“According to a Queensland paper, one of the most interesting sights of Lightning Ridge opal field, on the northern border of this state, is a miner with one leg, the other having been amputated above the knee. This remarkable man who is known locally by the misnomer of ‘Peggy,’ and who is fully 60 years of age, is working alone, and has bottomed a shaft no less than 40ft. deep. It can be imagined what phenomenal strength and dogged determination are necessary to accomplish such a task under such circumstances single-handed. The descent and ascent are made by means of a rope securely fastened at the top, and down the miner goes hand over hand. He first lowers two kerosene tins into the shaft, then follows them down, and when they are filled with mullock he ascends, and draws the tins to the surface by means of a windlass. He continues this tedious process from early morn until dewy eve, his methods being dexterous and most ingenious.”