The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1909-11-19
DESCEND 800 FEET IN
BURNING MINE BUT ARE
QUICKLY FORCED BACK
Situation at Cherry None Improved .-lmplorines Of
Bereaved Ones Piteous- Grounds Thrown Open
That all May See--Destitution is Heart Breaking

CHERRY, ILL.,, Nov. 1S.-For the
first time since Sunday two miners
tonight descended the ventilating
shaft of the st. Paul mine, the
blocked air channels of which con-
tain more than 800 men either dead
or alive.
The experiment was successfully
carried out by Thomas Morris and
geological survey. They were nearly
exhausted when heuled to the top,
but quickly revived under the ad-
ministration of stimulants.
From what they discovered it is
thought the fire has moved back
from the main shaft and that it
may be possible to enter 1t soon.
Williams, much the lighter of the
two, descended to the second gallery,
where the fire started. The shaft
was comparatively cool. There was
much steam, but much less smoke
than on Sunday.
Buckets in which the descent was
made were so small that the men
had to stand The effort of holding
to the rope and carrying their oxygen
apparatus ON their backs at the same
time wore both men out.
I'VE are all in," were the first
words of Morris as his head, encased
in a metal cap like that of a diver,
appeared above the pit. The two
men were lowered after several
hours of preparation. First, test
was made for black damp. safety
lamp was extinguished at 100 feet.
Some argued against the risk of any
more lives, but the opportunities OF
surviving miners that last desper-
ate chance be taken to seek some
way of reaching the imprisoned
bodies prevailed.
A numerous faction contended all
day that the mine should be sealed
for months if necessary, for weeks
in any event, until further explora-
tion could be made with safety. This
faction included a majority of ex-
perts here from all over the country
But the cry of men who have lost
their comrades, and of women, was
too strong, and Morris and Williams
determined upon the attempt.
Morris declared that probably nc
other attempt would be made tonight
to descend.
Before we can do anything ef-
fectively," he said, 1--WE must have a
bucket so big that we can sit on its
rim, or we must have float. With
the present arrangements we have
all we can do to take care of our
selves"
"There was little smoke and much
less heat than in the descent Il made
last Sunday" said Williams. "For
the first ninety feet I noticed that
the timber supports were consider
ably scorched. Lower down this was
less noticeable. AS l slowly de-
scended 1 gave the signal frequently
to stop, hoping to look into the gal
leries. But the steam was too dense
I did not see any bodies. When
reached the lower level at 80 feet
my hands and feet began to be SC
numb lost sense of feeling. quick
ly gave the signal to ascend.
II hardly expected to see any
bodies. 1t is probable that this air
shaft has been cut off from the hoist.
ing shaft by the caving in of the
walls"
Scores of women continue to linger
about the ground. So great has been
the mental strain the last four days
it Is feared many women are on the
verge of insanity. One woman, who
declared she had had dreams and
visions of her husband and brother
still living in the mine, piteously i'm