Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-03-27
THE FIELD OF ADVENTURE.
INCIDENTS AND DAR.
ING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.

A Miners Heroic Deed-Under an
Avalanche In Idaho-Gen. Grants
Goodness When Lieutenant.
X s brave as the noble Sparta
n Gus himself is miner jim
NJ Hemsworth. OF Rossland,
British Columbia, was the de.
claration of those who stood by while
a corps OF physicians amputated his
arm at the shoulder to save him from
the fearful possibility of blood pois.
oning as q result of his terrible in.
juries, sustained in his heroic rescue
from certain death of two fellow-min.
-ers. That he still lives is the marvel
of all Rossland, for few have ever
been wrenched, maogled and bruised
as Hemsworth was and lived through
his injuries as this hardy sufferer bids
fair to do. The doctors declared their
belief that he would survive in very
hopeful tones.
Jem Smith and Frank Conson were
working at the bottom of a narrow
shaft OF the Young America mine at
Rossland at depth OF nearly $50 feet,
engaged in loading ore into an iron.
bound bucket, while Jim 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 of the wind
lass suddenly snapped in two like a
bit of pine. hurting Hemsworth to the
ground. Springing to his feet, half
dazed by the blow, Hemsworth 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 for
ward, he threw his body upon the
cogs OF the whirling windlass, thrust
ing his arm 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 wind
laso stood still.
With nn 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 wise.
Superintendent Shields witnessed
the accident from 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 Hemsworth't
aid, and in a twinkling had blocked
the machinery and caused Hemswortt
to he released from his perilous posi-
ton.
AS Hemsworth staggered back and
was about to fall, Shields caught him
in his arms, at the same time exclaim
ing, "My God, Jim; this Is awful"
"Oh, what's the difference, answered
the plucky fellow. $50 long as saved
the boys?"
1t was not long, however, before the
intense pain he suffered, together with
the loss of blood, began to have theil
effect on Hemsworth's powerful con
stitution. and he became too weak tc
stand. A litter was hastily formed by
men who had by this time arrived
Tendelly the wounded man was place.
upon it, and with the utmost care
Hemsworth was carried to Rossland, 6
mile away, and placed on cot in the
hospital. He was unconscious then
but DR.. Bowers, who had been hastily
summoned in advance of the arrival O.
the litter, was at his side, and will
restoratives Hemsworth was soor
brought to consciousness.
His wounds were dressed and tht
injured man. made as comfortable al
could be under the circumstances.
Smith and Conson, no were hauled
up from the shaft and assisted in carry
ing their brave comrade to the hos
pital, stood with eyes dimmed will
tears as they witnessed the sufferingt
of the man who had made such heroic
sacrifice to save them from death
Smith said, in describing their sensa
tions at the bottom of the shaft:
"When heard the bucket falling
expected nothing but death, as there
was no way for us to avoid the heavy
load dropping upon us with sucl
frightful rapidity. Ill admit that
was paralyzed and fully expected tina
my hour had come. When the buckle
stopped but few feet above us, Con
son and J, in awful suspense, stood
with heads bowed, awaiting to h
crushed to pulp. 1t was severa
minutes after the bucket stopped be
fore we recovered ourselves sufficient,
to realize that IN some manner we hat
been saved"
Superintendent Shields said that il
all his mining experience of twenty
five years he had never witnessed
more heroic effort to save the lives o
fellow workmen than that of jim
Hemsworth. Francisco Exam
liner.