The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-02-05
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lared useless-Rome burning, while

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dared useless-Rome burning. while
they fiddle.
It is the impotency of man,
dwaFfed to insignificance by the
silent strength Of nature, massed
On these cavernous mountains,
whose recesses lead men on to
death, that holds the greatest tor
and wait.
Leg StiH PiniOned.
Today, more than 140 hours after
he was trapped $50 feet below the
surface by . giant boulder, Collins
lies beyond the reach of human
hands, silent-perhaps dead. His
position. those VINO have been in
say, Is virtually unchanged from
what It was six days ago. His
pinioned leg. they say,s Is not
freed. despite reports to the con-
trary. :
one more faint ray of hope shone
today. Expert miners, brought
here from Southern Kentucky.
have taken charge OF the cave
and are attempting to prop the
passage may be negotiated without
being almost certain death to the
rescuers.
There are no more people here
than have been for days. The
work IS progressing In more orderly
fashion than u has at any time
since Il was started. Cave City.
startled out Of its sleepy, southern
calm, gradually is readiusting itself
to the hustle and excitement with
which its two single streets are
teeming. There have been no
disorders.
Odd Rumors AfIoat.
But the soldiers are here. The
surface quiet continues. but here
and there are heard reports
Of differences over Sand Cave, bits
Of gossip and comment whichs tell
OF bitterly opposed factions which
the outcome OF this affair.
Their members, uncommunicative
men. with faces weathered and worn
BY life In the hills, are clustered in
little groups about the cave. They
Watch-and walt.
Guardsmen here now refuse to
comment on the new order. But
as they are questioned. their eyes
wander out over the rolling hills to
the east where lies Breathitt county
-'sbloody Breathitt."
And, perhaps. they are answering
them.
Last night saw the supreme en-
deavor Of the local forces aiding
IN the reScue-the climax OF puny
man pitting his knowledge against
The powers Of nature massed in
these age-old hills.
End 20 Come Soon.
Rsscue Of Collins. or recovery Of
his body Is believed to be virtually
certain today.
But In the meantime. Collins lies
piAioned in half reclining position.
0irt ana debris and icy water fall
with the exception OF one arm and
He has had Ano food for thirty
hours and twelve hours ago he CON-
planned to his rescuers that ne was
hungry-starving.
The temperature Of the cave -
about IS degrees chill laden with
4 penetrating dampness from ground
water seeping through with a
steady drip, drip, drip, drip. and IL
~ the opinion OF physicians here
that this Is more than even the most
extraordinary human endurance can
stand.
Only q man Of remarkable STAN
ina and effort, who through con-
slant work In the caves. had be-
come somewhat acclimated to their
bitter chill. could have survived
aS- long as Collins already has,
they say.
= Endurance . Mystery.
This. to them. is the mystery OF
the tragedy. They cannot explain
It. They shake their heads when
asked about It and admit 1t il a
pathological freak. equal in its bi.
Sarreness 70 the accident itself.
Ordinarily" Doctor William Haz-
lett. Chicago physician. sent here
by Mrs. e. Blaine. wealthy Chicago
woman philanthropist. "a man In
that position and environment would
succunnb to shock after the first
twenty hours. The cold would
lower his vitality and then pneu-
monia would develop. should
say that he would be dead in from
4s to 60 hours
Collins last words were spoken
early today to his buddy. Johnny
Geralds. a leader in the rescue
work.
Go home now and go to bed"
he told Geralds after repeated calls
had failed to bring response. Fol-
lowing this only means met Ger
AIDS questions.
IL was this and the condition
-