The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-05-05
Fire Starts Near Laborers.

memebered.
Fire Starts Near Lab0rers.
Smithdale is across the Youghhio-
gheny river from Suterville, and is
about twenty-three miles east of
Pittsburg. The mine formerly was
owned by the Ellsworth Coal company
and was taken over by the Pittsburg
Coal company some few years ago.
The main entrance is near the
shore Of the river and the slopes trav-
erse the country to the southwark for
about three and one-half miles. At
the extreme end the rear opening
comes out on farm.
The twenty-five men, including
Fire Bosses Patrick of Blythesdale
and August Achtzehn of Suter and
Electrical Engineer Henry Schulz and
Roadman Hayes Douglass were at
work making the usual daily re-
pairs. They were all about quarter
OF mile from the main entrance.
The laborers were unloading slate
and cleaning up, while the fire-bosses
and others were making an investiga-
ticn OF the pit.
There was no fire in the mine other
than the lamps carried by the men.
1t was close to 5 o'clock, quitting
/, time, and preparations were being
made for leaving the mine, when sud
denly the first burst o. flame was
seen. This was near where the la
borers were working and a panic at
once ensued.
Main Entry Cut OF.
Fire Bosses Patrick and Achtzehn
took charge of matters. A sortie was
attempted in the direction OF the front
entrance, but the flames had filled up
the entry and escape in that direction
was cut of.
Valuable time was lost in this ma
neuver and by the time the rear es-
cape had been thought of the flames
had made great headway, creeping to
the place where the men had gather
ed about and forcing them farther
inta the mine.
Suddenly the opening away back in
the hills was thought OF. The word
was passed and a wild scramble ell
sued. The three miles back seemed
like hundreds, according to the stor-
les told by the escaped ones.
Scrambling out into the open and
throwing themselves onto the grass,
tho twenty-five wero too unnerved
from their long race and the peril
undergone to stand. There they laid
for the best part of an hour.
At the main entrance Superintend-
ent James c. Henderson of the mine,
as soon as he learned of the fire. call
for volunteers to enter the burning
pit. Scores of willing men came for
ward. and - first attempt was made.
The rescuing party did not get more
than fifty feet into the mine the first
time before it was beaten back by the
smoke and flame. Repeated efforts
were made: and finally the stables
and the charred carcasses of the
mules were found.
News OF Escape.
At this discovery all hope, for the
time being, was abandoned as to the
mems safety. A little later, however.
messenger from the entry back in
the hills arrived with the news of
the entire party's safety, and then a
cheer of rejoicing and thankfulness
arose.
Scores of men, women and children
raced hack towards the direction of
the rear entry and when they met
the rescued ones on the way there
were further rejoicings.
After it was ascertained there was
no living thing in the burning mine.
100 men were placed at work to fight
the flames. This work was kept up
all during the night, and it is expect
ed that within q week the pit will be
in shape for work. The mystery of
the fires origin will be probed by
officials OF the company.