Year: 1871

soon after. BY five o'clock the water
had cooled the iron and wood near the
SHAFT, and preparations were made to
clear themouth. In the meantime hun
dreds Ol women and children had congre-
gated near the scene of disaster, and their
heart rending cries pierced the air At
six the part at the mouth UG the mine had
been sufficiently cleared to let down a
dog. He was kept down the first time for
three minutes, and let down again stay
ing five minutes, but came up alive. At
7P' N. timber was brought to the mouth
of the mine, and a temporary framework
made to cover the opening. A platform
carriage was constructed, and prepara-
tons have been made to enter. AtSP.M.
David Harris and VIM. Warren, arc let
down about 90 feet. They have lights,
bell, ropes, water and tools, They re.
move the burned timber and charred
scantling, and are constructing apartiti0n
to secure an up and down current of air.
A few minutes previous to this VIM. Law
was let down by rope 70 feet into the
shat, but Immediately gave a signal for
hosting. A strong current of air comes
from the opening, carrying with 1t thick
and obnoxious smoke, Preparations for
the rescue Of the miners continued to bo
pushed forward with great vigor until
1880 o'clock, when as above stated, the
first man reached the bottom. The fire
originated from spontaneous combustion
by friction Of woodwork of the breaker.


Martin Cox was taken out alive, and
makes the following statement:


ave went in att A. N. My brother
Robert cut through from one air way TO
another and tli1ned on the gas, and six
miners came out with him before their
shaft was up, The air was so bad they
couldn't work at all. This was about
fifteen minutes before ., and seven miners
came up to the top five minutes before
the fire was discovered. The first init.
nation we had OF the fire was sound
through the mine rs if there was an ex-
ploslon, Joseph English, miner, said
Its fire. We were working 80 yards from
the bottom Of the shaft on the west side;
then ran 10 the bottom Of the shaft, saw
fire coming down; ran back 10 our COM
rades, all lost, the shaft on fire, we were
seven In all; we then went To the foot Of
the shaft and the burning timbers coming
down threw on water to put out the fire,
and the smoke became 30 intense that we
were nearly suffocated; dense volumes
came down the shat and filled the place;
we then ran over to the west side In the
direction Of the river bridge, down the
slope, and got in at the door, with eleven
others, which made seventeen In all In
that place; the smoke came In upon us so
badly that we gathered up COB OF fine
stuff from the track and plastered
up the cracks OF the door, and also stuffed
coal In the holes, which stopped the
smoke for time, We now had lime ior
thought and reflection. No one ex-
pected to sec daylight again, and all said
1t was q second Avondale, We oil sang
hymns and prayed, calling upon God in
us mercy 10 save uS. we IelL doomed
beyond human aid, and ran back and
forth through the gangways for fresh air.
AT 8:l5 P. NJ. Patrick Farley fell to the
ground and was found dead when the
men came In. then went over to the
west side for my coat to help stop out
the smoke, as we would all be sullocated
very soon. The men then passed
me, carrying back their comrades
who were dying In their arms. There were
more men outside Of the doors crying out
in distress and anguish, calling upon God
for safety and suCcor. None expected To
come out alive. Mules kicking and neigh.
ing A boy told his father with horrible
crying we will come out safe and It we
must die, let us die like men. The father
and son both came out alive at 7 Pm.
| became insensible and remained so un.
I'll | wasibrought out by my brother
Robert about o'clock on Sunday morn.
ing Cox Is an intelligent Irish man, aged
about 80 years.