Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-07-25
Thirteen Drowned by the Flooding Of Coal Mine
Following a Cloudburst
THIRTY LITTLE CHILDREN LEFT FATHERLEsS
Wives and Children of Victims Gather Mine and Refuse
Leave Until Efforts Are Made to Rescue Their Loved
Ones-Party of 1000 Pcnickers Marooned in Park Be-
cause of Overflow of Creeks-75 Families Homeless.

Uniontown. Pa, July 24.-Caught like
rats in trap when water rushed into
the manway of Superba coal mine No.
2 at Evans station. three miles north
OF Uniontown, this afternoon, following
a cloudburst, 13 meu were drowned
and 81 escaped after most narrowing
experience. The men were discovered
about 1000 feet from the mouth Of the
mine. their only avenue of escape. The
majority Of the victims were married
and had large families.
The Dead.
The dead: Andy Valce, married;
John RoscO, married. Mike Smith,
married; r. Gamery, married;
Adam smith. brother of Mike. single;
William Mossburg, married: Andy
Boilock. married: Mike Fetish, mar
ried: Frank Layoff, married; John
Kubjzna, married; Andy Bolitiski,
married; Russell Gardner, married;
Pierce Solomon. married
At Least One More Victim.
IL is reported that at least one more
Victim. an unknown foreigner, will be
added. He was passed by other men
in the mine when they escaped, refus-
ing TO accompany them to place of
safety.
Thirty Children Left Fatherless.
The majority Of the victims had large
families and about 30 children are de-
prived Of their breadwinners by one of
the worst catastrophes that has ever
Visited Fayette county. The men who
escaped were forced to half swim and
hall walk TO the pit mouth through
water ranging In depth from their
waists TO their necks The majority of
Tile miners who escaped were knocked
the mine with great velocity in the
raging current
Sixty Days to Clear the Mines.
Several men were being carried back
into The mines To certain death when
rescued. II was stated tonight by Of
feials Of the Superba company that IL
viii take at least so days to clear the
mine OF water. and until that time the
bulies must remain IN the water in
which they nerished.
Superintendent Gives the Alarm.
Superintendent Butternore was the
frst man 90 see the high water start
in the manway. lie gave the alarm,
and an the men on the outside rushed
into the mine, Yelling loudly as they
went Tn that manner more than half
o. the miners were saved.
Wives and Families Frantic.
The wives and families OF the miners
End drivers. when the alarm was
raised. rushed 10 A large hole made
o. the rushing waters at the manhole
and frantically threw sticks. stones.
poles and whatever timber they could
md into the water in its rush into the
mines where their loved ones were
earning their daily bread. They then
rushed 10 the mouth OF the mire and
nHnNA have
water had they not been stopped bv
Cool-headed persons who guarded that
entrance.
Women and Children Remain at Mine.
The women and children remained at
tne mouth OF tho slope late tonight, re-
Iusins 70 return home until an at
tempt had been made 10 rescue their
husbands and fathers Several large
pumps viii be placed in the mine to-
morrow and ever thing possible viii be
oone 10 reach the place where the
bodies are
ne water rose so quickly following
the ci1udourst that. IL practically de-
etroye All railroad and street railways
IN faye--e county
Three Lost in Another Mine.
Nothing could be done to avoid the
catastrophe 4 dam that had been
fuilt around the manwav a day or
t"o ago. when the water was high.
Mas Wasned away and the waters
usheu INTO the mine so rapidly that
the DIT was filled in less than thirty
minutes. u was reported tonight that
three men had lost their lives in I,e-
mont No. mine of the II. c. Prick
company about half mile from Su-
peroa mines. About 100 men were
clnSat IN the flood there. but all es-
c1ned but three, who are at present
unsccounted for.
One Victim Intended TO Retire.
'wo Of the victims are Uniontown
men and well known throughout the
county They are Russell Gardner
eeco 50. and Pierce Solomon, aged SIS
Alr. Solomon had decided TO omit the
mine and intended 90 work only few
days more. Both he and Gardner
leave wives and large families.
Saved by His Mules.
One of tho survivors. Audv Machak
} driver. when he realized that wate-
was rushing in with such rapiditv a,
o. food the mine cut the wagon fres
from the cars Of coal. and while hang
INK on the chains was drawn 10 safe.
e. By the two mules.
When II was certain that the 4
men had perished. the survivors in
sisted on forming a rescuing party t,
- into the mines.
Mine Filled With Water.
Omcials Of the mine. however. posi-
lively refused 10 allow men to use
lessly risk their lives in that manner
The mine is filed to such an exten
that IT would be Impossible for an.
man 20 enter more than 100 yard
without incurring danger from drown
fuu