Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-24

lanche of dirt that would mean his death
Before the end of the first week III"
stencil from til" accomplishing bodies of
those Who had died in the cavern made
lis position almost unbearable. IL was
found when the reScucrS had reached
to within q few feet Of the entombed
man that it would be impossible to reach
him from above.
Another tunnel had to be started. this
time directly urdcl meath the spot wher
he las. 50 as not to risk bringing down
the great pile of earth supported by the
car This work required the most deli
cate timbcring and was slow.
Yesterday afternoon Il rcscucr forced Il
small opening in the remaining wall of
debris and several men shook hands with
Hicks in the tomb.
From that moment the miners worked
with ticndish energy, taking the most
desperate chances until finally they were
able 10 announce that Hicks was saved.
While the last steps were being taken
in his rescue, Sup. Cone. who led the
rescue. ;-alled to Hicks and told him he
was still on the payroll. He said:
You have been a most faithfu! man.
Hicks. You have been on duty for Il
days and nights and never asked for a
day off You have been drawing pay
all the time
Bakersfield. Cal. Dee. :c@.-IIicks the
mii:"r who has been imprisoned in a
mountain hcr" more than l. days, was
rescued about 1l.15 last night.
Bow ldcrS were again encountered
Saturday and soft dirt made it neces-
s1rE fer III" members of the rcScuing
patty to protect themselves. 1t i; be
licNCd that not more than an inch was
gained during I'll" carly hours Of the
morning. Dciicat. timbcrinG was also
necessary.
\ physician reaching under the car,
yesterday tested his temperature. which
i" found to y. normal, although the
pulse was Il iittlr higher. Several Of the
re%C1I"r:; We're able lat evening before
his L sou" to shake hands; with Hicks.
III miner expressed pleasure at the
touch If hul?n hands. and when a
plug rs tobacco VAS passed to him he
shouted j"yiully.
Tho entire district is crazy with joy
bells ringing, Whistles blowing and
ti'il, A'It'Il ann tiIlNiItH dIlclHultIS
weeping. ,!nrfciiIg ANA shouting.
I!it Ks suffered more of 4 shock when
Il" U.,y finally draNn to freedom than
AZ ANY tim" during his terrible ordeal.
Hicks i 4! Tho Ellison cos. hospital,
and is expected To- make u s:'ccdy re-
cnvrry. Daylight was broken through
to Hicks shortly aft"T noon. but he was
h"t hong permitted to enjoy it.
Or. StinchnclG. who had joined The
workers in the forward end of the drift.
was ready with :, roll of surgeons
,yauz" tied 10 tn" end of = stick This
was aSsCd through III" Cl:.vicc in the
granite ana the miner was instructed
ny III" doctor to bind his eyes to pro-
t"cI them from the light lie protest ed
at hrst, hut finally yielded ana bound
tn" taJ." about his head.
Then tho long looked for rh..,y 81 to-
bnCtr was given him. Solid food had
h"rn given To- Hicks Friday. passed
thrut'sl unI". tic iittir tram chr which
ha, protected his BODY for the last ;Wo
weeks
This had apparently been properly
assinilatc'i. and Or. Stinchiield colsid-
crHd that no harm would come of in
dulcinG TIL" miners craving for toblc-
O.. TIC end of the stick on which the
saU.e had been pressed through the
crcIicc was sharrcncd. and on it was
impaivd Il miners size chow of tobac-
CO. Hicks was told it was coming.
Carrgu!iy he felt for the stick, and
IAN his HANDS down its length until the
precious tobacco was reached. He
thanked the miners over and over
again.
Take your time BOYS" he called. Il
am happy now. have been i'll here
moe than two weeks already, and a
few hours more or less won't hurt me-"