The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-08-27
MOBILE, July %.
EXTRAORDINARY PRESERVATION


A circumstance of great anxiety occurred
a few days ago at Spring Hill, in this vicin-
ity. A man named Long had been employ
ed by another to repair very deep well at
the Hill, and about 8 o'clock, A. M. of Fri
day, he was let down in the well bucket to
the bottom, when he discovered that there
was great danger of the well caving in.
He Immediately gave orders to be hoisted
up, hut having come about 20 feet to point
at which there appeared to be no risk, he
commenced his examination of the curb,
and the sides of the well instantly caved in
upon him, leaving his whole body four to
six feet under ground. But an instant
elapsed before he gave indications that he
was not suffocated, and with astonishing
GOODNESS and precision described his situa-
ton to he in a small cavity formed by the
falling of some pieces of boards, which had
been used for curhing, diagonally across
the well, Immediately above his head-upon
those it seemed the dirt with which he was
covered had rested. He complained that
the confined air which he was breathing
would soon suffocate him, and a reed tube
punched at the joints was inserted, which
he fortunately got his mouth to, and which
relieved him very much indeed so extrav-
agant were his expressions of pleasure at
breathing the fresh air, that he appeared to
have forgotten the peril of his situation.
The people of the neighborhood assem-
bled and measures were soon adopted to
remove the dirt; thousand difficulties
however presented themselves-the man
was 40 or so feet below the surface, COW
cred up in narrow we'll which at the first
had been but badly curbed, and which now
4 ,k a. l.
in. Two men were induced alternately to
descend, and remaining in the bucket, by
slow degrees and great caution, the dirt
was removed from the centre of the pile,
his head was freed, and the same process
was continued until his arms were extricat-
ed. Efforts were now made TO fasten a
sheet under his arms, by which his body
might be forced out, but the acute comic
form of the hole which it was necessary TO
make lest the sides of the we'll might again
cave in, made it impossible that either of
the two who had alternately descended
could assist him, and his own arms were
necessarily thrown up, so that he could
make no useful effort himself-night came
on, and Notwithstanding the exertions were
continued and assurances held forth TO him
that he should not perish u he could be saved,
he became the victim to the most rapid
transitions of hope and despair-now hold
ing forth the most confident expressions
that he would be free in few minutes, and
God, asking forgiveness of his neighbors,
and implorng that his wife and little child
rem, then within twenty steps Of the well)
might be taken care of.
The people remained with him all night,
-. A MI &c
having made an experiment of every posi-
BILE suggestion-a sheet was fastened under
his arms, and with blocks and tackles, an
effort made to pull him out-he was raised
or 8 nine inches, with great pain, and sud-
denly complained that his feet were fast
between two ends Of confined scantling.
Effort after effort was made to force him
up, but he could not again he moved Like
hero he bore the pain with fortitude, and
over and over again he repeated his willing
ness to leave his lower extremities behind
but was opposed to having his back broke
All efforts proving unsuccessful, it was now
determined to alarm the city, and have q
trench dug at such an angle as would be
safe-letters were accordingly written and
despatched at day light, and, to the honor
of humanity, hundreds of people came
crowding out, provided with such imple.
ments as they thought necessary, ready to
embark in any service for his safety. Al
about sunrise, however, curb was made
and sent down, over which a quantity Of
dirt was thrown, and at about o'clock
P. M. Of Saturday, a heavy force was put
to the bucket rope--it started and came up
about foot--his feet were in the bucket
the bucket rope broke--he halloed Pm
free, Pm Free" and in moment was drawn