F497 H5G5 ^ •^ <$> * a „ o 5 A^ » •'Safft" ^ oV -sill*"- ^o« <* ^' ^ y ^. y >(S O > SECOND EDITI ON-FIFTH THOUSAND. THE THRILLING NAERATIVE OF EDGELL, PEARSON, GATWOOD AND SAVAGE, WHO WERE RESCUED, AFTER HAVING BEEN BUEIED ALIVE SEVEN ETOD.EED FEET UNDER GROUND, FOE FOURTEEN DAYS AND THIRTEEN HOURS IN THE BLUE BOCK COAL MINES: 1 i BY ROBERT U GILT MORE. ZANESVILLE, OHIO: QILLMORE& BENNETT, POINTERS 1856. [fflSST EDITION OS 1 2000 SOLD IN TWO DAYS.] THE THRILLING NARRATIVE OP E06EIL, PEARSON, GATWOOD AND SAVAGE, WHO WERE RESCUED, AFTER HAVING BEEN BUEIED ALIVE SEVEN HUNDRED FEET UNDER GROUND, FOR FOURTEEN DAYS AND THIRTEEN HOURS ^^TX"3?3E3:C>-0" , X B POOD, IN THE BLUE ROCK COAL MINES, BY ROBERT H GILLMORE. ZANESVILLE, OHIO: ILL MORE & BENNETT, POINTERS 1856. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by GILLMOBE & BENNETT, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States few the Southern District of Ohio. A CARD, The manuscript copy of the principal narrative in this work, is authenticated by the following card : " We, the undersigned, have had the fore- going narrative read to us. It was taken down by Mr. Robert H. Gill more as told by us to him. It is correct in every particular, and gives a faithful ac- count of our doings and sufferings while in the mine. We have given a full narrative to no other person" WILLIAM EDGELL, JAMES PEARSON, JAMES GATWOOD, EDWARD SAVAGE. Witness : L. G. Converse, James Owens, J. P. Weaver. As an additional proof of authenticity, it may be stated that the narrative was read in the presence of the rescued men, to a large assembly of the citizens ot Zanesville, on Friday evening, May Jl6th f 1856. EXPLANATION. The cut on the prec 'ding page is a Plat of the greater portion of the 13 hie Rock Coal Mine. The entry in use, at the time of the accident, opens upon the banK oi the Muskingum river at A. From A to 1 the accident occasioned no injury to the eniry. (1) Commencement of obstruction. (2) Point where the men were rescued. (4) Room where Edgell was at work. (5) <• * Savage " " (6) « " Pearson " " (1) " " Gat wood " * (S) Room occupied by the men during their con- finement. The deposit of Copperas-water was found in a room near 7. The entry extending in a right line from 1 to the top of the cut, is the old entry to which frequent reference is made in the narrative. Its direction is nearly west. 0. Old Owen's entry; not in use and filled up. Distance from A to 2; seven hundred feet. PRE FACE. On Tuesday the 13th of May, 1856 , I pro- ceeded in company with a friend, to visit the scene of the late catastrophe at Blue Rock, with the design of obtaining from the rescued miners, a narrative of their thoughts, acts and sufferings during their (nearly) fifteen days horrible imprisonment in the mine. The interest which the community, and in- deed the whole country, has felt in their fate: the intense anxiety with which the labors of the workmen were regarded before that fate was known ; the rejoicing of tens of thousands when their safety and deliverance were announ- ced, all this induced me to believe that such a narrative would be a most acceptable offering to the public. In addition to this, the case is one which presents to the eye of science many marked anomalies. History has few parallels. To permit it to pass without preserving a full and accurate record of all the accompanying crcumstances would not only have prevented the gratification of a very natural curiosity by the public,but would have deprived investigation of reliable data for determining the causes of facts which seem almost miraculous and inex- plicable. These circumstances I have endeavored to atate with the utmost accuracy. So far as the narrative of the rescued men is concerned, it may be received as scrupulously correct in all particulars. In reporting it, I confined my- self exactly to the statements given me by the men themselves, endeavoring, as far as would be compatible with perspicuity, to use their specific language. The greater portion of two days was occupied in thus eliciting from them the narrative. During this time they were all together, and as each told his story, his recollection was assisted by that of his companions. I sought to get not only the minute facts, but all the facts ; and endeav- ored as far as I was capable to cover with my questions . the whole range of enquiry When I had finished, and read to them the manuscript, each replied individually to my question, that he "knew of nothing more to give." 8 The matter which precedes the narrative was, most of it, prepared for the Zanesville Gazette; a portion of it I wrote upon the ground, as the circumstances transpired. I cannot conclude without tendering my ac- knowledgements to the citizens of Blue Rock for the many kind attentions I have received during my repaated visits ; and adding, at the same time, my humble testimony in perpetu- ation of their heroic efforts during the fourteen days of agony and suspense which will make their neighborhood a celebrity through coming *"*)?• Robert H. Gillmorr. zanesville, May 15, 1856. THE BLUE ROCK COAL MINES. The above mines are situated on the wes- tern bank of the Muskingum river, in the an- gle formed by the confluence of the small stream known as the Blue Rock run, with that river, and in Harrison township, Muskin- gum County, Ohio. The stratum of coal at this point is about four feet in thickness. The southern outcrop of this particular vein, is found a short distance below ; beyond that it disappears entirely. In quality, the coal is excellent, and is of the peculiar formation which miners denominate "curly." It is in extensive demand, principally by salt furnaces situated at points above and below on the Muskingum river. The stratum of rock which overlays this vein is a slaty soap-stone ; light blue in color subject to rapid disintegration when ex- posed to atmospheric influences; but forming an admirable and safe roof for the miner when properly protected. The particular mine which has occasioned the following pages, is owned by Messrs Ste- phen H. Guthrie and James Owens jr. Pre- 10 vious to the time at which these gentlemen came in possession of it, a large amount of coal had been taken out from the northern portion and the mining is said to have been cone acted in an unusally reckless manner. — It is stated, on good authority, that many of the looms were forty feet square ; and the pil- lars small in size and comparatively few in number. The hill above the mine, is suppos- ed to have an altitude of not less than two hundred and twenty feet. Such an immense pressure should have dictated more than ordi- nary caution. The absence of this has proved the cause of one of the most remarkable catas- trophes on record — especially remarkable,inas- inuch as against such overwhelming odds, not a single life was lost by it. The mine fell in on Friday, the 25th of April, at about 11 o'clock A. M. 