Mining accidents, particularly in the early part of the 20th century, didn't always end in death but at the very least, someone would end up maimed. Safety or the well being of the workers never interfered with profit - keeping the mine open at all costs. The miners, most with no other source of employment, went along with it. Each day they'd put their lives on the line.
"Ray went to jail and I slowly got back to my routine. I returned to my guitar and new songs and spending precious time with my young son. Feeling so bad about Ray. But I have my life to live, a wife, a son. The end of 1963 is approaching and there are rumours the mine will shut down. We’ve heard it all before so I pay no attention to it. I keep working, enjoying nature and my small family. Seeing lots of movies. They’ve been my escape. I’ve seen thousands.
One day at the mine, I was on the hoist lifting a huge beam of BC fir when a pulley snapped from a rock wall and the timber fell on Erwin, my partner, crushing his leg. He is yelling, crying and moaning while I rush to his side. I give him water and wash his face and tell him I’ll help. I proceed to jack the timber up enough to slide Erwin under. While I’m talking to him and saying over and over, don’t pass out. Take deep breaths. He is pale as a ghost and I pull him out.
Now, it’s to get him down to the main level a few hundred feet, on ladders. We are up in the stope, and Erwin weighs 200 pounds at least. The leg is in bad shape. I can see a bone sticking out. I wrapped some tape around some sticks I had placed on his leg to give some support. I’m soaking wet and now I’m shouting at him, “shut up. I’ll get you out. Help me help you”. I’ve got him by the belt and one arm around my shoulder. I tell him to hop on his good leg.
Down we go. One step at a time and each step, Erwin screams. We make it to the level and I sit him by the tracks and run to get a small timber car I can push on the tracks. I place Erwin on it and I head for the station. I ring the bell, seven or eight times for emergency ( I forget, it’s been so long). In any case, you pull this old and the code brings the cage down instantly. In the surface, the ambulance is there and special people are on the ready to assist. Up we go and in the ambulance, Erwin is saying “thanks partner” in his German accent.
After several operations and some pins in his leg, he quits the mine to move down south where he will work making carpets. He had a trade in Germany doing this. I wish him well and he says “get out of the mine Gate.”