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

Ex. Doc] Reports of the Inspectors of Mines. 187
Harry Hughes, sworn
Previous to the disaster, Lloyd stated to me that the driver boss and
himself were going down the slope, and asked me to come to the underground
engine-house, at about nine o'clock, A. m., and go along with them
to listen to the workings; on going there, at the time stated, we found
that they had alread}^ left.
Q. What are you doing in the mines?
A. Running cars in No. 1 slope.
Q. How long were you in before the cave in took place ?
A. A couple of hours.
Q. Did you know that Pierson and Murrish were in ?
A. No, sir; not at that time.
Q. How did you learn that they were in ?
A. We suspected as much, and supposed that Lloyd and Cook had gone
to see them.
Q. Did you tell the imprisoned men that the mines were crushing and
caving in, and that they had better come out?
A. We told them the lower lift and counter was crushing in, and asked
them to come along and listen for themselves,
Q. What did they say ?
A. They made light of it, laughed at us, saying if they went that far
they would go out altogether.
Q. What did you do then ?
A. We walked about the gangway from place to place.
Q. Where did you go after leaving the men ?
A. Went down to the lower lift in search of Lloyd and Cook ; not finding
them there, we went to the bottom pumps, where we met James Mun-
roe, and were informed by him that Lloyd had gone up a half hour before.
We went back to the stables, met the stable boss, and together went down
part way to listen. Shortly after went through some old works to No. 1.
Q. How long were you out of the mines before it caved in ?
A. We were in No. 1 mines.
Q. Did you know that the boss had strictly forbidden any person going
into the mines on account of the crushing ?
A. I understood it was forbidden.
Q. What did the inspector say to Mr. Lloyd on Tuesday evening, when
coming from Drifton ?
A. He told him to keep all the men out, on account of the working in
those lifts.
Q. What was the answer of Mr. Lloyd ?
A. That the men of No. 3 would not work any more until it had fell or
settled.
Q. Do you believe all that could be done has been towards getting those
men out ?
A. I do.