'At the time of the accident, twenty persons, some of whom were lads, were employed in it. Some were standing on the platform at the mouth of the entry, others on the inside saved them- selves by a precipitate flight. Upon examina- tion, it was found that sixteen were safe, but that four persons, viz. William Edgell, Jas. Pearson, James Gatwood and Edwakd Savage were either imprisoned in the mine or crushed to death by the falling mountain. Hope pre- 11 ponderated strongly in favor of the former alter- native, inasmuch as it was known that these persons were at work in a portion of the mine from which no large amount of coal had been taken, and which, in consequence, was sup- posed to be comparatively safe. The following is a list of the persons who escaped. James (Duck) Menear, John Hopper, James Larrison, George Ross, George Robinson, William Edgell, Sr. Uriah McGee, William Gheen, Timothy Lyons, Patrick Savage (boy) Hiram Larrison '* G. W. Simmons, Franklin Ross, (boy.) William Miller, ik James Savage, " Thomas Edgell, " It was immediately determined that an at- tempt should be made for the rescue of the imprisoned men. The same evening the water was drawn off from the mouth of the entry, and as soon thereafter as possible the excavation commenced. The labor and danger involved in this can 12 scarcely be appreciated by one who was not on the ground. It was necessary to combine the greatest possible speed with the utmost caution A single false step would have brought a terrible destruction upon the exca- vators ; for during their labors, the crumbling HILL HUNG WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TONS OF PRESSURE, IMMINENT AND THREATENING ABOVE THEIR HEADS !* Have all the annals of the past a peril by flood or held or fire more awful? _ Can history point us to an example of hero- ism more deserving honor, than that of the brave men who labored night and dayalthoudi every moment in danger of a sudden and ter- rible death, to rescue these four persons/who were bound to them only by the ties of a com- mon humanity ? The advance was made step by step Three men only could work at a time. Indeed it may be said that every foot gained, was the work of a single individual, for there was room lor but one workman in front; the others, be- hind him received the fragments as he passed them back. Posts and caps were used to sup- 13 port the falling roof. The material encounter- ed, was principally rock, of the character be- fore described, sometimes in small fragments at others in immense masses, lying in every conceivable position. In one direction, the rock would split with the freedom of a chest- nut log ; in the other it was almost as tough and stubborn as iron. The work was continued in this mode, night and day, with varying success, for fourteen days. An immense concourse was, most of the time, on the ground. No difficulty was experienced in obtaining workmen. Miners Hocked (o the rescue of their brethren from miles around. Merchants and farmers clothed themselves in miner's costume and joined in the common labor. Brave hearts and stout arms at last gained the victory. At a meeting held upon the ground May 2d, the following proceedings were had : At a meeting of citizens here assembled, H. Teeter was appointed President, and W. T. Talley Vice President; P. Devol and Samuel Roberts. Secretaries. On motion, Dr. A. Lewis "and Rev. J. J. M. Dicky were appointed a committee on resolutions ; who retired and re- ported the following preamble and resolutions, which were read and adopted : 14 Whereas, The citizens here assembled, sen- sibly, and feelingly realizing the awfully ca- lamitous affair in which the lives of four of our citizens are jeopardised, even to dreadful des- truction, either by starvation, suffocation from poisonous gasses, or by being crushed be neath falling rocks and earth — have in solemn con- vention assembled to give expressions of sympathy and to give a true statement of af- fairs as they exist: Resolved, That to correct false reports, and to keep the public informed as to the true con- dition of matters involved in this sad catastro- phe, a committee of three be appointed to re- port as often as necessary for the publie through the press. Resolved, That in view of the expense in- curred by some of the residents, who have spared neither time, money, provisions nor labor, to rescue their friends, persons whose circumstances are in no way able to incur such sacrifices, that the citizens of the Muskingum valley be called upon to contribute of their abundance to defray the above expense. Resolved, That in view of the risk of life, undermining of health, and fatigue of those who have so manfully and energetically labor- ed day and night to dig out and reach those entombed alive \ the public be called upon to 15 contribute the sums necessary to pay them for their time and service. Resolved, That the indefatigable energy and untiring perseverance which has charac- terized the owners of the bank, in sparing neither money nor labor, to save those unfor- tunate miners, calls for universal admiration and gratitude. Resolved, That in the opinion of those best acquainted with the premises; the expense of each consecutive day is about $200,00. Resolved, That a Committee of Finance be appointed to disburse the funds collected and that H. Teeter, D. Devol, Samuel Dozer and J. P Weaver, be that Committee. Resolved, That every man in the communi- ty consider himself a committee of one to so- licit donations to be placed in the hands of the Finance Committee. Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting are herby tendered to the Rev. J. J. M. Dick- ey, for his eloquent remarks on this occasion. Resolved, That these proceedings be pub- lished in the Zanesville, McConnelsville and Malta papers. Adjourned. 