The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-20
Three Survivors of FOrty-Day
Burial In Shaft Hold Fes-
tive Receptions
One Calls Cayed In Bore 'ieII
Hole; Another Wants Only
a Chew of Tobacco
BaiIey's Vile, Fearing to Show
Emotion, Keeps Greeting
for Privacy of Home
BY o. o. E17n1ons

ELY, New, Jan. 1o.-This city is
still all excitement and rejoicing over
the rescue of the three miners from
the Alpha shaft of the Giroux mine.
Simultaneously with the signal
Hoist away" given when R. A.
Bailey stepped into the bucket at the
1000 foot level, there broke forth on
the surface a ringing cheer whose
re-echoes still reverberated among the
hills. repeating over and over again
tbs tidings of the rescue.
Two hundred people greeted the
men who had been 20 days in the pit
as they stepped from the mouth of the
shaft Bailey almost tainted as he was
helped from the bucket AS he was led
from the shaft to the change house he
inquired for his wife. He was told that
she had been kept at home on account
Of the illness of one Of thair children.
She preferred to greet her husband in
their own home.
McDonaId's brother stood foremost
in the crowd when his brother was
hoisted up. and the rescued mans first
words 10 him were:
rs that you, Arthur" adding: God,
It is good to get out OF that he'll holer'
HOLD RECEPTION
Matter OF Fact Browns first words
were, Give me chew Of tobacco; I'm
on the bum already" and. laughing, he
in turn was taken to the change room.
Here all the men removed their
working clothes and put on those left
in the change room just before going
down the shaft on the morning Of De-
cember 4. In this small room they then
held their first reception Silent but
more eloquent than words were the
hand clasps OF old friends.
The eyes Of all were bandaged. for
their long term Of imprisonment in the
gloom in the drift had so weakened
their eyes that it was necessary TO
shield them from the light. Bailey
esgerness to again be with his family
soon led him 10 say he was able TO
walk home, distance of half q mile.
Two friends accompanied him. Moth
ing is known OF his welcome there
That is a story that may be only i'm
sgined. but there is no happier family
IN the Robinson district today.
There has been no work OF any kind
done in the vicinity today. It has been
e holiday by general consent.
Apparently every man, woman and
child in the city Of Ely has made an
effort TO make known their happiness
over the rescue OF the three miners.
The men are very much wrought UP
OVER their escape and the attending
excitement. Being recipients Of atten-
ton from every one and replying 10
welcomes on all sides has prevented
them telling any connected story of
personal experiences and feelings
underground
HAPPILY DISAPPOINTED
we thought We would never get
DAL 6AANts rdAQ 44-IDndA0 tDudls DuA
have been, oh. so happily disappointed
in that thought that can only think
and feel my happiness now"
How widespread is the interest felt
throughout the whole country for the
welfare OF the survivors of the shaft
slough is evidenced by the great mum
her Of kilograms received and sent out
from the city since the rescue.
A public reception is to be given the
men at the Steptoe hotel some time this
week. Other demonstrations in their
honor viii follow. When the strain o.
the present excitement has worn away
each man will have a thrilling story te
give of the awful event, and these sto.
ries are anxiously awaited by all theil
friends.