The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-08
A Mining Experts Terrible Expe.
rience i'm a Nevada Ore shaft.
lNnuafa r aorirt

rience i'm a Nevada Ore shaft.
Nevada Transcript
Nearly a week since Louis Blanding
one of the best known mining experts or
tie coast, passed through this city on his
way from San Francisco to examine the
Santa Anita quartz mine, which is sit
uated near Washington, twenty-on,
miles above here. Day before yesterday
he returned here, having accomplished
his object. His experiences on the
trip were of an interesting nature, and il
is by mere change that he was enabled tc
live and relaSat .dAem. After a tedious
journey through the snow he reached
the home of one of the owners of the
claim, and together they forced their
way for three miles farther to the mine.
Lighting candles, they entered the tun-
mel, which has been pushed toward the
heart of the mountain distance of one
hundred and thirty feet. Twenty-Five
feet from the head of it they came to a
winze fifty-six feet deep. Over this winze
is windlass. Mr.. Banding examined it
carefully, and, observing no weak spots
in its construction, had his companion let
him to the bottom. He inspected the
ledge, made measurements, secured a
sack of specimens, and, putting one foot
in the blight of the rope, shouted to the
man above to hoist away. After ascend
ing thirty feet he ceased to rise.
"What's the matter? he asked.
"The 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 to 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-
guished. Mr.. Banding recognized the
urgency of having cool head in such an
emergency, and told the other party to
take things easy. lie dropped the can
dlestick, sack Of specimens, and the ham
mer to the bottom of the winze. Then,
bracing one of his shoulders against
one side of the hole and his feet
against the door, worked his way
up inch by inch, the owner taking in
the slack Of the rope with one hand.
Thus he aseended ten feet. Then the
sides of the Wine grew 80 far apart that
this plan could no longer be pursued.
There was but one salvation. The re-
naming ten feet must be climbed "hand
over hand" Releasing his feet from the
Anot he put the idea into practice. Ex-
hausted by his previous efforts in walk
ing to the mine aud 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 sore
ness, and bis brain began to reel. I All
sorts Of frightful phantoms filed his
mind. With a final effort he reached ND
and found he could get the end of one
hands fingers over the edge of the board
that answered for part of the covering.
With the despair Of a man who faces q
fearful death and knows it, he let 20 the
rope altogether and, raising the other
hand, obtained q prscarious hold. His
body swung back and forth over the dark