Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-02-21

of the sinkhole and found traces which
proved that Floyd had entered the day
before.
A cripple boy. son of farmer
neighbor, was persuaded to crawl into
the passage and investigate. The child
squirmed half the length OF the tunnel
He got within calling distance of
Collins.
He returned to the surface and re-
ported that Floyd had cried out from
the depths of the channel that he was
pinioned there by a rock upon his left
ankle.
For several hours no one could be
found willing to attempt to crawl to
Floyd. Finally Homer, one OF Floyd's
three brothers, undertook the risk.
Homer reached Floyd and obtained
some idea of the nature of the entrap-
ment
The snug fit Of the rock passage
made II impossible for Homer to reach
hand even so far as Floyd's waist.
He could not see the rock that held
Floyd. And none of the later rescue
workers was able TO see or reach II.
because of the closeness of the tun-
mel embrace.
Friends Rush TO Rescue.
News of Floyd's predlcament was
spread through the countryside
Dozens of natives, all OF them friends
of the entombed man, hurried to the
scene. Some made rescue sallles and
many, after prolonged periods under
ground, returned to describe relief
measures they had administered.
Saturday and Sunday the efforts at
rescue We're only half-hearted. Those
who did crawl as far as the niche that
held Collins succeeded In doing moth
ing but loosening small rocks and par
ticles Of soil that still further cramped
the passageway.
Monday Johnny Gerald, one of
Floyd's closest friends, and Lieut.. Ben
Wells. West Point graduate and
mathematics Instructor at Ogden col
lege, reached the scene. These two
put forth sincere and laborious efforts.
With other helpers they cleared
part of the rock and sand litter out
of the tunnel. But they were unable
to accomplish anything In the way OF
getting Floyd out of the yiselike rock
grip.
Reporter Visits Collins.
William Burke Miller, youngster
reporter on a Louisville paper. was
sent to the scene with Instructions
to participate in the rescue work. His
editor selected him because his slight
stature and build would enable him
to wriggle through the passageway
with an agility that a heavier man
could not accomplished.
Miller made more actual visits to
Collins than any other worker, except
Gerald. He spent hours with Collins
head in his lap. He poured nourish-
ment down Collins throat and even
participated in the mans spoken
prayers.
Wednesday morning. February 4. at
three O'Clock, Miller administered food
and drink TO Collins for the last time
At this hour, =. 20, he carried light
wires into the tunnel and placed n
25-ampere. carbon-fiIament globe IN
der Collins shirt at the small Of his
back. This light was intended to add
trife Of warmth and, undoubtedly.
contributed largely 10 the mans resls-
lance during the days that followed
Within an hour after Mlller's last
expedition down the tunnel the FIRST
Of series Of cave-ins occurred
About fifty feet Of the passageway. at
the lower end. was choked with fallen
rock and sand and mud Later at
tempts to reach the entombed man
through the tunnel thus we're blocked
After two days Of fruiuess effort at
the tunnel. the shaft method Of rescue
was conceived and work Of excaya-
tion was begun