Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-27
OYER In ABYNSs
. d nope &and-Over-Hand.
Nevada Transcript


Nearly week since, Louis Blandine. one of
the best known mining experts on the coast,
passed through this city on his way from San
Francisco to examine the Santa Anita quartz
mine, which Is situated near Washington, q
miles Sbove here. Day before yesterday he re-
turned here, having accomplished his object.
His experiences on the trip were OF an interest
was enabled to live and relate them. After Q
tedious journey through the snow he reached
the home OF one OF the owners OF the claim, and
farther to the mine. Lighting candles, they
entered the tunnel, which has been pushed TO-
ward the heart OF the mountain distance OF
they came to a Wine So feet deep. over this
WINE Is w1ndlass. Mr.. Blanding examined II
carefully, and, observing no weak spots N ~. us
construction, had his companion let MIN 10 Ine
bottom. He inspected the ledge, made measure
ments secured sack OF specimens, and, put.
ting one foot in the blight Of the rOR assnS
ing 30 feet he ceased to rise
What's the natter" he asked.
HThe windlass is broken" was the reply.
Elk It and hoist away
81 can't. The support at one side has
broken down. One end OF the drum has dropped
to the ground NY shoulder ,, Is under IT.. and Il
s artling reply that came back. The candle a
the top had been eXtinguished. Mr.. Banding
recognized the urgency OF having cool head in
such an emergency, and told the other party to
take things easy. He dropped the candlesttck
sack OF specimens and the hammer to the bot
tom OF the winze. Then bracing one OF his
shoulders against one side Of the hole and his
feet against the other, worked his way up
Inch by inch, the owner taking in the sack
the rope with one hand. Thus he assembled ten
feet. Then the sides Of the Wine grew so far
apart that this plan could no longer be pursued.
There was but one salvation. The remaining
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 to the mine and
exploring it, it seemed to him he had climbed
mile, and stopping to rest, found by the voice
above that he had yet five feet to go. With
another superhuman effort another start was
made. After what seemed an age one of his
hands struck the edge of the covering on one
side OF the mouth. His body and limbs were
suffering the agonies OF cramps and soreness,
and his brain began to reel. All sorts OF frghtful
phantoms filled his mind With q final effort he
reached up and found he could get the end of
answered for part Of the covering. With the
despair Of a man who faces fearful death and
knows It, he let go the rope altogether and raising
the other hand obtained precartouS mold. His
body swung back and forth over the dark abyss
an instant, and as he felt that his hands were
losing their hold, he cried, ''Save me quick, am
going !"
just then his companion, who is man of
great strength, dropped the end of the drum ana
grasping his coat collar drew him out on the
floor OF the tunnel. The mining expert was ut
terly Frustrated as his rescue was effected. He
was carried out OF the tunnel, his clothes Siping
appropriation, and laid in the snow. When
partially recovered he was assisted to house
three miles away. His whole frame was so
racked with the physical and mental torture
that for several hours he had no use of some of
his limbs. Two days after he returned to the
mine and with an iron bar broke the windlass
Into thousand pieces, then f1Shed the sack of
specimens out OF the Wine. During a whole
lifetime of mining adventures In some of the
deepest claims of the world be says he has never
been so near the door OF death as he was at the
Santa Anita, and he hopes never to pass through
the like again.