11. TEETER, Pres't. W. T. Talley, V. P. D. Devol, ) ^ Sam. Roberts, J J ESCAPE FROM THE MINE OF WILLIAM EDGELL, Sr., AS NARRATED BY HIMSELF. "I am the father of William Edgell, jr., one of the rescued miners. Was at work in the coal mine on the 25th of April. Ate my din- ner that day,at about 10 o'clock, A. M. Miners usually dine about the middle of the forenoon. I noticed nothing wrong about the bank that morning. At half past ten o'clock, went in with my car as quickly as 1 could and loaded up with coal. The miners were racing, and I was not disposed to be behind. Returning with a load of coal, pushing my car before me, I encountered another resting on the track. A lad was standing beside it, whom we all regard as rather weak in the upper storey. He was crying ; and when I asked him what was the matter, replied, that the bank was falling in. Pausing to listen, I heard a roaring off to the left, in the old diggings, which are situated in the northern part of the mine. I hesitated a moment, what to do. Noticing that the boy seemed bewildered and stupified, and that he was standing in a place which would probably 17 be the first to fall from overhead, I toldhim to move. He seemed to have lost the little wit he had, and stood stock still. " Come away," said I, " move, or I'll make you do it." He finally started for the mouth of the entry, — Having got him off, I thought I would go back to where Pearson, Gatwood, Savage, my son William, and others were at work, and inform them of their danger. In the mean time I ob- served that the pillars of coal were craivling outwards at the bottom. Chunks of coal be- gan to fly from one side of the entry against the other. They went with such force that I think they would have cut a man in two, if they had hit him. All this occurred in less time than it takes me to tell it. Others had got to where I was standing, with their cars. I start- ed back to warn the boys ; but it was too late. The mine was falling so rapidly in that direc- tion, that it would have beenmadness to ven- ture. The way was already impassable. I turned towards the mouth; it was falling in that direction, too. The principal commotion seemed to be over towards the north, in the old part of the mine. I called to the boys : " hurry out — hurry out." As I turned, some- thing struck my light and knocked it out. — There were lights behind me, but I stumbled on in perfect darkness. In the race I struck 2 18 a pile of earth which had fallen in the entry, and pitched clear over it. When I rose, I was on fair ground again, and went on rapidly, cal- ling to the boys to follow. I came to a place where *he light shone in from the mouth. I was safer now, but there was danger yet. At once, a sudden faintness came over me. I grew blind and dizzy ; my knees became weak and it seemed impossible to move one foot before another ; they were as heavy as lead. But somehow I struggled on and found myself upon the platform. I rallied at once and determined to go back for the rescue of the men inside, but those around, wouldn't allow it. In perhaps three minutes, three others came out. They descri- bed the condition of the inside. I knew in a moment that it was impossible to make way through alive. My poor boy was buried in the mountain. You may imagine how I felt ; I cannot tell you. Timothy Lyons who boarded with me, was the last one out. He had started out to see what was keeping the track obstructed. In doing so, he ran against some other cars and knocked his light out. In the pause he heard the bank groaning and breaking. Hurrying back to waxn others and having done so, he started to return, but became bewildered in 19 the dark. He became completely lost, and knew not where to go. The falling mass had crowded him up against a pillar. His right arm was caught and held tightly against it. — He sought to get it free, pulling until it almost left the socket ; but it would not come. He wrenched it again ; but it seemed immovable. In his despair he threw all his strength into one effort more. He was free. In the suddea movement, his left hand struck a car. He knew it must be upon the track. Blind, bleeding, and stunned, fighting his way through the fal- ling mine, he at last stood upon the platform. A gash six inches long, was cut in his back; another on his head, and his shoulders were bruised all over. When he reached us, he was all a gore of blood. From the Zaneevjlle Gazette— Extra, May 10, THE FOURTEENTH, AND LAST, DAY AT THE WINE. A LONG SUSPENSE,-TIIE FINAL RESCUE. Friday Morning, May 9th. Arrived on the ground at 10 o'clock this morn- ing. A large number of people in attendance, all of whom are gathered around the opening of the mine, but prevented from obstructing it by a rope, which is, stretched, circus fashion, on f takes, en- closing about one eighth of an acre. Three men are constantly at work on the lever of a large bel- lows which is situated at the exterior of the orifice, supplying the excavators with air, which is carried, through a long section of .hose, which is said to be further lengthened by lead pipe. Eleven o'clock. There is much excitement. A miner has just been relieved from his 'trick.' He has a crowd of people around him, to whom he is narrating a communication just had with the buried miners. Get him away from the throng. Says that just before he came from the mine, EdgelI(one of the four who have now been entombed for 14 days) came within talking distance, and asked the narrator, George Lyons, what dav it was. Told him Friday morning. Edgell evidently had the impression that he had been in only one week. Was anxious to know what time we could §-et him out. Told him we thought we should be able to do it in the course of the day. Said I would stay 21 with him. He replied, " do George ; come in to us—God bless your souls, come in to us." He did not complain of hunger: said they were "well and happy, only that they had no light— their lamps had gone out when the fall first occurred." Told Edgell he must go bacK to his place and stay there until we called him or came to him. Said he would, but he must come every 3 hours to know how they were getting along. The miners s iy that they are getting along slow- ly. A large rock has fallen slantingly into the en- try and there is no way but to block it up and excavate under it; are afraid the rock will give them trouble. It is possible that it may slip, and it so a large amount of loose rock and earth will fol- low. It is dangerous working at best. The whole hill above is crumbling and the props are very in- secure against such an immense pressure. The foul air is also very troublesome. The workmen say that they do not experience any difficulty in breathing; but their lights will not barn. The 'damp' seems to be lodged in nests, sometimes a lamp will go out one foot distant from the spot where it will burn freely. Sometimes it will burn best at the top of the mine, and sometimes it will go oat there but will burn very well at the bottom. It has been necessary to weather board the passage on the sides and overhead and stop all the cracks with clay, to prevent the ingress of fcul air. Conversed with a miner who was at work yes- terday when the discovery was first made that the men were alive, says their attention was arrested by a smothered 'humming' like that of men holding 22 subdued conversation. Listening attentively, they then heaid them walking about over the track. — Having given a halloo, it was responded to. Then called to them, asking if all were well ; reply, "all are well ; but c ur lights are out." They next en- quned if any had been killed by the accident.— Gatwood was anxious to know if his wife and friends were near him. None of them seemed to have any idea oi time. At one o'clock P. M.