The Washington times., 1906-03-30
Dead Also Discussed.

me surviving miners were rescued at
go O'Clock this morning. The search
ing party. by which they were dug was
just preparing TO leave the mine. when
the noises made by the entombed men
attracted their attention. They at ono
started to work to uncover the men and
succeeded in rescuing them A horse
which was tsill alive was also dug out.
The dead bodies OF several other miners
were also found nearby. Doctors who
examined the corpses declared that in
some eases the men had not been dead
twenty-four hours.
The news of the rescue spread quick
ly, and when the survivors were hoisted
10 the surface they were greeted by A
vast throng of men and women who had
gathered. The crowds cheered wildly.
men and women weeping together over
the sad and thrilling spectacle
When first found the entombed men
were in pitiable condition They could
scarcely walk or talk, and their eyes
we're starting from their heads. Their
daLed condition prevented them from.
telling much about their experience.
Gradually. as their strength returned
and their minds cleared after they
reached the open air. they were able to
tell in whispered words a CHASTITY tale
of suffering. at the same time showing
the remarkable courage they exhibited
in facing the awful death that confront-
ed them through the long days and
nights that they were buried.
After the explosion a miner named
Henry Heny acted as leader of the lit
tie band which escaped death at the
outset. When the men found them
selves cut off by way of the galleries
Heny advised his comrades to be calm
and institute a methodical search for
some possible exit The miners had not
proceeded far, however, when they came
hn n a nj 0ff flns
miners who had perished. AS the ex-
plcsion occurred early in the morning,
none OF the miners had eaten lunch.
The baskets of the dead men were filed
and on Heny's advice the living men
took the hampers and canteens OF their
dead comrades. reserving them for fu-
ture use.
Dead Mems Lunch.
These provisions lasted only a few
days, however, even when used so
economically and the unfortunate men
faced starvation when a Godsend came
10 them in the shape of the oats and
water which were found in the stable
for horses and mules. which the min
ers reached A few carrots were also
found and on these the desperate men
managed 10 exc out miserable exist
ence four days
The darkness Of their prison was most
disheartening. 1t was only relieved by
the glare from their miners lamps.
Their oil became exhausted, finally, not
withstanding the careful way in which
the small supply was husbanded, and
as the last lamp fickered out total
darkness engulfed the unfortunates.
For several days they had been without
light Of any sort 10 cheer them in their
wretched captivity.
The cattle supplies finally ran short,
and as the miners were unable TO find
food they were reduced to the extremity
OF eating dead horse. When this was
gone they greedily devoured straw and
gnawed bits of wood. Their supply of
water also gave out, and some of the
men drank urine TO Quench their bitter
thirst.
The men had lost all hope as the DAYS
went by and were resigned TO their hor-
rihle fate when the noise made by the
rescuing party was heard this morning.