American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-12-07
REMARKABLE PRESERVATION.


Geneva, in the state OF New York, on the 22d ult
Mr. james Gerry, an IrishmaD, had descended
we'll for the purpose Of removing some obstrucloDs.
The we'll was 81 feet deep, and some OF the stones
in the we'll near the bottom, had been loosened by
the washing of quick sands-EIavng descended be"
tween 40 and so feet, as he was standing with one
foot in the bucket, and tine other resting upon the
side OF the wall, on sudden, the stones below gave
way and closed together, and the whole mass OF the
walls above sunk down upon him and buried him
beneath the ruins.
The shock, says the Geneva Gazette, produced
by such disaster, can be imagined, but not desert
bed. A groan Issued from beneath the stones and
earth, which proved that life not extinct, and
inspired feeble hope OF exricating the unfortunate
man alive Hundreds Immediately collected around
the spot. in painful solictude, all anxious TO bear
part in rescung fellow mortal from so terrible a
grave. The most prompt and active exertions
were made to eXcavae soon possible the stones
and earth that had fallen in. II half past four
o'clock P. M. when the catastrophe happened. In
Is minutes win1lass and bucket were procured
and put in operation. No less than 80 tons OF stone
were to be drawn up, before rellef could be given.
But lew could labor al time, and though they pro-
ceeded with the utmost activity, the removing OF SO
great quantity of stones, mingled with the earth
that had fallen in, was task slow and tedious. As
they proceeded, occasional groans could still be
heard issuing from the cold damp earth beneath
When night approached, they had penetrated but a
few feet below the surface, and the prospect seemed
gloomy and doubtful A crowd OF or 500 anxl-
ously waited the issue of the event. Every thing was
soon put into systematic traio-persons were APP
pointed to make necessary provision, and preserve
lorder and silence among the crowd, The night
was dark and unpleasant; but, by the assistance OF
lamps they vigorously prosecuted the work Those
in the we'll would, intervals, call to the buried
man, to ascertain if he could hear them but no an"
swer could as yet be heard general silence and
solemnity prevailed, broken only by the occasional
murmur OF enquiry among the crowd, the hollow
noise of the stone tumbled into the bucket in the
we-the voice OF the workmen- and now and then
the groaDs OF the distressed man beneath! 1t was
now towards midnight, and they had gone about
twenty feet below the surface-the workmen in The
we'll called again to Gerry GREATNESS silence pre-
vailed, and distinct answer was returned Al this
murmer of Joy ran through the crowd, and the
counenances of all were lg hted up with hope, they
now toiled with renewed ardour occasionally calling
to Gerry as before, and receiving In return distinct
responses. They asked him, what distance he
thought he was down? He nationally replied, be-
tween forty and fifty feet
| There now remained not doubt but he might be
extrcated alive, provided the stones were not ARCH
ed above him in such manner as to fall upon him
when oosened; they now proceeded with the ut
most caution. Between two and three O'Clock when
they had come to within 20 feet OF him, they stop
ped about Is minutes to take some ereshment.
| The poor sufferer below, who for some time had
been conscious oil the exertions OF his sympathi'
sing fellows, perceiving that the noise form the
tumbng of the stones into the bucket no longer
continued, now fanced they had ceased their exer-
lions and leit him expire in that terrible situation
In this moment of despair, he burst out into pitt
| full tone OF wang, and begged them "fer Gods
sake not 10 leave him ~ They informed him OF
the cause of their stopPing-and he was soon glad
dened by the returning sound OF the rafting OF the
stones into the bucket. They asked him " in what
situation he wasF" and he answered, that "be was
wedged in all round by stones."-When they had
come within or a feet of him, he called foT some
water to dink. HIS thirst was the natural result
of his protraced agony. About day light, they had
i lowered the mass down with his head. They
1 found him forty eight feet below the sunace IN an
erect position. completely wedged in, as he had said
A large stone, weighing eighty pounds rested on
1 his head which was turned little up, making
considerable cash, though not producing fracture
in the skull-a each side OF his head, pres
sing like vice, and one or two smaller ones cover
ed with blood, about his faceleavlng small aper-
lure for his mouth, that he could Just breathe and
speak. His arms were raised IN the ppsiuoh III
which he held the rope-one loot was IN the oucket'
and the olher fortunately at liberty so that he
could move it-Do other part oil his BODY could sur!
: So tight was he wedged in, that it was necessary
II to remove the stones down as low as his feet. AT
a quarter before nine O'Clock, in the morning, hav-
ling continued sixteen hours and fifteen minutes IN
the we'll he was drawn up in crate, and welcomed
10y an admiriag and joyful crowd, to this upper
world as one rescued from the grave-as one arisen
from the dead. Shvering with cold he cast a
wisliuI look around upon his deliverers, and was
borne into the house. He was followed by the
three faithful men who had toed incessaly tor thlr"
teen hours in the well, and who received as they
came up, the hearty cheers of the surrounding null
tude Tor their indie faligable and praise worthy ex-
ertons. Two or three medical gentlemen were in