In April 1872, a shocking mine disaster occurred in the lower anthracite district when a fall of rock occurred trapping three miners under the rubble, all of whom died in the mine. Two other miners were injured trying to rescue them.
From the Harrisburg Telegraph, April 29, 1872:
UPPER END AFFAIRS – We clip the Lykens Register of Saturday the following:
“Shocking Mining Accident – Three Men Killed” — On Thursday morning, between nine and ten o’clock, our community was startled with the report that a terrible accident had occurred at the Williamstown Colliery, caused by the sudden fall of an immense body of rock on the extreme eastern portion of the upper level of the mines. At once the largest portion of the miners engaged in the colliery proceeded to that part of the workings, when it was found that a body of rock of very great extent had suddenly, and without a moment of warning, fallen down, crushing underneath it three miners named Joseph Moore, John McCann and Edward Kelkerbrunn. Moore, it is supposed, was immediately killed, as a fragment of the main fall was found overlying him and crushing his body out of all shape of humanity.
Kelkerbrunn was imprisoned under a mass weighing many tons, and no time was lost in making every effort to relieve him, as he was yet alive, firmly fastened by the rock, which lay on his lower extremities and left shoulder; but before his release was finally effected, occupying a space of nearly four hours, his sufferings were ended by death. During nearly the entire time he was conscious and talked freely with those engaged tin attempting to extricate him. John McCann is known to be under the rock somewhere, but in what direction it is not definitely known; and it may be possible that, even with the strong force of men now at work (3 o’clock P. M.), blasting will have to be resorted to before recovering his body, as it is almost beyond human possibility that he is alive.
Alexander Keiser, one of the miners that first reached the place where the accident occurred, was struck on the back and head by a splinter while stooping to talk with Kelkerbrunn, sustaining thereby several broken ribs and very severe cuts and bruises. He was at once assisted home, where his injuries received prompt attention.
John Jones made a narrow escape. In going to aid Keiser in relieving Kelkerbrunn, he was struck by the same piece of rock, and received a cut on the left side, but his injury is not of a dangerous character.
To recover McCann, or his remains, it is supposed that it will be necessary to drive through a pillar and get around the fall, and to accomplish this there will be no delay, as the the miners will relieve each other at short intervals.
The excitement is great. Men and women assembled around the mouth of the tunnel, anxiously awaiting the progress of work in recovering the body of Kelkenbrunn. There was no lack of help, the miners joining in herculanean efforts to get out the remains, which was only accomplished after life was extinct.
This is, we believe, the most appalling casualty that ever occurred in the mines at this place, and the terrible disaster has cast a deep gloom over the entire community. The three men who were killed were all married – Moore and McCann living in this place and Kelkerbrunn in Wiconisco.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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