New-York tribune., 1909-11-21
THE PRIESTS STORY
administered Last Sacraments
to Dying Frenchman.

Cherry, III. Nov 20-A graphic descrip-
tion OF the discovery OF the men from the
point Of view OF the rescuers was told by
Father James p. Heany. Of St Mary's
Church, MendOtt. III. Father Heany. wear
ing a miners cap and flaming torch, was
down in the mine with ,he rescue party. IL.
said
Just about , o'clock. when We were. as
near as I could tell. 800 feet into the gal
lery from the hosting shaft. our party
Stacked up because Of a pile OF debris in
the way Suddenly David Powell said
Listen boys I thought I heard some
thing We were all silent. A faint pound
ing as if coming through the thickness Of
a wall was heard. NV Godr said Powell
I believe somebody is alive IN there Some
Of the other men replied; No. that is i'm
possible. Nobody in the world thinks for a
minute the men could live down here for
seven days
Well. now. said. let's listen again
We ali listened for what seemed to be fuII
minute Sure enough. there came the same
mufied pounding sound We had heard bs-
fore Then we were too much affected 10
speak We could not believe our own
senses. Grabbing hold Of the picks and
axes our men then began 10 tear down the
stopped 10 hear whether the poundings were
continuing. II took US several minutes 10
make much headwav into the obstruction
Finally 1. who had been in the rear. came
forward and with shove relieved one Of
the men who had become tired out.
1T was a weird scene. The lights OF the
torches on our caps kept bobbing up and
down as We labored and filed the place
with moving shadows.
Now. LET'S stop and listen again. sald
Powell Much 10 our glee the pounding
sounds became louder. A few more shovel
fuls brought Gown the dirt from the top
and a little black hole appeared before us
Two or three Of Us climbed over the
dirt and yelled. Are any Of you alive IN
there boysT
An answer came back Yes
"Reforc another word could be uttered
the men began pulling at the dirt again. and
soon a large gap appeared We yelled IN
20 them Hold one OF our torches "
How many of you are alive ia there
boys2 We will save you In 2 minute
In faint heavy voices the men called
back. Yes. We are alive and YOU bet W.
are hungry Have YOU got some luncheon
out there
7 crawled up as near the hole "a could
God bless you. men, We will get You
our in a minute and give you all the lunch
con YOU can eat Be patient as YOU can
''I couldn't see anything back in there. for
the men were in total darkness. so climbed
hack and prayed that God would make tho
number We were about 10 rescue from the
living grave a. many possible.
BY that time the hole was wide open.
and dozen pair of glistening eyes shining
out from black faces appeared in view.
We kept yelling TO the men 20 keep up
their courage. promising them that the way
would soon be clear and the cage In the
hosting shaft was down and ready 10 carry
them 10 the surface.
zone Of the men inside answered back
Most of US are all right and feeling fine.
Frenchman called Frank-who is almost
gone and I'm afraid he will be dead in 4
few minutes il ne doesn't get some fresh
air
When the pile Of dirt finally tumbed
down some OF the men were staggered by
the thrush OF air and the lights from our
torches For during seven days they had
lived in total darkness
With A shout We Jumped over and met
.hem. throwing our arms around their
necks and almost lifting them from their
feet. Their JOY was inexpressble. They
pounded US on our backs and continued 70
laugh and cry aloud until the whole place
reverberated with the cheering.
I'VE wanted 10 carry the men TO the
hoisting shaft in our arms. but they in
sisted they were strong and we'll enough
10 walk out themselves. The only trouble
was they were practically blinded by the
torchlight. We threw blankets over their
heads and started TO escort them.
My first concern was 10 get after the
poor little Frenchman. who was reported
dying / found him outstretehed on his
back breathing his last. Holding a torch
over his face. which was black from SCOT.
/ said: DO YOU give your soul 10 Cod
He answered: Yes. / am afraid | will
never get up alive.
That was true. / administered the last
sacrament and In a minute he was dead.