The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-06

ened back to his men. and acquainted
them with the existing conditions. A
few minutes later there was an ear
splitting report and hundreds of tons
Of roofing fell completely shutting the
men off from the main gangway. About
fifteen minutes later came another
deafening rumble. and vast quantities
Of roof fell, increasing the blockade be-
tween the miners and tile outside
world.
PLANS FOR RESCUE.
Arrangements We're immediately be-
gun by the outside employees to go to
the aid of their comrades by approach
ing the vein. through an abandoned ad-
iacent working of the Pennsylvania
Coal company, but while prepara, lions
were being made, Matthew Grimes. the
first of the walled-in miners to emerge
from the vein, made his appearance.
followed by the rest of the men, With
Foreman Gibbons bringing up the rear.
Thousands Of men, women and chill
dren welcomed the miners as they
came forth. The shock Of the fail had
been heard for miles around. and, in
deed, had shaken from their founda-
tiOns several residences. All over. a
general apprehension was felt for the
safety of the fathers, husbands, BROTH
ers and sweethearts. and in the crowd
which assembled there were a great
number of women. whose hearts had
been heavy as lead, who fell on their
knees and offered thanks as they saw
their dear ones safe and sound.
Every one of the men acted like a
hero. and their presence of mind in
their dangerous positions was more
than commendable. AS they emerged
to the surface. faces and hands black
and gl'lmy. they were hardly recogniz-
able and some of them. in the reaction
caused by their delivery for the time
lost control of themselves.
One of them. i'm a voice choked with
emotion started to tell besmeared
miner near him how one William Knox,
in the excitement and CONSERVATION in
the vein, had actually been guilty Of
crying and only ceased his narrative
when the individual he was addressing
angrily roared. you're a liar" and the
first miner. coming to his senses, per-
ceived that he was talking to Knox
himself.
There were many little instances Of
this nature, but 1t is not difficult to ac-
count for them, when the high strung
feelings of the men. caused by, their
two hours confinement in the choked
up vein. is taken into considera ton. It
took them just about two hours and a
quarter to dig their way out
President Hand. Of the Nay Aug Coal
company. last night said: "1f the men
had not been able to dig their way out,
all communication with the outside was
not shut off for them. as d bore-hole
one hundred feet deep was recently
made. which led to the No. | vein, and
we were just arranging to use this and
try to get some word to the entOmbed
miners when they emerged.
HAD NO FEAR.
From the first. we had no fear but
that the men would be able to make
their way out, when we heard that John
Gibbons was in charge of them, as we
had all confidence in his cool-headed
ness. and subsequent results proved
that this faith was well-deserved."
Foreman Gibbons was seen yester-
day afternoon by Tribune man. and
expressed his opinion that the cave
in was caused by the weakening of
pillars in the adjoining veins. operated
by the Pennsylvania Coal company.
AT 7 o'clock l walked through our
veins" he declared, land there was
not the least sign of any weakening
or cavein. The first indication that
7 had of the approaching trouble was
when sudden gust OF wind blew
through ;he vein. eXteneushing all
the lamps. Then came a couple OF
driver boys who said that they
thought the place was caving in, ana
! got out Where could get a good
look and ! could see tho cave-in COM
ing. When the first fall happened. we
We're working jusl about eight hun
ured feet away and We're in no actual
danger.
IT warned the men to keep out Of
the way Of any dying pieces Of coal
aud they obeyed as a resul. Of which
no ora suffered even the slightest
cut.
After about fifteen minutes. when
We had given the cave time to settl,
| started cut on another investigation
accompanied by runner. William
Knox. We found the main gangway
completely blocked, but knowing of
the Old ar-way over the local cave
we du:; our way through, and passed
through this. The mules, of course,
We're unable 20 pass over the caves,
and we're left behind. I think that
we will be able to g.; them out to-
day.
CAUSE OF THE CAVE.
"'l'he roof on our pillars showed no
signs of Squeezing or caves and the
only reason to which I can attribute
The cave is the roobing in the Penn
sylvania's adjoulning veins
The cave-in Is thought to have
broken some Of The pipes of the
Scranton Gas and Water company
which run close by the Coll:ery. sup
plying Dunmore with water.
Civil lInsincrr W. NJ. Marple OF thu
Water company was ON the spot
early yesterday afternoon and will re-
sunie his examination this morning.
lie was unable to ascertain yesterday
afternoon just what damage was done.
\ number of the residences within
several hundred yards OF the cave-in
Wer" seriously affected by the great
shock and subsequent settling of the