The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1912-10-10
FIRE IN BUNKER HILL
MAY HAVE RESULTED
IN PUMPMAN'S DEATH
FRANK BENZ MISSING SINCE
FORENOON MONDAY, SEARCH
WITHOUT AVAIL.
Mine and Mill Compelled to Close
Down by Fire That Destroyed Tim
bering in Shaft--Water Rising in
Lower Levels.

Lower Levels.
A fire that ragged almost constantly
since Monday morning In the Bunker
Hill & Sullivan mine at Kellogg. be-
ing confined practically to the main
terday by the almost superhuman ef-
forts of the fire fighting brigade. At
one time Tuesday, in the afternoon.
it was believed the flames had been
brought under control, but the fire
broke out again in a short time, and
burned more fiercely than before. 1t
is the belief of the management, how
ever. that the danger of renewal Of
the trouble is almost impossible water
being at the disposal of the watchful
guards at all points where the smould-
aring embers could possibly gain
fresh start.
iHc ClUIlS vi lHoSS WIN HdNC 6Ouc
underground since the subduing Of the
flames made investigation possible
have been directed toward search
for Frank Benz, who was working as
pumpman on the No. IL level when
the first fire was discovered. Hope
that he will be found alive has almost
been abandoned If he IL dead. the
manner of his death can only be
guessed at It is pointed out that II he
sought the upper workings, after be-
ing forced to leave his post, when the
pumps refused to work, he was prob
ably smothered by the gas and smoke,
whiel II he remained in the lower lev
els, he doubtless would have been
drowned. His dinner pail was found
a few yards away from his station,
as If 1t had been dropped in his hur-
ried flight.
The missing man was about "a years
old, and was not married. He was
popular with his fellows and with HIS
employers, and his fate is the absorb
ing topic of conversation with all who
l.new him.
The principal loss. financially. will
be that due to the destruction of the
| timbering in the shaft. and to the loss
Of time sustained by both mine and
mill, both being compelled to shut
down. Manager Stanly A. Easton,
after going over the workings where
the fire did the greatest damage, stat
ed that normal conditions would soon
prevail. and that yesterday the re-
sumption of work resulted in about
half the average yield Of ore. The
amount will be increased within day
or two, although it may be several
weeks before the full amount is being
produced. The No. Is level is flooded.
and it is said it will require 25 or 80
days to pump the water out. With
the resumption of work by the big
electric pumps on the No 49, there Is
said to be danger of the upper work.
ings being flooded. or operations in
terfered with.
The origin of the fire Is a mystery
A force of men working at the top Of
the shaft, after completing the repairs.
discovered the fire and gave the alarm.
The time was fortunate in that the
shifts were changing. and there were
no men in the mine with the exception
of Benz. The first report that reached
! Wallace was to the effect that 80 men
we're imprisoned and caused much ex-
element.
| Manager Easton speaks In highest
praise of the men who risked their
lives in searching for the missing man.
and in fighting the flames. The train
ed force, working with the smoke hel'
NETS and equipments provided. did
much to prevent spread of the fire,
and i'm bringing 1t under control.
When It was believed the fire had
been brought under control on Tues
day volunteer party headed by John
Rock and including r. e. Jones, Frank
Sisk, f. Schultz, Nose Eva, Norman
Mcdonald, w. J. Locke and VIM
Honey. descended the shaft and start
ed through the 1200-foot level, hoping
to find the pumpman. When they dis
covered the flames again filing the
shaft, they made their way with the
greatest difficulty through the Reed
tunnel to the Wardner side OF the
mine. Several of the party, although
all wore helmets, were overcome, ana
rendered unconscious. There wouid
have been deaths without DOUBT
hut for the efforts Of those less affect
ed, who assisted their comrades 70
safety, often at the risk of their own
lives