The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-03-17
HIS RARE HEROISM.
. MINER CRUSHED IN SAVING HIS
COMRADES LIVES.
Jim Hcinsworth, "a British Columbia
workman, Performs an Act OF Bravery
That Ranks with Those Famous In the
Annals OF Deeds OF Daring.

Workman, Performs an Act OF bravery
That Ranks with Those Famous In the
Annals OF Deeds of Daring.
rare act Of heroism, such as de-
serves TO be recorded in history ana
song. was performed at Rossland, b.
c.. the other day, which saved the lives
of two miners and proved plain Jim
Hemsworth 10 be one of natures noble
men.
The Victoria cross has been bestowed
ON MANY less entitled to it than Hens
worth, and there is no doubt that his
brave deed will be recognized by the be-
stowal of a similar honor should the
hero survive the injuries that he receiv-
ed in saving the lives of his comrades.
1t was at the shaft of the Young
| America mine at the Rossland camp
that Jem Smith and Frank Conson came
80 near meeting with a frightful death,
which must have been certain and swift
but for the prompt and heroic act OF
their comrade above, who In saving
their lives did so at the riskof his own.
Smith and Conson were working az
the bottom of a narrow shaft, at depth
of nearly 100 feet engaged in loading
ore into an iron bound bucket, while
Jim Hemsworth's duty. consisted in
hauling the bucket to the surface oy
means Of windiass.
The heavy bucket. filled with ore, had
almost reached the top OF the shaft
when the iron crank Of the windlass
suddenly snapped in two like bit OF
nine. hurting Hemsworth to the ground.
Springing to his feet, half dazed by the
> blow, Hemsworth saw the windiass
whirling around at frightful rate OF
. speed as the loaded bucket shot down
the shaft upon the men below.
= He had not a second to lose. There
was just one chance to save Them ana
he took that chance. Jumping forward
he threw his body upon the cogs OF the
vhirling windlass, thrusting his arms
and shoulder between the swiftly re-
d volving wheels.
- With an awful jerk the loaded buckle
N stopped just above the heads OF the wv
!. terrified miners far down in the shaft
~ Pale as death. and with the blood now
30 ing from him in streams and suuerln'
"a intense agony, he never uttered or
AZ mr. even q sound as the jaws OF Tn
"A wheels pinioned him fast, a. in q wise
4. Superintendent Shields witnessed Tn
n. accident from q short distance away
but 30 Mortified was he at the sight ths
y. for a moment he stood as il paralyzet
y Ouickly recovering his faculties. !
,so rushed to Hemsworth's aid, and In
- twinkling had blocked the machine'
lso and caused Hemsworth to be RELEASE
,te from his perilous position.
AS Hemsworth staggered back al
NV was about to fall Shields caught nj
,os in his arms, at the same time exclalI
NV ing, "My God, Jim, this is awful
"a "Oh. what's the difference. answt
~, ~. cd the plucky fellow, $50 long as
ard saved the boys?'
na It was not long, however, before
mrs intense pain he suffered, together WI
nc the loss of blood, began to have
s,,o effect on Hemsworth's powerful cons
20 tution and he became too weak TO stal
80 A litter was hastily formed by men W
had nv this time arrived. Tenderly
,,., wounded man was placed upon IL, a
Itch with the utmost care Hemsworth v
to carried to Rossland, mile away, u
inc placed OH cot in the hospital
nc His wounds were dressed and the
~ ipred man made as comfortable as CO..
nsas De uhuer 'iie oiiouina. 10 .;,,o ma
inst ing physicians are at this time una
to state how seriously Hemsworth
.tbs iuries are likely to result, but unless
10 !, is hurt internally they hope to save
= life. His arm, however. III all Tx
hood, will have to be amputated at
shoulder. Spokane Cor San Franc
Examiner.