New Britain herald., 1925-02-04


 tion. A
 May Not Be Frce
 Another trip into the cave this afternoon revealed that Collins may have been only partially freed around the feet. William B. Miller, stan correspondent for the Courier Journal coming from the cave short. ly after 12:15 p. m. said he thought Collins was but little better off .him- self but that the wall blocking more effort to reach Collins probably was probably two feet thick. Miller says he crawled to the wall and yelled to Collins:
 Are you free?"
 q think so," Collins answered.
 How about my milk?"
 q left 1t at the side near you on my last trip, can't you get it?"
 "No."
 Then you're not free" Miller queried.
 No"
 Brother Becomes Frantic
 Homer Collins, brother of the cave victim, also was in the cavern at the time and became greatly ex- cited, Miller said. Homer Collins in in frantic efforts was causing small stones and earth to fall into the al- ready narrow passageway and Miller added that he devoted all his efforts for several moments in an attempt to persuade Homer to leave.
 Collins Own Story
 q was crawling out of Sand Cave. which is the most beautiful l have ever seen, when. soon after ascend ing a steep wall. I dislodged huge rock. It caught my left foot. sThat was ten o'clock Friday morning"
 Thus begins Floyd Collins own story of his experiences of the last five days. trapped in a narrow pas sage far under ground. as told to William Burke Miller, staff corre- spondent of the Courier-Journal. and published in a copyrighted dis patch from Cave City today.
 Yelled All Night
 "The first night spent in yelling at the top of my voice." he said. "I knew my chance was slim. but l couldn't give up without doing some- thing. So l just shouted and shout ed.
 After long time I was unable to call out any more. got hoarse. I struggled on, though, until final ly lost consciousness. Maybe I slept. l don't know. But felt better when I awoke.
 Surely thought. No man was ever trapped like this.' prayed as hard as I could. I begged God to send help to me. Finally heard a voice and 1t sounded better than anything I ever heard. called back and got an answer. and found it was Jewell Esters. He couldn't get to me, but before long Clyde Hester came back to me. He told me it was Saturday morning. told Clyde to get word to my brothers. Homer and Marshall. and my father. He left. My brothers came down Saturday afternoon and saw how was fixed. They tried to dig me out but they couldn't.
 Grew Very Weak.
 Saturday night I felt better. A blanket had been brought to me and it helped to keep out the cold. l was numb all over. but I felt warpl- CT after I was covered. I couldn't move and was getting awfully weak
 Sunday, after attempt after at tempt to save me had failed, l be- gan to lose confidence. prayed continuously. Some times l would be in stupor could hear peo- pie coming in, but they seemed far away. I could hear voices. but l .could not remember what was said. Sunday night l slept some. I dream ed of angels and awoke praying.
 Monday was the first day when strangers came back to me. l Kept working around. whenever felt strong enough, thinking l could twist myself free. But each time l could hear pebbles falling into the deep hole right behind me. It caus- cd me to shudder. l kept thinking what would happen if the rocE .bove me would fall. kept trying 10 dr, my mind to something eiae. but it wasn't any use. How could |? You've been here and you know ~ you know why. I couldr't do much 10 help those !ho came to help me but I knew lot of people were wil.- in to do Ill in thc'r pov- IT. gave me courage.
 Night of Agony
 Monday night was night of agony. My foot pained awful. It felt like 1t was going to break off If as much as wiggled a toe pains shot t,i ongh mo. I don't know how long it was before my brother cah in with something to eat. but seemed like ages. ' had 'ome whiS- key and it warmed me up whole lot. could talk for while but it wasn't long b fore I was unconscious q, asiec.. l don's kaow which.
 "Tuesday morning. thought to myself. Four days down here and no nearer freedom than l was the first day. How will it end? Will l get out or -?' I couldn't think of 1t. I have faced death before. It aoesn't frigften me, but it Is so long. Oh God. be merciful!
 Tuesday night I felt better than .4 oa,r Tlp,a einna I WAS caught. l