THE
FALKIRK HERALD – SATURDAY 27th APRIL 1895.
THE
QUARTER PIT – DUNIPACE – STIRLINGSHIRE – SCOTLAND.
(FRIDAY 26th APRIL 1895. )
Disastrous
Pit Explosion At Denny – Rescue of 164 Men – Loss of 13 Lives.
About
one o’clock yesterday afternoon a terrific explosion occurred in the Quarter
Pit , the property of Messrs William Baird & Co. Ltd. Gartsberrie.
Resulting a serious loss of life.
Meantime
the men were being brought to the pit head, and shortly after two o’clock 164
had been brought above ground. But after this a pause took place, and the worst
fears began to be entertained concerning others who were known to be still in
the pit.
It
transpired that the seat of the explosion was the new dook section, where the
long wall system is in operation, and the men amissing, to the number of
thirteen, were engaged here: consequently their dangerous position was the
occasion of the fears entertained. The
men who were fortunate in reaching the bank in safety spoke as to the violence
of the explosion, and a number of them having been tossed hither and thither by
it’s force.
The
explosion was felt all over the pit, though the workings reached extreme
distances. The new dook action is
over 400 fathoms from the bottom of the shaft, and the pit is about 740 fathoms
in depth. The pithead man
states that at the moment the explosion occurred small particles of coal were
driven out of the mouth of the pit, a fact which goes to show the extreme
violence of the explosion.
Companies
of explorers were organised, and their work was fraught with much danger. The
workings had been much wrecked, and he dangerous after-damp precluded them from
penetrating too far. An hour had passed, when FRANCIS M’DONALD, one of the
explorers came to the bank somewhat exhausted having gone too far in the foul
air, and he reported that he had discovered a horse lying dead at the mouth of
the dook. The driver of this pony WILLIAM MILLER, it appears was thrown
violently over on the occurrence of the explosion, and luckily succeeded in
making his escape : otherwise it is possible that he might have been overtaken
by the same fate as caused the death of his charge.
The
discovery of the dead horse naturally increased the fears entertained, and many
affecting scenes were witnessed at the pit head.
Many
women, the wife’s, relatives, and friends of the men who were employed in the
pit, had gathered at the scene of the occurrence, and the discovery of the dead
horse and the fears which gave rise to caused pitiable anxiety amongst them.
Many wept bitterly, and the whole sight was melancholy in the extreme.
By
this time the names of the missing men had been discovered to be –
PATRICK
DUNION ( married, no family ) *
BERNARD DUNION ( brother of Patrick Dunion, single.) *
JOHN M’GOVERN ( single )
HENRY M’GOVERN ( brother of John M’Govern, married, 3 of a family)
JOHN COMRIE ( married, 1 of a
family)
PETER TULLIE ( married , 1 of a
family)
PATRICK KERR ( married, no family)
JOHN M’MILLAN ( married, 3 of a family) *
ROBERT MITCHELL (single )
JOHN NICOL, Fireman , ( married , no family)
JOHN BUSBY (married , 5 of a
family)
PETER CONNAWAY (married, 1 of a
family )
JOHN HERON (single )
The
explosion parties, which consisted of between 20 and 30 men, and who went down
the pit in turns, were meanwhile making vigorous efforts to reach and rescue, if
possible the missing miners. Shortly
after 4 o’clock news reached the bank that the body of JOHN BUSBY, residing at
Gladeshouse Dunipace, had been found in the dook road, and upon this
intelligence being received, hopes for the safety of the others seemed blotted
out. About 6 o’clock the
body was brought to the bank. It presented a ghastly appearance, and gave
an indication of the deadly violence of the explosion.
On examination by Doctors JOSS and LUMSDEN, Denny ( who it may be stated,
were on the spot shortly after the occurrence, and who rendered valuable aid )
the head was found to be terribly
shattered, one of the arms broken, and several of the fingers of the hand blown
off. His body was also very badly burned.
About
half-past six, Mr RONALDSON, Government Inspector of Mines, along with Messrs
MOTTRAM and PEARSON, assistant inspectors, arrived on the scene and contributed
what assistance they could. From this hour the crowds who were gathered at the
pit head had an anxious time of waiting. Operations
below were under the direction of Mr ALEXANDER BAXTER, under ground manager, and
although the work of exploring was being carried forward with vigour progress
was considerably retarded owing to the condition into which the workings had
been put by the explosion. As party
after party ascended the shaft and brought intelligence that the work of
exploration had not been successful in discovering the missing men, the anxiety
which was felt by the crowds at the pit bank became intense.
