Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-04-21

believed they were near their objec-
tive, but with no map of the old
workings, they could only guess at
best how close they we're to the en-
tombed men.
For "a hours, the original rescue
crew worked almost without ceasing.
One after another, the men were
aided to the surface for brief spells,
re-entering the mines blackness then
to continue their gamble with the
death that threatened every minute
from the crumbling roof and walls
of the three-foot shaft they were
driving.
AS fast as possible, miners behind
them propped the shaft, tearing down
outbuildingS to obtain the necessary
timber
Finally. the original crew reached
the breaking point today. The rush
call was sent out for reinforcements,
and the eight fresh men fastened
from Goldenville
Throughout the night, DR.. Robert
son had kept in communication with
the mine head where his wife waited,
dreading that she might finally re-
ceive the same word that sent Mrs.
Magin broken-hearted back to her
two small children in Toronto.
How long?" was the question which
came repeatedly over the telephone
wire dropped to the men through the
pinch hole that had been bored down
to their level
The answer depended on what new
obstacles the underground workers
might meet in the last few feet, and
on the ability of the engineers to judge
direction in the mine that had been
abandoned for long before the Toronto
men purchased it.
Describes Experience.
In a dramatic conversation with his
brother-in-law, DR.. Robertson de-
scribed the terrible experience of April
II when the whole roof fell in"
There were heavy crashes and
another rush Of air." DR.. Robertson
said.
After another hour it all crashed
down. For while we made no more
movements. We were caught in there.
1t slipped away to the next level. The
shaft above the level was quite clear
up 1872 feet. A big log fell across the
timber. The whole roof fell in"
DR.. Robertson, note of hysteria
creeping into his voice, expressed fear
during the night that the rescuers
had lost their direction.
ASK them to make noise" he
called over the telephone, seeking
positive assurance that the relief which
had been promised him so often was
near and certain.
I'VE can't hear them drilling now"
he complained 1--WE could hear them
drilling in the shaft before"
At that time the miners were tear
ing out soft earth with their hands in
their frantic efforts to clear the last
barrier.
He thinks we are lying to him."
Ivey told companions.
Maintaining Self Control.
Although DR.. Robertson had weaker
moments, when he doubted that rescue
really was near, he emphasized at
other times that he and Scadding
were maintaining their self control.
Despite the ordeal of eight days of
blackness and the starvation which
was relieved only Sunday. the doctor
said:
I'VE won't lose our heads"
The men were fed soup, cocoa and
coffee Sunday and were given medical
supplies, lowered through tube which
was inserted in the diamond drilled
hole, but yesterday they had been I'M
able to walk through water in the
shaft to approach the tube.
Hospital equipment was made ready
at the surface to receive the men, once
they were rescued.
Rev. William H. Elgee, minister OF
the United Church of Dartmouth,