— Bad news. The men are not progressing in their work, in consequence of foul air. Their lamps cannot be kept burning. They are compelled to work with the light 15 or 20 feet distant. A workman has just come out who says that they have not been excavating for an hour. A new experiment is being tried. Mir- rors have been taken in to reflect the light. A man has I een sent off post hsste, for a globe lamp, with the hope that they may succeed in making it burn. Things look gloomy. Some are predicting that the men will never be got out alive. A workman just from the inside, says that the poor fellows are complaining of being ven hungry. They are anxious to know why the noise of digging has ceased— -say they cannoi st;md it much longe?. It is supposed that only about five feet of eaith yet remain to be taken out. Edgell seems to be in low spirits. Seems to think he will not get out alive; has sent messages to his friends, telling them not to grieve for him, that if he dies he will die happy. The mirror experiment is a failure. It has been abandoned. The globe lamp has also had to be thrown aside. It will not bum. 23 Three o'clock— The crowd is increasing. Not less than a thousand people are now on the ground, a great proportion of whom are females. The in- terest is intense. Good news. A car has just come out loaded with earth and rock. The men are at work again, and working bravely. The police h;»ve great dif- ficulty in keeping people outride the rope. A report is current that the men have been reach- cd but is directly contradicted. Another workman just from within. A hundred voices in different directions are calling out, "Pete come here"-- " come herePete"— u Get on the platform and tell us all about it" We get his attention for a mo- ment. He savs they are getting along finely, that thev have got to a place where they can see 8 or 9 feet over the rubbish. The roof of the mine is becoming very good and safe. Does not know anything about Edgell and his companions ; hasn t heard them for some time. Cars are coming out frequently, loaded with pieces ot stone, and each one makes an excitement, in the crowd as it appears. A rush ensues, so that it is not possible to keep the wav clear. the workmen inform us that they have greatly reduced the size of the excavation, it being the ob- ject now to make an entrance just sufficient to ad- mit of the passage of a man. The last time a con- versation was had with the poor fellows buried within, thev seemed to have lost all courage, and, as th.;y left 'the plaoe where their conversations take place, to retire to a safer position, they declared that they were going back to lie down and die. 24 Half past four. All persons have just be^n re- quested to retire from the area around the opening, and the physicians and their assistants have been called into it, in order to be ready for the occasion that all are lookii.g for with such interest. As a particular favor, we have been included among the M. D's. Worst news o I all. Has providence withdrawn from us ? — In twenty minutes the men would have been rescued, but the mint has fallen in ! The obstruction is not supposed to be very ex- tensive but the workmen are so frightened that they can give us no reliable information. It may indeed be true that the four men have laid down to die. - This suspense is horrible. The cas have ceased coming from the mine anc a general dejection has settled over the whole as- sembly. Half past six. The news is more favorable. A workman from within informs us that the rock which has fallen in, is only a spaul or fragment and, although quite large, is not so great as was ex- pected. They have had another conversation with the buried men. They seem in better spirits and tell the workmen not to be discouraged, that the falling in is not extensive, and, say they, "we can hold out two days longer if necessary." It is thought now that it will require most of the night to remove the obstruction. The "'John Buck" comes in sight and although the guards are crowded with passengers, she does not stop at the mine but lands at a warehouse above. We regretfully hasten to get on board leav- 25 in" it for other eyes to behold and other pens to chronicle the event, which, we trust in providence, will occur before another twenty-four hours have passed. ■■' "«_'-'• The journal is continued by Mr. Guthrie, to whose kindness we arc indebted for the following notes : r .. tfeue/i o'clock.— The diggers report, the fall was not so serious as was supposed. It occurred m the left of the main entry. It made a very loud noise. The men are safe and in good heart. Half past seven.— Word sent out for the best set of wheelers on the ground. They are again driving in over the last fall. The roof is sound overhead. Cars out again ; all right inside. Eight o'clock.— Some delay. Posts and c^ps are wanted. The men are moving slowly to secure a post on the right, that the roof may not again give way. , , Half past eight.— -The roof is reported sound.. Men are much encouraged. Watch fires are lit up without. Cars out again ; al in fine spirits. The cars are out again once in fifteen minutes. They are working lively. Ed^ell from within cheers the men : tells them to 'go^it— can stand il for two days yet/— Cars out in six minutes Glorious News /—The entombed men are all standing up cheering the workmen. One of the latter is fanning the poor lellows. Orders are sent out to bring in necessary cloth- ing. Great excitement; but good order is preserv- 26 it „In e asse , mb! y, is ^quested not to cheer when the men are brought out. thfmL PaSl eleven -- Cleari "S the space between THEY ARE RESCUED ! They are brought this side the cave. They are safe !— Hurrah I —Thank God. y Edgell and Pearson are able to walk. All are stop- ped by order of the physicians, in the entry _ Doctors Brown, Lewis and Rusk have gone in with rice water and soup. Find hem requiring no med- ical treatment except good nursing. Committees of four to each person are appoint- ed who bear them carefully to the cabins Poor fellows. No sons of Ethiopia ever wore blacker faces. How pinched and starved they look! How wild and prominent arc their area! white eyes. As you look upon them, you can see but httle else But what are those white f row" down their cheeks ?