Year: 1869

{ HERALD, THURSDAY,
hope which generally prevailed, in spite Of expe-
rienced opinion to the contrary, Of men being i'm
INJURED alive In the chambers of the coal pit and wait
ing with despalring eagerness for the approach of
their deiverers, was dspeed forever. majority of
the people persisted in believing that within some
chamber OF the pit Q body Of men might still be
found alive II the brave fellows who ventured down
the shaft succeeded in rescuing lhem before life
yielded to the pangs Of starvation.


The bulletin announcing that seven dead bodies
were brought out OF the mine and heap Of over
sixty was discovered In one particular gangway at
once ended all further speculation as to the fate Of
the entire number. The news was quickly dissent
mated, and when the hafpast nine ltran
from Scranton for the coal mines drew
up at the depot to take passengers aboard
there was o perfect rush to embark by hosts of
strong and stalworth men, wearing q look
Of absorbing seriousness. The train was thronged
to Its utmost capacity and though three freight cars
were added on numbers were compelled to ind
such accommodation as they could on the roof Of q
car or amid the billets of wood on the tender.


At Piston station over 1900 persons lined the
platform. all eager to get down to the
scene OF the great disaster-many from
curiosity, others to learn the fate Of re-
latlves and friends. Few could nnd standing
room, and the great majority were forced to
nnd other modes Of conveyance or wait for q
later train. 1t was the same at West Pittston,
Kingston, Wyoming and Delaware. In all perhaps
l6o persons were disappointed in not having room
to ride on this train from Scranton. The women
were especially numerous. and in many instances
when refused admission on the train braved the risk
OF moving cars ana crowded platforms to jump on
board, with every prospect Of instantly falling
OF. The country for miles around appeared to
be occupied by one thought--the accident at
Avondale The mines Of course were all
stopped, and every miner seemed II he felt 1t his
especial duty to witness the sad and fearful cal
amity that befel 80 large number Of his class.


When the train reached Avondale an assemblage
of about 10000 already occupied the hillside in
long lines, rising one above the other, and every
eye gazing intently down upon the road leading
teen minutes issued a dead body on stretcher,
borne between four men,


Just before each body was raised from the black
and awful depths below couple Of miners invarta-
nd 4 fo{r md
other, and, with lantern still lighted in front OF
their hats, were forwarded to the base Of big tree
where they lay down to rest And had restoratives
given them to bring them back to strength and fuller
consciousness. o3 ~ is a-


Every available space In the neghborhood of the
tunnel entrance was thrOnged bv men and women,
the latter sitting like daughters of Jephtha, with
features expressive of q deep and abiding sorrow.


The miners who went down the pit in pairs were
all volunteers resolute men. with frames OF
great enduranoe-and, though wen used to the at
mosphere Of mines and accustomed for years to
work below the surface Of the earth, Drawing and
bearing well the noxious gases generated In coal
mines each one, nevertheless on reappearing at



i've minutes. showed all the symptoms Of the ut
most physical prostraton. In almost every instance
1T was necessary to apply restoratves, 80 great was
the exhalation.


The bodies all, as q general thing present hori
BILE appearance, caused no doubt by black coal
dust, with which every face was thicKly smeared; i;
yet they did not seem to give much expression of
pal in the faces Of some, but rather look Of resg
nation to an inevitable fate, which gives to some
features a calm and undlsturbed appearance.


A force OF extemporized police preserved order
on the ground, and the formality Of a coro
ners inquest was quickly gone through by
jury under the instructions Of acting Coroner
wadhams Mr.. Phillips the outside superintendent
Of the mine, acted ofcial recognlzer, as he was
acquainted with nearly all or the miners. Where
his knowledge failed the comrades Of the dead man
were appealed to. and not mucn delay was uuder-
gone in any before the result was obtained and
the corpse handed over to friends, who prepared
for interment. No seemed to be utterly friend
less left to charity for becoming burial he had
no blood reatOns-and almost every one seemed TO
have-some comrade stepped forward and under
took the charge of his remains.


The inefficiency Of the police in excluding from
the vicinity OF the bier all those who had business
there, as well as in admitting all those who had no
immediate business there, was very conspicuous.


Most Of the bodies were clothed in heavy WOOL
len shirt and trowsers. Some ere naked from the
waist upwards. The exhumation went on as rapid.
ly as could be managed consid ing the necessary
impertectiou Of the temporary apparatus used,
but still the delay was wearisome, even to
mere spectators, and must have been doubly 80 to
the watchers on the outside who were so agonized
with dread and expectation lest the next disinter-