Record 7/11 |
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Description
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| The crew originally took refuge in the FIC tunnel, a short adit up stream from the Nicholson adit. Ed Pulaski left them there while he searched for the longer Nicholson adit he knew was close by. He wore a wet gunny sack over his head to help protect himself from the flames and smoke. The fire storm was already upon them, but Pulaski having found the longer adit, returned and led them through the flames into the Nicholson tunnel. Some of the men were in a state of panic and wanted to leave the mine. Pulaski drew his pistol and threatened to shoot anyone who attempted to flee thereby saving their lives by threatening to take them. The men (46 of them) and a couple of horses sought fresh air near the floor of the tunnel as it began to fill with smoke. Pulaski hung blankets on the entrance and threw water onto them and the support beams as they began to burn. Eventually all succumbed to the smoke and passed out. The fire passed and 41 men survived, 5 men suffocated or drowned, and both horses died. Image 1: Ranger Will Morris on a downed tree approaching the tunnel. Courtesy of USFS District 1 Archives. Image 2: Ranger Will Morris looking into the adit. Courtesy of USFS District 1 Archives. Image 3: The tunnel portal; note the blanket remnants hanging from the scorched timber. Courtesy of USFS District 1 Archives. |
The Big Ed Pulaski Story
-The Portal of Safety
-Copyright Wallace District Mining Museum
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ~ When using this image, the credit line should be in the following format: Image courtesy of the Wallace District Mining Museum and the US Forest Service.
| Ranger Will Morris looking in the mine portal. |
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ~ When using this image, the credit line should be in the following format: Image courtesy of the Wallace District Mining Museum and the US Forest Service.