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STOEY

'Phe Springhill l]i|a|teF:

OOHPRISIMO

A FULL AND AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT

THE GREAT COAL MINING EXPLOSION

SimUuHILL MINES ^ NOI/M SCOTIR,

FEBRUARY SlBt, 1801,

INCLUDIMO A

HISTORY OP SPRINGHILL AND ITS COLLIERIES;

ALSO,

A Description of the Undergrround Workings, Mechanical

Operations and Mysteries of \;he Mine; Reviews of other

Great Coal Mining Disasters; Coal and its History;

Dangrers of Mlnlngr Operations and Safeguards

against Accidents in Mines; Explanation of

Coal Mining Terms; Itossons ft>om the

Great Calamity, Etc.

la. -A., n- ikdioiaiao'w.

FTJLTjY IXjIjTJSTI?.^TBID.

ST. JOHN, N. B.

R. A. H. MORROW,

59 Garden Street

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Entered according to Act of Parliamert of Canada in the year 1891,

By Robert A. H. Morrow,

In the Office of the Minister of Agriculture, at Ottawa.

i \

To THE

Surviving Sufferers

OF THE

Dreadful Explosion at Springhill Mines,

and all who have been

Brought to Mourn by that Terrible Calamity,

this Work, which Relates the Thrilling

Story of the Whole Scene, is Dedicated by

The AuTHORi

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ERRATA.

On page 197, 7th line from top, ought to be 1886-87,
instead of " 1885-57."

Page 239, 10th line from bottom, ought to read " 1833,"

instead of 1883.

Page 244, on 12th line from bottom, instead of ** that
year," it ought to be the year 852.

( I \

PEEFACE.

No event in the history of Canada has startled the
nation and touched the hearts of all classes more than
the terrible calamity at Springhill Collieries. By this
dreadful catastrophe one hundred and twenty-five brave
miners lost their lives, ieaving destitute two hundred and
thirty-four orphans, widows and widowed mothers to mourn
their bereavement.

The mighty destructive forces of nature having been
permitted by the Almighty to ru^h forth out of their
chambers, causing this calamity, for some wise purpose
we cannot now understand, it is fitting that some landmark
should be fixed to note the momentous event. The narra-/
tive of this disaster, in all its bearings, is recorded in the
following pages. The writer, having had facilities for
obtaining authentic information, and having explored the
mines previous to the explosion, and visited the place
afterwards, has undertaken to issue the work, assured that
its mission will accomplish some good. It will be seen by
the narrative that the great moral lessons which should
be learned by this calamity have not been overlooked.

Coal-mining being one of the greatest industries of the
day, and the mode of formation and deposit of coal-mea-
sures forming one of the great unsettled problems of
geology, the writer has included a chapter relating to
these matters, believing that it will be read with interest.
He also describes the underground workings of the col-
liery, and relates his experience of the " mysteries of the

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Preface.

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mine/' as they appeared to him during his visits to that
gloomy region.

The history of the mines where the explosion took
place, and the town of Springhill that has arisen about
them, being considered of special interest to the reader, is
given a prominent place in the work. References are
made to the other great coal fields of Nova Scotia, which
are so closely allied to that in which the sad event occur-
red. The disastrous explosions at the "Ford Pit" and
" Drummond Colliery " are also alluded to. " Safeguards
against accidents in mines," it is hoped, will be of some
value to mining operators. The Glossary is designed to
explain terms used in connection with coal-raining, few
being familiar with these terms.

To all who have assisted in any way furnishing material
for this volume, the writer would acknowledge his deep
sense of indebtedness, and would gladly give duo credit
to each source from which he has obtained information.
But, as this could not be done without detracting the
interest of the work to the reader, it is hoped that this
general acknowledgment will suffice for all.

The writer's desire in some measure will be attained if
the reader of this volume, after perusing its pages, can
sincerely say —

"Bleat the day that's past without a sigh;
Blest the day with a sigh if we can only dry
The tears of those who have more cause to mourn."

St. John, N. B.

R. A. H. M.

LIST OF ii.lustratio:ns.

Paob

Plan of Mine where Explosion Occurred Frontispiece

Chart of Springhill Coal Measures 23

Scene of Explosion 29

Sad Scene Around the Pit ... 36

Rescuing Party in the Mine 47

Engine House., o. 1 Slope | __

Carpentf^'^' Shop, used as a Morgue]

Interior of Carpentci^' Shop, used as a Morgue 67

The Hero Boy 87

A Cemetery Scene 113

Late Underground Manager Swift 123

Present Mayor of Springhill 191

First Mayor of Springhill 199

Publisher Springhill News 207

Fossils Found in Springhill Collieries 265

Main Slope and Dump of a Coal Mine — 277

Bottom Gangway, Balance and Bords of the Mine.. 281

CONTENTS.

Paok

Preface 9

List o^ Illustrations 11

CHAPTER I.

The Startling News IT

The Awful Cry — Indications of Destruction.

CHAPTER II.

Scene of the Disaster 21

Springhill Scenery — Location of Collieries — The Ex-
I plosion — Terrible Sweep.

CHAPTER III.

The Wave of Sorrow 2S

Foreboding Apprehension — Terrific Explosion — Cohort
of Flame — Deadly Choke-Damp — Indescribable Ex-
citement — Cold Embrace of Death.

CHAPTER IV.

Searching for the Dead and Injured 37

Rescuer's First Descent — First Dead Body Foimd —
Heroism of Volunteers — A Sabbath to be Remem-
bered — Unparalleled Sights.

CHAPTER V.

Care of the Wounded 69

Dispatch for Medical Aid — Extent of Injuries Sustained.

CHAPTER VI.

Scenes at the Morgue 66

Sad Sights — A Touching Incident.

(13)

14 Contents.

CHAPTER VII.

Paok

The Gloom Deepens 72

A Sad Sight — Mysterious Case of Trial — Sad and Solemn
Experiences — Bay of Light in the Dark Cloud.

CHAPTER VIII.

Personal Incidents 76

A Very Sad Case — Providential Escapes from Death.

CHAPTER IX.

Experience of Survivors 80

A Bace for Life — Dreadful Situation of Three Boys —
The Hero Boy.

CHAPTER X,

List of the Victims 89

Married Men with Families — Young Men Unmarried —
Boys under Sixteen.

CHAPTER XL

Coroner's Inquest and Verdict 95

Names of Jurors — Important Testimony — Underground
Manager's Explanation — The Verdict.

CHAPTER XIL

Burial of the Dead Ill

Funeral Arrangements — The Stranger's Grave — Heart-
rending Scenes — Particularly Painful, Burial — Man-
ager Swift's Funeral.

CHAPTER XIII.

Sympathy with the Bereaved 125

Appeal for Aid — Queen Victoria's Cablegram — Lord
Stanley's Telegram — Besponses from all Quarters —
Press Beports of Public Aid Meetings, etc.

Contents,

CHAPTER XIV.

Paob

Help for the Destitute 140

List of Contributions from all Parts.

CHAPTER XV.

Lessons from the Great Calamity 145

Sacredness of Nature's Destructive Forces — A Call to
Watchfulness.

CHAPTER XVI.

Review of other Great Coal Mining Disasters 149

Felling Colliery — Newport — Hartley Pit — Oaks Col-
liery — Ayondale — Monis Mines — Ebbw Vale — Risca
Mines — Seaham — Pittsburg — Drummond Colliery —
Ford Pit.

CHAPTER XVII.

Dangers of Coal Mining 161

Fire-Damp — After-Damp — Black-Damp — White-Damp
— Coal Dust.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Safeguards against Accidents in Mines 170

Ventilation — Drainage — Safety Lamps — Daily Inspec-
tion of Mines — Electricity.

CHAPTER XIX.

History of Springhill and its Collieries 179

^irst Record of Coal Mining in Springhill — Tarly Set-
tlers — Formation of the "Springhill Mining Company"
— A Boom under E. N. Sharp — First Railway Train
from St. John to Halifax — First Carload of Coal Taken
to the Junction — Organization of the " Springhill and
Parrsboro Coal and Railway Company" — Grand Jubi-
lee at the Mines in 1873 — Manager Hall's Arrival from

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16 ' Contents.

Albion Mines — Dr. Clove's Removal from River Philip
— First Shipment of Coal by Rail to Parrsboro — First
Church at Springhill — Transfer of the Mines and Rail-
road to the " Cumberland Railway and Coal Company "
— Rapid Growth and Incorporation of the Town — First
and Second Mayors and Council Boards — Springhill
Coal Measures — Educational Matters — Churches and
other Associations — Present Prospect.

CHAPTER XX.

Page

Extent of Neighboring Coal Measures

Estimate of the Coal Fields of the Maritime Provinces ■
Review of the Cumberland County Coal Measures.

209

CHAPTER XXI.

Coal and its History 231

What is Coal? — Theories about its Formation — Peat-
Bogs and Coal Mines Compared — First Discovery of
Coal — First Mining in Scotland — First Coal Discovery
in America — First Coal Mining in Cape Breton — Dis-
cove»*y of Coal in Pictou County.

CHAPTER XXII.

Mysteries of the Mine 254

Sensations of Going Down the Entrance — Solemnity of
the Situation — Intensity of the Darkness — Strange
Sights and Sounds — Remains of By -gone Ages Visible
— Profound Stillness of a Deserted Mine.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Mechanical Operations of the Pit 269

Prospecting — Various Methods of Raising Coal Explain-
ed — How the Mine is Worked — Machinery Used —
Surface Requisites.

Glossary of Terms Used by Miners

303

tHE

'prinjJiill 6ollierg Disagter.

CHAPTER I.
The Startling News.

On Saturday, February 2l8t, 18i)l, the world
was startled by the tidings that a sad disaster had
occurred at one o'clock that <lav in the west side
of the Eastern Slope of the Cumberland Railway
and Coal (Company's Collieries at Springhill, Xova
Scotia.

This melancholy announcement was somewhat
alleviated bv a rav of hope that the loss of life
might not be so great as was at iirst antici|)ated.
This hope, however, was soon dispelled l)y a reali-
zation of the fact that a terrilic explosion had taken
])lace in the deep and darksome pit, by which one
hundred and twentv-one of the brave miners had
been instantly killed, and seventeen injured — some
of them fatally — leaving fifty-eight widows, one
hundred and sixty-nine orphan children, and eight
widowed mothers to mourn their loss.

B (17)

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Sprinf/hifl Collier 11 Disaster.

Tlie disaster was rendered still more heart-rend-
ing when it came to be known that many of the
bodies of those who had lost their lives in the fatal
pit were scorched, mangled, and bnried among the
rnins, thus rendering this disaster one of tlie most
terrible calamities known in the history of coal-
mining operations. As the appalling magnitude,
dreadful suddenness, and heart-rending scenes of
this terrible accident became known, the Christian
world felt the throes, and messages o? sympathy
and aid came pouring in from every quarter, among
which were telegrams from Lord Stanley, Governor
General of Canada, and our gracious (iuEEN, whose
widowed heart felt the pangs of her sorrowing sub-
jects, although in the humble sphere of a miner's
home. On hearing

The Awful Cry,

*' Explosion at the mine ! " the inhabitants of the
eorrow-stricken town rushed to the mouth of the pit,
if happily they might be able to render assistance.
It was needless to attempt consoling the vast assem-
blage. The instinct of every one composing that
Borrowing crowd seemed to tell them that some
friend was among the lost. Although many had
escaped to the surface without injury, yet it was

III

Spr'imjhill OylUcry Disaster.

soon known that nearly one hundred and fifty of
those who had been to work in the deptlis below
were missing, and that among these were husbands
of those wives and the fathers of those bonnie bairns
and the brothers of those older children. Even, too,
among the absent were the tender sons of those
aged parents whose hoary heads must soon descend
with sorrow to the grave, and the orphan boy of
that poor and lonely widow, whose heart must now
bleed in solitude.

Although no one present could tell the story of
how the ac(;ident occurred, yet none could doubt
its realitv or fail to believe that all who had been
working in the vicinity of the fatal occurrence had
been ruthlessly killed without a moment's warning.
All that could be gathered from those working on
the surface of the pit at the time of the explosion
was that a tremor of the ground was felt by them,
whilst those who were engaged in other portions of
the mine, and had escaped, testified that a dull
report coming from a distance reached their ears,
followed by

Indications of Destruction,

when they suddenly dropped their implements and
made a rush for life.

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Spr'mghill CoUiei'y Disaster.

All faces gathered paleneHs as the rescued told
their tales of woe, for it was now too evident that a
dreadful explosion had not only taken place in the
mine, but that the poisonous after-damp had done
its work of death in the pit wliich had long been
considered one of the most secure coal mines in the
world. Before i)roceeding .with details, a glance
at the location of Springhill and its Collieries will
enable the reader to understand where the accident
occurred.

CHAPTER II.

Scene of the Disaster.

The town of Springhill, where the direful ereiit
occurred, is beautifiilly situated in the central part
of Cumberland County, five miles west of the main
track of the Intercolonial Railway, and on the east-
ern side of the Springhill and Parrsboro Railway.
It is one hundred and twenty-six miles distant by rail
from Halifax; twenty-two from Amherst; twenty-one
from Oxford; twenty-seven from l*arrsboro, and
thirty-eight from Pugwash.

Coming down the Springhill and Parrsboro Rail-
way from its junction with the Intercolonial, the town
bursts upon the view, presenting a pleasing appear-
ance. Its dwellings cover an extensive territory on
the Kouth-western side of a gentle elevation, said to
be 1,094 teet above the level of the sea, and six feet
lower than the highest peak of the Cobequid Moun-
tain range. The elevation being gradual for some
distance around, there is no abrupt summit to the
hill. Standing on the highest point of this elevation
on a bright summer morning, as the writer did, and
sweeping the eye in every direction, the scenery is

(21)

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Sprinf/hlU Colh'cn/ Disaster.

romantic and grand. Tlio blue hillw of New Bruns-
wick far away in tiie diHtance, skirtinji^ tlie north-
wc8tcrn horizon, and the nitiJcHtic forest waving oi\
the more adjacent hill sides, with scattered villas at
their base, whose <*urling smoke ascend the skies,
presents a i»icture seldom seen on one landsca[>e.

TlIK COI.LIKHIKS,

which have been oj>ened to date at Springhill, are
five in nund)er. Thev are distinfi:uished as the
East, West and North v31opes, the Aberdeen Pit,
and the Syndicate Slo])e. The East Slo])e is also
known as No. 1 ; West, No. 2, and North, No. 3.
The Aberdeen l?it anc^ Syndicate Slope have not
been much worked as vet : the others are in full
operation.

These Collieries are located on the western side
of the town, and their entrances are at a respectful
distance from the business portion. The entrances
of the East and West Slopes are each about half a
mile from the Post Oiiice. The former is also 3,000
feet in a northerlv direction from the latter.

By looking at the l*lan of these — Nos. 1 and
2 Mines — it will be seen that each of their 1,300
foot Levels are connected by a tunnel running
through a dividing strata of eighty feet in thickness,

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and that eacli has \\a 8e]»arate I'tjtratui' or slope.
This tunnel is for hauhigf and ventilation, the eoal
mined on the u[)per level of No. 1 I 'it hoinic taken
through this tunnel into the hottorn level of No. 2
Pit, and thence up the slope to the surface.

Although apparently otherwise on thi* plan, the
East Seam overtops the VV^est. The North Seam
also overlies the P^ast, and is separate<l from it hy
250 feet of strata. Tlie North and Kast Seams heing
thus separated, the former does not appear on the
plan. Tlie true [Kwition of each (jf these seams will
be seen hy referring to the (Miart on page 28.

There heing no perjjendieular shaft** to these

mines, they are entered by slopes, whicli are fully

descriheil in ehai>ter " Meelianical Operations of the

Pit."

F^'rom the Bottom of F^ach Slopk

the mine is excavated in various directions, forming
a labyrinth of streets, cross streets, alleyways, and
courts, which are known b;y a variety (^f names,
such as Levels, Balances, Bords, Shutes, Planes,
Tunnels, Man ways, Gangways, C'hambers, etc., all
of which are fully explained in the (ilossary Depart-
ment.

By looking at the plan of the mines, the reader
will see that the "Balances" of No. 1 Slope run

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Sprinffhill Collier;/ Disaster.

parallel with the main entrance from the foot Level
up a« far as the coal is mine,! in that direction, and
are numbered accordiui' to their ilistances from the
bottom of the main slr^i It will also be seen that
the " Bords" running from these "Balances" are
numbered from the bottom Level upwards, until
the head of the Balance is reached.

Following the tracings on the plan, beginning at
the foot of ]^o. I Balance, and proceeding alorig the
main level until No. 7 Balance is reached, and then
counting the Bords iipw{»rd to No. 3 Bord, the exact
spot where the explosion is supposed to have taken
place can easily be discovered.

The Explosion Occurred

in Xo. 8 Bord of No. 7 Balance, which is three-
quarters of a mile west from the foot of the main
entrance leading into No. 1 Pit.

From the place of exploson the burning gas must
have rushed forth with terrible force, as it was in
this and adjoining vicinities that all iha mutilated
bodies were found, and every one was evidently
burnt or torn to death.

Every man in Nos. 6 and 7 Balances, and their
connecting Bords, and along the main level as far as
No. 8 Balance, were no doubt killed ins^^antlv by the

Sprinffhill Colliery Disaster.

force of the explosion. The number of dead bodies
found in this region can easily be counted on the
plan, which also shows the place where each dead
body was found in all parts of the mine.

The space where the explosion did its greatest
havoc covers an area of about 2,000 feet, and as the
doors, ventilators and stoppings in this neighbor-
hood were all torn away, allowing the fire-damp to
escape to other apa/tments of the mine, it rushed
along the i>aHsages

With Tekrible Sweep,

like "a rushing mighty wind," overwhelming every-
thing at all movable in it*5 co\irse. This deadly
gaseous element was immediately followed by a
cohort of flame of awful fierceness.

These fierce elements of destruction not only
Hwept along the 1 ,900 foot level of the Eastern Slope,
but swejjt with dreadful fury up into the 1,800 foot
level of the same workings, and through the tunnel
into the Western Pit, carrying immediate death to
some who were in thut direction, as will be seen by
the number of black dots on the plan, each of these
dots representing the place where a dead body was
discovered.

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CHAPTER III.

TiiK Wave of Sorrow,

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At si'veii o'clock on tlie morning of the dav of
the fatal cx])losioii, the miners engaged in the East
and West Slopes descended to work as usual. The
Aberdeen Pit had been inactive for some time, and
owing to lack of empty coal cars to receive the out-
put, the North Slo})e was also idle that day. These
three collieries give employment to about 1,850 men
and boys. From sixty to seventy horses are alsi) to
work in the })its. The men and boys Jire distrilnited
about as follows: In Xo. 1 Pit, 300; in Xo. 2, 800;
in No. 8, 400; and on the surface, 850. Conse-
quently, 000 miners went to work that morning in
the East and West Sloi)es with all the buovancv of
youth and manhood. Xo manifestations of nature
appeared to warn of the sad event that was soon to
transpire, it is true that in some bosoms there was a

FoRKHODiNo Apprehension

that some dire calamity should happen in the mines
at some distant dav.

(28)

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SpringhiU CoUien/ Disaster.

Thii* fear was engendered by a current report that
an old woman named " Mrs. Coo " had suggested to
some one that something would liappen about the
mines during the coming month of May. As a con-
sequence of this report, a committee was appointed
to examine the mine, which they did, and found no
visible cause for alarm, as will be seen by a portion
of the evidence adduced at the inquest. Notwith-
standing the result of this examination, a few of the
miners still retained a germ of their former timidity,
on the plea that " Mother Coo " wa*-- ^"nerally known
to tell the truth, and hence their apprehensive mus-
in2>«. That dav the work went on in the mines aa
usual, without mishap or interruption until noon,
when a stoppage of half an hour was allowed for
dinner. After partaking of the noon-day meal the
machinery was again put in motion and operations
proceeded until seventeen minutes to one o'clock,

when

A Terrific Explosion

took place, the report of which was heard like sullen
thunder, resounding through many portions of the
mine. Those of the miners who were not instantly
killed by the explosion knew what it meant, and
fled for their lives, and many thus escaped the fear-
ful doom that must have overtaken them had they

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Sprlnf/liill Collier jf Disasfer.

remained at their posts of duty. As tlie lamfw were
quickly extinguiflhed by the effects of the gas, and
the miners left in utter darkness, escape was almost
impossible. However, by strenuous efforts, maiiy
gained the surfju^e, and thus their lives were saved.

Tfiose who were in tlie vicinitv of wliere the
explosion occurred, were doubtless killed instantly,
as lias ah'eady been stated. Those further off, and
not killed by the exi)losion, evidently fell victims
immediatelv bv iidialiuff the first breath of

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The Deadly Choke- Dam p.

A number of miners, including Charles Burrows,
heard the rejjort some i^00 feet from where the explo-
sion took i)lace and at once felt the o])pression of
the damp, and instantly threw themselves flat on
their faces. Xo matter in what direction tliey
attem|)ted to go they encountered gas, through
which they could hardly force their way. After
running a great distance in this manner they got to
pure atmos|)here and finally reached the top of the
mine. Tlie last to reach the surface, of those alive,
r^-: ■•• ^i.lai McKinnon, George Davidson and John
■ :^iw'v. ' These were working in No. 2 Mine, and
Y 'I r ijured in any way.

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Sprhufhill C(>U)mi Disaster.

Those who had made their escape from the pit
could tell nothing an to what the loss of life wan.
Many testified that as they ran towards the entrance
of the pit they knew some of their companions to
fall over from the eftects of poisonous gases, statir.g
that in every case where it was possible to do so
they lent those who had been overcome the assist-
ance they required to reach the surface.

As nearly every one of those known to have been
in the mines had relatives or dear friends among
those who had assembled at the mouth of the pit
where the explosion occurred,

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The Excitement was Indescribable.

Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives and children
ran about in wild confusion, imploring all whom

thev met to institute a search for their friends. No
one could remain unmoved as they saw frail mothers,
half clothed, clasping tender little ones to their
bosoms, beseeching men who were near at hand to
find out as soon as i)088ible if their husbands, the
fathers of their dear babies, were among the <iead.
Despite the cold rain storm that prevailed, the wo-
men and children remained around the pit until they
were assured of the fate of their friends. It was
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Spr>'/}f/hiU CofUm/ Disasicr.
One of the Saddest Scenes

jver \vitneH8e<l in Canada. Stem men wept like
children as tliey l)eheld the wailint^rs of those who
refused to be comforted for the loss of dear ones
whom they believed were laid low in the

Cold Embrace of Death.

Altliough every effort was made to ascertain the
number of those remaining in the pit, it was impos-
sible to do so for some time, as a large number of
men and boys had run to their homes, as soon as
pos8il)le after reaching the surface. However, it
was l)elieved that the number would reach one hun-
dred and fifty at least. Large bands of men stood
ready to descend the Eastern Slope as soon as it was
deemed safe to do so.

As many of those who had come to the surface
had made their exit from No. 2 Slope, it was soon
discovered that that pit had also been affected by
the explosion. In a short time a crowd assembled
around its surface and the work of rescue com-
menced without delay.

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CHAPTER IV.

Searching for the Dead and Injured.

About fifteen minutes after tlie explosion, Wm.
Reese, Overinun of No. 1 Slope, and Ralph Turner
rushed down into No. 2 Slope to ascertain what the
result was. After discovering one or two of the
injured, whom they took to the surface with all
haste, they returned immediately, accompanied by
Malcolm McMillan, Alex. Chisholm, Moses Jones,
Thomas Whittle, John Matheson, jr., and some
others, who organized themselves into a volunteer
relief naitv. In an incrediblv short time these
gentlemen had brought to the surface sixteen in-
jured, inchiding Cyrus Munroe, of Port Elgin, who
was found unconscious lying a short distance from
his dead butty, James Morrison, but under careful
treatment soon recovered. Mr. Reese carried Mr.
Munroe on his back from where he was discovered
to the bottom of the slope. The place where Mr.
Munroe was found will be seen by referring to the
plan of the mine. From the bottom of the slope

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Sprim/hiU Collimi DisoMcr.

the (lead aiul injured were conveyed in Woxes to
the Hiirfaee up the main entrance hy the niacliin-
ary for hoistinu; <M)al. On arriyal at the surface
the injijre(l \yere taken to their lionies without
(k;lay.

Amon^ those who went into the West Sh)pe
Satunhiy afternoon in search of tlu* <k'a<l, hesides
tliose already mentioned, were »Iohn Johnston, .lolin
Leadl)eater, (^harles Rennie, »Iohn Mothitt, !{. W.
McDonald, Jesse Armishaw, Daniel Murray, and
A. A. McKinnon. The latter went <h)\yn to look
for McKinnon's hrother, whom they fouiul amon^
tlie dea(h Jesse Armisliaw's mission was also a sad
one, as the hodies of his sons . I esse an<I Herhert,
and that of a youn<^ num named Ernest Bainbridge,
who Uved in his family, were vH discovered lyin^
dead.

The rescuing party worked heroically at the
peril of their lives, some of them carrying dead
hodies on their backs, and ascending and descend-
ing into the pit many times during the ?vfternoon.

T DuRiN(} THE First Derce\t

of Messrs. Reese and Turner they attempted to go
into No. 1 Slope, where the explosion occurred, but
they found the smoke and after-damp too great to

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SprfHi/hifl ColliiTji Di-^'osUr.

vi'iiturc. Ilsilt' an hour aftcrwjinlH, howtivcr, Mr.
Kot'w and partv Huccot'dod in «^ottin^ into tliis
phu'f, \vhi( li an oyi'-witnosH (k'scriht'H tliur* ; ''Falls
ot' fitone and ttoal, cars all blown to pieri's, raiU
luMit like hoopH, an<l u^cnoral dostrnction — very
sniokv, and dead men and hovw lyinj^ in all diree-
tionn."

At tliirt time the smoke was cominj'' from No. 1
Slope, throntrh the up[»er ends of Xos. <! and 7
lialslnee^•, so thick that some of the men wi're afrai<l
that there was tire existin*:; somewhere in the vicin-
ity, and that there might he another ex}>losion.

Of this Mr. Reese was fullv convinced, hut was
so anxious to «^et out the hodies, which were lyin*:^
around in all directions, that he did not make his
convictions known to the others at the time, some
hein<j^ of the opinion that there was no fire. How-
ever, James Simpson, Tuderi^round Manay^er of
Xo. 8 Pit, who had witnessed tlie smoke, agreed
with Mr. Reese that tire existed, and that it was
heeomins: <langerous, and so the party agreed to
give up tlie search for two liours in order to ascer-
tain the result of the fire, leaving the pit at six
o'clock in the evening, by which time forty-four
dead hodies and sixteen injured had been taken to
the surface of Xo. 2 Slope.

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Sprhu/hill (hllien/ D'lffaster.

The First Dead Body Found

was tli}«t of William H. Turner. Notwithstanding
this agreement to leave the pit for two hours, when
one hour had passed, William Lorimer called on
Mr. Reese at his house, where he was resting, and
informed him that there was a boy missing that
possibly might be living and groping around in the
dark. Tliev descended at once in search of this
boy, but did not iind him, as he had gone from
where he was working in No. 2 Slope to No. 1, a
short time before the explosion, and got killed.
His name was George Bond. When the two hours
had expired the searching parties veturned into No.
2 Mine and worked all nigbt.

At four o'clock Sabbath morning, Manager
Reese, in com[)any with Josej)li Robertson and
Allen C. McKinnon, went down the East Slope
in search of lire, which tiiey expected to find.
After l)eing satisfied that fire exist<Ml they returned
to the surface to get buckets and more help. At
six o'clock Mr. Reese, with John Dunbar, Munagc-r
of tbe " Ton l?it," Tictou, Thomas Scott, and about
twenty others, went down into the pit again, and
extinguisbed the fire with water. This fire was
in No. 2 Bord of No. <) Balance, where a large

SprwqhW OMiery Disaster

quantity of timber was scattered about, and had it
not been promptly i)ut ont the result might have
been deplorable.

At the East Slope,

local volunteer relief parties also went down into the
pit of death, a short time after the explosion, and
the scenes of carnage and wreckage which met their
gaze must be retained in memory while life lasts.
It was a terrible undertaking, but nothing could
daunt the brave men, each being wholly animated
bv the conviction that to relieve sufFerins: and save
tlic life of a fellow-creature even at the risk of his
own life was his present duty, and hence they
descended to look for their missings comrades
regardless of consequences. What brave deeds
maiiv did that dav will never V)e known. Those
who volunteered to enter the mines in seareh of
victims were many and prompt, and their bravery
in facing death by going into the ]at so soon
after the explosion is worthy of the highest com-
mendation. As an illustration of the heroism
manifested in many cases, one man, whose wife earn-
estly besought him not to venture going down into
the pit, as there was danger of him losing his life,

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Spriiif/hiU Odliin/ Dis'ister.

could not be persuaded by her entreaties, but de-
Heended and brought bodies from beyc^nd over falls
which few others, it is said, <'Ould climb.

Some who descended into Xo. 1 l*it first after the
explosion were borne back to the surface suffocated
and unconscious. Joseph Robertson, one of tlie first
men who went to the rescue at Xo. 1 Slope, was so
overcome by the after-damp that he was compelled
to crawl on his hands and knees for (piite a distance.
After gaining the surface, and getting properly sur-
vived aiui adjusted, he returned to tlie pit and worked
heroically day and night for three days. He and
Malcolm \^\\y^ were among the greatest workers, and
discovered a large number of the dead.

The heroic courage and endurance of Overman
lleese, in leadinjj; men to the rescue of the wounded
and recovery of the dead, was admired by all, and
one of the rescued i)arties has since acknowledged
his indebtedness to him by a tangible recognition.

AmoxN(J the First Voli nteers

to enter the Kast Slope after the explosion were
Joseph Robertson, Malcolm Blue, A¥illiam Hay,
J. Madden, flames Harvey, H. Bunt, .lohn 1).
Beaton, William Murray, James Miller, (leorge
Morrison, George Oulton, Charles H. Weller, James

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Sprmf/hill Oiliery DLsaMtr.

Lamhert, Daniel O'Brien, and William MeGilvray.
A numV)er of these parties did not reach the surface^
but returned ininiediatelv trom the bottom of the
slope to look for their companions, while the atmos-
phere was alarmingly impure with coal dust and
heated smoke.

These first searching parties j)roceeded along^
tlie level as far as thev were able to venture, and in
a short time had rescued all the living. Among the
injured were five boys, named AVillard Carter, John
Conway, Dannie Robertson, Adolphus Landry, and
Daniel Beaton, all of whom have survived but
AVillard Carter, who died at ten o'clock that night.

At Xo. 3 Shute a fire, consisting of some wood
and clothing, was discovered. This fire was put out
by James Lambert. Had it been allowed to remain
a short time longer the consequences would, no
d<Md)t, have been serious.

Whilst these rescue parties wei'e at work endea-
voring to save the living in Xo. 1 Slope, Undergroun<l
Managers Conway, Simpson and Hargreaves, Assist-
ant Manager McTnnis, Deputy Inspector Maddetiy
and some other colliery officials were coming to the
mines, with all haste, by sj>ecial train from the
Springhill Junction, having left S[)ringhill Station
by the noon train to attend a meeting of Mining

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■WMUMiim

Sprhif/hill Collien/ Dhaster.

OfficialH of Cumberland County, to be held that day
at Maccan, for the purpose of forming a Society for
the Protection of Mining Officials. After arriving at
the Junction, these gentlemen had been called back
by telegram, announcing that an explosion had
taken place at the mines.

On Arrival at the Mines,

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Underground Manager Conway procured a lamp,
called for volunteers, and at once descended No* 1
Slope, accompanied by Assistant Manager Mclnnis,
Messrs. James Ferguson, Peter Shannahan, A. D.
Ferguson, Malcolm Blue, James Miller, Joseph
Robertson, and some others. These gentlemen
pushed into the mine as far as they were able to
go with safety, and in a short time some good
work was accomplished. Ventilation being the first
essential required to prevent further death from the
effect of poisonous gases in the mine, men were set
to work constructing partitious of canvas, in order
to replace the brattices that had been destroyed.
The use of this brattice work is given in the Glos-
sary at the end of the book. After Mr. Conway and
party had descended many others went down to
endeavor to find fathers, sons, brothers, and other

Sprmyh'dl Collkry Disaster.

relatives, who had perislied in the mine. Alexander
Melnnis, Assistant Manager, le<l one seareliing party
along the level as far as No. 6 Balance, and up that
incline until overcome by the atter-damp, when he
had to be assisted out of the [)it. Cecil Parsons
and l^nderground Manager Hargreavee managed to
reach the Western Slo[>e in safety. General Man-
ager of the Company, J. R. Cowans, also went
down to see for himself the state of affairs in
the mine. Many dead bodies were seen among
the ruins, but owing to the dangers attending
the work of rescue at this time, little progress
could be made. Owing to the depth of debris
in many places, rescuers were compelled to crawl
and clind), carrying a dead body on their back or
arms, and their lamp in their mouth. Still the work
of rescue went on till six o'clock, when Underground
Manager Conway, in consultation with other offi-
cials, advised that as all the living had evidently
heen taken from the pit, all hands should leave
the mine for some time, in order that a free cur-
rent of the air, forced into the pit by the powerful
fan on the surface, might drive out the noxious
damp. According to this announcement of Mr.
Conway, fiirther searching was discontinued in No.
1 Slope for five hours.

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HpriKijhill OAlkrij Dlsaskr,

OnK of TIIK ITl^lROKS

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who went down into Xo. 1 Slope on SatnrclRy to
assist in the work of rescue and with refresliments to
the men wlio were at work, was Hev. David ^vVright,
of Sprinijjhill. As llev. Mr. Wriglit's experience
that after!ioon will give the reader a hetter idea of
the state of tlie mine than anvthinic the writer could
say, we give the nsimitive in his own words :

"I was on my v . \- iliver John, and had got to
Springhill Junction. A special was sent down, and with
some others I rcturLe»\. ""'ane • all went down into the
mine. I entered with some reiVosliinents. With some
others I hurried along the level towards the scene of the
explosion, I had given away my handkerchief, so I cut
the lining out of my vest and put it over my mouth. We
got in a long way when we met some other men, who told
us that the manager, Mr. Conway, had gone forward, and
left word that no one was to proc^ied further, as he would
come out by the Mine Bord. We got anxious about him
and his volunteers. So one of the men and 1 went down
the Mine Bord till we met them. Some of them were
pretty well gone with the after-damp. We kept together,
shouting to each other to be sure that no one dropped
down. When a man gets after-damp he simply lies down
and falls a.sleep. When we reached the main level we
were joined by the others. Mr. Conway said there was

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RESCUING PARTY IN THE MINE.

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Sjiri)H//iill (h/ficn/ D'lsaylcr.

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nothing living in the mine, and gave orders that all were
to leave, and in the course of four or five hours the atler-
damp would all be driven out. We left the mine at six
o'clock. The scene along the level was pitiful. The
explosion had rushed toward the bottom of the mine.
Not much damage was done, only the props knocked out,
which caused the sides and roof partially to fall in. The
first thing we saw on our way in, after leaving the bottom
of the slope, was a couple of horses lying dead. A little
further on, and two others were standing, one of them
literally burned red — at least the side next to us was red
flesh. It was killed. Then right in from these the debris
blocked the way. Now and again a large fall, under
which was a horse, part of it visible. The driver was, we
knew, somewhere near. I stayed at the slope all night.
Went down at four o'clock in the morning for a time, and
then went home. Went down East Slope at twelve o'clock,
Sabbath, in company with James Harvey, Hugh Marling,
Alexander Lorimer, G. Anderson, James McSavaney, and
two others, whose names I cannot remember. We went
along the level. Four went up No. 6 Balance. Lorimer,
Anderson, McSavaney, and myself, went along and up
No. 7 Balance. We brought down

The Body of Thomas Wii^son,

the shot firer. We came out, Lorimer carrying the body
on his back, Anderson steadying behind, I in front with
the lamp, and McSavaney behind with another lamp. We

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Sprinf/hifl Cofficn/ Disa.stcr.

walked in this manner a long way till v/e got a" stretcher,
on which we put the body. Those out of No. 6 Balance
joine<l us, carrying the remains of William McKee. On
our way out with these bodies, we met another lot coming
in, who went up No. 6 Balance. When we reached No. 4
Balance the roof was falling in. I was in front, and drew
back. James Harvey went on to examine, and in a few
minutes reported that it was not safe to go on, and we sat
down for fifleen or twenty minutes. We were here joined
by four or five others, carrying another dead body. After
the falling had ceased, Harvey examined again, and re-
ported all safe, and we pushed onward and reached the
bottom of the slope in safety. It was a weird sight in one
place to see two bodies sitting each with a safety lamp in
his hand."

The Work of Rescue was Resumed

at half-past eleven o'clock Saturday night, a large
number of volunteers descending and working vig-
orously w^ithout cessation during the night, unless
when compelled by fatigue or nausea to retire.

Mr. Conw^ay, Underground Manager of No. 1
Slope, on descending, directed a crew at once to
collect all the living horses throughout the mine and
put them in the stables at the foot of the slope.
Mr. Conway also endeavored to remove the wreck-
age from the main level as far along towards the

Sprimjh'dl. Collkry DimsUr.

vifinity of the explortion an possible, so tluit a trolley
iniglit run along tlie rails to convey dead bodies to
the foot of the slope, where they wen? hoisted to the
surface.

During the niglit great progress was made, two
thousand feet of the level having been cleared, and
the worst obstructions removed from the passages
leadino; to where the men had died.

At half-past six o'clock on Sabbath morning,
Mr. ( 'Onway was so overcome through the effects of
fatigue and after-damp that he left the pit and
remained on the surface until eleven o'clock, when
hemorrhage set in, and he bled so freely that he was
compelled to go home and remain under medical
treatment for several days. Meantime, Thomas
Scott acted in his place.

I Sabbath Morning,

on arrival of Mr. Conway at the surface, large
crowds of volunteer relief parties went down, as the
mine was then considered free from the dangerous
damp by Inspector Gilpin and Deputy Inspector
Madden, who went into No. 1 Slope and passed up
into No. 2. The local searching parties w^ere assisted
by a number of brave men who had come by rail
during the night from Stellarton and Westville. A

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SprbnjJiill Colliery Diausln:

crew from the JoggiiiB also rendered valuable anHist-
ance, and by nix o'clock on Sabbatb evening over
one bundred dead bodies bad been recovered.

