NEW HARTLEY
Hartley, Durham. 16th January, 1862.

When the pit was entered, the party found all the men dead. Weymiss Reid described their reactions to the dreadful scenes that greeted them-
“It is only that uncertain flickering flame that now has been quenched. With a dead silence the people heard the winds which told them that they were widows, orphans or childless. Job in all his calamities, could not have been more resigned than they and the audible ‘God help them all’, muttered upon the platform, was the only comment the address called forth.”

On the recovery of the victims’ bodies. Reid again:-
“Some of the dead had died with a smile on their faces others frowning in terror or anger. Some were fresh and pure as the day upon which they left God’s blessed light, never to be return to it again in life on others, the hand of the corrupter had been planted, and already dust was returning to it’s nature dust. They were strong men of gigantic mould still apparently engaged in a deadly struggle with the last adversary and there were children - weak and helpless, ever doomed to toil in everlasting darkness - clasped in the arms of loving fathers, who, even in their extremity, remembered those whom they had begotten.”

The victims had left messages, some in pencil and paper and others scratched with a nail on water bottles.

James Armour who had taken charge of the men below wrote the following words in a pocket book in pencil-
“Friday afternoon at half past two.
Edward Armstong, Thomas Gladstone, John Hardy, Thomas Bell and others took
extremely ill. We also had a prayer meeting at a quarter to two when Tibbs, Henry Sharp, J. Campbell, Henry Gibson and William Palmer (The sentence is incomplete) Tibbs exhorted us again and Tibbs also.”

On the Monday after the disaster, a large collection of tin flasks, candle boxes and other of the miner’s articles were brought to the surface and all day long the heap was wistfully turned over by poor widows and orphans all trying to find something of their lost relative. On one of the tins was found scratched, ‘Mercy, oh God!’ and on another ‘Friday afternoon. My Dear Sarah, -- I leave you.”

The events at the colliery drew wide national interest and many people expressed their views.
A letter under the heading, ‘The Heroes of Hartley’, was sent to the editor of the ‘Colliery Guardian.’
“Sir,
I am sure every Englishman will heartily re-echo the generous sentiments expressed by the Bishop of Durham at the meeting held in Newcastle on Friday last on which occasion his Lordship eloquently eulogised the noble conduct of those brave men who toiled amidst danger and discomfort to rescue their brethren buried in the Hartley pit. Drenched with water that descended the shaft and in momentary peril from the falling stones and noxious gases they bravely persevered in their disinterested and humane efforts and even when half carried away half suffocated by the ‘stythe’ they were ready to return again and again to the scene of action. The ecumenisms pronounced upon these noble fellows by his Lordship and others are well deserved. They do honour alike to those of whom that are uttered and to those who utter them. But should the matter end in words? Would it not be a graceful act for the nation, by some substantial token of approval to acknowledge the heroic daring and fortitude displayed.
We adorn out military heroes with Victoria Crosses and medals of honour. Why not treat these heroes with equal consideration?
If a national subscription were opened I am sure the people of this country would respond heartily and joyously to the call, and a sum of enough or more than enough would be raised for the purpose. A gold medal might be struck and while we know that Her Majesty has taken a great interest in the efforts to rescue the unfortunate miners of Hartley and expressed so lively a sympathy with the bereaved ones may we not venture to hope that she would condescend with her Royal hands to place upon the breasts of these humble heroes of the mine a decoration so well deserved and so hardly won?
I venture to trouble you with these remarks hoping that some of influence may take the hint and initiate the movement.
Yours, &c.,
W.M.H.
Wigan, Jan. 28th. 1862.”