The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-31
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
Of Two Noted EnoIishmen Caught In
 Mine Death Trap.

From the Denver Times.
 To face death by drowning in the Icy waters of cavern 1000 feet under ground; to feel a narrow strip of ground afford ing temporary safety crumbling away inch by inch under the black waters lap ping at their feet; to see their only nope or rescue dangling just an inch above thelr outstretched hands, and hnally 10 pc saved after hope was gone, was the eA- perience of Hon. Howard Wyndham and his companion, Sir George Berkeley or London, in the Mohegan mine at Victor.
 Hon. Howard Wyndham is the son or Sir Charles Wyndham, who owns or con trols nearly all of the large London the- atres He has been ranchtng In wyoming for the past twenty years, and came 10 Denver last Saturday to attend fare- we'll dinner by his cousin, Bruce MacHae' in honor of May Buckley at Elitch's gar dens.
 Accompanied =. Sir Charles Berkeley, who came from England few months ago with a view of investing in Colorado mines, Mr. Wyndham went to Victor 10 inspect the Mohegan mine, which Is op- erated through the Ajax workings. SIT Charles had never been down in a mine before and displayed some nervousness after getting In the bucket. The engineer lowered away and the bucket shot down
  nearly at what they thought was the bottom of the shaft Sir Charles, leaning over the edge, saw by the feeble light or the miners lamp he held in his hand the glimmer of water but four feet from the bottom of fine cage.
 ''The mine is fioodedi" he shouted, and sprang to the bell rope to signal the en- gfneer to stop the decent. In his excite ment he pulled the rope too hard and 1t parted after giving the bell In the engine room faint jingle. The engineer did not know whether 1t was a signal or not. and after waiting few minutes again began to lower the cage. but this time very cautiously, expecting another ring if signal had been meant. Slowly the bucket sank in the water until 1t rushed over the edge The men in it., not knowing whether the water was two feet deep or 100 feet deep, felt the water creeping up their bodies and sending an icy chill through their veins. Just as 1t reached their chins Mir. Wyndham, who had been holding his light above his head to keep 1t from the water as long as possible saw a ledge on the side of the cavern.
 He called his conpanions attention to it. and getting out of the bucket they swan the few strokes necessary to gain 1t and secure footing. During the pass age over Sir Charless lamp went out but Wyndham managed to hold his In safety Scarcely had they gained foot ing when to their dismay the cage shot upward and disappeared from view. Sir Charles became wildly excited. Its a plot to sell the mine to me" he screamed. ''rhey intend to keep me down fiere until I buy it. I have read about these Cripple Creep miners and the deeds they have been guilty of. Helpi'
 Mir Wyndham tried to quiet his com panion, although at heart he felt that the situation was desperate, for he had noticed during the few moments they had stood on the ledge that 1t was not rock, but yellow clay. and that piece7 of It were breaking away and falling with a sullen splash into the waters few inches beneath them. we will be rescued soon." he said. They'll send the cage down in few moments" Even as he spoke they saw 1t descending. Sir Charles hailed it with a shout. No more mines for me-" he said. But to his horror the bucket stopped when It's bottom was just an inch below their outstretched hands. Then 1t started on it's upward journey, the engineer believing that they were ex- niorin9 soma drifA In q fAz nanmAn'~