Alexander Bryden was a Carbondale hero. On Jan 12, 1846, the first major coal mining disaster in America occurred while Alexander was mine superintendent. He and a few others dared to enter the mine after a roof section collapsed on 44 people. Some found their own way out and Alexander rescued 18 others. One was his own son Andrew, and another was a man with a broken back who he carried while at times crawling on his knees, for nearly a mile until he reached daylight, only to hear the man's last words "Oh Bryden" before passing away. He found another man wandering in the depths of the mine two days after the collapse. He discovered the remains of eight men who had been buried alive, and at that point the risk of finding the last six was considered too dangerous. The mine was sealed and never reopened. Alexander was awarded a "civic crown", the highest non-military award at the time for saving a citizen's life.
Alexander Bryden was a Carbondale hero. On Jan 12, 1846, the first major coal mining disaster in America occurred while Alexander was mine superintendent. He and a few others dared to enter the mine after a roof section collapsed on 44 people. Some found their own way out and Alexander rescued 18 others. One was his own son Andrew, and another was a man with a broken back who he carried while at times crawling on his knees, for nearly a mile until he reached daylight, only to hear the man's last words "Oh Bryden" before passing away. He found another man wandering in the depths of the mine two days after the collapse. He discovered the remains of eight men who had been buried alive, and at that point the risk of finding the last six was considered too dangerous. The mine was sealed and never reopened. Alexander was awarded a "civic crown", the highest non-military award at the time for saving a citizen's life.
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