The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-23

MARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH.
Three Men Asphy xiated In the Df9
Tunnel at Smoaualmie FalIs.

-Four n.en had a narrow escape from
6eash n the big tunnel at SnoQuaimie
ra.ss on Wednesday. Readers OF the
pvs-In.eIilgencer will recall. from de-
axipki1ns published IN this paper that the
skxtk which dsscends perpendicuiariy
ahoss the falls meets the tunnel. which
sam6s in horizontally from below the
ass& at rigfff angles. the flow Of water
bxag arranged through the intake. dawn
IL shaft and thence cut through the tun-
~ "Wednesday morning the workmsn OBJ
xred that the great shaft was filing
VIII water running into Ii from, the drain
k4e through the intake. A little inyest.-
mics showed that the tunnel had be-
sme damned just at the aagie Of the
shaG With loose rock from the blasting
evefhead. On top OF this wedge of loose
wxk sana and gravel had accumulated
y = 10 seal the shaft water tight and as
Ne water was meanwhile running in from
aboTs throdgh the intake. I. was not long
Until he water In the shaft stood at a
kSts with the river.
Paul Hoffman. one OF the construction
lhfemsa realized that the only possible
osans Of breaking the jam was through
eAe tunnel from below. The undertaking
Twas hazardous one. as may easily be
sEsn from the fact thar as soon as the
| An Was broken the whole mass OF loose
feeeks and the tremendous head of water
ssheve Il wcult. come rushing out through
sas tunnel with terrirlc and irresistible
4 tsece. Ar. Hoffman called for volunteers,
saa With them started below TO the tunnel
\ and reached the breast OF IT. Al this
paint Ge men placed three charges OF
!. dynamite ard fred IL ~ one shot. The
y blast However, only partially removed the
3 obstruction and the men made their en-
4 trance again into the tunnel for another
Z tnas krcwing fun we'll that II the impede
+ reaf should give way unawares. they
|. would % down into eternity by the ava
4 hnche es rock and water.
Inc men had reached the end OF the
hasssl again. when suddenly three Of
exm were asphyxiated by the gas from
ne previous explosion, The fourth man
W. hearty overcome. bar managed 10
Aeavi on MS hands and knees 10 the open
u and up the stairway 10 the camp
ssse. where he had barely strength and
ease enough 10 give TIC alarm. In an
szant sesenty-iivs brave men were rae
ss down the stairway 10 the rescue, and
alely pougs. the men out on stretchers
70 sat cornpauy's building above. where
sse eec'or from SnoqSaifnie was soon IN
nss.ianee
i've or the men soon recovered. b1. MI
ses1an was unconscious for several
aeu's, shi for n hong time his recovery
.ss Doubtful. In consequence az the mis-
zap 20 VIII be confined 10 bis bed for sew
srxi DAYS
President Baker was called 10 the falls
Aoadsy nigil and reported everything all
Hess and Tranquil. '"The accident II the
nssFess approach t. anything serious that
se Rave had" he said. which is a good
esesa where 80 many men ara employed
sPos s2ch dangerous wern 4 Golfer dam
N'ag constructed n from, OF the ma
stasf intake and the pumps are working
r ihs saaft. which VIII be- dry again IN
aeafs Thus Af4orsiias chance 10 blow
sss fae BAN The river has risen two feet
aess tae rains. bpt wili not seriously az
- sha wors when the tunnel e opened
~ sxsta"