A HERO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2492, 30 June 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A HERO.

Sui'F.ntsTENjjKNT Keatexk related to a representative of Virginia (Nevada) Chronicle the following exhibition of unexampled coolness and heroism on the part of James Cavanagh, who was seriously injured by the premature explosion of a blast in the Hale and Norcross mine. At the time of the accident a round of three holes had been charged and the fuses lit by Cavanagh, when one of them prematurely exploded. Miners rushed to the rescue of Cavanagh, whe was lying on the floor of the drift overed with blood, and blackened with p<, ..•der-smoUe. He shouted to the men, Don't come in here. Only one of the holes has been fired." For some reason the lighted candle snuffs nndor the other two charged holes did not ignite the fuses leading to the powder; and it is supposed that Cavanagh's body in falling brushed the lighted candle snufifs away without his being aware of it. Although momentarily expecting to hear the deafening roar of the explosion of the two remaining blasts, the firing of which would in all probability have proved his death knell, and loft him a frightfully mangled corpse, he still thought of the safety of his fellow miners, and had the presence of mind to warn them of their danger. Such an exhibition of selfsacrificing heroism in the gloomy, silent, underground workings of a mine—with the momentary anticipation of a painful, torturing death staring the brave miner in the face—eclipses that of the deeds of the most valiant warrior who ever fell on a battle field in the blaze of the sunlight, with the certainty of his heroism gaining for him a niche in the temple of fame.