Bisbee daily review., 1906-05-22
BACK IS BROKEN Charles Tutchen Injured for Life by Cave in Stope of
 Gardner. THOUGHT GROUND PERFECTLY SAFE.
Joe Krupich With Him, But Es- capes With Lesser Injuries Because He Had Fortunately Moved Few Feet Away.


 With his back broken about the waist. Charles Tutchen lies in pre- carious condition at the Copper Queen hospital. having been injured with Joe Krupich in the Gardner mine late Sunday evening as the result of a cave of half ton of dirt and rock.
 About 10 o'clock Tutchen and Kru- pich were working in what is known as the ST stope between the 800 and S5o-foot levels of the Gardner. The men had just prepared to put in a set of timbers when the ground above them without warning gave way.
 Tutchen was on his knees when the accident occurred. and was struck by a failing rock, which weighed a half a ron He was completely doubled over. and in this shape the strain on his back was such that 1t snapped of completely
 In addition to the injury to his back Tutchen was struck on the head with a rock which cut a severe gash. eight stitches being taken to close it up. In addition he was badly bruised about other parts of the body.
 Fortunately for Krupich he had moved a short distance from Tutchen. and escaped the greater part Of the fall. He has badly bruised right shoulder and sprained and slightly fractured left knee. He will be in the hospital but few weeks. ~
 While the hospital attendants ex- press confidence that Tutchen has not received fatal injuries. it is admitted 5 that he will be a cripple for life. There are now in the hospital several others, whose backs have been broken, yet they have escaped death, though made almost helpless for the rest of their lives.
 It was necessary to hoist Tutchen and Krupich to the s0o-foot level b. means of ropes. There was no room in which to handle them on stretch. CT This was necessarily a slow ope- ration. but the men were gotten to the hospital from the stope in which they were hurt in about half an hour. Dr. Bridge gave the two men imme- diate attention. He stated last night that both would live. but that Tutchen will very likely be denied the use of his lower limbs for the rest of his life. He will suffer no permanent hurt from his other injuries.
 Night Foreman Jack Falls of the Gardner took charge as soon as the accident was reported to him. and had the men taken out and to the hospi- tai with as little delay as possible. Speaking about the accident he said that it was one for which no blame can be fixed.
 Foreman Finley seen later said that he had visited the stope, and found that any other miner would have talk en the same chances as did Tutchen and Krupich. They were working in ground that apparently was solid, and did not think it necessary to put in any temporary work while preparing for the timbers.
 Tutchen is a young Iealian. aged about 2e years. He has a wife here, and has resided in the camp for some time. Krupicn is well known. Both have friends, who expressed them selves yesterday as greatly regretting their misfortune.
 Reports late last night from the Copper Queen hospital were 10 the eff feet that both men were resting easy. Tutchen is conscious most of the time
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