The probable fate of the unfortunate miners was made the subject of
subdued conversation. The evidence
of grief among the women who lingered about the pit head, and who refused to
leave, was saddening, and their bewail lings were heart rendering.
The
Rev. Mr DURWARD. Free Church Denny, and the Rev. Father ROONEY, who had been
constant in their attendance at the scene, were able only after strong
entreaties, and at a very late hour, to induce the women to return to their
homes.
About
ten o’clock a party, consisting of Mr LOCHHEAD, underground manager to Messers
ADIE & Sons, and Messers Wm. DICKSON, GRANT and MURDOCH, who had been down
the pit for almost seven hours, returned to the surface.
They then reported that it was their fear that there could be no hope of
rescuing the miners who were entombed in the debris of the dook section.
They
also stated that there were still some 60 to 70 fathoms to be gone through
before they reached what they expected to find – the missing miners.
Towards
11 o’clock news came to the bank that other two bodies had been reached, and
this intelligence caused a renewal of the great anxiety.
It was fully half-past 11 before the two bodies could be brought to the
surface from the spot where they had been discovered, and eager enquiries as to
who they were elicited from the resounding party the information that so
disfigured was their appearance that it was not possible to identify them.
The bodies were conveyed to a shed close by, where after some little
time, they were identified as those of BERNARD DUNION and PETER TULLIE.
At
midnight, when our representative left the scene of the disaster, the work of
exploration was being vigorously carried on, but no intelligence had been
received that further discoveries had been made, and hopes of finding any of the
entombed miners alive had, so far as could be ascertained, been given up.
A
large number of people still remained at the pit head.
Volunteers for rescuing parties were numerous indeed.
Mr JOHN BRANDER, manager, who supervised the operations above ground,
stated that so far from finding any difficulty in making up the numbers
required, the number of volunteers far exceeded what were required.
It may be added that in the course of the afternoon, Mr WELSH,
Procurator
Fiscal, Stirling, and Superintendent GRANT, Stirling, visited the scene of the
disaster.
An
explosion followed by such disastrous results as that of yesterday, has happily
been unknown in the history of mining in Denny district.
Some sixteen years ago an accident occurred at the same pit, which
resulted in the loss of two lives, while an explosion of a more recent date was
that at WOODYETT two years ago, when two miners were killed.
THE
FALKIRK HERALD 1st & 4th MAY 1895.
THE
DISASTROUS PIT EXPLOSION AT DUNIPACE
Recovery
Of The Bodies
The
worst fears that were entertained as to the extent of the loss of life in
connection with the disastrous explosion at the QUARTER PIT, DUNIPACE,
Belonging
to Messrs Wm. BAIRD & Co. Ltd. Have
been fully realised.
While
the search parties were prosecuting their hazardous and toilsome work, and the
bodies had yet been undiscovered, there was still some hope entertained, that
one or two of the unfortunate men had made their way to some part of the mine
where life could be maintained with a supply of comparatively pure air, and that
they might be got out alive. But
such hope was unhappily found to be groundless, the bodies of all the thirteen
men reported missing having on Saturday been recovered.
The work of exploring the mine was continued without intermission
throughout the night and during the whole of Saturday.
Notwithstanding
the unwearied energy with which the rescuing parties set themselves to their
heavy task, the progress was necessarily tedious and protracted owing to the
serious difficulties they had to overcome.
For
a distance of fully 200 fathoms from the pit bottom, the roadway was practically
uninjured, and could be traversed, except for the afterdamp, without
inconvenience. The air was however,
charged with gas, which had to be driven back before the men could advance.
For this purpose the usual method was adopted of clearing the passages by
means of bratticing and screen cloth, and in the earlier stages this was
comparatively easily accomplished.
The
inner part of the workings were however, greatly damaged, the roadways in some
places being almost entirely destroyed, while in others they were blocked with
falls from the roof and enormous masses of debris. These had to be removed
before a passage could be effected, an operation involving a great deal of time
as well as laborious and hazardous effort on the part of the explorers.
Owing
to the imperfect ventilation the heat was excessive and the choke-damp was so
dense and overwhelming, that the men had frequently to retreat in the direction
of the pit bottom in order to recover from its effects.
Un daunted by the magnitude of the work before them, the explorers
returned to it again and again without flagging courage and perseverance.
