A REAL HERO.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1125, 14 December 1883, Page 2

A REAL HERO.

Ralph Gore, of Erie, was a contractor, and although poor and uneducated, he was a fine specimen of the truehearted, whole-souled Irishman. On the morning of the accident which we are about to narrate ho was heard to remark that his orders for additional boarding up the sides of the cutting had not been complied with, and that this neglect must be repaired immediately. There were about thirty laborers working at the bottom when he descended, and as he issued some orders he noticed the fall of some gravel and sand from above. Looking up, ho turned pale, and shouted: “ Make for the ladders, men ; there will be a cave in!” A rush took place for the ladders, and men scrambled and climbed over each other in the effort to reach the top before the treacherous wall caved in. * Quick, boys, or you are lost,’ exclaimed Gore, disdaining to take advantage of the means of escape until all his men were safe.

They were all up but one, Jim Reilly, who was rheumatic, and unable to move fast. * For pity’s sake, come up, Gore !’ cried they on the summit of the firm bank. ‘ Not to leave this poor fellow,’ replied the contractor, pointing to the decrepit old labourer. The sand and stones were now sliding down faster and faster, and the western wall appeared on the point of bursting. At last the old man reached the top, and Gore made a bound for the ladder, but as he grasped the rung the bank broke, and fifty tons of sand descended with a crash. Gore was immediately buried in the sand up to his neck. A stone had struck him on the head but not with sufficient force to kill him. He recovered himself in a few minutes, but was unable to extricate himself from the earth around him, the pressure of which was becoming greater every minute. A hundred willing hands went to work to effect bis deliverance. It was a tedious process, for the only way to avoid an additional fall of earth was to make a transverse cutting. A sponge saturated with wine was lowered and he managed to get with his teeth. Hour after hour passed, and yet the work of rescue was not half accomplished.

‘ Boys, is it any good ?’ he cried, and they told him they would work all night for his sake. The ground above was covered with people, many of whom were weeping and praying for the poor fellow. Word was silently passed to the rescuers to hurry in the name of mercy, as another slide of earth immediately above Gore was threatening.

.It was now getting to be dusk, and an awful stillness fell upon all. ‘ Courage, Ralph, they will soon have you,’ called out a reporter; but the words had barely passed his lips when the dreaded slide began. The doomed man saw it coming, and, ever anxious for the safety of others before his own, he cried to them to keep back from the edge for their lives’ sake. His upturned face was a sight that made strong men weep like children. * Gopd-bye, lads. Remember me to ’

To whom Ralph Gore wished to bare* membered will never be known this side of the grave. The fall of earth that followed buried bis brave, sunburned face 20ft under the sand, killing him instantly,