A GREAT COAL MINE ON FILE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2352, 30 September 1880, Page 3

A GREAT COAL MINE ON FILE.

The Kecly Eun Colliery at Shenandoah, Pa., was discovered to be on fire on August 9. On the previous Tuesday an attempt was made to ventilate the inside workings, but the three men who went down were suffocated with white damp. It was supposed that the white damp was caused by a deposit of about 16,000 tons of coal dirt that had been dumped into an old break. The following discription is given of what occured subsequently : —ln endeavouring to relieve the mine of this death-dealing agency air rushed to the coal dirt, and spontaneous combustion took place. The miners went to work as usual next morning, but before they had reached their places, the cry of “Fire"’ was raised through the gangway. The panic that immediately took place denes description. The workmen fled through the mines to the bottom of the slope crazed with fear. Smoke and gas rolled into their faces, and one after another dropped into the gutters for relief. James Thomas cried in a loud, hoarse voice, “ Como back and help me ! ” Several men, at the risk of their lives, went to his rescue, and found him on the ground vomiting and writhing in agony. The fire in the old break was increasing in strength and cracked horribl}'. The top of the slope was surrounded with people eagcrl}’- waiting for the arrival of their friends.

“Be calm,” shouted a mine ollicial “ No lives are lost.”

Down in the deep mines the mules neighed in terror. The smoke was blinding them and the bad air caused them to wheeze like children with croup. The miners tumbled over each other in their endeavours to escape. The engineer hoisted one gang after another as rapidly as his engine could do the work. As each wagon-load landed at the top they were cheered. The more seriously affected ran to beds of clay and buried their faces in it. This relieved them

of their horribly suffocating sensations.

The men are all up, now for the mules,” cried the boss. There was no lack of willing hands ready to oho y. The poor animals were soon landed safely, but on reaching the surface they staggered as if drunk. The Kccly Run is one of the host collerics in this section. Its monthly pay roll aggregates 1.0,000d01. Present indications point to its entire destruction. The vein is from thirty to seventy feet thick, and spreads for miles under the mountains and throughjthe suburbs of the town. The drowning process, will no doubt, be ado],ted in the end. This calamity, pecuniarily, is the biggest over known in the coal-fields of the United .States.

SfiK.v.vNomui, Pa., August 10. A conference of mining engineers and experts was held here to-day to decide upon a line of action wit.ii respect to the Keelcy Run Colliery fire. It was decided to attempt to cool the burning coal dirt with water, and then load it in iron wagons and hoist it to the top. .IF this plan fails, the fire will be ext.ii - guished by the introduction of steam. In covering the dirt, several men were overcome to-day with gas and were carried home. The fire continues to burn fiercely, and the people of the town are discouraged at the outlook.

Another account gives the following description of the finding of the de-td by a parly who descended into the mine : —“ Their first attempt proved fruitless, as they were compelled to return to catch good air. After remaining on top for a short lime they again went down, led by ilemingray. They did their work so swiftly that they got to the point where the m ,-n lay, Tii y ')iiickiy ru.-hed up and inform.--! l:c- e on top of their success. A fr --ii bal'-h of men again descended after Mr Ilemingray and the men w.-r,- found. The opening made in the slope had somewhat purified the air, and the rescuers were enabled to remove tiw irc-m Mr Wa-d'-y was fir'd, found. He was hint upon his fvee. with Ids hands c’asncd a<-ro-.s (lie back of hibead. Mr Reese was lying about 0 feet from him, in a .somewdiat similar po.-.iliou. Mr Wilman was furthest off, and rested with his head on one hand. They were all dead. Expert miner.-: say that it is impossible to survive for 10 minutes in the damp. Mes.-ws Reese and Wilman looked natural, hut Air Was,ley was terribly puffed, and his complexion had changed to a darkish brown. Mr Vvasley was about 40 years of age, and leaves a wife and seven children. Mr Reese was about 40 years of age, and leaves a wife and seven children. Mr Wilman was 35 years old, anil leaves a wife and three children. All three belonged to the Masonic order.