The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1891-02-14
j. A. Owenby Tells of His Expert
ence Before the Silver In.
vestigating Committee.
he Was Only offered the Paltry Sum
of$2,600 to Forget What He
.. Knew About Silver.
The Blizzard in South Dakota and
Nebraska Was Worse
Than Reported.
Imprisoned Miners Rescued.

~ VI
most dramatic events that has occurred in
the coal mining region about here in many
years was the release this morning Of three
men-John River, VIM. Cragle and Michael
Shellicut-fr0m the flooded mine in which
they had been imprisoned since Wednes-
day last. On that day five men, three
above named and two others, Thos. Lewis
and Daniel Davis, were at work in No. 8
mine of the Susquehanna Coal company.
They we're engaged in robbing pillars in
the abandoned portion of the mine. In
one chamber Lewis and Davis were at
work, and to loosen some coal they resort
ed to a blast. The explosion rent asunder
the wall separating the chamber in which
they we're engaged from the old aban.
doned working which has been used for
storing abandoned mine water. The i'm
pris0ned water burst through the great
hole made by the blast in a furious torrent
which nothing could resist. Lewis and
Davis were jerked off their feet and tossed
about like corks. Even heavy coal cars
were lifted and whirled before the flood as
though they had been cOrks. Lewis and
Davis fortunately were swept to the gang
way Here they got footing. With the
flood tearing after them they fled for their
lives. At one time the waters envel0ped
final despairing effort to get beyond its
clutches. Davis and Lewis were saved,
but their three companions
= WE'RE LEFT BEHIND.
There was hardly a ray of hope that they
could be alive. There was just a chance
that they might have got on some elevated
foothold beyond the reach of the water.
Those who first suggested it were thought
half mad. But still it was a ghost of a
chance and. the rescners set to work with
all that fury of energy with which miners
go to the relief of their comrades, not
knowing how soon their own time may
half. Night and day work has gone on.
Even II the men escaped drowning, there
was q small chance of their escaping suffO-
cation from foul air. Day after day passed,
and though the energy of the rescuers
never tagged, their hope was well nigh
dead. At an early hour this morning, how
e EYE the their Growing grow Fs- despair If t was m turned t%a to
came
A FAINT CRY.
For a moment the men ceased their work.
They could hardly believe their W ears.
Then, again, as they stood breathless, a
weak, faint voice was heard. The answer
was q wild cheer, and with a sort Of blind
fury the men fell at their work again. At
8 o'clock this morning a voice could be dis
tinctIy heard; a little later, words could be
made out. The three men were all alive
and they were unhurt, ''but for Gods sake
hurry" No urging was needed. In q few
moments the rescuers were almost within
touch of them. A raft was made and on it
the party of men CROPPED thelr way in
darkness to the little cramped-up space in
which the three poor fellows q spent
their five terrible days: In q little hole in
the top of q cross heading they were found,
The water was almost up to their very
feet. In a jiffy they were pulled down and
went on the raft, and q few moments later
they were out in the sunlight, with their
comrades hugging them and
KISSING THEM LIKE MADMEN
and welcoming them as the dead come tolife
again. There have been many touching
scenes around the black mouths of the
mines %hereabouts, but seldom one that
moved mems hearts more than did the wild
demonstrations over these poor rescued
miners. They are the heroes Of the day,
and for q long time to come, and until
some other great disaster has overshad-
owed their adventure, they will have to
tell over and Over again the story of those
five awful days of darkness and despair.
Curiously enough, they did not suffer
greatlo from hunger. Their greatest mis-
cry, after their mental agony, was from
thirst and the cramped position in which
they were forced to sit. Milk was given
them to drink and they quickly recovered
their strength. It wa after 2 O'Clock this
morning. however, before they were
their homes.