Tbat day was one to be remembered. It did not
seem like Sabbjitb. Few realized it was a boly day.
The sweeping grief was so great tbat the Sabbath
sacredness was overwhelmed, and the sanctuary of
God invaded thereby.

Some of the bodies found were horribly mutilated,
and a few could not be recognized only by their
clothing. Others were ((uitc natural. The jjosition
of over titity of the dead recovered showed that they
had not been killed by the force of the explosion,
but were overcome by the after-damj) while trying
to escape. It was evident *^'uit none had escaped
v'ho encountered the full blast of the iirst sweep of
the tire-damp. It could be seen, by the wt,y some
held their arms, and with their safety lamps in their
hands, as they lay on the bottom of the pit on their
faces, that they had

Died from Suffocation.

Many, when found, although cold and still in death,
looked as peaceful in the face as though they w^ere
merely sleeping. In a few cases the clinched hands
and twisted limbs 8h<;)v\ed that the poor men had
died in convulsions.

Sprinffhill ColUcni DisasUr.

The geiionil ov'i(U*iU'o was ovorwlu'lrnini^ that
death waH HiKhlon in tho majority of caHos. One
man, when killed, had been in the act of smoking,

1 the Htem of hin pipe, lu'ld by the month, re-
mained nntil taken out at>er recovery. Another
had a mouthful of bread, an if in th»' wt of eating
his dinner. A few of the dead were found ntanding
in the mont natural positions. One was leaning
against a post.

The bodies of Daniel T^oekhart and Peter
Gallagher, when recovered, showed that Gallagher
had a firm hold of Lockhart, as if assisting him to

nb over a fall leading from the bord where they

e killed. Two men had clasped hands, and
evidently ran until the damp overtook tlu'm, when
thev fell on their faces and died with their hands
united. The body of one man had his dinner-can
strapped on his back. Two brothers, named David
and James McVey, were locked so tightly in each
other's arms that they were taken out and conveyed
to their home in their embrace of death. The res-
cuing parties met with many other

Unparalleled Stohts

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in their search for the dead. They also found much
difficulty in some places proceeding with the work,

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Sj)rmg}i'dl GoUitri/ Disaster.

owing to the falls of timber and other debris block-
ing np the way, and concealing dead bodies. In
the vicinity ot where the explosion occurred was
apparently' a total wreck. Six loaded cars, each of
which weighed from 1,600 to 1,900 lbs., were com-
pletely overturned at the head of the No. 7 Balance.
Iron rails were torn from their fastenings and twist-
ed into many forms. The writer saw one of these
rails, which was bent like a barrel hooj). His
attention was also directed to a shovel found at
the place where Manager Swift's body was discov-
ered, the iron })ortion of which was rolled up like
a scroll. In the neighborhood of 6 and 7 Balances
the force of the explosion had rent asunder the tim-
bers supporting the roof of the various chambers.
One of the greatest hr.vocs was in a bord where
the bodies of Ilichard Dawson and his son Samuel
were found by Joseph Robertson. These bodies
were in a stiinding position close to each other,
and covered to the neck by the ruins. They were
dragged out wnth the great<.'st of ditHculty, owing
to the small space through which the searching
party had to crawl. X number of the rescuers in
one place had a narrow escape from a break-down.
An avalanche of rocks showered down from the
roof whilst they Avere carrying the dead body of

Springhill OMiery Disaster.

Richard Murphy, which they were compelled to
drop at the foot of No. 7 Balance, and run for their
lives. This hody was taken out three days after-
wards hy Overman Reese and James Ferguson.

Notwithstanding the enormity of the lal)or in-
volved, the volunteer parties contiiuied their search
night and tlay, for five days, until Thursday, 26th,^
at four o'clock, when the last bodv had been
recovered — that of

Henry Swift, Underuround Manager

of the mines, which made the number taken out
dead one hundred and twentv-one, besides four of
the injured, who have since died, making the whole
iHimber killed one Imndred and twenty-five.

The searching party who discovered Manager
Swift's bodv consisted of Malcolm Blue, A. D.
Ferguson, \V. 1). Matheson, Xeil .McDonald, John
(\)l\vcll, and Luke Harrison. The bodv was found
under about three feet of rock. The face was down-
wards, and not disfigured. The place where the
l>ody was lying was on the maiti level, about 500
feet from where the explosion occurred.

The last two bodies found previous to that of
Manager Swift were those of Archibald Shipley and
James Nairn. These bodies were discovered in the

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Sprini/hiU OtUicrij Disaster.

vicinity of vvliei'o Swift's body was lying. Nairn's
body was found on tlic morning of the 2oth, and
inakos three of the Xairn faniil}' killed in the pit.

( )n the day previous to this date the bodies of
William Hyde, Donald McKay, Henry Livingstone,
Richard Murphy, ffohn Francis, Andrew Bunt and
Neil McLeod were all discovered under heavv falls

■

of stone and coal, which had to be removed before
getting at the bodies. On the 24th, the bodies
of .lolni Hunter, Roger Noiles and John J. Mc-
Donald were found by the searching ])arties.
McDonald was thrown up an inclini' seventy-five
feet from where he had been working. His body
was shockingly mutilated, and one arm was missing.
Noiles' bodv was also liadly cut and torn. John
(jillis' body was taken out of Xo. 2 Slope on the
afternoon of the 28rd. It was thought that he h^d
esca])c(l injury, as his name did not appear on the
list of the missing. He was a single man, and
belonged to Cape Breton.

After the dead miners had l>een recovered, the
dead bodies of horses were c«)llected, taken out of
the pit, and cremated. The number of horses killed
was seventeen.

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CHAPTER V.
Care of the Wounded.

The first duty devolving uj^on those who had
charge of the mines was to look after the injured,
and this was promptly attended to. As soon as the
state of affairs was learned, J. R. Cowans, General
Manager, telegraphed at once to Amherst and Parrs-
boro for all the Doctors that could be spared in these
tx)wns to come on wdth despatch. This request was
jtroniptly responded to by Drs. Hlack, Hewson,
Allen, McDougall, Bliss and Campbell, of Amherst;
and Drs. Boggs, McKenzie, Babbitt, Atkinson and
Rand, of Parrsboro. When word of the disaster
had reached Oxford, I)rs. Cook an<l Morrison, of that
place, started immediately with their operating cases,
ex|>ecting that there would be a larger number of
an>j»utations and other surgijcal operations to }>erform.

Bvthe time these medical ffentlomen had arrived
all the injured had been brought out of the mines,
and carefully treated by Drs. Cove and Hayes, who
reside in the place. Dr. Bayard, another physician
of Sprirghill, would also have been in attendance,
but owing to sickness was confined to his house.
The jkhysicians from Amherst, Oxford and Parrs-

(69)

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Springhill Colliery Disaster.

boro, however, did everything that they could to
assist alleviating the sufferings of the wounded.
But, outside of the seven who had been brought out
burned, and several others partly suffocated by the
after-damp, no medical aid could avail anything.

Explosion occurred seventeen minutes to one
o'clock, and no living person was removed from the
mines after two o'clock. As members of the relief
parties were being constantly returned to the surface,
badly affected by the after-damp, it was deemed best
to station medical men at the pit heads for the pur-
pose of attending to such cases without delay. Dr.
McDougall, of Amherst, and Dr. Atkinson, of Parrs-
boro, were stationed at the West Slope, and at the
East Slope Drs. Boggs and Babbitt, of Parrsboro, and
Drs. Cove and Hayes, of Springhill. All the other
medical men returned to their homes that evening.
Those stationed at the entrances to the slopes re-
mained at their posts of. duty until six o'clock Sab-
bath morning, when it was considered there was no
more danger, thorough ventilation having been
restored to the mines. The following is a

Kkcori) of Injuries Sustained by Each

individual and the result in each case :

Willard Carter had a severe gash on face juat
below left eye, extending about one and a half inches

! I

.i,s . , ..

Sprivghill Collierf/ Disaster.

down side of face, and obliquely inward and upward,
go tlial it could be probed to a depth of live inches.
Besides this, he was seriously burned about the
hands and face. He remained in a profound stupor
until 10 o'clock that night, when he died. He was
thirteen years old, son of Reid Carter, who was
killed with his eldest son in the mine, and not
recovered until the following morning.

Joshua McNeil was taken to his boarding house
in a state of stupor, and was thought simply to be
affected by the after-damp. He soon developed
violent convulsions, and died about 8 o'clock Satur-
day evening, showing evidence of having sustained
a fracture at base of the skull. He was twenty-one
years of age, and unmarried.

NqW S. McNeil was severely burned on hands,
arms and face, and side of body. He died one week
after explosion from exhaustion, resulting from extent
of surface burned. He was unmarried, and twenty-
tliree years of age.

Henry Nash, severely burned about body, hands,
arms and face, died on fourth day from shock and
exhaustion. His age was twenty-four. His family
consisted of wife and one child.

Dannie Robertson, the hero boy referred to on
another page as saving Willie Farris, the little

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Spn\(/hill Collknj Dimi^ftr.

trapper, was badly burned about the head, face,
arms, and side of body. lie was in a eritieal condi-
tion for some davs, ])ut is now considered out ul'
danger, although suffering great pain at time of
writing (May 1st). His age is fourteen years.

Willie Farris, a trapper boy twelve years old, who
was save<l by Dainiie Robertson, had the tips of his
ears slightly blistered, and small blisters on his liandH
and side of his face. He was terribly frightened
and bewildered in the darkness of the pit, but was
all right again in a few days.

Daniel Beaton, a lad of thirteen, who was rescued
by an older brother, had his face, hands and head
badly burne<l, and two severe wounds on head, one
of which laid a portion of the skull bare. His
recovery was rapid.

Adolphus Landry was severely burned about
the face, hands, arms and body. Catching a glimpse
of the flame of tire as it came, he put his hands
over his face, and dropped behind the horse he was
driving. The horse was killed and partly falling on
him, thus pinning him in and saving his life ; his
sufferings were so intense before he was rescued
that he was praying that death might come and
relieve him. He was fourteen years of age, and is
recovering.

\- 'I

Spn'iu/hill Collie n/ Dis(hst('r.

James Liddle was working in No. 1 Slope, and
got hurt coming; up in the boxen, there being such
n ciowd of men that he could not get low enough,
and got jammed against the roof. The force of the
concussion produced injury to the spine, sufficient
to cause paralysis of the lower parts of the body,
lie was taken to the Halifax hosi>ital, and is im-
proving slowly. The following letter, which he
sent from Halifax to the writer, will be read with

interest:

Victoria General Hospital,

Halifax, N. S., April 24th, 1891.

Dear Sir : Your favor of 22nd to hand, and in reply
would say : At the time of explosion I was at the bottom
of No. 1 Slope, and all at once my light went out, and
then I smelt gas, and knowing something was wrong, 1 at
once tried to make my escape, and almost got up to the
surface when I was struck oh the back by a boom. When
brought to the bank head I was senseless. When I came to,
ray legs, from body downwards, were paralyzed. I was
taken immediately to my boarding house, where I stayed
until removed to the hospital, where I have been slowly
improving. Hope to get around again in a few months. The
things published about me are wrong. They have got my
name " David " instead of James, and my age " 22 " instead
of 16 years, which it ought to be. This is about all the
information I can give you in regard to the Springhill
explosion. Yours truly, James Liddle.

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t^pr'nKjhUl Collien/ Disaster.

1 j

John (\)iiw}iy, the thirteen year old Hon of Wni.
Conway, Underground Manager of No. 1 Slope,
waH rtlightly affected by after-damp ; Iuh escape from
further injury was a miracle. His cane is referred
to in another (!hapter.

dames Daniel McDonald was poisoned by after-
damp; he had violent convulsions for four or five
hours. When he recovered from thg effects of the
damp he had lost his reason, and at time of writing
it had not been restored, but his symptoms were
favorable.

(■yrus Munroe, Rodger Lewis, John Dykens,
Gordon Carmichael, David Merritt and Hyall
Noiles, were all affected more or less severely by
the after-dam]), but soon recovered under medical
treatment.

Among those who formed the rescue parties the
following were severely affected by the after-damp:
Alex. McFnnis, Assistant ITnderground Manager;
Wm. (\)nway, Underground Manager, No. 1 Slope;
Malcolm Blue, Thomas Fletcher, George Kitchell,
Jesse Armishaw, Thomas Foster and Thos. Brown.
As the (Condition of some of these are referred to in
other departments, the extent of their injuries are
omitted in this connection.

Of persons affected by the after-damp among tiie
rescuers, and those who had been discovered in the

Sprlnyftld Co/flcn/ l)l}«ift1tr.

mino, Tliomas Brown was the greatest sufferer, wlio
recovered. After eoining out of tlie pit lie wan
taken to the office of Br. Cove, and reinaineil for
about eight hours in terrible convulsions. It took
four or five men constiintlv to hold him on the
couch. He was removed to his home, and had fully
recovered in twenty-four hours after being injured.
Many others were affected by the after-damp,
but as they did not require medical treatment their
names are not mentioned in this cliapter.

^▼v^^^^^W^WHPiM^HBilP^*

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CHAPTKII VI.
ScKNKS AT Till-; MoKdli:.

*• Duriiiu' flic Hvc (liivs in wliicli \\\v (K'jkI Itodics
were Itciiiii' liroiiu'ht ii|i out <»t' the pits, iiianv ot' tlic
HcciiK's ;it tilt' Ciirin'iitci's" Sliop, at tlic inoutli of the
Kust SlojK', wliicli was nst'd as a Moi'^iic, were
lifart-i-i'iidini;, and sliall iirvcr \)v torii-ottcn bv tht*
sjKH'tators, Tilt' I'cinains of iiiaiiN who had pcrishi'd
ill No. 1 Mine were taken to tliis place after eoniiiiir
to the surface tiiat tlii'V mi^'ht lie prepared for ideii-
titicatioM hv their friends and interiiieiit. At tiiiies
it seemed tliat none remained in tlie town who were
able to run to the Morn'iie. Benches were arran«^ed
within the huildinu', and the corpses, after heinu^
washed, were laid on them. Those in chari^e of the
Morjiiie were Wm. Henderson, Samuel Richmond,
Samuel Russell, and John F. McDonald. (Jthers
tried it also lor a time, hut could not endure
tlie nei'vous strain. Althouirh a larijce number of
the dead \\vvv natural, yet others wore burnt and
mutilatetl beyond recognition, and tlie place had
the semblance of a veritable slaughter-house for u
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Springhill Colliery Disaster.

time. Remains of some were brought in and laid
on the table, over which the veil must be drawn,
lest the deformity of death might distress the reader.

However, the following case is too important to
leave unnoticed. The body of Lemuel Morrison's
13 year old son, Thomas, was cut in two, and other-
wise mangled beyond recognition. The father had
been tli rough the morgue several times vainly look-
ing for his son, and had passed and repassed this
body, having satisiied himself that it was not the
one he sought. • Finally the mother came, and atler
looking over all the other bodies in the place, asked
her husband where the bodv was he told her about.
Tie took her to the lifeless form, remarking, " It is
not our boy." The mother proceeded to examine
the clothing, as the mangled body couhl serve no
purpose of identification, only the trunk being before
her, the rest of the body some distance away. She
turned up the shirt, and on looking over it found
traces of her needle where she had been mending it
the night before, and <*ould only exclaim, " This is
niv poor boy I This is my j)oor boy I "

Althougli a few others hardly bore a trace of
liuman semblance, yet they were " Those whom
somebody loved," and though seen in their detbrmed
state, and in that horrid |>lace, were still dear to

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HprbujhUl CoUiery Disaster.

their friendft, and thankfully received. The widowed
wife and childless mother knew the remains of her
offspring or hu8l)and, no matter how deformed, and
no earthly power could separate her from the loving
form of her tender boy or kind husband until the
strength of her frail body succumbed to the su|>erior
force of her grief, and she was carried oft in the
same direction as the remains of her loved one.

It was a sad sight at one time to see over twenty
bodies stretched on the benches and several others
in pieces, and around them frantic women and
weeping ti'iends in search of those they loved. Frail
women wept without restraint ; strong men sobbed
and broke down. Others, too frenzied to allow
vent to nature, stood amazed and apalled, and silent
and passive amid the scene. Some who had seldom
grieved before, ins[)ired a sigh and felt sensations as
the mangled form of some ]>leasing associate was
unveiled before their eyes. All felt that one of the
saddest calamities ever realized by man on eai*tli
had fallen like a thunderbolt u)»on the peaceful
inhabitants of Springhill, and in the dark but peace-
ftil picture, there was only one l)ack ground of
consolation — suhniissyot to the Divine irill.

Among those who mourned thus for their
departed ones, many felt that God was near, and,

Spinfihill Collimj Disastei\

hy faith, looking up through the rift in tlie dark
clond, could flee the kind hand of a loving Father,
'Mn\ feel assured that

" Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face."

Amid Hueh scenes and musings as these at the
morgue, the work of j)reparing the dead for removal
to their former homes or last resting [>laee went
steadily on. Each hody was stripped and washed,
iuid the tattered and hurnt clothing was taken away
and destroyed, except in the ease of bodies not
known, when their clothing was carefully preserved
iis a guide to their friends hy w^hich they might be
aide to identity them. After bodies had been
arranged and identified, they were taken away to
their former homes or the place of interment.
Carholic acid required to be used as disinfectant in
some cases. When decomposition had ft'eely set in,
l>()dies were burie<l without delay.

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CHAPTER VII.

The Gloom Deepens.

After the first shock of the terrible calamity had
passed over, and it was possible to get reliable
information, the people began to realize the enor-
mity of the disaster. As the death list from the pit
swelled, and as one body after another was taken
from the morgue to its former residence, or its last
resting place, the gloom began to deepen. Two
car-loads of coffins, manufactured by Christie Bros.,
of Andierst, having arrived on Monday evening, and
distribute* I throughout the town, besides those made
by the undertakers of the place, it was

A Sad Sight

to see two or three of these coffins enter the doors
of several dwellings within a short distance of each
other.

The houses where the dead were laid were
brightly lighted u[) during the solemn hours of the
night, and because man having gone to his long
home " the mourners go about the streets," and
from house to house during the night. In many
cases moans, sobs and bitter wailings within thos^t'
(72)

Sprinf/hlll ColUei'tf Disaster.

bereaved homes told too plainly tlie Had ntory of
deBolation and death. One of the ;4adde8t cases of
the aeirident was that of Fred Carmichael's family.
Three brothers of this household were killed in the
mine, and one was carried home unconscious, being
injured by the atter-damp. The aiflietion in this
family is very great, and the sorrow is intensified by
the fact that another son in the same family was
killed by lightning three years ago, a!id Mr. Car-
niit'hael got his left arm and collar-bone broken a
short time before the explosion. In this case,
although the experience of good old JacoV) was
realized, when he said: *' Me have ye bereaved of
ruy chihlren : Jose[)h is not, and Simeon is not, and
ye will take Benjamin away : all tliese things are
against me," or that of Job when he utt<3red liis
plaintive wail : " Oh that it were with me as in
months past * * when the Almighty was with me,
when my children were about me ;" yet Mr.
Carmichael was anuizingly resigned to the Divine
will, and could say, " God lives, blessM be my
Rock." One who was endeavoring to comfort the
bereaved in their affliction, records his experience
of this trial thus : " When his three bovs were
brought home he showed more Christian fortitude
than any other that I visited. The power to control

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SjmnffhiU Colliery Disaster.

himself was amazing, and the [>erfect resignation
to the Divine will was a lesson I can never forget."

A Mysterious Case of Trial

was also experienced hy Oliver T)upee. While this
hroken-hearted father was conveying home the hody
of his son Joseph from the morgue, another child,
four years old, ran out to meet him. The boy
slipped on the ice, falling on his head, and was
instantly killed.

Hour by hour, as time wore on. the scene of
sorrow bi^came more desolate. As bodies were
taken to be interred a mournful dirge was tolled.

The body of Manager Swift remained in the pit,
and his death was peculiarly sad. Manager Conway
had become j^rostrate owing to over-exertion in the
mine attempting to free the imprisoned bodies. The
lives of Mrs. Swift and a mimber of other broken
hearted widows and bereaved mothers were being
despaired of.

The mother of one large family of children left
in destitute circumstances had become demented.
Another widow with three children was entirely
bereft of all her fViends. James D. McDonald, one
of the injured, was suffering from a bad dose of
after-damp and nervous shock. His mind had be-
come deranged and he could not l)e comforted.

Spr-ivghill Colliery Discister.

The hoiiaeholds of John Nairn, Keid Carter,
Kicliard DawHon, Ilngh Bunt, Xeil Ross, Robert
Mc'Vey, Jesse ArniiHhaw and several others, were
filirouded in tlie dee})e8t tjlooni, two and three of
cat'li family ha\intr been killed.

The Sad and Solemn Experience

of those two hundred and thirtv-four orphans,
widows and widowed mothers, during the few days
jifter the explosion, must long remain " upon the
tablets of enduring memory." Oh, how the hearts
went down into that lonely pit whieh was the seene
of all their woe I Those nights were full of tears;
the agony of many hearts was only known to God !
Those ministers of consolation who endeavored to
Hvnipathize and alleviate the trials of bereaved and
stricken ones, faintly realized how deeply the arrow
had pierced, and liow the soul was riven, but there
were none who knew it all. To Go<Vs eye^ and that
alow, was the grief revealed, and in His bottle were
the tears preserved.

Amid the darkness of such a scene it was com-
forting to know that some of those stricken ones, in
the spirit of resignation, could say, " The Lord gave,
and the Lord hath taken awav ; blessed be the name
of the Lord."

;ii

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CHAPTER Vlir. f
Personal Incidents.

Many and varitMl were the personal incidents in
connection with the great disaster. These incidents,
as told by various persons who escaped with their
lives and a number of the rescue parties, are given
that the reader niiglit have a record of important
events not mentioned in other chapters.

One man wlio escaped states that he saw two
lads fall as they were ruiuiing towards the entrance.
He stopped to helf) them, but the damp came so
nearly overcoming him that he was compelled to
hurry on and leave them to their sad tate.

The searching party that recovered the body of
Manager Swift are confident he rose to his feet
after the explosion and wat< knocked down by the
falling stone beneath which he was covered. It is
8up{>08ed that at the time of the disaster, the late
manager, as he >vas wont to do, was leaning witli
his back against a box, conversing with the two
miners at the face of the level. When found his
head was towards the bottom of the pit and about
a foot of stone was under him, which is considered
(76)

Sprimjhill Colliery Disaster.

prool' that he had sprung to his feet after the
explowion and was making his way out. But he
got only ten feet from the faee, when knocked down
eitlier by atler-damj) or falling rock. His nose was
slightly burned, but the body was not <listigured in
any other way. To one of the shithnen Mr. Swifli
announced his intention of going to the bank at
noon, but on reaching the pit bottom he found that
timber was being lowered, and started into the face
of the level. He was a fast walker, and, even
all()\vi!ig for this, he had barely time to reach the
j)oint where his body was found. It is singular,
liowever, that the searching party that proved suc-
cessful, after consultation among the men, decided
to make the attempt, though many tried to dissuade
tliein, an<i were convinced that Mr. Swift could not
liave got so far into the level ; but the little party
could not be swerved, and their theory proved

<'(>rrect.

A Very Sad Case

was cx|K»rienced by a young man whose brother was
killed in the mine. He started to take the body to
(iipe Breton. The poor fellow, when about half
way on his journey, was so overcome by grief that
he became demented, and another friend had to
follow to Antigonish to take him home.

■1 I

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Sprhif/hiff (}}fh'm/ Disaster.

Several niiners wlio encaped suv tliat tliey never
heard hucIi cries an those whicli caine from some ol"
the men affected l)y the at'tei'-damp, wlio realized
that thev must lie down an<l die.

i)\w of the si'arcliinjj^ |»Jirtv in ]»assing tlirough
stepjH'd on a man's Imck. Tt was the only part
visihle, the head and lind>s heing eovere<l with
stones an<l fallen heams, and it took considcrahic
time to remove these.

Malcolm Blue, another of the rescuers, in one
place, whilst crawling on his hands and knees near
the face of the level, [»nt his hand on the face of
the dead hody of William Ilydc. It was unexi>ected,
and he drew hack with a shiver.

Among the victims was Joseph Tattersall, the
well known cricketer who came out from England
to coach the Wanderers' Cluh of TIalifax. He came
to the mines to work during: the winter. A few
weeks ago he sent liis wife home.

A. J. McKav, one of the killed, had onlv heen
workinu: hi the mines three davs. Another of the
unfortunates had made up Ids mind to go out of
the company's employ and he would luive left within
a month.

A numher escai>ed by not going into the mines
that fatal afternoon. Those who worked in their

' >!

Spr'nHfhill Otifxi'i/ Di''<of<(tr.

|);irt of till' pit WfR' hnuit^lit out <l«';nl on tin- follow-
uiif inoniiiig.

(ie'ora;o Allison, Adam Laniiiior, and six or
Hovcn otliers, lia<l a woudcrtul oscapi'. Thcv had
Im'cii workiiij; in the miiH-s an hour jirevious to the
('.\|»losion, hut were sent out i'or loadiiitr bad coal.
L;ii riiiioi" was in the ti'rrihle l>ruiiiniond cxijlosiou
sonic time a^'o, and was rescued hy Timothy Lead-
heater, tos^ether with a number of others.

The absencg of Overman Tleose from Xo. 1 Slope
at the time of explosion was evi<lently |>rovidential.
J laving ])een appointed to assist in the mine for a
short time that dav in the absence of some of those
wlio had gone to Maecan, he was look:e<l for but
could not be found, being off duty at tlie time, and
liaviii": taken a stroll down the Hailwav towards
J'arrsboro for some distance. On his return he was
iulvised of the matter, and at once started to enter
Xo. 2 Slope, and liad only reached the surface wlien
the first miner who had escaped came rushing out.

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i III

CHAPTER IX.
Exi'EKlENCE OF fc?L'RVIVOKS.

Aliiiortt every one who escaped froni tlie mine
experieiioed something remarkable. Tliesi' experi-
enccB are wortliy of record, as they form a j>icturo
of the sad scene in its various features.

One man, wlio fell as though dead on reaching
the surface, states that he never experience*! any-
thing like the feelitig he had when the after-damp
began to overtake him. Despite all effort** to kee]>
them open, his eyes closed, bis joints began to
stiffen, and he felt as if he must go to sleep. Many
others were similarly affected. Two miners, whose
eyes were bloodshot, and faces bruised by their fall-
ing on them, heard nothing, felt nothing, and said
nothing until they were revived some time after
being brought to the surface. Another, who was
unconscious, states that he knew nothing that hap-
pened before he dropped as if dead. One who got
safely out tells with a shudder the sensations of his
experience. The damp, he says, poured in his ear^
and down his throat, and almost suffocated him.
Wliilst running for his life in the darkness of the
mine, as every lamp had gone out, he heard men
(80)

Spnui/fiilf Col Vn I'll Disaster.

hljrieking and falliii*^ l)i']iin(l liiiii. Sonic wlio

pauHi'd in tlicir flight to hclj* jiloiii^ a coniraili' fell

uiiconsciouH as if in a swoon. Ono atrangc I'xperi-

eiH't' wan thjit of

Cyris MrxuoK.

He and hiK butty, JamuB Morrison, and their loader,
.1. I). McDonald, were working in a j»art of Xo. 2
SI()|K'. On hearing the report, the question arose
as to what it was. Morrison said that it was either
a fall or an explosion. All being deeply impressed
that it was the latter, they caught up their dinner-
cans and started to escape from the mine. When
they got a short distance they were met by what
seemed to be a thick fog. Munroe attempted to
change his course, found his lamj) going out, and
felt a sweetish taste in his mouth. This is the last
lie remembered. Wlien he recovered consciousness,
some hours after, he realized that lie was in a house
near the entrance of the West Slope. Morrison was
found dead, and McDonald's deplorable situation is
referred to in the chapter relating to " Care of the

Wounded."

Alexander Blue

was probably nearer the scene ot the explosion than
any other who escaped. His experience is very
remarkable. As soon as he heard the first sound he

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SjjrInf/htU CoUia'y Disaster.

knew wliat it was, siiid jumped to the low side of the
place where he was working, and Hcjueezed in be-
tween the timber j»rop8. The blast came like a
lightninijj flarth, and, in passing, caught his sateh
lamp, which projected outward from bin hand, and
carried it away an it' in tin* bore of a mighty cannon.
The instant it panned, young Blue, being unhurt,
took from his pocket some cotton waste and <lippe<l
it in some water that was under liis feet, and stuffed
l;is mouth full. This he intended to act as a filter,
as well an to prevent him from inhaling large (juan-
tities of the poisonous gas. Being a robust younti
man, who bad grown up in the mine from childhood,
he knew cvcrv inch of the way as well in the dark
as with a light. He started to run with all his
might, aiul never stopped until he reached the sur-
face. A large nund)er of men were found dead
along the whole course he luul run.

I'atrick llennessy, Kdward Chandler and Henry
Nash were all together at time of explosion. At
first souml Chandler and Ilenui'ssy junked to tin-
low side of the sbutc in whith they were workini;',
drawing their coats over their hoads and puttiui;
their arms over their faces. They both escupetl,
and Nash, who was only six feet from Hennessy,
being out in the chamber unprotected, was burned

Spriiujhill (Jollier ji Dlsasfer.

so badly that he died on the fourth day, aH recorded
in Cluipter V.

»Io}in (^onwav, who is also referred to in the
same cliapter, was sitting on the edge of the front
Itox of a rake drivin^j^ hit* liorse in the level 2,000 feet
from the slope bottom at time of explowion. The
iiorne was severely burned, and killed, falling on
top of the boy in some way so as not to injure him,
uiid at the same time save him fronj the tlame.
This boy was found by H<une of the reseue parties
after they thought the living had all been rescued.
These parties were attra<*ted by the cry of" Mother I
Mother ! I Motlu'r ! I ! " in a low, feeble tone coming
from a distanci^ along the level, and rushing to the
I'larc whence it came, listeniMl and beard a feeble
cry of "Mother" coming from under a dead horse.
On turning the Inu'sc over they found the boy only
sliirlitlv atfeetcd by the after-damp, lie was taken
to the surtiicc and soon recovered. The experience
imd csca]»e from death of three other lads, .lobn 1).
Heaton, .ludsoti Farris sind Dannie Robertson, wt»re
aIsM remarkable. Beaton's tifteen year old brother,
\vli(» was working in anotlicr part of tbi' mine, and
uninjured, on bearing the «'Xplosion, immediately
lan to tlu' place wlu're be knew bis younger brother
was working, and found him !)Uint, wounded, and

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Springhill Colliery Disastet\

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his clothes on fire. After extinguishing the fire he
put him on his shouhU'r, and would not give up his
charge to any one who offered assistance until ho
had taken him out of the mine and laid him on a
lounge in his own home.

Little Dannie Rohertson, who is justly called

The Hero Boy

of the disaster, was driving a rake of empty hoxes
into the level on the west side. lie was sitting on
front of the foremost box, when, in a moment, with-
out any warning, he was struck by the terrific blast
of fierce flame, and knocked backwards into the
box. His light was put out, and the hoi*se "Jennie,''
which he drove, was killed instantly. After lying
in the box for a few minutes in a state of bewilder-
ment, he was brought to a true sense of his perilous
situation hy crashing of timbers and the roof-falls
anmnd him. ( )n springing from the box he dis-
covered that his clothes were on fire, his horse dead,
and li« alone in thi- awful darkness, and the roof of
ihe mine tailing around him.

Inder such circumstances, with heroic efi'ort he
threw off his burning coat and vest, and, with haiulB
and anns painfully burned, he started to find hii^
way out of the pit. But he had only gone a short

SpringhiU Colliery Disaster.

distance when he heard the piteous cries of little
Fiirris, the trapper, whose life was saved by dodging
under his seat, coming from a distance, and rushing
to the place, and groping around in the dark, found
the victim almost frightened to death. By this time
Robertson's hands were so painful with the burns
tliat he ^^ -« almost delirious, and could not take
hold <M ilie boy to assist him out; but with unfailing
couruge he sat down, telling the lad to get on his
back, which h» uid, and suppurting him in position
as lu'st he could, ran with his ])rceious burden until
ho gained ^br bottom of the slope, and leaving the
hid at thih j>l;!ce of safety, he inquired after the
safi'tv of his brother John, and was about to return
into the level to search for him when some of the
rescue parties caught him, phu'ed him in a box with
otlier wounded, and had him taken to the pit head
without delay, where his brother was awaiting him.
(hi their way home, little Dannie requested the man
who took him home on a sled that he l)e allowed to
walk into the house alone, so tluit liis mother might
n(»t be alarmed, ile is a member of the " Bovs' Bri-
<.'ade" in coimectioii with the Presbyterian Churcdi
of SpringhiU, which is under the pastoral care of
Kcv. David Wright, whose name is mentioned in
c(UM»eetion with the rescuing parties. As the hero-

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Spr high ill ColUert/ Disaster.

ism of tliiH brave bOy 18, perhaps, unparalleled in
hiKtorv, an effort nhould be made at once to reward
Jiirt bravery in nome sinta])le way. His portrait is
given on the following' P^^i^?*'- T"^**^ ^^<\y Boat/)n, who
saved the lite of his younger brother, although
not a member of the " Boys' Brigade," his bravery
is also worthy of public recognition. Four mem-
bers of the " lioys' l^rigade " at Springhili were
killed in tbe mines. Their names are Philip and
Murdoch Koss and James and David McV'ey.

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CHAPTER X.

List of the Victims.

As the nunies of our loved departed ones are
still dear to us, and their memories freighted with
nudyinu affection, the writer includes this chapter
an a memento to relatives of those who lost their
lives hv the sad disaster, and a sacred record for the
interest of the ireneral public, whose sympathies
have so ]ii)erallv been extended to those who were

ft/

so suddenly Ijcreaved of fathers, sons, husbands,
Itrothers, an<l other dear friends.

The followinj; is a classified list of all who were
killed in the mities, includiuij^ the four who died of
their injuries u]» to date of writin«i: (M^iy l^t, 1891),
y:ivinii: the number of widows, orphans, and widowed
iDothers left destitute bv tlie calamitv :

M.MiHiKi) Mkn with Families.

NAMES.

John Bentliffe,
I><»nal<l (^nn))bell,
Meid Carter,
'l<»lm Carmieluu'l,
\N illiam Carri^an,

DEPENDENTS.

Wife and five children.
Wife and seven chihiren.
Wife and three children.
Wife and four chihiren.
Wife and two children.

(89)

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f*0 Sprhighill Collier >/ Dimjifer.

Married Men with Families. — Continued.

g f

NAMKS.

E) ' !

Jamefl Conway,
John C'OMiierton,
Matthew Collins,
Kichard Dawaon,
Hiram Fife,
Daniel FindlavKon,
Thoman Fletcher,
Peter (Jalla^her,
Lazarus (Juthro,
.lohn Hmiter,
William Hyde,
William Kent,
F'rank Leteher,
Daniel Loekhart,
James Miller, Sr.,
John Mitchell,
Ernest Mott,
James Morris,
Jeremiah Murphv,
Angus MeKinnon,
Allan MeKinnon,
John J. McDonald,
Rorv B. McDonald,

DEPENDENTS.

Wife and
Wife an<l
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
VV^ife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and
Wife and

three children,
one child,
three children,
six children,
two children,
three children,
two children,
three children.
f<Mir children,
four children,
four children,
six children,
one child,
two children,
six children,
four children,
two children.
six children,
three childr»'ii.
eight children,
two children,
four children,
four children.

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Spri tiff hill Colliery Disaster.

Married Men with Families. — Continued.

NAMES.

DEPENDENTS.

William \f('(4ilvery,

Wife and one cliild.

J)(»mh1(1 McKay,

Wife

and two children.

.I(.lm F. McXeil,

Wife

and two children.

Rory McLc'od,

Wife

ami two children.

Norinim McLood,

Wite

and one child.

Charles Nash,

Wife

and one child.

Kodj^er Noiles,

Wife

and two children.

Malcolm Nicholson,

Wife

and one child.

Iluirli Kohcrtson,

Wife

and four children.

Stcpljcn Rurthtoii,

Wife

and four children.

Archihald Shipley,

Wife

an<l six children.

•huiics Shari>k's,

Wife

and three chihlren.

Koltcrt A. Sherlock,

Wife

and one chihi.

Henry Swift,

Wife

and five children.

.loscph Tatterstal,

Wife

and five childri'ii.

William 11. Turner,

Wife

and live fhildrcn.

Alexander Vance,

Wife

and four tliildren.

K<lirar AVry,

Wife

and two cliildren.

Philip B.White,

Wife

and four children.

<ic(»rife Woo<l,

Wife

and one child.

ThomaH Wilson,

Wife

and one child.

.l<»lm Williams,

Wife

and six children.

* Henry Nash,

Wife

and one child.

*ODe of the injured who died.

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92 Sprhtfjhill Colliery Disaster.

Married Men with Wipe Only.

John Boyd,
Robert Clark,
John Fraiu'irt,
John McKinnon,

William McKee,
John Nairn,
Malcolm Nairn.

Young Men who Supported their Mothers.

Alonzo IJudd,
Ernest Bainbridge,
Neil McLeo(i,
Joseph Pitt,

Bruce Rvan,
Thomas Rogers,
Henry Wry,
♦Joseph Tatterstal.

YouNo Men who Resided with their Parents,

AND Otherwise.

Arthur Anderson,
Herbert Armishaw,
Jesse Armishaw, jr.,
William liirchell,
William Brown,
George Bond,
Andrew Bunt,
Alexander Campbell,
John D. Campbell,
Clarence Carter,
Jude Casey,

* Mr. TattenUl had ii wife and

Andrew Carmichael,

I Alexi

William Carmichael,

1 Ernee

John Crawford,

I Thom

Samuel Dawson,

H Josep

Fred. Dilhm,

1 John

Samuel Furbow,

I Kosfei

John Gil lis.

■ Jamei

Peter Hannigar,

I Georfi

Thomas Hallett,

John Hay den.

Samuel Legere,

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1 :J^eii e

Spnnghill Colliery Disaster. 98

YouNo Men who Reside with their Parents,
AND Otherwise. — CoHlinued.

