Death Shaft

From Hollywood, another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files of the Texas Rangers. Ranger, Chase Pearson. Texas, more than 260,000 square miles. And 50 men who make up the most famous and oldest law enforcement body in North America.

Or from the files of the Texas Rangers come these stories based on fact. Name, states, and places are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of records. Case for tonight, death shaft.

It is 9.30 am November 18, 1941, in the Big Bend country of West Texas. JC Wilford of the Bureau of Mines and Fred Blaisdell are winding up a narrow dirt road toward Blaisdell's abandoned mine in Blackhawk, Canada.

How long did you say it's been since you operated your mine, Mr. Blaisdell? I never have operated, Wilford. It was left me by my brother when he passed on. I see. I was understood there was all here if you had the money to get it out, but I didn't.

So I just let her sit here, haven't even been near the place for two years anyway. But lately I've been reading that the government's anxious to get some of these minds going again. So I got in touch with you at the Bureau of Mines to see if you think it's a worthwhile proposition.

Well, if it looks promising at all, we can make a thorough survey to a little diamond drilling and see what we've done. Then if it looks good you think the government alone the money to operate it? That's something I can't answer. Or we at the bureau doers make the recommendation. Hey pretty desolate country around here isn't it?