Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 August 1885 — FRIGHTFUL MINE ACCIDENT. [ARTICLE]

FRIGHTFUL MINE ACCIDENT.

A Gas Explosion in a Coal Mine Near Wilkesbarre, Pa., Kills Eighteen Men. [Wilkesbarre (Pa.) special.] The most disastrous mine accident of recent years in the anthracite coal fields occurred to-day at Macanaqua, on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, fourteen miles from this city, and opposite the town of Shickshinny. Nearly a score of sturdy miners who left their homes this morning light of heart and in the best of spirits are now cold in death, having been suffocated by the deadly gas. Fifty-eight men went to work in the mine in the morning, and at half-past 8 o’clock it was discovered that the machinery that ran the fan that supplies the air was broken. The fan stopped and the gas accumulated before the men could be notified of their peril. A few escaped by their own efforts, but nearly all were overcome and met gasping deaths. Twelve bodies have been recovered. Following are the names of the dead: James Whalen, aged 53; leaves three children. William Price, aged 25; unmarried. Peter Bovastski, aged 27; unmarried. Anthony Bovastski, brother of Peter Bovastski, aged 23; unmarried. William Zerkie, aged 24; unmarried. Nicholas Bertch, 45 years old; leaves a wife and five children. James Fry, 32 years old; leaves a wife and two children. John Bilby, aged 46; leaves a wife and four children. Anthony Borskie, aged 24; unmarried. Wilson Rymer, aged 36; leaves a wife and three children. Anthony N. Yurski; unmarried. John Broskoski, aged 28. Thousands of excited people are loitering about the vicinity of the disaster, and willing volunteers take turns in going into the mine to rescue those who may yet bealive, and to remove the bodies of the dead. Six more dead bodies were discovered at nine o'clock this evening. The fans are not yet at work, but an airpassage has been made through a second opening in the mine, and it is thought that the rescuers will soon be able to penetratefurther into the slope. The scenes in the town of Shickshinny and about the mines are indescribable. The friends and relatives of the doomed ones are gathered by hundreds. Women and children are mourning and weeping. Strong men shed tears, and the sobs of the bereaved wives of those who have been taken out are heartrending. Every train brings hundreds from thesurrounding towns, and it is estimated that at least a thousand people are gathered in the vicinity of the disaster. The Salem Coal Company suspended work at the mines, and all hands are helping to recover the bodies in the mines.