Every yard of their progress was won at great personal risk, but bit by
bit the roadway was sufficiently restored to make it serviceable, and to enable
a further portion of the workings to be examined.
But the terrible choke-damp, which filled every fresh opening, rose up
before the men like a wall, so that they could only approach it by carrying
screen-cloth before them as a protection.
After
the discovery of the three bodies on Friday night the exploring parties worked
till four on Saturday morning without coming upon any more of the bodies of the
missing men. The portion of the pit
had now , however been reached in which the unfortunate miners were known to
have been engaged when they were overtaken by the fatal blast, and the searchers
had soon the melancholy satisfaction of finding the bodies of two of the victims
of the disaster.
They
were those of PETER CONNAWAY and JOHN HERON. Both were badly burned especially
about the head, but they were not so disfigured and bruised as the bodies
recovered on the previous night. CONNAWAY was married and resided in
Dunipace, where he leaves a widow and one child. HERON was a young man and was
unmarried.
Without
delay the work of the rescue was continued, and after four hours further
laborious effort, four more of the bodies were discovered at eight o’clock.
Like
the others these were badly burned,
but otherwise bore little or no traces of the violence of the blast.
They were easily identified as PATRICK DUNNION ,
All
the bodies were as speedily as possible sent to the surface, where they were
dressed, and afterwards conveyed to the homes of their families.
As may be imagined, the progress of the covered van by which this sad
office was carried out was watched with profound interest and awe by the large
gatherings of people who had now assembled in the village streets and along the
country highway.
Shortly
after ten o’clock the exploring party succeeded in recovering another body. It
was that of HENDRY M’GOVERN and found still further in the road than any of
those previously taken out, and was in a terribly mangled condition. The
unfortunate man seems to have received the full of the violence of the blast,
and the body was frightfully mangled and burned.
JAMES
MILLER, one of the party who assisted in bringing out the body, described it as
literally charred to a cinder. On being brought to the bank it was identified by
FRANK KELLY, the pithead man, whose wife is M’GOVERN’S sister.
It
was not until late in the afternoon that the rescuers came upon the bodies of
JOHN M’GOVERN and JOHN M’MILLAN, and sometime the work of the recovery was
completed by the finding of the body of PATRICK KERR.
On
Saturday morning MRS BUSBY, the wife of one the men who lost his life in the
pit, gave birth to a child. The
announcement was received with pathetic interest by the mining community, and
the deepest sympathy was expressed with the poor woman in her sorrowful
circumstances. Mr CHISHOLM
ROBERTSON, the Stirlingshire mining agent, visited the mine on Saturday
forenoon, and made inquires regarding the explosion. Mr ROBERTSON stated his
intention of going to London with view of obtaining a Government inquiry into
the cause of the explosion.
The
following telegram from the Home Secretary was received at the mine on
Saturday:- Whitehall, 10a.m.-RONALDSON, Mines Inspector,
Denny.- Mr ASQUITH expresses deepest sympathy with suffers and their
families, and anxiously awaits further information.
On
Sunday the scene of the disaster was visited by large numbers of people from the
surrounding district. At eight
o’clock in the evening the remains of the nine men who were members of the
Catholic congregation were taken to the chapel.
Two
lorries draped in black and white were used for their conveyance.
In two cases a couple of coffins were taken from one house.
On the way to the chapel the road was crowded with sympathetic onlookers.
In front of the procession the Rev. Father ROONEY walked, prayer book in
hand, accompanied by surpliced boys carrying the cross and lighted candles.
The members of the families and friends followed the lorries, and the
mourners included a large number of women, many of whom were in tears.
The
chapel was draped in black and white by Messrs WYLIE & LOCH HEAD
Glasgow.
The coffins were laid in front of the alter, and an impressive service
was conducted by the Rev. Father ROONEY. The
chapel was filled to overflowing.
At
the pit on Sunday about thirty men were engaged clearing up the places and
searching for the remaining lamps. One of Her Majesty’s Inspectors
watched the operations, and several of the company’s officials were
also in attendance.
The
electric light was used in carrying on the work under the charge of a Glasgow
firm of electrical engineers, and the men spoke in high praise of the light.
With such a light much more work could be done.
The clearing of the roads and the search for the missing lamps were continued yesterday in the presence of Messrs RONALDSON, MOTTRAM and PEARSON, H.M.I. There are still three lamps missing.
