For four days, rescuers searched the wrecked Layland Mine in West Virginia believing that nearly everyone trapped below had perished.
The gas explosion had devastated the mine, bodies were being brought to the surface, and the death toll was expected to climb into the hundreds. Then rescuers wearing oxygen helmets reached a section that had been sealed off.
There, against all expectations, they found men alive.
The first survivors were weak but able to walk. They quickly told rescuers that others were still living deeper inside.
Miners Saved After Hope Is Abandoned
HINTON, West Virginia. — 47 miners were found alive in the Layland Mine of the New River and Pocahontas Coal Company where they had been entombed for four days following a gas explosion which wrecked one mine and seriously damaged two others.
About 170 men, as far as could be checked up, were thought to have lost their lives and thus far 78 bodies have been taken out.
Rescuers in oxygen helmet came upon an entry of No. 3 mine which had been bratticed off. Close to the brattice work, five men were encountered alive, but in a weakened condition. These were able to walk from the mine and they reported that nine others were alive not far from where they were found.
The rescuers hastened their efforts and soon came on more of the living miners who were able to leave the mine unassisted in most cases. When the entry had been explored more were found, all apparently little the worse for their four days entombment.
Source: Courier Democrat. Langdon, N.D. March 11, 1915.