ITenry LivingHtone,
Tliomas Morrison,
William J. Maiden,
Richard Murphy,
Samuel Mucklo,
Jolm I). McEachran,
Lauglilin McKinnon,
Alexander J. McKay,
Charles McNutt,
Neil McPhee,

Robert McFadden,
Ilenry McLeod,
Roderick C. McNeill^
Jamen Nairn,
Jan I en Overs,
Cliftbrd Ripley,
James Robbins,
Howard Simonds,
David Watt.

Boys Sixteen Years of A(ie, and Under.

Alexander Bunt,
Ernest Chandler,
Thomas Davis,
Joseph Dupee,
John Dunn,
Roger Ernest,
James Johnston,
George Martin,

David McVey,
James McVey,
James Pequinot,
Peter Reid,
Murdoch Ross,
Philip Ross,
Edward Smith,
Douglas Taylor.

Wounded who Died from Injuries.

Willard Carter,
Neil S. McNeill,

Joshua McNeill,
Henry Nash.

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WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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By enumerating the former list the number of
orphans, widows, and widowed mothers, left desti-
tute by the disaster, as well as the exact number of
the killed, can easily be ascertained.

The number of the different religious denomina-
tions of the dead are as follows : Presbyterians, 40 ;
Methodists, 23 ; Roman Catholics, 24 ; Baptists, 6 ;
Episcopalians, 29; not known, 3 — netting in all one
hundred and twenty -five.

t'l;

CHAPTER XI.

Coroner's Inquest and Verdict.

ill

Monday evening after the explosion, the inquest
commenced in Fraser's Hall before Coroner Dr. C.
A. Black, of Arnherst, the resident Coroner, Dr.
J. W. Cove, being ineligible to act on the occasion,
owing to his official position as medical adviser for
the Company at the mines.

The following jurors were duly impannelled and
sworn : William Hall (foreman), Daniel Ferguson,
A. E. Fraser, George "Watt, Daniel Coghill, Simon
Fraser, Timothy Leadbeater, R. W. McDonald,
Robert Gray, Charles Simpson, Richard Bennett,
and Robert Scott. The jury, after vievidng the
remains of John Connerton, one of the victims,
descended into No. 1 Slope, to investigate the scene
of the disaster, at half-past seven o'clock, returning
in about two hours afterwards, when the court was
opened for examination of witnesses, and continued,
with the exception of a short respite, until the fol-
lowing evening, when an adjournment was made
till the 10th of March, in order to give time to

(95)

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Sprittfjhill Colliery Disaster.

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collect all the facts possible in connection with the
case. After the inquest had been adjourned by the
Coroner, Inspector Gilpin commenced a thorough
investigation as to the system of operating the
mines, cause of the explosion, etc. The chief por-
tion of the evidence taken at this examination was
presented to the jury at the Coroner's Inquest.

The investigation throughout was one of the
most thorough ever made at any inquest, and all
connected with the case felt that everything that
could be done was done to throw light on the real
cause of the explosion. «

At the inquest, Robert Drummond, of Pictou,
Secretary of the Miners' Union, and editor of the
Trades^ Journal^ ably represented the miners, and
examined witnesses on their behalf, with a view of
obtaining the ftiUest information possible, not only
for the benefit of the men, but for the satisfaction
of all parties interested. Hector Mclnnis, of Hali-
fax, watched proceedings on behalf of the Company,
and Chief Inspector Gilpin appeared as representa-
tive of the Government.

Many and various were the evidences submitted,
but, as much of the details might not prove interest-
ing to the reader, and would, of themselves, form
a large volume, only a summary of those portions

Sprlnyhill Colliay Dimster.

bearing most directly on the subjeet are given in
tlie following part of this ehapter.
Malcolm Blue was

The First Witness Examined.

He was satisfied that the explosion had taken
place in Xo. 7 Balance, and probably in Xo. 3 Bord,
but did not think there was sufficient powder in the
mine to cause it.

Alex. Mclnnis, Assistant Manager, gave his tcsti-
moiiv before the Coroner as follows : " Passed the
head of No. 7 Balance about 9.30 Saturday morning;
was in there about a week ago. I was at Springhill
Junction at the time of the explosion. About two
o'clock, after the explosion, visited No. 6 Balance.
The shot firers were instructed by the manager. Do
not think the shot firers should indicate the position
of shot. Mr. Swift, manager, had charge of No. 1
Slope at the time of the explosion. Could give no
opinion of what caused the explosion ; do not think
the shot I saw last night in No. 3 Bord caused it.
Do not think that even a gun shot would have com-
municated with the balance to have caused it. I
never saw an explosion of dust. T am satisfied there
was no gas in the level below. Shortly after the
bord started we began to use water." Again, at

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SprliujhUl Chiller y Disaster.

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Inspc'ctor (iilpin's investigation, ho was submitted
to an examination of several liours. In this exami-
nation he explained the system of ventilation and
the speed at which the fan was run before and after
the explosion ; also, in reference to the condition of
the workings of the mine. He stated that wlien he
was in charge of No. 1 Slope a few years ago, bodies
of gas were sometimes met with. The air was tested
daily by Conway, and a water gauge was kept in the
fan house and regularly examined by the night tire-
man. He knew of no lying gas in the mine. On
being examined more particularly respecting indica-
tions of gas within the past year, he believed the
men under Conway did their work faithfully. Sev-
eral years ago, when the water was heavy in the
mine, two large bodies of gas were met with. This
was in the second balance from the bottom. They
stopped using powder in the levels about two months
ago when he was in No. 1 Slope. No men were
burned in the vicinity of this district of the explo-
sion. There was not a flaming shot since he had
been assistant manager. There was a feeder of gas
in the level ignited by an open light, but no powder
was used. Since the feeder was discovered in driv-
ing the bords in No. 7 Balance, a little gas was met
occasionally, but never in large quantities. Mr.

'^WT'

Sprinf/hill CoUien/ Vhastrr.

Mflnnis' testimony concerning the turning of the
lim was corrohorated hy the tan man, Angus Munro.
Charles Mitcliell also supported part of Mclnnis'
I'videuce. Mr. Mitchell was examined at great
length. He was nig' it tireman in No. 1 Slope, and
made the last exanination of the fatal district of
the place he ore the explosion Saturday morning.
His report was to the etfect that the pit was clear of
gas. He again entered the mine after the explosion,
and the atmosphere was thick with damp. Shot
Firer Wilson, he said, had told him a few days
before the explosion that no holes were loaded and
not fired. He did not think the holes were bored
too near to the rib. He had Tiever known of a
sudden outburst of gas in the ndne. He did not
refuse that day to fire a shot. No powder was used
in No. 7 Balance on the level. He had never seen
any accumulation of gas of any importance in the
mine. If there had been a hole in No. 3 he would
have noticed it. He had fired a shot in No. 3 Bord in
No. 6 Balance when relieving Wilson two days pre-
vious to the explosion. Assistant Manager Mclnnis
i>ave detailed instructions to the shot firer, then the
miners take their instructions from the shot firer.
He had been nearly two years employed as fireman.
There was not much dust in the bords. He thought

100

Springhill Colliery Disasia\

■A\ ['

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I 'I

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: iii

i'X

twice a week sufficient to fire the bords, and that
was the practice. Gas was found in small quantities
in Bords Nos. 2, 5 and 7 of No. 7 Balance. The
morning before the accident there was a small quan-
tity in Bord No. 2. On one occasion he had gone
in ahead of the ten o'clock shift and brushed the gas
out. He was always as much afraid of the dust as
of the gas in that part of the mine. The dust was
very wet that Saturday morning, and could not have
dried sufficiently that day to have caused the explo-
sion. He always watered a dry place before firing
a shot. It looks as if something from No. 3 Bord
connected with something outside. The shot firer,
Thomas Wilson, being found in No. 3 is the only
reason to suppose the explosion occurred there. He
did not think a blown out shot would send flame
into the balance 150 feet away. The latter state-
ment was made on examination by Mr. Drummond,
and is considered important by mining men.

Dr. Hayes testified as to the cause of death in the
case of John Connerton. Showed that it was attri-
buted to after-damp.

Patrick Henneeey, who has worked as a miner
in Springhill for fourteen years, testified that there
was a terrible gust of wind and coal flying up the
shute in which he was working when the explosion

Sprwffhill Collier*/ Disaster.

101

occurred. In order to avoid it he threw himself
down and placed his head against the rih. He saw
the fire. It was burning around him. The fire
passed rapidly; the noise was very loud. Henry
Nash was seriously burned five feet from him. It
passed back over them again. He stayed in the
corner close to it all the time with his hands over
his fiice. He was 250 feet up the shute. After the
fire passed the air was suflfocatingly hot. When he
saw the blast was gone he called to the others to put
their clothes over their mouths and get out. There
was no gas lying at the top of No. 3 Shute. The air
was good. There was a good many particles of gas
in the blast. He never saw dust ignite from a shot.
They always sent for the shot firer before firing a
shot. He had only worked in No. 6 Balance a few
shifts about three months ago. At that time there
was not much dust there.

Messrs. C. Ilargreaves, William Conway, William
McGillvray, James Ferguson, William Murray, and
others, who hold various oflficial positions under-
ground, were all questioned relative to the system
of working, and instructions given by them to sub-
ordinates, their testimony on the whole going to
show that everything was in good working order.

Mr. Conway, Underground Manager in No. 1
Slope, gave it as his opinion that the explosion took

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102

Springhill Ojlllmj Disastei'.

place in No. 3 Bord, No. 7 Balance, and that it was
caused by coal dust ignited by the shot fired by
Wilson, which he thought must have had too much
powder. He believed that coal dust would explode
under certain conditions when no gas could 1)8 de-
tected, i!i Hujtport of the theory that the shot in
No. 3 Bord caused the explosion. He said he con-
sulted with Manager Swift every night regarding
the East Slope. Mr. Swift had never expressed
fears of an accident on account of gas. Before the
Workmen's Committee examined the mine. Swift
had told Viim that " Mother Coo " had predicted
there was to be an explosion in May, and he (Swift)
had con(;luded they had better have an examination.
He had talked over the question of dust several
times. Swift would not admit that the dust was
dangerous to a flame, but considered that the dust
should be kept down for the health of the men and
for safetv.

Regarding the examination referred to above,
and its results, as well as the state of the mine,
the following extract from a letter written by Mr.
Conway to a friend in Ontario a few days after the
explosion, and published in the Springhill News, gives
full particulars :

" On Thursday morning, shortly after six o'clock,
I met a committee of practical mining experts, each

Springhill Colliery Dlsasttr.

laa

hol<linij: (xovernnient eertiiicatC8, allowiti^ thei.i to
bi'como underground managers in coal ininen in
N'ova Scotia, at the l)ottom of tlie 8lo|)e, 1,900 feet
l)(.'lo\\ the surface. These men were appointed hy
tlic Miners' Union to go down my 8h)i)e, examine it
thoroughly, and make a report on the condition of
the mine in every respect. I asked these men what
tliey desired — if they wished to go through the
mine hv themselves or would I send a ffood shift
man with them for company. They said no, they
would rather I would go with them, that they felt
sure I would inform them about anything they could
not understiind, and would make matters plain to
tliem. We started through the mine about seven in
the morning and examined all air courses, measured
tile air and found 68,000 cubic feet per minute ; bar-
ometer, 30° 4' 10''; thermometer 54°. We travelled
tlio mine all through, and got to the bottom of the
sl()}>e about one p. m., where I received congratula-
tions from these men on the

;i^

Splendid Condition of my Mine

aiul the thorough ventilation of the mine in general,
old workings as well as new. They also admired my
system of waterworks through Nos. 7 and 6 Balances,
comprising a section of the mine about 1,000x600

■flSH"

104

Sfprinf/hiff O ill n't')/ DisoMer.

■« i !

i *.

feet, in wlucli were many tunnelrt or bonis, twenty-
three in till. In Home only two men were working
and in some three men. All these men were killed,
and the boys and the horses that took away their
loose coal. I had waterworks through these two
balances, and every working place had a one inch
tap for it* own use. The men reported these facts
to the Miners' Union, and left a copy of their report
in the company's office for the management. On
Friday (next day), Deputy Inspector Madden was
down my mine on his monthly inspection for the
Government, and had his gas indicator with him.
He tested my mine all through, and only in one
place found one per cent, of gas in the air, in a sec-
tion of the mine where we used only safety lampt^
and excluded all blasting, loosening the coal with
mall, wedge and pick. Mr. Madden pronounced
my mine the best conducted and one of the safest
in the province. He left the mine at noon. On
Friday evening I was a[>pointed by Manager Swift
to go to Maccan next day (Saturday) to meet the
mining officials of Cumberland County, the object
being to form a society that in the near future might
have its influence felt in government circles, in legiJ*-
la'tion for protection of mine officials. We have
none now. Mr. Swift was to take my place in tlie

Sprinf/hlll OfWrn/ Disdstter.

105

initic. I went down at six a. m. Saturday, meaKured
tlie air, and found 73,000 (uihic feet per minute, bar-
onioter 30° V 10"; tliermometer 54°. I went to f»U
air courHCH and saw everything regarding ventilation
throughout the mine in splendid condition. I then
visited No. 6 Balance, where I got a report from my
deputy, Thomas Wilson, a sterling Scotchman, that
everything in his part of the mine was in good con-
dition and entirely free from gas. Nos. 6 and 7
Balances were in his section, and he was througu
them, and all of his .h,.. ion, when I got his report.
I }tassed throu^K this No. 6 Balance and gave sev-
eral trifling orders. I then left the mine at 10.30
a. m. in charge of my deputies, nine in number, and
with them Mr. Swift, and went home, got ready, and
left Springhill Station at noon. I was at Springhill
Junction only about iive minutes when T was called
back and told that

The Mine had Exploded,

and men and boys were all in. A special engine
nin me up to the mines. I got a lamp and called
for volunteers. I got plenty to follow me, but I
only took six men, and explored as far as I co\dd.
I was satisfied that all inside were dead. * * *
The cause of the explosion was dust in the air from
the men working, the drainage gas off the coal, and

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106

Sprm/hill ^hllieri/ DisaMer.

too much powder in a blast, which iiuule a concus-
sion that put tlie air in a condition that the dunt and
gas ignited from the flame and smoke of the pow-
der. The force of the flame raised the dust as it
went along, and the head of the flame dried what
was wet, carried it along, and converted it into flame
as it travelled. We kept Xos. 6 and 7 Balances
damp with water from these waterworks, wdiich is
a measure above what is re(|uired ])y law to do for
safety in a mine, but, with all our care and caution,
we had more to contend with than is aienerallv
known in the science of mining.

" I feel very much out of shape myself, although
I feel that mv conscience is clear from anv neijlect
of duty. I did all that man and exi^erience could
do to have my mine in safe condition, and saw that
my deputies and men under me did their duty fully.
I never would allow anv ffas in the mine while men
were working in it. If any gathered through the
night I was always down the mine an hour, with a
gang of men called sulphur men, before the miners
and boys came down, and had the gas all blown out
and the places ventilated before they went to work.

This was Never Neglected.

Neither was any other measure of safety at any time
throughout the day or night while men were work-

Sprmghill CbUiery Disaster.

lor

ing in the mine. From six a. m. until two p. m.
every clay I was in the mine with nine deputies and
a time-keeper to look after the mine during that
time. I w^art relieved at two p. m. by a certificated
man and four dej)uties, and five of my deputies
stoi)ped in the mine until all the men and boys were
out. At ten p. m. this certificated man and four
(le}tuties were relieved by three night watchmen,
who were experts in gas, and travelled all the mine
and examined every place, and had to leave their
mark in chalk to show what time thev had been
there, and I am ha]>py to say they never neglected
tlieir duty. It was the first thing the men looked
for — this mark of the night watchman. From my-
self downwards, through all the deputies, we had to
write reports of our doings through our several
sliifts, which were sent to the general office for in-
siKction and comment. I mvself had also to write

i ft/

a report similar to the one in the general office,
uhich went to the head office in Montrcfd daily.
So you can judge from this what care niust be taken
of the works all through its maimgement. Presum-
ably there will be such terrible disasters as this as
long as there is mining, as there are drownings
while men go to sea in ships, but we must have coal
and we must have fish."

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108

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

I ■ !;

At the inquest Inspector Gilpin was examined at
length. lie believed there were occasional cases
where coal dust alone has been known to explode,
but not in this country. He would prefer to say
that under ordinary circumstances there must be
more or less gas present to cause dust to explode.
K there is an inflammable dust the heat would drive
off the gas from the dust. He also pointed out that
this explosion was most singular. It occurred about
midday, which is something unusual in the history of
colliery explosions, as they often occur early in the
morning when work begins or when a shift is being
relieved. In this case it happened immediately
after the dinner hour. He also expressed an opinion
that it might have been caused b}' an accumulation
or outburst of gas that may have taken place during
the time the men were eating their dinner.

The evidence having been all submitted, the
jury retired at live o'clock Wednesday evening, lltli
March, and remained out about three hours. After
the evidence had been read over and considered,
the foreman, William Hall, read the following

Verdict :

" The jury do say, upon their oath, that the lute
John Connerton and others came to their death bv

.11

Spriirghill Colliery Disaster.

109

an explosion which originated in No. 3 Bord of N^o.
7 Balance, in the west side of the East Slope, on the
21st Fehruary, 1891 ; they ftirther believe said ex-
plosion was caused by the flame from a shot tired in
eaid bord igniting the coal dust and a certain por-
tion of the gas which might have been present at
the time ; they also believe that there was an unusual
flame from said shot, owing to a slip in the stone ;
they believe the explosion was accidental, that no
hlaine is attached to the management, and that they
have taken every precaution for the safety of their
workmen.

" The jurors make the following recommenda-
tions : First, that in future, where safety lamps are
used, and in very dusty places, powder should not
he allowed ; second, they recommend that in gaseous
portions of the mine, before the men resume work
after dinner, the places should be examined by com-
jtetent officials ; third, they recommend the procure-
ment, for the use of the Deputy Inspector of Mines,
of a Shaw machine for testing gas."

Among the workmen this verdict was favorably
commented on, and confidence in the management
of the mines restored.

The state of the mine afler the ruins were all
cleared out was also the subject of many remarks.

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110

Sprmyhill CoUienj Disaster.

J 'A I'

)

Mr. Ford, Manager of the Drummond Colliery,
who was at Springhill for some days, remarked that
he never saw an explosion attended with so great
loss of life and so little damage to the works.

A few days after the dead bodies had been all
recovered the men went to work as usual. All
open lights were superseded by safety lamps of the
" Marsaret " and " Clanny " style, with a few " Davy "
lamps for gas testing purposes. The " Marsaret "
lamp is known by miners as the " boiler lamp," and
is extinguished in the presence of gas in sufficient
quantities to be dangerous. The dark cloud which
hung like a pall over Springhill for a t'me, it is
hoped will soon vanish, and palmy days return
again to the place.

It is encouraging to know that the Company
paid all expenses connected with the burial of the
dead, which amounted to nearly $2,000, and also
paid for all labor in connection with their recovery.

CHAPTER XII.
Burial of the Victims.

The closinjy scenes of this sad disaster were too
impressive ever to he* forgotten hy those who wit-
nessed them.

However deur the dead hody of our loved one
may be to us, the time comes when it must be laid
away in the silent tomb to sleep in kindred dust
until the resurrection morn, when God shall collect
the elements and fashion it for the immortal life.

Public arrangements having been made for burial
of the dead, in order that stricken families might in
some measure be relieved from care, the funerals
commenced on Monday afternoon at two o'clock, and
continued daily until Friday afternoon, when the
hody of Manager Swift was interred.

All flags throughout the town were at half-mast,
and in many cases large processions accompanied
the remains of the dead to their last resting place.

When the hour had arrived for a certain number
of funerals to take place, the corpses w^ere taken to
the churches, according to pre-arrangement, and
after brief services had been held, they were con-
veyed to the various places of burial and interred.

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112

Sjn'hifjhill Colliery Disaster.

Tlie I}{i{)tist, Mt*tl)0(li><t and Prenbyteriun Minis-
ters agreed to work together, and tlie bodies belong-
ing to these denominations were taken to the
Methodist Church, as it was easy of access, being
situated on the main street.

Tlie Episcopalians were taken to the Church of
England House of Worship, and the Catholics to
the Roman Catholic Cliapel ; and funeral services
conducted in each platte by the respective Clergy of
each denomination in harmony with their modes of
burial.

A number of funerals were also conducted bv
the diiferent societies to which some of the dead
formerly belonged.

Committees and sub-committees were appointed
to look after grave digging and the funerals. In the
cemetery large crowds of volunteers were employed
some days digging the graves. Owing to the frosty
hardness of the ground, and the extreme cold that
prevailed, grave digging was a difficult matter. A
large iire was kindled in the vicinity, and refresh-
ments and hot coffee were liberally provided to
refresh and warm the workers. When two or throe
of one family were to be buried in the same lot, a
large grave was dug and the bodies laid side by side.
One extra large grave was dug in which the dead,

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dead,

A CEMETERY SCENE.

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Springhill OolUerij Disaster.

115

"vvho had no relatives to look after them, were
buried. This grave is called

"The Strangers' Grave."

The lot was pro\aded by Manager Cowans. It
in in a choice portion of the cemetery, and was one
of the most impressive sights the writer saw in the
burying ground. In this sepulchre in the strangers'
soil a number of bodies, some of which were gar-
nered in the harvest of flame, were laid away to rest
by the hands of strangers, after the winding sheet of
snow had been drawn aside and the grave dug for
them. Although other sepulchres in the beautifiil
mound are calculated to impress the visitor, yet,
standing at this grave the Christian is reminded that
our Redeemer was laid in a borrowed tomb. He
can also by faith look forward to the resurrection
morn and

" See Truth, Love and Mercy in triumph descending,
And nature all glowing in Eden's first bloom, —
On the cold cheek of death smiles and roses are blending,
And beauty immortal awakes from the tomb."

Besides the strangers who are buried in this large
plot, twenty-one others, who had no relatives in
Springhill, were claimed by friends and taken by rail
to other places for burial.

116

SpringhUl Colliery Disaster.

When gravoH for a certain nnmber were ready,
a committee in charge at the cemetery, who were
provided with HstH of the dead, sent word to the
other committee with headquarters at the Methodist
Church, and the bodies were at once sent down on
sleds and interred. In some cases a dozen or more
bodies were sent down at the same time, and two or
three cotfins on one sled, sorrowing friends following
in procession to see the remains of their dear ones
laid away in the silent tomb.

The cemetery is situated on the Salt Springs
Road, at the base of the hill, eastern side of the
town. It is one mile from the Methodist Church,
and is known as Hillside Cemetery.

During the days in which the funerals continued
business places were closed, and the whole place
was shrouded in the deepest sorrow.

A number of outside ministers assisted the
resident clergy in conducting the funeral services,
and ministering consolation to the bereaved. Revs.
Father Egan, of the Catholic Church, was assisted
by L'^athers Cummane, of Truro, and Walsh, of Lon-
donderry. The Episcopal Rector, W. C. Wilson,
was aided by Rural Dean J. Roy Campbell, of Dor-
chester, and Revs. C. E. McKenzie, Rector of Shediac,
J. L. Downing, Rector of River John, and Simon
Gibbons, Rector of Parrsboro.

>. i

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

117

On hearing ot the explosion, Rector Gibhone
hurried to the parish and worked five days, assisting
in ministering comfort to the living, and in burying
the dead. Dean Campbell's ripe sympathy contri-
buted much comfort to the distressed. Rector
Mackenzie was a former Rector of the Parish, and
came to perform the last solemn rites over many ot
his former parishioners. Rector Downing came to
look after some of his congregation who were killed
in the disaster.

At the Methodist Church, Revs. D. Wright, D.

W. Johnson, and H. B. Smith attended. Rev. J.

M. Robinson, of Moncton, and Revs. John Craig, of

Southampton, and Thomas Evans, of Oxford, visited

the afflicted households, and also assisted at some ot

the funerals. The arrangement was that one of the

clergy should always be at the church, one at the

cemetery, and another accompanying the funerals to

the grave, each taking his turn alternately. It was

at these funeral services in the Methodist Church

that the most

Heart-Rending Scenes

wore witnessed. The greater number of the dead
were taken from this place for interment. Here
weeping friends assembled to mingle in the services.
The long rows of coffins visible were too much for

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118

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

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frail nature to bear. At times it appeared as if
there were no oasis in the dark wilderness. Many
of the bereaved here " mourned with a great and
very sore lamentation." Ministers tried to read
portions of seripture, offer prayer, and speak words
of comfort to the distressed, but were otten over-
come by their feelings, so that they could only
mingle their tears with the congregation. One who
took an active part in these services, in a communi-
cation to the writer, states : " The words seemed to
come back upon myself. Words were wholly iiuidc-
quate to express cither what minister or people felt.
The feeling was what ran we say, or what shall we
say that will be m(>st appropriate. It was a tinu'
when the heart felt, but found no channel through
which it might or could express itself. To look on
was worse than taking a part. To look was to
shiver and feel sick ; to turn and helj) was the only
way to escape a sickening feeling creep over you."
At the Episcopal Church some of the scenes were
also very sad. Of the twenty-nine who belonged to
this denomination two were taken away by train,
two were buried at Windham Hill, and the twenty-
five buried in the Springhill Cemetery were all taken
to the church, with the exception of one lad, who
was buried as a stranger, his own father not being

Spri)u/hill OMiery Disiister.

119

able at the time to recognize what remained of a
rioar Bon. The remains of this hoy were cxhnmcd
afterwards, and phiced in the family lot with full
funeral ohseqnies and service. At one time seven
caskets were in this church, and in three sad instances
these funerals took place from each of the three
households. In addition to the burial services held
ill this church, a memorial service was held on the
second Sabbath after the ex[)lo8ion, and the offer-
tory, which was a liberal one, is to be devoted to the
erection of a brass Memorial Tablet in the proposed
new Church of England, which is soon to be erected.
This tablet will contain the names of the church
nicnibcrs who were killed. It is expected that tlie
new church will in many respects be a "memorial"
clnirch, as several parts of the structure and of the
furniture will be given as memorials. Special con-
tributions from church people in all directions have
been asked for this object.

Sonic of the funerals were of a public nature,
the })rocessions accompanied by bands of nmsic and
other demonstrations of honor for the dead, and
ijcneral sympathy for the friends bereaved.

One Particularly Painful Funeral

took place. The remains of John Hunter were re-
covered late in the evening, and it was absolutely

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120

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

necessary to inter the body at once. Rev. Dean
Campbell read a ^ r' f service at the church, and
Rector Wilson met the body at the cemetery. The
darkness had set in, the diggers had left for the
night, and it took some time to get the grave ready.
Two faithful persons stood by the casket, and by the
glimmering light of the lanterns the service was
read and the body laid in its narrow house a short
time before the hour of midnight.

The F jneral of Manager Swift

y^as the last funeral of those who were killed in the
mines. It took place on the afternoon of Friday,
and was public in its nature. After brief services
had been conducted at the late residence of the
deceased by his pastor. Rev. D. Wright, and Rev. J.
M. Robinson, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at
Moncton, the remains were taken charge of by the
Freemasons and buried with the rites of the Masonic
Order. Besides members of the Order in Springhill
many were present from other places. The proces-
sion was headed by the band of the 93rd Battalion,
accompanied by the Cumberland Cornet Band. Tlie
procession was fully three-quart'^rs of a mile long,
and the route was lined by crowds who silently we{>t
as the cortege passed, and many of whom followed

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

121

the remains to the cemetery. Tlie band played a
mournful dirge. At the grave the services were
conducted by Revs. J. M. Robinson, S. Gibbons, and
D. Wright, and were most impressive. The circum-
stances of the case were calculated to make a deep
and lasting impression. The shroud of snow now
stained by the new made graves, the wind moan-
ing through the leafless branches of surrounding
tree« the sad strains of the fiineral dirge, sobbing of
bereaved spectators, and the solemn hush felt by all
in the presence of death, formed the last sad scene
of tbo great calamity which had filled the town with
the deepest gloom for a whole week.

In (connection with this last funeral it may be

stated that

The Late Henry Swift,

Underground Manager of the Springhill Collieries,
took a deep interest in the welfare of the men over
which he was placed as Overseer. Being a self-
made man, and having a thorough understanding of
coal mining operations, he was naturally looked
upon as a leader among his companions. He was
an Englishman by birth, born at Beckerstaff, Lan-
cashire, in 1850. When twelve years of age he went
to work in one of the mines of the Ramford Coal
Company, who operated several collieries in Lanca-

■■i\

122

Springhill Chlliei^y Disaster.

shire, which were lield underlease from Lord Derby,
father of Lord Stanley, Governor-General of Canada.

Mr. Swift worked at coal mining in England
with much success, until nineteen years of age, when
he emigrated to the United States. After spending
a short time in some of the Anthracite Mines of
Pennsylvania, he removed to Maryland and thence
to N^ova Scotia, working in the Albion Mines until
1874, when he came to Springhill and persevered in
his regular calling until the terrible disaster, when
he lost his life in the faithful discharge of his duties.

At the Albion Mines Mr. Swift was married, in
1871, to Miss McLeod, who, with five children, sur-
vives him. He was appointed Underground Man-
ager of the Springhill Collieries, under Mr. Hall,
whom he succeeded, in April, 1890. Mr. Swift was
an active member of the Presbyterian Church. He
was also a member of the Masonic Order, a Justice
of the Peace, Vice-President of the Nova Scotia
Institute of Mining Officials, and President of the
Relief Fund for the benefit of sick and injured
miners. He was a hard worker, close student; a
man of broad sympathies, a warm-hearted friend, a
kind husband, tender father ; and in his death his
family are not only left to mourn, but the com-
munity has sustained an irreparable loss.

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HENRY SWIFT,
Late Underground Manager Springhill Collieries,

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CHAPTER XIII.

Sympathy with the Bereaved.

The following day after the explosion a meet-
ing of the leading citizens, representative miners,
town council and clergy of Springhill was held to
consider what should be done under the circum-
stances. At this meeting it was decided that an
appeal for aid to assist the sufferers csnould be wired
at once to the leading cities in various parts of the
land. The appeal was transmitted free of charge by
the telegraph companies to the principal cities in
Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. The
following is a copy of the urgent appeal made to

the public :

"Springhill, N. S., Feb. 22nd, 1891.

"A mining disaster attended with fatal results, un-
paralleled in the history of Canadian miners, has fallen
upon the town and the people of Springhill. The loss of
lite i3 probably as great as the combined appalling loss at
the Drummond and Ford pit explosion.

"About 117 lives are known to be lost. Fifty-one
widows have been left behind, and 157 children made
fatherless. The widows and fatherless will require abun-
dant assistance^ and that promptly, from a public shocked
and horrified by this horrible calamity.

(125)

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126

Sprinf/hill Collier n Disaster.

i -i

" Seventy thousand dollars will be required to meet the
demands and to alleviate the sufferings of the bereaved and
distressed during the most pressing period of their direfiil
misfortunes.

"The residents of Springhill, in meeting assembled,
have appointed a committee, consisting of the Mayor,
Town Council, and all the resident clergy, to solicit and
acknowledge subscriptions to the Springhill Relief Fund,
and they confidently and earnestly ask for an immediate
response of all denominations, societies, guilds and nation-
alities.

" Wm. Hall, Mayor.

" A. McLeod, Secretary."

This ap[>eal wiit* sent broadcast in the evening,
and responses by telegraph expressive of sympathy,
and guarantee of immediate aid were many and
prompt.

On hearing the sad news, Queen Victoria cabled
at once, through Lord Stanley, Governor General
of Canada, to Mayor Hall the following :

" Her Majesty commands to inform you that Her Maj-
esty has heard with much regret of the Springhill colliery
disaster, and desires me to convey an expression of her
.V riliy with the injured, and with the relatives of those
'?? • -ia 76 lost their lives. Be good enough to send details

iC'

ic^ueen's information."

Sirrivghill Colliery Disaster.

127

In connection with this cablegram, the mayor
also received the following telegram from the (4ov-
ernor General :

" Ottawa, 23rd February.

" To Mayor Hall : I am deeply grieved to learn how
eerious the accident at Springhill has proved. Pray ex-
press, if possible, my sincere sympathy with the relatives
of those who have been lost. I shall be glad to hear how
the injured are progressing.

"(Signed). Stanley of Preston."

The following is a copy of Mayor Hall's telegram
in reply :

" Springhill Mines, N. S., February 23.

" Lord Stanley of Preston, Ottawa :

"Her Majesty's devoted subjects are deeply grateful
for her gracious expression of sympathy in their sore afflic-
tion. Please transmit to the Queen our warmest thanks.

"Henry Nash, one of the wounded, died last night.
The recovery of others is doubtful. Most of those brought
out of the pits, unconscious from the effects of after-damp,
have rallied. The number of wounded now living is about
ten. The deaths caused by the explosion number one hun-
dred and twenty-two.

"Accept our grateful thanks for your own remem-
brances.

"William Hall, Mayor."

ii*f

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128

Sprwfjhill Collier ij Disaster.

Urn

The Queen donated a liandsonie cheque, and
Lord Stanley advised a draft of liveliundred dollars.

Other donations, averaging from rtfty to one
thousand dollars each, were wired at onee from
various sections. Public meetings were held im-
mediately in many cities and towns of Canada ; sub-
scription lists were opened ; city councils donated ;
churches, societies and individuals contributed witli-
out delay, and in two months after the disaster the
contributions had netted nearly

One Hundred Thousand Dollars.

The following press extracts, which have conio
under the writer's notice, will give some idea of the
promptness of response to the call for aid :

" Montreal, Feb. 24. — A meeting of influential
citizens was held in the Board of Trade rooms
to-day for the purpose of forming a relief fund in
aid of the sufferers by the Springhill mine disaster.
The president of the Board of Trade presided, and
earnestly invited the citizens to respond liberally to
the appeal for funds. Hon. George Drummond
and others spoke. A committee consisting of the
wealthiest citizens of Montreal was appointed to
wait upon the finance committee of the city council
and ask them to head the list. Several large sums

til

Sprinyhill ColUnij Di<ai<ta'.

129

liave already Ijeen promised, and Montreal may be
oxpeeted to .subHoriWe liberally to aid its suffering
Itrethren in a sister provinee. Snbseription lists are
to be opened tlirougb tbe eity and an ap[>eal made
to tlie ehnrcbes of all denominations."

"MoNCTON, Feb. 22. — Tbe disaster at Springbill
excites universal sympatby liere. Mr. Wbitney,
nu'clianieal superintendent of the railway, has tele-
i^nipbed tiftv dollars. Mavor Sumner has also tele-
iirapbed sympatby, and a pul)li(* meeting -will be
held to consider tlie matter of financial assistance.
Keference was made to the disaster in all cburcbes
to-dav.

" Tbe Governor General lias alreadv sent a con-
tribution, tbrougb tbe Hank of British Xortli
America, for five hundred dollars, the town of
Moncton telegraphs one thousand dollars, and .fohn
McDougall k Son, of Montreal, have subscribed a
thousand to-day."

" Varmouth, N. S., Feb. 24. — At a very large
and influential meeting of citizens in the court
lioiisc tliis evening, the followiug resolutions were
unanimously adopted :

" That Mayor Leavitt be authorized to convey to the
mayor jind citizens of Springhill an expression of the
sincere regret of the people of Yarmouth on account of

. .t

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^fw

130

Spn'nf/hl/l Qflficn/ Di^-astcr.

i ml

; III

nil

iiif

the awful calamity that has befallen that town, and that
has deeply stirred our citizens of all classes and creed.s,
and prompts this assurance of heartfelt sympathy with the
sufferers in their distress and painful bereavement.

" It was also resolved that, in the opinion of this
meeting, the town council of Yarmouth be authorized iu
pay to the Springhill relief fund the sum of $1,000, and to
assess that sum ofi" the ratepayers of this town.

"The money will be wired in the morning."

" SpRiNnniLii, ViA). 24. — Tc'k'*^rams are ponrinji:
in from all (piarters. Tbe relief fnnd now amonnts
to $3,800. 8ympatbetie tele<j!:rams have been re-
ceived from Arebbislioj) O'Brien arjd tbe Mayors of
St. Jobn, Moneton, Halifax, Brandon, Cobonrg,
Sherbrooke, Hamilton, Amherst, Liinenl)iirjj^, ]*arrH-
boro. Little Glaee Bay, and North Sydney, promis-
ing prom[)t contribntions to the funds."

"Halifax, Feb. 24. — Mayor McPhorson re-
ceived a cable from London, this morning, from
Mr. William Miller, of Murdoch's Nephews, statiiiir
that he and his brother would subscribe $1,000 to
the Springhill relief fund, which would be [>;iid
through Murdoch's Nephews, of this city."

"Toronto, Feb. 27. — The executive committee
of the city council have decided to reconmiend a
grant of $2,000 to aid in relieving sufferers by the
Springhill horror.

SprbufhiU 0>Ui('r;i Di-'«i-'<it'r.

131

''(iruiid Master Ivobortsoii, on lu'lialf of the
Miisonic Gnind Lod^j^e of Canada, lias forwarded
%'li)() to the fund for the relief of the sufferers hy
the di'^aster."

" Bkli.eville, Ont., Fel). 27. — Tlie eitv ♦•ouncil,
this afternoon, voted $200 to the fund for tlie relief
of sufferers by tlie Sj)rinj2^hill disaster."

"()ttawa, Feb. 27. — Subscriptions are bein«j
tiikeu up liere for the relief of the S[>ringhill
sufferers."

" Si>RiN(iMn.i., Fel). 24. — Rev. Mr. .lolinson re-
ceived to-day, from an anonymous eontril)utor, a
letter without a date inclosing $25, and referring
him to St. Matthew's gospel, ehap. vi., verse 1, also
expressing gratitude for past mercies bestowed upon
the writer. Mayor flones, of Parrsl)oro, arrived
here to-d;iy with $1,000, which, considering the size
of the town, is a magnificent contribution, lie
says this sum will be supplemented by another con-
tribution. The response is prompt and hearty, but
only those on the sjjot have the slightest conception
of the great necessity. Cases of extreme destitution
are everywhere apparent, and the ayipeal should
have been for a larger sum."

" St. John, N. B., February 26. — A public meet-
ing of the citizens w^as held at City Hall yesterday in

I- i

«ti :| 51

:ym

? > 8

•»♦!

