Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1879 — IN A LIVING TOMB. [ARTICLE]

IN A LIVING TOMB.

Seven Men Imprisoned MVO Days in a Coal Mine—Thrilling Experience. The fall of a mine’s roof near Scranton, Pa., imprisoned seven miners, whose fate remained a matter of uncertainty for nearly a week. A correspondent gives the following interesting account of their experiences and final rescue: For five weary days and nights the perilous work of excavation had been going on, meeting with so many obstacles as to make the undertaking little else than a forlorn hope, when, about 8 o’clock last night, the joyful discovery was made that the drill had passed through the wall of coal, and had communicated with the portion of the mine that was intact, and which had been their objective point from the outset. When the drill was withdrawn a strong stream of air and gas followed. The lights were immediately extinguished until the gas had passed, and no explosion occurred. The hole was at once plugged, and work commenced with renewed and vigorous rapidity, for at last they had found an opening, and knew that in a few short hours the imprisoned men would be found. The blasting was stopped, and the work of going through nine feet of coal was done with the pick, as there were indications of fire-damp, precluding the use of powder for fear of an explosion. After twelve hours’ laborious digging the pillar of coal was pieiced, and the last. obstacle was overcome, the limit of the cave being past. Word was immediately sent to the anxious watchers above ground, who awaited tLe tidings with bated breath, for the imperiled men were half a mile distant. Mine Inspector Williams and Superintendent Smith, accompanied by two trusty miners, organized themselves into an exploring party and bega# to tread their way through the labyrinth of passages, and in doing so the party became separated, some of their lights being extinguished. The party who had made the greatest descent hallood to their companions that they might join, when they were thrilled through and through by an answer from far down the depths—the voices of the imprisoned men. It was but the work of a few minutes to form a junction, and every man was found alive and well. The men say that on Wednesday morning last, when the young hero, John Clark, came furiously riding a mule through the gangway to warn them of their impending danger, their first impulse was to seek escape through the tumbling rocks, but were persuaded to desist and remain in the secure portion of the mine. To this wise decision they owe their lives. The roof continued falling for many hours, after which the men penetrated in every direction, but found every avenue of escape blocked, and with 500 feet of rock above their heads. There was a plentiful supply of pure air, as the fan in the engine-house was never stopped fora moment, while an abundant natural flow of water satisfied their thirst. The first day’s experience was a horrible one, filled with fears of a slow, lingering death, but after the second day the reports of the blasts fired by the relief party came to their ears from time to time, and encouraged them to hope. Their provisions soon gave out, and, on Thursday, the mule was tied with ropes, killed with a heavy hammer, and dressed and quartered with an ax, affording them food for many days. A fire was built, and the mule-steaks boiled in the dinner-pails, or broiled on the covers. The carcass was with difficulty saved from the hungry rats, which were present in droves. Not a watch was owned by the party, and they were in ignorance of the time, losing their reckoning by twenty-four hours. The time was passed in explorations, in occasional examinations of the roof, and in weary waiting, with but little sleep. The entire party united in fervent prayer each day, and say that they never lost heart until Sunday night, when, as the blasting ceased, owing to the final approach into the lowest gangway, they feared that the workers had either been driven from their post by gas, were going in the wrong direction, or had abandoned the search. It was after eighteen hours of dead silence that they heard the call of their rescuers. This morning the scene at the mouth of the pit when they made their appearance, cannot be described. The multitude could hardly believe their eyes, and it was several minutes before the situation could be grasped, when a shout arose that made the hills ring and echo with joy as friends received their dear ones and comrades grasped the hands of the rescued. The spectacle was so thrilling as to break down strong men in tears. Conveyances and physicians were in waiting, but none Were needed, as the men looked none the worse for their terrible experience, and stated that they could have lived for days to come.