MARY'S GENEALOGY TREASURES
Andy came from Scotland around 1912, and worked in
Broad shouldered Andy Barrie, a 48 year old scottish
Andy who came from Scotland 22 years ago and a
With a canary brought from the miners home, Barrie
You know he said, "a canary can't live in gas, I took
The hardy Scot, holder of the St. John Ambulance
I was very close to Andy and he was respected by anyone
the mines at Commerce. He boarded at our place (the
Walkers) for many years. He instructed first aid, was
president of the Coalhurst community club, and played
Santa Claus every year when the miners' union gave
candy and presents to all the kids. Andy was a strong
swimmer and enjoyed gardening. When the mine was
idle he worked on his brother's farm for the summer.
The following story was printed in the Lethbridge
Herald:
miner and survivor of several mine disasters, today
stood silently in the Community club hall here while
his co-workers sat in little groups discussing last
night's tragedy, the death of 16 comrades.
veteran of the Lethbridge Coal fields, was one who
volunteered to seek his pals in the doomed pit. He
was the first man to volunteer for underground duty
in the gas laden mine.
entered the pit going right through to the cave in
where 10 of the bodies were found. Leading a
squad of rescue crew, Barrie headed in, never
knowing when a second explosion might rock the
lower levels.
the bird in to make the test. Only once did he flutter
and we found the mine almost clear of gas. Far from
the shaft, Barrie and his men found the first body. We
didn't need to feel his pulse, there was no doubt about
the blackened face, he was dead. Another body, he
related, was found under a mine car and nearby lay a
dead horse. The car had been thrown on top of its driver.
Association award for his first aid work, knows what it
means to be trapped below the surface. He was entombed
for many hours several years ago in a mine near Butte,
Montana. The death toll there was 18. Another time he
was held prisoner with many companions in a smoke filled
pit while rescuer's battled to their aid. The toll there was
2 dead and many injured.
who knew him. He passed away, the result of a heart
attack on December 31, 1936.
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