Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-06-07
EXTRAORDINARY. ESCAPE.

The last Abingdon Virginian contains the follow
ing account of one Of the most remarkable escapes
probably on record. II was almost miraculous:
The children Of Mr. George Hickan, citizen Of Scott
county, playing together in field and the mouth
Of sthomles sink hoe IN their gambols one Of them
boy about eight ten years Of age, pushed his little brother
about four years old headlong the edge and down into
the deep dark ptbeow. Il time after the child was
missed before any certain information could be drawn from
the others to what bad become Of him and only
threats OF punishment that finally their
tear and extoed from the boy who did the deed confession
OF what had happened An effort made immediately to
ascertain the situation Of the little fellow and afford him re-
ef ne was not beyond It's power Ropes were tied toee-
ne WIN stone attached TO end and attempt
made to fsshom the depth beneath hut more than sixty feet
Of rope were employed In vain no bottom could be reached
lighted candle was then let down., but its light gave no
hopeful Indication, except that the bit was free from choke
damp or impure air far down a. the candle desended
Night came on, and all further efforts had to be for the time
abandoned On the next day further trials were made Of the
depln Of ne p but with no better In despair the
frantic parents were about 70 give up all hopes Of recovery or
Of relieving their little innocent and preparations were ben
made to close up the mouth Of the rt 10 prevent ke &C.
currence in the future. when it suggested and agreed
upon that another and final effort should b made by letting
some individual down by ropes examine the nature Of the
abyss and ascertain there any for further
efforts to be found below. brother Of the lost child under
took the fearful task Cords were fastened around bs waist
and limbo and one 70 his wrist by which be might indicate
g those above bis wishes either descend OF to be drawn up
He was swung off and slowly lowered until having gone 10
the depth Of about fifty feet he looked below him. and there
shone through the thick darkness two gsenng eyes neny
looking upward. 10 another moment be standing on
shelf angle in the shaft with tho child cssped to 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 convulyey The rope
and, in few minutes they within view Of the bundled
anxious spectators who had assembled witness the result
and when the first glimpse Of the little fellow alive caught
their eager and shouts Of Joy from the excited
multitude filled the air and big tears Of sympathy started
from the eyes Of every behoder After the first parorysms Of
delight had subsidized the child examined to see had
sustained any injury, and extraordinary to TELL with the ex
cepon of little bruse the back Of its head Il was per-
fcty sound and unhur The only complaint 1t made was
that il was hungry being nearly hours under
the ground To Inquiries made Of H. replied that saw
light and heard thunder From the nature Of the pit Il
appeared that the little fellow had fallen perpendicular dis
lance of forty feet upon slope bend in the shaft and
from that place had sided down twenty feet further to the
spot where he was found leaning against Of pillar or
wall and gazing upward How he escaped instant destruc-
ton is beyond all account. asu H