West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-03-27
Eetween Life and Death.

Not long ago Louis Bland ny. one OF the
best known mining experts on the coast
passed through Nevada city on his way
from San Francisco TO examine the Santa
Anita quartz-mine, which is situated near
Washington. Recently he returned, having
accomplished his object. His experiences
ON the trip were OF an interesting nature aud
II II by mcie chance that he was enabled to
live To relate them. After tedious Journey
through the snow, he reached the home Of
ono of the owners Of the claim, and to-
gethcr they forced their way for three
miles farther TO the mine. lightning
candles, they entered the mine, which has
been pushed toward the heart of the noun
tain distance of l3O feet. Twenty-Five
feet from the head Of it they came to a
winze ffty-six feet deep. over this wirze
is windlass. Mr.. Blanding examined il
carefully, and, observing no weak spots in
its construction, had his companion let him
TO the bottom. He inspected the ledge.
made measurements, secured sack OF spe-
cimens, and, putting one foot in the blight
OF the rope, shouted To- the man above 20
hoist away. After ascending thirty feet
he ceased to rise
What's the matter2' he asked
"lhe windlass is broken, was the re-
ply.
Elk it and hoist away"
81 can't. The support at one side has
broken down. One end of the drum has
dropped 10 the ground. My shoulder is
under it, and If | stir the whole thing will
give way was the startling reply that
came back.
The candle at the top had been extin.
OIIiaIg1 NJ I1auIfu, a..
urgency Of having a cool head i'm such an
emergency, and told the other party TO take
things easy. lie dropped the candlestick.
sack OF specimens and the hammer To the
bottom of the Wine. Then, bracing one
Of his shoulders against one side Of the hole
and his feet against the other, he worked
bis way up inch by inch, the owner taking
in the slack Of the rope with ono hand
Ten feet were thus asccnded. Then the
sides Of the Wine grew 20 far apart that
this plan could no longer be pursued
There was but one salvation the remain
ing ten feet must be climbed "hand over
hand. - Releasing his feet from the knot.
he put the idea into practice. Exhausted
by his previous efforts in walking 10 the
mine and exploring It., il seemed 20 him he
had climbed mile, and, stopping 10 rest,
iNANh ~ NiNf hUlAf hUbNt NIlfIt were Vet
five feet to 90. With another super-
human effort, another start was made
After what seemed an age one Of his hands
struck 'he edge Of the mouth His body
and limbs were suffering the ogonics Of
cramps aud soreness and his brain began 10
reel. All sorsis Of frightful phantOms filed
his mind. With final effort, hc reached
up, and found he could get the ends Of
one hands fingers over the edge Of board
that answered for part Of the covering
With the despair Of q man who faces a
fearful death and knows IT, be let 20 the
rope altogether. and raising the other hand,
obtained precarous hold Ills body
swung bach and forth over tho dark abyss
An instant, and a. he felt that his hands
were losing their hold, he cried, "Save me
quick, I'm goingl"
just then his companion who is man
Of great strength, dropped the end Of thc
drum, and, grasping his coat collar, drew
him out on The floor of the tunnel
The mine expert was utterly prostraied
as bis rescue was Effected Ic was car.
ried out Of tho tunnel bis clothes dripping
In perspiration, and laid In the snow. When
partially recovered he was assisted to "A
house three miles away. Ills whole frame
was - rackcd with the physical and men
tai torture that Tor several hours ho had no
use Of his limbs Two days after
he returned 10 the mine, and with au iron
bar broke the windless into a thousand
pieces, then ishod The sack Of specimens
out Of the Wine. During a whole lifetime
OF adventures in some Of The deepest claims
In the world, he says he has never been 81
near the door OF death as he was at the
Santa Anita, and he hopes never to pass
through tho like again.