T a

■■ Ifll'fiii

l>. !■

I<M

SprmjIi'iU Colliery Dmi^ter.

rcHpoiise to a call from Mayor Lcx^kliart, (ieorge
Robertson, (lilbert Murdocli, C. W. Woldoii, Q. C,
Geo. F. Smith, E. MeLcod, Q. (\, Jolin McMillan,
Aid. Shaw, Aid. Hohcrtsoii, Aid. Lewis, Aid. Hiishy,
Aid. IVtern, D. Patton, Sinui^^or J)over, Kcv. Canon
BrigHtocke, Rov. (icorgi' Bruct', Kcv. Dr. Macrae,
Rev. T. V. Fotheringliam, James Maiichc tcr, S. J).
Scott, W. W. Turnbiill, K. V. Skinner, W. K.
Vroom, F. W. Ilathcway, J. deWolfe Sjnirr, 8ir
Leomird Tilley, R. II Emerson, ('. A. Kverett,
Simeon Jones and R. 1*. Starr.

" In calling the meeting to order, Mayor Lockhart
referred in feeling terms to the disaster at Springhill,
which had l)ronght sorrow > so numy homes, and
left so many widows and orphans to be provided for
at the liands of a charitable i)eo[)le.

" Sir Leonard Tilley, R. P. Starr, W. E. Vroom
and R. C. Skinner spoke of the necessity for aid, and
some of them were of the opinion tliat the Common
Council should make an immediate grant of $2,500.

" Sir Ijconard Tilley advocated t'lat the money to
be sent forward shonld be raised by vohintary sub-
scription. Sir Leonard said the ofHcers of the Pro-
testant Orphan Asylum had ottered to provide for a
number of the children, and this was a most generous
and Christian-like act.

S/)rin(/lii// 0)}lkni Disaster.

188

" C. VV. VVeldon, Q. (\, thou^cht it would l)c well
U) ri'(|iU'Ht tlic Common (^oimcil to make a liberal
jH)i»r<)priatiou and also o|k'1i a v<)linitary Huhsfription.

"Datiit'l Patton movt'd the following roHolution :

" Whereas, The recent cahiniity in the Sprinjjjhill mines
huH caused the loss of* many lives, with the sad result that
the widows and children of those who lost their lives are
now destitute ;

" Therefore resolved, That the citizens of St. John most
sincerely sympathize with the bereaved and desire to aid
tliose who are in want ; also

" Resolved, That the Conmion Council be requested to
make a liberal appropriation to the Mayor of Springhill
and that a private subscription list be opened.

" The resolutioti was seconded by John McMiUan.

" Rev. Canon Brigstocke heartily agreed with the
spirit of the resolution, and hoped the couneil would
be able to make the subscription a large one. The
calamity was a dreadful one, and the people of
Springhill resi)onded promptly when St. John was
in need. The St. John fire was not to be compared
with the mining disaster in point of the loss of life
resulting. He thought all the churches and societies
and Christian organizations should lend a helping
hand in this case and take up subscriptions.

" Mr. John McMillan reminded those present

M-

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134

Springhill Colliay Disaster.

:4t.i ,,

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M*^ f

that after the great fire in St. John the citizens of
Springhill, then numbering between 1,500 and 2,000,
forwarded $218 to St. John. In view of this he felt
sure that every taxpayer in St. John would feel Ihat
he would like to give something, even if it were but
little, to relieve the widows and orphans at Spring-
hill. He thought the relief fund should take the
form of a civic gift.

" Mr. W. E. Vrooni stated that he had wired
R. n. Cooper, the treasurer at S]>ringhill, and had
been informed that Mayor Hall and the clergy of
Springhill, togetlier with the 'onnnittee of the Em-
ployees' Kelief Fund Association, and Mr. McLeod
of the company's office, had the nuitter of handling
the funds in charge. The matter could not, he felt,
be in better hands. They thought $70,000 would
be recpiired to relieve the distress. Probably forty-
five out of the fifty-four widows were in debt at
the stores on account of the late strike. There
were more than one hundred and sixty orphans,
and all were dependent upon the miners, who
were novv able to do little for them. All disposed
to contribute could be certain that the very best
possible disposition would be made of the funds.

" Sir Leonard Tilley hekl that there could be no
difference of opinion in regard to the wisdom with

Sprmgh'dl Colliery Disaster.

135

wliich the money would be distributed. The gene-
rosity and universality of the subscription to the
Fred. Young Memorial had been marked, and he
felt that the citizens would subscribe liberally in the
present instance. The easiest way would be to have
the council dispose of the matter, but he thought
the effect would be better if the monev were raised
bv voluntarv contributions from those whose hearts
liad been touched.

"Mr. Starr said that he was intimately ac(piainted
with the committee at Rpringhill, and assured the
meeting that the matter could not be in better hands.

"■ Ahlerman Ijcwis moved that a committee of
five, of which the mayor shall be chairman, be ap-
pointed, with power to add to their number, to take
charge of subscriptions. C'arried.

" On motion of John McMillan a subscription
list was opened in the meeting, and nearly |1,000
were subscribed at once by those present.

" St. John, February 26. — At the weekly meet-
'm% of St. David's Church, last evening, the Rev.
<n'(). Bruce brought up the subject of the Springhill
collierv disaster, and at the sutj^y^estion of Senator
Boyd (who referred to the noble action of the I*ro-
testant Orphan Asylum Board), seconded by Mr.
Kobert Cruikshank, President of the Joggins Coal

v:i ^;

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136

Sprhighill ChlUery Disaster.

Minino* Association, who gave a most interesting
ucconnt from his own experience of the danger of
coal mining, the A'ote was taken to which there was
a nnanimons response ; and so St. David's collection
at both services Sundav \v\\\ be in aid of the fund.

"At the morning service in St. David's Church,
Kev. George Bruce preached from John xvii. 21 :
" That tliey all may he one." Xever did he speak
with more fervor, and his description of the morning
parting at his home with wife and children, as the
miner went to his work, and the unknown deatli
awaiting him there, was most powerful. His refer-
ences to the humanizing influences of suffering, and
the cal)legram from our good Queen, whose widowed
heart, yet bearing the great sorrow of her bereave-
ment, was evidence of this. From every part of
this great British empire the help notes were heard ;
from the humblest subject to the Governor General
here, and from the Queen to the ruled there, but
one sentiment prevailed, which showed that we are
all one. The collectio!i will be over $200. Many
have given in other ways."

These extract*^ are given as a mere sample of
how the hearts of all classes and communities were
touched on hearinjirtbe news of the terrible calamity.

In reference to the church responses, ministers of
all denominations throughout the land brought the

SprmghiU ColUen/ Disaster.

matter before tlieir eongreii'ations in ji forcible and
irn] )rc'ssi ve manner.

The following outline of sermon, preached on
behalf of the Springhill sufferers by the Rev. A. J.
^^rcFarland, of St. John, N. B., March 8th, 1891,
whicli the writer had the privilege of listening to,
is given as a specimen of the discourses delivered in
many places on the occasion :

Text: Luke X. 1*9-37. Theme: "Our Neighbors, the Springhill SufTerei-s."

From this parable we may learn what was Christ's
conception of neighborhood. The lawyer having been
convicted of great failure in the light of his own law, hopes
to find excuse and justification in the answer to his (juestion,
"And who is my neighbor."

Jesus in this parable presents a case and submits it to
the lawyer to decide who acted the neighborly part. As
the case was presented there was only one answer; of the
thret — the Priest, the Levite and the good Samaritan —
the latter alone "shewed mercy" to the robbed, wounded
and half-dead man on the highway. Our Lord cuts short
the interview with the cavilling lawyer, by saying, " Go,
and do thou likewise."

Compared with the conception of Christ as exhibited
here, the prevailing opinion of the world is often narrow
and selfish. Many would confine their love and benefac-
tion to their kindred, their blood relations ; some would
extend them to the circle of their acquaintance, their social

■III ■ i' * ■*! ■''
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138

iSjmmjhill CoUieri/ Disaster.

nfflf:fFl'

set; some would be willing to embrace in their view
those of their fellow-citizens with whom they desire an
interchange of civilities, while others would extend the
limit to those of their own religion or nation, but all these
views fall far inside the limit set by our Lord. His con-
ception would —

1. Break down the unreasonable and wicked barriers
of race. Christian principle and Christian spirit are in
accord with the fact announced by Paul on Mar's Hill,
that God had " made of one blood all nations of men to
dwell on the face of the earth." The enmity cherished by
strong nations and races against those who were weak has
been foolish and illogical. The deep racial prejudice of
our time is not natural. The Indian, the Chinaman
and the Negro are in Christ's view on the same plane with
the Caucasian. In Christ ** there is neither Greek nor Jew,
Barbarian nor Sythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all and
in all."

2. It includes the whole world. Wide spaces formerly
served to limit the knowledge of one part of the world con-
cerning other remote parts. As a natural consequence,
cases of need excited less sympathy than they otherwise
would. But science has in our day annihilated space so
far as our knowledge of the world is concerned. We get
the details of a disaster in the Antipodes as readily as we
do when it occurs in an adjoining province. Those who
lie wounded on life's highway in India or China have a

Sprivghill Collier)/ Disaster.

139

irriere
are in
s Hill,
men to
bed by
iak has
idice of
inaman
,ne with
»or Jew>
all and

claim on our love and help, that they may be brought back
to life and health and joy, as strong as those who live under
the same flag with us.

3. It extends to every kind of character ; not alone to
the worthy and the good and the lovable, who are unfor-
tunate, but to the ungodly, the immoral, the erring, the
fallen. Christ did not take the " other side " as he passed
by the publicans and sinners of his day, but he exposed
himself to reproach by his readiness to mingle with them
with a view to help them up to a better and purer life.

The practical conclusion, dear brethren, from this line
of thought is, that this Christian conception of neighbor-
hood clearly includes such sufferere as those who were so
suddenly made widows and orphans by the terrible calamity
at Springhill. Our generous sympathy and practical kind-
ness should go out freely to these sufferers in our contribu-
tions to-day. Seek for more of that love to God whereby
we may be qualified for loving all whom He loves.

On hearing that four members of the Boys'
Brigade at Springhill had been killed, and another
seriously wounded, the First St. John Com})any
Boys' Brigade of Canada sent $50 for the benefit
of the sufferers belonging to that corps as a fraternal
gift to comrades. This being a private gift, the
amount is not credited in the following chapter.

tij-

CHAPTER XIV.

Help for the Destitute.

If 1 -

The writer would gladly give the name in this
chapter of every person who contributed of their
means to the Relief Fund in aid of the orphans,
widows and widovvi^d mothers left destitute by the
great ealaniity ii ; "^ghill, but as several volumes
the size of this oook would not contain a complete
list of these m^iue.^, n^en H possible to secure them
all, a summary of the whole ;n many cases is con-
sidered most practicable. As the several amounts
contributed have been duly credited in the public
press, and will no doubt be published again in tiu'
Treasurer's report, it is not essential that every
separate item should appear in this volume. Besides,
takina: it for srranted that manv who contributed to
the general fund gave in the spirit of the Master, who
says : " When thou doest alms let not thy left hand
know what thy right hand doeth." In personal do-
nations the amounts are credited to the places where
the donors reside instead of to the persons w ho gave-

The following is a carefully prepared list of con-
tributions publicly acknowledged, as received by the
Treasurer up to date of writing (May 29th), the
(140)

Sprivr/hill Colliery Disaster.

141

whole netting ^86,604.42. In the arrangement of
tliiri liHt the aggregate amounts contributed by city
corporations, citizens, committees, societies, churches
and private individuals forming one community, are
all included in the amount credited to each place so
far as the writer has been able to collect them to-
irether :

Sydney, C.B $606 75

Sherbrooke, Que 532 15

Victoria, B. C 500 00

Vancouver, B.C 522 00

North Sydney, C. B.. 500 00

New Glasgow, N. S... 500 00

Sydney Mines, C. B.. 487 53

Toronto, Ont 1,731 61

Reserve Mines, C. B. 450 00

Hantsport, N. S 450 00

Stellarton, N. 8 710 65

Newcastle, N. B 410 50

Marysville, N. B 359 60

Antigonish, N.S 377 57

Victoria Mines, C. B. 344 00

Chariottetown, P.E.I. 1,114 05

Quebec 710 00

Brantford, Ont 235 00

Dorchester, N. B 207 00

Wolfville, N. S 207 00

Kentville, N. 8 209 80

Capelton, Que 201 25

NewWe8tm'ter,B,C. 200 00

* In addition to the above amount, Halifax has donated about 912,000, which
will, no doubt, be publicly acknowledged by the Treasurer when reoeived.

Montreal, Q $22,435 55

St. John,N.B 7,639 22

I^ndon, Eng 3,336 91

Moncton, N. B 2,512 81

Truro, N.S 2,056 70

Lethbridge, N. W.T. 1,627 30

Windsor, N.S 1,431 48

Fredericton, N. B 1,109 00

Amherst, N.S 2,011 41

Yarmouth, N.S 1,100 00

Londonderry, N.S... 1,000 00

Parrsboro, N. S 1,07140

Dartmouth, N. S 975 82

Niinaimo, B.C 1,147 30

Pkton, N.S 900 00

Lunenburg, N.S 803 00

tiowrie Mines, C. B.. 769 75

Chatham, N. B 730 50

Wellington, B.C 750 00

Caledonia Mines, C.B 645 00

Glace Bay Mining

Co. and Employes 551 00

♦Halifax, N. 8 3,928 30

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142

S]mn(//ii(l. Colli ci'jl Disaster.

Hamilton, Ont I 276 00

Belleville, Ont 205 00

Brocton, MasH. (from

Provincial ists) 200 00

Petersborough, Ont... 187 00

Bridgeport, C. B 175 00

Lennox ville. Que 156 00

Sussex, N.B 160 25

Canso, N.S 153 90

Annapolis, N.S 42 50

Winnipeg, Man 162 00

Petitwdiac, N. B 138 50

Digby,N.S 136 00

Great Village, N. S... 127 00

Campbellton, N.B.... 115 15

Windsor, Ont 330 75

St. Hyacinthe, Qjie... 214 00
PtHawkesbury.N.S 125 25
Canning and Kings-
port, N. S 114 20

St. Stephen, N. B 187 47

Coaticooke, Que 105 00

Guelph, Ont 125 00

Brandon, Man 171 15

Chatham, Ont 100 00

Liverpool, N.S 141 00

Niagara Falls 100 00

Coburg, Ont 160 00

Port Hood, N.S 30 00

Lindsay, Ont 100 00

Goderich, Ont 100 00

Wallace, N.S $ 318 50

St. Andrews, N.B... . 84 00

Bridgetown, N. S 89 30

Shedi.ic, N.B 102 00

Port Mulgrave, N. S. 77 55

Bridgewater, N. 8.... 142 70

Lower Horton, N. S. 62 50

Port Medway, N. S... 61 50

Isaac Harbour, N. S.. 48 15

Woodstock, Ont 50 00

Port Hope, Ont 63 00

Stratford, Ont 50 00

Falmouth, N.S 49 50

Nelson, N. B 44 55

Woodstock, N. B 294 38

Springhill Jet., N. 8. 42 25

U.Musquodobit.N.S. 40 40

Oshawa, Ont 110 00

Canard Station, N. S. 27 00

Granville Ferry, N. S 45 00

Par.Blackville,N.B. 25 75

Port Williams, N. S.. 15 00

Walkerville, Ont 200 00

Kingston, Ont 523 00

Ingersoll, Ont 25 00

Hillsboro, N. B 25 76

Sackville, N. B 348 55

Westville, N. S 1,233 70

Oxford, N.S 55 00

Joggins, N.S 490 00

Economy, N. S 78 75

li ji.'.j

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SprinijhiU Colliery Disaster. 148

Directors find Employes Windsor A Annapolis Railway... $379 50

St. Andrew's Church of Scotland, Lancaster, Ont 37 00

General Mining Association 243 33

l?ible Hill and Brook&ide 58 50

St. John Congregation, Scotsburn 44 00

Knox ( hurch, Gait, Ontario 55 00

Methodist Church, River Hebert and Minudie 23 60

Pres. Chureh, Union (Centre, Antigonish 22 57

Anhlield Pres. Church, Kentort, Ont 50 00

Laurel Lodge, L O. G. T., Upper Stewiacke, N. S 30 00

Y. P. S. C. E. and other friends, Hopewell, N. S 66 17

Sons of Temperance, Little Glace Bay 10 00

St. James Church, Herring Cove 21 00

St. Bernard's Church, AVeymouth, N. S 62 00

Keewatin No. 1, I. O. O. Foresters, Rat Portage 25 00

Acadia Village School, Horlon Landing 15 00

St. John Presbyterian Church, Dalhousie, N. B 00 00

Presbyterian Church, Sheet Harbor, N. S 20 00

Methodist Church, Barrington, N. S 23 00

Milville Sewing Society, Middle Stewiacke, N. S 13 00

Presbyterian Church, River Stewiacke, N. S 15 00

St. Mary's Parish Church 26 36

School Children's Fund, per Inspector Lay 66 60

Springside Congregation, Upper Stewiacke, N. 8 32 65

Citizens Security Investment Co 50 00

Union Church, Hopewell, N. S 10 00

Employes Albert Manufacturing Co., Hillsboro, N. B 182 00

Salem Presbyterian Church, River John, N. S 37 00

Y. P. S.C. E., Tatamagouche, N. 8 27 95

Presbyterian Church, Onslow, N. 8 34 30

I. 0. G. T., Bass River, N. S 30 00

Willard D., S. of Temperance, North River, N. S 18 00

Methcxlist Church, Bedeque, P. E. 1 65 00

General Mine Co., Salmon River, N. S 60 76

Presbyterian Church, Alliston, Ont 20 00

i< J

Mu nf

144 >^i/rhi(jhUl Collier)/ Disaster.

Presbyterian ('hurch, Sandford, Ont $ 26 00

South Side LadieH' Society, Middle Stewiacke, N. S 12 00

Miners and Mine Laborers Association 783 50

Trenton D., S. of Temperance, N.S 30 00

Methodist Church, Port Perry, Ont 16 00

Sorcom Lodge, No. 66, Whycocoraagh, C. B 20 00

Enrield Division, Pictou Co., N. 8 6 00

St. Patrielc's Society, Richmond, Que 63 75

Pioneer Grange, and Oood Templars, Kings Co., N. S 51 25

Broadway United Presbyterian Church, Broadway, R. L.. Ill 00

Petite River, Lunenburg Co., N. 8 18 12

Presbyterian Church, Norwood, Ont 20 00

Vernon, B. C, per Rev. P. F. Langille 33 00

Portapique Congregation 50 00

Bank of Montreal, Picton, Ont 25 OO

Staff Com. Cable Co., Hazel Hill, N.S 120 00

St. Croix Soap Company 210 00

West & Vale Manufacturing Co., St. Catherines, Ont 50 00

Rexford Manufacturing Co., Bedford, Que 50 00

Virgin Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M 50 00

Matthew, vi. 1 30 00

Grand Lodge of Canada 250 00

Canada Life Assurance Co 100 00

Ladies Riverside Social, Middle Stewiacke 15 00

Teachers and Students Acadia College 1 25 00

Vesper D., S. of Temperance, Hants Co 5 00

Seaside Division and Youths Reform Lodge, various col-
lections in Pictou Co ; 66 00

Golden Dawn Division, Musquodobit 10 00

Friends at Leadville, Col 76 50

Friends in New York 571 40

Friends in Lynn, Mass 43 00

Contributions from various places in Canada and United

States 2,308 38

26 00
12 00
■83 m
30 00
16 00
20 00
6 00
63 75
51 25
111 00
18 12
20 00
33 00
50 00
25 00
120 00
210 00
50 00
50 00
50 00
30 00
250 00
100 00
15 00
125 00
500

65 00

10 00

76 50

57140

43 00

2,308

CHAPTER XV.
TiKSSONS FROM TIIK (i KAT (^ALAMITY.

Completing the narrative of this t^nd dinariter, in
8}»eaking of those wlio [jerinhe*! in the niinen, we
are compelled to say tliat all the homes left vacant
by this calamity will have a shadow on them many
years to come. As there is no earthly compensa-
tion which can meet the case, fathers, mothers,
children, widows, and other friends of the departed,
must weep, and the whole community feel sa<l and
poorer on account of theii- loss. And, although
there is apj)arently no silver lining to the dark
cloud, or background of consolation to the sad i>ic-
ture, yet tliere is a ray of hope that, in that solemn
hour in the dark recesses of the pit, althougii

" No earthly fnend was there to wipe
Death's cold sweat from the brow,
Or loving hand to close those eyes,
AVhich sleep in darkness now,"

in many cases, above the avvtul crash of the explo-
sion, the voice of Divine Love was heard to say:
" Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them
alive, and let thy widows trust in me."

m^[

<r 11

' : ti

It- ■!

(145)

i i

146

S\prl}}(jhilJ Colfim/ Dm(sfn\

One important Ichsoii to bo U'jirnod tVoni this
(liHUrttor is, that tlic

(iRKAT FoRCKS OF XaTURK,

whicli arc un(k'r the abrtohite control of the Alniiglit v,
have a power and sacrednesn about tlieni which puny
man can only realize wlien brought in contact with
Huch 8cenert an thone of this terri))le calamity.

Although man is morally l)oun(l to use all lawful
endeavors for the preservation of life and property,
yet, in the intinite wisdom of (lod, for some purpose
that we cannot comprehend, it is evident that lie
must sometimes be given to understand that, with
all liis boasted knowledge, and ettorts to handh'
the lightnijigs, control tlie storms, and make otlier
powerful elements ot namre bow to his will, he
requires such terrible experience as that taught by
this calamity to enforce upon his mind the fact that,
with all his increase of knowledge and power to do
exploits and protect himself, there is no safety any-
where except in God.

It is well to study laws relating to health and
preservation, employ skilled labor, guard against all
recklessness and blunderings in dangerous occu])H-
tions, and to know that nature is uniform in all her
operations, and that the laws which govern lier

SpruKjhill O'llicn/ Disunta

147

ocorunnv art' ivii^ular laws, w liicli fuimot bo violatod

tv anv-

itli

itv; ))iit

the ad^

witli impunity; r)iir man the advancement ot art and
attainment ot' knovvled^e, it niftst In- a«lmitte<l tliat
•re aj»pearrt hut little safety from sudden death or
treedom from accidents.

Hein<i:, therefore, oidy too evident that the '' silver
cord " which hinds our soul to its tent-ment of clay
nuiy he snapjted asunder at any moment hy accident
or disease, usherinii^ the s})irit into the eternal world,
why should the warning voice of this calamity not
thunder in the ears of all who have heard thereof,
" Prejtare to meet thy dod," " Be ye also ready . for
" > such an hour as ye think not the Son of man

leth."

Surely, amid the trouhled scenes of life, and the
certainty of death, thei'e is implanted in the Chris-
tian's bosom an (hssurancc of a higher life, which is
free from all destructive forces, and where " there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying;
neither shall tliere be any more pain."

After surveying the wisdom and goodness of
(iod in our past experience, and J lis mercy in the
deliverance from eternal death, wrought out for us
bv His Son, should we not endeavor to trust Him
fully, and devote our lives to His service, having our
loins girt and our lamps burning, that when the

W^
m^

HBIHB^

148

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

messenger of death comes we may be prepared to
" enter in through the gates into the city" where the
redeemed of earth i^haJl endure no more pain or
parting from friends, arid where " the Lamb which
is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and
shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

hia

■. I,

CHAPTER XVI.

Review of Other Great Coal Mining Disasters.

A glance at a few of the great colliery disasters
which have taken place during the past eighty years
will enable the reader to see that the Springhill
calamity in among the greatest on record.

On the 'ioth of May, 1812, an explosion of fire-
damp occurred at Felling Colliery, near Newcastle,
England, hy which eighty-nine miners lost their
lives. Previous to this time, in the history of mining,
many livess had been lost in the mines of Europe.
That coal mining was a dangerous occupation, owing
to the presence of inflammable gases in the mine,
was generally acknowledged from a very early
period, but as fuel must be had, many hazarded
their lives, believing that the danger was unavoid-
able. Candles stuck into a ball of clav, fastened to
the sides of the chambers near where the miner was
working, were the chief lights once used, and owing
to these open lights coming in contact with the gases
of the mine, accidents were almost of daily occur-
rence. At the time of the great disaster alluded to
the public conscience was aroused, and special atten-
tion was directed to the matter of endeavoring to

(149)

,1 H

u )l

ifwm

r/-j >

%m f'

150

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

protect miners in some way. Sir Humphrey Davy
was then a conspicuous figure in coal mining dis-
tricts. After a triumphal tour of brilliant experi-
menting through France and Italy, he returned to
London in April, 1815, and in a short time had his
safety lamp completed. When Sir Humphrey Davy
had his lamp perfected to a point of safety, he and
Mr. Buddie, one of the chief colliery owners in
England at that time, went down to Newcastle and
traversed a number of the most dangerous mines of
the Bentham seam with impunity.

About the same time George Stephenson was
inventing a similar lamp to that of Sir Humphrey's,
and as others were also experimenting, it was con-
sidered that coal mining disasters from explosions
were then at an end. However, such was not the
case. Notwithstanding all the safety lamps and other
ap{>liances invented to protect the miner, explosions
and ignitions of fire-damp in mines are yet danger-
ously common. The history of coal mine disasters
in the past leaves no room to doubt that the lessons
of perfect obedience and watchfulness are hard
lessons to learn. It has often appeared that in the
face of all precautions and rules, to be observed by
the miner, there is always some carelessness or
blundering manifested by some one, and the error
is learned too late to prevent the result.

D-s

Sprmghill Colliery jyisaster.

151

The following disasters are among the most des-
triK'tive coal mining explosions recorded :

At Newport, England, in 1860, one hundred and
fortv-iive were killed.

In 1862, at the Hartley Pit, on the Blyth and
Tyne Railway, near Newcastle, on the 16th Jana-
ury, a heart-rending disaster occurred, resulting in
the death of two hundred and four miners. The
pit was six hundred feet deep, worked hy a shaft.
Fiight men were coming up in the cage, when the
beam of the pumping-engine broke and the mass of
twenty tons of iron dro}>{)ed down the shaft and
lodged with the wreckage it caused before it reached
the bottom, thus shutting ofl' the only egress to the
pit. To get down in time to save the living was
impossible. When the ruins had l)een removed a
week after the accident, a rescuing party descended
suid found the dead all within the space of one
hundred and tifty feet from tlie bottom of the shaft
— all had perished. One man was sitting as if rest-
ing from his day's work. Behind him, on the gal-
lery, were the men and boys seated in three rows
and all asleep in death, as if waiting for the rescue
that was to come too late. Some boys sat with
their arms on their father's shoulder, and brothers

!V f

^:? I!

152

Springhlll Colliery Disaster.

%\.

ji.

f.f 'i :<

clasped in caeli other's arms. One man was
propping: up a door beyond the other sleepers, as
if ho liad resisted the poison longer than the rest.
At the feet of some of the dead were found candle-
boxes with such messages scratched on them as
these : "' Mercy, () God." " My dear Sarah, I leave
you." " If Johnny is alive, tell him to be a good
bov to his God and his mother.'' When the
funerals commenced it was found that every cottage
in the jdace had its coilin, some had two, one had
live, and another seven.

In 1866, at Oaks Colliery, near Barnsley, three
hundred and sixty lives were lost. Again, at the
Swaithe Main explosion at Barnsley, on December
12th, 1875, one hundred and forty-three perished.
These Barnsley mines are sitmited in West Riding
of Yorkshire, one hundred and seventy-one miles
from London.

At Avondale, near Plymouth, in Lu/erne County,
Pennsylvania, on the 6th September, 1869, one hun-
dred and eight persons were killed. This was one
of the most notable and peculiar coal mining disas-
ters known. The calamity was caused by a young
man named Palmer Steele going down the shaft
with a load of hav for the horses in the mine.
When descending the shaft the hav cauj^ht tire.

SpringhiU CoUMr^j Disaster.

153

Tlio engineer saw the flames and lowered the car-
riuiice with all haste. Tn a few minutes the flames
were leaping one Imndred feet upwards from the
top of the shaft, and in a short time the surface
buildings were a mass of ruins, blocking up the
only entrance to the pit. A few hours after the fire
(oascMl the debris was cleared awav, and two men
iiaiiUMl Williams and Jones descended to searcli for
the miners. These men had only proceeded a few
t'eet from the bottom of the shaft when thev fell
(load froni the effects of white-damp. The fire
occurred on Monday, and two davs after, when a
thorough ventilating current had been established,
a rescuing party descended, went up the plane some
(lif»tauce from the foot of the shaft, and found a
niiuc car ]>laced as a l)arrier across the gangway,
and the space between it and the walls packed with
clothing. Ou breaking this barrier no person was
found behind it. A short time after another party
was able to proceed a little farther, and discovered
a similar barricade. Outside this barrier lav a dead
body, and behind it lay one hundred and five other
<lead bodies, who had evidently all been suftbcated
bv \\w poisonous gases. The experience of these
ill): risoned men shall never be known, as no one
was left to tell the story of how they died.

) :

1. 1

ntv

Ipi^

4f. -P

154

S!prin(fhill ColHcri/ Dimsfcr.

Ill tho Mollis Mines, Belgium, in 1875, the killed
numbered one hundred und ten. Two hundred lost
their lives at the High Blantvre ('ollieiies, near
Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1877.

In 1878, at the Ehhw Vale Collieries, situated in
the neighliorhood of the Monmouth and Breeknock
Iron Works, one hundred and seventy-eight niilcs
north-west of London, two hundred and sixty-eiglit
were killed. A short distance from the same vicin-
ity, in 1880, at Risca Mines, on the River Ehhw,
Monmoutlishire, one hundred an«l twenty perished.
Again, at Seaham disaster, Durham, in the same
year, one hundred and fortv miners were killed.

This mine is situated down the Durham coast in
the thriving seaport of Seaham. It is owned by the
Marquis of Londonderry. The explosion took ])la<'e
about two o'clock in the morning, and was so terrific
that the whole neighborhood became aroused as if
by an eartlujuake. As a local flower show was to
be held on a coming holiday, and one of the miners
who had won the Queen's Prize of Shoeburyncss
was to be presented with it by the Marchioness of
Londonderry on that occasion, an extra number of
hands were in the mine. Xearlv two hundred were

ft.

at work at the time of the explosion, which occurred
from an escape of gas shooting out from the face ot

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

156

.■: !

the workingH. The wreckage wrh fearful. The
bratticing waw Het on fire, and besideB the great
inmiber of minerH who loHt their lives, two hundred
and fifty Shetland ponies were killed.

November 9, 1888, a terrible exploHion of coal
(hist occurred in a mine at Pittfiburg, KannaB, caus-
ing the death of over one hundred men. But the
(Ireadtiil exploHions at

The Drummomd Colliery and Ford Pit,

in i^ictou (^ounty, Nova Scotia, in the years 187S
jind 1880, although the loss of life was not so great
as in some of the other disasters referred to, yet,
owing to the awful nature of ^he circumstances
connected with eacjh case, they are, fjerhaps, un-
paralleled by any other. The writer lias been able
to iijlean the following record of these disasters from
various authentic sources :

The Drummond Collierv is situated at Westville,
ii thriving town of about four thousand inhabitiints.
Tliis colliery was first opened in the year 1865.
At that time the entire surroundings were a
dreary barren district, partly covered with young
juni[)er, poplar and birch, as the forest fires had
destroyed the large pines and hendoeks that had
onco flourished in the place.

: i

! ( • Th

156

Sjmmjhill CnlUei^y Disaster.

In thifl vicinity there are now three different
minefi in active operation, known as the " Acadia,"
"Drummond" and "Black Diamond" PitH. The
Drummond Colliery, although first to commence
operations, had been shut down for several year^*
previous to its pnrchrise by the Ccjal, Iron and Steel
Oompany some two years ago.

This colliery commenced active work in the year
1868, and a railway extension of six miles to the
Middle River was built for the [)urpose of shipping
the coal. Tn the following year this colliery, under
the management of the late James Dunn, P^sq.,
was fully ecpiipped for work, so that the output in
1872 amounted to 105,000 tons. The next year,
when shipping had commenced, and elaborate })re-
parations had been made for extending the output,
a strike of the miners, who desired higher wages
and certain privileges, closed the workings for one
week. An agreement having been made with the
men, work was resumed on the 13th of May, 1878,
and everything went on as formerl}^ until half-past
eleven o'clock, when a shot fired in one of the lower
levels on the south side of the pit caused the coal
to ignite.

Every endeavor was made to check the tire,
but it spread rapidly, and an order was given that

ttcrent
^adia,"
. The
imciice
I years
id Steel

,he year
i to the
iliippitig

under

n, Ksq.,

utput in

xt year,

ate pre-

output,
kr wages*

tor oiH'
with the

y, 1873,

[halt-patit
e lower

the coal

the tire,
Iven that

Springhill 0)llitTy DisasUr.

157

all hands not volunteering to uHsint putting it out
nlioiild leave the pit. To remain in the mine was
iihnost imposHible, owing to the immense smoke
tliiit prevaile<i, and with the exception of about a
do/.en who remained with J()se[»h Richardson, the
Underground Manager, to battle with the flames, all
hands started to make their esi^ape. Whilst the
men were endeavoring to get out, a terrific explo-
sion took place, dealing death an<l (U^struction on all
sides.

So great was the force of the explosion that the
wooden rope rollers were torn from the track and
liurled out of the slope as from the mouth of a can-
non. Timbers fourteen feet long by nine inches
tliiek were thrown out with great violence, and the
immense rush of air w^as so great that it 8wef>t away
the exposed roof of the bank head. A second
» xplosion took place two hours after the first, killing
four men who were nobly endeavoring to rescue
some men who were known to be alive at thel)ottom
'>t the pumping pit.

This second explosion completely destroyed the
ventiUition, and as all hope of savdng life was taken
away, attention was directe<i to saving the property.
All water available was turned into the pit to cut off
the lower workings and seal the bottom of the pit if

-•fj

? 1 .

'I III;

m ^

• •

^.<.l

158

SprmffhiU Odlicr'/ Dlsnstn.

possible, ])ut despite all eftbrtw made to do ho, the
fire raged for thirtj^-six hours with dreadful fierce-
ness, the flames shooting upwards from the many
openings along the crop, to a height of from thirty
to forty feet.

In two days after the explosion the openings had
been filled, and the fiery grave of those who perished
in the pit was effectually sealed. At the end of
October an opening was effected to the mine and
the air allowed to circulate for a short time, when it
was found that the heat was still sufficient to cuust'
further combustion. Owing to this matter the mine
was again closed. A new pit adjoining, however,
seventy feet deep, was sunk immediately, and under
the supervision of Robert Simpson, M. E., who had
been brought from Glasgow as manager, a new
slope was driven to the south of the old workings,
and in three years most of the water had been
pumped out, the debris removed, and the colliery,
with its three working inclines, was in good position
for future operations. As to the number of lives
lost in this explosion there is difference of oi)inion.
Some give it from sixty to seventy-five ; one good
authority records it thus: "The total numl)er of
lives lost was sixty, among whom was Mr. Dunn,
the manager; thirty -one were married men, twenty-

Spi'mylnU 0)W<r>j Di'<o^ter.

159

eijxlit rtiugle men, and one boy, leavin«j^ twenty-nine
widows, eiglity orphan ehildren, besides parentti
(lt'])endent on the lost. Contributions to the amount
of about $23,000 were made in various part^ of the
Dominion and the Tnited States for their relief."

The Ford Pit is situated at Stellarton, on the
west side of the Intercolonial Kailwav. it was
opened over twenty years ago, and equipped with
the best machinery available at the time for a large
output of coal, and every possible arrangemetit was
made for the safety of the operators. The hoisting
shaft struck the main seam at a perpendicular depth
of nine hundred and sixty feet, but the bottom level
wuH one thousand feet.

'J'he seam had been successfully operated for
siome time, when, on Friday, November 12th, 1880,
al)()ut half-past six in the morning, an explosion
0((urred on the south side of the pit. All the
miners were at work in the different bords. The
explosion was so terrible that it swept across to the
north side of the pit. The pit had north and south
entrances. Owing to this all the men and boys on
the north side were safely /.-ot to the surface, with
the exception of a few who were badly affected by
the deadly after-damp.

There were over fifty miners on the south side

i ■ ;f

ill'

■(

HiS^ I

160

Sfrrlnf/lilU Oillim/ Dl-^fosfer.

when the explosion took pliue, snul of thene owW
two n»e!i and tour boys were reHened alive.

Ah the pit took tire sifter the explonioti, jukI
burned with awtul vioh'nei', none of the dead bodies
could be recovered. In order to i^ave the mine from
utter <lefltruetion, the waters of the East River were
let into it. It took seven years to pump the water
out of the pit. This was aceoini>lished over a yeiir
ago, an<l tlie Ford I'it is now in sueeessful operation.

CHAPTER XVII.
DaNHEHS of Vu.W. MlNIN(i Ol'KKATIONS.

Coal mining lias lont^ been conHideri'd one ot'tliu
most dangerous occupationis of man. One of the
cliiof dangers to wliich tlie miner is sul)jeeted arises
ti'om the escape of destructive gases from the eoal.
Tfiis iras is liuiht earhuri'tted hvch-ou'en, and is i(U»nti-
(III uitli the marsli gas, whieh the student of
elementary ehemistry is tauglit to hrlieve is a pro-
duct of vegetable leaf decomposition under water,
}Mil)l)les of whieli rise to the surface on stirring the
waters of a stagnant [)Ool. This gas is called by

miners

F I UK- Dam p.

iMi

i.m

It is tasteless, colork'ss and inodorous, and is given
by some authorities as consisting of four parts of
liydrogen to one of carbon, and about one-lialf the
Weight of air. Being thus lighter than air it natur-
ally rises to the roof of a mine cliand)er, and as it
in iiinulates it extends downwards. When niixed
with fen times its volume of atmospheric air, or
twice its volume of oxygen, it becomes violently
(.'Xplosive on the application' of the open flame of a

-t v:t"

y ;'j

162

■■• »

' fl

Springhill ColUen/ Disaster.

I.*

lamp. In its unalloyed state it is non-explosive and
inflammable, burninir with a bluish-yellow non-
luminous flame.

