Evening star., 1897-03-09
HIS RARE HERoIsM.
A Miner Crushed in Saving His Com.
fades' Lives.


rades' Lives.
Spokane Cor. of the San Francisco Examiner.
rare act Of hcroism. such as deserves
to be recorded in history and song, was
performed at Rossland, B. c.. today, which
plain Jim Hemsworth to be one of natures
noblemen.
The Victoria Cross has been bestowed on
many less entitled to it than Hemsworth.
and there is no doubt that his brave deed
OF today will be recognized by the bestow-
al of a similar honor should the hero sur
vive the injuries that he received in saw
ing 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 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 risk OF his own.
Smith and Conson were working at the
bottom of a narrow shaft, at a depth of
nearly 80 feet, engaged in loading ore
irto an iron-bound bucket, while Jim
Hemsworth's duty consisted In hauling the
bucket to the surface by means of a wind
lass.
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 pine, hurl-
ing Hemsworth to the ground. Springing
to his feet, half dazed by the blow, Hens
worth saw the windlass whirling around
at a 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, and he took
that chance. Jumping forward. he threw
his body upon the cogs of the whiring
windlass, thrusting his arms and shoulder
between the swiftly revolving wheels.
Their iron Jaws crunched 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 flowing
from him in streams, and suffering intense
agony. he never uttered a cry nor even
sound as the jaws of the wheels pinioned
him fast as In a vice.
Superintendent Shields witnessed the ac-
cident from a short distance away but
so Mortified was he at the sight that for a
moment he stood as IL paralyzed. Quickly
recovering his faculties he rushed to
Hens worth's aid. and in a twinkling had
blocked the machinery and caused HENS
worth to be released from his perilous po-
sition.
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, 80 long as l saved the
boys?'
1t was not long. however. before the in
tense pain he suffered. together with the
loss of blood, began to have their effect
on Hemsworth's powerful constitution, and
he became too weak to stand. litter
was hastily formed by men who had by
this time arrived. Tenderly the wounded
man was placed upon 1t, and with the ut
most care Hemsworth was carried to Ross.
land. mile away, and placed on a cot
in the hospital.
His wounds were dressed and the injured
man made as comfortable as could be un.
der the circumstances. The attending ply
sicians are at this time unable to state how
seriously Hemsworth's injuries are like
ly to result; but unless he is hurt internally
they hope to save his life. His arm, how.
| ever. in all likelihood, will have to be am.
putated at the shoulder