The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-02

WdlAl dllu III UllSIIl. LUZ 1llS GllG
hours we had this fire we were
able to warm stones and pass
them out. A man could take one
and use it where he felt it would
do him most good.
We discussed way and means of
the method of rescue. Magill and
ALT, but Magill particularly, were
apprehensive of the flooding of
the mine. The water was at the
370-foot level at the time of the
collapse. With the great increase
in the amount of water we
thought was coming into the
mine, we considered it might not
be long before the water rose to
a point where we would be driven
from our present level.
THAT left us one of two places
to which we might go. If res
cue were to come directly down
the shaft, we would be wise TO
stay in the shaft, retreating up
ward if we were driven by the
water. If rescue came through
one of the slopes to the east, then
we would be better off in the
Stope.
However, because of the ire
mendous cavern below it seemed
impossible for the water to come
up to our level. We felt confident
our fire had given smoke signal
which would be recognized. Tap
ping on the broken pipes had not
brought any response.
We had found in the mine
something that was of the utmost
Importance. That was a large
granite cup, and close to our fire
stone we had pipe delivering a
fine stream of clear water.
After we had been in the mine
for II hours (Magill and ALT had
their wrist watches), it seemed to
us we could hear blasting. 1t
sounded long distance off, but
it gave us hope that an attempt
was being made to deliver us.
A LMOST Immediately after
4 = lighting our fire, Magill and
I became nauseated. We began to
vomit. Periods of vomiting were
followed by almost continuous
hiccoughing. Early I urged my
companions to dring large GUAM
ties of water, warning them that
if they did not they would quickly
weaken themselves. ALT apparent
ly had a fine digestive system,
which was not easily upset.
After Is hours our fire had gone;
the lanterns were out. We cleaned
the fire off the stone and lay on
it for warmth. We curled up as
close as we could get and lay in
this fashion first on one side and
then on the other. At intervals we
would doze, and almost continu-
ously Magill and I retched and
hiccoughed.
I made them get up at intervals
and stand on their feet, in the
hope that they would stamp some
circulation into their limbs, and in
this way preserve vitality. 1t got
increasingly difficult to stand, on
account of the loss of sensation in
the feet.
TINE indigestion from which
Il Magill and I suffered was
very distressing. Our Threats were
sore. If one took a large amount
of water it would give comfort of
degree for 20 or 80 minutes, fol-
lowing which the whole content
of the stomach would again reach
high degree of acidity.
To begin to do anything re-
quired a certain amount of prep
aration. We would have to warn
each other that one of us wanted
to move. The f1ashlight would
have to be gotten ready.
We watched each other very
closely, fearing that the one NOV
ing in the dark might inadvertent-
ly fall through one of the open
ingS.
The blasting continued. We
could hear automatic hammers OF
drills running, and they sounded
like machine-guns in the far dis
lance. About the third night they
seemed to be pointing right in oul
direction. Then for IL hours there
was steady drilling, and afterward
about Is to 80 shots were fired
Some rocks were dislodged ano
fell down the shaft.
We took this as a good sign, anc
I think it was at about this stage
that we began to realize that q
serious endeavor was being made
on the surface, and that there was
a chance of our being rescued.
(World Copyright. 1886, by the Re
Cross Of Canada. Distributed by Unite'