New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-05-22
rescue man Alive
IN MATHER Mine
Frank BuCsha Saved Alter 55
Hour EntOmbment
WAS AWAITING DEATH
Says to ResCuer Bruce, Where you
Been-I Been Here Three Days
Something Choke Me Soon

Mather Pa, May 81 (uP)-Life
was found today among the men
trapped in the underground work
ings of the Mather coal mine.
Frank Bucsha one of the 210 min
ers entombed when an eAplosio.
wrecked the working Saturday, was
rescued alive after 55 hours of i'm
prisonment
The news Ot Bucsha's rescue
spread rapidly throughout the lit
tie mining village and new hope v s
born that more of the 1c9 mVers
still missing would be found Give.
The death toll stood at 70 FAD the
survivors at f3 when Bucsha was
rescued by Bruce Veal.
Waiting For DEATH
Sitting upon a rail, waying for
death or rescue, Bucsha J as found
by Veal one and half Jiiles from
the shaft entrance to tht mine and
more than 800 feet up .er ground.
He was in Butt %.
The bodies of six more victims
were taken from the mine a few
hours after Bucsha's rescue,
Unless more miners are found
alive the death toll may reach 1876.
where You Been:"
'Sruce where you BEEN" Bucsha
inquired as Veal entered the conf
partment in the mine, Il been here
three days now, You not come soon
"omething choke me"
With the aid of other rescuers
Bucsha was carried to the mine
shaft and lifted to surface. He was
able to step from the stretcher TO
the cot and seemed to have strength.
Rescue Described
The rescue of Bucsha was de-
s2ribed in a dramatic manner by
Veal, who wanted to return to the
underground workings Immediately
for he was sure more men are
alive in the mine"
Rucsha was in a small dark hole
between two trap doors. His con-
tentment to remain in one position
had saved his life.
y heard the eS ,sion and started
to run when someone pushed ME
back" Bucsha said II could de-
fe,t gas coming upon and ! rapidly
,etreated to the little hole where I
had been working. There | re-
manned for gas had failed to enter
and / knew l was safe, if rescuers
could reach me iii time
Bucsha said another man whose
name he did not know. remained
with him some time but became
lestless and started out. Rescuers
said they passed the body of
Bucsha's friend only a short dis
tance from Butt % as they we're
carrying the live man to the sur
face.
Three or four other bodies we're
seen by the rescuers.
Joe Blanket was another member
Of Neals rescue team.
Had Six Men
Il had a rescue team of six men,"
Veal said. Il was not using gas
mask but ! had sent the other men
on ahead with the canary bird to
test the air
There was fresh air where we
found Bucsha in a low spot in the
mine. Although he had barricaded
himself, the gas had not reached
him by some freak maneuver OF the
gas and air currents.
"Bucsha was sitting in the dark
on a steel rail- He was hunched up
like bird when we came upon him.
l don't believe he had had anything
to eat or drink during the SIS hours
he was in the mine"
"Bucsha had lost his mine lamp
and was In total darkness. He rec
cgnized me as an old buddy in the
glare OF our lamps and spoke to me
accordingly.
We started to carry him out OF
the Butt and he began to tell us of
his long vigil.
Heard Explosion
I heard the explosion he said
CONTINUED on PAGE 1e)