Braidwood, IL Mine Disaster, Feb 1883

The Braidwood Horror.

Even Worse Than at First Reported.

Particulars As Given By An Eyewitness.

Braidwood, Ill., February 10.- The tragedy of Saturday was unique as it was devastating. A section of prairie land, forty by ninety feet, over which the floods had extended until the water stood three or four feet deep, suddenly caved in, the result being the instantaneous flooding of a mine in which 300 men and boys were at work. Inside of half an hour the water had extended to all parts of the workings. Seventy-four human being (sic) were choked to death in the dim recesses of the mine.

The following is the story of JOHN HUBER, an eyewitness of the whole affair, and a man who was in the mine at the time of the accident:

“I was working in one of the west sections of the main corridor, and had just got my car ready for transfer when I heard a voice, which sounded weak at first, saying: “Look out! The water is coming.” For a few minutes I did not comprehend the meaning of the language used, and so went back to block up the coal, when I heard the same warning again and again, and a small stream of water running down the center of the track. The truth at once flushed upon me that I was in danger, and that the water was coming from some unknown locality. I rushed as fast as the nature of the passage would allow to where I thought my two sons were at work, but found that they had gone. I then yelled at the top of my voice to the men near me, and made as fast as I could for the air-shaft, where I knew there was a ladder, and that I could get out. By this time the water was up to my armpits, and I had a hard time to get up the shaft, so exhausted was I from the run I had made in the stooping position. When I got home, Great God! What did I see? There, upon her bed, lay my wife, tearing her hair and wailing in almost a crazy condition. ‘O. John,’ she said, ‘Where are the boys?’ The truth then flashed upon me that perhaps they were dead. I went back as fast as I could, and found that my horrible anticipations were only too true, and that the boys had not been seen since entering the shaft in the morning.”

It is said by the mine inspector that the work of pumping the water out will require at least two days, and until that time the anxious people who have been affected by this terrible calamity will be compelled to wait for a view of their dead friends or relatives.

The grocery of the company will be open to those who are in need. The principal thought that is found is that the company is not willing to pay the force of men that are kept busy night and day working on the dam, It is alleged the company is not doing what it should in the matter, but from a careful examination it would appear that the people have been receiving a great deal of consideration from the corporation and that they have no cause to complain. The mayor of this city, recognizing the necessity, has issued the following call for a mass meeting.

“The citizens of Braidwood and vicinity are requested to meet at Music Hall on Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock for the purpose of making arrangements to provide for the families of those who lost their lives in the mine disaster.”

Action Of The Illinois Legislature

Springfield, Ill., February 19.- The Braidwood disaster has been a subject of much comment among members of the Legislature yesterday, and for the sufferers much sympathy has been created. This evening or Tuesday morning Mr. HARRINGTON will present a bill in the house with an emergency clause appropriating $10,000 for the relief of the unfortunate, and Senator MERRITT will introduce a similar bill in the Senate. The intention is to push the bill through this week and thereby afford immediate relief.

Decatur Daily Republican, Decatur, IL 19 Feb 1883

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The Diamond Mine Horror

Sad Scenes In Braidwood--Progress Of The Work In The Pit

Braidwood, March 26.--The business houses on Main street in Braidwood are appropriately draped in mourning. The scene in the morgue are most melancholy. A man came in, hastily scanning the faces of the dead. He at last stopped beside one, claiming it as a brother. At the same time a woman who had been looking for the body of a lost one, claimed that the same corpse was that of her husband. A dispute arose, when the woman said she could tell if she was right when the boots were removed, as her husband, upon the fatal morning, finding one of his socks wet, had taken one of his wife’s. The boots were removed and disclosed one man’s sock and one woman’s stocking. By such means only are bodies identified. The funeral train, consisting of two coaches, and two flat cars, draped in mourning, stood on the track near the mine, ready for its next load of victims during the day. About a foot of water still remains, and although the pumps are steadily at work the water seems not to lower much. Immense piles of soapstone, which have fallen from the roof, stop up the passages in some places, so that it is necessary to crawl on the hands and knees to get through. Along the route are relics of the dead-here a dinner pail or a canteen coated with mold, there a mildewed coat or mittens and bodies of mules are scattered along with the debris. The bodies were found in all positions. One was found on top of the supporting timbers of the roof. It will take several months to clear the mine of the tons of rocks and dirt. A shift of men was set to work to night at the mouth of the shaft to clear the debris away so that a car can be run on the tracks and utilized to take away the rubbish. Many victims doubtless lie beneath these masses of debris. It is stated that no more bodies will be taken out before tomorrow night. As the bodies were brought out to-day they were viewed by the coroner and his jury. No time has yet been set for the formal inquest and the rendering of a verdict. The mine officials state that only twenty-two bodies have been recovered so far. The previous report that twenty-six were taken out seems to be false.

Chicago, March 27.- The Daily News Braidwood, Illinois, special says: There is no change in the situation at the Diamond shaft since last night. Two forces of men are at work in the mine, one force clearing the track in the main roadway and the other trying to make entrance over or through the obstructions which block the way at the farthest point explored. The officials of the mine state that it is barely possible that more bodies will be found tonight. The objective point in the search is a large fall of rock about one hundred and ten yards from the main shaft. At this place were found most of the bodies taken out yesterday, and it is thought that number of victims will be found under this mass of debris.

The explorations have extended four hundred and twenty five yards in one direction from the main shaft and five hundred and fifty yards in another. About one foot of water still remains in the bottom of the shaft, in spite of the work of the pumps, showing that a great body of water still remains in the mine. Car loads of debris are hoisted to the surface and dumped, and a few men and women stand listlessly about viewing the desolate scene. The funeral train still stands near the shaft waiting for its next load of ghastly victims. The body identified yesterday as that of AUGUST POLAND turns out to be that of JOHN FRENCH. The coroner has returned to Joliet to await further developments.

Weekly Hawk Eye And Telegraph, Burlington, IA 29 Mar 1883
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Transcribed by June. Thanks June!