The
Rev. P.C. DURWARD, M.A., preaching on Sunday night in the Denny Free Church,
alluded to the catastrophe in the following terms: -
Easter
has directed our thoughts to the resurrection of our Lord, and to our
resurrection with him, and to the life beyond the grave.
And at the close of the Easter season a calamity has occurred in our
midst which has brought death and eternity home to us with terrible emphasis.
God has permitted to occur at our doors one of these catastrophes which
arrest the attention of a community and speak to its heart.
Never in its history has this town been visited by so awful a calamity.
Ever and anon in the pits that surround us accidents have occurred, and the
tidings of another explosion, of another death, has cast its gloom over our
society. Only two summers ago, in
another of our pits, there was a serious explosion
attended with the loss of several lives.
But the terrible calamity of Friday is unparalleled in this
neighbourhood, heavy as our losses
in the pits have been. Without
warning, and when 200 miners were down the shaft, the explosion occurred. And
though the great majority managed to reach the surface in safety, 13 were
suffocated, and only after many hours, and with much peril, were their remains
disinterred. And today in Denny,
there are many homes in mourning, bewailing the loss of husbands and fathers and
brothers and friends. It is some
consolation for us to know that those who were so suddenly called away were good
men. They were good husbands, good sons, the weeping sister of one of them told
me at the pit head yesterday afternoon. One
of them sat last Sabbath at
Communion in a neighbouring church. It is also comfort to know that help has
already began to flow to those who have been deprived of their breadwinners.
Of this we are sure the aged mothers, the nine widows, the fourteen
orphans will not be neglected. Christ
has lived and taught in vain if Christian charity is not ready on such an
occasion with sympathy and substantial help.
Such a calamity too, reminds us painfully of the continual danger of the
miners life. And in the strife that
is waged in these times over wages, we should remember that it is not toil
merely that the pit man sells, it is peril of life and limb.
His work is not only most laborious and performed under most disagreeable
conditions, but it is carried on at imminent and deadly peril.
And
when he serves society at such risk society should in justice see that he is
well paid, and that the conditions of his life are safe and wholesome as
possible.
They
tell us that wages must vary with the markets, that pay is entirely dependant on
supply and demand. But shall not the conditions of toil be taken into account
also ?, shall not the many accidents, the many deaths, have some bearing on the
rate of remunerations. And while we see that the conditions of his life
underground are as healthy and wholesome as science can make them, and his
remuneration adequate and just, let us not forget to remember in our prayers
those who are engaged in perilous occupations, not only those who are fighting
for us on the distant frontier or sailing the treacherous deep, but those also
who are toiling amidst constant danger in the bowels of the earth.
Let us not forget to commend them daily to the care of the great father,
who hears the groans of the wounded soldier, who rules the tempestuous waves,
and who when the gas explodes and the roof falls in, can hold the miners head.
This
great calamity has brought widespread and great sorrow, but it will also have to
be borne some good result if it draws our sympathy and consideration to the
miners, and helps to enforce their claims on the attention of society.
But perfect as all our mechanical appliances for preventing disaster may
be, and however ready and overflowing our love and assistance, death will come,
and bereavement and anguish. And
for the sting of death and the yawning grave, and the near eternity there is no
comfort but the Easter gospel. Only
he is truly safe for time and for eternity, who can say with the patriarch, “
I know my redeemer liveth “, and with the apostle,
“ I know in whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to
keep that which I have committed unto him until that day “.
May this calamity be to us all, may it be to the whole town the voice of
God saying in tones that we shall hear and obey, Be ye also ready.
May it be the finger of God pointing to eternity, and compelling us to
pause and think. And so for this
calamity also, as for all Gods Providences, we may be able to give God thanks.
FUNERAL
OF VICTIMS
A
Touching And Impressive Scene.
On
Monday the funerals took place of eleven of the victims.
At 11
o’clock Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Roman Catholic Chapel, which
was crowded by the relatives of the deceased men and by members of the
congregation, many of whom had travelled a considerable distance.
Father ROONEY, the pastor of the congregation had charge of the
arrangements. The little chapel had undergone much adornment for the occasion
with drapery and flowers. The alter
was draped in black and white, the very simplicity of the hangings lending quite
an impressiveness to the surroundings. The
coffins were arranged on trestles placed in front of the sanctuary, and were
surrounded by a large number of lighted wax candles.
Here and there, too, were placed beautiful wreaths of flowers, entirely
white in bloom, relieved by beautiful hot house palms. The effect of the
arrangements of the chapel, carried out entirely under the
supervision of Father ROONEY, was touching in the extreme.