One of the most dangerous features of this gas is
that it sometimes escapes copiously und suddenly
from a cavity in the coal seam. This rush of gas
from the crack or scam is called a " blower," and in
this state it is said to contain, besides the carburetted
hydrogen, from one to four per cent, of nitrogen,
and about one per cent, of carbonic acid. Itg pre-
sence being hidden in a cavity of the coal, the
miners' drill may free it at any moment, or it may
burst by its own power through the facing, caus-
ing immediate destruction to those working in tlie
vicinity. One thoroughly acquainted with mining
operations describes it thus :

" When the naked light of the miner comes into
contact with any considerable ([uantity of flre-dani})
in an explosive state, the shock that follows is terrific.
Men and horses, cars and coals, are hurled together
to destruction. Walls are swept out, iron rails are
bent double, doors are torn from their fastenings,
the m'ne is laid waste."

It is well known that the damage resulting from
explosion of gas is greater than that due to mere
ignition, and burning without the explosive force.

kT non-

8 gas is
uldenly

of ga!*
' and in
burettcd
litrogen,

Ite prc-
.•oal, tlie
r it nuiy
ng, ciius-
ig in the
J mining

)inc8 into
tire-daniv
lis tcrritic.
together
rails are
istcniugs,

ting t'i'^>'i^

to mere

live force.

Sprinc/hill Colliery Disaster.

The danger to the miner in the latter case, however,
in but slightly diminished, and he is liable to receive
fatal injuries. The burning lamp of the miner
hursts into flame on coming in contact with the
body of fire, and is quickly propelled aloiig itkC roof
of the chamber. This fire-damp, in its destructive
course, collecting enough oxygen from the atmos-
pheric air to add fierceness to the combustion, often
returns to the face of the chamber with " a violent
(contractile surge, scorching everything in its path,
and then, perhaps, after another brief sally, it burns
itself out."

The miner who accidentally fires a block of fire-
<lamp in the pit should immediately fall on the
floor, covering his eyes, mouth, and nose so as to
save tiiem from the heat and flame, at the same time
clasping his hands over his neck and head to protect
these parts from injury. In this position, however,
he must not long remain, as the flame will soon
burn itself out, and the fatal after-damp is sure to
follow quickly. His only safety from certain death
lies in immediate flight as soon as the flame has
passed over him.

In mines where gas is found even in small quan-
tities the miner should not enter his chamber until
it has been brushed out into the air current.

i'.

my.

sTSTssssasHrrssBr

^amammmsmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

kS: 4.:»

1 ^;.

■u

164

SpringhiU Qjllim/ DiftaMer.

The most dans^orouH jutcumulatioiiB of firc-<lamp,
liowever, are not found in working chainbers, but
in portions of the mine worked out and abandoned,
('olleeted in these sections in large bodies it reniaiTiH
nntiotieed until some [lerson, ignorant of its presence,
approaches it with an open lamp, wlien an instant
explosion is the natural result.

A fatal explosion occurred from a\\v\\ a cause on
the 14th of August, 1871, at the Kagle Shaft of
Pittston Colliery, in the State of Peimsylvania. On
the morning of tliat day, at nine o'clock, a boy
named Martin Morgan was driving n mule with a
trip of mine cars along an upj)er gangway. In a
worked out section of the mine above him a large
body of tire-damp iiad been idlowed to <'ollect, and
as the boy passed Ji sudden fall of roof in the aban-
doned works drove out the inflammable gas, which,
on touching his liglite<l lamp, explode<l with terrific
force. The e-x))lo8ion was so great that |)eo]>l('
heard it a mile away, and hastened to the scene of
desolation. The dead bodies of seventeen miners,
who were working in the vicinity of the explosion,
were discovered the following dav, all of whom luul
been killed by the after-damp.

One of the chief dangers to the miner from tho
burning of fire-damp is in the product of its coru-
bustion, known as

lamp,

p, hilt
\()i\e(l.

instant

vn^e on
;haft of
ia. On
, a V)oy

with Si
I. In 51

a larjj^o
It'ct, and

u' aban-

, wliie^,
terrifi*'

[K'OpU'

I scent' oi
minors,

kj>loHi«>n,

liom bivti

[rom the
its coni-

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

After-Damp.

165

This gaseous Hiibstanee consists chiefly of carbonic
acid and nitrogen. Ft will ])e seen by referring to
the Glossary that it is a mixture of gases resulting
from the burning of fire-damp. As it is heavier
than atmospheric air, it consequently falls to the
bottom of the mine immediately on its formation
from the burning of the light carburetted hydrogen.
Being intensely poisonous in it** nature, and irrespir-
able, immediate insensibility and death is the result
of the first inhalation of it in its pure state. So
((uickly does this gas form, and so deadly is it in its
ettect, that there is no escape for the miner, who has
fallen on his face to save himself from the fierce
flame of the burning fire-damp, but in immediate
flight as soon as the fire has passed along.

Another destructive gas with which the miner
has to contend is the presence of

Black-Damp.

This damp is carbonic acid gas, and is given as
containing two parts of oxygen to one of carbon.
It is the chief constituent of after-damp, and ia
often called " choke-damp," as they are both
composed of the same elements and produce the
same effects.

:: i I i

166

Syringhill Collieri/ Disaster.

Black-damp is said to escape from the coal the
same as iire-damp. It is also given by good authority
as one of the products of burning coal, of burning
oil, and of the respiration of man and beast. It is
one and a half times as heavy as air, and is therefore
always found next to the floor of the mine. An
expert says of it : " Its presence may be detected
by the conduct of the flame of the lamp. In an
atmosphere containing but a small percentage of
it the lamp light will grow dim, and, as the pro-
portion of gas increases, will become more and more
feeble until it is Anally extinguished. An atmosphere
containing from eight to ten per cent, of this gas
may be breathed without immediate danger ; it will
simply occasion dullness of intellect and numbness
of body. This condition changes into one of insen-
sibility as the inhalation continues, or as the
percentage of gas is increased, and to enter an
undiluted body of it means sudden death." Of all
the gases in the mine, however,

White-Damp

is the most to be dreaded. A practical miner of
experience says of this gas : '" It is possible the miner
may conceal himself from the surging flame of the
fire-damp, and force his way through bodies of

It!

Sprmghill Colliery Disaster.

167

a the
hority
irning
It is
erefore
5. An
ietecte<l

In an
itage of
the pro-
ud more
iiosphere

this gaf^
r; it will

umbness

of insen-
aB the

enter an
Of all

miner of

the miner

[line of the

bodies ot

liliiok-damp, but if he comes in contact with an
accumulation of this terrible white-damp, instant
death is almost certain. Being tasteless, colorless
and odorless, its j^resence cannot be detected before
it has done its work of death. It is pure carbonic
oxide, and is comjtosed of equal parts of oxygen and
carbon. It is a fraction lighter than atmospheric
air, and has therefore a tendency to rise, ft is
supposed to be formed when the carbonic acid
passes through any ignited carbonaceous nuiterial,
or when the steam passes over burning coal. It is
held by some to be produced most frequently by
smouldering gob fires, by burning wood in the mine,
or by a shaft on tire, and may exist as one of the
results of an explosion of fire-damp or of blasting
powder. It acts on the system as a narcotic. It is
generally incombustible, and produces no effect upon
the flame of a lamp. If present in a state of purity
it burns with a blue flame."

One mining engineer of repute says of this des-
tructive element : " When a lire started by a stream
of gas coming from a crevice which has burnt long
enough to cause great heat, carbonic oxide gas is
generated. When this gas is present, a fire burning
at the crevice may have been dashed out completely ;
hut if a certain amount of heat is spread about the

fili

168

Spring hill Colli en^ DtMister.

t' * ?i ^

I" ■' ii'

locality, and fresh air is allowed to mingle with tlio
oarhoiiic oxide, an explosion will, hy their contact,
ensue. * ♦ * T]m gas seems to require nothing
more than heat and fresh air (without flame) to stjut
a conflagration. Who knows that this gas has not
heen the cause of serious mischief in mines by being
generated from coal dust burning within the wire
cylinder gauze of a safety lamp?"

Coal Dust

in the mine is another dangerous element, and has
hitherto failed to receive the attention it should.
Whatever opinions may be held as to the harmlesn
nature of coal dust as an explosive agency, it ban
lately been authenticated by good authority that
under certain conditions it may become violently
explosive. One practical authority states : " When
it is mixed with air, with or without the presence of
fire-damj), and is set into sudden and intense vibra-
tion by a heavy powder blast, a fall of roof, or other
means, it may explode with greater destructive force
than even fire-damp is capable of." Another un-
doubted authority says : " Fn coal mines coal dust
and coal gas form the active combustibles. Coal
dust so finely pulverized disseminated througli the
air as to be almost imperceptible, forms a dangerous

SiprhujhiU Colliery DisdsUr.

169

constituent, find one which docB not receive the
attention it merits. It is a more unmanageHble in-
t]^re<lient than coal gas itself." The same authority
states: "A swift current of air traversing a mining
passage, not having its sides moistened b}' artifieial
or natural means, gathers up the dust on its route
and l>ears it tlirough the working places. * * *
Tiic strong men wlio work a few years in such
showers of dust become weak, and their faces blanch
from tlie (continuous absorption of the coal dust into
tluMr systems."

Tlie inflammable nature of drv coal dust can
easily bi' ascertained by throwing a portion of it into
ii bright tire. If the circumstances are favorable it
will ignite almost as quickly as gun-powder. The
writer has tried it more than once.

Some good authorities assert, however, that coaJ
dust is not intlammable without the presence of from
five to six per cent, of tire-damp, when combustion
will take placre by bringing an open lamp into con-
tact with it. The Prussian Fire-damp Commission,
who lately investigated this matter, states : " The
presence of coal (hist within the radius of an explo-
sion greatly increases the force of it, and with certain
sorts of dust an explosion may result even in the
absence of tire-damp."

■ir

CHAPTER XVIII.

Safeguards Auainst Accidents in Mines.

r'f

The first essential element to tlie safety of health
and property in a coal mine is the quantity and
purity of the atmospheric air circulating through
the chamhers of the workings. As man is an air
breathing animal he must die if the supply of air
essential to his existence be cut otf. The mine will
also suffer destruction from the explosions of poison-
ous gases if they are not driven out by a current of
fresh air as quickly as their formation takes place.
The first requisite, therefore, in mining operatiofis
is the establishment of a proper air current in order
that the ventilation shall be good. Although the
atmospheric air will find its way into the mine
through the surface openings, yet, if not replaced by
fresh air in a short time, it becomes dead and unfit
to breathe.

If, while lying in this dead state, it takes up the
poisonous gases which are sure to escape from all
coal measures, it soon becomes fatal to human life,
and an explosion may tiike place at any moment.
Hence the necessity of a living continuous current
(170)

Sprivghill Colliei^y Disaster.

171

of pure atmospheric air, circulated in abundance to
carry oft* these foul gases and give life and vigor to
the entire workings. But as the air current goes
nowhere bv chance, the air channels should be so
arranged that no portion of the mine be left without
its direct air current. On this

Thorouoh System of Vkntilation

depends the lives and health of the workmen and
the successful operation of the mine. If the venti-
lating system be imperfect, no security of life or
[>roperty can be expected. One who is familiar
with the whole system of ventilation says : " A
tailure of the air current for even an hour might
ill some mines result in the death of all those who
I'liaiiced to be inside, for this current not only
supplies air for breathing purposes, but it takes up
the smoke, the dust, the dangerous and the
poisonous gases, and carries them to the surface"
through the upcast air shaft.

Proper Drainage

of the mine is another important matter that cannot
be disregarded with impunity. If an overflow of
water is allowed to collect and remain for a certain
time in any part of the workings, it becomes im-

'■M

172

Sjrrimjhill Colliery Disaster.

i li.^

pregiiateii with the germs of <liHease and death, and
the gaH huhhleB thrown off' may aHsist leading to
actual a(!eidents with fatal results.

The following rules, given by a practical miniii<if
engineer of high standing, will be found sovereigu
safeguards against accidents in mines :

Keep in advance all dead work, and ^»diere gas
18 very abundant, and tlie slips and (Tevices fre-
quent, bore ahead holes not less than four inches in
diameter and twelve feet in length. By the examin-
ation of these bore-holes daily, an idea of tht;
quantity of gas contained in the coal may bo
formed, and sudden outbursts, to a certain extent,
avoided. The gas will drain off through such bore-
holea very rai)idly, but with much greater regularity
than if such bodies of gas were let out by the
fludden removal of large (piantities of (;oal, as in
the case of blasting.

Daily examine the abandoned excavations, and
note the state of the air within them.

As often as necessary to keep the air sweet and
respirable, divide the ventilating air current. Let
the amoiint of coal cut in any particular district
regulate the amount of air sent to it, more than the
extent of such district. Thus, if you mine a hun-
dred tons of coal in a run daily, send in the air to

Sjrrivf/fiifl CoUiiTi/ DisoMer.

178

tliis nm or hroast in Hufficient <jnantity to dilutt' the
pan <riven off* by the inininu; ami lireukin^ up of
those hundred tons of coal. Let the air lUiHsing"
from sueli j)art of a mine ijet into a return air
coiirse in tlie most direct numner powsifde, hy pass-
in«i^ it direct to an upper level; or, if this is not
piucticahle, pass it into a return air course, such as
a monkey «:^an^way, l)V carrvin«j^ it over a nuiin
('(iiirse hy means of an air crossiui^. If y(»u have

tSpAcious Airways,

and these you must have in order to of)tain good
and sufficient ventilation, use regulating doors to
govern the "splits," and lock them securely at each
wotting. Place regulating doors at a point in the
return whore the air of its district is making its final
exit before it joins with the main out-going current.
I'se as few air doors as possible, and mme at all in
the main intake air courses which wagons have to
traverse. Build air stoppings so well and bind them
eo securely that the force of an explosion will not
carry them away.

Drive air crossings in the solid strata where it
is possible to do so. When this cannot be done
build them in the most substantial manner, binding
tlicn so securely by strong iron hoops or cribbing so

\ ,

1 ,1

It
li

174

Spriinjhilt Colliery D'uiVsUr.

that they may be able to stand the force of an exjjlo-
nion aetin*^ under tl»e areliway.

Make air coiirHeH \m strjiij^lit, direct and capuciouB
aH posnihlc. I)u[»licates of all niecluuiical appliunccH
required in the ventilating force nhouhl he held in
rea<lineHrt to (|uickly replace thoae in use if deatroytd
bv accident.

All mine otHcerw should he able to discover the
presence of gas in the air, and to judge of its (|UJin-
titv by tlie nuinner in which it burns over the flume
of a candle. Two per cent, of carburetted liydrofjcn
in tlie air can easily be detected by the flame of a
closely snuffed candle, or by the flame of an oil
lamp being reduced to burn brightly at its minimum,
which may be done by clearing off the top of the
wick, and the i)ulling of it down so that its top will
be even with the level of the tube. By the use of a
flame of hydrogen, on account of it8 great heat, the
gas in the air nuiy be burnt, and its flame seen if its
proportions in the air are as low as one-half of one
per cent. By burning this flame in pure air, and
then in a mixture of air and gas, the difference,
which is marked, can easily be discerned.

If the percentage of marsh gas is small the flame
simply lengthens out and becomes smoky. If the
gas is mixed with from eight to fourteen times its

Sjn'ln(/fi{/f Collicn/ Di'^ajittr.

175

volume of atinoHplu'nc air, the flame of the vviok
«'iitirely (lisappearrt, and the interior of the cylinder
ixcomen tilled with the hluo flame of hurnin^ ^aH.
To remain with the lamp lonjj^ in thin latter position
is dangerous, as the wires will soon become red with
heat, and the outer pis may become ignited from
tluin at any moment. It may be learned from tliis
that even the safety lamp is not an absolute j)rotee-
tion against danger from explosive and inflannnaldc
gases. Taking all things into consideration, it bc-
i'oines ol)vious that there is really no protection from
ju'cidents resulting from explosions in mines where
a copious cm'rent of ])ure air is not allowed to
cuter. Tind)ers, safety lamps, hoisting gear, and
other necessary appliances, should have careful
attention daily. As defects of theBC ai)pliances can
ho seen by the eye, they may be detected by any
person who is at all ac(juainted with tliem ; but the
nature of the air in the mine, which is often laden
witli the elements of death, may at any moment seal
the doom of the unsuspecting miner, who is not
uvvare of the presence of his enemy until it is too
lute. The following advice, by a practical engineer,
it' adopted generally, would, no doubt, prevent many
<lit?aster8 in mining operations : " All mines should
be so well inspected daily by ite own staff of oiRcers

i ^i

17«

S/)nn(/h>ff OMicrfi Dif^osin'.

an to ih'ImIit tlie inspection of tlicni l>y any <rov('r!i-
Txwnt offioor unncHicHHarv.''

Accordini; to UndiTi^nMind Manager (^onway's
report tliis systt^in of dsiily ins)>eetion at Springliill
mines was faitlifuUy attended to; and there 18 also
no reason to donl)t that the air current in the initu'
wliere the exph)sion occurred avms ineftieient in any
way. However, notwitlistandini; all the care for-
nierlv exercised hv tiie otticials of thesi' mines,
greater care shall, no douht, he taken i!i future. ( )nc
who is in connection with these collieries, in a com-
munication to the press w few days ago, states :

" Since the explosion all open lights have heen
Huperseded hy safety lam[)s. (Jreat care is ohservcd
in handling these lamps. There are ahuut 1,00(1 in
U8C. They are principally ' Marsaret " and ' (Mamiv'
lamps, with am occasional old-fashioned • Davy' lor
testing purposes. Th«' • Davy * lamp is I'clicd upon
for gas testing puqioses, as it will dete<'t a smaller
percentage of gas than either the '(Manny * or ' M;ir-
saret." Tiie ' Marsaret,' familiarly known amoiiiT
the miners as the ' hoiler lamp,' is extinguished in
the presence of gas in sutticient (piantities to Ik'
dangerous. These lam}»s are all locked by keys only
in the possession of lamp lighters, and tampering
witli a lamp is an offenee punishable by dismissal

Springhill Collieri/ Disaster.

177

tiiid iiiie ill court. No iiiatehoH are allowed in
piseous parts of the mine, and the pockets of tlie
workmen are frequently searched."

The day is coming, no douht, when the accidents
in coal mines from explosions will he reduced to a
minimum hy the use of

Electricity in the Mine

instead of oil. This mode of lighting the streets
and stores of our towns and cities is now heing
adopted generally with great satisfaction, and,
according to the writer's opinion, there is no just
reason that can he given why he, whose lot it is to
work in the suhterraneous caverns of the earth,
should he compelled to lahor in semi-darkness, were
there no other consideration, wlien science has
l)rought to liis aid a ray of light that will illuminate
his path and cheer up his gloomy chamber with the
brightness of the noonday sun.

By the use of this light in the mine the miner'8
danger from ' explosions would not only be reduced,
but his appearance, as he passes from the mine to
his home, would be improved. As it now is, coming
up out of the mine with his face, hands and gar-
niciits bhi(;k with coal dust, powder, smoke, and
saturated with oil from the little tin lamp which is

rv I'!

I'll

^'\r

178

SprwghUl Colliery Disaster,

hooked to the front of his cap, his features are often
hard to recognize. Although the dust wouki settle
on his person as formerly, yet the ahsence of oil
would enahle him to remove it more easily, and his
whole life, and that of his family, would he clRM'red
by this new ray of light beaming in his working
apartment. Mining o[»eratives, as a general rule,
are as intelligent, law-abiding, i)eaceful, sol)er and
industrious citizens as artisans and others who work
in the outside world, and have a claim to share in
all modern improvements and conveniences that
science and art can devise. Where the miner gets
a chance, his possibilities of advancement are per-
haps greater than any other class of workers. Miiie
superintendents, insi)ectors, nnuiagers and other
mining officials are always wanted, and young men
of character, judgment and skill are generally
promoted from the ranks to till the higher posi-
tions. It is also well known that in many coal
regions lawyers, preacliers, bankers, merchants,
clerks, engineers, contractors, and others have
rttepj>ed into those higher [jositions from the cham-
bers (d the mine. As it was in the past so it is
to-day — ''there is room at the top" for faithful
workers of skill and enterprise.

e oftoii
rl settle
! of oil
ami his

vorkinj<
al rule,
bur and
[lo work
nhare in
K'CB tbat
iner gets
are it«'i-

'8.

CHAPTER XIX.

History of vSprinuuill and its Collieries.

All historical sketch of the mines where the
j:\'i disaster occurred, and of tlie town that has
risen about them, being considered of special interest
to the general reader, tlie writer has made extra
endeavor to lollect material for this cliapter bearing
on the subject.

S ! i;ir as tlie writer bus been able to ascertain,
there ih Mv) reliable rei'ord as To who made the

First Discovery of Coal at Sprin(juill,

or at what date the diseovtTy was made. In the
year 1884, liowever, a gentleman named Lodi'wiek
Hunter was operating a small mine at tlie place,
and selling the coal to bhu'ksmiths in the surround-
iiiiC couiitrv.

Mr. Charles Dixon Lot'khart, who now resides
in Hartford, Carleton (^ounty, New Brunswick, was
tlien an api>rentico lad to Tliomas Leak, carriage-
maker, who lived at Westbrook, a village on the
]'ost road leading from Amherst to Tarrsboro,
titteen miles from the mines, and in that year

(179)

! 1

■'■IP

■Ml

180

SprmghiU OAUmj Disaster.

carted a load of the coal, wliich was used by Mr.
Leak in his forge. Fifteen years afterwards he
again visite*! Springhill, and, in interview witli th''
writer, states tliat an exploring crew were then to
work at the place. Mr. Lockhart was seventy-three
years old on the 14th of February last. He is hale
and strong, and has full reniend)rance of his long
trip througli the woods after tlie coal when a boy
of only sixteen. An incident connected with his
second visit to the place settled the date also vividly
in his mind. This statement of Mr. Lockhart is
supported by another undoubted authority statini;
that, about the year 1849, Thomas Bell and William
Patrick were employed, under the direction of
Joseph Smith, the Albion Mining Company's
Engineer, to explore at Springhill chietly with the
design of locating the four square miles contemplatccl
in the area. It is recorded by one of the exploring
parties, that previous to their work, one of the large
seams which is now in operation had been o[)eno(l
in the bank of a brook and from which coal was
then being mined for smithing i>urpo8es, etc.

It is also given upon goo<l authority that in 180"?,
"William Patrick, one of the exploring parties reft r-
red to, induced two American gentlemen, named
Howe and White, to visit Springhill in com[>aiiy

y Mr.

(l8 he

ith tlio

hen to

y-throc

is hale

is long

L a hoy

ith hi^*
vividly

khart i^
statin, u'

William

ction of

nipany's
,vith the
niplatt'<l
xplorhig
he large
|i opened
coal was

in 180:^,

108 retVr-

nanied

^omitauy

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

181

witli liira for the purpose of locating a mining area
and working it. But after reflecting on the great
expense necessary to reach a shipping place, as there
was no prosjject of a railway ever coming that way,
together with the fact that a clause in the mining
law hound the parties or compai.y leasing mining
property to open and work the mine efficiently
within two years, or the lease would then hecome
void, and the prop -rty and what improvements
might be made upon it should go to the Govern-
ment, they abandoned the enterprise. At this time
another vein, besides that which had been opened
by Hunter, was being operated in a snnill way by
William Simpson, who is credited as securing

The First Grant of Land in Sprinuiiill.

About the same time Xathan Parks, who then lived
at JSitringliill, luit now resides in Lewiston, Maine,
commenced operating another portion, under the
privilege of Mr. George Hibbard, of River Tlibbard,
wiio owned the proi)erty, Mrs. Puiks having made
the discovery of tbe coal outcrop during a stroll
one afternoon through the wotxls.

A short time afterwards Messrs. James Jlickman,
('harles J. Stewart, C. Milner, J. H. Harding and
some others secured the right to search over the

¥\

182

Spring hill 0)lliery Disaster.

!' 1

m li

S[>ringhill coal areas, and after selecting a few
hundred acres, the right to begin operations was
secured.

After samples of coal had been taken out of
several jJaces and submitted to due inspection, the
prospects were so good that Messrs. Charles H. M.
Black, Alexander Macfarlane and Chas. J. Stewart
became deeply interested in the enterprise, and, in
1870, secured an Act of Incori)oration to establish a
coniitany for the purpose of operating the mines.
This company was to be called

"The Sprin(} Hill Mining Company,"

and the act to incorporate it was passed by the Gov-
crnor-in-(^ouncil and Assembly of Nova Scotia on
the 18th day of April, 1870. The Act of Incorpora-
tion states that " tlie capital stock of the company
shall be four liundn'(l thousand dollars, in shares of
not less than tifty dollars each, which shall be per-
sonal property, tran?iferablo and assignable as such
by assignment recorded in th«' books of the com-
pany ; an<l the company shall have power to increase
their ea[>ital stock to oiv> million dollars by the issue
of new shares by a vote of a majority in interest of
the stockholders, but the company shall not ?o into
operation until twenty-live ]»eT cent- of the capital

Sprmghill Colliery Disaster,

183

Htock shall be actually paid up. The company may
issue stock in payment of lands, mines, mining
leases, or riglits or other property on such terms as
tlie directors may deem best, and such stock shall
be deemed full paid up stock as if paid in money.
The company may also issue bonds, bearing interest,
payable within Canada or England, or the United
States of America, and if deemed expedient secure
tlie same by mortgage of the property or franchises
of the company, and dispose of the same in such
manner and at such price as the directors may deem
host." The 10th section of this Act states that it
" shall cease and determine if efficient work shall
not be constructed and continued under it within
two years from the date of its passing." Having
secured this Act of Incorporation, a company was
tbrmcd, and ojKTations c(mimenced at an early date;
l>ut owing to lack of facilities to remove the raised
I'oal from the vicinity, it was slow work, the coal
having to be carted a long distance through the
woods to Athol, Salt Springs, and other places. The
ii:reater portion of the coal raised was used by the
locomotives which were in operation ballasting the
Intercolonial Kailwav between Andierst and Truro,
llowi'ver, mucli prospecting was l)eing done by John
Anderson and several other interested parties in the

if.

:■ iiiii

ill I

Mi '

r'.f^-

JEH

1 '!

'1 ■

dS'

;

184

Spring hill Colliny Disaster.

coal areas of Springhill. Samples of the coals were
sent to various places, tested, and pronounced " first-
class " by all who had iise<l them. Springhill soon
became a household word. Caj)itiilists grasped the
idea that there might be something in it worth look-
ing after. Works bearing on the great coal fields of
Nova Scotia were scanned as never before, and

A "Boom" was Commenced

under the leadership of E. N. Sharp, a stock broker
of St. John, that soon resulted in the formation of
a company to build a railway from the mines to
l^arrsboro, and operate coal measures adjoining the
other company's property.

Mr. Sharp l)eing earnest, eloquent and good look-
ing, commanded a hearing in all places he visited.
Armed with his coal samples, subscription list and
prospectus sheet, he was, it is said, a far more im-
posing personage than George Washington, when
canvassing as a book agent for " How the American
Savage may be Tamed by the Weapons of Civiliza-
tion." The following is an extract from Mr. Sharp's
prospectus : " In this coal field have been discovered
several seams of coal of excellent (piality ; among
which are a thirteen feet six inch seam, an eleven
feet three inch seam, and a six feet seam, and other.->

Springhill 0)lUery Disaster,

185

from four feet to four and a half feet each in tliick-
ness. The outcropB of some of these Heams liave
jilready been traced for about one mile into the
company's area, and probably extend at least an-
other mile. In an adjoining area are the collieries
which have lately been opened on the eleven feet
tliroe inch seam, testing this seam of the group to a
depth of five Viundred feet. The Springhill coal
Hold is situated near tht centre of the triangular
County of Cumberland, about twenty-seven miles
from the Harbor of Tarrsboro, on the Bay of Fundy,
to which it is proposed to construct a railway."

During the time that Mr. Sharp was talking up
tlio enterprise in St. John the " missing link '' of the
Intercolonial Railway between Amherst and Truro
was l)eing completed. A connecting line from the
miiu's to the Intercolonial .Function was also under
consideration. This line was built by the Springhill
Mining Company inmiediately afterwards.

The first }»assengcr train from St. John to Hali-
fax was run on the 17th November, 1872, and the
first car load of coal that left Sj^ringhill mines by
rail was taken to the Junction in the fall of 1878 by
Mr. llujfh Tait, euifine driver on the Intercolonial.

Owing to the exertions of Mr. Sharp and others
many of the shares of the S[)ringhill Mining Com-

I IP ''I

186

S))rwf/hiU ColUei'if Disaster,

pany were purchased by a largo number of capi-
talists, chietiy compoHod of St. John merehajitrt.
Some amendmenta to the Act of Incorporation were
passed the 7th of May, 1874.

The by-laws of this company record that the
officers of the comi)any shall be live directors, of
whom one shall be president, a treasurer, and a
secretary. The treasurer shall give bonds and other
securities satisfactory to the directors, for a sum not
less than ten thousand dollars. He " shall have the
custody of all valual)le papers and <locuments of
the company, subject at all times to the inspection
and control of the directors, and shall make liis
cash deposits in the Bank of New Brunswick, or
such other bank as the directors may appoint, as the
money is received, and his book account sliall he
kept in the name of the company, and all chefjiies
to draw the same shall be signed by the president or
two directors, and countersigned by the treasurer."
The by-la^\ s also state " The corporate seal of the
company shall be a circ^le bearing the name of the
company and the year 1872, of which seal the
treasurer shall have the custody." It is also
recorded in these by-laws that " The office for
conducting the general affairs of the company .shall
be located in St. John, N. B., or such other i)la(L' iw

Sprinyh'iU OMkn/ Disaster .

187

lat the
torri, of
aii«l u
id otlier
sum not
lave the
Qontt* of
isY)ection
[lake \\\^
wick, or
lit, aft the
Khali he
cheques
Isideut or
lasurer."
,\ of the
,c ot" the
iseal the
18 also
ittice for
any shall

tlie (lirec'torH may hereafter ti)ipoint, with the eonnent
of two-thirdrt of the Htockliolders repreneiited at a
special meeting called for the purporfe." Alex.
>hufarlane, of Wallace, N. 8., waH president, and
"William E. Vroom, of St. John, treasurer. Among
tlu' largest stockholders in this company were Alex.
MiU'farlane, \fagce Bros., James L. Dunn, Sanford
Fleming, Kdwin Fn>Ht, K. B. Dickey, Hall k Fair-
wtiither, J. & W. F. Harrison, George McLeod, John
W. Xicholson, W. »l. Ritchie, Rohert l{ced, Charles
J. Stewart, George F. Smith, U. J'. & \V. F. Starr,
W. \V. Turnhull, John F. Taylor, William L.
Bliuk, J. P. C. Ihirpee antl Gliarlcs Morritt. These
jrentlemen owned from one hundred to nearly one
thou^^and sliares each.

An Act of Incorporation was secured in 1872 hy
Nh'ssrs. John Taylor, John D. Thompson, (ieorge
Ilil>l)ard and Jolui T. AVilde to form the other com-
pany Mr. Sharp had worked up, known as the

" Si'RINGIIILL AND PaRRSBORO CoAL AND RAILWAY

Company, Limited,"

wi>h a capital of ^1,000,000, with power to increase
to >?:),000,000, in shares of $100 each.

This company was organize<l in 1873, with the
following Directors : Robert Reed, John Taylor,

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Sjmm/hiU Collier}/ Disaster.

Oeorge Hibbard, William Magee, George F. Smith,
Edwin N. Sharp, and Edwin Fisher. Mr. Reed was
appointed President, Mr. Sharp, Secretary, and Mr.
Magee, Treasurer. James J. Kaye, Q. C, was also
appointed Solicitor.

Subsequently, Mr. Reed having sold his stock,
Mr. Edwin Fisher was appointed President.

The first meeting of the company was held in
the Board of Trade Rooms, St. John, on the 16th
October, 1873, wliei. a code of by-laws similiar to that
of the Springhill Mining Company was adopted.

The prospective of this company states that it
^* was incorporated for the purpose of building a rail-
way from the coal fields of Springhill to Parrsboro,
and for the purpose of developing certain coal pro-
perties within and contiguous to the Springhill
district."

According to this prospectus the net profit the
first year was to be $9,000, and the second year,
$37,000, " assuming that the coal supply be ready on
the completion of the railway." The road was to
be a narrow-gauge line of two feet nine inches, of
€asy construction, with a down grade nearly the
whole length from the mines at Springhill, five
hundred feet above the sea level, to the port of
Parrsboro. The estimated cost of the road was
$280,000, mth an extra $120,000 to construct a

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

189

"wet dock," which was considered indispensable
for a large traffic.

It is also recorded in this document that " The
company have acquired by purchase, and now hold,
under lease from the Government of Nova Scotia,
three square miles of the richest coal dep'^sita in the
S[)ringhill coal district, Cumberland County, Nova
Scotia, and four hundred and thirty acres of land,
ill fee simple, situate most advantageous for pur-
poses of opening and working collieries on the
coiiqmny's mining area, and capable of supplying
the timber required for the mine." It moreover
states that this company, by Act of the Legislature
of Nova Scotia, had been granted a subsidy towards
the construction of the railway, amounting to five
thousand dollars a mile, and also ten thousand acres
of timber lands.

Such inducements to speculators being irresist-
ible, many arranged for shares in both companies.'
Preparations were made to work the collieries on a
large scale, and the mines, to be operated by exten-
sive machinery at Springhill, were formally opened
with a grand jubilee held in the vicinity, June,
1873. Many excursionists from St. John and other
plates met at the mines to celebrate the great event,
which introduced a new state of affairs at the mines.

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190 Sprmghill Colliery Disaster.

The Essential History of Springhill

justly commenced at this date. A few days pre-
vious to the jubilee, Mr. Hall, who was to manage
the collieries for the " Springhill Mining Company,"
had arrived at the mines, and was looked upon as
one who would soon infuse new life into the work-
ings. Mr. Hall is a native of Durham, England.
He started in life as a trapper in an English colliery.
"When a young man he came to America, thirty-
eight years ago, and worked his way without friends
or influence. He came to Springhill from the
Albion Mines, Pictou County, on the 20th May,
1873, to act as manager of the Springhill Collieries.
Previous to this date, Mr. Hall was undergronnd
manager of the Albion Mines. As a colliery man-
ager Mr. Hall was most successful. He resigned
the position which he had held for nearly seventeen
years on the first of April, 1890. He is now Mayor
of Springhill, is largely interested in real estate of
the place, and takes an active interest in all matters
pertaining to the welfare of the town.

At the time Mr. Hall came to Springhill the
place was a dense forest, with the exception of a few
small clearings in the neighborhood, which had
been made by some settlers w^ho had come to the
vicinity some thirty years before. These settlers

WILLIAM HALL,

Mayor of Springhill at time of Colliery Disaster,

aud for seventeen years Manager of the

Springhill Collieries.

h i! I

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

193

included Nathan Gilroy, Barney Gilroy, Thomas
Dodsworth, Lodewick Hunter, and Wm. Simpson.
A good authority assures the writer that in 1871
there were only five small houses and twenty inhabi-
tants in the whole region, and that Dr. Cove, who
then resided at River Philip, was the physician to
these people.

Immediately afcer operations commenced under
the management of Mr. Hall, two rows of double
tenement houses were built for the use of the men
operating the mines. The following year anotht*
block was built, making in all accommodation for
forty families.

An office for the use of tha cashier, Mr. John
Cooper, was also erected in 1873. The following
year the place contained five stces, one church, one
hotel, seven saw mills, and had a population of two
hundred.

In 1873 the West Slope was sunk to a depth of
400 feet. The East Slope was also sunk in the same
yea? , and the following to a depth of 800 feet, which
formed the first lif. of this mine. "Work at the mines
was pushed forward with vigor. The Springhill
Mining Company operated the mines, and the Spring-
hill and Parrsboro Coal and Railway Company built
the railroad, and had it so far constructed that the

i ;

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194

SpringhUl Colliery Disaster.

First Shipment of Coal by Kail to Parrsboro

from the mines was made on the 15th March, 1877.
At that time, the Intercolonial Railway being in
operation between St. eJohn and Halifax, and a con-
necting line running pavSt the mines to Parrsboro, a
bright future for Springhill was anticipated by many.
Some fancied they saw a city of Corinthian archi-
tecture rise on the summit of " an isthmus washed
by two seas."

On opening the railway to Parrsboro an exodus
to the mines from various parts of Nova Scotia com-
menced without delay. The forest rapidly disap-
peared, dwellings, churches, hotels, school houses
and public halls were constructed, and in a few years
Springhill appeared as a city set on a hill that cannot
be hid.

The First Church at Springhill

was built by the Methodists at what is known as
" Miller's Corner," on the Athol Road, and in the
same vicinity James Miller opened the first hotel in
the place.

The site of the present town is about one mile
east of where the hotel was constructed. The first
mining operations were conducted at Miller's Corner,

l\:

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

195

RSBORO

ch, 1877.

being in
ncl a con-
rrsboro, a

by many.
Aaii archi-
lls washed

an exodus

Scotia com-

•idly clisap-

^ool bouses

a few years

bat cannot

ILL

known as
and in the
" rst hotel in

it one mile

Tbe first

jr's Corner,

which doubtless accounts for the erection of build-
ings in that district.

The first drug store in the town was opened by
Dr. Cove, who was induced to remove from River
Philip in 1873. Dr. Cove was the only medical
man in the place for ten years, until Dr. Byers came.
Ho and Dr. Byers subsequently amalgamated as the
colliery doctors, and have officiated together as such
up to the present time.

The first store at Springhill was kept by James
Hickman, in a neat frame building, erected in 1873.

Although Springhill had increased from its
origin, and the prospects for the future good, yet
the companies who commenced developing the
mines and constructing the railroad failed to realize
the large dividends on their invested capital they
had anticipated. The expense connected with coal
tnining on " a large scale," and operating a railroad,
was greater than many had contemplated. As to
the company connected with the railway, they found
that rolling stock was expensive and the " adjoining"
coal measures were difficult to develop. Owing to
small profits on the outlay, some of the stockholders
got dissatisfied, and after working the collieries for
ten years, sold out their claims to a company of
Montreal capitalists, and retired from coal mining
speculations.

0t.

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Bill

196

Sprwghill Colliery Disaster.

