Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-08-14
A TRUE HERO.
who is to Receive the First Prize Awarded
by the CULVER"

From the Quivcr.1
Here is an instance of young Irishman
named james Nolans, who fought the
fierce battle in Il sudden mining catastro-
phe which happened at the coal pits near
the villages of Nddry and New Craighall,
in the neighborhood of Newmlls, Dal-
keith, y. B. About two o'clock ON Friday,
October 18th, 1883, the rumor was spread
that the pits were filling with water. 1t
was confirmed by gush and fall of wa
ters from height of 1870 fathoms, with Il
din which struck despair into the hearts
of the weary miners. They were Just
about to ascend the shaft, and the man at
the pit head discovered that something
had gone wrong. There were siXty.three
men and boys at work, of whom thirty
eight escaped to Il ncighbOring pit, while
twenty-five, who were on the opposite side
of the torrent remained. These ran
through portion Of the workings as yet
free from the flood. but found their escape
cut oil turn where they would and eNhaUs-
ton took the place of despair At last
they awaited their late in II level Commu-
nIcatmg with another pit. measuring on
ly five feet broad by five feet high The
shalt was nearly filed with water, and Il
volume of water was rushing down upon
them but here they waited two mortal
hours, until seeing no chance of this flood
diminishing 50 as to give hopes of escape.
seven of them dashed under the water
and through the hole whence it came
leaving their companions in the belief
that they were lost. They We're, however
merClully saved, reaching he shaft where
friends were awaiting them after battling
in the dark with the seething waters
But what OF the eighteen that remained :
one by one twelve of them adVenttlrcC
hahn tl...ts IL.
braved the waters and the dark hole, ant
were similarly rescued. But four mer
and two boys were still left behind. Three
more hours passed, while friends above
were Vainly signalling and calling to then
to follow their comrades example. They
were the more hopeless because they be
lieved their mates had persisted, and thai
such signals us reached them from tht
roof were warnings to remain where they
were Their lamps were Kept burning
with difficulty. Three more hours passed
and the rescuing party saw that something
must be done to draw them from thci
living grave. Some one must force pas
sage through the water, but who
/ 81 will 90 if some one Will push I'm,
through, for the current is so strong,
volunteered our young Irish hero, Jane
Nolans and mate named Smellle pu
his feet against his back, and he forced
himself through the water. He reached
his imprisoned comrades, spoke To then
cheerfully, babe them follow him, an'
placing the boy Kerr, aged thirteen, OF
his back dashed back again. Saved Al
but one Where was the lad Walker
Nolans did not pause to consider, but ven
tured again through the waters. He founc
the boy in the dark alone. abandoned Il
death "Eh and may God bless you :,
were the words breathed into his ear, "a
he took him on his back and bore him safe
" throuOl the torrent. II WAS II O'ClOCl
at night when this daring deed was &C
complished, and cheers of welcome greet
ed our collier hero The Quircr's frs
silver medal has been awarded to BRAY
james Nolans. VIII it not look well OF
his broad chest