The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-02-15
MEET DEATH FEARLESSLY.
Entombed Miners Pass the Time II
Playing Games.

EntOmbcG Miners Pass the Time H
Playing Games.
A mining story would be considered
incomplete without narrowing de-
scription of the hero's sufferings during
an underground catastrophe. People ex-
pect it, and never doubt that the sensa-
tions of the imprisoned miner are ac-
curately pictured. But those who have
had experience in rescuing colliers from
living tombs know that the men do not
always act in the sentimental manner
attributed to them. On the contrary,
not few of them face their horrible
death smilingly, refusing to give way
to vain regrets and tears.
When great mass of coal fell in
northern pit, completely blocking up
the side passages, 30 men and boys were
trapped in remote part of the work
ings. To dig these unfortunate fellows
out relief party worked madly, but
the coal was hard, and at the close of
the first day the fearful women at the
pit brow were still waiting for news.
Another day passed without good It'd
ings, and it was not until the third
morning that faint humming sound
filtered through the frowning blockade
Of coal. 'They're alive shrieked one
of the party, "and singing hymns to
show their faith!'
After that all worked with redoubled
energy, straining their ears meanwhile
to catch the chanting of the under
ground choir. 1t soon became evident,
however, that the miners were moi
singing at ali. They were laughing and
shouting like children, and the familiar
cry Of Duck off, was clearly heard
by the araious rescuers. Two more
hours Of superluman effort followed,
and then the blacl. partition gave way,
revealing the pale and haggard miners
il the very act of playing game dear
to the Golfers heart Hello, lads! We
didn't expect to sec yc" laughed one
Of them, STOPPING to replace the lump
of coal which served as the "ducl. Z"
"Ah, reckon yell stop an hev a game
wi us afore we go bacl?" And the half
famished men and boys actually insist
ed on finishing the game before they
would allow themselveS to be taken to
the shaft
After very similar accident in an
other colliery the relief party did not
get through the coal in time to be of
service and five sturdy miners were
found dead behind the cruel barrier
That they had died coolly and fearless
ly, though was beyond question, for on
the damp floor were scores of little mar
bles made from compressed coal dust,
and two of the men were lying at full
length with thei~ fists screwed up ready
to flip Their wan faces smiled even
in death, and this touching proof of
their nnfailing optimism brought tears
TO the eyes of every one who entered
the pit.
Falls of coal and foods are terrible
catastrophes. bat the average collier
fears an explosion OF fire damp most Of
all. One occurred not so very long ago
in little Midland pit. ard Is good men
and true we're shut off from the cage by
tons upon tons of cci.l The anxious
crowd at The pit mouth waited until
The foul Gas had been cleared from Tire
cutting and then began their work OF
rescue, with little hope of saving their
mates from the spffocaai1lg fumes OF Tie
irc damp Progress vas rapid, however.
and before long the rel:ef parry got into
the narrow passage
Here they saw a sight which fairly
made them gasp for The Is colliers were
on the floor. some Of them dead and
Others sitting up and unconcernedly
singing comic songs. A little farther on
was a football, improvised from the
GOLFERS shirts and caps and bearing un-
mistakable signs of recent and rough
use. "We thowt as long as wed got to
dee we'd Zee kicl1in, explained one Of
the survivors, $50 we rugged up foot
ball an punched it abart in t. dark.
George theer fell dahn dead as he wor
scorin goal, but we went on playin to
pass time on, an then t. gas cleared off
bit.
Only four of that brave bevy of min
ers came out of the pit alive, but they
assured their questioners that the others
had laughed and sung in the very face
of death.-Cassell's Saturday Journal