Walter Waite helped to rescue men from a burning mine, Cherry, Illinois, November 13, 1909. Waite, 41, assistant mine manager, was on the second vein of coal, one-half mile from the shaft, when apprised of the fire. After warning a number of miners to go to the surface, he started out with others but was prevented from reaching the shaft by the dense smoke. Waite and another man made two attempts to lead out the others, 19 in number, but were halted by smoke and black damp. Under the direction of Waite and the other man, the miners built brattices and, after spending seven days behind them, were rescued in a famishing condition. One man died later from the privations. 5125-425
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5125-425