1897 WB Record Almanac, Mine Accidents in 1896

There were only two great mine disasters in this vicinity during the year 1896, 
although there were the usual number of smaller disasters.
	On Sunday, June 28, a cave-in occurred at the Twin shaft of the 
Newton Coal Co. at Pittston Junction and 58 men were entombed. Not a 
single body was recovered. It was the second greatest disaster ever occurring 
in the anthracite coal fields, the exception being the Avondale disaster in 1867, 
when 109 men were killed.  Superintendent Langan took the men into the twin 
mine to stop a threatened cave and while they were timbering the crash came, 
burying the men. For several weeks shifts of men were digging in the fatal slope, 
themselves in the midst of great danger all the time, but the gas became so 
dangerous that this work had to be abandoned. Governor Hastings appointed 
a commission of investigation composed of mine inspectors Stein, Brenan and 
Roderlek and they held sessions at Pittston beginning July 8.  The taking of 
testimony was concluded July 17 and their report was submitted to the governor 
Sept. 24. They went into the history of the accident and also recommended 
certain legislation.  Citizens of Pittston met and a relief fund was begun. People
 from all over the East contributed and the fund reached the sum of about $80,000. 
A relief fun society was chartered and the money is being systematically distributed 
among the widows and orphans.
	On Oct. 29 an explosion of gas occurred in No.3 shaft of the Lehigh and 
Wilkes Barre Coal Co. at South Wilkes Barre; and six men were killed, including the
 assistant foreman and two fire bosses. The mine was set on fire and was flooded.
	August 15 fire broke out in the Franklin mine of the Lehigh Valley Coal 
Co. following an explosion and fire boss Flynn was killed. In order to extinguish the 
fire the part of the mine affected was flooded with water and culm.
	
December 21 in the D&H