-_Tears? Considering all things, Edgell looks remarkably well; being a fleshy young man, he is not much emaciated.Pea son, and the boy Savage are some- what reduced Gatwo >d very much so ? nd very weak. Edgell took a taste of soup, while in the emry and remarked that it was much better than the copperas- water they have been drinking vZm b ° y SaV '? ge u rSt asked for *9"to '«J 'tobacco. Edgel enquired what day it was, and being an- swered that H was Frilay,he turned to Pearson and «u week!' ym Wi lladbeen in °«h 27 The men report that for the first five or six days, Pearson and Gatwood were very delirious, bm that the others were peifectly sane. They did not use the jug of oil. The only food they have had during their whole imprisonment was the dinner provided for two men. After the men were rescued, very little conver- sation with them was allowed, so that we hi ve nothing further of interest, to report, more than that the men are all doing well. The workmen have burrowed through about lour hundred feet ot earth and rock. The men were rescued at a point seven hundred feet distant from the entrance to the mine. PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF GATWOOD. PEARSON. EDGELL AND SAVAGE. James Gatwood, aged twenty-two years. "Had been married exactly five months the day I was im- prisoned in the coal mine. Had been at work only three days when the accident took place ; and previous to that time, had never struck a pick in coal. Rather liked the business. "The morning the accident happened, and while taking oir my last car-load, just after passii g the dip was considerably frightened by hearing a o re at crash behind me. I now thinkit was the first symp- toms of giving way in the mine ; but at 'he time,* as a car soon after came up to me, from behind, I concluded that the noise had been made by it, although I remem- ber thinking that the noise was* a very loud one for a car to make." Edward Savage. "I am in my sixteenth year.— Have a father living, but no mother. Have been liv- ing with my Uncle " Duck" (James Menear) ever since my Mothers death." James Pearsox. " Am in n y thirty-third year.— Have been mining, off and on, ever since I was four- teen years old. Never before met with any accident m a coal bank. Worked in the entry in which we were imprisoned, for the first time last summer; felt afraid of the mine then. Too much coal had been taken out of it, and the pillars left were so small, that I thought it could not be otherwise than dangerous. I can scarcely tell why I allowed myself to continue as a miner in it. Have a wife and two children." 29 William Edgell, jr., aged twenty years. " I had been at work in the mine but half a day when the ac- cident occurred. At the time it happened was just coming out with my sixth car-load. "The mine gave way on the 25th day of April, at about 11 o'clock A. M. On the morning of that day, there had been considerable confusion among the workmen, owing to the fact that the track had not been kept clear; got a little out of humor myself. About the time the accident happened, we had our cars ready loaded to come out, and were waiting tor others to come back. As they did not come, we supposed they were idle and finally started with our cars, determined to come out at all events, and if we met them returning, to make them turn off the track. Myself, Pearson and Savage started out at the same time. My car was in front , Pearson next and Savage behind. We had gone about two hundred feet, or a little more, when I ob- served that my car ran over some slate which had fal- len in the entry, and then in a moment, it ran against another car which was standing on the track. I stop- ped, supposing that it belonged to some one who was digging in some of the side entries, and called oirt : H \vhose in the h— 1 car is this standing on the track ?" I listened for an answer; but in a minute or less, I heard the bank breaking with a sound like that of dis- tant thunder, I turned round and said to Pearson ; « Jim, the bank is falling in." He replied « it can >t be Bill." One of us, I forget which, said : " let us hurry and get out." We ran around our cars, and had advanced about twenty feet, when I suddenly struck a pile of slate which had fallen down, blocking the entry entirely up. In doing so I knocked my light 30 out. Finding I could not get ahead, I called out to Pearson, whose light was still burning, and said to him, run back Jim, there is a bluff' place and we can't get out We started back at once ; the slate was falling in chunks from the roof between us and our cars ■ we hurried back beyond them and met Ned Savage, Whose car had got up to ours, and was stopped on the track by them. I said to him, "Ned, for God's sake the bank^has all fallen in ;" he replied, "no, it can 't be, HU . Pearson then suggested that we should go back and get into the old diggings in the north pan of the mine, as that might not have fallen in. We were about starting when Ned Savage said, "let's get all the oil we can find." We started back to hunt for oil when we met Gatwood coming with his car loaded It had become fast in a hole on the track and he was trying to get it loose, I said to him, "Jim, the bank has all laJlen in, he replied, in a frightened way, " Oh no, I reckon not." Pearson told him to come with us' he " thought we could get out through the old di^ins at the air hole ;" "if we can't," says he, "we're gone. We all started together as fast as we could go, and got about 200 feet to an old blind entry. We found the mine falling faster than it had been at the place where we left the cars. The falling was still accompanied by a rumbling noise ; the pillars of coal along the entry, were bursting out at the sides and bot- tom, and the whole mine was jarring and trembling. We found the passage we aimed for entirely stopped up ; then we turned back into the main entry where our cars were, thinking we might possibly find a way out there, but we saw it falling worse than ever. We found we were completely shut in. We at once saw 31 there was no escape. We gave up all hope. Pearson spoke first and said " boys, let us go back and make up our bed whereon to die." We went into some of the other miners' rooms where we found shovels which had bten used by them ; then going to the head of the entry, in a small room ( at 8 ) we shoveled together a quantity of dry, loose dirt for our bed. The room which we had chosen, like the other parts of the mine, was only four feet high. To stand up straight in it was, oi course, impossible. Miners when at work, always sit down or kneel. In our search, we had found two dinners which had been left by the hands. We carried them to our bed, where we sat down and all took a piece. We thought we might as well eat all we wanted at once; but after we got through there was about half of it left. Our own dinners were not brought to the mine as we were in the habit of coming out and going to our homes for that meal. The provisions we found consisted of four pieces or bread, two of which were buttered and clap- ped buUer side together ; four small pieces of fried ba- con ; two boiled eggs and two pickles split in two. — None of us felt much hungry. W T e had other things to think about. Pearson took Savage with him and went back to his (Pearson's) room where they found a gallon jug of water which contained about three quarts ; Savage went to the room where Jim Larnson had been working, where he found a half gallon jug, which I (Edgell) remembered having taken a drink from out on the