On This Date in Minnesota History: August 30

August 30, 1917 – “Frank Mattson today became a self-made hero when he was lowered down into a burning shaft of the Lincoln mine [in Virginia, Minn.] and without mask and single handed rescued two of his fellow miners, Oscar Pakkala and Joe Reinshe, who had been overcome by the smoke. Mattson found the victims near the flames and carried both of them to the surface. All three were revived by a pulmotor. Mattson's record will go down in the history of mining industry as the greatest hero of the Mesaba mine.

The fire broke out in the exits of Lincoln mine and had trapped 200 miners. All escaped but the two rescued by Mattson. The mine has now been successfully blocked and closed and as water cannot be obtained, the operators plan to smother the flames in the timber workings.”

The Grand Forks Herald; Grand Forks, ND; Aug. 31, 1917

http://www3.gendisasters.com/minnesota/8835/virginia-mn-mine-fire-aug-1917

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Nov. 12, 2012,
as long as acknowledgement included.

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