New Britain herald., 1925-02-05
ENTOMRS
 COLLINS JUST AS
 ESCAPE WAS NEAR
Continued from the First Fage)

miners who made up the detail made their report to Brigadier General II. II. Denhardt in charge of the work, and Denhardt immediately sum- moned w. D. Funkhouser, head of University of Kentucky, who ar rived yesterday.
 Asks Country's Prayers
 Lee Collins, father of the entomb- cd man, standing before the Sand Cave prison, said he knew "the Lord is able to give my boy strength to last until the new shaft reache es him." He told newspaper to "ask the country to pray for my boy"
 Long Consultation 1 Funkhouser and the miners, after a long consultation were convinced 10 the hopelessness of any attempt to continue rescue work through the natural cave from the outside. It is impossible to move the solid rock uplifted to the roof, the miners de- clared.
 The danger to Collins in mining downward from the hill top lies in the vibration entailed in such work. Three slides and cave-ins within the cave already had occurred from un- { explained reasons and the constant jarring and pounding necessary in sinking the shaft undoubtedly would drop rocks and earth in this vicin- ity if not directly upon him. General Denhart, Funkhouser and the coal miners virtually decided upon the plan to attempt to get to Collins from above after the first re- port that the floor was rising. There was constant danger that any one within the passageway leading to Collins would find himself wedged or slowly crushed.
 Later reports on the uplift con- vinced the rescuers that their hope lay in the new plan and the cave ex- ploration was abandoned.
 Work is Uncertain
 No one among those in charge of the work at Sand cave was able to suggest where the nearest mining machinery might be located. Major Cherry did not make known his destination when he hurriedly drove away for more equipment.
 Preliminary plans for sinking the shaft, evolved in consultation with ccal miners who arrived from Muh- lenberg county during the night and who made the four early morning trips. called for a mine from the top of the hill at position not far distance from where Collins is thought to be pinned.
 It was estimated the shaft would be from 50 to 75 feet deep before any of the Caverns beneath were tapped. Whether the position chosen would strike Sand cave is matter of speculation. If it does not, then a tuRnel from the depth where the cave victim is believed to lie will be undertaken.
 All Are Discouraged
 It was d discouraged group which undertook the mine labor this morn- ing. No effort was spared to speed the work but the race with death had all the odds against the res cucrs. Because of the rocky strata expected to be encountered all the way down, 1t was probable that days would elapse before anyone could hope to reach Collins.
 Orders have been given by Gov crnor Fields to stop all trains which carry equipment at Cave City. Any material going to rescuers shall have right of way over everything else and must be taken in Pullman coach if no other car is available, the governor said.
 An order was placed at Nashville, Tenn, for steam hoisting apparatus Two tractors with drums attached to operate the hoisting machine have been requested, The tractors would be used to assist in hoisting out rock which may be loosened but cannot be lifted by the hoisting machine.
 Martial law has not been declared in Cave City, contrary to rumors omanating from here.
 II would gladly give my life to save Floyd" his brother said. q have almost given up hope Of seeing him alive again. If he does doe, will feel that l have done all in my power to save him. If he ever comes out alive, I believe he will have been taught a lesson and will never enter into such q place again."
 Electric Heat Furnished 2 A portable electric system is being kept in operation in the hope that Collins may still live and be kept warm by the electrical pads placed about his body before rcscuers were barred from reaching the victim. An electric light was near his head when Collins was last seen.
 Dr. William Hazlett, Chicago sur gcon, who came here by rail and air plane 10 aid Collins, told a reporter today he would not have made the trip had he known the exact situa- ton.
 Last Heard at I a. m.
 The last time anyone heard Col lins' voice was at o'clock this morning, when rcscuers called to hjm from their side Of the stone blockade, Roy Hyde, one Of the last to leave the cavern, thought he heard Collins humble "Oh, God help me-"
 An hour and a half before John IGrralds, the victims chum. says he attempted to talk 10 Collins and got only vague responses, Geralds be- lieves his friend may be dclirious possibly from the effects Of pneu- monia, but admitted he was specu- Hating.
 Collins has repeatedly called for his mother. who is dead, and for his brothers. according to Hyde. "I am lcorercd with dirt" was the answer