Wilkes-Barre, PA Empire Colliery Mine Explosion, May 1890

ANOTHER MINE HORROR.

Two Men Killed by an Explosion and the Bodies Burned.

Wilkesbarre, Pa., May 19.--An explosion of fire damp occurred about 7:30 o’clock Saturday evening at the Empire colliery of the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Coal company, near this city. So far as can be learned only two men, William Thomas and his helper, Robert Craig, were in that portion of the colliery doing repair work, and it is supposed that they fired the gas. Both were killed, and up to this writing neither of the bodies have been recovered. The explosion was a very violent one. It shook the whole mine and set fire to the timber. At 10 o’clock last night the fire was raging fiercely.

The Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA 22 May 1890

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An explosion of fire-damp in the Empire collery of the Lehigh & Wilkesbarre Coal Company, near Wilkesbarre, Pa., on the 17th killed William Thomas and Robert Craig, miners.

The Ohio Democrat, New Philadelphia, OH 22 May 1890
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Transcribed by Audrey. Thank you, Audrey!