Evening star., 1925-02-04
COLLINS RESCUE
I. IS HELD POSSIBLE
AFTEREARTH SLIDE
Workers First Report That
Feet Are Freed, But Situ-
alton Is Doubtful.
TRAPPING OF TWO MEN
is NARROWLY AVERTED
Reporter and Brother of Victim
Are in Narrow Passage
When Sides Crumble.
Br the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CAVE CITY. Ky, February "A
slide in Sand Cave this morning left
Floyd Collins. 35. foot-free for the
first time since he was imprisoned
Friday morning when boulder
wedged his legs where rescuers were
unable to reach them, but Collins was
left walled in behind rock which fell
from the side Of the cave.
This information was brought to
the mouth of the cave by Roy Cook
sey. a negro engaged in rescue work.
Collins called from other side OF
the rock slide that his feet were free,
but said he was too weak to work his
way out Cooksey declared, and two
other men verified it.
Situation Is Doubtful.
Another trip into the cave this after
noon, however, revealed that Colilns
may have been only partly freed around
the feet William B. Miller. staff corre-
spondent for the Courier-Journal, COM
ing from the cave shortly after IL 10
pm, said he thought Collins was but
little better off, and asserted that the
wall blocking further efforts to reach
Collins probably was two feet thick.
Miller says he crawled to the wall
and yelled to Collins; Are you free 2
II think So" Collins answered,
How about my, milk?
Il left it at the side near you on
my last trip. Can't you get it,
No"
Then you're not free?" Miller
queried.
No
Rescuer Nearly Trapped.
While Miller was working away at
the debris between Collins and him.
self another rock-fall fell behind him.
1t was of little consequence and
Miller was able to free himself and
squirm out.
Homer Collins, brother of the cave
victim, also was in the cavern at the
time and became greatly excited
Miller said. Homer Collins in his
frantic efforts was causing small
stones and earth to fall into the M
ready narrow passageway and Miller
added that he devoted all his Efforts
for several moments in an endeayor
to persuade Homer to leave.
John F. Collins, Cripple Creek. Colo,
miner, who volunteered aid. also said
that he had talked to the imprisoned
man, but had been unable to see him,
because Of rock blocking the passage.
The rock which now blocks the pas
sage fell from the side of the cavern,
according TO Cooksey, who says II
was the same disturbance which left
Collins feet free, although the cave
victim still is caught in the hole
where he has spent 124 hours
Whether it would be a difhcult mat
ter to release him after the newly
accumulated debris can be cleared
away was a matter of speculation.
Progress made during the night In
removing stones, cave ooze and other
matter from around Collins body, as
far down as the calf of his leg, and
the work of widening and deepening
the passageway leading from the en-
trance, may have been responsible for
the slide, it was stated.
Rock Size of Soap Box.
The slide which barricades progress
was described by Ewing Ashley. who
was with the rescue party which dis
covered the debris, as one huge rock
about the size of a soap box, with an
stones surrounding it.
Ashley re-entered the cave with
iron hooks and rope with which it
was hoped to move the rock and clear
the passageway. If Ashley's in
formation is correct, and no unfore-
seen difficulty is experienced, Collins
may be reached within a few hours
1t was predicted.
An airplane left Louisville at 10
am. today for Cave City with DR..
William Hazlett. Chicago surgeon,
who was commissioned by a Chicago
citizen to rush to Gave City and
render whatever assistance was need
ed to Collins.
The physician, equipped with guam
titles of anaesthetics and special in
struments, was understood to be
ready to cope with the unusual situa-
tion arising from cramped quarters in
the cave. No announcement had been
made this morning as to the Identity
of the Chicago public spirited citi-
zen" who financed DIR. Hazlett's trip.