Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-08-27
George Whltcombe and Cragg Sam.
pie Asphyxiated in an up.Raise
in the Gilt Edge Mines.
ACCIDENT TO AIR COMPRESSOR
Oil in the Cylinder of the Compresso
ExpIodes spontaneously and
Forms Deadly Gas.

A deplorable and unusual accident
occurred at the Gilt Edge mines on
Sunday whereby George Whitcombe
and Cragg Sample lost their lives by
asphyxiation while working in an up
raise sixty-five feet above the level
of the Standby extension.
The deaths were caused by spontan-
eous combustion of the oil in the cyl
inder of the compressor which caused
the formation of carbon dioxide. The
deadly gas, which is fatal to life. was
sent through the air line when the
air was turned on with the result that
Whitcombe and Sample, who were de-
pendent on the air supply from the
compressor, were Immediately suf-
located to death by the deadly fumes.
Two miners by the name Of Carson
and Wells, who were working in a
shaft short distance from the scene
OF the fatality, and who were also af-
fected by the noxious gas, narrowly
escaped with their lives and a num-
ber of the rescuing party also escap-
ed death by a narrow margin.
At the time of the accident-11:30
on Sunday morning-F'rank GosS, the
day engineer, was on the shift at the
compressor and George Caldwell was
attending to the hoist at the mouth
of the shaft. Goss was eating his
lunch in the engine room about 1880.
when he heard a sharp explosion and
ran to the compressor. He noticed
that the grease on the air line pipe
was extremely hot; he felt the water
jacket. which is used for cooling pur-
poses. and found the water ali right.
Suddenly the air line pipe for a dis
lance of two or three feet became
cherry red. Goss Immediately shut
down.
While this was taking place in the
mill, Carson and Wells, in their posi-
tion in the shaft. were beginning to
experience a difficulty in breathing
and Carson remarked that the air was
getting close and called to Caldwell
to turn on more air. He turned on
the air line as usual, but with most
deadly results, as the gas which had
been formed by the explosion at the
mill had found its way into the air
pipe and was sent down to the men
below with deadly effect.
Carson yelled up to Caldwell that
he was choking and asked him ''fof
Gods sake to get them out of there"
Caldwell Immediately turned off the
air and rushed back to send down
the cage, but found there was not
sufficient pressure. He ran for help
and told Goss to turn on more air.
The cage was sent down and Carson
who by this time was in stupified
condition. was rolled in by Wells, who
had just sufficient strength left to
climb on the cage and give the signal.
When they arrived at the top both
men were in a serious condition and it
was only after much patient work
that they were revived.
About this time the dinner bell
rang. Several of the boys noticed
that Cragg Sample and George Whit.
combe did not show up and rescuins
party, headed by James Jensen and
N. J. Littlejohn, ran through the tun-
mel to where the men were known to
be working.
Jensen reached the up-raise first
and on climbing the ladder saw the
dead bodies of his fellow miners lying
in a chute a few feet below where
they had been at work. The air was
deadly and Jensen almost succumbed
and was let down to the level by the
rest of the party. who followed close
behind. Man after man was over
powered by the deadly fumes and car
ried out by fresh arrivals. until at
length the victims of the accident
were let down and taken to the mouth
OF the tunnel.
Many OF the rescuing party remain
ed unconscious for a considerable
time and had II not been for the he.
roic exertions Of Mrs. Goss, the wife
of the engineer, who is a trained
nurse. and DR.. Lakey, there is little
doubt but there would have been ad.
ditional fatalities to record. AS II
was William Stoddard was only
brought back to consciousness after
three hours constant attention and
Jensen barely escaped with his life.
Miss o. Brien also rendered inval.
liable assistance to the sufferers as
they were carried from the mouth Of
the tunnel.
There was no lack OF volunteers for
the rescuing party and among those