Sibley Colliery June 25, 1906

BREAKER FIRE LEAVES TOWN IN THE LURCH

OLD FORGE NOW HAS 2000 MEN AND BOYS OUT OF EMPLOYMENT

DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN

The destruction of the Sibley Breaker by Saturday forenoon leaves leaves the Old Forge Borough in the lurch for employment for men and boys who work in and around the mines.

Jermyn & Co. two collieries have been idle for 6 months. A strike of the employees and stubborn resistance on the part of Joseph Jermyn against a settlement has left about 1,400 hands without anything to do, except in so far as odd ones go here and there for a job, rather than be idle. There were 600 or 700 employed at the Sibley making over 2000 out of work at the three places.

The darkest cloud has a silver lining, and it is said to be gloomiest before the dawn. The ray of sunshine looked for is the purchase of the two Jermyn collieries by the Erie, and the rebuilding of the Sibley breaker as soon as plans can be prepared. The first reports Saturday, were that the lives of 150 men in the two bottom lifts of the Sibley shaft were in danger. But happily all got out safe and no one was even injured.

FROM: the Scranton Library, Filmstrip, Scranton Times, June 25, 1906, Page 5, column 5

By, Carl Orechovsky.