The white and black draperies were furnished by Messrs WYLIE & LOCH
HEAD, Glasgow, while the flowers were supplied by Father ROONEY.
The Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Cannon MORRIS, Falkirk, and at
the close the Rev. DONALD EASSON, Linlithgow, preached the sermon, and
afterwards read telegrams of condolence from Archbishop EYRE, Glasgow,
Archbishop M’DONALD and Father HANNON, Bathgate, a former pastor of the
congregation at Denny. The music
consisted of the Kyrie, Sanctus,
and Agnus Dci from Turners “ Mass of St. Cecilia “,
and was rendered by the choir
with intense feeling, the Miscr c.c especially touching the hearts, as it seemed
indeed to appeal to the mercy of God on behalf of the deceased.
The music was indeed of a very high order – the light and the shade,
the modulation, the precision, and intonation showing the painstaking training
of the respected priest of the parish.
At
the close of the service the relatives of the deceased took their places beside
the coffins and engaged in earnest prayer before leaving the chapel.
Nearly all the members of the congregation, including many Protestants
from the town and surrounding districts, marched down the passage and paid the
last respects to the memory of the deceased.
The service was altogether most impressive, and drew tears from old and
young alike.
At
four o’clock the coffins were
conveyed in separate hearses to the burying grounds.
The cortege was a great one – the greatest that has been witnessed in
Denny – and was made up of all ranks and classes.
In front of the hearses was a company of some 50 girls, draped in white
and wreathed with lilies, and two walked behind each.
Several boys carried banners, and there were cross and light bearers.
The clergymen and the general public came behind.
On the way the children chanted hymns, and the whole scene was
impressive. The road was lined with
people, and the shops in the town were closed.
Five
of the bodies were interred in Denny Cemetery, viz:
JOHN M’GOVERN
And
HARRY M’GOVERN ( brothers) laid side by side : PETER TULLIE and JOHN HERON
close by in the same grave – both graves are on the north side of the western
hill – and JOHN M’MILLAN was buried in the east border.
Four
were taken to the old kirkyard of Dunipace, beside the mounds – the “
hills of peace “ – viz: PATRICK DUNION and BERNARD DUNION ( brothers ),
PATRICK KERR, and PETER CONOWAY, The
Rev. Father ROONEY conducted the customary impressive service at the graves.
At three o’clock JOHN
ROBERTSON was interred at Dunipace, and at five JOHN COMRIE was interred in the
cemetery.
On
Tuesday afternoon the remains of JOHN BUSBY – the first body taken from the
pit – were committed to their last resting place in the cemetery amid
considerable manifestations of grief. JOHN
BUSBY was a member of the St. Andrews Lodge of Freemasons and the Thistle Lodge
of Free Gardeners and societies
were in attendance – the latter robed in the regalia of the order.
During the time of the funeral the shops in the town, as on the previous
day, were closed.
The
Rev. D.C. MACKELLAR, of the U.P. Church, Denny, offered up prayer at the grave,
and the Gardeners filed past, dropping flowers on the coffin.
Among wreaths was one from the brethren of the Masonic Lodge.
Mr
PATRICK WELSH, Procurator Fiscal for the County, has received the following
letter:- 32, Pont Street, April 28th 1895. – Dear Mr Welsh, - I am
much grieved to read of this sad disaster which has occurred at Dunipace, with I
fear, a loss of 13 lives. I know
that a donation, however small, if it be at once available, is sometimes the
means of alleviating such distress as must ensue among the families of those who
have been so suddenly and sadly removed. I
shall be much obliged if you will please place this cheque in the hands of the
ministers of the different denominations to which the suffers belong, in hope
that, though a small amount, it may be of some use – Believe me, yours
faithfully, ( Signed) MONTROSE, A cheque for
15 guineas accompanied the letter. Among
other subscriptions intimated are one by Mr JAMES WRIGHT of Gogar-field of £10,
and one by Archbishop EYRE of £5, one of £5 from Mr J.C. BOLTON of Carbrook,
and one of £3 from Dr. BENNY, &c. We
understand that on Thursday the men employed at Messrs ADDIE
& Sons, pits here, on the suggestion of the manager, Mr LOCH HEAD,
agreed to subscribe a days pay each. The
collection at the Woodyett Pit, which was not quite completed last night,
amounted, we understand, to about £60. Mr
WILLIAM FORBES of Callender, has sent a subscription of £50.
