Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

Ex. Doc] Reports of the Inspectors of Mines. 183
hole, to listen to the workings in the lift below ; while there I came to the
conclusion that it was unsafe to come to work again, until the working
on the top of the slope we met James Murrish and Joseph
fell or settled ;
Pierson, (the entombed men ;) Stickler, my partner, told them of the con-
clusions we arrived at that evening.
Q. What time of day was it ?
A. About five o'clock, p. m.
Q. Were they on their way out ?
A. We were all on our way home.
Q. Was this in the mines, or outside, that the above conversation took
place ?
A. Outside.
Q. What did they seem to think of the indications of the coming crush ;
or, in other words, what did they answer you ?
A. Did not hear the reply.
Q. Where did the mine seem to be crushing the most ?
A. In the lower lift ; did not seem to affect the gangway we were work-
ing in ;
• A.
a short distance below the gangway, however, it was working hard.
Q. What time did you come out ?
As near as I could judge, five o'clock, when we reached the mouth
of the slope.
(Signed) George M. Davis.
Isaac Stickler, aworn
Q. How long have you lived in Harleigh ?
A. Six years, the coming 6th of July.
Q. How long have you been mining ?
A. Five years and three months.
Q. What kind of work have you been doing ?
A. I first worked two breasts; drove a piece of gangway with Mr. Da-
vis, and assisted in opening breasts.
Q. How far from the gangway did yon commence widening out the
breasts ?
A. About ten yards from gangway.
Q. How wide were you allowed to work your breast ?
A. Ten yards.
Q. How niuch pillar did that leave you between the breasts ?
A. Seven (1) yards on the outside pillar.
Q. Did you drive cross-cuts through the pillar ?
A. Yes, sir ; we drove four through the outside pillar.
Q. What were they for ?
A. For air.
Q. Were they used for anything else ?
A. Yes, sir ; our own safety while mining.
Q. Do you think the Harleigh mines were ever worked practically ?