Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-12-30
COAL MINE DISASTER HEROES
Bravery Of Reseuers Who Saved En-
tombed Miners at Cherry, IN.

Bravery Of Rescuers Who Saved En-
tombed Miners at Cherry. IN.
Real heroes We're among the nun
dreds of miners who fought for life at
the bottom OF the st. Paul Coal CON-
pany's mine at Cherry. Ill.,. recently the
scene OF all explosion. followed by fire.
About 400 miners were entombed.
Some Of the rescllers died In the serv-
ice of their fellows. and others lived
to tell OF their experiences.
One of the bravest was Ralph Eddy.
an eighteen-year-old youth. employed
as a fireman on the surface. When
it was found that the mine was on
fire young Eddy and several others
volunteered to 20 down the smoke
filled main shaft. Some made one trip
down to the bottom Of the shaft and
quit. but Eddy made six descents in
the cage in spite of bad burn across
his face, received on the first trip. At
the end Of each descent Eddy left the
cage and fought his way out along the
level, at one time penetrating as far
as ITS yards from the main cage. He
stumbled over men who had fallen
and heard others far beyond his reach
crying out for aid. On each return
trip he dragged with him one or more
helpless miners and lifted them into
the cage.
"On the last trip ] found two help
+hon 1;r
the main shaft" said Eddy. 1.-The air
fans had been reversed, and that
caused hot back fire around the foot
of the main shaft helped these two
men-they were Poles-into the cage.
but that was all l could do. There
were no other men near, and l no
longer heard the calls for help. My
Uncle, George Eddy. was standing at
the foot of the shaft all the time help
ing to put the men into the cage. There
was no fight for place in the cage.
The men who did not enter were not
near it. had to go out into the
smoke and look for them, and they
were falling about me-"
A tobacco pouch was the means Of
saving the lives Of John Phillips and
Edward Surrock. miners in the second
vein. Phillips on his way to the shaft
found Surrock lying on the track In
the main entryway. He dragged his
comrade until he himself was almost
overcome by the smoke that filled his
lungs with every breath. He searched
for something to cover his nose and
mouth. The only thing available was
the small sack in which he carried
tobacco. Taking it from his pocket,
he emptied the contents, and then, plac-
ing one end in his mouth. he pulled
the rest of it over his nose and fas-
tened it about his head with q string.
BY crawling with his head close to the
rail he reached the shaft, dragging his
almost lifeless comrade with him.
One of the pathetic incidents Of the
rescue work was the saving Of John
McGill and his young son. They left
the place where they were working
when the alarm was given. Before
half the journey was completed the
boy grew dizzy Clasping bis fathers
hand, he sank to bis knees, exclaimfng
weakly:
Papa, l am dying. Leave me and
save yourself if you can"
Although greatly weakened himself,
the father raised the now unconscious
son and, taking Off his belt, strapped
the boy on his back and struggled Oh.
Within sight of the shaft he staggered
and fell. Before losing consciousness
he yelled for help, and his cries were
heard. The rescuers bore the two to
the cage, and they were hoisted to the
surface.
DR.. L. B. Howe seven times before
the other rescuers began to 60 into the
burning shaft descended alone in a
lift and each time brought to the sur
face his quota Of saved. Twenty five