SIBLEY BREAKER AND OUTBUILDINGS BURNED, IMPERILLING MAY LIVES

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One Hundred and Fifty Men Rescued From Smoke Filled Shaft – Thrilling Escape of Three Men by a Rope.

Seven Hundred Men and Boys Are Thrown Out of Employment.

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More than seven hundred men and boys have been thrown out of employment in Old Forges the result of the destruction by fire of the Sibley breaker, operated by Elliot, McClure & Co. at 10:30 o’clock yesterday morning.

The breaker stood over the mouth of the shaft. At first it was greatly feared that about one hundred and fifty men, who were working in the lower veins, would be suffocated by the smoke which was drawn down the shaft in dense clouds. At 1:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon when Mine Inspector H. D. Johnson and Superintendent R. Willis Reese of the colliery made a tour of the working, it was found that every man had escaped.

There were three miners, however, who were in considerable peril for a time and their exit was dramatic. They were working in the fourth vein, the bottom one of the mine, which was recently opened. There were no means of escape for them except by the shaft, which was covered with the burning breaker.

Unable to send the mine cage to the bottom vein, the rescuers were at a loss for a time to find a way of reaching the three miners. But a happy thought came to one of the outside men. They entered the mine through the slope, about a quarter of a mile, and dropped a long rope down the shaft to the men below.

In this manner the men were lifted to safety, through the smoke which partly choked the shaft. All the others easily escaped by the slope.

It is understood that the fire started in the engine room. Exactly what caused it is unknown, and it had much headway before it was discovered. It swept up the airway to the top of the breaker and enveloped the structure in a few minutes.

As soon as the fire was discovered, Outside Foreman Cook had the air current reversed, thus preventing the greater part of the smoke from being swept into the workings. Engine companies Nos. 1 and 2 of Taylor, and the Old Forge hose company responded in double quick to the alarm, but they were unable to save the breaker, which was totally destroyed.

The washery which stood near the breaker was also burned to the ground. The fire companies, however, succeeded in saving several dwelling houses, the roofs of which caught fire from the flying sparks. By noon the conflagration had practically spent its force. For a time the mules were abandoned, but in the afternoon they were brought to the surface.

Hundred of women and children surrounded the burning breaker during the morning expressing great fear for the safety of husbands and fathers and brothers. There was much rejoicing, however, when it was learned that all had escaped.

This is the second time the breaker has been destroyed by fire. It was first built in 1873. It burned down on Feb. 5, 1888. The rebuilding was begun without delay and it has been in operation since. It is said that from some new veins discovered recently, there is enough coal in the tract for the next forty years. At one time it was thought the end of the workable coal was in sight.

The loss is hard to state exactly, but it is estimated at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Judge McClure of Lewisburg is one of the principal owners of the colliery. His father was one of the original partners.

From: the Scranton Public Library, Filmstrip, Scranton Republican – June 24, 1906, Page 5.

Researched by Carl Orechovsky 2008