Mr WILLIAM JACKS, M.P. for Stirling sent a cheque for £10-10s.
PROPOSED
INQUIRY
Mr
CHISHOM ROBERTSON the representative of the Stirlingshire miners, saw a number
of Scottish members of Parliament in the House on Monday night in connection
with the request that an immediate public inquiry should be ordered by the
Government into the circumstances of the disaster.
Mr JACKS obtained by a question in the House a reply from the Government
that a public inquiry will be granted into the cause of the disaster, and Mr
CHISHOLM ROBERTSON got an assurance from the Lord Advocate, whom he saw in his
private rooms at the house, that if the inquiry be granted it will be held at
the earliest date. Mr P. WELSH,
procurator fiscal for the county, was engaged on Tuesday in the Royal Oak Hotel
precognoscing witnesses. Seven were
examined – viz. SAMUEL MARTIN, miner, WILLIAM MILLER, Denny, the driver of the
pony that perished, JOSEPH MOFFAT, miner, JAMES ANDERSON, miner, ROBERT MARTIN,
WILLIAM HUNTER, engineman at the Fans, and J. LOCH HEAD, underground manager to
Messrs ROBERT ADDIE & Sons. Mr Welsh sat again on Wednesday in the Royal Oak
Hotel Denny, precognoscing witnesses in connection with the disaster.
Nine were examined, viz:- ALEX.
BAXTER, oversman, CHARLIE FINDLAY, oversman, ROBERT PATERSON, fireman, GILBERT
DUNCAN, miner, JAMES M’QUADE, miner, JAMES BENNIE, checkweighman, JAMES
M’MILLAN, miner, JAMES FRANCE, miner, and FRANCIS M’DONALD, miner.
It is now an open secret that tobacco-pipes, matches, and appliances for
opening safety lamps will figure among the productions in any inquiry
instituted. A number of the safety
lamps have been taken possession of by the authorities with a view, it is
understood, of having them tested.
The
Prudential Assurance Company
We
were informed that nine of the men who lost their lives were assured in the
Prudential Assurance Company. The
company with its usual promptitude and thoughtfulness, wired their
superintendent at Falkirk, a Mr W.T.VARLEY, to settle all the claims at once,
and dispense with the usual formalities. This instruction was immediately
obeyed, and the various sums were paid over to the sorrowing relatives on
Saturday, the day following the accident.
PUBLIC
MEETING IN DENNY – PROPOSED RELIEF FUND
A
public meeting of the inhabitants of Denny, called at the instance of the Police
Commissioners, for the purpose of organising a fund for the relief of the widows
and families of the men who were killed by the explosion at Quarter Pit last
Friday, was held in the Public Hall Denny, on Wednesday evening.
There was a large attendance, and Provost HUNTER, who presided, was
supported on the platform by the Rev. Messrs. MACKELLAR , ROONEY , and DURWARD,
Bailies FERGUSON and SHEARER, and Councillors
M’QUEEN , RITCHIE , NISBET , and BRANDER.
Parish Councillors HORNE , M’LAUGHLIN , ROSS , and JOHNSTON.
Mr BULLOCH , Mr JAMES DAVIDSON, Bank of Scotland, Mr JAMES SCOTT, &c.
The
Provost said he had taken the liberty, in conjunction with his fellow
Commissioners and others in the town, of calling this meeting together for the
purpose of considering the subject which had been filling their minds with very
great sorrow. They had met that
evening under the shadow of a great calamity, and it had been filling their
minds to a great extent for nearly a week now, that it was quite unnecessary
that he should enter into very much detail with regard to the disaster which
took place at the Quarter Pit last Friday. There was one broad fact, before all
their minds that 13 brave working men had in a moment, in the twinkling of a
eye, lost their lives. The disaster was one which was found to appeal to the
sympathy of every heart. But there
was more than sympathy required in circumstances such as those which surrounded
them. There were the families –
the wives and the children of those men who were killed in the disaster – who
had been bereaved and left behind to mourn the loss of those bread winners who
had been so suddenly cut off. It
was quite true in all their minds here was a great deal of sympathy – feelings
which could not be very well expressed , feelings that were of such a nature
that when they tried to give expression to them words only seemed to mock their
thoughts. It was his solemn
privilege to visit one of the bereaved homes at least, and to speak to one of
the widows, and he must say that he never felt so helpless in any circumstances
as he did upon that occasion in trying to give consolation to a woman left with
seven children and who had been deprived so swiftly of her husband.
