Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1906 — ROBBED OF HIS PREY [ARTICLE]

ROBBED OF HIS PREY

Grim Death Beaten in the Struggle for the Life of Miner Hicks. HEARLY SIXTEEN DAYS’ FIGHT Ends in a Victory for Brave Hearts and Willing Hands Rescued Man Tells of Three Days of Agony —■ Tapping That Saved His Life-Five Companions Dead. Bakersfield, Cal., Dec. 24. L. B. Hicks was released at 11:25 Saturday night. No sooner was the way left open than Hicks began to scrape away the rocks and dirt and crawl toward the opening. With arms in front of his head he went into the miniature tunnel which had been dug and began to work his way slowly through to the other side of the car. When he had progressed about half way he stopped, and Superintendent Frank Miller, who stood at the tube at the mouth of the shaft, Immediately called and asked what was the matter. “Oh, nothing,” Hicks called back. “I’m Just going to stop. I’m out of wind. My wind is very short, you know.” Mtees the Men Who Saved Him. Then the man of Iron moved a few Inches farther toward freedom and his arms were seized by Dr. Stingfield and Miner Gents. The two, exerting all their strength, pulled the miner into the main tunnel, where he was placed in a sitting position. And there, a hundred feet from the face of the mountain and within a step of where the miner had lain entombed for nearly sixteen days, occurred a pathetic scene. Dr. Stinchfield, with tears in his eyes and his hands laid affectionately on Hicks’ shoulders, said: “Well, how are you, old boy?” First Tears Hicks Has Shed. And there were tears in the eyes of Hicks as well, the only tears that have shown themselves in all the days and nights since he was entombed, as he replied: “I am feeling fine. I can never thank you, doctor, for what you have done.” And then came Superintendent Cone, the man who had stayed by the work day and night directing every interest, personal and of his company as well, to aid in the rescue of the miner. He came forward and took Hicks by both hands and said: “I am glad to see you again, old man.” Hicks, with voice choked with emotion, attempted to thank him also for his efforts In his behalf. Strong and Not Emaciated. Hicks was not emaciated. He was strong, and the stimulants that had been prepared for him were not needed. His heard was thick and stubby, but not grown out as might have been expected. his face and hands were dirty, but his clothing was fairly clean and in good condition. WORKED ALWAYS IN DANGER / Rescuers Had To Be Cool and Brave— Hicks' Experience. From beginning to end of the rescue work the men doing it were in peril of their own lives as well as that of Hicks. Coolness, Judgment, and courage were requisites of exery man In the drift. Masses of granite and bowlders had to be blasted away and there was always the danger of another cave-in which would bury both Hicks and the men who were trying to rescue him. When all obstacles to steady progress appeared to have been overcome, over and over again some new one would arise. “How did you feel those first three days before it was known you were alive?” Hicks was asked. “It was hell” he said: “I could lie on my back, and sit up a little; that is, by stooping and putting my head against my knees. I had four matches, and I know Just how my little cubbyhole looks. When 1 came to the matches I felt mighty good. It lit one and looked overhead. It burned longer than any match ever burned before. I saw everything. There is a big rock hanging over my body. It weighs tons, and I am afraid to move much for fear of Jarring It. “Then I lit the second match. Once It almost went out. Say, friend, I ain’t much on praying, but I did some then, and that match flickered up and then burned steady clear down to my fingers.” The four matches gave him an idea of his surroundings. He was enabled to define the inclosure In which he was entombed, so that he gave orders for the rescue work. Hicks was one of six miners working In a tunnel of the Edison Power company In a mountain near here when a cave-ln buried them. It was taken for granted that all six were were dead. Three days later while miners were working at the debrla in their first attempt to clear the tunnel they heard a repeated tapping on a rail of the track running Into the tunnel. An old miner who had experience in cave-ins took a hammer and tapped a signal on the rail. He received an answer, and informed thereat of the shift In the tunnel that he was confident a man was alive at the bottom of the shaft. A steel pipe one Inch In diameter was sunk, after careful calculations. It struck a cavity and almost Immediately there was s repeated tapping, announcing the fact that It bad reached Hicks. Through the pipe Hicks talked With

his rescuers. His resene at that thus seemed almost Impossible. He was almost starved, but milk and other liqnld food were dropped down 'the pipe and he soon told those on the surface he was all right.