The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-29

to be exact, in October.
1ss6-thc rcd Bridge tun-
mel Of the Drake a. Hen
4 dcrson company began
working" For month
previous to that time there
were indications that a squeeze" was
imminent. particularly along the head
ing roads which tapped the vein near
the base of the mountain. The mine
WAS one of the oldest of the Conpany's
extensive works. and embraced an area
at least two miles long and more than
mile wide. The Cropping" had
been reached in several instances. but
there was still a roody amount OF
coal To he mined. Those fcw general
observations. by way of Introducing
the mine, will lead the reader to tn-
derstand that it was partially worked
out. and that general Squeeze" in
volving a major portion of its gang
ways and chambers, was a dreadful
condition to meet. and one which
would probably mean death to hun
dreds of men and hovs If they were
kept too long in the mine Practical
miners shook their heads knowingly
and ominouSly when they came out
every evening. The threatening cond-
tion of the mine was the subject of
many a conversation wherever the men
met. and its grave possibilities were
discussed with an air of confidence and
even mystery.
During this time The company's Of
fcialS Wcrc not idle. To secure the
mine they double shifted every danger
"us heading. and put up hundreds of
props along the road and near the pill
lars. hoping thus to avert the im-
pending catastrophe. Every trip of
cars that went into the mine had a
load or two of props. The lumber pile
near the tunncls 'mouth" was the
busiest place about the colicry. The
hest and heaviest of the timber was
selected. and men. with strong arms
and honcful hearts, loaded it into the
cars for immediate use in the mine
Those men knew what the closing of
tn" c"llicrN meant to them, and they
shared with the officials care and an
anxiety In prevent the disaster.
MITCHELL the mine boss. reported the
danger I" his superior when he found
that the "squeezc'' was almost gen
,ral. He was fearful Of the gravcst
consequences. and he did not wish
to bear the whole responsibility him
self. His superior was Brown the di-
u
received the report he at once 'phoncd
Mitchell To take the men out of the
mine. ii, in his judgment, the con-
ditions warranted it. Mitchell was
S'o" to do that. He hoped to be able
T." secure the mine without going to
that extreme. Again. such action
would reflect on his capacity to run
cullicry. and he determined to put it
on AS long as ii was reasonably safe
L" dn So. 1t was while he was thus
hoping to stay the threatened disaster
that our opening lines begin. and
winch give our readers a brief glimpse
OF colliery in that dangerous con-
dlti"n known in mine parlanco as
"Workinc''
y few nights after Mitchell had rc-
cclved his final orders. the mon work
lhS on the shift farthest in the mine
Wer" driven out AS they retired they
CAV" the alarm to all tho others work
ing at the time. Fortunately, indeed
lheS all got out in safety. and then
reported To Mitchell that in all prob
dp'iilN the iaIi was 50 extensive that
the mine was almost entirely closed.
especially so where the work of min
lng proper WAS then going on.
Bolh Brown and Mitchell regretted
'''' '''''t' ~ WV u Tor
ne thought MitchellS report some
what exaggerated. due in a great meas
ure. 10 Mitchell's desire To bring Brown
TO the front and make him share the
hurden and responsibility of the great
loss in property, and perhaps human
life. When Brown received Mitchclrs
second report, he 'phOned that he de-
Slf'd Mitchell Ia meet hm next morn
lnS' on the arrival of Il certain train,
I" HlScuss the situation and learn
what he could of the disaster.
inc next morning these men met.
ana, bN some hapless circumstance.
] was present. Had known that
Brown designed going into the mine.
certainly would have been else
Where when that meeting was going
on. They had talked over the situa-
non only few minutes when Brown
suggested making AN examination. .'ir
possible, and learn the extent of the
ran and the chances of putting the
place in working order again"
WAS invited to go, and not wishing
To display any fear of the CONSEQUENCES
consented Had | consulted NV het.
Ter judgment or even my feelings
would have retired gracefully, saving
'hat | preferred Il safe head ana body
oulSld" to any lleetng glory that might
come from riskine life and limb in The |
Sollpre recessos of the mine, where |
'on sun never reaches to break the |
mohot"nN of eternal night.
Brown was a Scotchman by descent |
ana an American by birth. He WAS |
norm and reared within glnsbot nf 4, |
rolllery, He knew the mines from |
Alpha to Omega, II" was II Spartan
IN courage If he ever felt fear he
nFNcF showed II, y score or moro of
INES ne rushed into the very laws i
u death to rescue some poor toiler |
" |" make an examination here or |
mere when the treacherous roof gave |
signs of sure, and, possibly. sudden |
collapse. He took his life i'm his hands |
rev years before, in The No. 3 shaft |
u the same company in Barbondale. |
miner, while fleeing from a falling
manner. was caught by a piece of rock
ind held fast to the bottom. He was
injured, but not killed. The roof was |
Hlll working" and the men there |
we're afraid that in trying TO save him
Ill might perish. Brown. fortunately. |
anne along at that dreadful moment
ind ran headlong into the danger and
returned in few minutes with the
injured man on his back. At another
lllne he saved Mitchell, when the Van
Dyke shaft, of the Drake SzsHenderson
people, was destroyed bNFre. Mitch
ell was one of four meg at the foot
when the tire occurred, and from
which place there was no escape. II
was presumed, of course. that all were