The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-05
MINER, RELEASED,
FEELING BULLY"
Hello" His Greeting to Res
cuers After More Than
Weeks Imprisonment.
OUT UNFRAMED
COMES
Refuses Preferred Hands as He
Walks From His Living
Tomb.

Centralia, Pa. October 4-rhomas
Toshesky, prisoner since Friday of
last week In an abandoned chamber OF
the Continental mine Of tho Lchigh
Valley Coal Company, walked into the
open air free and comparatively
we'll man at S:22 o'clock this morning
lie WAS taken to his home In Cen
tralia, three miles away from his un-
dcrground prison, and 1T once put to
bed. apparently none the worse for his
remarkable experience.
II was 7:l5 o'clock when tho last
barrier Of coal was driven away and.
Toshesky crawied through the open
ing from his prison chamber into the
TUNED which had been steadily driven
toward him by eager. willing rcscu-
ers. Seven minutes later the first in
umation was given to the outside
world that the big task was com
pleted and the prisoner was free. This
was when n miner crawled to the
mouth OF tho tunnel and called to
the top OF the pit for blankets and
hot water to be sent down.
Herald Approach of Hero.
The work Of getting tho man ready
for his exit occupied the next few
minutes. and at 1888 o'clock a file OF
men emerging from the heading her
aided the approach of the hero of the
occasion. Toshesky came from the
hole with gray blanket wrapped
about his shoulders. Back OF him was
n miner with hands appraised ready to
assist If he should BIO needed but
Toshesky walked with astonishing
agility considering his experience
When he stepped on TO the wooden
platform just outside Of the mouth of
the narrow tunnel. md was first able
to stand upright he paused for an
instant and looked upward ~ II in
greeting 10 the world or scanning the
steep and muddy zigzag path which
led to the opening of tho mine
I breach. His miners cap was on his
head when he crawled through the
opening Of tho tunnel. and greeted
his rescuers. His lamp was in place
upon his cap and burning.
Toshesky wore the usual rough
clothing and shoes OF the miner. The
most noticeable thing about him was
pallor which showed through the
Crime on his face. contrasting strange
~ with the other blackened miners
whose rudy color showed even
through the coat OF dirt. Toshesky
climbed the path to tho rim OF the pit
almost unaided. a strctcher had been
taken 70 the foot 81 the pit, and there
were nlenty Of willing hands 10 carry
him. but ne would have none of IT,
His whole attitude from the time OF
meath the blankets in his own bed at
home was one OF semi stolidity.
Old Story to Him.
Toshesky vas glad to get out of his
prison. but he acted as il 1t were an
old story 10 him. and nothing over
which TO mako great fuss. Once
before in his career as n miner he had
been entornbed for nearly forty-ciGht
hours. Half way up the pit Toshesky
was stopped and posed for photo
graph. together with DIR. II. c. Fortncr.
who had been In almost constant touch
with him since communication was es-
tabiished Tuesday night, and to whom
is largely due the good health OF the
man, Toshesky wore the broadcast
smile of any person In the vicinity
when brought ont.
Hello" he greeted everybody who
spoke TO him. Ills one reply TO ques-
tons rs TO how he felt was BULLY"
Just before the end of the tunnel
was enlarged enough to pcr.nit the
passage OF his body, the miners en-
gagged in the work were chatting with
him. One asked what he was doing
IT am getting ready 10 move" he said
This is no boarding house. no good
bed. no spring. no nice boarding
missus."