THE OAKS COLLIERY.
Saturday December 12th, 1868 was the second anniversary the moat fatal colliery catastrophe known in the mining history of the world. Two years ago an explosion gas in the Oaks Colliery, near Barnsley, the most fiery mining district in the kingdom, resulted in the sacrifice of lives, and it is lamentable to think that the present time no less than 218 of the bodies the unfortunate sufferers are still buried in the workings, and quite close, there can little doubt, where a large number of workmen are now engaged in getting coal. How long they are to remain covered with roof and coal no one is able to tell. It is, however, gratifying to find that the wives and children those who were so quickly deprived of their lives have been well cared for, and that the funds subscribed by the public have been amply sufficient properly maintain them, in connexion with the Miners Association The number of widows the first instance was 150 and of that number 31 have married, three have died and seven have been struck off the list for misconduct. From the general or public fund, the average payments amount to about £80 per week. In addition, that sum the South Yorkshire Miners Association has paid the widows and orphans those who belonged it at the time the explosion during the two years upwards of £8,000, the expenses last year, being £2,526 18s 6d. As the association pays several pounds on the recovery each body for funeral expenses, it still liable for large sum money. It is believed that had the greater part the bodies been got out before this both funds would have Wen greatly relieved, very many more the widows would have got married, but not feel warranted doing so long as their husbands may be brought the lank top any day. the orphans, 15 have been provided for in industrial institutions and all who are old enough are kept at school the expense of the general fund.
Banbury Advertiser – Thursday 17 December 1868
© The British Newspaper Archives
Linda Taylor
