The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-01-11


and hOrrid. Several quilted the other
windOw-the only chance they had for
life-to force their way to the water,
and the throng and press upon our
window was beyond bearing; many
pressed down those in their way who
had less strength, and tramped them
TO death.
'.Our enemies took care to keep us
supplied with water, that they might
have the satisfaction of seeing US fight
for it, as they phrased it, and held up
lights TO the bars that they might lose
no part of the innuman diversion
From about nine 70 near eleven, sus-
tanned my situation, still supplying
water, though my legs almost broke
with the weight against them. By
this time l myself was very near
pressed TO death, and my two COM
paniOns with Mr. William Parker
who meanwhile had forced himself
into the wiHdow-already had sue
cumbed.
My friend Baillie, Messrs. jerks,
Reverly, Law, Buchanan, Simpson, and
several others, had for some time been
dead at my feet AT last became so
wedged upon that / was deprived of
all motion. Determined now TO give
everything up, called TO those nearest
me and begged them to remove the
weight upon me and permit me TO re-
tire out of the window TO die in quiet.
They gave way, and with much diff
Guilty ! forced a passage into the CEN
ter of the prison where the throng was
less by reason Of the many dead, then,
l believe, amounting to the third of US.
At the Window.
"in the Black Hole there is a plat
form raised between three and four
feet from the floor, open underneath;
extending the whole length of the east
side of the prison and above six feet
wide.
4 travelled over the dead and re-
paired TO the further end of it just
opposite the other window and seated
myself on the platform between Mr..
Dumbleton and Captain Stevenson. the
former just then expiring. was still
in the same calmnesS of mind which
had preserved the whole time. Death
l expected as unavoidable, and only
lamented its slow approach. Here my
poor friend, Mr. Edward Eyre, came
staggering over the bodies to me and
u-irb his r7SrYal coolpaSc oSl-a5 mn. how
l felt. He fell and expired before |
had time TO make reply. laid myself
down on some of the dead behind me-
l had the comfort of thinking my suf-
ferings could have no long duration.
II had not remained in this situa-
ton ten minutes when l was seized
with a pain in my breast and palpita-
ton at my heart / retained my senses,
notwithstanding, and had the grief TO
see death not so near me as hoped:
but since l could no longer bear the
pain without attempting relief, which
knew fresh air, only, could give me, |
determined to push for the window
opposite me. By an effort of double
the strength l ever before possessed.
I gained the third rank at il and with
one hand seized a bar, and by that
means gained the second rank. In a
few moments my difficulty in breathing
ceased; but my thirst continued intol-
cradle / called aloud for Water, for
Gods saker l had been regarded as
dead; but as soon as they heard me
amongst them some still had tender
ness enough for me TO cry OUT Give
him water. give him waterr Nor
would one of them at the window at
tempt to touch a filed hat until l had
drank.
But from the water | found no re-
lief; my thirst was rather increased
by it; so l decided TO drink no more,
but patiently wait the end. kept my
mouth moist from time TO time by
sucking the perspiration out of my
shirt sleeves and catching the drops
as they fell like heavy rain from my
face. You can hardly imagine how IN
happy l was if any of them escaped
my mouth. One of my miserable COM
panionS took the hint and robbed me.
from time TO time. of a considerable
part of my store of perspiration by
sucking at one of my sleeves. and our
mouths and noses often met in the
contest This plunderer, found after
wards, was Mr.. Lushington. a worthy
young gentleman in the service, and
one of the few who escaped death
The Fight for Air.
by half past eleven, much the
greater number of those yet living