White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-31
H|LLOCK
FLOODS VICTIM
POPULAR ELY MAN MEETS
DEATH IN NORTHERN HOTEL
BASEMENT WHILE ATTEMPT
TO SAVE STOCK.

The death of Ed. Hillock, manager
of the Northern hotel bar, constitut-
ed the floods tragedy and was an
incident Of general sorrow. owing TO
Mr.. IIillocks wide acquaintance and
the universal high esteem in which
he was held.
Whe: the shower came u1 s;lort.v
before noon, Tuesday, with its un-
precedented downpour, tha. quickly
turned the streets into rivers there
seemed to be danger that the water
woulc flow into the basement, end
! Mr. Hillock went to the basement
under the bar, on the Murry street
side OF the hotel. for the purpose of
removing the cigars to a Place of
salty, there were many thousand In
boxes. that would be ruined if the
basement became flooded Mr.. Hill
lock was assisted by C. d. fFrenchyl
Vautrin and Oscar( Upwali and
Frenchy' was receiving the boxes
from Hillock, who was in the stock
room, and passing them along to Up
wall. There was no thonughi of
danger and the first intimation the
men had that there might be serious
trouble, was when the water burst in
with rush that upset barrels and
BOXES In the basement. The thrush
OF water was accompanied with a
crash that led those in the dark
basement to think the building was
about to collapse. and there was a
rush for safety. The water came
from the Clark street side, through
the coal shute, and with such volume
and force that it was impossible to
make headway against il. Upwall
Just managed TO reach the stairs, but
'Frenchy' was caught between the
casing and the stock room door, that
was forced shut by the water. AL
though badly bruised he managed to
force the door back sufficiently to
allow himself and Hillock to get out
of the stock room in a futile effort to
reach the stairway.
'Frenchy' states that Mr.. Hillock
was suffering and gasping for breath,
but that he managed to assist him
out of the doorway, meantime en-
conraging him to come on and they
would be alright. He succeeded in
keeping Hiliock with him nn.ii they
reached row of shelving The wa
ter was rising so fast and there be-
ing no prospect OF reaching the stairs.
"Frenchy' climbed upon the shelv-
ing telling Hillock to do the same.
meantime trying to get hold of Hill
lock and support him above the wa
ter Mr.. Hillock's last words were
that he could not breathe. end soon
after reaching the shelving, he made
no answer TO "Frenchy's" calls.
The situation by that tire was
fearful, as the basement was a veri-
table whirlpool filled with barrels
and boxes. and it was only by su-
preme effort that "Frenchy" succeed
ed in keeping mis- head above the wa
er that had risen almost eysr with
the floor.
In this critical position ne manag-
ed to pound on the floor with his
fists, by this means those in the
bar room above We're able - locate
him. Tere was a rush for axes, and
willing hands worked frantiaally to
cut mole in the floor 1t was slow
progress to make an opening
through the thick linoleum and
boards, but it was finally accomplish
ed 'Frenchy' resisted the first ef-
'orts to pull him out of the water,
elling his rescuers to cut three feet
'urther in the direction of Hillock
Wren the choppers understood the
situation, this was done and Frenchy
vas pulled from the water in which
lie had so nearly drowned. Mr.. Hill
ock was also located by the Jauanese
'oiter AT the Northern. and quick.r
aiken through the floor
Physicians were at hand and every
'ifort was made to restore life to
he inanimate form but without sue
ess. Eddie Hillock was dead, and
when word went forth of the full ma
ure of the tragedy, there was a gen.
raj and sincere expression OF sorrow
rom the many who had known ana
herished his friendship and acquain-
auce.
pulmo,or was hurrlci from the
mines and fresh oxygen pumped into
is lungs. but even this was unavaiI-
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