The amount realized for the mines of the Sprins;-
hill Mining Company, and railway from the mines
to the Junction, in the interest of stockholders, was
$801,250. This sum was paid on the 2nd January,
1884, to Mr. Wm, E. Vroom, of St. John, secretary
and treasurer of the company. Messrs. R. G. Leckie,
present manager of- the Londonderry Iron Works,
and the late William Headley, who was managing
Dun, Wiman & Co.'s Commercial Agency in Halifax,
negotiated for the Montreal capitalists, and conducted
the transfer of the mines from the Springhill Mining
Company to the Montreal Company.

The Springhill and Parrsboro Coal and Railway
Company transferred their interests to the Montreal
Company also for a considerable less sum than the
Mining Company received for their claim.

The Montreal capitalists commenced operations
under favorable circumstances. New machinery
was introduced and the work pushed forward with
avidity. Capital was invested without stint. This
company organized under the name of the

Cumberland Railway and Coal Company.

The present officers of the Company are: John
McDougall, of the Montreal Witness, President; J.
R. Cowans, General Manager; H. R. Drummond,
Secretary, and R. H. Cooper, Cashier.

Spnnghill Colliery Disaster.

197

After this company "^ook possession of the mines
an extra vein of life and hope was infused ii to the
place. Kew and enlarged stores were erected in
the town. In some eases the low cabin gave place
to a stately mansion. Small churches were enlarged,
and new ones, with belfries, constructed.

In 1885-57 the Syndicate Slope was sunk on
the north seam, to a depth of 2,300 feet, for
the purpose of prospecting. This pit was aban-
doned in 1888, owing to a fire which had broken
out, although successfully extinguished. The same
year that this pit was abandoned another slope,
known as the Aberdeen or No. 4 Slope, was sunk on
the West Slope seam to a depth of 1,200 feet. The
entrance to this mine is about three-quarters of a
mile to the east of the East Slope.

In 1887 the output of coal at the mines netted
439,252 tons, and during the same year nearly 200
new buildings were erected in tlie town. The num-
ber of hands employed in 1887 at the collieries was
1,400, and the average monthly wages paid to the
men was $51,000. The enormous quantity of 2,400
boxes of coal, averaging three-quarters of a ton each,
was raised from the 1,300 foot levels of two of the
pits in one day during that year.

Owing to the progressive nature of affairs at this

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108

Sprmjhlll Colliery Disaster.

time it was considered tliat the town sliould be in-
corporated. The matter was agitated, and an elec-
tion of the citizens to decide was held on the 3lHt
December, 1888. The majority in favor of incorpor-
ation was fifteen. The election for mayor and town
councillors was lield May 2nd, 1889, and A. E.
Fraser was elected

The First Mayor of Springhill

by acclamation. The councillors were R. 11. Coopur,
A. D. Ferguson, E. B. Paul, Charles Simpson,
Solomon Keiver, and Fred. F. Noiles.

Mr. Fraser being the first chief magistrate of
Springhill, the wi'iter has secured his portrait, and
collected a few biographical items to embody in this
connection. Mr. F/aser was born in Pictoa County
over fifty years ago. lie came to Springhill when
the mines were first opened, and ever since has taken
a deep interest in the progress of the town. He is
of Scottish ancestry, and Presbyterian faith. I lis
business career has been most successful. Mr. Fraser
was not only elected bv acclamation as first mavor
of Springhill, but he was returned the second year
without opposition. Previous to incorporation of
the town, Mr. Fraser represented the district of
Springhill in the County Council. In 1885, he was

i be in-
un clec-
the 31st
ncorpor-
md town
d A. K.

[. Cooper,
Simpson,

^istrate of
trait, and
dy in this
a County
lill when
has taken
n. He is
th. His
r. Fraser
st mayor
ond year
ration of
istrict ot
he was

ALEXANDER E. ERASER,
First Mayor of Springhill.

I i'

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!■

Springhill Collier)/ Disaster.

201

appointed a Justice of the Peace. He is an active
worker in all kinds of church work.

Mr. Hall, second Mayor of Springhill, was elected
February 23rd, 1891. His council is composed of
E. A. Porter, A. D. Ferguson, Simon Fraser, Charles
Simpson, E. B. Paul and Solomon Keiver.

The present inhabitants of Springhill number
about 6,000. Notwithstanding the late disaster the
prospects of the place are hopeful and inspiring.
Although many who worked in the mines left after
the explosion, yet others have arrived to take their
places, and it is evident that the town must continue
to increase for many years to come. The coal fields
in the vicinity being computed at 56,000,000 tons,
and the place being centrally located between Minas
Basin and Northumberland Strait, vnth railway
extension to each port, and a large surrounding
country adapted for firmirjg purpose:^, it has an
advantage over many other flourishing inland towns.

The Springhill Mines

were never in so good condition for large output
of coal than now. New engine houses for hoist-
ing engines have lately been built at East and
West Slopes. Tw^o new dams, capable of hold-
ing 2,893,000 gallons of water, have been con-

k {

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202

Springhill Colliery Disaster,

Btructed, increasing the reservoir accommodation
of the collieries to a capacity of 4,289,500 gallons.
The travelling slope of the West Mine has been tim-
bered from the surface to the 800 foot level, and the
main and pump slopes of the same mine have been
re-timbered to the bottom level. The East Slope
has been re-timbered from surface to the 1,900 foot
level, and another lift has been sunk from this level
600 feet, making the depth of East Slope 2,500 feet.
At the East, West and North Slopes the capacity of
the airways have been increased to double their
former areas. A new iire-proof fan house has been
built at the North Slope, and engine connected direct
with the fan. The bankheads have all been newly
stepped and repaired for convenience of the men
getting on and off riding rakes. A new foundation
has been placed under the fan at the East Slope, and
the West Slope engine has been connected with fan.
The number of steam boilers operating the collieries
are now twenty-eight. Iron booms have been intro-
duced into airways and pipe heads. Two new
cupolas have been built. A number of mules in
connection with the horses are now to work in the
mine. New riding rakes for lowering and hoisting
the men are in operation. New air chamber has
been put on the West Slope pump. A new air-

Springhill CoW^ry Disaster,

203

Eition

lions.

L tim-

dthe

been

Slope

foot

B level

lO feet.

,city of

3 their

18 been

i direct

L newly

le men

idation

Ipe, and

lith fan.
(Uieries
In intro-
o new
.ules in
in the
loisting
icr has
ew air-

mometer has been supplied to each slope, and in the
fan houses have been placed thermometers, water-
gauges and barometers. Eight locomotives are in
operation, and everything in and about the mines
seems to indicate that an increase of business at no
distant day is intended.

The Coal Measures of Springhill

are illustrated by chart in another part of this book.
By looking at this chart it will be seen that these
coal measures contain ten seams of coal of various
thicknesses underlying each other, and separated by
intervening strata averaging from thirty to three
hundred feet in thickness, and all dipping to the
north-west at an angle of thirty-five degrees. This
chart has been prepared with great care, and is as
accurate a representation of the coal seams in the
vicinity of Springhill as can at present be produced.
By looking at the chart the relative positions of the
East and West Slopes show how they are connected
by tunnel, and the place in the East Slope where the
explosion occurred.

In Educational Matters

Springhill is apparently unequalled by any other
ooal mining district of its size. About one dozen

204

Springhill Chlliery Disaate)'.

ly {

li -'.y i

if -I

well trained teachers are in the place, and during
the past three years $17,000 have been expended for
school houses. The last school building erected
cost 15,000, and was occupied for the first time on
Monday, May 4th, 1891. During the past winter
three night schools were largely attended by work-
ingmen. The Local Government has provided for
special courses of instruction to be imparted in
mining subjects to all who desire to qualify them-
selves for colliery officials. These instructions and
the night schools are free to all, as the government
remunerates the teachers.

An industrial school is about being established
in connection with . the Church of England. An
American lady has donated $3,500 to assist in this
movement, and a suitable building will be erected
without delay.

In the town of Springhill there are five churches,
representing Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians,
Oatholics, and Presbyterians. The Salvation Army
are at work constructing a large barrack in which
to hold their services.- A Young Men's Christian
Association and a Women's Christian Temperance
Union are in active operation. Other societies of
all kinds are flourishing in the place.

The town has court house, jail, custom house,

Springhill Colliery Disaster,

205

hotels, and public halls with capacities for seating
large audiences. The jail is a luxury, however, as
it is said one policeman on duty two hours a day is
able to keep the peace.

The Halifax Banking Company have a branch
in the town for the accommodation of traders.
The trades are all well represented in Springhill.
Mercantile establishments of all kinds are evidently
doing a fair business.

Among other establishments the town has news-
paper and job printing offices. The paper is called
The Springhill News. This paper has large adver-
tising patronage and good circulation, both of which
attest its popularity. It is issued "Wednesdays and
Saturdays, and is evidently conducted with tact.
The editor is a popular young man of some ability
as a writer, but as his name does not appear in the
NewSf it is adjudged better not to use it in this con-
nection. The portrait of the publisher will be seen
on the following page.

Among the attractions at Springhill is

A Handsome Park.

This park was donated by Managing Director R. G.
Leckie, previous to his leaving Springhill for Lon-
donderry, to the juveniles as a play ground. The

. ■)!

liri^.

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206

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

field is on the dead level, and is fitted out ^vith a
cinder track for racing, cricket crease, and plenty
of other space for amusements. It is called the
"Amateur Athletic Association Grounds."

The water supply of Springhill is not v. hat it
should be. The present water for family use is
obtained chiefly by rain-fall and boring. A good
supply of water, it is said, could be brought from
adjacent lakes. The matter is being agitated, and
will no doubt soon result in something practical.

A new post office of larger dimensions than the
present one is required to accommodate the increas-
ing mail matter of the place. This will, doubtless,
be constructed in time by the government.

After carefully investigating the whole surround-
ings and connections of Springhill, the writer's opin-
ion is, that if the citizens are faithfiil to the trust the
Almighty has committed to their keeping, a bright
future is in store for the place.

vith a
plenty
id the

! '' \r\

'.hat it
use is
^ good
it from
ed, and
Lcal.

han the
increas-
jubtless,

irround-
's opin-
rust the
bright

H. A. MCKNIGHT,
Publisher Springhill News,

CHAPTER XX.

Extent of Neighboring Coal Measures.

The coal fields of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward
Island and New Brunswick are estimated by the
best authorities as covering an area of 18,000 square
miles, and forming one of the best bituminous coal
regions of earth. About one-half this territory is
given as including the Nova Scotia coal measures
ulone. The known profitable workings of these coal
measures was given by the Secretary of the Montreal
Board of Trade, in his report for the year 1872, as
l)eing about two thousand two hundred square miles,
the number of acres being one million four hundred
and eight thousand, and the contents of each acre
being estimated at thirty thousand tons, the total
available supply amounting to 42,240,000,000 tons.

Since that time prospecting has been going on,
and many new discoveries have been made, so that
it is not too much to say that the coal measures of
Nova Scotia are practically inexhaustible, and repre-
sent a heritage of mine wealth for coming posterity
which, perhaps, no other portion of our globe, having
tlie same space of surface territory, can claim. A
(209)

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210

Spring kill Colliery Disister.

plurality of large Hcams underlying each other havo
been found of late years in many places where it was
considered twenty-tive years ago small veins only
existed, such as had been discovered at that time in
the Springhill coal measures.

The following extracts from reports of Wood-
house and Jeftcock, mining engineers of London and
Derby, England, in 1866, will support this statement:
*' The coal field which we have careftilly examined,
and wdiich is the subject of this report, is situated in
the County of Cumberland, in the Province of Nova
Scotia. It is generally described as the " Springhill "
coal field, but in reality it is a part of the great
Cumberland coal field. The first, or upper, seam
we found to be a bed of remarkably good coal. * *
About 45 yards below the main seam we proved
(by making a small shaft) another seam of about
three feet thick of good workable coal, having the
same dip and angle as the main seam. At a prob-
able depth of 150 yards there appears to be a third
seam of good coal about two feet thick. This liaf?
been partly worked, and proves to be very good."

Taking as a basis for the extent of other coal
fields in Nova Scotia, this report of two of the load-
ing mining engineers of Great Britain, regarding
the extent of the "Springhill" coal measures, as

icr have
re it was
iiiia only
t time in

)f Wood-
ludou and
tatemcnt:
examined,
situated in
ce of Nova
;pringliill "
; the great
[>per, seam
icoal. * *

Sprmghill Colliery Disaster.

211

known to them twenty-five years ago, and comparing
it with the tacts wliicli Uiter investigation and
])ractical operations have reveaU^d, it will be seen
that the majority of accounts published in cyclo-
pedias and other standard publications are antiquated
and far from the truth. This is not to be wondered
at, as the coal regions in this proviu-e were not
developed a (piarter of a century ago afi they now are.
Instead of three seams of coal at Springhill, and one
of them " three feet thick," and another about " two
feet thick," there are actually ten seams now known
to exist, and the two and three foot seams are four
times the thickness stated in report. However these
old reports might have served the purposes for
which they were intended, it seems too bad that they
should be given to the w^orld as a true estimate of
the extent of the great coal fields of the Maritime
Provinces of Canada. But what makes the matter
still worse is the fact that our children are taught
to believe these reports as gospel truths. Were a
boy attending any of our public schools in the
Dominion of Canada to-day, and asked the question,
" llow much coal is raised in Nova Scotia annually ? "
if he answers according to the teachings of his
" Modern School Geography," he must say, " About
600,000 tons." This he is compelled to do, or lose

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212

Sprmghi/l Colliery Disaster.

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i . -iff ''lilt "-'' 1^

a mark for improperly ariHwering the question of his
teacher. Again, studying the lesson on " Coal,"
given in his " Royal Reader No. 5," he is led to
believe that the lesson was written by a Birmingham
mechanic, who was not aware that coal had any
existence outside the British Isles. In face of these
notorious facts, it is high time that something should
be done in the way of modernizing some of tlie
literature used in the education of our Canadiuii
juveniles at the present time.

The official report of the actual

Nova Scotia Coal Sales in 1871

states that 596,419 tons were disposed of that year.
The total sales for 1881 are given at 1,035,014 toiir<,
and in 1890 the amount of coal raised was 1,984,001
tons, of which 1,786,111 tons were sold. It will be
seen by these reports that the figures of Nova Scotia
coal productions given in the school geography are
based on the amount raised twenty years ago. It is
therefore not surprising that many of our young
men have meagre ideas of the source of wealth
imbedded in the bowels of the earth at their own
doors, and leave for other climes to seek for fortunes
they might obtain at home, were they properly
educated as to the real value of their native
heritage.

. of h'lB
Coal,"
led to
n*!;liaiu
ad any
)f tlieBC
r should
of the
lanadiaii

properly
lir native

Springliill CoUkry Disaster.

213

Coal has cvideutlv now become one of the
essential elements of modern civilization, and the
progress of the civilization of a conntry is at present
recorded by the amonnt of coal obtainable and
employed by the inhabitants in a given time. The
u:reat coal fields of Nova Scotia and neighboring
provinces have, therefore, not only the element of
coal to insure the future greatness of this part of
the empire of which they form a part, but iron and
gold are in many places found in abundance, thus
combining three of the most essential elements to
the future greatness of any people. Add to this the
great Atlantic sea-boaro, open at all seasons of the
year, and railway extension '' from ocean to ocean,"
for the transit of the products of the mines where
these elements are discovered, and we have an assur-
ance that nothing but disloyalty to God, our Queen
and country, can hinder the future greatness of
these Maritime Provinces of Canada. Owing to the
sparse circulation of reliable literature bearing on
the coal measures of these provinces, few are aware
that one of the largest bituminous coal seams in our
world is in Nova Scotia. The boasted " mammoth
vein" at Wilkesbarre, Pa., is given as measuring
29| feet in thickness, but one of the "Albion Mines"
seams at Stellarton, Nova Scotia, is 37| feet thick,

I-

5 iS i'

m-.

%■{

1 '

214

Springhill Colliery Disaster,

and the product of this seam is of excellent quality.
The writer had the honor of travelling many miles
through the underground workings of this colliery
over twenty ypa^'R ago, and the depth of the mine
excavation from roof to bottom was given at that
time as being 39 feet. An idea of the enormous
quantity of coal imbedded in such a mine as this
may be formed by the estimate that a thirty feet vein
yields twelve millions of tons to the square mile.
Of course all the seams forming the coal fields of
Nova Scotia are not like the Albion Mines seam, it
being an exceptionally deep formation ; but many of
them are from eight to twelve feet in thickness, and
a large number of seams underlying each other in
some of the measures.

The Sydney coal field alone extends from Mire
Bay, on the east, to Cape Dauphin, on the west of
that portion of Cape Breton. This tract of country
covers an area of about 200 square miles. The
number of coal mines opened in Cai)e Breton from
1858 to 1872 are given by good authority as being
twentv-two, and their combined contents were esti-
mated at about 300,000,000 of tons.

The Cumberland coal measures are also believed
to be very extensive. Outside the Springhill section
the place has not thoroughly been explored.

Springhill Colliery Disaster.
The Joogins Coal Beds

215

are situated on the east side of the Chignecto Bay.
The iiiain bed, called the Joggins seam, is about six
feet in thickness, dipping to the south at an angle of
eighteen degrees, and passing down into the beach,
and under the tide. How far the coal may extend
towards the shores of New Brunswick is a problem
yet to be solved, but the geological condition of the
strata along the shore indicate a continuance for
several miles at least. Some years ago a test hole,
'•'ith a diamond drill, was put down about three-
fourths of a mile south of the outcroi)ping, which
penetrated the seam one thousand feet below the
K"rface. This seam has now 1,300 and 1,900 foot
levels. Extensive repairs are being made to enable
operations in the most scientific manner, and a large
output is anticipated at no distant day. Several
other mines have been opened in the same coal
beds, chieiiy at River Ilebert, under the names of the
"Victoria," "Lawrence," "Chignecto," "Maccan,"
" St. George," " New York and Acadia," " Minudie,"
" Styles," and some others. Much prospecting has
been done, and large quantities of coals have been
mined with success, but the hoped for prosperity of
many proprietors of the Cumberland coal measures
lias not as yet been fully realized. One disadvan-

^1 n

pi" r

216

SpringhUl Colliery Disaster.

tage to a more successful operation of these mines
than lias hitherto heen reported as given by good
authority is, " The want of safe anchorage for ship-
ping, which can be protected only by expensive
piers and breakwaters." This shall, no doubt, be
accomplished in time. A railway is now in opera-
tion from the Intercolonial Junction to the Joggins,
and the present prospect is that at no distant day
coal measures in this region will be fully developed,
and mining operations pushed forward with the best
results.

The mines in this district, being so closely con-
nected with the Springhill collieries, a historical
sketch of their discoveries and operations in con-
nection with the extent of each is given in the fol-
lowing part of this chapter. This historical material
has been collected with care, and the writer trusts
will be found authentic in every case.

The Joggins Mines.

About the year 1847, the General Mining Com-
pany of London, who at that time monopolized
all the coal seams in l!^ova Scotia by right from the
Duke of York, who had obtained a grant of the
same from the Crown, was compelled to work this
mine by reason of an agitation then in progress by

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

217

a number of gentlemen, George Young, brother of
the late Judge Young, of Halifax, being the leading
spirit in the movement, to have their claims set
aside and the right of all minerals in the province
vested in the Government of Nova Scotia, which,
after a hard struggle, was accomplished.

At the time referred to, mining operations com-
menced under the management of Andrew Patrick,
one of the first miners who came out to the Albion
Minos from Scotland. A short time after the mines
had started, R. B. Boggs was engaged as store-
keeper and general superintendent, wharves were
built, log houses erected, some clearings in the
woods made, and, in a short time, the output of the
mine was from forty to sixty tons per day, the com-
pany's object being to satisfy the agitation, and at
the same time ship nothing that would afffect the
sales from the Pictou and Sydney Mines, as from
these they were able to supply all demands, the work
was therefore not pushed forward with vigor.

The mine was opened from the level of the
wharf, and driven under the bank, which is some
sixtv feet hi^h. The coals were taken from the
mine by cars on a level to the vessels in the harbor,
which were anchored a few rods from the entrance
of the mine. The mine was self-draining for a num-

"'['^■ii

liV

218

SpringhiU CoUkry Disaster.

h'li

ber of years. A shaft was sunk about 200 yards
from the shore, connecting with the level, and fronii
which, after a short time, all the coal was raised to
the bank by horse power, and shipped by running
down the side of the shore bank on a self-acting
incline plane in cars to the wharves.

At this time the only access to the mine was })y
water, or by a path leading through the woods from
River Hebert, or around the shore. Previous to
the opening of the Joggins Mine by the General
Mining Company, two English miners, with their
families, had been residing in the place for a numl)er
of years, raising and shipping a few small schooner
loads of the coal yearly to St. John, N. B.

The place had also evidently been used as a fort
by the French or other soldiers, as cannon balls and
other fragments of warfare were found imbedded ii)
the earth near the edge of the bank above the miiic,
and there still remained earthworks constructed to
the height of three or four feet.

After the death of G. Young, through the per-
sistency of the late Judge Young, Mr. Archil)al(l
and others, an amicable settlement was arrived at
about the year 1854, part of which was that the
Mining Company quit claim and cede all their riglit
and title of all minerals to the Government, except

', .i il*

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

211^

four square miles at the Joggins, four square miles
at Springhill, four square miles at Pictou, and four
square miles at Sydney, Cape Breton. These claims
they retained as part consideration of yielding their
rights of the Crown.

This ended a monopoly that had driven out the
best class of coal miners in the country, many of
whom returned and commenced operations again
with success. Between 1870 and 1872 the General
Mining Company sold out the Joggins property to a
company of St. John merchants. The late Alex.
Barnhill, of St. John, who was manager of the
company, divided the property into two equal parts
ill geographical extent, and formed a company on
each property.

One part is underlaid with the Old Joggins seam,
which is 4| feet thick. The other is known as the
" Hard Scrabble " seam, which is 3| feet thick. This
mine is situated about half a mile north of the main
seam, and geologically underly it. Both of these
properties include a number of the smaller seams.

The company who operated the Hard Scrabble
Mine, after spending a large amount of capital in
building up the necessary improvements for a large
output, and working the mine with apparent success
for a few years, ceased operations, and the mine is

: i>

a! _

220

SprmghiU CoUiery Disaster.

ill i^'
-111 ^

^ Mii !

'nK'5 ;'

now closed. Mr. Barnhill wu8 manager of this
mine, and liis son, B. Barnhill, managed the Old
Joggins Mine, which continued operations under the
underground management of Robert Redpath.

About half a mile from the shore a slope was
driven from the surface in the coal down to and
beyond the old level. This slope was worked by
steam power, and the depth was increased from
time to time until last fall, when it had reached
1,900 feet. The workings in this mine have all
been done on the bord and pillar principle.

A new slope, about a mile from the shore, with
increased appliances, was also sunk from time to
time, until it is now the depth of 1,900 feet. The
capacity of this mine is about five hundred tons per
day. The most easterly extent of the underground
workings is about one mile and three-fourths from
the shore. During the past few years new com-
panies have been formed, and the mine is now being
operated on a new principle, called the long wall
and waugh principle.

A railway was built from the Intercolonial to

the Joggins a few years ago. It was opened for

traffic in 1887.

The Victoria Mine

vvas discovered in 1858 by William Patrick, of
Maccan, who had returned from Maryland, N. S.,

!■■

Springhill CoUienj Disaster.

221

where he had been engaged as mine superintendent
for some time previous to this date. Mr. Patrick's
ambition was, if possible, to discover a new mine,
secure the right of operating it, and make for him-
self an independent business. After exploring a
few months, he was successful in discovering a seam
at River Hebert, commenced operations and shipped
the first cargo of coal raised from this mine to St.
John in September of the same year.

The Victoria seams are a continuation of the
old Joggins Mine, but considerably changed, the
angle of dip increased, and the seam divided into
three distinct seams. One of these seams is two
feet nine inches, another one foot nine inches, a
third two feet six inches. In 1859, Mr. Patrick
sunk a slope one hundred and sixty feet deep, built
a wharf, tramway, and made other improvements
considered necessary to raise and ship from thirty
to forty tons of coal per day. That year he shipped
3,000 tons, the profits on which paid all expendi-
tures, including the purchase of one hundred and
fifty acres of land. Encouraged by such success,
Mr. Patrick was tempted to form a company, in-
cluding himself, Harris & Allan, James I. Fellows,
and others. Mr. Fellows moved to the mine as
store and book-keeper. A new slope, two hundred

i' ^r-itl'i

a, a

:/"■ " ,

222

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

\j.\i

'! I

•i

and sixty feet, was opened, nteam power and other
requisites essential to an increase of business were
introduced after formation of the company, and the
business continued to grow. Conflictions with some
of the stockholders, however, prompted Mr. Patrick
to sell out his interest, and retire from the company
which he had been induced to organize. After the
retirement of Mr. Patrick from the company his
place of management was taken by a Mr. Simmons,
an English gentleman, who, it is said, induced the
company to abandon the slope and sink a perpen-
dicular shaft down through the rock to the level
of the slope bottom. After the shaft had been
opened, the company operated the mine only a few
years longer, and then closed operations, which, as
yet, have not been resumed.

The Lawrence Mine

Company's operations were commenced some years
after the Victoria. This mine is situate about half
a mile east from Victoria Wharf The seams are
the same. Their works were along near the out-
cropping. This mine was self-draining, and was
manipulated from the north side of the Victoria pro-
perty. The company was formed of Boston men
through the instrumentality of the late George

i.-n\\

Springhill Collier^/ Disaster.

223

Hebert and others. They spent considerable capital
in wharf building, tramway, miners' houses, etc.
They shipped coal for a few^ years, when their under-
ground work, about half a mile in extent, were inter-
rupted by a fault dislocating or cutting off the coal
altogether. It is not yet known whether the Joggins
seam extends any further east. Much time and
money have been spent, especially in Maccan dis-
trict, to trace it, but without avail. This mine is
now silent.

The Maccan Mine

was discovered and opened in the spring of 1861 by
Wm. Patrick. It is situated about one mile west of
Maccan River. The most northerly or underlying
seam is a continuance of the Hard Scrabble seam.
The top seam crops 460 feet south of the other, and
is two feet thick, and of superior quality for domestic
use. This seam was not supposed to exist. These
seams dip at an angle of 30 degrees. The first year
of operation Mr. Patrick raised some coal for local
trade, and shipped a few cargoes from the two foot
scams. The following year he sold the mine to
Howe & White, of Boston, and in June, 1863, a
company was formed of Boston men, called the
Maccan Company.

224

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

'M^il

Nl3

After disposing of this mine Mr. Patrick com-
menced a slope on the Hard Scrabble seam, intending
to sink 2,000 feet for a contemplated large businesn,
then connect the two foot seam by tunneling at the
bottom, 80 that both seams could be operated witli
the same plant, etc. However, these connections
were never made. The Maccun Company imported
experts and geologists from New York, who con-
sidered that the Hard Scrabble seam was on the
property, but yet to be found. Owing to this matter,
plans of operations were changed. A temporary
shaft was sunk and slope extended to the depth of
one hundred and forty feet on the small vein.

This company built wiiarves, tramways, miners'
houses, etc., and engaged a large rmmber of men
working the mine and exploring under the geolo-
gist's directions. A steam tug was purchased in
New York at a cost of about $15,000 to tow the
vessels in the river. The coal raised and shipped
was from 60 to 70 tons per day. Horse power was
used for two years or more, when preparations were
made for steam power, but before the machinery
was started the whole business had collapsed. The
company, it is said, spent some $70,000 in reckless
expenditure. Since stopping operations the mine
was idle until a few years ago, when it was pur-

pf t

Sprimjhiu am

•hused by T. R. Sin

'^^y D/sasta

225

Jth, ofAmh

'«". the t,vo toot' ::,: „::r';:''" ^ ""-

'^v«"ty tons of coal ,laily. ' '■'"""^' "''°«t

Th. C„,„.,oxo ..„ St. Gkoh«h M,.vk«

' 'imcK. iheHe were fnnn^w i , '^"liiiam

-J cost,, .i„e, ,/,;t ; ,^^^^^

«"m on tl,e bank " *' , ^'"^»««to. the same
Maeean River aftLf ",'' "'"'' ^^-^P^- '"to
-0- to the rivl ; , tf '^^^^"^"' ^-'■■«- for ™,-,.
"ihinnin Wharves, wl„-eli were hnilf f

sliipping purposes afterward, ti, . '"'"

'"i'-« from the nune 17 ""'' " 'J"''««''

f n onrard Serahhio al ::,r:::.7^ -^ ^°"'™-
;,' o" the shore. B, eomin^ tXT T
*"'•>" a seam thirteen feet in th;? "" '''"^

■;, ang.e of fort,.tive dt; e^'t" pI?' t'' "
^^iis property to John P{ai ^^^^- ^^triek sold

^i iiii

riii

t M

i-l

m'M

' h

1 1

WiiP

22f)

Sjmnfjhill CoUlery Disaster.

American oiirreney, per ton. Tlie plant and ini-
])rovenu'ntH for Chignecto coHt about $45,000. The
first shipment of coal was made in the fall of 1804,
and the result was so encouragin*^ that the follow-
ing year about fifteen thousand tons were 8hi})pe(l
at a heavy loss, as the rebellion was ended and coal
soon fell in price to live and six dollars per ton,
American pai)er, which was only worth sixty cents
gold on the dollar, and a duty '"f |1.50 gold on
the coal was imposed.

As all shipping could only be continued througli
the summer at such low prices, the coal had to
be stored for winter sales. When returns were
all in, the company found that, after paying
freight, commissions, storage, duty, discounts, etc.,
they had only twelve cents per ton left for mining
and delivery of coal on board of vessels. The
actual loss was about $1.25 per ton on all coal
shipped to the States. This same condition of
things affected all the other Nova Scotia coal
dealers then shipping to the States in a similar wii}'.

The works on St. Geoige \\ the meantime had
progressed to the extent cd' slope finished houses,
railway connection with Chignecto Road Junction,
about one mile and a half below St. George, and
three-quarters of a mile below Chignecto. T rails
from 22 to 24 fibs, per yard, imported from Eng-

Sl»-i»ghiU a,mn,i ma,Ur.

227
'•"•'^ vvcre mod on botl^ Afn.

I'lwperricH were onroJ ^
^'"»^' after the tun . '' ^^"^^ ^^'i^e

"""^-' th.„„:;j: j?s:r r:'^""-""' """

tl-e A«,dia Iron Co„„ -^ '' ""'' ""'"^ °« *»

t%n«v5r used the oM, * " ^T^ratio,, _

-■'^. 'aid heav;;:;''jr:rr "'-''« '^

t"o Intercolonial from C.>i,,„:2 LT'""''"'" *°
Station. They also seeure^,^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ *^^''--'
•erected one of the m„«t Jl '»«o«otive, and

""l-vements, theTo !' " T'"*"" "'*»*-

owners to let m It ! "' ^"'"- '"""P«"-' «-
^CL ic nil with water. Tho ^^ • i

'" i-rference to this Chi^necto Afi . T '"'P'"'*

"This mine worked o,i 1 '''" "'''''''■■

J"b • when most If th! *' "^"''' ^^^^ "»«

---rtC^tz::::r'r- «-

». until late in the M .he^; t ^ b'"'^'"'-
I'Hlerground Manager took th„ "''■°"'''

|i;H|i|

.'J

li f

,1-.;^

* yi

n0 f

-t

,ii

228

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

side of these works, and, as it can be got water-dry,

the idea is to keep these men employed for the

winter months in readiness for prospecting in the

spring."

The Minudie Mine

was opened about the year 1866. John Anderson
and S. Smith opened this mine on River Hebert,
about one-third of a mile north of Victoria Mine.
After working the mine for some time they sold it
to the late George Hebert and others, who formed
the Minudie Coal Company. They equipped the
mine for raising and shipping at considerable out-
lay. They shipped coal by water for a number of
years, but finally suspended operations, except what
they raised above water level for local consumption.
The seam of coal is about three feet nine inches in
thickness, of superior quality, with about eighteen
inches to two feet of lire clay in the middle. Its
identity seem", with many, to be doubtful, but it is
supposed to be the Bale seam on the Fhore enlarged
here. The seam is opened on the west side of the
ri. jr opposite, but reduced somewhat in thickness,
and is owned by William Milner, of Sackville. It
is not being worked. There has been some coal
taken from it, but never been fitted up to do any-
thing of importance. About twelve men were

iter-dry,
for the

gr lU

Anderson
r Hebert,
)ria Mine,
tiey sold it
ho formed
Liipped the
,erable out-
number of
sxcept what
.nsumption.
,e inches in
|ut eigbteen
iiiddle. Its
ful, but it is
,re enlarged
side of tlie
[n thickness,
.ckville. It
some coal
^ to do uny-
men ^vcre

Sprinf/hill OjlUeru Disaster.

employed operating it last fall, according to official
report. rpjj^ ^^^^j^^^ ^ine

is sit .*te about four miles east from Chignecto, and
is the most easterly development on this side of the
Basin. It is a continuance of Chignecto seam some-
what changed, but not for the better — angle of dip in-
creased to forty-five and fifty degrees. It was opened
in 1865 by John Kol)inson, of Pictou. 'It is owned
by James Hickman and others, of Amherst. There
has been considerable spent in test slopes, etc., but
no substantial operations were ever entered into.
Between St. George and the Styles mines, the heirs
of the late Sir Albert Smith, of Dorchester, and
JMyght, of Hillsboro, N. B., own a property, on
which is opened the same seam, but on which
nothing more than a test slope, opened a few years
ago, has been attempted.

The Amuerst Coal Mining Company's Mine

is situated about two miles east from River Hebert,
and two miles w^est from Maccan. This pro[)erty
had been held, by right from the Government, by
James Hickman and others for many years; but
when their right expired Mr. Patrick secured a
lease, and with moderate expense developed three
seams. After sinking test slopes and pits he sold

m\\ '

! ..£

' i!

^ H:

230

Sprmghill Colliery Disaster.

one-half interest in Halifax, and in time bought back
a (|uarter, thus holding three-fourths interest in the
propert}', and by the time the Joggins Railway was
open he had secured a market at remunerative
prices on board of cars at the mine for all the coal
he could raise. The mine plant, which cost $12,000,
was all complete, and operations were pushed for-
ward until November, 1887, when, during the night,
the whole place was destroyed by fire, and, having
no insurance on the property, Mr. Patrick was
unable to make the necessary repairs in order to
continue operations at this mine.

From this historical outline of the hitherto
career of coal mining in Cumberland County, the
reader will be able to see that the experiences of
many who have engaged in developing the mines
in this section of Nova Scotia have been check-
ered, and some of them even romantic.

Notwithstanding so many failures to secure
colossal fortunes anticipated by some coal mining
speculators in Cumberland, future explorations may
reveal something sur[>assing anything that has yet
been discovered. Geologists say an abundance of
coal is here imbedded, and indications correspond,
but it will, no doubt, require time and capital to
secure it.

it bacik
in the
ay was
lerative
he coal
112,000,
bed tbr-
le night,
[, having
'ick was
order to

, hitherto
unty, the
iences of
he minc^
jn check-
to secure
il mining
Itions may
it has yet
idance ot
)rrespon<l,
[capital to

CHAPTER XXI.

Coal and its History.

No more profitable or interesting study could be
engaged in than that of coal and its history. In
looking at so common an object as coal many might
think it impertinent to make any inquiry after it
further than where it might be purchased at the
lowest rates. But when we investigate its real pro-
perties and value, and candidly consider what our
world would be to-day without its use, it becomes
at once an object of our greatest admiration and
regard.

" "Who can sum up the benefits we derive from
coal ? " says a distinguished writer. " It warms and
lights our dwellings, cooks our food, illuminates our
streets ; coal develops and sustains the force which
propels the locomotive along the railway, and the
ship across the sea ; works the printing press, wields
the hammer, lifts the weight, draws the load, moves
the machinery, grinds the corn, spins the cotton,
weaves the cloth, pumps the mine, deepens the
liver, covers the land with a network of railways,
forges the electric wire, and, submerging the ocean

(231)

^f f'

i. i

ih^^f

M*"^

jirj

i^((!:

,1 "

232

Sprmcjhill Collier)/ Disaster.

telegraph, ' "Will put a girdle round about +lie earth
in forty minutes.' Who shall set bounds to the
power of coal, iron, and steam ? "

What is Coal?

Was it made as it now is, or transformed from
another substance ? If changed from what it was
to w^hat it is, how has the change been effected;
and how came it into the places where we now" find
it ? are honest questions which every thinking mind
has a right to ask and use all lawful endeavors to
solve. Many theories regarding the mode of the
origin of coal have been set forth since its discovery
until the present time, but these theories have all
been, more or less, fraught w^ith difhculties. The
great barrier in the way of universal acceptance of
any theory is, doubtless, owing to the fact that the
early history of our globe still remains one of the
great unsettled problems of geology. Although
Geikie and other renowned geological professors
come forward in their science primers telling us
how the whole arrangement was executed, as if
they were eye-witnesses, yet many are slow to
believe what they cannot easily comprehend, and
the matter must necessarily remain in mystery to
some.

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

•233

An Irishman, giving his opinion of a coal seam,
would naturally suggest that a peat-hog had run
away and got into a worm-hole of the earth.
Among all the ideas advanced on the suhject, the
following is, perhaps,

The Most Generally Accepted Theoky

set forth as to the mode of the origin and deposit
of coal : That the rank and luxurious vegetation
AN'hich is supposed to have prevailed , during what
geologists call the carboniferous age, grew and de-
cayed upon land but slightly raised above the sea ;
that by slow subsidence this thick laj^er of vegetable
matter sunk below the water, and became gradually
covered with sand, mud, and other mineral sedi-
ment, that then, ])y some slight upheaval of the sea
l)ottom, or other process, a land surface was once
more formed, and covered with a dense mass of
plants, which, in course of time, decayed, sank, and
l)ecame overlaid with silt and sand as before, thus
forming a second, third, fourth or fifth strata, as the
case might be, which, in due time, as a matter of
course, all became deposited in the earth. At length
these thick masses of stratified matter, when accu-
mulated, would produce great pressure, and this,
acting along with chemical changes, would greatly
mineralize the vegetable layers into coal.

I UM^

W'-

tiBiN

181

i'/Ji

6' ».

