The Democratic advocate., 1909-11-26
FIRE PREVENTS
FURTHER WORK
NINE CLOSED WITH TWENTY.EIGHT
MINERS MISSING
$40 We're EniOmbed 242 Taken Out
Dead-2O Rescued Alive

NheITy, ILL., Satur0ay.-FOrty men
were found alive this afternoon after
having been entombed full week In
the ST Paul mine. The men were
reached only after a wall OF debris
which sheltered them had been broken
down. At frst the men were sup
posed to be dead, but one OF them lift
Cd his hand and the rest we're found to
be breathing.
The live men were Immediately rush
ed TO the hosting shaft and stimu-
lants we're administered. One OF the
men after being brought TO the sun
light after seven days entombment
was able only to mutter ineoherenly.
His face was black from the smoke
and slightly scortched
Among the men rescued alive was
one who said he believed 150 miners
were alive In the east shaft. A fresh
outburst OF fames in the mine pre-
vented explorers from discovering IL
this WAS true.
II appears that the men, discovering
their pTedicament. walled themselves
in
The sght against death was led by
Joseph Crescent, who was one OF the
ilrst two men brought up in the cage.
He reported between thirty and forty
other men alive In the south wing. In
the darkness. where they waited for
seven days in agony OF hunger and
suspense they lost track OF time and
thongkt that today was Sunday. Be
fore any one was allowed 20 interview
the two men brought TO the surface
doctors ordered that the men be given
nourishment This. In the form OF
milk diluted with water, was admins
tered in small portions until their
stomachs could retain H.
The next trip OF the cage brought
seven other survivors. They were
smiling and healthy, save for weak
mesa due TO lack Of food,
News OF the rescue OF these men
Travelled with lightninglke rapldlty
and the change from despair TO hope
which swept over the crowd was dra-
matte and affecting Women who
have stood for days and nights with
only the expectation Of recovering the
mntilated forms OF husbands aud sons
fought with the militia In their eager
ness 10 reach the mouth OF the pit
The soldiers gently restrained them
explaining that to overrun the Dit
would only delay the rescue.
As one of the survivors became Wis
ible In the multitude outside the rope
barriers the women crowded around
them. When one would recognize a
kinsman the joyful meeting moved
many 10 tears. But saddest OF all
was the change again to blank despair
OF those who recognized no ono they
sought
Crescine explained that under his
leadership such food as remained in
the dinner pals. when the men real
ICED they were entombed, was brought
together and the men were put on
short rations.
In this and subsequent measures
taken 10 safeguard their lives an Eng
iiHhman who had had previous exper-
fences OF the kind shared leadership
with the Italian.
When the explorers. led by Duncan
Mcdonald. president OF the Illinois
Federation Of Minera, broke upon
them the men we're all seated, but with
the first ray OF light that fell upon
them from the lamps OF the searching
party several OF them jumped 10 their
feet and gave feeble cheer. The ex-
citement which prevailed among the
rescuers even exceeded that OF those
Anatched from the Jaws OF death.
When Spregatta, one Of the rescued
miners, was led 10 the dining car he
fairly ran into the arms OF his wife
and two children. Endearing words
for her husband poured from the Joy
Gus women'R lips, and then she turned
and kissed the feet of the man who
had brought him out. Then she drew
her children down and they. too kissed
the feet OF their fathers rescuer.
Overcome by emotion the wife OF
another man tainted In her husbands
arma
When the last man was up women
had found meme they recognized walk
ed out distracted, again and again
returning TO the pit and struggled 20
force their way past the soldiers ON
guard.
Later the rescuers came to the sur
face and reported that fire had tenn
porariy cut OF the rescue work. A
call for fresh volunteers was issued,
and Immediately score of men went
into the shaft again. II is believed
the FIRE will soon be extinguished.
The live men we're first discovered
by Superintendent Powell, OF Brace
Vile, Ill. When the men we're reach
ed some OF them were talking and
laughing wildly, apparently partly de-
mented from their terrible experience.
Among others rescued were John
and Joseph Pigetti George and John
Semrlch and William Waite, mine
forman, and William Cleland. Cleland
was rescued by Robert, his own broth
er. who carried the man to the sur
face without recognizing him.
Later.
The St Paul mine was sealed early
yesterday. The fire was gaining such
headway that II was thought best to
cut of all air in the shaft The mine
probably will remain s>si;ea sor gov
eral weeks.
Following men trapped In mine
we're $40. rescued alive 20, bodies re-
covered 26e, and still unaccounted for
2s.
-------zas zas,'-s-snsz--------
22g RNTOMRRn IN MINE