Those were feeling which were quite natural. Indeed it would have been
unnatural on their part, if they had not those feelings in a large degree.
There were those wives and those children who were deprived of those who
won their bread for them, and as there was a very dark future before the wives
and families and friends of those men, it was clearly their duty as citizens, as
Christians and as patriots to do what they could to help those people in the sad
circumstances in which they were placed, and who had came into those
circumstances through no fault of their own. ( Applause ).
As citizens they had been called together to organise a fund, to set in
motion certain machinery, and to take certain steps which would result in
tangible relief being given to those who had been bereaved, and those who had so
suddenly lost the heads of their houses.
The
meeting was to take practical shape, and certain resoundings were proposed,
which he had no doubt would meet with their hearty approval.
The promoters had had a preliminary meeting in order to set this meeting
in motion and to arrange for it, and gentlemen upon the platform would speak to
the resolutions which would be proposed. He therefore did not whish to cover
their ground. But his wished to say that this was a matter in which they could
all take part.
They
could all contribute a little, they could all help a little by asking their
friends to help. He had a
delightful little letter that day from a working man in Helensburgh who said
that he had read of the disaster with the deepest sorrow and regret. He stated
that he was not in a position to give much, but he sent on 2shillings, which was
all that he could afford, remarking that he knew that little sums like those
always helped. ( Applause ). He (
Provost HUNTER) knew that there were throughout the length and breath of the
land gentlemen who would subscribe liberally to a relief fund, and it would be
to the credit of the working men of Denny if they did not allow their sympathy
to pass away, but if they did what they could to contribute themselves and get
others to help, and if they all worked together for this one object, he had no
doubt that in a short time they
would be able to raise a fund to give relief of a kind which would be helpful to
the bereaved families for many days to come. ( Applause).
Subscriptions had already been coming in, although they were not very
numerous. He had in his possession a sum of £14 – 7s, and other sums had been
got by various gentlemen on the platform. He
was speaking for the gentlemen on the platform when he said that they were all
willing – every man of them – to do what they could, not only by their means
but by their effort, to make the relief fund a success
(
Applause ) They did not feel that
they were bound by every law of God and man and of their country to do what they
could for those families who had been so suddenly bereaved.
Ballie
FERGUSON moved the first resolution which was as follows:- That this meeting
deplores the sad disaster which took place at Quarter Coal Pit on Friday last,
by which 13 miners were killed, causing great grief in the homes to which they
belong , resolves to do all that they can, by earnest appeal to the public
generally, to raise money to relive the distress in those homes, and to provide
as far as possible for the future comfort and support of the wives and children
who have been so sadly and suddenly bereaved. ( Applause ) He thought that such
a resolution required very few words of his to commend it to the working men of
Denny. It was certainly a good
thing that during an average life they had never been called upon in this
community to deplore such a calamity as that which occurred last week.
He thought it was Dr. GUTHRIE of Edinburgh, who said that no death bed
was so sad to him as to be near the death bed of a husband or a father who found
in his last moments that he had made no provision for those of his family he was
leaving behind. But those men who
had been cut off in the disaster of Friday last had not time to reach their
homes. They were taken at their
work and their wives and families had not the consolation of seeing them breath
their last breath. When they read
of a disaster in the newspapers which had occurred in some part of the country
it might strike them for a day or two, but when it came into their very midst,
when their fellow workmen were cut down at their daily employment, and when
their widows and children walked the streets beside they saw then what need
there was for making provision for their relief.
As the Chairman had so well said, they must not only make an appeal to
every working class community in Scotland, but they must remember not to neglect
their duties here. Every one in
Denny must make up his mind to do what he could to have a suitable provision
made for those wives and children. They must not refrain from giving a small sum
because they might not be in a position to give a large one.
If each one of them resolved to do something they would organise a fund
from which the widows would obtain relief until their children were able to work
for themselves.
Mr
JOHNSTON of Randolphill seconded the resolution, and in doing so said on such an
occasion as the present he was quite incompetent to give adequate expression to
his thoughts. Sufficient however,
had been said to make them acquainted with the resolution, and of its worthiness
of their support. As they all knew
the disaster was one of unprecedented in the district, and it was surely
sufficient to arouse their sympathy when they thought of the wives and the
orphans of the bread winners who had been cut off.