platform, in the morning, before he brought it into the mine. This jug was only half full or thereabouts. We also found a jug belonging Jo James Menear which had only about half a gallon in 32 it. We gathered these jugs (all we could find) together and set them down by the bed which we had made. Very little talking was done while this was going on. Pearson, when he went for his jug of water, bro ight with him his can of oil holding about half a pint. I (Edgell) got my father's jug of oil in which there was about two thirds of a quart, Gatwood had a pint flask in his pocket irom which he said he had filled his lamp a couple of times. This was all the oil we had. All this time, it is to be understood, that the part of the mine in which we were, was perfectly solid, though we could, distinctly hear it cracking and falling out towards the mouth. We all laid down on our bed. Pearson said he thought that if the folks on the out- side, tried at all to get us out, they would commence at the old Owen's entry, which was about 200 feet south from the mouth of the entry we used, and dig us out from there. I agreed with him about this, and said they never could open the mine which h-ui fallen in, for the whole mountain had given way. Gatwood said he thought so too, and " did'nt believe the men on the outside would risk their lives to get us out." — While lying here, we talked the matter over and tried to imagine every place where there might be any pos- sibility of escape. We could think of none. After awhile we got up and went to the main entry. We found the slate was still falling and the entry get- ting filled up nearer to us. We did not stop long to look at it, but as we came back we crossed over to the old entry again, which was also still caving in. Find- ing our search useless we came back to our beds again and laid down. While we were lying there, Pearson said to us, 33 s as each of us de- sired. As there was not much of it, it did not last us very long. When the mine was falling fastest, our prison oecame very cold. The air was so chilly that^ it seemed like pouring cold water down our backs. The only way we could at all keep warm was to get down on our bed and take turns of lying in the middle. — Some times we would lie on top of each other ; but do what we would, we were always cold. Edgell thinks he never suffered so much the bitterest winter he ever 3 knew. Pearson and Gatwood are sure that they never felt the cold so severely an) day last winter. We were all thinl\ clothed, none of us, having anything more than a shirr and n pair of pan's, and besides this, we had all of us, according to miner's fashion, torn off the sleetes ol our shirrs to Keep them out of ihe way when We were at work; consequently our arms suffered more from the odd than any part of our bodies. Short- ly after we were shut in, Penrson in going into one of the rooms found a pea jacket which had belonged to Bdl Gheen. This he mnde use of, a* d derived some comfort fro n it, although both arms were missing from ft also. Ned Savage too, was fortuna'e in finding a woolen sack, which we recognized as the property of a little boy named Franklin Ross. Ned found it much too small for a good fit ; but after awhile he managed to get it on, )et not without tearing one of the arms o«: We think we filled our lamps nine or ten times. — They generally burn about an hour for a filling. At U r this we found that they began to burn dimly and w* hat! great difficulty in keeping them alive. We lighted three of them and set the wicks all together so as to form but one blaze. The lamps we use aie shaped like small coffee pots, the wick coming out of the spout at the side ; so that it was \ery easy to ar- range them in this way. They kept burning more and more faintly. We trimmed them and kept lift- ipg tip the wick, but it was all of no avail. They at last went out, and h ft us in total darkness. There was not the least glimmer of light left for our eyes No midnight was ever so dark. Gatwood says he placed his hand before his eyes in the hope that he might be 35 ablp to see it, but it was impossible to discover anything in the slightest decree. After our lamps went nut, not withstanding we knew it was in consequence of thte damp, Edgell seemed very anxious to light them a^ain. He asked if any of us had any matches. Pearson said he had, and ^avu him five nr six which happened 10 be in his pocket. We had a board which we used for a pillow. E Igell raised himself upon his elbow aid struck one upon the board. It blazed and continued to burn until the brimsume was gone and then went out. He tried one after another, they all blazed up like the first, but like it went out as soon as the brim- sto ae was consumed. He then laid down and wasla- mentinorour want of light. We seemed to feel 'he want of ligit m )re th an aaviam^ else. Thepen-ct darkness was the most terrible part of our situation. After Edgell had been lying down with the rest of us for some time, (he and Gatwood were then lying in the middle) he turned to him (Gatwood) and asked him if he had any matches. Gatwood says, " I thought at first that I would deny that I had any, for I did not think they would burn then, and I hoped that they would do better after a while; but then I thought again that it was death at all events, and it would not be right to lie about it at such a time. The bottle of oil which was in my left pocket, had got unstopped, and it had leaked all over me. My hands were covered with it, and I was afraid that if I took hold of the matches I would wet them and keep them from burning ; but I managed to get hold of the paper in which they were wrapped and so handled them without injury. Edgell tried them just as he had the others, but met with no better success. Our last chance of light was now gone. None of the company had any matches remaining." 