The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-19

The Riverside mine horror in which
willie Campbell as well as his would
be rescuer. Charles seamon, lost their
lives, paIned and shocked the entire
community when the details were read
in yesterday mornings papers. The
fact that the boy lost his life through
going where he oughtn't to have been,
and that seumon met death through
disregard of a precautIon that should
In no event have been neglected, does
not lessen the horror OF the tragedy.
The early morning scenes yesterday
when efforts were being prosecuted to
recover the bodies, were at times heart
rending. Shortly before o'clock, Mrs.
seamon, wife Of the young man who
lost his life in attempting to recover
young Campbell's body, arrived on the
scene. Someone had gone to her home
out Caldwell's run and informed her
that her husband was dead. Seized
with grief and nervousness, she started
down the run for the scene of the dis
aster, followed by neighbor who fear
ed that she would commit some rash
act. When she reached the Riverside
property, near the mouth Of the mine,
crowd of the curious and morbid sur
rounded the women, seeming to find an
enjoyment in the unrestralned grief
shown by the young woman. The
crowd, however, was soon dispersed by
Mayor Sweeney and Chief of Police
Clemans, and Mrs. seamon was con-
Quoted from the place and taken home
In the mayors buggy.
As stated in yesterdays Intelligent
Ger, the bodies were found at AIS
o'clock, and the party Of rescuers came
out of the mine for assistance in bring
ing them out. they having been SO
weakened by their exertlons and the
foul air in the shaft that they had not
sufficient strength to carry the bodies.
When the news was received at the
mouth of the mine, Chief Clemans sent
in a call for the city ambulance and
stretches, which were soon at hand.
Then party OF volunteers entered the
mine and brought out the bodies, Camp
BELLS coming first. When 1t was
brought out, the blanket that covered
the body was removed, and 1t was seen
that the boy had evidently struggled
to the last, his clothes being soaked with
the slime and mud that covered the
floor of the shaft The body was taken
to the home OF his father Mr.. Patrick
Campbell, at 2725 Wood street.
1t was hoped that seamon. whose
body had not been In the black damp
poisoned shaft so long as young Camp
bells, could be brought out with the
spark OF life not entirely extinct, but
this hope was also shattered, the man
having evidently been dead for several
hours. When his body was brought out
on a stretcher 1t was uncovered In COM
pliance with the desire OF many OF his
friends. Just here the scene wns heart
rending. The young mans father had
been an all.nlght watcher at the mouth
OF the mine, and had entertained hopes
that his son would escape with his life,
some of the miners having claimed that
death does not ensue until many hours
after person is overcome by the black
damp. This hope. however, was at
once dispelled when DR.. Armbrecht
made but cursory examination Of
the body. Then 1t was that seamon's
feelings overcame him. his cries and
means being most distressing He par
TALLY lost consciousness, and II
was necessary to apply restoratIves
before he recovered, His sons body
was moved to his home, on Caldwell's
run. in the city ambulance.
senmon was employed at the LaBelle
tin plate mill; he leaves a wife and
three children, all small. His father is
also in the employ of the LnBelle iron
works. driving one of the wagons.
Mayor Sweeney. Chief OF Police
Clemans. Fire Chief Cline. and many
police officers and rremen were indie
fatIgable in their efforts during the
search for the bodies, and deserve
credit for their endeavors,
II developed yesterday TINT senmon
lost his life through disregard of n pre-
caution that had been urged upon him.
Whca he and the other searchcrs en-
countered the bad air, one OF his COM
parlons was secured with small rope,
aud It was agreed that he would 20 In
advance Of the others and II he should
be overcome his companions would pull
him out. scamon, In his energy and
desire to rescue, pushed ahead Of the
man to whom the rope had been tied
and got so far ahead that his compon-
ions were unable to reach and bring him
out. Had he stayed behind or allowed
the rome to be tied to him he would
doubtless have escaped.
The funeral Of winie Campbell will
be held from the Church Of the tmmnc-
ulate Conception, South Side. Thursday
morning at . o'clock. and the intcrment
will follow at Mt. Calvary cemetery
The funeral service over the body OF
Charles scamon. the other victim OF tho
mine horror, will occur this afternoon