Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-07

waves. so that it now presents the unique
feature of we'll in the midst of the
waters OF the bay. The survivors of the
ping that made up the long pier which
Formerly invited the voyager only add to
the melancholy of the deserted and
dreary scene. In 1S4s the island contained
ass acres; in 1900 but ninety-one acres re-
manned. There had been an average an
hual loss of 81 acres The area of the
island in 1910 was fifty three acres. show
ing a loss OF So per cent in sixty-two
years. The geological survey expert says
1t is fairly safe to predict that Sharps Is
land will be entirely gone by 1850. and
that 1t is not beyond the range of posi-
bility that the island will disappear be-
fore 1910
thrilling story of the heroism of a
rescue crew of American miners. who
responded to the call for
FL Cumbre assistance when fifty-one
p.,,,,., persons were burned to
S"' death in the Ell Cumbre
tunnel in Mexico, has just been received
by DR.. Joseph A. Holmes, director of
the United States bureau of mines.
1t Will be remembered that several
months ago notorious Mexican bandit
captured freight train as it was
emerging from this tunnel, looted 1t
and then set the cars on fire, backing
the train into the tunnel. Shortly after
, this, passenger train containing fifty
one persons. including a number of
women and children. entered the tunnel
and crashed into the burning freight
cars. AS the wires had been cut and
the bridges burned, 1t was some time
before the railway officials heard OF
the catastrophe. AS soon as they were
informed. special train was made ur
at Ell Paso. Tex. and was manned by
number of Americans to assist in the
rescue work. troop Of Villas soldiers
as guards and a large crew of Mexican
laborers. The Ell Paso fire department,
mad loaned an oxygen helmet as its
share In the rescue work Owing to
the wrecked condition of the road. ii
took the train two days to reach Its
destination.
ing, and the Americans. realizing they
were not equipped to enter the tunnel
telegraphed to the officials of the Cop
per Queen Consolidated Mining Com
pany at Bisbee. AriZ, requesting tn,
services of the companys mine rescue
crew. The crew, which had been trained
in life-saving methods by the experts O.
the United States bureau of mines re-
sponded Immediately but unfortunately
did not reach the burning tunnel until 81,
Gays diteF the disaster. Inc crew, wearing
their oxygen helmets, entered the TUNE
as soon as they arrived. in order to save
any human being that might still be liv
ing. When they reached the engine O.
the passenger train they found that tn
tunnel had caved in, leaving small
space at the top for the men to craw
through. The rescuers We're lowered
down the other side of the fall by means
OF rope and proceeded with their ex
ploration. The rescuers failed to fine
bodies. but here and there they discev
cred small piles of human bones. A
the end of three days of continuous
work the rescuers. having decided tina
all the bodies had been consumed il
the fire, and being worn out by thei
heroic efforts, decided to return to thei
homes. According to the report sent t.
the bureau of Mines the heat was 81
intense in the part of the tunnel penetrat
ed by the helmet men that the Lighter
pieces of leather on the helmets wer'
slightly charred and all of the men hat
slight burns at points where they wer,
not protected by the apparatus.