With The Best of Intentions In 1925, Floyd Collins became a household name. People all over America were fascinated, horrified, and deeply moved by his dire plight. This extremely emotional response was naturally even stronger among the Cave City locals. Many of them were inspired to rush to Sand Cave and help in the best way they knew how to. As a result, for too long Collins was left to the zealous, unqualified, and amateurish attempts of the locals, who, because of their stubborn pride, did everything they could to expel the outsiders. Unfortunately, these outsiders were the only ones with the professional skill, rationality, and organization that Collins' predicament demanded. While the outsiders could have saved Floyd Collins, the locals prevented his rescue.It is clear that from the outset the outsiders had the necessary skill, rationality, and organization to rescue Collins. For instance, on Tuesday morning Henry Carmichael, a licensed engineer from Kyrock, Kentucky, organized a "systematic and coordinated operation" (Murray and Brucker 94). With his engineering efficiency, he soon realized that a shaft would be needed. However, it wouldn't be started until Thursday, two days later. Carmichael and his Kyroc crew's expertise also came into play late Wednesday night. Gerald sought him out for his experience in shoring while his own crew was too exhausted to continue (Murray and Brucker 122). By Thursday morning, outside experts and engineers were dominating the operation (Murray and Brucker 131). They were convinced that Floyd's release was "no longer a caving problem but an engineering one" (Murray and Brucker 131). Now having free rein, these outsiders imposed discipline at the operation, ran an engineering survey of the Sand Cave passageway, and decided to sink a shaft (Murray and Brucker 141). These measures were effective and may have been able to Floyd's life, had they been implemented earlier.However, because...
