Gold Hill Daily News

Fearful Accident.

James Heffernan, Pumpman in the Nevada Mine, Scalded and Suffocated with Hot Steam

James Heffernan, pumpman at the Savage, met with a horrible death in the mine at 11 o'clock this morning. Mr. Heffernan, at the time of the accident which caused his death, was packing a pump plunger at the eighth station, when things not operating to suit him, he attempted to loosen the cap or guard against which the valve strikes, when the hot water and steam burst forth with such force as to scald and suffocate him almost instantly. Men were close at hand, but the steam and heat were so intense that none could reach him or render assistance, until india rubber coats were procured from the surface. When reached, Heffernan was dead, having been literally choked alive. Heffernan was a native of Ireland, aged 40 years, was married, but has no children. He resided on D street, Virginia, near the Gould & Curry hoisting works, and has helped to sink the Savage shaft from the surface down. He was an old miner and has lived on the Comstock for the past twelve years.