New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-06-04
ExTRAoRpNARY EscAPE-We fir

EXTRAORDINARY EscAPE.-We find in
the last Abingdon V-guiGa the following accoun; Of
one Of the most remarkable escapes probably on re-
cord. It was almost miraculous:
The children OF Mr.. George Hickan. citizen OF
Sco'I county, were playing together IN helt, and
rear the mouth Of a faihOmeSS slnk-hole In their
gambOls one of them boV about eight OF ten years
OF age pushed his little brother about four years DID,
head-long over the edge and down into he deep
DARK plI below Il was sometime after the child was
missed, before any certain information could be
drawn rom the others 10 what had become OF MN,
and II as only by threats Of severe punishment that
finally overcame their fear and eXtorted from the
boy who did the deed, confession Of what had
happened.
An effort was made Immediately TO ascertain the
situation OF the little fellow, and afford HIM relief II
he was not beyond Its power Ropes were tied to-
getheE With stone attached 20 one end and an at
tempt was made to fathom the depth beneath but
more than sixty feet Of rope were employed IN vain
no bottom could be reaches. A lighted candle was
then let down but its light gave no hopeful lndca-
ton, except that the pit was free from choke damp
or impure air, as far down as the candle descended
Night came on and all further efforts had 10 De for
the time abandoned.
On the next day further trials were made OF the
depth OF the pit, but with better success. In de-
SPAR the frantic parents were about TO give up all
hopes of recovery or relieving their little innocent,
and preparations were being made TO close up the
mouth OF the PIT, to prevent IKE occurrence ~ me
future, when il was suggested and agreed upon that
another and a final effort should be made by letting
some individual down by ropes 10 examine the ma
Of the abyss and ascertain If there was any en-
couragement for further efforts TO be found below
brother Of tho lost child undertook the fearful task.
Cords ere fastened around his waist and limbs and
one to his wrist by which he might indicate to those
above his wishes either descend TO be drawn up
He was swung of and slowly lowered, until hav-
ing gone the depth Of about fifty feet. he looked be-
low him. and there shone through the thick darkness
two glisienng eyes, lntently looking upward In an
other moment he was standing on shelf or angle IN
the shaft with the child clasped 70 his bosom He
fastened the little fellow securely to his own body,
and bidding him take the rope firmly IN his hands,
the signal was given to draw up. The child hung
convulsiYey 10 the rope and IN few minutes, they
arose within view of the hundred anxious spectators
who had assembled 10 witness the result and when
the first glimpse Of the little fellow alive caught their
eager gaze screams and shouts OF Joy from the eI-
cited multitude filled the air, and big tears OF Sympa-
thy started from the eyes Of every beholder.
After the first parOxysms OF delight had subsidized,
the child examined to see If It had sustained any
injury and extraordinary TO tell, with the exception
Of little biSe on the back OF the head, It was per-
fecily sound and unhurt. The only complaint II
made was that It was hungry, being nearly % hours
under the ground. To inquiries made of It, It replied
that Il saw a hight and heard II thunder. From the
nature Of the pit II appeared that the little fellow
had fallen perpendicular distance OF 40 feet, upon
slope or bend IN the shaft and from that place had
shded down 30 feet further 10 the spot where he was
found leaning against sort of pillar or wall, and
gazing upward How he escaped instant destruction
il beyOnd all account.