood
street. with several other boys he en-
tered the bank about $3.50 O'Clock and
proceeded along the entry until foul air
was encountered, and when his COM
panions said they were going back he
replied that he would continue further.
He kept walking ahead and evidently
becoming bewildered failed to retracs
his steps and succumbed to the poison
Gus atmosphere.
Two Of campbell's associates that ac-
eompanled him some distance under the
hill were Eddie Rarges. aged IS, and
Earl wilkinson. aged 1s. the latter be-
ing a son Of George Wilkinson, superin-
tsndent Of the coal bank. which, how
ever, has not been In operation for two
years.
When young Campbeli's fate was an
nounced by his playmates considerable
excitement was created in that part Of
the city and several searching parties
were formed. There was host Of will
ing hunds and the search began in
earnest about 6 o'clock The searchers
experienced great dlficulty In proceed
ing far Into the mine, on account Of the
Impure air, which naturally was a Sc
quence OF the mines importation for
two years. The rescuIns parties were
forced to retreat to the mouth OF the
bank after contact with the air. and
several Of them became very sick as a
result. officers Larkins. Devinney and
Bero assisted in perfectIng some system
to reach the dead boy, and Captain
Clemans, realizing the dangers OF en-
terIng the mine with torches, hustled
around town until he secured a pocket
electric lamp from Heiner Bros hard
ware store. He secured this handy con.
trivance about 9 o'clock. and by its aid
the rescuers were enabled to advance
without danger There were many vol
unteers from the crowd Of 1000 or more
people who were attracted to the scene,
but no success crowned their efforts,
despite their dilIgen. efforts. Relays re-
placed the exhausted men and the
crowd stood at the mouth of the bank
until long after midnight in hopes Of
seeing the boys body brought out.
Bank Not Worked.
The bank used to furnish coal to the
old Riverside bar mill, but 1t has been
idle since the miners strike in 1887.
The mill has been idle for a longer Pc
Rod. Apparently 1t was the intention
to start the mine up again. for efforts
toward that end are said to be under
way. Last Friday crowd Of boys
went into It, but came back after the
foul aid almost suffocated them, and
several OF them had narrow escapes.
There is no gate or distractions at the
mouth OF the mine; hence the boys were
free to enter. The entry extends about
q quarter Of mile under the hill, after
which gate blocks further passage.
and behind the gate is the furnace used
in circulating an air course when the
mine is in operation. Owing to the
banks importation much foul air has
accumulated In the vicinity Of the gate;
therefore 1t is supposed young Camp
bell died before getting as far as the
gate. In reopenlng the bank on former
occasions Mine Boss schau has crawled
on the ground to the gate, which when
pushed aside allowed the air to circu-
late from the other side. Two or three
days later he entered again to light the
fires in the furnace, at which time dan
gers Of explosion had been averted.
The searchers were unable to pene-
trate this far, and the theory sprang W
that young Campbell, becoming dizzy
and bewIldered from the foul air, had
advanced instead Of retreating, so that
he proceeded farther than the rescuers
were able to go unless willing to accept
the same fate. It was also cited as
theory for his disappearance that he
might have dropped in one Of the two
water pools located at the entry side OF
the gate, each Of which is four feet or
more In depth. At any rate the difi-
cultles were insurmountable for the &C.
caslon. The searchers went three
abreast along the entry, peering into
all corners and feeling with their hands
for the body. proceeding as far as they
were able to stand, but at midnight all
their efforts were futile.
Campbell Went on.
Earl wilkinson. one of the boys who
was with the deceased, said that when
he and Karges announced their deter.
minutlon not to go further Campbell
said rive got this far; I'm going to
keep on" After that his companions
called to him in the darkness. and they
heard his voice twice dying away. They
hurried out OF the damp, muddy entry.
and lost little time In spreading the
alarm. a veteran coal digger stated
to an Intelligeneer reporter that the
boy could have survived the impure air
for about Ave hours. providing he lay
on the ground. for he said the air was
denser and hence fouler at the top. Re-
lief was unable TO reach him, however,
IN that length OF time. Had the boy
been able 10 reach the gate and open
Il the flood OF fresh air from the other |
side might have revived him.
sympathy was freely expressed for |
the bereaved father and brother of the
boy, who stood nnxiously among the
large crowd In expectations OF the body
being recovered The crowd was 40
large at times that the police were pow |