36 We had found a broad board, which we laid on its edge across the mouth of the room we were in, in order to keep out the cold air which seemed to pour in, in a stream from the entry. Whene\er we went to take a look at the entry where it had fallen in, we crept to the board, felt along it, until we reach- ed the opening, and then feeling lor the track, we went on our hands and feet until we came to the break-down. We were in the habit of doing this very olien, for this and lying on our bed were all we had to do. Sometime?, however, we would sit up and huddle together. We fre- quently had contentions as to who should lu j in the mid- dle. Indeed almost every time we changed, there was a little scolding on this account. We were very much crowded, as the room was small. We could only find sufficient space when we were lying diagonally across it. Sometimes we got out of fix, and the outsider would get jammed up against the sharp corners of the coal, when he would call out " lay over there." "I can't lie over," would be the reply, u for I am chuck up against the coal myself." "Well if you don't I won't lie here," would be the answer. The outsider would then get up awhile, but becoming cold he would soon lie down again. A little snarling would follow; then we would talk it all over; get eater-cornered again and be more comfortable. After the water in our jugs gave out, we used to quarrel a little as to who should go for water. We got our water in a room about 50 feet distant, which had a dip or low place in the floor. It was very strongly impregnated with copperas. In order to get it into the jug, we took the cover of a tin-buck- et, which had contained the dinner, and bending it so as to make a suitable mouth we would dip up the wa- 37 ter and pour it through the left hand which we held funnel-shaped at the mouth of the jug. This water was, at fust wry disagreeable, but Pearson thinks there was something about it which in some way help- ed to Mistain life. He thought very shortly alter he began using it, that the pangs of hunger became less severe and frequent and the gnawings at his stomach less painful For sometime after we were first confin- ed/he paroxysms of hunger weie frequent and terrible to bear. It seemed as though we must have food or die,then as the hours wore on, these paroxysms became less and less common. Towards the last they seldom occurred. "After a time," he says, "I became delirious. Strange dreams were running through my head. Every good dinner I ever ate seemed, in turn, to be standing before me again. I did not merely cfre un that J saw them thus, but they were as plain before my eyes as you are now, sir. Tables loaded with nobie baked hams and delicious pies, were just within my reach, but my delirium never extended so far as to make me believe I was eating them. Not- withstanding they were so temptingly near me, I never enjoyed more than the sight of them, and then I would wake up from my delusion to the full horror of my sit- uation." "Whether we had any hope left, I do not know; I can hardly tell. We would often talk over the chances of being rescued. They seemed very- dark ; and yet we frequently went towards the entries. I was the way out to the world; though we knew it was blocked up and impassible for us. Gat wood says l - I had the same strange delirium of which Pearson speaks. I also saw splendid dinners Standing beside me. I seemed to recollect all the good meals I had ever eaten. Once I seemed to be at home 38 sitting at the table, in front of my mother, in the posi- tion I aJwajs occupied. She passed me the bread, I thought; I took «, brought it to my dps and was aroused to nnd thai I had filled my mouth with bits of coal and flMSl At another time, 1 thought, my lather came mto roe hank, bearing m bis hand a plate, containing sev- eral uirrrs ,,| freshly baked short rake. I rouldseVthe fellow butler running, melted down the edge ol it — father say tome, -James are nou starving?" and Having handed me the bread, turned round and passed out again without another word. I look ihe bread and fought if to m y month but was again awakened to find myself bitmgone side of my hand." At another time I heard Edged eating something, and having asked him what it was, discovered that he was munch- ing coal." Our principal conversation was concerning things which we thought would be good to eat. First one and then another would mention something which would be peculiarly nice. Gatwood once commenced talking about an apple which his mother hnd given mm, and uhich was at home in his chest. He told us how refreshing it would be if he had it there to eat. lodged tried to stop him, saving, -quit talking so fool- is) Jim, jou are certainly getting o.az>." This kind of conversation seemed to aggravate our sufferings- making ns ieel how very nearly famished we were ' and after a while we found it would not do to permit it. \\ henevrr any of us began to talk in this way, the others would endeavor to stop him. Sometimes we would succeed in making him keep quiet, but at others, he would talk in spite of ns. Edgell says he remem- bers once to have put his hands over his ears in order that he might not hear it. He could not bear the torture 39 We frequently spoke to each other of our r<-fari v ff and friends. Gatwood once .said that he thought if he could only get to see hi> father and ra#t her alive, he would (In.* contented. He was continually pit)inz his will*. He would sometimes rise up on Ins elbu ■/ and call out very mournfully, "Oh Miriam, Miriam M Ed. » -II one: told bim to hush, " that she wa^ belter off than he was." Pearson, too, (grieved much for his wife. In some of hi* flighty spell*, be thftught he could ^« j <- his linle hoy playing on the green hit I 'Hide over hi^ head. W% was in much trouble f « >r his wile and sister He thought they must have given him up, and wondered, where they bad ^oue and what they were doing. He was much afflicted with palpitation of the heart. He had it so bad that the rest of us never allowed him but once, to go for water. We were afraid to permit him to leave US for tear he would never be able to get back •gain. We could all hear his heart beat. It sounded like a pheasant drumming in the distance, and was so loud (hat it vvould frequently prevent us from listening when ^ve wished to do «). He was subject to this complaint before the accident, but it was much a^ra- vated by hi*, suffering Gatwood once left the room with Ed gel I and Med Savage. Says, " I was <^oin^ to fill the jug with wa- ter and they were going on beyon I t) the break d >%rn. I attempted tri \t'\ back without waiting for them to - - turn ; but somehow missed my way and found that I was lost. After feeling around awhile, I gave if up and sat down to wait for Ned and £ lg*»ll to come back. Hearii^ their steps after awhile I called to K l^ell; helold me to come to him ; b it in endeavori ig to I i i », I seemed to git further away, aal finlly ha 1 to wait 40 until he came to me and took me by the hand, Ed^ell was once lost in a similar way, when he went alone to the break-down, ami had not a little trouble in finding his way back to the bed. After that we determined when we left the room, that we should always coin pairs. J ^ We experienced but little difficulty for want of air, though we were very much annoyed by the dust of which our bed was composed. It* was very fine and dry, and every time we turned or moved, it seemed to raise a cloud. Even clearing- mir throats,* when our faces were turned downwards, would blow the dust all over each other. Our throats and tongues and teeth would become coated with this disagreeable substance so that it became necessary to scrape it ofl with our fingers, wherever we could reach it. It would come off of our teeth m scales. It seemed to add very much to our thirst and kept us using the copperas- water continually. This water, although very dis- agreeable at first, became ra'her pleasant towards the last. It seemed to possess some nourishment. It be- pn to have a tast finally, like sweet milk, or rather like the whey of butter- milk. We always felt better after dunking it. * < We think we did not sleep much, nor long at a time- We were too cold to do so. Sometimes one of us would be able to sleep a little by getting io the m iddle and having another lie on the top "for acor- inlrl P , r S? . il,!v * ref ' rab,e 1 fo ,he *«? of tho Coppera.