The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-03-20
RARE HEROISM.
A Miner CruShes Himself in Order
to Save His Comrades Lives.

A rare act of heroism, such as de-
serves to be recorded in history and
song, was performed at Rossland, 3. c.,
to-day. which saved the lives of two
miners and proved plain Jim Hens
worth to be one of natures noblemen.
The Victoria cross has been bestowed
on many less entitled to it than Hens
worth, and there is no doubt that his
brave deed of to-day will he recognized
by the bestowal of a similar honor,
should the hero survive the injuries
that he received 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
SO near meeting with a dreadful 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 go at the risk of his own.
Smith and Conson were working at
the bottom of narrow shaft, at a depth
of nearly $50 feet, engaged in loading
ore into an iron bound bucket, while
Jem Hemsworth's duty consisted in
hauling the bucket to the surface by
means of windlass.
The heavy bucket filled with ore, had
almost reached the top of the shaft,
when the iron crank ofthe windlass sud
denly snapped i'll two like a bit of pine,
hurting Helmsworth to the ground.
Springing to his feet, half dazed by the
blow, Hemsworth saw the windlass
whirling around at frightful rate of
speed as the loaded bucket shot down
the shaft upon the men below,
He had not second to lose. There
was just one chance to save them, and
he took that chance. Jumping forward,
he threw his body upon the cogs of the
whirlng windlass, thrusting his arm and
shoulder between the swiftly revolving
wheels
The iron jaws cruncEed and tore the
flesh, crushed nerves, bone, and sinews,
tore ghastly wounds from finger tip to
shoulder, but the windlass stood still.
With an awful jerk the loaded bucket
stopped just above the heads of the two
terrified miners, far down in the shaft.
Pale as death and with the blood flow
ing from him in streams, and suffering
intense agony, he never uttered a cry
nor even a sound as the jaws Of the
wheels pinioned him fast as in a wise.
superintendent Shields witnessed the
accident from a short distance away,
but SO Mortified was he at the sight that
for a moment he stood as If paralyzed.
Quickly recovering his faculties he
rushed to Hemsworth's aid, and in a
twinkling had blocked the machinery
and caused Hemsworth to be released
from his perilous position.
AS Hemsworth staggered back, and
was about to fall, Shields caught him in
his arms, at the same time exclaiming:
my God, jim, this is awful"
"Oh, what's the difference, ;" answered
the plucky fellow, $50 long as L saved
the boys?"
1t was not long, however, before the
intense pain he suffered, together with
the loss Of blood, began to have their
effect on Hemsworth's powerful consti-
tuition, and he became too weak to
stand A litter was hastily formed by
men who had by this time arrived.
Tenderly the wounded man was placed
upon it, and with the utmost care Hens
worth was carried to Rossland, mile
away, and placed on a cot in the hos
pital.
His wounds were dressed and the in
iured man made as comfortable as could
be under the circumstances. The at
tending physicians are at this time I'M
able to state how serious Hemsworth's
injuries are likely to result, but unless
he is hurt internally they hope to save
his life. His arm, however, in all like
iihood will have to be amputated at the
shoulder. -Correspondenc San Fran
cisco Examiner.