New-York tribune., 1909-11-22
DYING MANS LETTER.

DYING MANS LETTER.
Letters written in their underground
prison by some OF the miners rescued
alive yesterday came TO light IN various
quarters to-day. One OF the most touch
ing was written by John LOrimer 10 his
wife. Sadie. Lorimer is a young Scot
from Ayrshire, whence ne came 10 Amer
lea ten years ago.
He just laughs and says he will go
back 10 the mine when he is we'll" said
his wife to-day, although I'd be willing
after what has happened. 10 support him
myself if he would only get safer work ("
AS was the case at the home OF each
OF the score OF men rescued alive yester-
day, Lor1mer to-day received I'm his bed
room many callers who wished 10 con-
graduate him on his escape. LOrimer's
letter follows:
Dear Wife, am still living. although
il Is now o'clock Sunday morning, and
there is little hope. as the black damp il
getting the best Of US There are twen-
ty-One OF US altogether here. Dear wife
do not grieve; we viii meet again God
bless you, believe in Him. He viii take
care of you, He viii take care OF yeu.
! guess We viii meet in a better land
When YOU get over this let them know
at home (ScOtland), That is all, dear.
YOUR LOVING HUSBAND.
All Of the farewell letters were writ
ten on pages torn from the time book
carried by Walter Waite. the mine boss.
Waite had the only lead pencil in the
group. and it was passed from hand TO
hand in order that all might write.
One instance of the kindness OF the
more sturdy prisoners was related by
LorimeT to-day
''Walczinski. I think that was his
name. was sixty years old and the weak
est among us" said LOrimer our
greatest suffering came from thirst, for
only thimblefuls could be got from the
seepagc. Walczinski grew so exhausted
that nc could not stOop over, but had to
liz on his face TO drink. We made holes
In the ground with our fingers and then
waited for the oozing water 10 nh them.
When water filled small hole there
wasn't q man but crsved IL madly. But
the stronger men frequently passed their
turns 10 let the old man drink
Iorimer's account Of the chivalrv Of
the stronger toward the weaker miners
is disputed by Inc Ante niese. one of Jhe
rescued men. According 10 Antoniesc. A
sick old man was able % get enough TO
drink only after a brswny miner. VINO
believed in the survival Of the fttesst. had
been felled with a pickhandIe and
beaten.
This miner. whose name Antoniess
would not divulge drew a knife To en-
force his view that the water should be
reserved for those who had the best
chance 10 survive the longest. but nearly
ALI the able men in the sealed gallery at
tackled him and took away hts knife.
This night occurred about the third dav
%. the entombment- Afterward the prob
ability Of death for all became 50 strong
that the men became united
George : Rice of Pittshurg. mining
Inspector Of the United states Geological
survey. who has been here a great par,
of the week. expressed tonight aston
ishment at the survival OF the men.
Under tine conditions which have pre-
vailed here the fact that anybody couId
have been alive IN the mine for seven
days with fire raging over their heads
seems hardly 10 be believed" he said
We gave up Two or three DAYS ago hope
that any Of the men We're alive. The
recovery OF the men is parsHeIed oniy
by the great coal mine disaster "a Cour-
lers. France. where men were got ur
after much longer period than seven
days. We are greatly pleased with the
level headeduess of our American min.
ers That they should have had m,