He was speaking for the papermakers of the district when he said that
they gave their hearty sympathy to those who had suffered by the disaster. (
Applause. ) They felt that they
were all working together – that without the miners they would be no where –
and he thought and felt that they would all do their best to make the relief
fund worthy of the district. To
make their effort more effectual it ought to be made right away “ He gives
twice who gives quickly “ ( Applause.)
The
Rev. Mr DURWARD said it gave him great pleasure to support the resolution so
eloquently commended to them by the two gentlemen who had spoken.
He knew that some of the cases were cases of singular disasters.
He believed there were two sisters who had been deprived of their
husbands, and one woman who had lost two brothers and a husband.
They could not but sympathise with them very deeply in their calamity.
Thirteen bread winners had been cut off, and widows and a large number of
children deprived of their means of support, and it was their duty to come
forward manfully and assist them. They
could all do something, rich or poor. He
believed that in all cases where money was needed for a noble cause that the
poor gave as liberally as the rich according to their means.
If the poor supported this cause it would not be the first in Scotland
which had benefited much by the small givings of those who had not much to give.
He trusted that as men they would all rally to the support of this
movement, and give what they were able to give.
As Christians it was their duty to do what they could.
They had very little of the Masters spirit if they did not readily come
forward to carry out His command to comfort the fatherless and to relieve
distress. If they gave their best
support to this movement they would be doing their duty as men and as Christians
– they would be doing the angels work. ( Applause. )
The resolution was agreed to.
Mr
BULLOCH moved the second resolution, which was in the following terms:-
That
this meeting resolves to appoint a large influential, and representative
committee, consisting of a president , secretary , treasurer , and members, to
take part in the collection of funds and in the wise and impartial
administration of the same amongst the families who have been bereaved.
It was essential that there should be such a committee to carry out the
details of the work, and he trusted they would appoint men who would heartily
undertake the duties.
Bailie
SHEARER seconded the resolution, and said that as one who knew the dangers of
the coal mine he could deeply sympathise with the bereaved wives and families of
the miners who were killed by Fridays disaster.
He trusted the committee would work with a will to make the fund a
complete success.
Rev.
Mr MACKELLAR supported the resolution, and remarked that he could say that the
congregation which he represented – and he had abundant evidence of it on
Sunday forenoon when he directed their attention to the calamity – very deeply
sympathised with those who had been so sorely and suddenly bereaved.
This, however, was not the time for speaking.
It was the time for working, and he might say that whether he was a
member of the committee to be appointed or not he meant to do all in his power
to help and succour those whom he knew were
in lamentable circumstances to-day. He
had much opportunity of seeing the distress which the calamity
had brought into many of the houses in the town, and he did not know how
any man could go into those houses and come out again without resolving to
labour earnestly for the support of their inmates.
He could not speak to the resolution, as he feels too much about it.
He gave it his cordial sympathy, as he would give his hearty support. (
Applause. )
The
Rev. Mr ROONEY also supported the resolution and said there was a great danger,
unless they took action at once , of public sympathy evaporating and
subscriptions being lost. The
movement originated by Provost HUNTER and his fellow commissioners for the
relief of the widows and children was a most praise worthy one, and he earnestly
trusted it would meet with the success which it so much merited. ( Applause. )
The motion was adopted.
It
was unanimously agreed that the whole of the gentlemen on the platform should
form themselves into a committee, with power to add to their number.
Provost
HUNTER was appointed President, and power was given to the committee to appoint
other officials.
Mr
ROBERT TENNENT, teacher, Dunipace. Mr PATRICK LONEY, Mr HUGH MURNIU, and Mr
FRANK M’DONALD were added to the committee.
On
the motion of Mr DAVIDSON a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Provost HUNTER
for his conduct in the chair.
At
a meeting of the committee held afterwards Provost HUNTER was appointed chairman
of committee, Mr W.J.H. RICHIE, secretary, Mr JOHN F. M’QUEEN
The
office bearers and the Rev. Mr MACKELLAR and Mr DANIEL ROSE were appointed to
act as sub-committee. The parishes
are divided in to districts, and there is to be an immediate canvas. The Provost
is to approach neighbouring burghs, and the newspapers are to be asked to open
their columns. It was reported that
the Celtic Football Club had offered their services for a match, that a concert
was being arranged for the City Hall, Glasgow, by a well known gentleman ; also
that the Clydebank prize band had offered their services for a concert in Denny
on a Saturday afternoon, and a sacred concert on the Sabbath afternoon
following.
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