New-York tribune., 1906-12-24
HICKS WELL AND HAPPY
SHEDS TEARS ON RELEASE
Miner Strong after Being Buried
in Shaft Fifteen DAYS.

fifteen days in a caved-in tunnel. appeared to-
day S-sn and happy after his gTewsome expert
ence He spent much time in receiving the con-
gEatulations OF friends and neighbors. 10 whom
be related as best he could the feelings he un-
cerwent within the dark. close quarters Of his
tomblke prison. near the dead bodies of FIVE
companions while scores OF men worked day and
night TO save him from death by digging through
many feet OF earth and rock
Hicks wac once a soldier. and he is said 10
have some Indian blood. His bravery under the
trying conditions for him the admiration of
hundreds OF persons who watched the progress
OF his rescue. So strong was Hicks at the end
that he helped TO scrape away the last barrier
Of earth and crawled out with slight assistance.
Hicks was not emaciated He was so strong
that the stimulants that had been prepared for
him were not needed. His beard was thick and
stubbly. but not as long might be expected.
II was l1:25 O'Clock last night when Hicks
was released. The last cut the drift was
made az 1l:l2 o'clock. and no sooner was the
segment of debris removed aud the way left
open than Hicks began TO scrape away the rocks
and earth and crawl toward the opening.
With arms in front OF his head. he went into
the miniature tunne: and began TO work his
wsy slowly through TO the other side of a
dump car, near which he had remained during
tie excavating. When he had gone about half
intendent. who stood at the mouth Of the shaft,
Immediately asked what the matter.
oh nothing Hicks called back. I'm just
going 10 stop I'm of wind. My wind is
very short, you know"
GREETED By RESCUERS
Then Hicks moved a few inches further
toward freedom. and his arms were seized by
Or Stinchheld and miner. The two pulled
him into the main tunnel, where he was placed
in a sitting position. The bindfold that Hicks
had been ordered 10 put was removed.
the tunnel was only dimly lighted by candle.
Or Stinchheld, with tears in his eyes and his
hands laid affectionately on Hicks's shoulders
said:
"Woll. how you, old boy?"
There were tears in the eyes of Hicks as well
the only that he had shed since he WAS
entombed. as lie replied: 4 am feeling fine. I
can never thank you. doctor. for what you
have done"
Then Mr.. Cone superintendent Of the Edison
Power Company who has stayed by the work
DAY and night, directing every move in the
rescue Of Hicks. came forward and took Hicks
by both hands and said: I am glad 10 see
Hou again. old man
Hicks. his voice choked with emotion, at
tempted 10 thanl, him also for his efforts in his
behalf.
moment. and then unable TO speak further
turned and walked out of the tunnel and up the
mountaiRside.
"Of course, I am overjoyed that Hicks is out"
be said later. "and I am rejoiced that he Is well
and strong II was long, tedious task and a
severe strain upon all connected with the work.
hut ! would go through it all over again to save
that man.
III was awfully close in there" he said. land
Al first I thought I would die like the poor fell
lows above me did II awful TO hear them,
moaning and twisting in the debris. dying by
inches from suffocation, but after while cool
draft of air came sweeping up from below. and
knew then I would never be without air. as
there would always he current through the
crevices'
TELLS OF DAYS UNDER CAR.
How did you come to be saved from the
oave-in2'
We'll. when the crash came started 10 run
up the shaft. keeping along the right rail.
falling timber struck me. and / fell TO the floor,
and when I tried TO get up was closed in The
timber did not hurt me much and in a few days
was all right again. I never had any fear
The death struggles of the other were
awful enough but knew that 1 would be saved.
feeling came over me that God was with me.
am grateful TO God and viii never go to hell
II praying me.
And maybe you won't believe me, but some
times down there ] really enjoyed myself
That tobacco saved my life. II is the greatest
foodstuf on earth, and but for II I would be
in there a cold corpse right now. The rats
became thicker each day. and sometimes It
gave me a shudder when / felt one run across
my face. Then sometimes ] amused myself
with the bell wire which fell right in front OF
BY pulling long time / broke this. and
then I would play tunes with it on my teeth
Or tinkle the ends together. At last l got so
4 could play a good tune on the wire. and
many weary hour passed in this amusement
! viii stay here awhile and think the
offers ] received. OF course I know some
what Of a curiosity. and / do not deny that
thinking OF making easy money"
The walls of the deep cut fell on Hicks and
1--WE fellow worknen on December Z, and il
first thought that all had been killed by the
hundreds Of tons OF rock and earth. Three days
later a tapping the iron rail Of the little
tramway running through the drift gave the first
intimation that man still alive was buried be-
meath the debris A 70-fOot pipe. two inches in
diameter, was Immediately forced through the
debris. u reached the spot where Hicks was
entombed. heavy dirt had become
wedged in the debris in such a way as TO keep
the immense weight from crushing him.
COMPANIONS LIVED A WHILE.
Through the pipe the men working on top
ae osrs-in lie had talked with his companions,
but that they had become silent. and he believed
they we're DEAD BY means of the pipe Hicks
kept IN communication with a big force Of res
cvers which was at once organized. Milk was
Bui.FeS sovr, he min This