-wMer, if will J:™ a «w wie cmsiipated during xhv. en. ire eme of then im- K»nLn< Iwir er tl *"- T r cuen ,ieullh,ul BCl ™ was restored by Bicont ol cl>?,ers. and vnh rm preal d fficulry 41 erlet. Edgeli says that Pearson made the heaviest coverlet they had," and they could n't bear him on very long at a time. We sometimes used the heads of each other for pillows; but the pillow generally grumbled considerably before we had occupied it as long as we desired. . . We, of course, had no way of measuring time, but we thought we could tell from the coolness of the air, when evening came. We supposed there must be some crack in the bank through which the air was ad- mitted, for there was an evident difference at regular intervals. We did not attempt, however, to keep any account of the days. It was a long, unbroken night to us. Towards the last, Pearson did not go to the break- down at all. Savage and Gatwood say that they final- ly became so weak, that they could not go the whole distance without stopping once, and frequently twice, to rest, EdsHl however was able to make the dis- tance without resting. Veiy little merriment was indulged in by any of us. Gatwood remembers ha\ing taken one laugh at an amusing quarrel which took place between Pearson and Edgeli, as to who should sleep in the middle— Edgeli also had a laugh at Ned Savage once. They hacf started on their hands and feet to go to the break- down, and Ned who was behind, stumbled and fell ex- claiming as it happened, tl I'll be darned if that ain't down once, for the first time." Sivage seemed to keep in better spirits than any of us. He was in the habit of lamenting less about hi* friends. His principal cause of trouble was concern- ing his want of sleep. He frequently became spunky because not allowed to sleep in the middle, and when 42 his request was not granted he would threaten to tell h.s uncle "Duck" Menear and get us all a thrashing alter be got out. ■ We did not make use of the oil as food. Ed^N »ys that after they had been in about a week,orther* about, he took one s-.vallow of it. He found it very pleasant, resembling chicken jrravjr, as much as any U»ng else he can think of. He did not taste it after. wards, nor did he tell the other b *y S , but threw the can into one of the empty rooms. Hesays, " [ thmi-ht that death was certain at all events, and using the oil would only have prolonged our sufferings. I did not wis', to be the last to die" Garwood tasted the oil once, in the hope that it would relieve h.s throat which h*: J become sore from usmg copperas- water. He fm, n | i nauseating, and did not try it again. ° « Al Ti ri, n e, aS he - WaS h ^^ ] y «> the habit of doing, Edgell went with Ned S iva^ to the break- down. Arr.v.ng at it, he crept as far forward in the c ev.ce as was p„s men? ; theirs was a ro >l and steady daring, pcr- Bisted in for days and under a jeopardy as great as stor aing party ever underwent. The n uiie which heads the list, deserves to Stand there. He is one of the proprietors of the mine. He was at all times, equal to every emer- gency. Whenever the excavation became particu- larly din^erons or when, from any other cause, there wis a difficulty in finding hands, he was alwi s the first t» throw off his hat and coat and d «^h iut.> the mine; and oily threw down his pick \Vhen utterly exhausted. His effor s were contin- ued in this way until he occame p"ostrated. Duiing the f urteen days, he and his partner. Stephen H. Guthrie, Ksq., wer • uu iringand almost sleepless. Forgetful of their own heavy losses, they evidenced to all, an intensi y of interest in the fate of the miners, scarcely exceeded by that of their friends and relatives. Dr. H. Teeter was Superintendent of opera- tions, and throughout the whoie affair, acted with rare discretion and energy. 47 FIRST WORKMEN IN THE BANK DIGGERS. From Blue Ro :k. James Owens Jr , Bandy A. Men ear, JoJm P. Weaver, James Menear, Geoige YV. Teeter, Thomas Grimsby, Josiah T. Peden, B. Suverance, Jacob Trim per, George Lyons, Philip MrLaughlin, Solomon Dozer Esq., George Welsh, John Powell, Eaglesport. FIRST WHEELERS. From Blue Rock. John Melvin, John Mouts, John H. Teeter, John Swingle, Elijah Bell, Chris. Mouts, Henry Robinson, Jacob Durom, Henry Cr ) v, James Hamilton, William Swingle, Thomas Rodgers, James Riddile, G. W. Simmonds, 'Joshua Frame, William Twyman, John Hopper, f . Morrison Jr., SECOND WORKERS FROM 3 DAYS AFT E R F A L I OF B A X K. From Zanesville. William Riley, Morgan Bates, James Beatty, John Reynolds, David Munlux, Henry Birch, William J. Clark, Franklin Spinks, John Morgan, L. Uphold. John Alters Jr., John All wood, Robert Masters, L. Sions, John Woodruff. From Ro>eville. William Ed wa rd s, George Edwards, From McConnelsville. Allen Rush, James White, Laurence Harkins, John Rush, David Brooks, William Rush, Weslef Miller, 48 David Miller. From Sunday Creek. Jam : s Longstreih. From B ue Rock. Rob-rt Coleman, J. M. Riley. James Hamilton, David Welsh, Giiorge Uoss, J. B. M'Langhlin, Edward Mclntire, Uriah JMcGee, Moses Dozer, William Rose, N. Prindle, Adam Lefler, George Lerler, Isaac Shetron, John Shainer, Thomas Harve?. Fr »m Taylorsville. H. H. Anderson, John Stockdale, David Rail ley. OUT WORKERS — STEADY John Bailey, Hi run Price, Austin Huff, Aaron SowJers, William Hamilton, John Burnell, J. D.SIKS, P. IF. Sanders, Isaac Small wood, Jaob Fonts, Jeremiah Ross, George Trou , William Albright, 0. Ballon, Jacob Baughman, Henry Be^t, Jackson Bean, James Bos, G. W. Larrison, M. Armet, A. Morrison Sr., Samuel Dozer, Jaeob Ballon, David Patterson, From Taylorsviile John Lawson. hands. From Blue Rock. Lest injustice be done to the other sex, it may be mentioned that among others whose names have not been give::, Mrs. Best and both the Mrs. Men. ears, in providing food for from eighty to a hundred persons daily, underwent as much severe la^or as the most industrious miner on the ground. B'i> -3.1.1 IIWIII ""■ A JIM ffir^i! IB^n^^BI *" PUT 1! ILU MM" (Oil Mil St- ,0 i .^°^ , & c o « e „ %A ,*; c>A> ° 7 -- — A V ^ ^ ^ . r vP A x O V ^ A^ o "ok :^ $ -J*^. o . 1 /», v ,*> ^ «*\ ^ <^°^ #°. o *^^§% * " r °^ * ° " ° A° W ; : ^v *^ o ° v o & 4> °o A tf A \ o > .*■ .*" \ ^ V ,0 V V i v v i% FLA. J>^ *^iM^« ^ ^32084- -<* LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 574 603 6