Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-21
NEARING MINER HICKS
ReScuers Reach Point Within
Few Feet of Prisoner.
KEEPING UP HIS COURAGE
Cheering Words Shouted Through
Pipe by Friends.
PREPARING TO CELEBRATE
Bets Box of Cigars on Time of His
Deliverance-A Gallon of Milk
for Breakfast.
KEEPING UP HIS COURAGE
PREPARING TO CELEBRATE

BAKERSFIELD, Cal, December 21.-Res.
cuers almost reached L. B. Hicks, the en-
tomber miner, at II O'Clock last night q
am. eastern time). They expected to re-
lease him Immediately. They were talk
ing to him and had passed basin OF
water to him with which to wash his face.
This was done through a hole made under
the car beneath which he is pinned.
The ten resuers were With mailing
distance of Hicks at o'clock last ni%ht.
They were separated from him by less
than three feet and were shouting words
of cheer
The miner is lying on the opposite side OF
the car, with huge timbers above him sup
porting great goulers and tons of earth,
and when this condition was observed the
plan formed of running the drift over .he
top of the car was abandoned and its was
run under the car. Through this they ex-
pected to draw him out.
Throughout the fourteen days that HICKS
has been buried alive his courage has had
much to do with keeping up the nerve OF
the, rescurers. Through the improvised
tube which has connected him with the
ton of the shaft, he has spoken and been
fed.
Bets on His Own Rescue.
This morning he took a gallon of milk
through the sixty-foot pipe. He then
wagered box of cigars that he would not
II hope 1 lose the bet, though, for 1 feel
that it's up to me to buy the boys smoke
to show my appreciation for all they have
done for me-"
The miners called to Hicks tonight that
they would soon have him out and he
replied:
at dinner
Dr. stinchfeld was the first to congratu-
late Hicks.
You have stuck it out bravely, Hicks; /
am proud Of YOU said the physician.
God bless you all for standing by me,
said Hicks.
.Stick it out a little longer and we will
pull you OUT said Superintendent Nc
Clure of the mine.
= 81: stfTchfield then telephoned to Harry
Linville and directed him to bring down
. water and basin ito wash the face of the
entombed man. The rescurers were saving
away at the iron rails that pinion the car
over Hicks. He is apparently unhurt.
DR. Stinchfield says he Will not take
Hicks through the six miles of tunnel to
the hospital tonight. The miner will be
placed in comfortable place on the top
Of the mountain and will remain there I'M
til he is accustomed to the air. He will be
blindfolded. The doctors fear RELAPSE.
Rescue Seemed Close at Hand.
At dawn today the dozen gaunt men who
had worked increasingly during the night
gave way to the new shift, made up of the
pick of the many miners employed by the
Edison Company. The tunnel was within
five feet of the iron car. All felt that res
cue was near at hand.
All night DR.. Stinchfield and others
watched at the pipe and conversed with
Hicks when he was awake.
Few people in this community went to
sleep last night. Their nerves were on
edge. for all expected to hear of the rescue.
But hard substance was encountered and
fresh figuring had to be resorted to.
Great excitement prevailed in Bakers
field today. On every hand people were
inquiring for the latest information from
Hicks. When he is reached the fire bells
will be rung. In the square opposite the
court house three anvils. arranged as can
mons, have been kept ready throughout the
day.
From the oil fields will come long blasts
of the sirens, and every other whistle in
the neighborhood will be blown steam be-
ing kept up for the purpose. The dis
patchers at the headquarters of the South
ern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads will
flash the news of the salvation of Hicks
broadcast over the wires.