Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-05-02
RISK LIVES TO SAVE
sENTOMBED PRISONERS
Sheet OF Water in the Way
Foils First Attempt, But
Later is Removed by
Immense Pumps

Jonnstown, Pa. May 1.-The seven
the coal mine at Foustwell, where they
were imprisoned for hundred hours
are lying in the hospital, physically
exhausted and oblivious to all around
them.
The men were reached at 10 o'clock
last night, but were not brought out
until early this morning. physicians
fearing the reaction from the excite
ment and sudden exposure to the outer
air might have serious effect. No
food was given them at first but stim.
ulent in the form of brandy and water
was administered
Soon after arriving at the hospital
the men were sound asleep and nc
communication was allowed with them.
The roscuing party which brought
| the men out waded for half mile
through water which In some places
left only a few inches OF air space he
4 low the roof of the mine. Both res.
cuers and rescned we're chilled to the
4 bone before reaching the surface, but
/ the chances are tnat none will suffer
seriously from the experiences.
There were affecting scenes around
the mouth of the mine as the long i'm
prisoned men were brought out. Wives
and relatives seized them. and there
was great rejoicing in the mining set
| tlement.
Second Attempt Succeeds.
The successful attempt at rescue
was the second of the day. The first
! afternoon. consisted of four men, head
to5 1,x, ToI, n~1ry a 80
/ tractor Bolya, one of the seven entomb-
ed men. They penetrated several hun,
dred feet into the mine, but found the
water reaching to the roof and were
forced to turn back. They went fal
the entombed men by means Of rap
reported that the prisoners were still
alive.
The ten great pumps, which, sin-,
the accident Friday, had been pumping
the water out at the rate of 1000 gak
Ions a minute, were pushed to theiI
full capacity, and shortly before II
O'Clock last night mad reduced the wa
ter sufficiently to leave little passage
way under the roof, and it was decided
to make second attempt to enter.
When the Bolya party returned ID
the surface the men were almost dead
from exhaustion. In making their way
I into the mine they were forced to bend
low, while water reached their chins.
In Water for Hours.
For over five hours the men remain
ed in this cramped position and were
almost overcime when obliged to re
trace their steps. Bolya, however
made heroic effort to reach q point
beyond the water where he figured the
i mine roof was higher. A rope waa
fastened about his body and he quick
ly rushed through the water. After I
minute he was pulled back by his com
panions, almost dead from suffocation
4 While the attempt at rescue was q
failure, 1t was learned that 1t was only
necessary to lower the water few
inches more in order to enable SEQ
ond rescuing party to reach the un
fortunate men.
For the past 100 hours the pace o1
| the resc,Iers had been terrific. and the
!, speed was even more accelerated lasi
, night after the rescuing party return
; ed. Waiting at the mouth Of the mine
{ were several physicians, nurses and
ministers ready to tender their serv
Ices when needed. An improvised hos
pital had been prepared at the pi,
. mouth for use in the event the mer
, were Injured or too exhausted to bl
removed in special train to hospi
: tails in this city, but these were moi
, needed.