234

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

This theory seems plausible, and harmonizes with
the '' dip " of a plurality of seams, such as is found at
Springhill ; but still there is a mystery about it that
is hard to solve. So far as the product of the mine
is concerned, the evidence \t^ overwhelming that

Coal is of Vegetable Origin,

apparently once in a liquid state, and has connected
with it a liistorv of intense interest, which is worthy
of occupyvn *,- sincere thoughts; but through
what process of operation it has passed in forma-
tion, and liu\v i' srot ' i^o some of the places where
we now iind it, are apparently mysteries that may
never be solved. Scientiiic research has undoubtedly
unfolded a world of mystery in connection with the
mine ; but greater developments shall, no doubt, yet
be made through painstaking investigation.

In the study of geological science many years
ago, the question relating to the history of coal be-
came a prominent one. It was supposed at iirst that
coal was a mere mineral product, such as iron, gold,
silver, etc. But in due time the idea that it might
have had a vegetable origin dawned upon the minds
of some thoughtful men, and by thorough investiga-
tion the doctrine of the vegetable origin of coal was
established, and is now generally accepted by the

Sjmnghill Colliery Disaster.

235

scientific public. Regarding the process of forma-
tion and mode of deposit there must necessarily
remain some conjecture until convincing proof i»
brought to bear upon the subject, such as that fur-
nished in the case of the vegetable origin theory.

In justification of the idea that coal was of mine-
ral product, one might say that at first sight it i&
hard to believe that the hard, stony substance coal
should have anything in common with wood, except
that they both burn easily. It is only when subjected
to chemical examination, by means of a retort, that
they are found to yield similar products, and differ
chiefly in the amount of oxygen which each contain^
and in the smaller bulk into which coal has been
compressed.

The Great Value of Coal over Wood

arises from its power of producing a great amount
of heat from a small bulk in a short space of time.
It is wonderful the amount of heat that a small por-
tion of coal, set in a good draught, will produce, and
it can be measured by the warmth it will impart to-
a kettle of cold water placed over it.

It is found that this heat is produced by the
burning of the gases of the coal in the air of the
atmosphere, and by the capacity for retaining heat

: ''i

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286

Sprmghill Colliery Disaster.

» ' ('

' {

,<^'

is.* "4

which the solid part of the eoal possesses. The
great heat derived from coal over wood is owing to
the extra amount of carhon contained in the coal.

According to Prof. Kuscoe's Mamial on Chemistru,
wood til)re contains a fraction over 5| per cent, of
carbon and anthracite, or hard coal 94 per cent., and
soft or bituminous coal 86 per cent. The followiuir
table by Ruscoe gives the chemical composition of
the several objects named in it, exclusive of the ash
left by combustion : .

Hydrogen.

Carbon.

Oxygen and
Nitrogen.

Wood Fibre,

... 5.25

52.65

42.10

Irish Turf,

... 0.88

60.02

34.10

Cologne Lignite, ...

... 5.25

66.96

27.76

Wigan Can n el.

5.85

85.81

8.34

Newcastle Hartley,

... 5.61

88.42

5.97

Welsh Anthracite,

o.o8

94.05

2.57

It is also discovered that if a piece of coal were
placed in the l)owl of a pipe covered with clay, and
placed in a fire with the stem of the pipe exposed,
some steam will come oft", and afterwards strong
smelling gas, which can be collected by allowing it
to bubble up through water into a vial full of water
turned upside down. After all the gas has escaped
from the coal, by examining the bowl of the pipe,
coke instead of the coal will be found, thus proving

f if

Sprw(jhill Colliery Disaster.

23T

that coal consists chiefly of gas and coke, wliieh, by
investigation, will be found of vegetable production.

The Whole Family of Coal

are divided into two primary divisions; namely,
Anthracite and Bituminous. The former is known
as the hard coal and the latter is termed soft. There
are various degrees of quality of these coals, accord-
ing to their location and deposit. The anthracite
coal is found in regions where the strata have been
disturbed by volcanic eruptions, or subjected to heat
by local causes, and hence the great abundance of
carbon, and lack of the two gases, oxygen and
nitrogen, w^hich form our atmosphere, these having
escaped by interruption. The lack of hydrogen,
w^hich forms the blazing property of the pit or bitu-
minous coal, which is dug from the mine far beneath
the surface, is owing to its being securely incased
in the rock strata, thus preserving its original gases
to a greater degree.

•Whatever coal now is, it appears to the writer
that it once might have been of similar material to
that comprising

The Peat-Bogs of Ireland.

In fact, there is such a similarity between peat and
coal that one familiar with both is forced to conclude

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238

SprwfjhiU Colliery Disaster.

that a [)eat-bog is a coal mine in cmljr^o. On this
point tlie writer can speak from experience, havinii;
spent a short time in a coal mine, and many years
in a peat-bog.

Many may feel inclined to laugh at this idea, but
those grand old bogs of Erin are as wonderful in
their formation and variety of material as the most
renowned coal mines of earth. Peat may be found
bearing as much resemblance to coal as an African
does to a negro. Peat can also be found in the same
bog presenting the hue of an Indian, and in close
proximity another portion as pale faced and useless
as a modern novel reader of fashion.

Now, how can we account for this ? My obser-
vation is that peat found at the bottom of the bed,
where it has long been subjected to heat and pres-
sure, is the peat resembling coal, and has a greater
or less likeness, according to the amount of heat and
pressure that has been brought to bear upon it;
whilst that at the surface, exposed to cold, and hav-
ing had no pressure, is the light colored, and of little
value, portion.

Although this peat-bog theory may be scouted
by many as a fancy of the brain, yet it bears the
stamp of reason, and is worthy of the deepest con-
sideration. Those who know anything about what

Spring hill Collier >/ Disaster.

239

H peat-bog really is, in its rude state, are aware that
it is as natural for its floating portion to (lescend into
the interior of the earth, were an opening formed for
its escape, as a duck to take to water.

The writer can bear testimony to a portion of
one of these old bogs, which got afloat and could not
find an underground channel, take its departure with
velocipede force across the country, overwhelming
everything in its course, until it found a lodgment
in the River Main. This wonderful bog was formerly
called " Slogon Moss," but is now known as

" The Moving Bog."

The situation of this bog is in the County Antrim,
Ireland, a few miles north of Lough Nengh. The
rash movement of this bog took place in tlie fall
about the year 1883, and was considered by some as
one of " the seven wonders of the world," and
thousands not only flocked from all parts of the
British Isles to see its manoeuvres, but dates were
then fixed for future reference, and it was quite
common for a mother to tell the age of her son by
stating that he was born one, two, or three years
before or after " the moving bog," as the case might
be. Did space permit, much might be stated about
this mysterious bog, a sample of which may now be

■) I

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240

Sprmfjh'dl Colliery Disaster.

forming into coal in Honie of tlie deep crevices of
the earth, into whicli it entered at the time of itH
departure from itH former site ; but enough lias l)ee.i
stated to show that tlie "peat-bog tlieory" is wortliy
of more consideration than has yet been given to it
by geologists, many of wliom have had no practical
knowledge of what a genuine peat-bog really is.

The American Cyclopedia, edited by Ripley and
Dana, referring to the " peat-bog theory," says :
" The formation of peat is generally little known or
understood. Few works have been i»ublished on
the subject, and as bogs are generally of difficult
and even dangerous access, they are rarely exam-
ined carefully enough to obtain full evidence as to
the details of their formation. And furthermore,
this study demands a knowledge of botany and
chemistry rarely attainable by the student before
the years of his strength for field explorations are
passed." The same authority states : "Not a single
case has been recorded in regard to the formation
of coal which cannot iind its counterpart and its
explanation in some of the phenomena attending
the present formation of peat."

Taking it for granted, therefore, that peat and
coal are of the same material, and that the former
requires only time and circumstances in order to

Sprinijh'dl Colliery Disaster .

241

rices of
e of its
as bee.i

worthy
'en to it
)ractical
y irt.
(ley aiul
/' says :
nown or
.shed on

difficult
[y exani-
ice as to

lernioro,
|any and

t before

ions are
a single

)rniation
and its

Ittending

)eat and

former

)rder to

become coal such as we now tind imbedded in the
mine, what a manifestation it gives us of the
wisdom, goodness, and foreknowledge of God, in
storing up this

Reserve of the Old Forest,

now to be dug up by man and u -'m1 in his service as
fuel, when the great forests, which have hitherto
been used for the same purpose, are rapidly disap-
pearing from the earth.

Although the secular scientist may not be able
to see anything farther than a develoi»ment of
nature in this wonderful formation, liie devout
Christian can trace the handiwork of the Almighty
therein, and feel assured that

" Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will."

It is man's duty and province to investigate, and
Christianity has nothing to fear from the most scru-
tinizing investigation of all God's works, but on the
contrary. " Seek and ye shall find, knock and it
shall be opened unto you," are the words of Jehovah,
and they apply, doubtless, as fiilly to the wonders

SSSnslHKIHB

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242

Springhill CoUieiy Disaster.

! i

of His material works as to the mysteries of His
revealed word.

"Whether we are prepared to receive or reject the
vegetable theory set forth regarding the formation
of coal, we cannot possibly deny that everything iu
nature is subject to change. We never see anything
that has always been exactly what it is when our
eyes rest upon it. It has, in every instance, once
been something from what it is now, and the attempt
to follow the changes it has undergone, and the
causes that produced those changes, could not fail to
produce a measure of interest in the mind of every
intelligent being.

If we accept it as a cardinal truth that man's body
was formed of earthly dust previous to its animn+ioii
by the breath of God, why should we doubt that
coal was made by the same Almighty hand from
suitable material when we have the

Strongest Evidence Possible

that such is the case ? And although unable to
trace the different stages through which coal as it is
now found must have passed, we should rest assured
that an all-wise Providence, operating through natu-
ral causes, has produced this most wonderful sub-
stance of the mine.

Vm '

tiki

, of Hi3

eject the
jrmation
rthing in
anything
v^hen our
ice, once
e attempt
and the
not fail to
I of every

lan's body
animation
iloubt that
and from

unable to
boal as it is
lest assured
lough natu-
llerful Bub-

Sprmghill CoUkry Disaster.

243

Our duty is, therefore, to receive this bountiful
gift of God with gratitude and reverence, and try to
realize its true value and beauty, however difficult it
may be to obtain, or however uncomely it may
appear to be. And then, as we study the forces
which the Almighty has employed as His instru-
ments in developing this mysterious product of the
mine, our reverence will inevitably rise to Him who
is the source of all power, wisdom and goodness, and
who alone is able to control the most stubborn ele-
ments of nature, so that they might become subser-
vant to his infinite purpose and will.

The First Discovery of Coal

is not on record, nor is it known at what time it
began to be used as fuel. The word " coal " is often
mentioned in the Bible and other ancient books, but
Dr. Smith, in his Dictionary of the Bible, states that
the coal mentioned in the Scriptures represents no
less than five diflferent Hebrew words, and that the
fire of coals referred to were *' probable charcoal,
and not coal in our sense of the word."

However, some believe that the ancients had a
knowledge of its use, and to prove this idea a passage
from a treatise on stones by Theophrastus, a pupil
of Aristotle, and for many years the head of the

I'M

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244

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

-I!

peripatetic school of philosophy, is quoted. This
record was dated about three hundred years before
the Christian Era, and states :

" Those substance that are called coals, and are
broken for use, are earthy, but they kindle and burn
like wooden coals. They are found in Liguria,
where there is amber, and in Elis, over the moun-
tains towards Olymphus. They are used by the
smiths."

Cinder heaps, found among ruins of the time of
the Roman supremacy in Britain, indicate that coal
had to some extent at least been used by the people
of that age, but history being silent on the subject,
we are left to conjecture. During the Anglo-Saxon
period, however, it is recorded that in that year
twelve cart-loads of " fossil coal," or " pit coal,"
were received by the Abbey of Peterborough, in
England.

It is believed that England was the first Euro-
pean country in which coal was used to any extent,
and that coal began to be systematically mined in
Great Britain about 1180. In this year the Bishop
of Durham granted several leases for mining " pit
coal." The coal of Belgium was also developed
about the same time, or during the twelfth century,
near Liege.

Springhill Colliery Disastei\

245

I. This
'8 before

, and are
and burn
Liguria,
tie moun-
(d by the

he time of
5 that coal
the people
tie subject,
iglo-Saxon
that year
pit coal,"
orough, in

Coal was First Used in London,

it is believed, in 1240, but chiefly in the arts and
manufactures, and was soon considered an innova-
tion, injurious to health. In 1300 considerable
quantities were made use of, and in 1316 the parlia-
ment petitioned the King, Edward II., to prohibit
its use in the City of London. In order to render
the prohibition effectual, an act, it is said, was
passed " making it a capital offence to burn the
dreadful stuff."

Notwithstanding this stern decree, the coal in-
dustry had commenced and was bound to flourish,
and, owing to the scarcity and high price of wood,
the use of coal soon became general, and in due
time became one of the great sources of national
wealth.

Coal was Mined in Scotland,

it is said, in the twelfth century and in Germany a
hundred years afterwards, and the Chinese are
believed to have beeft familiar with its use at that
lime.

Owing to a similar prejudice against coal in
Paris to that in London, its use in that city as a
household fuel amounted to little until the middle
of the sixteenth century. " This was also the date

'' ! wn

246

SpringhiU CoUiery Disaster.

i.i

of its introduction into Wales, Belgium, and other
European countries."

The First Coal Discovery in America

was made in 1679 by a French explorer named
Father Hennapin, near the present town of Ottawa,
Illinois. It is supposed that coal was discovered
and mined near Richmond, in the State of Virginia,
as early as 1750, "but by whom and under what
circumstances the discovery was made we have only
tradition to inform us." It is said that a small boy,
searching for crowfish with which to bait his hook,
chanced to stumble upon the outcrop of a coal-bed
which crosses the James River about twelve miles
above Richmond. After this discovery was made
known, further examination disclosed a field of rich
bituminous coal, covering an area of about one
hundred and eighty square miles. Mining opera-
tions were immediately commenced, and by the
year 1775 the coal was in general use in the vicinity
for domestic and smithing purposes. It is asserted
that the cannon balls which were used to kill the
English, during the war for independence, were
manufactured by the use of this coal, and that, by
1789, it was being shipped to Boston, New York,
and Philadelphia.

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

247

The systematical mining of coal, it is said, com-
menced in the regions of the Susquehanna River
and Pennsylvania about the year 1785. A lease,
yet in existence, dated April 11, 1767, making a
grant of land on "Coal Pit Creek" (now Pittsburg),
states that there were coal openings there at that
date. But the first coal sent from Pittsburg to an
eastern market was shipped to Philadelphia in 1803.
It was carried by a vessel of three hundred and
fifty tons burden, called the " Louisiana," and was
sold for thirty-seven and a half cents per bushel.

From this time the mining of bituminous coal
in various parts of the country was carried on with
vigor and success. But what constitutes the

Greatest Event in the History of Coal

was the discovery of the " Stone Coal," or Anthra-
cite, in the Valley of Wyoming, Pennsylvania, in the
year 1762. This valley was settled in that year by
enterprising Yankees from Connecticut, who made
the discover}^ immediately after reaching the valley.
But, alas ! these never before defeated " Yankee
settlers " could not make their coal burn. They
tried it again and again, but repeated trials met with
repeated failures. A blacksmith, named Obadiah
Gore, was among them, however, and his faith in

.-ai^

248

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

the mineral was und^^ing. After pondering over
the matter for seven years, in 1769 tliis blacksmith
took a quantity of these coals to his shop, arranged
them in his forge, and persevered in trying to kindle
them, until finally the black lumps yielded to his
persistency, and his eftbrts were rewarded by seeing
the blue flame dart forth and the red color creep
over them, and of feeling the intense heat sent out
of their combustion by the strong air-current sent
through them by the bellows.

As this Yankee blacksmith was the first white
man to practically demonstrate the value of hard
coal as a fuel, he was rewarded by an appointment
as one of the associate judges of the courts of
Luzerne Count v.

The Fame of the New Fuel

spread like wildfire, and in a short time every
smithy in the surrounding region were ablaze with
anthracite. Notwithstanding all the " puffing " it got
in the neighborhood of its discovery, it was looked
upon by outsiders with suspicion as a "Yankee
humbug."

The same kind of fuel was soon afterwards dis-
covered in other parts of the state, chiefly by the
accident of some hunter coming in contact with its

spring hill Colliery Disaster.

249

r over
csmitli
•anged
kindle
to his
seeing
: creep
ent out
lit sent

;t white
of hard
lintment
)urts of

e every
Hze with
it got
s looked
Yankee

irds dis-

by the

with its

outcrop ; but it was not until twenty-six years after
Obadiah Gore's experiments that it was burned to
any extent with success. All the Yankee schemes
that could be invented to make it burn in grates
were tried to no purpose. Among other inventions
" it was proposed to force air through a tube to the
under part of the grate by means of clock-work
operated by a weight or spring." But all eftbrts
made to burn the " stone coal " proved miserable
failures. As late as 1812 one named Colonel Shoe-
maker raised several wagon loads of coal in the
Schuylkill region, which he took to Philadelphia,
and sounded its praises so highly that he disposed of
a few small quantities for trial. The trial, as usual,
proved to be unsuccessful, and the people who had
purchased the coals, believing they had been vic-
timized, denounced the colonel as a cheat and a
swindler, while one person, whose wrath rose to a
high pitch, procured a warrant for the colonel's
arrest on the charge that he was a " common im-
postor." The colonel, hearing of the grumbling
about his coal, left the city with all haste and drove,
it is said, thirty miles out of his way to escape the
terrors of the law. This was only one experience
among many of those who at first attempted to
introduce anthracite as a fuel. However, the difli-

#»'ff

250

Sprmghill Collier)/ Disaster.

culty to make the " stone coal " bum was overcome
after a dreadful effort made in 1814 by the firm of
White & Hazard, iron wire manufacturers, at Schuyl-
kill Falls.

Having decided to test the qualities of the anthra-
cite they bought a cart load of it, paying one dollar
a bushel, and commenced operations to get a fire
started with it in their furnace. In time the entire
load was wasted, but the fire did not burn. Another
load was procured, and the whole crew determined
to spend the night, if need be, in getting up a fire.
The night was spent in the attempt, but in vain.
They had punched, and raked, and poked, and after
every possible attempt of manipulation had failed,
the men, being disgusted and discouraged, slammed
the furnace doors and left the mill in despair. About
an hour afterwards one of the men returned and
discovered that the furnace door was red-hot, and
in great surprise he flung the door open and found
the interior glowing with intense heat. All hands
were soon to work, and it w^as soon evident that the
way to get a good fire from the " stone coal " was
merely to start it properly with wood and then let it
alone. This discovery was the great starting point
to the general use of the celebrated anthracite coal
on this continent.

SprmghiU ColHery Disaster.
The First Coal Mining in Canada,

251

80 far as the writer has been able to ascertain, was
made on the north side of Cow Bay, Cape Breton,
in 1720, and the coals were used to supply the
workmen who were then laying the great fortress
of Louisburg, which the French erected on the
south-east shore of the island, at a cost of 30,000,000
livres.

Three years after England had taken possession
of the island, in 1766, Peter Bard, William Lloyd,
Benjamin Gerrish and James Armstrong, merchants
of Halifax, opened a mine at Sydney, paying four
hundred pounds sterling for the privilege of raising
three thousand chaldrons of coal, and were com-
pelled by their contract to send half the quantity
mined to Halifax, and dispose of it at twenty-six
shillings sterling per chaldron.

The next record of coal mining in Cape Breton
was in 1784, by Lieutenant-Col. Desbarres, who was
appointed Governor of the island that year. This
coal was disposed of at eleven shillings and sixpence
a ton.

In 1788, the Governor who succeeded Desbarres
recommended that the mines be leased to Thomas
Huxley. Huxley secured the lease, and the Gov-
ernor was paid three shillings and sixpence for every

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252

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

ton of coal mined under the lease. This royalty
was abolished in 1792 by the Secretary of State.

From this date mining operations in Cape
Breton were continued with increasing yearly out-
put. The quantity raised from 1822 to 1826,
inclusive, was nearly 7,500 tons; and in 1872 it
had reached 383,343J tons, which were mined that
jear in the island.

First Coal Discovery in Pictou County

was made by Rev. Dr. McGregor, the pioneer
Presbyterian minister, who arrived at Halifax, from
Greenock, on the 11th July, 1786. Dr. McGregor
discovered the coal on his own farm in 1798, had a
fire of it burning to entertain the candidates at the
election of 1799, and commenced mining operations
chiefly for his own use in 1801.

Other mines in Pictou County were opened
during the next few years, and coal w^as raised in
small quantities until the year 1827, when an English
company, known as the

General Mining Association,

who had secured the right of working all mines in
the pro\dnce with the exception of a few old grants,
sent their agents, who arrived at Pictou in June

Springhill Colliery DisaMer.

253

of that year, in a vessel containing machinery,
mining implements, colliers, mechanics and engi-
neers. This company commenced operations at the
East River. Their first coal was raised on the 6th
September, and by the 7th December an engine of
twenty horse power was in full operation at what
was afterwards known as the "Albion Mines."
"With this incident commenced coal mining opera-
tions in real earnest in various parts of Nova Scotia.

'!■

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'^mi'^

CHAPTER XXII.

Mysteries of the Mine.

Those who have not been in a coal mine have
no idea of what mysterious sights are to bo seen in
this gloomy inclosure, notwithstanding the hazy
atmosphere and absence of daylight. The first tour
of anyone through a coal mine in active operation
cannot fail to be prolific of strange sights and
sounds and of novel sensations, which shall not
soon be forgotten. To this the writer can testify,
having explored the regions of the collieries at
Springhill and Stellarton.

Although the mysterious attractions of a coal-
pit are surpassingly great, yet it is the last place
any one should think of \dsiting for the purpose of
" sight-seeing." To those who have never been in
a coal mine, the

Sensations of Going Down the Entrance

are wonderfully strange. After getting fairlv <!

on the downward grade, all the stories one ever
heard about the rope breaking, and other coal mi?
disasters, seem to flash upon the mind, making tlic
(254)

Sprmffhill Colliery Disaster.

255

e have
jeeu in
e hazy
rftt tour
)eratiou
it8 an<l
lall not
testify,
eries at

a coal-
,st place
rpose of
been in

VNCE

■ i\
ever
)al miv
:ing tlie

impression tliat you are probably going down to
stay. If you enter the mine l)y u ohuft, as the
writer did at Stellarton, the iirst momentous experi-
ence will be the descent on the cage. At this stage
of the journey, although under the protecting care
of a trusty guide, without whose presence you
would not be allowed to descend, your nervous sys-
tem fails to serve the purpose fi)r which it was made.
Having inquired the depth of the pit, as you set
your foot on the safety carriage at the head of the
shaft, it swings slightly, but enough to make you
realize that you stand on critical ground, there
being nothing but a few inches of board,- suspended
by a rope, between you and the bottom of the mine,
which is fully one thousand feet in the distance
below. E(;' ipped with Sir Humphrey Da\ ^es'
safety lamp, when all is ready your guide cries:
*' Slack oft'! " The engineer, havnng heard the
signal, sets his machine in motion. The cage is
slightly raised, and then begins to descend at a
rapid rate. Your first sensation is that of falling.
It seems as if that on which you were standing has
gone from beneath your feet, and you attempt to
grasp for something above y^our head. As you are
endeavoring to do this, it seems as though the
motion of the cage had reversed, and you were

il\%' i\

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256

SpringhiU Collier}/ Disaster,

moving rapidly on the up grade. During the short
time occupied in the descent, your sensations are
varied, until you feel the motion become slower
and your platform gently strike against the bottom
of the shaft, where you step off the "stage of
light" into a world of darkness, and stand con-
founded, awaiting coming events. On

Entering the Mine by a Slope,

as the writer did at Springhill, your experience will
be different, however, although no less novel. Here
you go by rail, and will find yourself, with one or
two companions, seated in a rude carriage, operated
by machinery, descending a grade like the Falls of
Nias;^ara at the rate of sixty miles an hour, into a
h'le in the earth two thousand feet deep> and at the
bottom walking out into a gloomy cave,

" Without a gleam from moon or star
To tell the wanderers where they are."

Your situation on reaching the mine by shaft or
slope will be the same in either case. You will find
yourself in a new world from that you left a few
minutes before, and surrounded with objects you
never dreamt of coming in contact with. The lumi-
nary you hold in your hand, although unable to

^(^■l"

e short
)n8 are
slower
bottom
tage of
ad con-

mce will
1. Here
h. one or
operated
Falls of
into a
nd at the

f shaft or
will find
eft a few
jects you
The himi-
iinable to

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

257

enlighten your understanding, is quite sufficient to
make the surrounding darkness visible, and forcing
the expression, " How great is that darkness ! " The
first impression made upon the mind, as the eye
tries to penetrate the dismal vista, is that no other
darkness could for a moment compare with that
which you now behold. You realize that it is not
only darkness, but blackness and darkness combined.
That the ninth plague of Egypt was " darkness that
may be felt," you remember, is on Sacred record,
but here you are able to believe is darkness that no
one could help but feel.

As your eyes become accustomed to the situation,
by the aid of your lamp, you discern the rough
walls of solid coal near where you stand, the moist,
flat, black roof overhead, and the mine car rail-tracks
at your feet. All around you is confusion in this
section of the pit. Cars loaded and empty are here
passing and repassing in quick succession, and your
guide has all he can do to keep you from being run
over.

You start on a tour of inspection, and the first
object you will probably meet is a man whuoC lamp
lias gone out, forcibly illustrating the situation of
tlie foolish virgins referred to in tie parable, and
warning you to beware of having your lamp extin-

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258

SpringUll Colliery Disaster.

guished. As you go forward the whole surroundings
are calculated to inspire a deep sense of

Awe and Solemnity.

You fancy a drop of water falling from the roof
melancholy in its tone. Distant rumblings, sepul-
chral voices, human beings with flaming foreheads
and spectre-like visage, clattering hoofs, and other
unique surroundings, are more than convincing that
if this place is not the abode of " the angels whicli
kept not their first estate," it certainly is not the
paradise of the righteous, or land of Beulah, where
Bunyan's pilgrims longed to dwell. In such soli-
tude you find it hard to restrain the conviction that
Heman must have penned the 88th Psalm in a
coal-pit.

Notwithstanding all this, and the essential dark-
ness that prevails, there is a ray of hope to cheer the
heart and encourage exploration in the assurance
that the footprints of the Almighty is here, and that
you are now enabled to see, although dimly, with
your eyes what you had only read in story — " The
"Wonders of the Mine" — and feel assured that one-
half had not been told.

As you proceed, the body of a horse looms up
ahead of you, and a swarthy face, made visible by

if-

undinffs

the roof
;s, sepul-
foreheads
tnd other
icing that
els which
18 not the
ah, where
such soli-
iction that
lalm in a

itial dark-
cheer the
assurance
5, and that
|imly, with
py__"The
that one-
looms up
visible by

Springhill Colliery Disaster,

259

the flame of a lamp placed on the brow, gleams out
of the darkness, but no body is visible, being in deep
shadow. Brawny, bare arms become visible, but
immediately disappear in the darkness. You hear
the strange sounds of men's voices, and fancy a
waterfall is somewhere in the neighborhood of
where you are. In passing along

Through the Dark Corridors

you experience a sense of confinement, and nmst
often crowd against the rib in order to allow a trip
of mine cars, drawn by a horse, in charge of a boy,
with dim clothes and soiled face, to move past.

When walking up an incline plane, or through
a connecting tunnel, you are sometimes compelled to
stoop, that your head might be saved from coming
in contact with the "ceiling." All the men you
meet have little lamps in tl ( 5r caps, smoking and
flaring in the strong air current. The soiled faces
of these persons are about all of them that you can
distinguish. You occasionally come to a door, and
the little "trapper" boy, who stands ready, pulls it
open for you and your guide to pass through. A
strong current of air nearly extinguishes your lamp
as the door behind you closes. " You walk along

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260

Springhill Colliery Disastei'.

the airway for a little distance, and then you come
to the foot of a chamber. Up somewhere in the
darkness, apparently far away, you see lights twink-
ling — four of them. They appear and disappear;
they bob up and down; they waver from side to
side, till you wonder what strange contortions the
people who carry them must be going through to
give them such erratic movements. By-and-bye
there is a cry of * I ire ! ' The cry is repeated several
times ; three lights move down the chamber toward
you and suddenly disappear; then the fourth one
approaches, apparently with more action, and dis-
appears also. The men who carry them have hidden
behind pillars. You wait, one, two, three minutes,
looking into darkness. Then there is a sudden,
wave-like movement in the air; it strikes your face;
you feel it in your ears ; the flame of your lamp is
blown aside. Immediately there is

The Sound of an Explosion

and the crash of falling blocks of coal. The waves
of disturbed air still touch your face gently. Soon
the lights reappear, all four of them, and advance
towards the face. In a minute they are swallowed
up in the powder smoke that has rolled out from the

^mm

Springhill CoUicry Disaster.

261

come
n the
wink-
>pear ;
ide to
ns the
igh to
nd-bye
several
toward
•th one
,!id dis-

hidden

linutes,
Isudden,

ar face ;

lamp i»

[e waves

Soon

idvance

[allowed

From the

blast; you see only a faint blur, and their move-
ments are indistinct. But when the smoke has
reached and passed you, the air is clearer again, and
the lights twinkle and dance as merrily as they did
before the blast was fired. Now you go up the
chamber, taking care not to stumble over the high
caps, into the notches of which the rails of the
car track are laid. On one side of you is a wall,
built up with pieces of slate and bony coal and the
refuse of the mine ; on the other you can reach out
your hand and touch the heavy wooden props that
support the roof, and beyond the props there is
darkness, or if the rib of coal is visible it is barely
distinct. Up at the face there is a scene of great
activity. Bare-armed men, without coat or vest, are
w^orking with bar, and pick, and shovel, moving the
fallen coal from the face, breaking it, loading it into
the mine car which stands near by. The miners are
at the face prying down loose pieces of coal. One
takes his lamp in his hand and flashes its light along
the black, broken, shining surface, deciding upon
the best point to begin the next drill hole, discussing
the matter with his companions, giving quick orders
to the laborers, acting with energy and a will. He
takes up liis drill, runs his fingers across the edge
of it professionally, balances it in his hands, and

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262

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

I tit ;

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strikes a certain point on the face with it, turning it
slightly at each stroke. He has taken his position,
lying on his side perhaps, and then begins the
regular tap, tap of the drill into the coal. The
laborers have loaded the mine car, removed the
block from the wheel, and now hold back on it as
it moves by gravity down the chamber to the gang-
way. You may follow it out, watch the driver boy
as he attaches it to his trip, and go with him to the
foot of the shaft " or slope if desired. But if you
wish to explore still further, you can examine the
mechanical operations of the mine; or, if more
desirable, you can look into the mysteries of coal
formation and deposit, which you may be able to
trace out in some measure by the aid of your lamp.
At all events, if you cannot understand the deep
mysteries of these things,

You may plod along as best you can,

The coals with your " black thorn " turning —

By the dusky miner's misty light,

And your lamp that is dimly burning.

You can see the remains of by-gone days

Enshrouded in mysteries shrine,

And return to earth with grateful heart

And your fossils most sublime.

Springhill Colliery Disaster,

263

During this tour of exploration for the wonder-
ful, you can find the petrified remains of trees, ferns,
and various plants, often in profusion, embedded in
shale, forming the immediate covering of the coal
that ha« been removed from the mine. This dis-
covery will lead you to believe that a forest might
have existed in the neighborhood at some period.
By examining these fossils you will find that the

Eemains of Trees

thus found assume various forms, some standing
upright as if they grew where they now are, others
leaning in posture, while a few are lying on their
side. By looking closely into these specimens you
will see that those tree remains which stand upright
are apparently pi i feet in original form ; those which
incline are moulded to the same position ; and those
fallen have evidently been crushed by some powerful
pressure beyond recognition as trees, were it not for
the fact that the rapid yearly growth of the tree is
conspicuously visible. By comparison you will find
that one of these pressed tree fossils looks exactly
like a pane of slate color, heavy ribbed glass.

A few of these fossils are illustrated on the
following page. The writer selected them from
many others discovered in Springhill Mines, and

264

Spriiifjhill Colliery Disaster.

had them ilhistratod for the heneiit of the reader.
That marked —

No. 1 is a portion of the stem, with branches of the plant,
called." Alethopteris Lorichitiea"

No. 2 part of the same plant (No. 1), showing closer
arrangement of the leaves.

No. 3 is a Sigillaria — stem deprived of the bark.
No. 4 is known as " Lepidodendron" — stem of the plant
having some of the bark on it.

No. 5 is a group of Calcite Crystals, of the variety called
"Nail-head Spar."

Many other curiosities may be found in the pit,
but you have probably seen enough to satisfy the
mind that the mine is a wonderful place, and that
coal must have connected with it a mystery which
has never yet been revealed.

But after all, you have had only one experience
of a coal mine. You liave seen something of the
operation of taking out coal, something of the cease-
less activity which pervades the working portions of
the mine. But your visit to the mine has been at a
time wlien hundreds of men are busy around you,
when the rumble, the click, the tap, the noise of
blasting, the sound of human voices are incessant.
If you were there alone, the only living h '

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FOSSILS FOUND IN SPRINGHILL COLLIERIES.

;{

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SpringhiU Colliery Disaster.

267

mine, you would experience diflerent sensations. If
you stood or sat motionless you would find the
silence oppressive. One who has not had this
experience can have no adequate conception of the

Profound Stillness of a Deserted Mine.

On the surface of the earth one cannot find a time
nor a place in which the ear is not assailed by noises;
the stirring of the grasses in the field at midnight
sends sound-waves travelling through space.

Where there is life there is motion, and where
there is motion there is sound. But down here
there is no life, no motion, no sound. The silence
is not only oppressive, it is painful ; it becomes
unbearable. No person could be long subjected to
it and rct.iin his reason; it would be like trying to
live in an element to which the human body is not
adapted. Suppose you are not only in silence, but
in darkness. As you are aware, " there is no dark-
ness on the surface of the earth that is at all com-
parable with the darkness of the mine. On the
surface the eyes can grow accustomed to the deepest
gloom of night. Clouds cannot shut out every ray
of light from hidden moon or stars. But down in
the mine, whether in night-time or day-time, there
is no possible lighting up of the gloom by nature ;

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268

Springhill ColUerii Disaster,

she cannot send her brigliteat fiiinbeam through
hundreds of feet of solid rock. If one is in the
mines without a light, he has before him, behind
him, everywhere, utter blackness. To be lost in
this way, a mile from any opening to day, in the
midst of a confusion of galleries, in an abandoned
mine, and to be compelled to feel one's way to safety,
is a painful experience," which none would wish to
repeat. Such experience was doubtless more than
realized by some of those in the mine at Springhill
after the explosion when the lamps had gone out.

Before departing from this scene, a glance at the
workings of the mine will not be uninteresting.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Mechanical Operations of the Pit.

Having surveyed the mysteries of the mine, the
natural desire is to know how it is operated. Coal
mining seems to he an art with which there is much
obscurity connected, and a real knowledge of the
mechanical operations of the mine can only be
acquired by practical observation. Previous to all
mining operations a knowledge of the existence of
the coal stratum must be acquired by the operator.
A wise man will never open a shaft down to a coal
mine until assured that the coal bed exists in the
underground vicinity. This assurance can only be
gained by close investigation. Where coal is im-
bedded in the earth, the surface generally indicates
its presence by the peculiarity of the earth or rock
strata, and geological study reveals tliis peculiarity.

Satisfied, by surface indications, that coal exists
in the neighborhood, a rigid search is commenced
in order, if possible, to find the " outcrop." Every
valley, crevice, stream, bank, ledge and knoll in the
vicinity is carefully examined, and if no exposure
of coal seams can be found, the boring process is

(269)

' , i:

270

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

resorted to. This process is accomplished hy boring
holes down through the rock strata until the coal is
reached. This operation is called

" Prospecting."

In the early days of prospecting, hand drills were
generally used for this purpose, a sand pump draw-
ing out the borings to be examined. The next
method was that of the spring-pole, and afterwards
came that of the rope method. All of these methods
have been superseded by the diamond rotary cutting
drill. This instrument cuts in the form of a circle,
and makes an annular groove in the rock, forming
a core. This core is brought up with tlie drill, and
can be examined in vertical section. By boring
down to and through the coal seam in various places
its thickness and dip can both be ascertained, thus
enabling the operator to form an estimate as to the
value of the i)roperty and expense involved in deve-
loping the mine.

After finding the coal seam, the next important
inquiry is how to reach it. This inquiry is much
easier answered to-day than it was in the days of
primitive coal mining, when a large hole like a
farmer's well was cut down in the rock until the
coal bed was reached, when the coal was dug and

Springhill Colliery Disaster,

271

hoisted to the surface in a bucket, or other stout
vessel, by means of a common windlass, and work
continued until the water collected too deep for com-
fort, when the pit was abandoned and a new pit dug
for continuing operations. The opening was then,
as now, called a " shaft."

During those early days of coal mining another
mode of removing coal from its bed was by means
of what was called

The "Drift.

This was the most favorite mode, and is still con-
tinued in some sections under a modernized form.
This mode is given by one who was familiar with
the operations, thus :

" Finding an exposed seam of coal in the face of a
ledge or cliff, they would dip in on it and bring the
coal out from the opening in wheelbarrown. A
place was selected, if possible, where a creek or river
ran at the base of the ledge, and the coal was
dumped from the wheelbarrow directly into the
boat. In default of a water-way, a wagon road was
built at the foot of the hill or cliff, a platform ex-
tending out over it, and the coal was thus loaded
from the wheelbarrow into the wagon."

This drift method was evidently a simple way of

' ■•('.'

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"I *Air-^

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272

SpringhiU Colliery Disaster.

mining coal, and saved all expense of sinking shafts,
constructing hoisting machinery, and even saved the
cost of pumping gear, as the mine must have been
self-draining, being on the elevated bank of a brook.
However, as coal is now seldom found in such a
place, this drift method is not much practiced, and
would be impracticable in reaching a coal seam one
thousand feet below the surface.

The miner, having discovered his coal seam, com-
mences to open

A Shaft

in order to reach it. If the mine is deep and the
rock hard, the operation may cost him $50,000.
The first thing to be done in commencing to open a
shaft, if the rock is not on the surface, is to dig out
a rectangular space in the ground until the solid
rock iH reached. This space is dug about six feet
wider and longer than the space intended for the
shaft. When the rock is reached a foundation is
gained^ an<l on this foundation a cribbing of timber
or »olid masonry is built on all sides of the opening
up to the surface to protect the earth from falling
into the shaft when opened. After constructing the
cribbing the rock is then cut in a downward course
uutU the coal is reached.

