The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-03-10

The entombment of the Petersons is
in some respects one of the most re-
markable events in Utah's mining his
tory.
Jerry, aged 80. and George, aged %
years, were developing the st. Patrick
mine, performing their own work. The
two brothers married sisters, and each
has little toddling child, the two fam
lies living in little cottage half a mile
down the hillside from the mine.
Monday the brothers left the house
about noon for the mine, and were due
at home for supper at about O'Clock.
With the supper lying on the table and
the long delay in the return of her nus
band and the brother, Mrs. Jerry Peter
son grew apprehensive and about 8
O'Clock started up the hill for the mine
Wife Hears Appeal.
With the courage born of fear she
entered the dark mouth of the mine ana
her cry of Jerry, Jerry" was answered
with a barely audible appeal for help.
Realizing that some accident had &C
CURED. Mrs. Peterson sped back to the
home and then to a neiShbor, where
she secured the aid of Alonzo and Bess
Green. These two young men went to
the mine and discovered the cave-in-
They were Joined later by Ernest and
George Green, and the four attempted
the task of rescuing the miners. After
a few hours work had shown the fulfil
ity of their labor, they gave the alarm
in Murray and ButleTviile. and over
fifty men volunteered their services.
These men worked all day and were
relieved last night by fresh workers
To a length of two-inch pipe is due
the safety so far of the PeteTsOns This
has furnished them not only a means Of
communication, but also of receiving
fresh air and, beginning last night,
nourishment.
It was through the pipe that Mrs,
Peterson heard her husbands voice, and
in the same way the cause of the acct
dent and condition of the men we're
learned.
Caught by cave-In-
The tunnel had been driven about $50
feet and. Monday afternoon. in their
work. the men had prepared a blast. As
they fired the fuse and started to run
to safety they were halted with fear by
seeing the roof and sides of the tunnel
begin to slide in.
With an instant realization Of the
danger, however. and realizing the fatal
chance of being caught beneath the
falling earth. Jerry hastily threw a
length of the iron pipe beneath the
cavern. Then the two brothers could
only stand, maybe gripping each others
hand in the blackness of the tomb. and
trust to the pipe as their only hope of
rescue.
Air Is Pumped In.
Although communication was easily had
through the pipe, the matter Of supply
ing the men with food and fresh air, how
ever, seemed for a time an insurmOunt-
able obstacle. The pipe lies practically
flat on the ground without providing a
means of draft, and it was not until yes
terday afternoon that fresh air was sup
{ piled by means of bellows. 1t was also
found impossible to use the pipe 10 pro-
vide food until the idea of Inserting a rub
Der tube and in that way supplying milk
was conceived.
The cave-in that made the miners pris-
/ onsrs covered distance Of less than
twenty feet i'm the tunnel. out even as
I this was being cleared away, the quantity
of earth was increased by succeeding
slides The relief party was handicapped
seriously in the work yesterday forenoon
By having no car TO haul the dirt to the
dump. and it was not until afternoon that
one was obtained from mine some miles
away The PetersOns had but one car. and
that was on their side of the barrier. At
ter the car was obtained. however. the
work was necessarily slow owing to the
size of the tunnel .precluding more than