The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08
RESCUE OF A BURIED MINER.

Amador County, California, dated June 81
to the San Joaquin Republican, describes
the following exciting scene:
Zone Of those excitcmcnts incident 10
mining camp has just ttahspircd. Soon
after two o'clock this afternoon word was
passed that "cave had taken place in a
tunnel, and man was shut in" The
warm, sympathetic hearts of the miners
were touched, and they gathered ir crowds
to aid in the possible rescue. But, was
the man dead or alive? If not crushed
he must soon suffocate! Signals were
made by tapping upon the rocks with a
pick, and they were answered. Then com.
menced the work Of rescue in good earn
est.
First, lumber was procured to hold back
the superintendent earth, which was con.
stantiy dropping; then long iron tube,
with an iron bit attached 10 one end, with
which to penetrate the fallen drift and con-
vey air to him. Some thirty feet of the
tunnel was filled with loose sand and gravel
aud the tube was too short to reach. 1t is
hozaldous work to labor in falling drift.
The earth overhead often continues to
peel off, sometimes in large masses, until
an immense dome is arched off several feel
in height. The miners also were app.e,
hensive that if they commenced to move
the fallen drift, they might be interrupted
by further slides.
To make sure, another set Of hands
commenced a side drift, to run at right
angles through the solid earth. An cxcit-
ing race begun, stimulated by the double
ambition of being first in, and first to res
cue fellow mortal from impending death.
Determined hearts gavo vigor to strong
arms, and the drifters worked with unpar-
allelled energy. But one could use the
pick at time; and recking with sweat
and exhausted, he fell back in turn, to give
place TO his fellow. Six feet per day is the
usual task, but here they performed that
amount Of work in an hour. Signals were
occasionally exchanged with the buried
man. lie was still alive, and they worked
on with rencwd energy. After five mortal
hours he was reaclcd--aivc, safe and sound.
Word was passed to the crowd above, and
the wclkin rung with cheerful and exultant
shouts. "Dutch Ned" was a popular CHAR.
actcr, and the hearts which had been kent
tense with alternate fears and hopes found
vent, some in tears, and some in other en-
travagant demonstrations.
Ned states that the cave commenced
some thirty feet from the spot where he
WAS at work, and left linn space but six
by twelve feet. There was water in the
tunnel, aud some danger from drowning.
lie threw up a broad bed Of gravel, upon
which lie lay down. The vitality Of the
mir became rapidly exhausted, and he was
also in danger Of sufIocation-a stnpor
came over linn and he fell asleep. The buried
man was aroused by the signals before
mentioned, and hope succeeded the despai,
which had settled upon him. Just then
his candle, which had been burning dimly
went out. lie was afraid, he said, it would
consume the oxygin Of the air, but as long
as he lived lie wished for light. He fel,
great relief when The tube had penetrated
and fresh air was introduced. Another
fear came over linn just as they were break
ing through, for the earth commenced saI
ling again, and he yet might Sc buried Gor-
ever, when escape seemed so near! But
the driftcrs pcrsevered, and both lines broke
through almost simultaneously. lie was
safe !"