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Sprmghill Colliery Disaster.

273

Having reached the bottom of the coal seam, the
operator then cuts from each side of the shatt, and
at right angles to it, a passage through the coal
about twelve feet wide to form the beginning of pas-
sages known as " gangways." Another passage is
next cut from each end of the rectangular foot of the
shaft, about half the width of the others, in order to
form the commencement of what is called the first
** crofis-headii^g." After these excavations have been
m. u , pas8age^• at the extremities of the cross-head-
ings are driven parallel to the gangways for the for-
mation of airways. After the shaft has been sunk,
aud these chambers formed, the operator must be
governed by circumstances how his mine is to be
operated. There are several systems of laying out a
mine for actual workings, but the general principle
of operating all bituminous mines is said to be about
the same. As a rule, the coal seam must be fol-
lowed, no matter where it leads. As the mining
engineer cannot go over tlie ground and form a line
such as the ?ivil engineer does for n surfuct' roud, he
must advance the best he can, constructing as he
progresses.

When a shaft has been sunk to tlie depth desired,
the openings for the basin, which is to receive the
mine water, must be made below the level of the

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274

Springhill Oollkri/ Disaster,

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foot gangway, so that all the water of the mine mav
run into it. A pump mu8t also be erected through
the shaft to force this water to the surface. The
airwav is another essential that must be constructed
in connection with the shaft. The indispensable
sections of the shaft leading <lown into the mine are
the carriage-way, the air-way, and the pump-way.
The entire horizontal space of opening for a modern
shaft leading to a coal mine is thirty feet long by
twelve feet wide. In this space four compartments
are made l)y constructing wooden partitions cross-
ways between each compartment. These partitions
are formed with stout timbers called "buntons." The
ends of the buntons are let into the rock on each
side of the shaft, running across the twelve foot
space. They are placed at distances of four feet
from each other, and against these buntons closely
fitted boards arc nailed down the whole depth of the
shaft. A space of six feet at the one end is allowed
for the pumping gear, and a ten foot space is par-
titioned oft' at the other end for the air-course, the
two seven feet centre spaces being arranged for
the cage platforms ascending and descending into
and out of the mine.

Immediately over the top of this shaft proper
machinery is erected for hoisting the coal. Steam-

ine may
through
;e. The
istructed
pensahle
mine are
imp-way.
I modern
long by
)artment8
)n8 cross-
partitions
)n8." The
on each
f^elve foot
four feet
ns closely
pth of the
is allowed
,ce is par-
ourse, the
iinged for
ding into

I ft propiM-
Steam-

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

275

power is also put into operation to work the ma-
chinery, and the coal is carried up this shaft in small
wagons, which are placed on the cage platform at
the bottom, and, on reaching the top, are removed
to the "banking out" ground, dumped, and returned
to the pit for refilling. While one cage, with loaded
wagon, is ascending one side of the shaft, the un-
loaded one is descending. Where mining is done
by shaft there is seldom any other way provided for
the men to go into and out of the pit than by the
shaft entrance.

If the outcrop of the coal has been discovered,
and the dip over twenty degrees, an entrance to the
mine is effected by means of a

Slope,

such as those of the Springhill mines. The slope is
a passage into the coal seam similar to that of the
drift, with the distinction that the drift is opened
from the surface on the strike of the seam, while thtf
slopo is driven on its dip. In opening the slope the
operator commences at the aurfiioe cutting a chamber
in the coal to the width of about twelve feet, and the
full depth of the seam, following the natural dip as
far as he desires to go for extension to either side in
order to operate the mine. As the opening of the

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276

Spring/ull Collier)/ Disaster.

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passage proceeds, the sides and roof are supported
by a row of round timber posts at each side, and
rafters across the toj). These posts and rafters are
called "booms" and "props." In opening the
leading passages throughout the mine the same kind
of timbering is generally used.

Adjoining this main slope three smaller passages
are also cut down into the mine, forming downcast
air-way, pump-way, and man-way. By looking at
the plan of No. 1 Mine, Springhill, in the former part
of this book, the arrangement of these slopes will be
seen. It will also be seen by illustration on the fol-
lowing page that the main slope leading to the mine
is laid with double line rail track for the purpose of
hoisting the coal to the surface. The arrangement
of this mode of raising coal will be referred to in
another paragraph.

The Underground Workings

' of the mine, although ai)parently complicated to one
who is not ae(|uainted with the arrangement, are all
designed to work harmoniously into each other's
service.

In this chapter the writer would gladly give a
detailed description of the complete me- hanical oper-
ations of the Springhill collieries ; but us this could

pported
de, and
lers are
ing the
jiQ kind

passages
iowncast
oking at
naer part
18 will be
1 the fol-
the mine
iirpoae of
ngement
•ed to in

ed to one
it, are all
;h other's

ly give a
ical oper-
his could

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SjmnghiU Colliery Disaster.

279

not be (lone in a limited space, and might prove
uninteresting to the majority of readers, a plain
outline of the general system of coal mining, it is
believed, will be more interesting to all.

The design of the writer is to lay before the
reader the practical operations of a coal mine in
such a way that it might be understood by those
who are not familiar with the arrangement of the
mine.

In order to understand the underground work-
ings, the reader must bear in mind that the coal
seam, in which the slopes referred to have been
opened, dips into the earth from the surface at an
angle of thirty-iive degrees. In cutting the slope
down this incline, the operator stops at a point
where he wishes to make his

First Lift.

From this point, which is called the " bottom of the
slope," a gangway is opened to the right or left, or
both, as the case may be, and extending as far into
the coal as desired. This gangway is called the
"bottom level " of the first lift, and is driven across
the coal seam on the level, or at least the under
side of it is level. If the passage is opened twelve
feet wide and the angle of the seam's dip be thirty-

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280

Si>rttifjhiU Otllnry Disaster,

five «U'tfret's, tlio iii)i)or nido will he fully tour toet
liighor tlmu tlu' lower side, it' the coal is all removed
from the underlying strata. However, it ia ealled a
" level " hy the miner, and we must aeoept it as
8ueh.

After this level has heen opened as far as desired
aeroHs the eoal seam, a similar passage is <l riven up
from it into the eoal towards the outcrop. This
passage runs parallel with the main slope, and a
good thick rih of coal is left standing l)etween it
and the slope for protection to each. This passage
is ealled a " halance,'' from the fact that a halance-
whcel or drum is constructe<l at the hea<l for the
purpose of conveying the coal down its grade to the
hottom level. From the floor of tliis halance, side
ehamhers are driven into the coal. These chambers
run i)arallel with the main level, and are called
*' hords." When the coal is dug in these hords it
is loaded in small cars or wagons, taken to the
balance, and sent down to the main level. From
these hords small shutes are sometimes opened,
running up in a ])arallel direction with the halance.
Illustration on the following page will give the
rea<ler an idea of the arrangement of these hords
and balances, and their connection with the hottom
level.

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alance-
for the
to the
;e, side
ambers
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)()rds it
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From
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alanee.
ve the
i hords
Ihottom

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Sjpringhill Colliery Disaster,

283

After the first balance has been opened to a
certain extent, another, at a farther distance along
the level from the bottom of the slope, is formed in
the same way, and beyond this others have their
formation. These balances all run upwards from
the main level at distances of about three hundred
feet, and each balance has its connecting bords,
shutes, or other chambers. The balances are all
numbered from the bottom of the slope inward on
the level, number one being the nearest to it. The
bords are also numbered from the bottom upward.
Farther reference to this matter will be seen on
page 26.

Besides these balances, bords, shutes and main
level, there is a water level below the main level for
drainage purposes. An upper level or gangway
is also sometimes formed, running along the head
of the balances, and, in connection with all these,
other excavations are made in various places through-
out the workings. These passages are known as
manways, gangways, counter-gangways, headings,
cross-headings, break-throughs, inside slopes, etc,
the whole forming an underground city, with its
lanes, streets and other avenues, situated on the
declivity of a steep hill-side, whose grade is about
that of an ordinary slate or shingle roof of a house.

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Springhill Colliery Disaster.

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By considering this matter the reader will be able in
some measure to form an idea of the difficulty of
working in such a place. The method of working
such a steep-pitching seam must be from the bottom
of where the level is formed upwards. If the bot-
tom level of the first lift is opened six hundred feet
from the top of the slope, and the workings extend
upwards five hundred feet, the coal will be mined
to within one hundred feet of its outcrop. "When
the bottom level of the first lift has been extended
as far as desired on each side of the slope, and the
coal all taken out on the upper side as far as desired
to go, with the exception of the portions left standing
to prevent the roof from falling in, the slope is
opened a few hundred feet farther down and a

Second Lift

formed, and operations of the first lift repeated.
The portions of coal left standing between the bal-
ances, bords and other chambers of the mine, are
generally' four feet in thickness. On working this
second lift, the chambers running up from the bot-
tom level are not extended so far as to break
through into the excavations of the first lift.
Between the two lifts a thick rib of coal is left un-
touched, known as the " chain pillar." This chain

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Springhill Colliery IHsaster.

285

pillar of solid coal protects the upper level of the
lift from falls and crushes, and also prevents the
water which accumulates in worked out portions of
the mine above from getting down into the lift below.

After the second lift has been operated in the
same way as the first, the slope is extended down-
ward another five or six hundred feet, and the level
of a third lift formed. When this third lift has been
operated the slope is opened downwards farther and
successive lifts are formed in the same way, until the
cynical valley of coal stratum is reached, or, until
the interior of the earth gets too hot for the miner
to work with comfort. The temperature increases^
it is said, one degree for every sixty feet of perpen-
dicular descent into the interior of the earth.

If the mine is entered by shaft instead of slope, a
shaft is sunk fi-om the surface to the bottom of each
lift, and operations conducted on the same principle
as that of the slope.

Before leaving the mine, all the coal that can be
raised has been taken out and the place is abandoned
for ever and becomes a region of darkness and
silence. The last operations of the miner before
departure consists in breaking as much as possible
from the ribs, pillars, and other portions of coal left
standing during the time the active mining opera-

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Springhill Collier}/ Disaster,

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tions were going on. This work is commenced at
the faces of the chambers, at the greatest distance
from the main entrance to the mine, and progresses
from that point until the whole workings have been
completed.

This work is called " robbing pillars," and is one
of the most dangerous acts of coal mining. It re-
quires careful watching, as the rock overhead will
crash into the chamber if the column is made too
weak to support the roof. Without this work, how-
ever, a large amount of coal would be lost. It is
estimated that about one-half the portions of coal
left standing can be taken out by this robbing pillar
system before the mine is totally deserted.

After all the coal that can be collected has been
taken out of the mine, the tools and appliances are
removed and the place is deserted. One who has
had experience of this last mining operation says :
"It is a waste of crushed pillars, fallen rock, and
blocked passages. Indeed, it is difficult to conceive
of anything more weird and desolate than an aban-
doned mine. To walk, or climb, or creep through
one is like walking with Dante through the regions
of the lost. There are masses of rock piled up in
great confusion to the jagged roof, dull surfaces of
coal and slate, rotting timbers patched here and

mmmmmmmm

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Sprmghill Collier}/ Disaster.

287

'■<• ■

there, with spots of snow-white fungus; black
stretches of still water, into which a bit of falling
slate or coal will strike, and send a thousand echoes
rattling through the ghostly chambers. For a noise,
which on the surface of the earth will not break the
quiet of a summer night, down here will almost
make ^ our heart stand still >vith fear, so startling is
t in distinctness."

By carefully considering the quantity of coals
that must be imbedded in a few square surface miles
of seam ten or twelve feet thick, when mined in the
way described, and considering that the Springhill
coal field contains ten known seams lying under
each other, we will not be surprised that the entire
product of the field is estimated at fifty-six millions
of tons. It will bo seen by looking at the chart
of these coal measures that three of the ten seams
are now being operated. These are known as the
" North Slope," the " East Slope," and the " West
Slope."

Tbo most common way of extracting coal from
its bed is by means of picking, prying and blasting.
Two miners and two laborers generally work in one
chamber, and their outfit for operations chiefly con-
sists of 'lamps, picks, shovels, hammers, sledges,
crow-bars, drills, and some blasting material.

1 1
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288

SpringhiU Colliery Disaster.

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When the coal is first moved at the face of the
chamber it is in large portiops, and must be broken
into smaller pieces ; bat this is not difficult, as the
vertical planes of cleavage are at right angles to
each other, and the stratification almost horizontal.
When broken, the coal takes a cubical form, large
blocks being composed of smaller cubes, and these
of still smaller to the limit of the smallest particle.

When the coal has been mined and broken at the

Face of the Chambers,

and all slaty material separated from it, it is loaded
into mine cars called " boxes," and taken to the
main level, and thence to the bottom of the slope,
whence it is hoisted to the surface of the mine.

The slope being laid with double line of narrow
gauge rails, forming a tramway, and the principal
underground excavations of the pit being laid by
extension of the same line of rails, and all connected
at the diiFerent points of intersection, the labor ot
conveying the coal from the place of mining opera-
tions to the dumping ground on the surface, seems
on the whole to be simple and free from all compli-
cation. Apparently, the most difficult portion of
transportation is in getting the boxes down the
balance slopes to the level plane. This operation is

SpringhiU CoUkry Disaster.

289

WBUi

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performed by means of a drum, situated at the head
of the grade, with balance power. This power is so
arranged that as the full box comes down the empty
one is going up to get loaded. An idea of how this
balance is operated, and its connections with side
chambers and main level, and how the coal is con-
conveyed by horse power to the foot of the slope,
may be had by referring to illustration on a former
page. On a subsequent page, illustration will also
give an idea of the mode of conveyance up the slope,
and arrangement of dumping ground. The reader,
in looking at this latter illustration, should remember
that the earth and timbers of the slope are removed
to show the interior, with empty cars going down
and loaded cars being drawn up by the hoisting
cable. It will be seen that the surface buildings are
all cut away in order to show the track rising to the
height of the dumping place, and the loaded cars
running out to the extreme end of the dump. The
staying supporting the dumping platform is also
made so that the railway cars on the siding under-
neath and the screens might appear. This illustra-
tion is made to represent the upper portion of a
slope similar to the 1,900 foot slope at SpringhiU,
with the surface buildings and earth covering re-
moved. The coal is drawn up this slope by steam

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290

Springhill Collier)/ Disaster.

power, stationary on the surface at the outcrop in
boxes filled by the miners at the section pits where
it is dug. These boxes contain about 17 cwt. each,
and are hauled by horse-power from the bottom of
the main incline sections of the pit to the foot of the
slope, where the machinery cable is attached, and
on their arrival at the bank head the cable is discon-
nected and they are conveyed out to a place called

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"The Tipple."

As the opening of the slope is on the same level, if
not a little higher than the floor of the tipple, a
small eflfort is needed to get the cars to the dumping
place after they arrive on the surface. The number
of cars forming one hoisting rake is generally seven ;
but powerful winding engines are being introduced
at some mines capable of hoisting from twelve to
fifteen boxes from a depth of five thousand feet.
At this place the coal is dumped down a grade,
running over screens placed underneath, and finally
reach the different coal cars according to grade.
These cars are standing on a railway siding beneath
the screens, awaiting the reception of the coal, and
when they are filled they are removed and replaced
by others. The tipple is generally a large, rough

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SpringhUl Colliery Disaster.

291

op in
vhere
each,
om of
of the
1, and
liscon-
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level, if
pple, 1
imping
lumber
seven ;
oduced
elve to
id feet,
grade,
finally
grade,
eneath
al, and
eplaced
I, rough

irame building, constructed upca stout timber
posts. The floor is about thirty feet higher than the
railway track, which is constructed beneath the outer
€nd of it. A platform on the floor of the tipple
building is so adjusted by a single shaft, that when
a loaded car is pushed on it, it tips forward to an
angle of about thirty degrees. The end gate of the car
is opened, and when dumped the coal runs out on to
the screens. These screens are made of longitudinal
iron bars, inclined outwardly, and at distances apart
to allow the grade of coal desired to run through
them. The coarse coal, after passing over the first
set of bars, runs directly into a car standing on
the track at the extreme end of the grade. The
coal which passes through the first set of bars falls
on to a second screen and passes along into a car
placed in position to receive it. As many screens as
desired are arranged in the same way, and at some
collieries the bars are being superseded by revolving
screens, which are said to do the work much better.
In hauling the mine cars to the bottom of the
slope, the horses are driven by boys who usually
take in four empty cars and bring out the same
number of loaded ones. The horses are kept in stalls
cut in the coal stratum near the foot of the slope.
When the boy gets his horse hitched to a trip of

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292

Sjmnghill Collicrij Disaster.

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cars he climbs into the forward car, with lamp
attached to the front of his cap, cracks his whip,
and proceeds along the level into the darkness,
shouting or whistling as he feels inclined, to keep
up his courage. If the grade of the mine is not
too steep when he reaches the foot of the first
chamber he is to supply, he unfastens the front
car from the others, drives the horse up the incline
with it, and leaves it near the face to get filled ; the
other empty cars are distributed in the same way.
On a siding of the level at the foot of the last
chamber visited he finds a loaded car, to which he
hitches his horse and starts on his return trip to
where he started with his empty cars, picking up
other loaded cars on his way to make up his com-
plete rake. If the grade of the mine is steep, the
empty cars are left at the foot of the incline cham-
bers, and are taken up by balance power to the
working chambers to be loaded, or filled, on the level
siding with coal which has been mined and run
down in shutes. At intervals along the main level
there are sidings for this purpose and where rakes
going in opposite directions may pass.

The position of driver boy in a coal mine is the
miner's first step of advancement. Having entered
the mine as a little

amp

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Springhill Colliery Disaster. 293

" Trapper,"

he graduates to the advanced position of driver, and
afterwards to higher positions. Tlic ienn trapper is
derived from trap-door, placed as an air door for the
purpose of controlling the ventilating current. At
this door the little trapper must stand or remain liko
a sentinel from the time the first rake of <"}t% passes
in in the morning until the last comes out at night.
His duty is tiresome and monotonous. He is alo? o
all day, save when other boys and men pass throngh
his dooi. His abode is a hole cut in thvj rib of the
parage, and, as his light is dim and often goes out,
he can do little to amuse himself but whistle. To
save his oil, the little fellow often works in the dark.
When he hears the sound of a footstep or wagon
approaching his door his duty is to pull on a string,
one end of which is attached to the door and the
other secured where he can grasp it in a moment,
when the door will open. After the passengers or
cars have safely passed, by slacking the rope, the
door shuts of its own accord. The trapper boy is
generally contemplative and quiet. An observant
spectator says of the little trappers : " Sitting so long
alone in the darkness they become thoughtful, sober,
sometimes melancholy. They go silently to their
homes, when they leave the mine ; they do not stop

: )| 'I

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294

tSpnnghill Colliery Disaster.

to play tricks or joke with their fellows; they da
not run, nor sing, nor whistle. Darkness and silence
are always depressing, and so much of it in these
young lives cannot help but sadden without sweet-
ening them."

With a knowledge of such facts should every
Christian philanthropist not pray and labor for the
day to come when the blooming cheek of childhood
shall not be soiled, nor the happy smile suppressed
by the labor of the mine ? ■ -

Viewing this matter from the standpoint of the
advantages hitherto gained for the working classes
by the advance of Christian civilization, are we not
encouraged to hope that at no distant day the driver-
boy and his horse in the mine will be superseded by
the motive power of electricity, and the trapper cap-
tive freed by some contrivance of genius operating
in his place ? A good authority, referring to this
latter idea, says : " By a skilful application of the
regulator and air-crossing, the use of air doors has
been abandoned in some ot the best ventilated coal
mines. Where there is an abundance of fresh air
carried forward there is no necessity for them. It is
only the mines inadequately supplied with air
through the insufficiency of airways that are termed
'fiery.' Where there is not an abundance of air,

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Sprinyhill Colliery Disaster.

295

the lame method of using doors to force the little air
in circulation here and there and everywhere is
resorted to. Plenty of capacious passages will fur-
nish an amount of air in proportion to their capacity."
In order to circulate a live current of air in a
mine, various methods have hitherto been employed.
The earliest method of creating an artificial air cur-
rent, which should be constant, is that of the open
furnace. This furnace resembles an ordinary old-
fashioned fire-place with stout grate bars. It is con-
structed near the foot of an opening into the mine,
and furnished with a smoke-flue built of brick. This
flue leads into the air passage of the surface opening
at some distance above the floor of the mine. The
volume of heat from this furnace passing into the
airway creates and maintains a strong upward air
current. In some mines the furnace is built at the
foot of an air shaft a long distance from the main
opening, thus making it an upcast air shaft. By the
continued use of a huge fire in this furnace a power-
ful current of air may be put and continued in
motion, but it is found an expensive way of " raising
the wind," and the system is rapidly giving place to
another in the shape of the

Rotary Steam Fan.

This fan is a large wheel without a rim, and, instead

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296

SprmghiU Colliery Disaster.

of spokes, it has blades like a windmill. It is placed
on the surface over the downcast airway of the shaft
or slope leading to the mine. It is operated by steam
power, and revolves with tremendous force. Its
average revolutions are given as being about forty
per minute, and, if the surroundings are favorable,
every revolution is said to send 5,000 cubic feet of
atmospheric air into the mine.

Of course, the quantity of air forced into the
mine by the operation of this wheel depends, to
a great extent, on the size of the fan, and the
space of the ingress air passage. Two hundred
cubic feet of air per minute to every man in the
mine is considered the amount necessary for perfect
respiration, and as this fan is capable of supplying
500,000 feet per minute, the quantity would be suf-
ficient for 2,500 miners. It is therefore obvious that
so long as this fan and the air passages are in good
working order, there need be no fear of lack of
proper ventilation in the mine.

The atmospheric air, after descending into the
mine, is distributed through all the working cham-
bers by means of airways, cross-headings, and other
passages, which are all arranged so as to insure its
general circulation. When desired to force a certain
quantity of air with rapidity to any particular

Springhill Collier}/ Disaster.

297

,ii'

portion of the mine, a " brattice," or board partition,
is constrnctod across the passage. A sheet of coarse
canvas, called brattice cloth, is sometimes used for
this purpose, being lighter and more easily handled
than the boards.

Upcast Aiu Shafts,

are opened in various sections of the mine. These
shafts are formed like a large flue, with their open-
ings on the surface, and extending from the under-
ground workings, thus giving vent to the air current,
after it has circulated through the mine, to carry all
impurities which it has collected in its course out
with it into the open air. The surface construction
of this shaft is called a " cupola."

The next important matter to that of ventilation
in the mine is the

Matter of Drainage.

The accumulation of water in many mines sur-
pass in weight the tonnage of coal raised. In some
wet districts several tons of water is taken out to
every ton of coal hoisted. The reader will be able
to form some idea of tlie vast quantity of water that
must collect in some mines in wet regions by the
fact that the dam of the Springhill collieries has
capacity for nearly four and a half million gallons.

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Springhill Colliery Disaster.

'II

In the system of drainage the dam, or what is
called the " Sump," is made by opening a drainage
level a short distance below the bottom level, or
gangway, with connecting reservoir channels.

As the workings of the mine are all above the bot-
tom level, and the water level below it, and the
floor of the mine throughout graded so that all the
water will gravitate to a certain point, the water
naturally collects in the lower ground where the
basin is made to receive it. From this cistern the
water is pumped up through the compartment of
the slope or shaft, known as the " pump-way," and
discharged on the surface. If the underground'
\, orkings discharge a free flow of \v^ater, it will re-
quire a powerful steam pumping engine located at
the surface to keep the bottom level from being over-
flowed. The most powerful of these pumps, it is
estimated, will throw out a volume of 1,200 gallons
of water per minute. The copious flow of water
coming from a mine soon forms a brook, the waters
and banks of which present the appearances of a
sulphureous spring.

In addition to the pumping and fan engines a

Hoisting Engine

is in operation in the immediate vicinity of the

Springhill Colliery Disaster,

299

mouth of the main slope, or shaft, leading to the
mine. Carpenter's shop, forge, furnace rooms and
other buildings, covering the whole surface plant of
the mine, are all constructed in the same neighbor-
hood, and give the place a lively appearance. An
idea of what these buildings really are may be
formed by looking at the illustration on a former
page, of Engine House and Carpenter's Shop at No.
1 Slope, Springhill. It will be seen that other build-
ings besides those shown in the illustration are
situated in the background, and must cover quite a
space of territory. Among these buildings is a large
one for the workmen, as a shelter from the storm.
One is a fire-engine house, where hose, buckets, and
other apparatus for extinguishing fire are stored.
A machine shop is also included, where drills, lathes,
planes, and other essential implements are kept
ready for use at any time. The drills and picks are
daily being sharpened at the forge, as without these
the miner could not operate to advantage. In

Hoisting Coal by Shaft,

heavy upright timbers, from thirty to fifty feet in
height, are set up, inclosing the opening. These
timbers are well braced and united by cross-beams.
This structure is called the " head-frame," and on

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Simnghill Colliery Disaster.

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its top are placed large upright wheels, known as
** sheaves." The steel or iron wire hoisting cables,
which connect with the cages, run over these wheels,
^nd extend from them to the drum in the engine-
room, around which they are coiled in such a way
that as one is being wound up the other is being
unwound. Owing to this arrangement, as one cage
descends into the shaft the other ascends by virtue
of the same movement of the engine.

The arrangement of the cage is similar to that of
a modern elevator. The ordinary cage consists c F a
stoutly built wooden platform, w^ith vertical posts at
the middle of the sides, united by a cross-beam at
the top. To the middle of this beam is fastened the
end of the wire cable, from which it is raised and
lowered. On the cage platform a rail-track is laid
corresponding with that at the bottom of the shaft.
When the cage descends the mine track is continu-
ous with that on the platform, and the loaded mine
car is pushed on to the platform and securely fast- ■
ened, when the up-movement commences. On arri-
val at the mouth of the shaft, the car full of coal is
run by two headmen from the cage platform to the
tipple, the rails being laid to correspond the same as
those below.

Many other contrivances of the mechanical oper-

Springhill Colliery Disaster.

301

fll

ations of the mine might be referred to did space
permit, but enough has been stated to give the
reader an idea of the general workings of a colliery ;
and any reader of this book who has not been to a
coal mine, and should ever have an opportunity of
exploring that gloomy region and its surroundings,
will doubtless be able to express their experience in
the language of the Queen of Sheba when visiting
the court of Solomon : " Ilowbeit I believed not the
words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it : and
behold, the half was not told me." As scarcely any
two mines are worked exactly on the same principle,
it is impossible, in writing, to give more than a gen-
eral description of the mechanical operations of coal
mining. In reference to this matter, one of exten-
sive experience states : " There is scarcely a mine of
any importance in the entire coal region in which
one cannot find some new contrivance, some ingeni-
ous scheme, some masterpiece of invention devised
to meet some special emergency which may have
arisen for the first time in the history of mining."
In closing this chapter, the writer would say that
one-half of what an observant spectator may see in
and about an extensive coal mine cannot be com-
prehensibly recorded in any book.

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Glo||ary of ^eFm| U|ed by |i[ineF|.

After-damp. The gases resulting from combustion of fire-damp.
Air Shaft. A vertical opening into a mine for the passage of air.

Airway. Any passage in the mine along which an air current
passes ; but the term is commonly applied to that passage which
is driven, for ventilating purposes, parallel to and simultane*
ously with the gangway.

Anticlinal. A fold of strata in which the inclination of the sides
of the fold is from the axis downward.

Bankhead. Surface of the mine.

Balanee. An incline chamber running up from the main gang-
. way with balance power at the head.

Barrier Pillars. Large pillars of coal left at a boundary line, or
on the outskirts of a squeeze.

Battery. In steep-pitching seams, a wooden structure built across
the shute to hold the mined coal back.

Bearing in. Cutting a horizontal groove at the bottom or side of
the face of a breast.

Bed. Any separate stratum of rock or coal.
Bench. A horizontal section of the coal seam, included between
partings of slate or shale.

Black Danip. Carbonic acid gas ; known also as choke-damp.
Blossom. Decomposed coal, indicating the presence of an outcrop.
Blower. A forcible and copious discharge of gas from a cavity in
the coal seam.

(303)

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304

Glossary of Terms Used by Miners.

Bord Room. A side chamber running from a balance incline.
Bony Coal. Ck)al containing in its composition slaty or argilla-
ceous material.

Boom. A rafter used in supporting the roof of a mine chamber.
Bore-hole. A hole of small diameter drilled or bored in the coal ;
usually, a hole drilled for prospecting purposes.

Box. A mine car or wagon in which coal is taken from the mine.
Brattice* A partition made of boards or of brattice cloth, and put
up to force the air current to the face of the workings.

Break-Throiigrh. A cross-heading or entrance, used in the mine.
Breast. The principal excavation in the mine from which coal is
taken ; knowu also as chamber.

Broken Coal. One of the regular sizes of prepared anthracite.
Buntons. The timbers placed crosswise of a shaft down its entire
depth, dividing it into vertical compartments.

Butt. The vertical planes of cleavage at right angles to the face

cleavage.
Batty. A fellow-worker in the same chamber.
Cage. See Carriage.

Carriage. The apparatus on which coal is hoisted in a shaft.
Cartridge Pin. A round stick of wood on which the paper tube

for the cartridge is formed.

CaTe-Hole. A depression at the surface, caused by a fall of roof
in the mine.

Chain Pillars. Heavy pillars of coal, lining one or both sides of
the gangway, and left for the protection of that passage.

Chamber. See Breast.

Chestnut Coal. One of the regular sizes of prepared anthracite.

Choke-Damp. See After-Damp.

Cleayage. The property of splitting on a certain plan.

Glossary of Terms Used hi/ Mhwrs. 805

Coal Field. Extent of coal beds in any locality.

Coal Measures. Synonymous with coal field.

Collar. The upper horizontal crosspiece uniting the logs in the
timbering of a drift, tunnel, slope, v^r gangway.

Colliery. All the workinga of one min , l)oth underground and nt
the surface.

Conglomerate. The rock strata lying next beneath the coal
measures.

Connter- Gangway. A gangway which is tributary to the main
gangway, and from which a new section of coal is worked.

Creep. A crush in which the pillars are forced down into the
floor, or up into the roof of the mine.

Cribbing. The timber lining of a shaft, extending usually from
the surface to bed-rock.

Crop-Fall. A caving in of the surface at the outcrop.

CrossvHeadlng. A narrow opening for ventilation, driven through
a wall of coal separating two passages or breasts.

Crush. A settling downward of the strata overlying a portion of
an excavated coal seam.

Culm. All coal refuse finer than buckwheat size.

Dip. The angle which any incline stratum makes with a horizontal
line.

Door-Boy. A boy who opens and shuts the door placed across any
passageway in the mines to control the direction of the venti-
lating current.

Double Entry. One of the systems by which openings into the
bituminous coal mines are made.

Downcast. The passage or way through which air is drawn into a
mine.

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806

(xlosmry of Terms Used by Miners.

H, *.»

Drift. A water-level entrance to a mine, driven in from the sur-
face on the coal.

Drill. Any tool used for boring holes in the rock or coal.

Drlvini^. pjxcavating any horizontal paHHuge in or into the mines.

Drum. A revolving cylinder, at the head of any hoisting-way, on
which the winding rope is coiled.

Egg Coal. One of the regular sizeH of prepared anthracite.

Entrance. See Cross-heading. - -

Entry. The main entrance and travelling road in bituminous
mines.

Face. The end wall at the inner or working extremity of any
excavation in or into the mine.

Fan. A machine used to force a ventilating current of air through
a mine.

Fanlt. A displacement of strata in which the measures on one
side of a fissure are pushed up above the corresponding mea-
sures on the other side.

Fire-Board. A blackboard, fixed near the main entrance of a
mine, on which the fire boss indicates each morning the amount
and location of dangerous gases.

Fire B08S. An official whose duty it is to examine the workings
for accumulations of dangerous gases.

Fire Clay. The geological i rmation which is usually found im-
mediately underlying a coal bed.

Fire Damp. Light carbureted hydrogen.
Fissure. A separation of rock or coal across the measures.
Floor. The upper surface of the stratum immediately underlying
a coal seam.

Glossary/ of Trrms Used by Mmcn^. 307

ituminous

(Jaii^WAy. An excavation or pamageway, driven in the coal, at a
Hiight grade, forming the host^ from which tlie other workings
of the mine are begun.

Gas. Firenlamp.

(iioaf. The woHte left in worked out portions of the mine.

Gob. The refuse separated from tlie coal and left in the mine.

GllidcH. Narrow vertical strips of timber ut each side of the car-
riageway in shafts, to steady and guide the carriage in its
upward or downward movement.

Gunboat* A car used for hoisting coal on steep slopes.

Head- Frame. The frame erected at the head of a shaft to support
the sheaves and hold the carriage.

Heading. Synonymous with gangway. Any separate continuous
passage used as a travelling way or as an airway.

Hopper. A feeding shute or pocket in a breaker.

Horseback. A small ridge in the roof or floor of a coal scam.

Inside Slope. An incline plane in a mine, on which coal is
hoisted from a lower to a higher level.

Jacliet. One of the sections or frames of wire mosh of which a
revolving screen is made up.

Keeps. Projections of wood or iron on which the carriage rests
while it is in place at the head of the shaft.

Lagging. Small timbers or planks driven in behind the legs and
over the collars to give additional support to the sides and roof
of the passage.

Legs. The inclined sticks on which the collar rests in gangway,
tunnel, drift, and slope timbering.

LeyeL See Gangway.

^>..

308

Glossary of Terms Used by Miners.

Lift. All the workings driven from one level in a steep-pitching

seam.
Loading Place* The lowest extremity of the breaker, where \ite-

pared coal is loaded into railway cars.

Lump Coal, rne largest size of prepared anthracite.

Mannay. A ffassageway in or into the mine, used as a footway
for workmen.

Moutb. The opening, at the surface, of any way into the mine.

Needle. An instrument used in blasting coal, with which a channel
is formed through the tamping for the entrance of the squib.

Nut Coal. One of the regular sizes of bituminous coal.

Opening^. Any excavation in or into a mine.

Operator. The person, firm, or corporation working a colliery.

Outcrop. That portion of any geological stratum which appears
at the surface.

Output. The amount of coal produced from a mine.

Partingr. The layer of slate or bony cos.l which separates two
benches of a coal seam.

Pea Coal. One of the regular sizes of prepared anthracite.

Picking Slinte. A shute in the breaker from which the pieces of
slate are picked out by a boy as they pass down with the coal.

Pillar. A column or body of coal left unmined to support the roof.

Pillar and Breast. The uame of a common mining method.
Pinch. See Crush.
Pitcll. See Dip.

Plane. Any incline on which a track is laid for the purpose of
lowering or hoisting coal.

Pockets. Receptacles at the lower ends of shutes, in breakers, from
which coal is loaded into railway cars.

Glossary of Terms Used by Miners. 309

Prop* A wooden jiost to support the roof of a mine.

Pi'08pcciin(^. Searching for indications of coal on the surface, and
testing coal seams from the surface by boring.

Pump Way. That compartment of a shaft or slope down which
the pump rods and pipes are extended.

Rake* Number of cars constituting a trip, drawn at one time by
any motive power.

Rib* The side of an excavation as distinguished from the end or
face.

Rob* To mine coal from the pillars after the breasts arc worked
out.

Rock Timnel* A tunnel driven through rock strata.

Foils. In breakers, heavy iron or steel cylinders set with teeth,
used for breaking coal.

Roof. The stratum immediately overlying a coal seam. The rock
or coal overhead in any excavation.

Room. Synonymous with breast or chamber

Safety Lamp* A lamp that can be carried into inflammable gases
without igniting them.

Scraper. A tool used for cleaning out bore holes in blasting.

Screen. Any apparatus used for separating coal into dillerent sizes.

Seam. A stratum of coal. . ,

Separator. A machine for picking slate.

Shaft* A vertical entrance into a mine.

Sheave* The wheel in the head-frame of a shaft that supports the
winding rope.

Shift. The time during which a miner or laborer works continu-
ously, alternating with some other similar period.

!f ««•

310 Glossary of Terms Used by Miners.

Shute. A narrow passageway through which coal descends by
gravity from the foot of the breast to the gangway; an inclined
trough, in a breaker, down which coal slides by gravity.

Single Entry. One of the systems by which bituminous mines
are entered.

Slack. The dirt from bituminous coal.

Slate Picker. A boy who picks slate from coal. A machine used
for the same purpose.

Slope. An entrance to a mine driven down through an incline
coal seam. Inside slope : a passage in the mine driven down
through the seam, by which to bring coal up from a lower level.

Sloi>o Carriage. A platform on wheels on which cars are raised
and lowered in steep slopes.

Smut. See Blossom.

Split* A branch of a ventilating air current.

Spread. The bottom width of a slope, drift, tunnel, or gangway
between the legs of the timbering.

Squeeze. See Crush.

Squib. A powder cracker used for igniting the cartridge in
blasting.

Steamboat Coal. One of the regular sizes of prepared anthracite.

Stopping^. A wall built across any passage to control the venti*

lating current.
Stove Coal. One of the regular sizes of prepared anthracite.

Strike. The direction of a line drawn horizontally along «iny
stratum.

Stripping*. Mining coal by first removing the surface down to the
coal bed ; open working.

Glossary of Terms Used by Miners. 311

any
~ko the

Samp. A basin in mines entered by a slope or shaft, in which the
water of the mine is collected to be pumped out.

Swamp. A depression in the seam.

SyncIinaL A fold of strata in which the inclination of the sides is
from the axis upward.

Tipple. A building in which coal is dumped, screened, and loaded
into boats or cars.

Trapper. See Door Boy.

TraTelling Way. A passageway for men and horses in or into the
mines.

Tunnel. An opening into a mine driven horizontiUy across the
measures.

Under-Clay. See Fire Clay.

Underholing'. See Bearing in.

Upcast. An opening from a mine through which air is taken out.

Vein. Used (improperly) synonymously with seam, bed, or stratum.

Wagon. A mine car.

Waste. Gob ; coal dirt.

Water Level. An entrance into or passage in a mine, driven with
just sufficient grade to carry off water.

White Damp. Carbonic oxide.

Wings. See Keeps.

Working Face. A face at which mining is being done.

Workings. The excavations of a mine, taken as a whole; or,
more particularly, that portion of the mine in which mining
is being done.

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